Ben
@agatesinpockets.bsky.social
Geologist, lapidary artist, photographer, beer drinker, dog owner
Reposted by Ben
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
October 12, 2025 at 11:30 PM
The 400 richest Americans are now worth a record $6.6 trillion.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
The entire bottom 50% of America is worth just $4.2 trillion.
Read that back.
When 400 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.
Reposted by Ben
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
September 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I get that the news cycle is packed right now, but I just heard from a colleague at the Smithsonian that this is fully a GIANT SQUID BEING EATEN BY A SPERM WHALE and it’s possibly the first ever confirmed video according to a friend at NOAA
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
10 YEAR OLD ME IS LOSING HER MIND (a thread 🧵)
Reposted by Ben
The Charlie Kirk shooting happened essentially as another school shooting happened a state away
NEW: At least 2 people were being transported to a Denver-area hospital after a shooting involving an “active assailant” at Evergreen High School in Jefferson County, officials said Wednesday afternoon // Story by @katielang.bsky.social
Shooting, ‘active assailant’ reported at Evergreen High School
Jefferson County law enforcement are responding to an “active assailant” and shooting at Evergreen High School, officials said Wednesday afternoon.
www.denverpost.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The Charlie Kirk shooting happened essentially as another school shooting happened a state away
Reposted by Ben
The 2024 violent crime rates per 100,000 people in Washington, DC (926) and Indianapolis Indiana (878) are very similar.
In 2024, you were more likely to experience violent crime in Elkhart, Indiana (995) than DC
In 2024, you were more likely to experience violent crime in Elkhart, Indiana (995) than DC
August 11, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The 2024 violent crime rates per 100,000 people in Washington, DC (926) and Indianapolis Indiana (878) are very similar.
In 2024, you were more likely to experience violent crime in Elkhart, Indiana (995) than DC
In 2024, you were more likely to experience violent crime in Elkhart, Indiana (995) than DC
Reposted by Ben
This is Jelly. She did not bring back the wrong rock. Simply went above and beyond. 13/10 (TT: collinsbrothers)
August 7, 2025 at 3:26 PM
This is Jelly. She did not bring back the wrong rock. Simply went above and beyond. 13/10 (TT: collinsbrothers)
Reposted by Ben
Geologists Recommend Eating At Least One Small Rock Per Day
theonion.com/geologi...
theonion.com/geologi...
July 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Geologists Recommend Eating At Least One Small Rock Per Day
theonion.com/geologi...
theonion.com/geologi...
One thing is clear- it doesn't matter which side you're on people will try to politicize a tragedy. Comments have devolved into finger pointing while kids are still missing. We are furthering division in the USA.
Nearly 30 campers at the 99-year-old Hill Country institution are still missing after flooding devastated the area on Friday. via @texaspublicradio.bsky.social
‘My favorite place in the entire world’: Camp Mystic inspired generations of Texas women
Nearly 30 campers at the 99-year-old Hill Country institution are still missing after flooding devastated the area on Friday.
www.tpr.org
July 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
One thing is clear- it doesn't matter which side you're on people will try to politicize a tragedy. Comments have devolved into finger pointing while kids are still missing. We are furthering division in the USA.
At an Irish bar for Independence Day because 1. Freedom, and 2. As of late I prefer the Irish.
July 4, 2025 at 8:22 PM
At an Irish bar for Independence Day because 1. Freedom, and 2. As of late I prefer the Irish.
ICE budget now larger than what Italy spends on their entire military
I don’t think anyone is prepared for what they just did w/ ICE.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
This is not a simple budget increase. It is an explosion - making ICE bigger than the FBI, US Bureau of Prisons, DEA,& others combined.
It is setting up to make what’s happening now look like child’s play. And people are disappearing.
July 4, 2025 at 1:45 AM
ICE budget now larger than what Italy spends on their entire military
New necklaces I made (for sale).
Currently grinding to try and sell as much as I can to help pay for my dog's surgery (torn CCL).
Currently grinding to try and sell as much as I can to help pay for my dog's surgery (torn CCL).
July 4, 2025 at 1:41 AM
New necklaces I made (for sale).
Currently grinding to try and sell as much as I can to help pay for my dog's surgery (torn CCL).
Currently grinding to try and sell as much as I can to help pay for my dog's surgery (torn CCL).
Petoskey stone I found a few weeks ago in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Polished it up tonight! I think the dark brown color is due to petroleum because it stank like oil when I started grinding on it
June 22, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Petoskey stone I found a few weeks ago in the lower peninsula of Michigan. Polished it up tonight! I think the dark brown color is due to petroleum because it stank like oil when I started grinding on it
Reposted by Ben
If you were too young in 2003 here is what Bush told the American people:
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
June 22, 2025 at 2:47 AM
If you were too young in 2003 here is what Bush told the American people:
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
1) The Iraq War won’t cost a lot of money
3) We won’t need a lot of troops
4) We’ll bring peace and freedom to Iraq
5) We’ll find WMDs
6) We’ll be welcomed as liberators
7) It will be easy
8) It won’t take long
All lies.
So where are all the gun-toting rednecks who said they need 5 AR-15s and thousands of rounds of ammunition to protect against tyranny?
June 8, 2025 at 3:33 AM
So where are all the gun-toting rednecks who said they need 5 AR-15s and thousands of rounds of ammunition to protect against tyranny?
In my opinion, the best necklace I've created is for sale! Trying to raise funds to help pay for surgery for my dog, this necklace is made with Montana moss agate and synthetic opal and set in a sterling silver trout.
www.etsy.com/listing/4317...
www.etsy.com/listing/4317...
www.etsy.com
June 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
In my opinion, the best necklace I've created is for sale! Trying to raise funds to help pay for surgery for my dog, this necklace is made with Montana moss agate and synthetic opal and set in a sterling silver trout.
www.etsy.com/listing/4317...
www.etsy.com/listing/4317...
Welp, Pebble decided to chase a rabbit that was too agile and he ended up tearing his CCL (ACL). He needs surgery which is expensive, so I'm going to try and sell as much as I can over the next few months to pay for it. Starting tomorrow my Etsy shop is 40% off for 2 wks!
rumriverrockshop.etsy.com
rumriverrockshop.etsy.com
June 4, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Welp, Pebble decided to chase a rabbit that was too agile and he ended up tearing his CCL (ACL). He needs surgery which is expensive, so I'm going to try and sell as much as I can over the next few months to pay for it. Starting tomorrow my Etsy shop is 40% off for 2 wks!
rumriverrockshop.etsy.com
rumriverrockshop.etsy.com
May was a really rough month and June is not off to a great start either. Just hoping my luck turns around
June 2, 2025 at 2:25 AM
May was a really rough month and June is not off to a great start either. Just hoping my luck turns around
Had time before flying home to look for some Michigan fossils. Found chain coral, Petoskey stones, and Charlevoix stones!
May 24, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Had time before flying home to look for some Michigan fossils. Found chain coral, Petoskey stones, and Charlevoix stones!
Jams for tonight because FU47
May 17, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Jams for tonight because FU47
This week I worked 60 hrs and today I drove nearly 3 hrs to a scout camp. I talked about my job at a career fair, then taught geology merit badge to 8 great kids. In these trying times, find something that brings hope and maybe inspires some young people. If nothing else, work to make it better
April 27, 2025 at 3:59 AM
This week I worked 60 hrs and today I drove nearly 3 hrs to a scout camp. I talked about my job at a career fair, then taught geology merit badge to 8 great kids. In these trying times, find something that brings hope and maybe inspires some young people. If nothing else, work to make it better
I have been hard at work making more jewelry. A while ago I posted my "Montana fever dream" cabochons which are Montana moss agate doublets with synthetic opal. I found a local silversmith to do work with and came up with some designs. #lapidary #jewelry #Montana #agates (1/3)
April 19, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Finally had the time and the weather to spend some hours cleaning my saws. Of course I had to take advantage and am doing some cutting right now.
April 13, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Finally had the time and the weather to spend some hours cleaning my saws. Of course I had to take advantage and am doing some cutting right now.