Saturday, October 24, 2009

Don't Eat That Mushroom - It is Poisonous (Or Friends.. Gotta Love em)



I love to go in early spring and hunt Morel mushrooms.  I love the way they can spring up in a matter of seconds.  One minute you can be walking in one place and see nothing, then you turn around and bam.... there is a Morel.  Plus they taste wonderful sauteed up with butter.... so yummy. 

Many of my friends think I am a bit mad for actually eating a wild mushroom.  In fact I don't think I could ever get Vincent to try one... He got crazy eariler this summer when I picked a mushroom I had found while mowing that looked much like a male endowment.  Telling me to go immediately in the house and wash my hands...I am a bit of a fungus nut and this year has been an abundance of shapes, sizes and types... Yet I do not wish to talk about mushrooms this morning. 

I wrote an entry yesterday in regards to a trip to my local bookstore.  I talked about my delight in finding a magazine with an article on my groupie crush as well as a wonderful vanilla latte.  I also spoke of a book I had found and my eagerness to read it.  Quickly I received various comments in regards to the credibility of the author and the acruacy of her work.  I will admit that I was not well versed on any of her previous work so I truly appreciated the information given.  Many of you, (one in partciular - Bella) were very helpful in explaining your views and perspectives on the situation, giving me links to go to so that I could read and come to my own conclusion in regards to the acusations that had been made. 

This is exactly what a friend is.... Someone that will tell you if they see you doing something they feel may harm or mislead you.  They speak honesty regardless of the popularity of it.  They speak their heart and say what concerns them in a manner that warns you of possible mishap.   To all of you I want to say thank you for your honesty.

Yesterday I read an entry in regards to comments on blogs and whether or not they should be in opposition to the entry.  Where as I do not think that malicious comments that are only meant to be attacking someone in a manner to make the writer look bad so that the commenter can feel like they are superior is wrong; I do think that an honest opinion is exactly what the comment box is for.  So I say keep on telling me what you feel I need to hear as well as your honest to goodness opinions... I love them and would not have it any other way.... By the way I still am smiling.... and still I think it is always good... :-)

PS: WARNING:  The above mushroom IS NOT a Morel.... Just wanted to make that clear so no one would go picking a bunch of wild mushroom and start eating them..

15 comments:

magikalseasons said...

Great post! We love Morel's love the hunt and the feast. It's such a wonderful spring ritual here in Michigan. I always think I'll have some left over to dry but we never do. :) Becca

Blue Moon said...

I love mushrooms! There are not many foods I consider "comfort food" tht are also healthy, but mushrooms is definatley one of those for me! We eat tons, fresh, raw cooked, you name it. Youm!
If your not totally done with the author comments, I would like to toss in my take.
I wouldn't be to harsh on yourself. With the prejudice against anything other than mainstream religious beliefs, we are all kind of at the mercy of what ever information is out there. I have to admit that I have even had spiritual relevations after watching the Simpsons on TV (for those who don't know, the Simpsons is an animated tv show that sometimes uses adult humor). One thing I have learned from my Tarot practice, is that it is not the source of the message, but how the message provokes our own thoughts and intuition, so... who knows what kind of "credibility" that author has in some circles, but if something in the words made you think, or expand, then it can't be all bad (?) Just some thoughts..
Thanks for making us all think :)

Tamara said...

Hi! I love that you blogged on Morels. :) I love them too...yumm sauteed in butter, they are so good! We have 5 acres and there is a tree in my backyard where I find morels every spring. My husband thinks I'm nuts when i pick them and eat them. lol He won't touch them! lol

I'm a kitchen/garden/hedge witch lol or whatever you want to call me, so I'm always in the woods or in my gardens. We had alot of rain in June, and so many cool mushrooms were everywhere.

I'm rambling lol anyway, just wanted to say Hi and I'll be following you and grabbing your button.

http://www.homespunheartscandles.blogspot.com

Suzie said...

Ok. .first things first. .Becca! Where are you finding Morel's? On this side of the state, they are nearly impossible to find. Most of the land is private now, and the remaining that isn't, the morel sites are considered sacred. I swear that people would rather give away their first born than divulge their morel gold mine! lol I think that they leave the site location in code, in their Will as part of their legacy!

Now, about the book, or any Pagan book, for that matter. And this is just my 2 cents of my own perspective.

Personally, I think that if you are seeking answers, then it is important to read as much as you can, from as many different sources as you can find. And you have to begin somewhere.

Most Pagan paths, with the exception of some, of course, are eclectic. That is what makes Pagan paths so personal, and a perfect fit! When you read a book, no matter the author, you take with you, what is important to you, and you set aside the rest. At some later date, your path may divert off into another direction, but for the present time, you have something, someone to relate to, and that is a comfort. Especially if you are Solitary, as many of us are, especially if you taking your first footsteps, you suddenly don't feel so alone.

And, you're going to read things that just don't feel right to you at all, and that is fine too. First, not everything is going to be a perfect fit for everyone. We are all individuals, but how are we to know if something is or isn't right, unless we learn about it, and understand it, whether by reading or sharing with others.

And you are right. Differences can be discussed and learned with mutual respect, kindness and love. That is how we learn and grow.

Years ago, I was fortunate to be asked to a part of a Sunrise Ceremony on Machinac Island, on the day of the first Pow Wow ever held there, by an Elder of the Ste. Saint Marie Odawa Tribe. And I'll never forget what he said. "This Ceremony is very personal to me, I've made it my own. You may see other Sunrise Ceremonies in your life, and they may be done differently, but that does not mean that it is wrong. It is only different."

From reading everyone's comments, I think that we all should make a pilgrimage to Powell's! lol I've ordered on line from them, and have seen photos of their store. It is awesome!

Blessings to everyone!

Mother Moon said...

I could not agree more with those of you who speak of morels... the secret of where a honey pot may be found is one some would die with. I have a few that I still can frequent yet this spring was fascinated to find a few strays on our property just off from the pond... I was so excited....
Also a big thank you for all the kind words in regards to my journey - well really to all our journeys... thank you for all being so open with your comments...
Blessings

Unknown said...

Love love love what Suzie said. So very true!

I love mushrooms as well...but I admit I have never plucked one from the wild yet...I do not know enough about the different kinds yet to feel safe, altho I have certainly thought about it lol..

I am cracking up over your hubby's reaction to the "male" shroom, that is too funny lol..

Judith said...

It used to be a family traditon to go pick mushroom...but they never let me do it! :( giggle, I guess they didn't trust me giggle so I never learned who was good to eat and who wasn't... but I do love them!

JoyceAnn said...

I need to put that on my " To do List " for next Spring , I want to find and try morel's , heard so many wonderful things about them.

~ Autumn Blessings ~

Rue said...

My parents are master mushroom-hunters, but I'll admit, I get a bit nervous eating anything that doesn't come from a market... Although - it's too bad you don't have a pic of the 'questionable' mushroom you picked - LOL!

I agree with Suzie - read what you are moved to read. Question everything whether from the most notorious or the most famous authors, and see if it fits in your beleifs and your practice.

I want to go to Powells now too!

Wendy said...

If mushrooms please you, then I wish you many mushrooms. LOL

As for comments in opposition to a blog entry... Heh. You know I have experience with that.

I believe a blog is a place for expression our opinions and observations, and people need to remember that.

And I think disagreement is fine as long as, like you said, it is not done maliciously, angrily, or in a knee-jerk reactionary way.

I think people can disagree respectfully. That is part of what makes blogging a dialogue. :)

Mother Moon said...

wonderful banter back and forth.... thank you all for a good Saturday conversation...

Jeanne said...

We all have our own path to walk. Sometimes we walk it alone and at other times we walk it with others.
What is right for one will not necessarily be right for another.

Though many people may not agree with this particular author's writings. I have found many items of worth in the books she has authored. And I have read many books in which I have found useful tidbits, even though I didn't necessarily like the author or the view point expressed.

As other's here have stated, we all take what we need from a book - any book. No matter the author. For the path we walk is our own and only we know what is 'right' for us.

Blessings to you!

Mother Moon said...

so true Jeanne

jaz@octoberfarm said...

i would kill to be able to find wild morels!!!!! making your own vanilla is soooo easy. just get a bunch of vanilla beans. i used about 8. split them open and scrape the seeds out. put the seeds and the empty beans in a bottle of vodka, rum or bourbon. i use bourbon. let it sit for a couple months. shake it once in a while. that's all there is to it. after you use about half of it, remove the beans and replace with new beans and top it off with more liquor.

Bridgett said...

In high school, my best friend's parents used to hunt wild mushrooms. And boy, were they delicious! I love mushrooms. The hubby? Not so much.

Now, as for the book by Silver.

During your spiritual journey, to me, the learning comes from reading ALL the authors in EVERY format.

You can retain the information you agree with and ignore the information you don't. I know a lot of people who really love Silver.

Anyway...hope you're having a wonderful week! I'm slowly but surely getting caught up. I'm only 4 days behind now. LOL

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