Fossil Hunting On the Jersey Shore?

Yep! As crazy as that sounds, that's exactly what I've been doing... The past four years we have vacationed in Cape May, New Jersey, as a family. One week in July, every year. And the first two years, my daughter was so little and required so much attention, that I didn't really even collect any seashells, which as many of my friends know, is my big weakness. I am an avid shell collector. 

Well, last year, E was 2-1/2, and finally playing with Nana on her own two legs. And I had a chance to sift through the pebbles and shells along the shore... a couple of things caught my trained eye as possibly organic in origin, though they were currently stones. So I picked them up and put them in my little pile of goodies, consisting mainly of Cape May Diamonds (quartz crystals worn smooth by the sea,) pretty colored stones, jingle shells, scallop shells, other bivalves, and a growing number of "interesting looking" stones. One of them turned out to be a fossilized marine mammal tooth! A mosasaur, to be exact!! I identified it by comparing it to Fossil Guy's photos and descriptions of his less-worn fossils found in New Jersey. So exciting!! (Edit: after putting my finds to The Fossil Forum, I was called out on my "mosasaur tooth" and must bow to the pros on their consensus: It's actually a Rugosa Coral, aka Horn Coral. Thanks, guys!)

Rugosa Coral at right

After I got home, I got out my daughter's little stereoscope to view my finds more closely. That's actually when I realized that I had a lot more fossils than I'd thought... mostly fossilized sea sponges, corals, and bryozoans. But a few other things that I had to research on the web, and discovered were possibly dinosaur vertebrae, based on the pattern of the mineral replacement.  (Edit: the two pieces on the bottom left are oolites.)

Coral fossils and possibly bryozoans

Dinosaur vertebra? (Edit: or honeycomb coral)

So this year, with my daughter actively playing in the water with her Nana, her great aunt, and her dad, I sat an "excavated" the beach for more fossils... and I found a few...

I think these are rugosa corals, or "horn corals" from the Permian Era

No idea what this was!

The photos above are a few of my favorite finds, though I actually have a small container full of what I have determined to be fossils of one kind or another. A lot of sea sponges and corals, for the most part. I also found lovely agates, and a few semi-precious gems, but they are so small and worn, that I just put them all into a little clear bottle, grouped by colors. So pretty! 

I will have to post soon about the other fossils I've found here in Pennsylvania, while hiking near creeks and rivers.... but that's for another day!

I hope you're all well. I know it's been ages since I've posted, and you might not even be out there listening anymore. If you are, Hello! If you're not, I hope to have you visit soon.

Blessings

Visiting Cape May, New Jersey

Last summer, K's mom wanted us all to take a beach vacation together... It was time to get to the sea, and for the family to get closer to Baby E. I was all for it! I always miss the ocean when I'm away from it, so I was extremely pleased to be able to spend a week near the Atlantic... It's one of the oceans that I'm not too familiar with. I grew up next to the Pacific, and my timeshare is on a Pacific Ocean beach. I'm always happy to get to know another ocean, though!

Lush flowers

Wild berries to eat

Biking to the bay

We stayed at a home that we found on www.vrbo.com, which is how I booked places to stay when I was in Europe, remember? This worked well then, and it worked well for our local vacation, too! The house we rented had bikes, water gear, pretty much everything we needed for a fun time with family by the beach! We enjoyed biking to the bay to see the sun set... it's one of few places on the east coast where you can watch the sun set over the ocean!

Pathway to the bay

We also liked walking to the ocean early in the morning... but I was surprised the first time we went. This is what we saw...

Horseshoe crabs all over the beach

Getting stuck in the sand after the tide has gone out

I felt really bad for them! We helped a few live ones back to the retreating sea, but I doubt many made it. Turns out it was the time of year (July) for them to come in and find mates and lay eggs, and then die. Sad! But also kind of fascinating.

Who was this fishy creature?

Is this a needlefish? Do they live in cold water?

The other cool thing to see was the tidal patterns on the sand... I loved them.

Lacy patterns from detritus left on the shore

We went out a lot, too... just to eat yummy seafood, and to do a little shopping here and there. The historic downtown of Cape May is quaint. They have a couple of really cute candy shops, and unique children's stores. There were cafes and restaurants, too. One crab shack we went to was right by the water... it had a nice eating area on standard picnic tables. We ate some fresh crab there... it was okay, but the view was really cool.

My favorite beach, though, was Sunset Beach, which is more of a local's hangout. Not remotely like the main beach in Cape May proper. I can't stand those beaches where you have to pay to sit on the sand about a half mile from the edge of the water because it's so crowded. No thank you. I like the quiet little beaches where you can relax and hear the ocean waves lapping at your feet. Also, Sunset Beach had a little fried food shack that was actually pretty yummy! And the sand looked like this...

My favorite kind of sand...

We're going back to Cape May this July, and I'm already looking forward to it! Probably in part to the intense winter we've been having. Boy, I almost forgot what it feels like to have the sun on your face! Mama needs some time on the beach with her family!! It feels so far away right now, but the way time seems to fly since Elie was born, it'll be here in a flash! I need to remember to slow my mind down and savor the moments we're living. {Breathe... just breathe....}

Here's to sunny, loving thoughts to keep you warm this winter...

Blessings,

S

A Party in Castro Valley's Coolest Home

My dear friend, Lenore, threw a little party for me so that I could get together with some friends on my whirlwind trip to California. Understanding the lack of time I could spend with individuals on this short trip, she opened her home to me. She fed and watered all my peeps and we had a wonderful time hanging out and catching up! It was a nice, low pressure way to see everyone.


What I wanted to actually blog about is her amazing home! I love it so much, and wanted to share a few photos of it with you.

Okay, beautiful, right? I mean, I've known her for about 15 years, and her home is ever-changing, but always full of grace and beauty. It's very well thought-out, if you know what I mean? It helps that she has access to amazing antiques and art, being a part-time antiques dealer, as is her hubby, Charles. He also is a creative genius. Check out his newest creations... Steampunk lamps! They are so cool...

This one is my favorite! Sorry the pic isn't great.

He sells them in their antiques shop in Petaluma, CA. If you're interested in purchasing one, I can get you the info to contact them. They don't have a website, but if you're ever in that area, let me know. Also, in the "West Wing," Lenore has collected artist's painting palettes from Paris. They're so rich and full of creative life... you can see them a bit in the photo of the dummy head.

Expandable breasts!

Charles keeps lots of Steampunk inspiration around him... that dress-maker's dummy is the best! The waist, bosom, and other areas expand and contract to size! Like something Tim Burton might have used on a creature of his... it's still in working order, too, after Charles fixed her up.

Above are two pictures I took of Lenore's Curiosity Cabinet... a Victorian invention to exhibit interesting things as they explored the New World of Nature with a scientific eye. Her cabinet is full of lovely bits of nature that even I have never seen before! True curiosities! My own cabinet of curiosities also stores my art supplies, etc, so it's not as lovely as hers. Though one day... one day!


I also wanted to share Lenore's granddaughter, Bella's, bedroom. It's lovely. I wish my photos did it justice. We were happy to meet her last weekend.... she's a sweet and creative girl. Just beautiful! Although only eight years old, she has the aura of an old soul. She is a precious girl.

And last, but not least, I got to see my best friend, E, and her son (my Godson) Max. He's now 13 years old, and as tall as me... documented by this photograph. It was a special treat to spend time with them! (I've missed my time with my BFF!!)

E and K taking pics of Max and I

Max used to fit in the crook of my arm like an over-sized (though not by much!) burrito. It makes me sad and also amazed at how fast children grow. His voice has changed, too.... deeper now, more manly. So strange! 


I had such an amazing time at Lenore's. She's one of my dearest friends... true sisters of the soul. She and I have so much in common and can spend hours chatting about all kinds of things. She is a constant inspiration to me, too. I've missed her! I hope you've enjoyed this little glimpse into her home. She's an inspiration! 

SF Botanical Gardens, Redux

Okay, without much narration, I'm just going to share some photos with you... I had wanted to get my nicer photos from my camera uploaded while in San Jose, but it didn't work out that way. No biggie! Here they are... starting with some strange, unusual or pokey plants.

Next are spirals and petals that radiate harmoniously...

Next are trumpets, fuchsias and other favorites...

Lastly are the stragglers... including a friend that we made at the park. He/she was a cutie!

K loved this rosemary... bonsai-like!

prehistorically pokey

Oh yeah, and here's a cool pic of me that K took... it's in the area that felt like jungle, but I can't recall what it was called.