S.R.R. Colvin's Blog, page 4
April 1, 2010
Happy A F Day!
Every year I step out into the world on April 1st with my guard up and my senses on red alert, determined not to fall victim to another silly April Fool's joke. This year my confidence was high. Throughout the school day I moved cautiously from classroom to classroom, checking my seat for gum and the usual stupidness. I was ever vigilant as I opened my locker, and as I ventured into the hallways and the lunchroom. So far, so good, I kept telling myself.
This was going to be a banner year for m...
This was going to be a banner year for m...
March 22, 2010
Book Review: The Secret of the Sacred Scarab
Hi, everybody!
Maddy here. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to read. I just finished reading a great work of fiction titled The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. It was awesome!
Egypt is a rich setting perfect for an adventure with cousins Justin and Adam. I hope to go there myself - some day! There are long-forgotten tombs and lost treasures, mummies, camels, a kidnapping, a boat trip down the Nile, and so much more!
After a street peddler secretly slips a sacred relic into one of the boys' ...
Maddy here. Everyone who knows me knows that I LOVE to read. I just finished reading a great work of fiction titled The Secret of the Sacred Scarab. It was awesome!
Egypt is a rich setting perfect for an adventure with cousins Justin and Adam. I hope to go there myself - some day! There are long-forgotten tombs and lost treasures, mummies, camels, a kidnapping, a boat trip down the Nile, and so much more!
After a street peddler secretly slips a sacred relic into one of the boys' ...
February 24, 2010
Magnetic Reversals
Maddy here!
When my brother, Mica, and I ended up in Krybos last summer trying to outwit an interior world madman, concerns over disruptions in the earth's magnetic field came up. Mica wanted to know what dangers, if any, could occur from this field getting reversed. So, what did I do? I did what any self-respecting big sister would do. I lied to him. Well, I guess "lie" is kind of a strong word for it. I was really just pulling his chain by choosing what to say. Mica asked me if a magnetic re...
When my brother, Mica, and I ended up in Krybos last summer trying to outwit an interior world madman, concerns over disruptions in the earth's magnetic field came up. Mica wanted to know what dangers, if any, could occur from this field getting reversed. So, what did I do? I did what any self-respecting big sister would do. I lied to him. Well, I guess "lie" is kind of a strong word for it. I was really just pulling his chain by choosing what to say. Mica asked me if a magnetic re...
February 3, 2010
Digby's First Gopher Day
Today is Gopher Day 2010. School was canceled due to yesterday's snow, and the day started out with below freezing temperatures. Sounds like it would be a great day for the first official Gopher Day, right?
Early this morning, I sent Digby from Grandpa's Attic, through the vent shaft and out onto the mountain top where he would prognosticate about the weather to come. Simple enough, wouldn't you think?
Then, I stepped outside and looked at the cliff above the house, fully expecting to see a p...
Early this morning, I sent Digby from Grandpa's Attic, through the vent shaft and out onto the mountain top where he would prognosticate about the weather to come. Simple enough, wouldn't you think?
Then, I stepped outside and looked at the cliff above the house, fully expecting to see a p...
February 2, 2010
Groundhog Day 2010
Well, today is Groundhog Day. Some folks say the little Pennsylvania guy can predict if we'll have six more weeks of winter weather, or early spring weather. Supposedly, he comes out of his simulated tree stump and either sees, or doesn't see, his shadow. But you know me, I prefer a more scientific approach to everything.
I read this morning on the Internet that the beast has already emerged and seen his shadow. That means there is supposed to be six more weeks of winter weather. Maybe h...
I read this morning on the Internet that the beast has already emerged and seen his shadow. That means there is supposed to be six more weeks of winter weather. Maybe h...
January 16, 2010
One of VA's Great Caverns
Luray Caverns is in western Virginia not far from I-81's New Market exit. I've been there and it's quite awesome.
The caverns have some spectacular formations including the world's largest musical instrument called the "Great Stalacpipe Organ." There is an underground lake and some enormous chambers with ceilings as high as 10 stories. The image in the upper left of this post is the Great Hall.
If you can't get there to see these caverns in person, you can view some of the grandeur online. L...
December 14, 2009
December 4, 2009
The Santa Train (Southwest VA, KY, and TN)
Here's a look at a wonderful tradition that occurs every year in the hills and hollows of southwest Virginia. Thank you to CXS and other sponsors!
I'll write more later,
Maddy
I'll write more later,
Maddy
November 24, 2009
Fluorite in the Treasure Room
Hello from Grandpa's Attic!
Our school is already out for Thanksgiving break, so I got up extra early today and rode the elevator down to the kitchen to grab a frozen waffle, then I hopped back in and rode up to the fourth floor where Grandpa has his fabulous collection. My little brother, Mica, is still asleep and the last thing I want to do is wake him up so he can ruin my absolutely perfect morning. He annoys me to death all the time. OMG, he's soooo immature!
I love it up here in Grandpa's ...
Our school is already out for Thanksgiving break, so I got up extra early today and rode the elevator down to the kitchen to grab a frozen waffle, then I hopped back in and rode up to the fourth floor where Grandpa has his fabulous collection. My little brother, Mica, is still asleep and the last thing I want to do is wake him up so he can ruin my absolutely perfect morning. He annoys me to death all the time. OMG, he's soooo immature!
I love it up here in Grandpa's ...
November 20, 2009
Maddy's Conducting a Cavern Tour
I'm giving a tour of our backyard cavern this coming weekend, and I was just making some notes on the talk I'll be giving during the tour. Here is a link to one of the resources I've found for great cave information: http://www.nps.gov/archive/wica/Speleothems.htm
I have several major topics on my cave tour. The most important one is cave safety, but the most fun one is speleothems. Speleothems are the different types of formations found in caves. I try to include information on the science be...
I have several major topics on my cave tour. The most important one is cave safety, but the most fun one is speleothems. Speleothems are the different types of formations found in caves. I try to include information on the science be...
