This Accretionary Wedge entry comes from Viva and is exactly what I was hoping for.  What a great story.  Thanks!  Remember, you only have until the end of the month to get your entry in if you want to be entered for the special geologic prize pack.

This is a love story about an end table.

It sits in my maternal Grandma’s living room in Colorado, and it has since before I was born.  I learned to walk by pulling myself up on it, and cruising round and round and looking at the ‘pretties’.  As I got older, I would spend hours examining it, and trying to figure out where the rocks came from and how they were formed.

5 years ago while cleaning out my Paternal Grandma’s basement in Oregon I found an almost exact twin buried in the back room!

Larger versions and close-ups of slices uploaded here, as well as my ‘runner up’ items -  http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v201/brennatidwell/Accretionary%20Wedge%2042/

The table was in pretty rough shape when I found it.. moved about the country several times, and exposed to the weather.  I refinished the legs (original 60′s blond wood. yuk) none of them match now, as they are all different woods. (stamped JAPAN on the ends).  The top has some condition issues, as you can see in the close-ups, scratches and bubbles where the ‘plastic’? has separated from some areas, but it’s still solid.

Now when my 5 yr old grandson comes over, this is his favorite place to play. 

These tables were created by Leonard Rhodeman near Amherst Colorado sometime in the 60′s.  He was a farmer and this was his hobby, so near as we can figure there should be no more than 20-30 in existence.  He would ‘go up to the mountains’ and collect the rocks, bring them home and slice them up.  Everyone around there usually headed ‘up the mountains’ by way of Ft. Collins on the way up to Poudre Canyon in the front range of the Rockies.  (I’m hoping someone can tell me if they could be from the Rockies). I’m also hoping someone knows something of the process used to make the table.  I want to have the surface buffed out to remove the scratches, but not until I know it won’t ruin it.

So, this marvelous decorative piece is my entry for Accretionary Wedge #42.

Runners up were..

This horrid 70′s? lamp that I just LOVE.

and this 8” tall Alabaster Goblet.  Label states ‘hand carved in Italy’ but is a lovely yellow color that might come from Egypt.  Most gorgeous when it has a candle burning inside.

Thanks for letting me show off my treasures!  I would love to win the prize pack to add to the Family rock collection, but I’ve had so much fun putting together this little post that I’m a winner already!

Viva