Alison Krause - I'll Fly Away

I may have posted this song before, but I was listening to it today and it just made me really happy.

Enjoy, and happy weekend!

Mushrooms

Here are a few shots of some neat mushrooms I found on an excursion this weekend. Since I'm still a neophyte in identifying them, and want to call everything I see a Turkey Tail or False Turkey Tail, I'm going to refrain from telling you what you're looking at. Perhaps you can tell me?

Happy New Year!

I just spent an amazing week with my family in Vermont. And what a wonderful way to end one year and begin a new one. You know that feeling when you feel ridiculously blessed and surrounded so many generous and loving people you don't know what to do with it all? You know, when you leave and realize you forgot to have a plate of French toast with real maple syrup on it? (No matter, I was sent packing with a whole gallon.) But I'm beyond excited about 2012 and everything it holds. Do you have some promising projects in store? Some fun goals?

Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

To all my friends, near and far. May your holidays be graced with the warmth of dear friends and family. May your new year be filled with rich delights and surprises. May your days be occupied with gratifying work, deep play, and inspiring new projects, and may your nights bring you comfort and kindness.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Decay

The week before Christmas, I should have beautiful pictures of snow for you, right? No, here in Central Ohio it's balmy as a gentle September day. I hope you're having a wonderful week, and you're finding the time to spend with the people you care about.

B&W

So, I haven't just been looking at mushrooms for the past month. I've been watching Autumn very reluctantly loosen it's grip. It has yet to really allow Winter to enter the stage. They say we're due for a cold, snowy winter. I have to admit, I'd rather enjoy a truly debilitating storm that forces us to stock up on food and movies. I might enjoy being a bit stranded. Wouldn't you?

Mushrooms, Lichen and Fungi

Hi, friends. Have you been well? I hope so. I know it's been a while and I finally have a few things to share. I've picked up a new interest. I've decided to learn my mushrooms, lichens, moss and fungi. This is actually turning out to be a little tougher than it first appeared. Did you know that not all fungi are mushrooms? It's true. To that, add that there are counterfeits. For example, the top picture is of a Turkey Tail mushroom, not to be confused with the False Turkey Tail which looks an awful like the one above. It isn't as easy as marked bins at the grocery store. Nature doesn't come with tags, which I'm somewhat glad about. And then there are seasons and ranges, and some like rotting oak better than living pine. It's a bit complicated. But stay tuned and I hope to show you a few things in the coming months.

Brandi Carlile - Cannonball

I just love this voice, don't you?

I'll be taking a break from Phthalo, a week or a month, I'm not sure, to work on a few projects that have been calling to me. Don't go too far away, okay?

Have a lovely weekend!

Route 40 Decay

Most people, when they want to get out of the city for a Sunday drive, don't visit places like this, I realize. But there are stories here. While they are seemingly abandoned now, these places once thrived, people lived there, or sold useful things. There were conversations, and little dramas, laughter and tears. Don't you want to know more?