Going on a Mushroom Hunt

Bulbous, round

Yellow, Brown

Poison or Edible?

No clues to be found.

Grown up overnight;

Thy wee toadstool

with pensive stalk

doth flared in day's light.

At home on dappled forest floor.

Pine needles and leaves

rampant company until

siblings join for more.

My daughter's find

with pure delight. Noted growth 

and heeded care with tent

 placement we remind.

Nature,nurture

respect and awe

my bio-friendly child; Joy!

My love found in your rapture.

/\/\/\/\/\

My daughter found this little mushroom and we watched it grow seemingly overnight. It started small and thin, then flared almost before our eyes. She begged to borrow my camera to photograph it. How not to resist such guileless charms? I am glad I acquiesced though. As the days passed, she noted that another mushroom was sprouting beside its brother. She was enchanted with the beginning of this faery ring and we made a point to erect a newly bought and larger tent  at a safe distance to these magical fungi. I cherish her respect for nature and truly make all attempts to inspire it. I did a little searching and think that I can identify this species;

   Amanita muscaria^* -- This is a beautiful, bright yellow mushroom with white spots or patches on its cap and a ring and bulbous base.

P.S. If I am correct, this beautiful little treasure is poisonous. I will have to advise my daughter of this, as she is always keen to know what is edible in the natural world  around her. As I tell her though, please always check before eating anything of questionable lineage. 

Happy Mushroom hunting!

A Summer Poem

Of feathered things

and water wings;

This is what the summer brings

Kick up your feet

relax to the treat

of water's flow so sweet

 

wonders never cease

to release

the worries crease

into summer slumber

with naught to encumber,

but bliss of quiet labour 

lost under veil

of star shine's so pale

to close summer's hot travail.

***

A snapshot journey

of a day 

at play

~

These feet were made for ... Swimming?!

Right foot

Left foot

Look closer!

***

   This one is for my brother-in-law! Before leaving on holidays, he wanted picture proof of a certain webbed condition I have. Some sandy proof that I am a swimmer through and through! Life is a beach! Enjoy it while you can...

Late day interlude at the beach

SNAPSHOTS OF THE BEACH;

Waves rolling in;

Crests white in dying day

with sun-kissed wind

for summer's play.

Sand castles built

while sand babies smiling

dig for treasure troves

of miracle mirth hiding.

Pleasant passage.

Disappointment plain

at dinner bell's toll,

but bellies rule hours, thus

may tomorrow's sun play main role.

Camping comedown

   I have returned to the land of indoor plumbing, air conditioning and daycare (blissful daycare that I dropped my darling babies off to this morning!). I am welcomed home to a mammoth pile of laundry of truly gargantuan proportions. I think I counted 8 potential loads, but there might be more to be squeezed in. It is mind-boggling how much laundry can be accumulated in such a short span of time. I can barely step into my laundry room, with every square inch crowded with smoke-saturated articles. Dirt is ground into towels, jeans, shirts and shorts. Lake Erie sand is sprinkled in everything, but especially coated on bathing suits and beach blankets. Excuse me while I go switch over a load...

    Ahh, despite all the prep work before and clean-up after, I do love camping. Once you have set up your temporary enclave, the biggest task is to learn how to relax. Food and beverage is imbibed freely and regularly. Dishes seem to be never-ending, but somehow do not seem too taxing when done outdoors. We were at the beach every day soaking up the fresh air, sunshine and washing it all down with a hefty dose of swimming and splashing in the nearest Great Lake to our home. With it being the shallowest of the Great Lakes, the water temperature was quite warm. It was refreshing enough to cool you down and wash away the sweat from a hard days work (suntanning?), but not startling enough to turn all the men into eunuchs and women into glass-cutting nipple-wielding  terrors. One day, we enjoyed terrific wave bashing into a torrent of white-crested water, but the subsequent days were more along the lines of peaceful splashing in the rolling waves. Fun for kids and adults alike. 

    All that fresh air and fun was definitely enough to work up an appetite as well. My other favourite thing about camping is the food. Cooking on a Coleman is challenging at times, but nothing beats that morning cup of coffee it produces. The campfire is where the real magic is made though. Steaks seared to perfection were the order of the day on Day 1. Hot dogs just can't be beat over the open flame and where else does the humble marshmallow shine so brightly, as but over the glowing embers of a fire pit. It always amazes me how much I can eat while camping, but it is just all tastes so good! Oh yum. 

    As I change another load of laundry, I can smile at the memories that were created for my children. They thrilled at their beach days, sleeping outdoors in a tent, bush pees (everybody does it, don't they?!) and togetherness with friends and family. While I know I had my grumpy moments, I prefer to forget them and focus on the smiles of my children and laughter of my friends. I shall perhaps share a photo or two in the days that come, but today cleanup is the name of the game. I hope you are enjoying your summer, for those of you in the Northern hemisphere. I certainly am.