"Blooming" Mushroom!

  A few days ago, the little Grand Princess, Mary Ruth and I headed back to the woods to explore and take a few photos.  We found all sorts of interesting "natures" as she called them.  Lichens, mosses, ferns, palmettos and mushrooms were examined and photographed.  The tiny tot did an amazing job with her pictures and I was able to give her pointers on lighting and angles.  

  One mushroom seemed to be her favorite.  A bright red thing about the size of a golf ball intrigued her and filled her with dozens of questions.  I tried to answer each but some were beyond my knowledge.  Mycology is not a strong point with me even though I love looking at the things.  I could not even tell her if it was edible or poisonous.  A warning was given to never, ever touch mushrooms in the wild.   Better to be safe than sorry.

Mary Ruth's photograph of a red mushroom.

The same mushroom a few days later.  From a distance, it looked like a large flower.

  Sometimes things are not what they seem to be. This afternoon, Mark and I took the same path where Mary Ruth and I had seen the red mushroom.  As we neared the spot, I was surprised to see a beautiful red "flower" in the exact spot.  Excitedly, I picked up the pace.  I was fully surprised to find that my flower was none other than the same mushroom.  Instead of being a tight knot, the mushroom had "bloomed" into a rather large, funnel-shaped mushroom complete with a yellow center.  It was gorgeous!  It would have been nice had this mushroom decided to change before Mary Ruth had to go back to the island.  She would have been just as fascinated as I am with this "blooming" mushroom.  Goodness, I miss that little girl and her billion questions.

The Little Glade in the Woods

  Far down below the canebrake, there is one little spot that is my "feel good" space.  This little area is somewhat secluded from the rest of the world as it is surrounded by woods except for the entrance path.  It is here that I can escape from the chaos of every day life.   The solitude gives me a time to collect the thoughts and face the day with renewed energy.

  Recently, I headed to the little glade to check on a rat snake that had been hanging around the area.  I was in hopes that the snake would stay and keep my little secret glade free from any varmints.  While I did not see the snake, there were two rather lovely mushrooms that had sprung up right in the middle of the sun dappled area.  The mushrooms reminded me of something from the story of "Alice in Wonderland" which started the brain to whirl around with a billion thoughts.  All sorts of fantastical tales started weaving together but I had no one to share the tales with.  Oh, how I would have loved to have the Grandlittles here so we could have storytime in the little glade.  I am sure a few gnomes, faeries, pixies and elves would have been happy to join in our little party.  Then, a sudden sadness enveloped me as I realized that would not be happening any time soon.

  The little glade would be such a neat place to have a lazy afternoon picnic with storytime.  I guess I have far too much of my grandmother and my Aunt Helen in me.  Those two ladies always found time to entertain me with their grand tales, a cup of tea and maybe a few special cookies.  I always had hopes that I would be the one to carry on their tradition.  It doesn't seem that is ever to be.  Instead, my tales will go untold and the magic will stay in the Little Glade in the Woods.

An Idea is Mushrooming!

  Son is always reminding me that I am easily amused and I guess it is true.  It took me a long time to get to where I am today but finally, I have come to a point in my life where "artificial" entertainment is not needed. I refuse to get another television, prefer not to talk on the telephone and actually do not listen to much music except around Christmastime. Then a bit of nostalgia hits and all of the "oldtime" Christmas carols waft through the Little Bayou House day and night.   Now, however, a good hike around the Bayou and to the creek suffices.  On these hikes, a never-ending barrage of fanciful things catch my interest.  Things that just a few years ago went unnoticed as I was preoccupied with "things I had to do".  I am glad that changes were made.  I am far healthier because of it.....both body and mind.  I have come to a certain harmony within myself so I find myself in harmony with the world around me.

  Just yesterday, Son and I were both enjoying a leisurely hike around the place when he pointed out a bright red mushroom.  He figured that I would seize the moment to investigate the beauty and lingered long enough for me to ooh and ahh over the magical, little mushroom.  It was gorgeous!  The morning dew was still adding a bit of shimmer to the bright red cap and a dozen or so make-believe tales were being conjured up in my brain.  With that, I find myself turning a bit into my grandmother or perhaps my Aunt Helen.  Both could come up with the most beautiful little fairy tales on the spur of the moment.  These tidbits of stories would enthrall me as a child and still bring a bit of fuzzy happiness to me as I age.  Now, I pass these tales onto the little folks that visit the Bayou. The tots of today are so wound up with artificial stimuli that the "Land of Make Believe" has about fallen to the wayside.  In a way, this is sad.  

  The little, red mushroom has inspired me to ponder more tales to put before listening ears.  To my way of thinking, imaginative play is far better than the bings and bongs of some irritatingly noisy toy of today. Face it, you are hard-pressed to find a good, old-fashioned toy at the store.  Gone are the toys that evoked quiet, imaginative playtime.  We are bombarding our little tykes from day one with rattles and bangs, jingles and jangles, booms and clangs.  Nothing....nothing requires any thought. So...the little, red mushroom will be an inspiration.  Kiddies that come to the Bayou shall be treated (or bored) with made up stories,  hikes, games like Hopscotch and jump rope, with fairy houses and rope swings.  They will have to use their imagination for more than pushing a button on a toy.  They will learn about bugs, birds, plants, animals and fungi.  We will collect rocks, leaves and lichens.  We will explore the Frog Pond, the creek, the marsh and the mudflats.  It will be fun....or maybe not...but at least I will have tried.  All of this because of a tiny, red mushroom!