After the Decade Volcano eBook revision was up, I took a break for a week, and then started pondering how to get back into the cat-evolution project.
It’s a real problem because NOVA summed up pretty much everything I was going to cover in this video, released online ten months ago.
In addition to that, I’ve become fascinated with the Precambrian and have a feel for telling that story (telling it how is a separate issue).
The two topics are related —
— related in this sense: imagine that little bump up there is a lion, representing the cat family, and everything below it, except the small rock the cat is standing on (Cenzoic), is the Precambrian history that set things up for family Felidae to evolve. (Image: Grand Canyon National Park, CC BY 2.0)
I don’t see a way to tell all that as a single story, though it’s how I picture it as a very general outline in my head.
I know, most of us just look at the rock, feel its weight and heaviness, and move on. Most of us don’t know what we’re missing.
Remember, I might not have gotten the undergrad geology degree back in the Eighties, but I did learn how to see time (literally) and so really get into the Precambrian fire and ice, and the drama of life’s steps away from the security of a hydrothermal vent and onto a course that eventually led to dry land and gave cats their many complex features.
Tell me the evolution of a one-celled critter into a cheetah isn’t interesting!
And it is written — more often hinted at — in those rocks.
Telling that story is possible, but it is a major job, bigger and more complex than anything I’ve done to date.
So I’m going at this in two separate ways.
The cats
I have begun an Amazon Vella story — a 90-fact collection of essays.
As of today, just that one episode is live, but three more are scheduled.
In fact, I thought of doing one 3-fact episode a day through October, but that’s unrealistic. There will be a day or more between episodes, and it still will finish up in early November.
It felt so good to get back to family Felidae!
The Precambrian
Come November and completion of the Vella project, I’ll gather up and review my notes and then go from there.
This blog
I hope everyone is enjoying the guest videos. They’re going to continue, except for the bears as their hibernation kicks in (please do keep checking the Fat Bear Week contest, though!).
As for minerals, i found out about the Mineral Cup too late to do the whole thing. They are into finals now, and I’d like to keep doing photo features.
That will probably be possible after the Vella story is completed — so, pretty pictures and fascinating links over the winter! 😎
Volcanoes
The Campi Flegrei situation is intense, requiring some work time each day.
That’s fine with me, and I’ll describe other volcano news as possible with pinned posts, too.
That and the Sunday Morning Volcano are continuing.
Again, thank you so much for your interest, likes, and encouragement.
The economy is tight for everyone these days, but if you feel inclined, tips and/or eBook purchases (see menu) are very much appreciated.
Now, back to work…
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Lagniappe:
Speaking of cheetahs…
This happened about a month ago — the lack of action is what’s interesting. The oryxes usually crowd around the waterhole (which is quite a happening place), and these large animals vastly outnumber the cat here. The cat didn’t even bother to look at them — king (or possibly queen) of the whole place.
Featured image: Image by Jim Black from Pixabay
Flight To Wonder 