MOREL TO THE STORY

It’s 86 degrees just now, after having been in the low 40’s just two nights ago.  The bear haven’t been around since yesterday morning, so I guess they’re off doing their bear things.  I did get a cute photo of the raccoon last night, though!  Seems it is responsible for the ear-captures on the trail cam that looked so much like bear cub ears!!  It's a regular visitor to the Hard Rock Diner these days, well, evenings♥

Before it got too hot, I decided to take a walk about myself … it’s been over a week since I had a chance to go mushroom hunting so I loaded up the bag, camera, stick, some hazelnuts (just in case) and went off into the woods. There are hundreds of acres ~ actually well over a thousand, on this hill  that is owned by hunting clubs.  I have permission to walk some of that land, although I never go far from the house alone.  Today, I went back into the damp area where I’d seen elm trees, hoping against hope that a morel might be lurking.

The damp areas no longer had a lot of standing water although  the mud did try to suck my boots off a couple times.  The mosquitoes knew where those puddles were though … I have bites to prove it despite long sleeves, long pants, a hat and shades.  Trekking to the area to which Buddy led me a few weeks back, I decided to go up the incline … maybe something was up there!

I was amazed to find some huge rock outcrops and possible den sites, not 100 yards from the road!  I had never been up that little slope, but I suppose I know why Buddy went there.  There were may apples, ferns, and thousands of tons of rock shrouded in mature oaks, pine and hemlock trees.  It’s a great place, with a ridge that would be wonderful for a picnic.

I walked for over two hours.  I saw a deer, and a toad. I found two crow feathers.  And not one lousy morel.  I suppose I’ve actually missed the ‘season’, if there was one this year.  I have a lot to learn about edible mushrooms, so I’ll keep looking. Maybe by next year, I’ll know what to look FOR!!

After the walk, there's not much happening  except heat, humidity and pollen.  Maybe tomorrow will be more exciting!  I think I’ll take the Sierra pick up and get more garden soil ~ still have two beds to plant.



Seems like everything is taking longer to come together in the garden this year because the weather was cold so deep into May; here it is already June and I haven’t even stopped into my favorite local Pennsylvania nursery, Jamison’s.  Wonder if she has any vegetables left.  I see some young fruit on the tomato plants, and we'll eat the last of the asparagus tonight.  The milkweed is growing and I did see a butterfly.

Spring is turning into summer which is all too fleeting in this area of the country.


Yep, tomorrow may be more exciting.  But I’m grateful for the day, and the sunshine, and the walk in the woods I took today.  Even if there is no MOREL to the story ♥

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"Our land is everything to us... I will tell you one of the things we remember on our land. We remember that our grandfathers paid for it - with their lives."  John Wooden Legs, 1858 - 1940, was a Northern Cheyenne warrior who fought against Custer at the Battle of Little Big Horn.

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