When I was growing up, my family would make an annual summer trek to visit my maternal grandmother in Eveleth Minnesota. An avid gardener, Grandma DeYoannes was also an experienced forager. Her specialty was mushrooms! We would all don hats and armed wtih empty saved tins, we would head out to the woods surrounding town. While Grandma hunted her mushrooms, we would be set to work harvesting wild blueberries. She never let us pick mushrooms, nor did she ever teach anyone in the family how to do it! So I have fond memories of foraging but absolutely no skills! I'd love to hear from others in North Carolina interested in foraging or knowledgeable about it -- especially mushroom hunting!

This fungi bloom was on my lawn October 11, 2006. I am still in the process of identifying it. So if you know, please email me at phillipsguide@nc.rr.com.