Purple Mushrooms

   Did you know there was such a thing?  Purple mushrooms?  In all my years of trudging through the woods on horseback or with dogs, I did not.  A local friend who goes mushroom hunting on a regular basis  posted a few pictures recently, and I was amazed!  Purple Mushrooms?  What? 

    The bullshittery that is occurring in Washington has me (and a zillion other people)  on edge lately, and the best way I know how to  get away from all the nonsense is to get out in nature - put my face to the wind on the water or take a hike in the woods with the dogs.   Yesterday I left the dogs behind to avoid their tread on what I was looking for, and went exploring in the woods behind our farm - in search of the elusive Purple Mushroom.   I knew the odds would be in my favor after the recent 8.5 inch rainfall in our area.  I kid you not - local roads were flooded, some caved in due to rivers run amok adjacent to them... driveways washed out, a local restaurant with a river alongside it had water on it's first floor, water coming in the windows - it was that crazy. )   Seems our weather is becoming more extreme with each year - this past winter brought unrelenting cold, then the summer held unrelenting humidity - and now crazy amounts of rainfall as autumn slides in. 

  The hunt!... 

And the discovery.... for me it was almost like finding a unicorn

out there in the forest... and yet apparently, they are fairly common. 

I was downright giddy. 

 I also spent a little time with my face to the wind on the water

with my niece, S. on Saturday.  

If you love the water but have never tried Kayaking,

I highly recommend it. The practice is a soul soother - 

you can go at your own pace - 

a lake, a pond, a river, a cove, the ocean - any will do. 

The typical boat does not cost a fortune, can be stored in a garage

or out near the woodpile and will

last you a lifetime with basic care. 

My 74 year old Aunt still enjoys it, too . With a little planning

and practical caution the practice is ageless and the exercise

is good for you, body and soul. 

I hope all is well in your neck o'the woods - 

🍁Happy Fall!