They Don't Make 'Em Like They Used To
The mystery and mystique of a weird Georgia monument
The rural Georgia monument dubbed “America’s Stonehenge” has always been shrouded in mystery. Some called the monolithic structures — which seemingly sprouted up overnight in 1979 — satanic. Others saw beauty in what grew to be known as the Georgia Guidestones, a 19-foot-tall four-slab granite monument containing a cryptic, 10-part message in 12 languages.
No one knows who built the thing, but it had been sitting proudly in Elberton, Georgia for more than four decades.
Until last week, that is, when someone destroyed the monument with an explosive device (security footage shows a silver sedan speeding away from the scene, so if you know something, say something.)
For safety reasons, officials with the Elbert County Historical Society, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation opted to demolish the remaining part of the structure — both for safety purposes and to exhume the Georgia Guidestones Time Capsule.
Surely, officials reasoned, the time capsule that had been buried beneath this mysterious monument would hold a clue as to its origin — perhaps even unlock further mysteries that have been plaguing us for decades.
As Charles Smith, president of the Elbert County Historical Society, told reporters: "Now that the Guidestones have been destroyed, we felt it was appropriate to open the time capsule buried at the base of the monument. We hoped its contents would help shed light on the builders of the monument."
Poor Charles & Co. were in for a rude awakening.
The time capsule held just four items: A single eight track tape of Saturday Night Fever, a Peterbilt emblem, an October 1979 Playboy magazine signed by Burt Reynolds, and a bag containing 1,734 Qualludes.
There’s an analogy in there somewhere, I’m sure of it. About why not to idolize things, about how even monuments can crumble…but maybe the real lesson the Georgia Guidestones meant to teach was found in that capsule. And maybe it was as simple as: Let’s Party.
I have had the same blender for the past seven years (it’s a Vitamix and I use it at least five times per week). But it’s seemingly on its last legs and I need a new option. This blender, by Alessi, is certainly one of the prettier ones I have seen (the kind of thing you could just keep on the counter when not in use).
I recently discovered this brand, Harlie Brown Studio, and can’t get enough. Everything feels like a more modern take on decorative kitchenware from years past: this mug is perfect as is this hand-painted plate, which would be so cute hung on the wall (or used to serve cheese, fruit, Popeye’s sandwiches…whatever).
My grandmother collected Mackenzie Childs, so I have a real soft spot for anything MC. While some of their wares are admittedly twee, this kitchen or bath hand towel feels really fresh and youthful.
This charcoal bar soap is really great on its own (it smells wonderful and contains lots of good-for-you ingredients like cedarwood and sage). But the really fun part is the sponge that comes with the soap. It, too, contains charcoal, so it can exfoliate and cleanse the skin even on its own, without product.
Recommended reading/listening:
Barbiecore is the new carnival-core.
Here’s the deal with all those high school kids wearing suits at the new Minions movie.
A gecko and an opossum family have become unlikely (but incredibly cute) roommates.
A Virginia woman completely swept the regional bake sale at the Virginia-Kentucky District Fair, taking top honors in 25 of the fair’s 80 different home-cooking contest categories (she even swept entire categories, taking all three top spots among the best cookies). When fair organizers attempted to track her down, the story went viral — inspiring really incredible TikTok songs and a litany of pleas for Linda Skeens to come cook for the rest of us.
And I’ll leave you with this….