Lucky Stone

so, yesterday was Saint Patrick's Day. didn't realize it. always St. Patty's Day for me. but here's some northern exposure along with a story. i've been finding these 'brain' bones my entire life, but with the onslaught of the Zebra Mussels they have become nearly impossible to find in all those white shells. ironically, the brow-beaten 'sheep head' or Freshwater Drum eats the invasive Zebra Mussels. and i still find these bones, though not like in my youth, as i find small things. simple equation; more food, bigger fish. walking the frozen beach in my moon suit i come across this incredible skull sticking out from the rock solid, frozen sand. at the slightest touch it breaks into a million shards of white crystal and disintegrates back into the dust we all come from. but from all that freshwater drum skull dust i see it - the largest to date of 'Lucky Stones' ever and probably ever will be! this fish had to be enormous! i can't even estimate, would probably do this monster an injustice. but i hope this photo of comparison paints a picture in one's mind.

words from the Wik;
A lucky stone is actually the unique ear bone or otolith of a Freshwater Drum (Aplodinotus grunniens), commonly known as the Sheephead Fish.[1] The Sheephead's otoliths are quite large and look almost polished and ivory-like. In times past they have been worn as protective amulets, made into jewelry, and traded into areas far from the fish's native range (such as Utah and California). Lucky stones (otoliths) have been found at ancient archaeological sites, where they are thought to have been used as good luck charms to ward off illness.[2]

Lucky stones wash up on beaches along the Great Lakes, especially Lake Erie. This white "stone" is desirable to collectors as the letter L and the letter J appear naturally on these "lucky stones". The J stones come from the left side of the fish and the L stones come from the right side of the Freshwater Drum