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| Clockwise from top left: seeds for fall crops, wood-fired clay head by talented sculptor Karen O'Connor, onions I accidentally weeded out, Matt's weird stagnant toad potion (I mean basil oil), and Matt's weird something-derma mushrooms. |
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| Clay head by Karen O'Connor, now hung on the kitchen wall. |
4 comments:
Yes, it does look like a witch's collection. Love the sculpture.
Hmm... those look like small reishi mushrooms, could it be? If so, lucky you! We'd love to hear what seeds you'll be planting this fall. Love the composition!
Matt says they are the same genus as reishi, but different species. Seeds we are planting: arugula - lots, upland cress, rainbow chard, and cold tolerant lettuces like winter density, red deer's tongue... Hoping to still have packed cold frames come February!
Al sent this highly informative comment in an email: "I happened to see the photos of the mushrooms that Matt had picked. They are commonly known as 'Varnish Caps' (Ganoderma tsugae Murrill) and are closely related to Ganoderma lucidem, or 'reishi' which are highly coveted in the Orient for their supposed medicinal properties (known as the 'mushroom of immortality and the 10,000 year mushroom'). It is believed that they can promote longevity, wisdom, happiness, and sexual 'prowness', whatever that is. They grown on dead hemlock and I have collected quite a few. Supposedly you can make a tea out of them or soak them in vodka to make a tincture. I've made the tea upon occasion but not every day because I don't want to live forever. Can't afford it. (Haven't tried smoking them yet). I made some sun tea out of shavings from a Varnish Cap and it had an interesting, alkaline and earthy flavor, with a slightly sharp finish. Not bad with a bit of ice. The next exploration may be mushroom-infused vodka. Since it's supposedly so good for me I can drink as much as I like."
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