J is for Jade, not Just for Jewelry

Most Beautiful and Perhaps most Versatile of All Minerals.

I love jade. I have just three pieces, a bangle (bracelet carved entirely from one piece of jade), an intricately carved pendant (very special gift) and one earring. They are my treasures and I hope to add to them one day. 

This plentiful, carvable substance is simply a rock, not just one ornamental rock but two silicate minerals: nephrite and jadeite. From there it gets complicated, but it's enough to know that jade in one form or another has been treasured and carved since prehistoric times. Its uses vary from ornaments to knives, bowls to animal figures, and there are even a few complete buildings made of jade. 

Although ancient jade relics are found on virtually every continent much of what we know about its early use comes from China. And despite this widespread appearance in earliest times Wikipedia has only sparse information about it. Other sources tell us that the history of jade in China goes back to the Neolithic period, about 5000 BC, where it became an integral part of the culture itself. It was valued not only for its beautiy but was likened to every possible virtue. That was detailed explicitly in teachings of Confcius and thus became a permanent part of the culture.

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Yes, all those stones are jade. It's not just green. It is found in virtually every color possible.

                              

Jade can be carved into the most intricate and delicate designs and figures imaginable.
Those below are from China.

                      

           

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Now that I understand the legality of using pictures from the internet I was disappointed to find that I could not share the best with you. 

So I recommend an internet tour of sites about jade in different countries. In addtion to fascinating information, I think you will enjoy seeing such finds as the primitive Pre-Columbian carvings from South America, delightfully sophisticated ones by Maoris in New Zealand, and surprisingly beautiful creations from Russia - including lots of skulls from Siberia. 

Everest, the Earth's Highest Mountain

This is the ultimate mountain, the nearest we can come to the heavens while keeping our feet firmly planted on the earth. Created 50 million years ago when India crashed into the Eurasian Plate, it is still growing. Yes, at 29,0235 feet above sea level (measured in 1953) it is still growing! 

Since 1852, when it was first identified as the world's highest mountain, there have been those who were obsessed with the idea of standing on its summit. In 1921 the forbidden kingdom of Tibet opened its borders to outsiders so climbing became possible, and in 1924 George Mallory and Andrew Irvine lost their lives in what may have been a successful climb. But not until 1953 was there a recorded success by Edmund Hillary and his Sherpa guide Tenzing Norgay.   

Everest's ancient Tibetan name is Chomolungma, or Qomolangma, meaning Goddess Mother of the World or Goddess the Third. Jamling Tenzing Norgay, son of Hillary's famous guide to the summit, describes the ways in which the mountain still gives meaning to the lives of the local people both spiritually and by providing the environmental elements which sustain them.

As you will learn later, travel is the ultimate variety for me. So would my ultimate trip be one to Earth's highest mountain? The "ultimate ultimate". Probably not. 

For me travel is about discovery and growth, delight in the unknown and unexpected, and the pleasure of seeing things through the eyes of those I meet along the way. I think a trip even to the foot of that mountain would be all about perseverance and endurance. I might not even make it that far. It's true that I would experience all the joys of travel I just listed, but it's a trip I would not anticipate with pleasure. Why? What is the difference? 

Perhaps the difference is the focus. Everest would always be the focus - before, during and after the trip. The focus would be intense, leaving room for little else and thereby narrowing my world-view. That's just a guess, but the idea seems to run contrary to the excitement I feel when I set out on an adventure. I feel relaxed, eager for whatever comes, savoring the lack of a plan. And that is the opposite of a life-threatening trip up the mountain which must be thoroughly planned and rehearsed. I'll enjoy pictures and fascinating prose! 

So what does draw people to make the journey or even the climb part-way up to Base Camp? Some are adventurers and this is a unique experience. Some are forever testing their own limits, and this is an incredible challenge. Some want to achieve recognition as the "first" of something - first woman, first Canadian, or whatever. For others it's a spiritual quest. And George Mallory, who died on his third attempt, said he climbed simply because it was there. 

If you are captivated by this great natural creation, you may enjoy the following: 

• The Greater Meaning of Everest by Jamling Tenzing Norgay 
• Facts compiled on the 60th anniversary of the first successful climb to the top: 60 Fascinating Everest Facts 

Incredible video of climbers at the top