In between watching the erratic progress of the storm known as Florence and wondering where I was going to have to retreat to next, I became obsessed with the collection of fungi on a tree stump a short stroll from my campsite.
The textures are beautiful, and I’m not doing them justice in this post. This is a detail from the biggest one in the photo above. Layers and layers of petals.
The form is a treat, too. Wide curves with colors echoing the arc right down to where each petal attaches to the main branch.
This bell-shaped petal was my favorite.
This is actually an edible kind of mushroom, although I’m not going to push my luck and try it. The informal name is “White Chicken of the Woods” and it’s scientific name is Laetiporus. You can read more about it on this webpage. You can read how to prepare and eat it from this blog, if you’re curious.
Want is a thing that unfurls unbidden like fungus, opening large upon itself, stopless, filling the sky. But needs, from one day to the next, are few enough to fit in a bucket, with room enough left to rattle like brittle brush in a dry wind.
Barbara Kingsolver
Hi Annie. Hope you are safe over there. I’ve been musing on putting our baby (Erratic) on a barge as a floating home, but only fancifully. I’d hate to see you float away.
Your fungus photos are really lovely, and the quote from Barbara Kingsolver so fitting to a life led with less. We are 5 months in now to full timing in our 1713 and so joyful in its breadth and experiences. (Surprised to be as busy as we are.)
I look forward to your posts. Thank you.
I’m on the edge of what remains of Florence, just a lot of drizzling rain where I am today and tomorrow.
Beautiful!
Stay safe over there, eeks!! ❤️