5 Girls, 2 Gerbils, a New Puppy and Lots of Junk Food – Yep, We’re Ready For Frankenstorm

And I was slightly hesitant to move down south because of THEIR storms!

The girls and I are hunkering down, waiting for “Frankenstorm” to shake things up a bit around here. Mostly they we are eyeballing all the junk food and arts and crafts supplies I bought to make things a little fun, since there most likely won’t be any trick-or-treating here in upstate New York this Halloween.

The wind has been gusting lightly for about the last hour or so – shaking the gorgeous leaves off the trees as if we were in a giant snowglobe and gently stirring some forgotten seashells we found at the Cape last month in the backyard.

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Diamonds, Champagne and the Most Awesome Hot Tub Experience I Have Ever Had…

I love to bang.

On dolomite.

The rhythmic pounding on rock with rock hammers and chisels, in hopes of having water-clear, double terminated Herkimer Diamonds come spilling out onto the grey dust gives me just an incredible rush. Actually, they more like come flying out – looking perfectly faceted. Seeing the glittery rainbow sparkle peek out from the mazes of stone crevices makes every blow worthwhile. After a few hours, dust covers one from head to foot, and muscles scream for mercy, but clear zip-lock bags filled with gemstones keep us going until the very second the mine closes for the day.

Last weekend, after a long day of mining, I dragged my weary body – dusty and sore – to the Bellinger Rose Bed and Breakfast in Herkimer, NY. I did not have a particularly successful day finding diamonds, and there was nothing more I wanted than to settle into my room.

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