Gravelling a Path: with help this time!

Last time I worked on this gravel path project (see June 17) I woke up the next day with my knees aching and they didn't stop hurting so I sought some help: acupuncture plus a visit to my dr who requested xrays and yes, by golly, I've been diagnosed with arthritis (mild) in both knees. It was the heavy work that day that catalyzed a bout with it. So after letting the path lay idle all summer, when the rains came and it was muddier each day, I started moving the gravel with a small pail, a bit at a time. That works just as well as a wheelbarrow, only a slower process. Much gentler on my knees and back. When my granddaughter was here one day I had her tagging along as I moved a few buckets: well, she insisted on helping! So I got her a smaller bucket and we worked together. "I do it!" she exclaims when she wants to get involved! She was two in October: and she is a good worker, eager to do whatever bigger people do: growing up fast.

The Darkening Days of December

I have friends who gather mushrooms in the forests, and who know the difference between edible or poisonous mushrooms, and are also careful to not imbibe the questionable ones without gaining familiarity with them, generally in consultation with others face to face over the mushrooms in question or via expert handbooks, or both. Some people are more cautious than others; I being one of those cautious ones, when it comes to fungus.
These popped up in my yard, under the row of Western red cedar along the south edge of the property, near a filbert tree. Photo from a couple of weeks ago: these fleshy little guys disappeared as quickly as they appeared. Mysterious to me, and will so remain unless I open my mind to mycology and start spending time learning about them.