Monday (er, Sunday) Stuff On the Way to Other Stuff: Rocks & Rails Gem Show Sunday in Boulder!

 This is one of the more unusual gem shows in Colorado, and just in time for the holidays:

THE ROCKS & RAILS EVENT started on Friday, and finishes up on Sunday 12/11, 10-5. 

It's at the Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont, CO. We're headed there for the Phenomenal Gems booth -- we hear they have a electric railroad that travels around the table, dispensing free crystals! 

Daughter #2 and Son #1 came up with this, when they heard model railroad buffs would be attending the expo, as well. They have a nice selection of reasonably-priced crystals and rock specimens -- just in time for gift-giving. 

We'll be there. Look for the crystals railroad -- and get a freebie for yourself. 

(Go here for more info)

Meanwhile:

Dec. 10 -- the first time women are granted the right to vote, thanks to Wyoming's territorial legislature. Don't give them too much credit -- they were trying to increase the population, so Wyoming could become a state. From what I've read, the legislature planned to cancel the women's vote -- but were stymied by the governor, who said his mother would never forgive him if he didn't sign this into law. So he did. 

After twenty years, he's out of the cage. Albania's last "restaurant bear" is finally free.

 (A wonderful free collection of circus posters to download here, by the way.)  Thanks so much, Picture Box Blue.  (Other free collections are here too, including Halloween, Christmas and Easter postcards.)

Twitter wasn't "shadow banning" -- get that straight. It's called "VF" -- 'Visibility Filtering.'

The Boy in the Box's identity is finally revealed.  Not all questions have been answered yet, though.

"What was the coolest thing you ever found at a garage sale?"  Quora readers hold forth.

Dairy-free caramels you can make. 

IRS agents are 'helping' Santa -- by sliding down chimneys, looking for gifts of $600+. More Babylon Bee silliness...based somewhat on truth. 

   "The Jackson family of Muncie were initially surprised to find the black-suited agents pouring out of their chimney and ripping open their presents, but became cooperative after father Ben Jackson was given an explanation and a brief sleeper hold. "Yeah, I guess it's our patriotic duty or something," said Mr. Jackson after regaining consciousness.

Agents will be searching homes during the entire holiday season."

Another Bee gem:  Kirk Cameron is being blocked from libraries for reading a kids' book with Christian themes...hey, just put on a dress, a wig and makeup, instead!

It wasn't just one suitcase -- it was TWO. How long will the Department of Energy be keeping this employee on?? (First court date: Dec. 19.) Update: they are no longer an employee...though it's not completely clear if that was the DOE's doing -- or theirs. An arrest warrant was issued last week. Here they are, appearing at court -- what, no lipstick and/or new suit?? I would think you'd really want to dress up for that. 

A four-year-old is found ok, after six days lost out in the African bush. Hooray!

Million-dollar bacon. Or maybe it just tastes like that...

Shipwrecks that are thought to be haunted. Including the Kamloops...with 'Grandpa.'

'Did someone treat you poorly...until they found out you were much more successful than thought?' Another interesting Quora question/answer session.

This lady compassionately paid for his groceries, after a stranger found he had no money. Then she found out who he was.    And something even nicer came from her selfless act. (No flipping on this particular story, so it's easier to read.)

A medieval era wedding ring -- found by a guy metal detecting for only the second time. 

Making a holiday circus diorama -- with paper printouts and a sardine can!

Salvaging the S.S. Pacific -- a look at Gold Rush artifacts.  (And families who feel they should be entitled to their ancestors' possessions, instead of the wreck-finders.)

Annie Liebovitz -- photographer. 

An incredible necklace reconstructed from artifacts found in a grave.

Fifty owners who look like their pets. (I don't think we look like Ruby, but hey...)

Maybe Daughter #2 does?  Naaah...

Cat shaming photos. Not that the little darlings would ever do this...

A very weird story on 'famous corpses.'  Including details on 'freshening up' Lenin's corpse. No weirder, I guess, than this odd story about a family who dug up Grandma, now ten years gone, and re-dressed her in a white nightgown. And you thought your family was odd...

Make your own chocolate-covered cherries?? This was my dad's favorite candy at Christmas. (What's invertase?? I had to look it up -- but it liquifies fondant and other sweet fillings. Go here for more.)

A whale wreath!   As the Brick would say, "You don't see that very often." (From The Inspired Room)

Commentary:  FTX's collapse was NOT an accident. Scary.

The 'last' Tasmanian tiger's skeleton and pelt are discovered -- sitting in a museum cupboard since c.1936. (I wonder if they really are extinct -- some sightings in the wild suggest otherwise.)

Layered felt trees for an interesting holiday display.   (From Thistlewood Farm)

Six hacks for using vaseline. (One possibility: mix it with kool-aid for a flavored lipbalm!)

Jim Baker was suddenly removed from his cushy Twitter job -- after his new boss discovered he'd been vetting some damaging files from former Twitter employees. Poor guy...but he hasn't exactly been penniless between his various jobs. It might be harder this time around, though. Maybe he can do this...

Why Ukranians decorate their Christmas trees with spiderwebs. 

'Stealth wealth' -- and how to keep your money 'hidden.'   (From Financial Samurai)

Have a good week.