Stalagmite originates from the Greek word drip or drop and is a structure that rises from the floor of a limestone cave. It develops due to the dripping of mineralized solutions from an above ground stream or river bed.  Researchers analyzed a stalagmite that was preserved in a cave in northwest China for 1,800 years.  Their investigation found that the oxygen composition of the stalagmite provided a rainfall record that detected several decades of monsoon seasons.  Science Magazine reported that three of the five ruling dynasties that lasted for multiple centuries in China, came to an end after an extended period of summer monsoons, followed by drier conditions.  The conditions caused limited rice harvests, causing discontent among the masses that contributed to the fall of the Tang, Yuan and Ming dynasties. Another Item... Rain, snow or shine, major league baseball season has been in "full-swing" for five days.  An old classmate verified the difficulties of cold weather and baseball.  Bob Haine, our star pitcher, had a great fast-ball and tossed a no-hitter our senior year with the Riverside Panthers of Ellwood City, PA.  Riverside has had tremendous success not only academically but in years past with their baseball teams. Coach Danny Oliastro led them to numerous state championships. Danny was our assistant coach under Ed Ellenich who was obsessed with beating his hometown school, Monaca. Our first game against them started with snow flurries and 30 degrees. Ahead in the sixth, Andy Miller dropped a fly, giving Monaca two runs. Bob’s hands were numb from the bat and for punching Dave Pelloni in the head earlier in the week.