Beginners Guide to Getting Stoned... I mean Stones! (Topaz)

   What has more than one color, is named for a place it isn't produced, and is hard, yet known for being loving and warm?

Topaz Poison Ring

 Just in case you hadn't guessed by the picture - the gem stone in question is TOPAZ!

   Found in many places around the world, including Brazil, Russia, Australia, India, Mexico and the United States, the name Topaz comes from the old Greek name of a small island in the Red Sea - Topazios (now called Zabargad), a place which the stone isn't actually produced.

Wait, what?

Imperial Topaz Ring

   Back before the development of modern minerology, the island was a source peridot, which was confused with topaz and the name just stuck.

    But, you might ask... isn't peridot usually a yellowish color? Well yes, it is. But since common Topaz in it's natural state is colorless, trace element impurities can make it blue, golden brown or yellow orange, thus the confusion. In addition to this, Topaz is often treated with heat or radiation making it deep blue, reddish orange, pale green, pink or purple, creating all the colors we see today.

   On top of this wide variety of colors, Topaz is both hard and soft. At an 8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it is a tough gemstone, but spiritually, it's thought to symbolize love and warmth, healing and peace, as well as friendship and happiness. Topaz is considered a stone that can sooth and calm nerves and often used to strengthen emotional support, acting as a stabilizer that makes the wearer receptive to love. In addition, this gemstone is believed to promote truth and forgiveness as well as protect the wearer from harm. Resonating with the throat chakra, this stone helps with unlocking self expression and stimulate creativity.

Plus, it's really pretty.

Azotic Topaz Ring

   So, whether you are looking at getting this stone to strengthen a friendship, increase your receptivity to love, protect you from harm, or simply pair with your favorite outfit, Topaz is a great stone to have! (Did I mention that it makes an excellent gift for those born in November as it is the November birthstone?)

Mystic Topaz Pendant

Looking to possess this mineral yourself? Visit us in person or online at https://justwitchys.com. Just Witchys carries a number of books to increase your understanding of this mineral as well as many other stones and crystals. They also carry a variety of products that contain Topaz to share with someone you love, pair with your favorite outfits, use in rituals, and adorn your home.

                 That's all now from the Shinyite School of stones!

Tumbled Topaz

Shinyite School of Stones is an unregistered trademark of Duckwrites.com. Used by permission to Just Witchys. 😁

Potty Potential (Accessibility for One is Accessibility for All)

   I have never liked public restrooms. Even before I became mobility challenged, I cringed at the thought of using them. While there were some pleasant surprises over the years, most of the facilities I encountered ranged from "ewww" to "better wear a hazmat suit." Because standing was never really an option for me, remedies for these conditions ranged from covering the seat with toilet paper to just squatting and balancing over the toilet.

Sometimes the only choices are crappy ones...

Yep, that's a window!

Now that I have added equipment to enhance my mobility, I dread having to use a public facility.

   First, you have to get to the bathroom. This often involves traversing long narrow hallways through several zip codes just to get to the door. Oftentimes, these corridors are filled with numerous obstacles ranging from couches and chairs to storage boxes and discarded equipment for you to struggle past.

   Should you make it that far, you now face a door that most likely weighs more than a semi truck loaded with steel coils. Seriously, it's daunting enough for the able bodied, but imagine trying to reach over your assistive device to wrangle open the door (because it is too heavy to just push with your device), then try to keep the door open while you enter with bulky equipment that often requires two hands to maneuver.

   If you do get in, you get a gold medal, but no guarantee you will be able to use the facilities.

   Once through the door, you generally have to travel past all the other stalls back to the other end of the building to reach the handicapped stall, the only one that is big enough to accommodate whatever equipment you might be using. Hopefully it is not out of order, has a door that shuts and locks, and is not being used by an employee as a break room.

   Providing you get lucky enough to access the aforementioned stall, you then find yourself facing complicated engineering choices made for that space....

Okay, lots of space...

But did I mention that I'm SHORT?

    At least this facility had toilet paper.

   As if engineering choices weren't enough of an issue, some places try to spiffy things up as well in a misguided attempt at decor...

   I suppose the cabinet could be considered artsy, but I wasn't sure where I was supposed to put the electric scooter. I would hate to think of what trying to transfer from a wheelchair would be like. Clean and simple would have been a better option. I went there to use the facilities, not put away my laundry. Incidentally, the cabinet was empty, I checked. What a waste of space!

   Now if you manage to successfully navigate all these steps and actually use the facilities, you will need to wash and dry your hands. While the sink may be at the correct height and wheelchair friendly, you most likely will find it located next to the door, which will be problematic if anyone should wish to enter the restroom. Drying your hands afterward is the next challenge. If there is a REAL air dryer (one that blows more than a puff of air that wouldn't constitute a faint breeze), you are in luck. Otherwise, you need to hope whoever installed the paper towel dispenser wasn't tall, especially if you are in a wheelchair or utilizing other seated mobility equipment. If this is the case, you either have to blow on your hands for all eternity, or wipe them on your clothes to dry.

To be honest, I've totally given up on these last steps and just carry hand sanitizer.

   Finally, there is one last hurdle. Getting out of the bathroom. Remember the really heavy door? Well now you have to somehow find a way to position your equipment and reach the door, then pull it open and maneuver your way out.

Good Luck.

   If you're looking for me, I'm currently living in a restroom facility located in fast food chain waiting for another patron to happen by and let me out. I've given up any hope to be discovered by an employee as the previously recorded date of cleaning is from 1987 and I used the last of the toilet paper.

All pictures are my own, unless otherwise specified in the captions.

 

The Beginners Guide to Getting Stoned...I mean stones! (Rose Quartz)

A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

                                    William Shakespeare - Romeo and Juliet

    I'm going to become half of you. And I need you to know that every moment you love being yourself, that's me, loving you and loving being you.

                                        Rose Quartz - Stevens Universe

Rose Quartz Sphere

   I started out this blog with some great quotes that feature love and roses, which is perfect for a discussion on Rose Quartz since it is considered the Heart Stone! Symbolizing unconditional love and infinite peace, this stone is thought to foster deep inner healing and self-love.

And who couldn't use a little of that?

Rose Quartz Palm Stone

   Believed to have the power to enhance positive affirmations and aid in emotional healing, this crystal is used to help restore trust and harmony in relationships. The strong vibrations of love given emitted from this crystal are thought to inspire compassion. And as a catalyst facilitating deep soul cleansing and connecting the physical dimension with the mind, Rose Quartz is often used in meditation. In addition, this crystal is said to create a calming environment that promotes positive feelings, providing a soothing space to sleep.

Rose Quartz Moon with Mermaid

Just reading about these properties makes me want to curl up and relax with some on my nightstand!

   Rose Quartz also has a bit of a history. Dating back as far as 7000 BC, it is said that Ancient Egyptian women used Rose Quartz face masks to clear their complexions and prevent wrinkles. Today, it can still be found in many facial products, such as face masks and facial rollers to boost circulation and stimulate cells, giving one's face a healthy, rosy glow. There is also some evidence that Rose Quartz helps release increased oxygen and give your skin better elasticity to provide a firmer look and feel. If nothing else, applying Rose Quartz to your face can help improve the absorption of skincare products, allowing for deeper penetration of those products.

Rose Quartz Dragon's Head

      Surprisingly, this soft hearted stone registers a 7 on the Mohs hardness scale. Formed when magma rich in water, silica, oxygen and other elements intrude into the surrounding rocks and slowly cool, it is found all over the world including Brazil, Namibia, India, Sweden and the United States. So not only is it a wonderful stone to use in jewelry as it is durable and scratch resistant, but its ready availability makes it popular among craftsmen. 

Rose Quartz Pendant w/Copper wire Tree

Did I mention that it is really pretty?

   Whether you wish to give as a gift to someone you love, use as a meditation or sleep aid, or pair with your favorite outfit, this stone is not one to pass by without serious consideration.

Rose Quartz Ring

   Looking to possess this mineral yourself? Visit us in person or online at https://justwitchys.com. Just Witchys carries a number of books to increase your understanding of this mineral as well as many other stones and crystals. They also carry a variety of products that contain Rose Quartz to share with someone you love, pair with your favorite outfits, use in rituals, and adorn your home.

That's all now from the Shinyite School of stones!

Shinyite School of Stones is an unregistered trademark of Duckwrites.com. Used by permission to Just Witchys. 😁