Living in the dark like that.
Actually, mushrooms have an advantage — at least they’re outside, inhaling fresh air and absorbing nutrients straight from the soil (or dung, or compost, or stable bedding — it’s all a matter of taste). And even if they’re outside in unpleasant weather, they’re equipped therefor.
According to the American Mushroom Institute, which I linked through to (ooh! a daringly split infinitive!) from the Mushroom Council (mushrooms have a council?!), “Mushrooms are one of the most difficult commodities to grow.” This is because they would prefer to be living free, in a location of their choice, not trapped in some highly technical, computerised “growing house.”
Midway through my second Boston winter I can empathise. You have my sympathy and my support sister mushrooms! Don’t despair — I will come and rescue you!
If I make it down this hill without sliding into a power pole or a parked car. Perhaps one of those cars that’s parked just before the Stop sign, so that I have to swerve out into the path of vehicles swinging needlessly wide around the corner and accelerating up the hill, then swivel the steering wheel sharply right and hit the brakes hard so I can stop at the Stop sign without being in the middle of the road (or the intersection).
Don’t blame me for my bitterness! I grew up on a subtropical island. I was born for temperate climes!
I don’t think even mushrooms like snow! Hang in there. Only… what?… three more months to go? Ouch! Don’t throw your snow boots at me!
lol
Comment by Terena — February 7, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Oh Jane,
I don’t want to be te one to tell you but its only February. It’s only going to get worse before it gets better.
Comment by steve — February 7, 2008 @ 3:58 pm
I know, Steve, I know. Which is why I’m bitterly depressed! (Depressedly bitter? Bitter and depressed?)
Comment by museahoy — February 7, 2008 @ 4:18 pm
It’s all right, dear friend and partner, I just took off my snow boots and it didn’t even cross my mind to throw either of them at you.
Thanks for attempt at sweetening my bitterness.
Comment by museahoy — February 7, 2008 @ 4:19 pm
Don’t worry, it’s perfectly right and acceptable to be depressedly bitter during these harrowing New England winters. Even during the ones that aren’t that bad (like this one so far, knock on wood), it still sucks at the best of times. Hell, I grew up here and I stiiiiill can’t stand winter.
But, the good news is that once the frost goes away, once the flowers peek back up through the soil, once the joggers come back to the Esplanade – well, THAT will be a fine day. There’s nothing that makes me love spring and summer so much as having a craptastic winter.
Besides, winter is good for writing! (And for hot apple cider.)
Comment by Chestnut — February 7, 2008 @ 5:46 pm