“In an increasingly disposable world, efforts to preserve and catalogue our analogue and digital lives could change the nature of history as we know it….’Digitisation really has the profound effect of democratising access,” says Prof Stephen Brier of the City University of New York Graduate Center, a historian and co-director of the school’s New Media Lab. It gives access to people to materials and documents that would previously only be accessible to very few.’ ”
A few weeks ago I went to the Wild Mushroom Show and was inspired to learn more about mushroom identification and everything mushroom really.
Mushrooms are such complex creatures. I want to start foraging but I can’t imagine relying on my own judgement to identify something as edible. But, as a start I bought this shitake kit for inside my apartment.
The shitake kit is compressed wood chips with mycelium inside. The bumpy texture and firm “squooshiness” of the shitake block is unlike anything you will ever touch. I imagine it is the texture of a slightly dried-out brain.
Those bumps were soon to be mushrooms but only a few actually ended up growing. The block just reached its first cycle before I let it dry out, re-soak, and then grow some more.
The pumpkins came from a roadside stand here in Seattle via Hunter Farms. The seller/farmer was so sincere in his love of pumpkins; I really appreciated him.
I carved the ghost pumpkin into a sun/moon face. The faces of our great lights seemed appropriate for Samhain because this is the point where the harvest ends and the “lighter half” of the year gives way to the “darker half”.
I also thought it would be awesome to spray paint the pumpkins gold.
The spray paint options for pumpkins are endless- neon colors, metallics, chalkboard, glow-in-the-dark, glitter. I have the next decade covered when it comes to pumpkin decor.
I am beginning an adventure! I am a tour guide for a “nature in the city” Seattle tour developed by yours truly.
No time to drive to the mountains?
You don’t have to hike up a mountain or watch the whales to experience the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. I offer several options for you to explore the intersections of urban Seattle and the natural landscape. We can hunt for mushrooms in an urban park, explore Olmstead parks and learn about Seattle’s ecotopia vision, hike to a Queen Anne hill for spectacular mountain views, or read the clouds from atop the Space Needle. The tours can range from easy to moderate pace and are appropriate for all ages.
Duration:2 hours
Guests:1 — 15
Availability:I am available by appointment during weekdays and weekends from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Price Includes
An experience led by a NAI Certified Interpretive Guide.
Photography advice
Local History
Nature Facts
Rules
Wear comfortable shoes, layered clothing, and a hooded jacket. Most importantly- don’t forget your camera and sense of adventure!
These documents recently turned up at my parents house. For the last few days I keep thinking about how my ten year old self seems pretty much the same as my present. I’ve studied about behavioral change and personality enough to not be surprised by such findings, but it feels a little earth shattering to catch a glimpse of how my mind has changed or not over time. At the present I could define myself by #1 (caves!), #3, #4 (lets hope I get that zoo interview!), #7, #9, #10, and everything on the second page. Luckily I conquered my travel concerns in #5 and have now been in 30+ states, 7 countries, and counting!
I recently realized I am not as crazy about tent camping as I have been…
“The best age to be is 10 because that’s when you get your computer and do all the fun stuff.”
I’m now living in Seattle close to Green Lake Park. We visited the park a couple of days ago and enjoyed the landscape as well as the people around us. The park offers many adult and youth community programs. I’m excited to try out some water activities.
This week during our Discovery Day Camp we came across this Walking Stick, probably a female. The bright coloring may be a defense mechanism meant to deter us from eating it or to scare us away. Or, is she losing color because she’s dying?
