My mother-in-law gave me a book about moss for Christmas. I have to admit that when I opened the package, I didn't know quite what to say but I was thinking "This is gonna be a yawner for sure". I could not have been more wrong. GATHERING MOSS by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a wonderful read and I learned more about moss than I ever knew there was to know and that was just in the first chapter. Ms. Kimmerer is not only a skilled naturalist, she's one heckuva writer. Perhaps it's her Potawatomi heritage but she has a gift for seeing the world with an acuity that most of us can only dream of and she translates that vision to the page in a most engaging way. Which is to say that she writes with her heart as much as with her intellect.
In Chapter Two, I learned that there are 22,000 species of moss worldwide. I'm guessing 21,000 of those are present on Gabriola. I'm kidding of course but this is one mossy island to be sure. I also learned that moss thrives in places where nothing else can, like smack dab in the middle of the number 4 screwed to a rock at the end of a driveway.
9 comments:
This is really cool! Mosses, fungui and lichens are fascinating!
very compelling! the first thing I thought of when I saw this was Don't Panic!
If you like moss and lichens, you should visit Willits DP; Elaine has taken some very artful shots of moss & lichens.
I love moss! I'll look for that book, because I need to learn more. And your photo features the bonus of lichen as well, so it's a real winner.
If you are a Dr Who fan, you know about the number 42...
Once our mind is onto something we often can not see anything but the object. Are you able to see more moss now?
The meaning of life 42- it's the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy. Naughty Dr who nicked it. Ok I am outed sci geek on the sly. Uselaine does have really interesting posts on the subject along with quirky images.
Never late to learn, even about moss, which in compositions with stones can give amazing patterns and texture.
How green grow your numbers there, Snapper. Another fine photo and post. Thanks for the links too.
I so love the Gabriola House Numbers. I have some lovely moss I spotted on the grave stones in the Montmartre Cemetery. What a lovely gift. Your MIL must know you very well Snap. Thanks for sharing with us.
Virginia alerted me to your moss post when I posted a photo (link) of a frosted clump of some. Great stuff, isn't it?
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