The Eclectic Lapidary is currently undergoing renovation.
We'll have new issues soon!
INDEX
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Janette Turner Hospital wrote "Oyster," published by Random House Australia Pty. Ltd., and Barbara McCondra read it avidly.
I thoroughly enjoyed her somewhat kinky style of recounting a tale that takes place somewhere in outback Queensland, Australia. Perhaps it held more interest for me as I know she spent approximately 2 weeks in Yowah, Queensland, my home away from home.
She also has the woman's perspective of wandering into close knit communities of the bush and encountering the suspicion and idiosyncrasies of rough bush folk.
Hospital combines real flavor of the outback with the sometimes darker psychological side of people colliding. As this hardback's book jacket reads: "Outer Maroo, Population 87". Here two opposing cultures--- the rough-diamond, boozing, fiercely
individualistic bush folk and the teetotaling, church-going fundamentalists used to co-exist peaceably.
Until the arrival of the cult messiah Oyster.
Why is sick little opalholic me reviewing this book? It all takes place on the OPALFIELD of course.
I paid $29.95 AU in Australia and it probably is a lot of trouble to get this book, but for you opal book collectors it is a must, that is, if you collect fiction books with an opal bent. It is the kind of tale Hollywood would capitalize upon with the
requisite shocks and violence interspersed. I did say, "Darker side."
I called Borders Bookstore to check on "Oyster" and also on "The Opal Seekers". They say if a foreign published book is on their "books in print" list, you can order the book through them. "Oyster" is on that list, but with a different ISBN number and
written by J. Hospital at US $25. I ordered it to see if it is the same (which I suspect), but Borders wouldn't guarantee it because of the different ISBN#. "The Opal Seekers" by Patricia Shaw (which I reviewed last month) does not show on their books
in print list so they recommended that one call Adlers--- in Skokie, IL at 1-800-235-3771 as they will order foreign books.
Opal Salon, Anyone?
I am trying to start up groups of opal aficionados to meet in private homes as an Opal Salon, minus the tedious time it takes to organize club business and officers etc. This is as a offshoot of the American Opal
Society and is connected through the members-at-large circuit, which gives you a monthly subscription to the Opal Express club newsletter. Somewhere in the distant future, it will need to go the way of official slate of officers, however, we all know the
problems organizations have in recruiting officers, raising attendance etc. So the old European way of groups of people meeting to share knowledge about art, politics, history etc. in a social informal way seems an elegant answer to a gathering together
of opal lovers.
There is a Phoenix, Arizona salon already in existence and interest in one in Chicago, has been expressed. Where else is there such an interest? I'm willing to travel to these areas and kickoff a few meetings if my show schedule allows. Also the Opal
Society has wondrous materials to let out for individual salon presentations. Our opal salon in Phoenix was kicked off with the opal author and photographer Len Cram celebrating his birthday and showing some rare slides of even rarer opal. Whenever an
Australian miner hits town, or a special opal person can be coerced, we gather and have snacks. We have ten members in
our salon in Phoenix. Have you an interested group?
Len Cram Update!
And now, an update on Len Cram and his writing. His 400 page book on the history of the Queensland opal fields is nearly done, to be printed perhaps in March, 1998. It will be the first of a series of 4 books. We
opal book collectors and fans of Mr. Cram can hardly wait...
Opal "Lures"
The temptress Opal is at it again. We all know the ability of the Queen of Gems to lure men and women to suffer the hardships of the isolated and harsh environs that are her lair. We understand that individuals throughout history have suffered exile to
keep possession of a favorite opal coveted by others.
I have recently discovered that her alluring charms work in the watery world of river and lake, too. Shades of Atlantis? No. Kalin's Tournament Tested Best has a line of opalescent fishing lures called the Hologram Series of Baits! Their Lunker Grub lures
come in smoke hologram (looks to me like semi-black opal),clear hologram (crystal opal),black hologram (the prima donna of opals), and the amber hologram (this looks like my beloved Yowah boulder matrix to me). "There is nothing gimmicky about the
HOLOGRAMS." observes Al Kalin. "The hologram flake simply makes the bait appear more alive by creating the iridescent flashes in response to the direction and intensity of the light the same as the scales of a bait fish do."
The hologram flakes placed in the Kalin lures simply refracts light to produce an ever-changing spectrum of colors. As the lure wobbles, dives or swims through the water, the special hologram flakes acts like dozens of tiny prisms.
So there you have it. For those opalholic fisherman amongst you, to order call 1-800-782-2393.
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Copyright, 1997 by Barbara McCondra
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Outback Adventure Tours is now booking seats for its premier tour for the 1998 tour season. The one 20 day tour encompasses the annual opal festivals of BOTH Yowah, QLD and Lightning Ridge, NSW. You will see no greater gathering of quality opal in your
lifetime, than at these Opal Field Expos. This is our only tour of the year that can do this. The dates of this tour are July 13, 1998 through August 1, 1998. We keep our tour groups small (7 people) so that we are able to give personal attention to
our guests and customize activities to meet their individual interests. The price for this premium tour, including ALL transportation from Los Angeles, throughout Australia & back to LA, ALL meals, and ALL lodging (Excluding your last 2 nights in Sydney,
due to the varying tastes of our individual guests) is only $4,900. (Which by the way, could be completely offset due to the fact that all of our guests get to keep any opal they find on or in our opal mines, up to the full price of the tour.) Don't
miss out on this once in a lifetime opportunity. Reserve your seat now, as there are only 7 total and we already started receiving deposits for this tour. For more information contact Barbara McCondra or Ron Vil at Outback Gems. (602) 846-0407,
(602) 992-0952, Toll Free: 1 (888) 501-8037 or email us.
redonblack@aol.com
http://www.globalpac.com/gems/outback/
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