So this happened. We walked five miles in looping trails through a state park yesterday — just what the doctor ordered. We saw tons of fungus, early-stage swamps, and a handful of mountain bikers. Not much wildlife. At some point I said to myself (as I do now and then), If I see a deer, I’ll know my mother is watching over me.
It didn’t seem particularly likely or unlikely, but after an hour-plus, I said outloud, The deer are probably sleeping at this hour.
K turned to agree and spotted — not twenty feet from my right shoulder — a huge, solitary deer.
Can you believe it?
Hi, Mom. 
This morning, it was too cold to finish the puzzles outside — even bundled up with blankets and down!
nice. really really makes me feel better just imagining being there.
Don’t you love fall? Even with this dumpster fire blazing?
Just finished the NYT xword … temps finally out of triple digits here, for now
Do you ever read Rex Parker after solving?
Rex Parker. Oh yes. Sometimes for a cheat, always for the snark. Today’s composer trying to be relevant for the younger set, a fan of board games and Magic? I knew I wouldn’t do that well. Will go back for round two later.
Any of the mushrooms edible? Hen the the woods is supposed to be lovely.
I don’t know a thing about edible mushrooms. I assume some were just based on the sheer variety.
(((Dee))) love that your Mom deer appeared and the autumn colours and fungi up there!
A good outing.
Dee~ What a great “mom story” as my sister and I say. That is a lot of mushrooms/fungus! I know they are needed, useful, okay…but they give me the shivers, especially in number…anything in number. Yikes. Your green looks like it could swallow them right up! And the fire looks like an animated drawing! heehee
The four pictures grouped show mushrooms that grew all around a single tree. Do fairy rings do that?
Wow. Look at all of those mushrooms! Ours have yet to take off, but the coming rains (hooray!) will probably get them going. I’m glad your mom was with you on your walk.
Me too. She’s been gone for 25 years now.
ha, you sure look determined