Fungi is the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, moulds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants. From WordWeb.

Captured during the canal boat trip back in August.

Held by the chap who I became difficult with...on the canal boat, on the boat trip, in August.

Found by a follow monastic at the bottom of a garden he tends. They just popped up this morning, he said.

I like to think my interest in yeasts, moulds, smuts, mushrooms and toadstools are part of what helps us keep connected, Jade readers connected anyway. Certainly these photographs, the stories behind them, trace connections with a whole bunch of people, most read here. And if I were to go into the learned department, which I'm not, I suspect fungi is responsible for keeping the earth habitable.

Perhaps Walter in Singapore has something to say on the matter.

Look what I found in the walk-in fridge the other day. Read about this amazing vegetable and find out how to grow it.

Achocha of the Cucurbitaceae family.
Please correct me if I am wrong however I believe these specimens are Fat Baby (Cyclanthera brachystachya) noted for their soft fleshy spines. Achocha is one of the lost crops of the Incas.

This post is for Julie. Thought these little critters might fit into your gardening plans. At home or abroad...

Unlikely friends in Southern California.

Thanks to the Reverend who pointed me to this delightful animal rescue story.

Back in the nineteen seventies I'd be getting ready for work when Thought for the Day would come on the radio. The program is still running but I doubt if it starts with words In this morning light.... Back then I must have been ripe for a reflective moment because almost without fail I'd pop a few tears as the program began. It then went on to reflect on something topical from a religious perspective. Mostly a Christian perspective but not exclusively so. Perhaps we could have our own thought for the day here, or volunteer...for Thought For The Day. Just a thought.

This picture was taken this morning's morning light. The sun glanced over the hill just as I was about to press the shutter. New to me is the concept of the Golden Hour, the first hour or so after the sun rises and before it sets in the evening when the light is soft, the edges less defined, the colours warmer in tone. (Thanks to Maria for that information)

These are mature Shaggy Ink Caps. After a night of rain they are not at their best. Soggy Ink Caps I'd call 'em.

...and at the other end of the day, the golden light of evening here at the monastery. Photograph by Maria - thanks so much.

More fungus later....

Trepanation according to Wikipedia.

Many thanks to Impacted Nurse for pointing out this article in New Scientist which talks about the use of trepanation (an illustration) as a potential cure for Alzheimer's.

Deep breath, another deep breath...I guess there is merit in knowing what is going on in the world of science and medicine. Personally I like the standing on ones head cure. Painful, yet less invasive! But not for everybody.

A dozen ducklings, with mother, on a ledge above the entrance to an office building. Mother flaps down to the pavement and ducklings must follow her. A banker from the office building catches each one of them and then the little family is escorted to the nearest pond. Looks like there was even a police escort! Happy days in the animal rescue world.

Thanks to Ian for the link left in the comments section. Unfortunately the link disappeared from the comment he left. My link points to another version of this story aired originally on US news programs.