Stalactite

Stalactite is a word that does not come to mind very often. As a kid I can remember seeing stalactites at Lost Sea near Chattanooga, and much more recently, at Mammoth Cave near Bardstown, Kentucky. We saw many beautiful formations when we went down in to Mammoth Cave. Many stalactites, formed by the dripping of mineral laden water, hanging from the ceiling, and many stalagmites rising from the floor of the cave. The stalagmite must form by the excess water dripping from the stalactite, so eventually they will join together forming what is called a column. These formations are churned out over thousands of years, and are quite beautiful to look at. There are many amazing systems at work in this world. Sometimes it helps me to think how small and really insignificant I am in the grand scheme of things. It does me good to be put in my place.