Strange Days Indeed

Do you get stressed out about life sometimes---mortgages, jobs, children? Bet you thinks I'm going to tell you to get a mineral or rock with healing powers. Well I'm not!

To say these are " Strange Days Indeed " is a real understatement. The world seems to have no direction as a whole, and that can be very disturbing. The Earth will exist for a few billion more years before the Sun becomes a Red Giant and swallows it up, so Earth will be there for your life time, and for those you love. But what will things look like in 10 years? 20 years? Do what you can to exist and try to make change, but I suggest the following.

Get some " me " time..carve out a few minutes a day for yourself. Just viewing nature from a window is great and relaxing. Take a short walk just to observe whats going on with birds, animals, trees. Find a hobby you like. Do you read? Play an instrument? Find something you actually enjoy doing! Don't let stress consume you, life is too short!

Gold Rush Days-Virginia City, Mt.

As the story goes, in the spring of 1863, a group of prospectors were on their way to the Yellowstone River but were detained by Crow Indians. After being released, they returned via a different route and camped near what is now Virginia City, Mt. While camped in Alder Gulch, they decided to do a bit of panning—and struck gold almost immediately.

Recognizing the richness of the find, they tried to keep it secret. But word quickly spread, and within weeks, thousands of miners flooded the area.

By late 1863, a boomtown sprang up named Virginia City, and it soon became the territorial capital and a major hub in Montana’s early history.

The gold strike at Alder Gulch was one of the richest placer gold discoveries in U.S. history, yielding an estimated $30 million (in 1860s dollars) in just a few years.

It make's one think that Gold has a metaphysical quality, which is the ability to drive people crazy to get it!!

The Healing Power of Amythyst

A quarter is shown at the base for scale.

Amethyst is widely cherished for its soothing energy and profound spiritual significance. Often referred to as the "stone of tranquility," it is believed to calm the mind, ease anxiety, and help release negative thoughts. In spiritual practice, amethyst is said to open the third eye a. nd crown chakras, enhancing intuition and deepening meditation. Many use it during mindfulness rituals to promote clarity and connect with higher realms of consciousness.

Amethyst’s healing energy is thought to assist with emotional balance, making it a popular choice for those navigating grief, heartache, or emotional turmoil. For example, keeping an amethyst crystal under your pillow is believed to encourage restful sleep and ward off nightmares, while carrying a small piece in your pocket may offer grounding support in stressful situations.

This violet gemstone has also been linked to sobriety and clarity—ancient Greeks believed it protected against intoxication. Today, it's often used as a symbol of inner strength and spiritual protection. Whether worn as jewelry, placed in a sacred space, or simply held during quiet reflection, amethyst invites a gentle sense of peace and deeper awareness of one’s spiritual path.