I love this. I've been watching the same "mushroom" (as I was never able to confirm what "kind" it was/is) for two years. It has brought me a stupid amount of joy. I began writing a story of this mushroom (in the form of a monthly horoscope) but got tired because that mushroom still hangs onto the yellow birch where it resides. And what else can I say but - you continue to dehydrate and lean towards the soil at the base of your host ... 😉
Like meeting an old friend and saying, "You haven't changed a bit." That is always a welcoming reunion. It has been some time since our paths have crossed photographically, but your thoughts are fresh as ever. No photograph needed.
Thanks, Hal. I had indeed considered going with "old friend" in the essay. In any event, I still hoe to see you, old friend, out in a wetland sometime!
Down the Gull Cove path I go to reach a sitting rock above the sea breaking on the shore. All around me- rocks cover by lichens. My fingers want to touch them, connect with these silent gardens. Loved your piece today. Endurance.
“So when the world spins much too fast, which is basically always, get yourself to the long, green path, no matter how well-trodden. Find your destination. Make it yours. Visit often.” ❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a wonderful address to our catastrophic, fragmented, world-turned-upside-down moment! Thank you. We need to be reminded of the small, increasingly unnoticed and undervalued, but essential, natural things. Gateways to a vital, enlarged perspective.
Decades ago I was on a group walk led by Tom Wessels in Gloucester MA to learn about granite outcroppings he pointed out Crustose lichen surrounding Fruticose lichen (or the other way around) and remarked, “ in 100 years that lichen is toast!”. I loved that, predatory lichen!
Thrilled to see this essay! Thank you.
You don't know the half of it -- oh, wait ... you do!
Thanks Bryan! As a lover of tiny things, this is wonderful!!
Big love for tiny things!
Lichens are amazing. I love that you've spent those years measuring the growth of that one patch of lichen.
Easy experiment -- right, Juliet? 😀
Well, it's certainly not going to outrun you. 😉
"And when I’m feeling lost, the lichen is destination." I'm going to use that as a writing prompt today, so thanks.
Makes my day!
I love this. I've been watching the same "mushroom" (as I was never able to confirm what "kind" it was/is) for two years. It has brought me a stupid amount of joy. I began writing a story of this mushroom (in the form of a monthly horoscope) but got tired because that mushroom still hangs onto the yellow birch where it resides. And what else can I say but - you continue to dehydrate and lean towards the soil at the base of your host ... 😉
Ha! Love it!
"... you continue to dehydrate and lean towards the soil at the base of your host." Perhaps an apt reflection of our universal fate! 😀
Funny, hadn't thought of that when I wrote the comment!
Unbeknownst to me this is exactly what I needed this morning. Thank you for noticing the persistent beauty of small things.
Small things are a big deal for me. Glad they are for you as well, Sarah.
I am afraid I am now doomed to roam around Montpelier and try to find this bit of wonder!
Much better than watching paint dry!
Slow growth really is a thing of splendor, thank you for noticing. Now I am inspired to find and watch my own patch of lichen grow.
Take your time -- no rush! 😀
Like meeting an old friend and saying, "You haven't changed a bit." That is always a welcoming reunion. It has been some time since our paths have crossed photographically, but your thoughts are fresh as ever. No photograph needed.
Thanks, Hal. I had indeed considered going with "old friend" in the essay. In any event, I still hoe to see you, old friend, out in a wetland sometime!
Down the Gull Cove path I go to reach a sitting rock above the sea breaking on the shore. All around me- rocks cover by lichens. My fingers want to touch them, connect with these silent gardens. Loved your piece today. Endurance.
Oh the gulls and people those lichens have seen over the decades (mostly their undersides) 😀. Thanks, Kathie!
“So when the world spins much too fast, which is basically always, get yourself to the long, green path, no matter how well-trodden. Find your destination. Make it yours. Visit often.” ❤️❤️❤️❤️
What a wonderful address to our catastrophic, fragmented, world-turned-upside-down moment! Thank you. We need to be reminded of the small, increasingly unnoticed and undervalued, but essential, natural things. Gateways to a vital, enlarged perspective.
Thanks, Barry. Yeah, big perspective from tiny things.
This is a wonderful piece, Bryan! A great perspective!
Thank you, dear poet and friend.
This was a great read! I too have "worn a path". My latest episode is about it. Though my was only worn in a few months not years!
I'm listening now .... :-)
"Late in life I have come on fern
Now lichens are due to have their turn"
Robert Frost in "Leaves Compared with Flowers"
1936
Mega-💚
Wonderful piece, Bryan. A tiny Candleflame balm.
Decades ago I was on a group walk led by Tom Wessels in Gloucester MA to learn about granite outcroppings he pointed out Crustose lichen surrounding Fruticose lichen (or the other way around) and remarked, “ in 100 years that lichen is toast!”. I loved that, predatory lichen!
Tom's a hero! Glad you joined him.