SCORES & OUTDOORS: With the woolly bear MIA, what are we seeing in its place?

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wooly bear caterpillar

Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Send out a BOLO! I got that from NCIS, it means “be on the lookout”, what they used to call an APB (all points bulletin – those of you my age will remember).

Has anyone seen a woolly bear caterpillar this year? Usually, by mid-September they are everywhere. I haven’t seen a one.

However, I have been seeing a yellow, fuzzy caterpillar that has me curious.

Now that the days are getting shorter and the night time temperatures are dipping into the 40s, It’s Woolly Bear Caterpillar season once again! Remember, the woolly bear caterpillar, according to folklore, predicts the severity, or mildness, of the approaching winter with the size of the rust-colored band it wears. The wider the band, the milder the winter. Since we haven’t seen any black/rust woolly bears, let’s take a look at the yellow woolly bear.

There are actually a lot of different fuzzy caterpillars out and about right now looking for a last meal and a good place to hibernate for the winter. One of which is the Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar. While they may look like your favorite pair of fuzzy slippers they are so much more interesting.

Yellow Woolly Bear

The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar is part of a whole tribe of caterpillars named for their fuzzy appearance. The tribe name actually derives from the Greek word “arktos”, which translates to “bear”. It’s not until the Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar matures and goes through metamorphosis that it turns into a tiger – moth. The Virginian Tiger Moth to be precise.

Changing from a bear to a tiger isn’t this critter’s only trick. The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar isn’t always yellow. Sometimes it’s a reddish or brownish color. While some caterpillars may decide they like yellow and stick to it, others start out yellowish and then change to a darker color when they molt. They are either all yellowish, all orangish/reddish, or all brownish. If you find a super fuzzy caterpillar that is part black and part orange, or some other mix of hair colors, it’s a different critter.

The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar is native to the United States and can be found throughout much of North America, from Canada through Mexico. There are even some records on iNaturalist of the species being found in the more northern parts of South America.

Orange Woolly Bear

The Yellow Woolly Bear can live in many habitats as well, anywhere from wooded and forested areas, to meadows, fields, gardens, and occasionally agricultural areas. The broad distribution range of and variety of favorable habitats for this species is likely due to its generalist feeding behavior. The Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillar will eat a wide range of plant leaves from basil, to the clover in the yard, to maple trees – it will even occasionally eat milkweed plants. Luckily the caterpillars are not particularly numerous, preferring to put distance between themselves and their siblings, so the caterpillars rarely cause enough damage to be considered a pest.

The fuzzy Yellow Woolly Bear Caterpillars eventually turn into lovely white moths with yellow and orange patches on their bodies. While not nearly as hairy as the caterpillar, the moths do retain some fluffy looking leg warmers and hats. Once the caterpillars turn into moths, they are usually called Virginian Tiger Moths.

Virginian Tiger Moth

The moths don’t eat. At the most, they may take a quick drink of nectar from a nearby flower. While the caterpillar’s primary goal was to eat and grow as big as possible (without being eaten itself), the moth’s goal is to find a mate and bring the next generation of woolly bears into existence. Here’s where it gets really interesting, though. Remember those pictures of crazy looking moths with tentacles coming out of their butts that went viral for a while? Yeah, these moths can do that, too. Or at least a similar variation of the tentacle butt thing.

The tentacle looking things are actually organs the male moths have and can inflate to produce and spread pheromones that attract female moths. Kind of like a cologne. While they look different depending on the species, some are tentacle-like, others more like pencils or feather dusters, most male moths have them.

So, now that we know a little more about these woolly bear variations, I will know they are of the woolly bear family. The only thing I wasn’t able to find was if they have the weather predicting powers like the traditional woolly bear.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

In 2014, which versatile Red Sox player become the first to start in seven different positions in a single season?

Answer
Brock Holt.

REVIEW POTPOURRI: Nathaniel Hawthorne

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) spent a number of years as a boy in Raymond, Maine, with an uncle, Dr. Richard Manning, who built a huge mansion with lavishly expensive wallpaper, fireplaces and Belgian glass windows – local natives referred to it as “Mannning’s Folly.” It was later used as a church and tavern and is now listed as a historic site and tourist attraction.

During later years when Hawthorne attended Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, (where his classmates included former President Franklin Pierce and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow), he often visited his uncle.

However, even though Hawthorne graduated with the class of 1825, he had a very jaundiced view of his time as a college student, as revealed in an 1850s letter to Richard Henry Stoddard:

“I was educated (as the phrase is) at Bowdoin College. I was an idle student, negligent of college rules and the Procrustean details of academic life, rather choosing to nurse my own fancies than to dig into Greek roots and be numbered among the learned Thebans.”

In his American Note-Books for July 5th, 1837, during a visit to Maine, Hawthorne describes looking out the window at the Kennebec River:

“Then there is a sound of the wind among the trees round the house; and, when that is silent, the calm, full, distant voice becomes audible. Looking downward thither, I see the rush of the current, and mark the different eddies, with here and there white specks or streaks of foam; and often a log comes floating on, glistening in the sun, as it rolls over among the eddies, having voyaged, for aught I know, hundreds of miles from the wild upper sources of the river, passing down, down, between lines of forest, and sometimes a rough clearing, till here it floats by cultivated banks, and will soon pass by the village. Sometimes a long raft of boards comes along, requiring the nicest skill in navigating it through the narrow passage left by the mill-dam. Chaises and wagons occasionally go over the road, the riders all giving a passing glance at the dam, or perhaps alighting to examine it more fully, and at last departing with ominous shakes of the head as to the result of the enterprise.”

For me, Hawthorne had a phenomenal gift of drawing the reader into any scene he was describing out of direct experience or as a result of being transformed into his novels such as, for example, the Scarlet Letter, and the Blithedale Romance, as well as such short stories as Young Goodman Brown, The Minister’s Black Veil, Feathertop, etc.

Sergio Mendes

Sergio Mendes

On September 6, pianist/orchestra leader Sergio Mendes passed away at the age of 83 due to several months of the ill-effects of Covid. Back in 1970 when I was attending the University of Southern Maine at Gorham, a friend in the dormitory room next to mine in Anderson Hall introduced me to his Brazil 66 albums; I began buying my own copies, enjoying Mendes’s immensely charming soft pop/jazz/Bossa Nova arrangements and particularly relishing the lead vocalists Lani Hall and Karen Philipp.

Herb Alpert

Herb Alpert

One 1968 LP Fool on the Hill, released on Herb Alpert’s A&M label, has remained on my frequent play list. The renditions of the title song – itself superior to the Beatles own performance in my opinion; the slowly paced lyrical love ballad Canto Triste sung exquisitely by Lani Hall (She later married Herb Alpert); and the infectiously upbeat Upa Neguinho leave the album’s remaining seven very good songs in the shade.

The entire album is accessible on YouTube.

Bernard Haitink

Bernard Haitink

In January, 1905, Czarist troops fired on peaceful demonstrators in front of the Winter Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, killing over 400. In 1957, Dimitri Shosta­kovich’s 11th Sym­phony in remembrance of that tragedy was premiered in Moscow.

It has been recorded with distinction by a number of conductors, one of them being the late Bernard Haitink (1929-2021) on a Decca/London 1985 release still in print and accessible also on YouTube. The Symphony has four movements of searing eloquent beauty and savage power.

 

 

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FOR YOUR HEALTH: Back to School Means Recommended Vaccines for Preteens Too

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Today is the day to protect your kids with HPV vaccination.

by Ruth Stefanos, M.D.

(NAPSI)—As a pediatrician, I hear many questions from parents. As their children grow from babies to adolescents, so does the number of questions they have about how to continue protecting their kids. This makes sense, since we are all navigating a changing world with social media, peer pressure, and more homework and scheduled activities. Parents are juggling these things every day, and the bottom line is that parents want to know how they can protect their kids.

One of the most important things we know to protect your kids – now and as they grow – is vaccination. While most parents are familiar with getting their babies vaccinated, they might not realize that there are vaccinations specifically for preteens that can protect them against serious diseases like cancer and meningitis.

HPV vaccination is given when kids are about 11–12 years old to protect them from ever getting the HPV virus that can cause cancers later in life. Both preteen boys and girls need this vaccine now, before they are ever exposed to the virus. Stopping that virus in its tracks can protect them from things like cervical cancer in women, and head and neck cancer in men.

While it can be hard for parents to look at their preteens and see the young adult they will become, vaccinating them now means not having to worry about HPV-related cancers as they grow up. We know that this virus is common—about 13 million people in the United States, including teens, become infected with HPV each year. Every year in the United States, HPV causes about 36,000 cases of cancer in both men and women. This is why I strongly recommend that parents vaccinate their kids. I also know that the HPV vaccine has a reassuring safety record that’s backed by over 15 years of monitoring and research. What’s amazing is that we are really starting to see the impact of this vaccine. HPV infections and cervical precancers have dropped substantially since 2006, when HPV vaccines were first used in the United States.

I feel very confident telling parents that today is the day to get their kids protected with HPV vaccination. It’s a good reminder that while you can’t stop kids from growing up, you can protect them against cancer later. Back to school healthcare visits are a great time to take this step to protect them. Please call to schedule your kids’ appointment today. You can learn more at www.cdc.gov/HPV.

Dr. Stefanos is a medical officer in the Division of Viral Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Preven­tion (CDC).

Start Summit: Innovating to protect elderly from online fraud

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by Jane Margesson
Executive director
AARP Maine

While new technology has opened up avenues for communication, learning, and entertainment, it has also given rise to a serious problem — online fraud. Older adults, in particular, are often targeted by predators seeking to exploit their trust and lack of familiarity with the digital landscape.

How might we develop a solution to protect older adults from online fraud?

The Roux Institute, in partnership with Maine Connectivity Authority, AARP Maine, the University of Maine Center on Aging, and Foster Center for Innovation, invites you to our upcoming Start Summit – the opportunity to creatively address this challenge and transform ideas into action.

At this fun and interactive event, you’ll experience what it’s like to build a startup solution in a very short time – all with the support of facilitators and mentors and fueled by good food!

On Friday, you’ll hear from a panel of business and cybersecurity experts on the topic of the challenge and opportunity of protecting older adults from online fraud.

On Saturday, participants will develop an innovative idea with a randomized team and participate in educational entrepreneurship workshops. The day culminates in a pitch competition with cash prizes followed by more snacks and networking.

Members of the first place team will receive $500 each, and members of the second place team will receive $200 each. Winners will also have the opportunity for ongoing entrepreneurial support from the Roux Institute as-needed.

No prior experience is necessary to participate. This Start Summit is open to all. Registration is required. Registration includes summit participation, educational workshops, food and beverage, networking events, and more. Note: Participants who have won prior Start Summits will not receive cash prizes.

The summit will take place at the University of Maine, Wells Conference Center, (131 Munson Rd, Orono, ME 04469), Friday, October 4 (5 – 7 p.m.), and Saturday, October 5, (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.)

Please contact Alf Anderson at aanderson@aarp.org or Jane Margesson at jmargesson@aarp.org. Early bird registration open. Follow the link to view the full agenda and register: www.rouxevents.northeastern.edu/startsummitdigitalequityaging Note: This is not an AARP website. Any information you provide to the host organization will be governed by its privacy policy.

Give Us Your Best Shot! for Thursday, September 12, 2024

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To submit a photo for this section, please visit our contact page or email us at townline@townline.org!

BRIGHT: Emily Poulin, of South China, snapped this bright sunflower recently.

LOOKING BACK: Jayne Winters, of South China, photographed this grosbeak as it seems to be looking over its shoulder.

SALUTE: Virginia Jones, of Palermo, captured this American flag waving in the morning fog.

REVIEW POTPOURRI – Conductor: George Szell

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Peter Catesby Peter Cates

George Szell

George Szell

Bizet’s opera Carmen was considered one worthy of meticulous study for aspiring conductors by the perfectionist Maestro George Szell (1897-1970) who held dictatorial Music Directorship of the Cleve­land Or­chestra from 1946 until his death from bone cancer.

I own a shelf of different sets of Carmen as sung by such grand prima donnas as Rise Stevens, Maria Callas, Marilyn Horne, Tatiana Troyanos and Angela Gheorghiu, etc. When Miss Horne did Carmen at the Metropolitan Opera, her co-star James McCracken as Don Jose wanted to use a real dagger instead of a rubber one for authenticity and was the kind of singer/actor who’d become totally consumed in the character.

She stated that no way in H___ was she getting on stage with him.

Another set for recent listening is an early ‘60s London Records album of three LPs and a libretto conducted by the late Thomas Schippers with Geneva’s Suisse Romande Orchestra, soprano Regina Resnik in the title role, tenor Mario del Monaco as Don Jose, soprano Joan Sutherland as Micaela and baritone Tom Krause as the bullfighter Escamillo, his own Toreador Song frequently used in TV commercials. It is a very good recording.

The arguably most famous Aria is Carmen’s own Habanera, which soprano Emma Calve (1858-1935) recorded on an acoustic 12-inch one-sided Victor Red Seal shellac and one well worth hearing via YouTube, despite the primitive fidelity of 120 years ago because of Calve’s own hypnotically sultry delivery and beautiful voice. Resnik was similarly splendid, as was Rise Stevens, Callas, Horne, Troyanos and others previously mentioned.

In the story, Carmen is employed in a Spanish cigar factory and deliberately attracts a number of men with her flirtatious ways, two of them being Don Jose with his own deadly posessive jealousy and Escamillo. Meanwhile, a wonderfully loyal girlfriend of Don Jose from back home, Micaela, arrives to plead with Don Jose to renew their commitment but he is too idiotically smitten with Carmen. Two exquisite Arias in the opera are sung by Micaela.

A popular one from Don Jose is the Flower Song.

An addendum – because of George Szell’s sarcastic personality, he was often referred to as his own worst enemy, to which former Met Opera manager Rudolf Bing retorted, “Not while I’m alive.”

While on the subject of Szell, he recorded Gustav Mahler’s 4th Symphony in 1964 with the Cleveland Orchestra . I have worn out a few copies of the record since purchasing the first one during the summer of 1966. It is a record I have played for several friends over the decades who were not fans of classical music previously. The experience had them changing their minds.

The Symphony is that beautiful and has been recorded with distinction a number of times but Szell, who was very selective with Mahler’s music had a high regard for the 4th Symphony and gave of himself totally to realizing every expressive detail. The 4th Symphony movement is sung by a soprano and ends on a quiet heavenly note. Szell had the phenomenal Judith Raskin as his soloist. It can also be heard via YouTube.

THE BEST VIEW: Shhh! Can you keep a secret?

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by Norma Best Boucher

“Shhh! Can you keep a secret?”

I look first to my left and then to my right.

“Well, can you?”

Here goes. I read other people’s mail.

That’s right. I read other people’s mail.

Okay, before you get all bent out of shape, I don’t steal and steam open envelopes as snoopy neighbors do in the old-time movies. I read published books of famous writers’ letters edited by biographers and relatives.

These letters are very personal, and the authors most likely never expected their personal thoughts to be revealed to the world. That is probably why most of these publications appear after the death of the famous people.

I first got hooked on reading famous authors’ mail when a friend of mine gave me a book called “The Letters of Ernest Hemingway 1907—1922.” This Volume One of letters begins with his short letters with misspellings to his Papa when Hemingway was eight years old to his letters upon his arrival in Paris when he was age 23.

I had decided to read just a few letters each day, but as this young man experienced life and matured into the man who became the famous Ernest Hemingway, I just read right through to the end. Footnotes by the editor fill in the information educating the reader as to whom the letters are addressed and the relationships between them and Hemingway.

Knowing the ultimate famous life and death of Hemingway allows the letter reader to recognize the “dramatic foreshadowing” of Hemingway’s experiences.

Recently, I have been reading the letters of the author John le Carre’ (real name David Cornwell) “A Private Spy,” edited by his son Tim Cornwell.

Whether someone enjoys the le Carre’ books, which are mostly about spies and espionage, is entirely irrelevant. These letters show the real thoughts and emotions of this man with his wives, his lovers, his family, his friends, his enemies and with the other famous writers and actors who are involved in his many successes and failures.

Again, knowing about this author’s books and his death lets me enjoy reading the letter writer’s intimate thoughts.

I am only 300 pages into this 600 plus page tome, and I haven’t even gotten into his own life as an MI5 and MI6 British spy. Call me crazy, but this is a page turner for me.

I think I know why I enjoy reading letters. I was a letter writer in the day of letter writing. When I was of upper elementary and junior high school age, I had pen pals. I had a subscription to a magazine called “American Girl.” This magazine was not affiliated with the modern “American Girl” magazine and dolls.

Girls wrote short letters to the editor, and other girls could respond and become pen pals. I got a couple of pen pals that way, but the pen pal I remember most was a missionary’s daughter. We corresponded for a couple of years. She was a British girl who lived in India.

Back then mail to and from different countries took a very long time, so there weren’t that many letters exchanged. We wrote mostly about school and after school activities. Still, it was a thrill to receive a letter from India. I wonder what the postman thought when he saw those foreign air mail stamps?

My favorite pen pal was a girl who went to summer camp with me. Our letters were not really very interesting, but we wrote backwards and had to put the letters up to a mirror in order to read them. We wrote every week just because of the novelty of writing backwards.

One of my girlfriends was a pen pal to Annette Funicello, one of Disney’s first Mouseketeers. I wanted to be a pen pal with Annette, also, but I figured Annette wouldn’t want to be a pen pal to two people living in Waterville, Maine, so I didn’t try.

I understand now that those letters were probably fan letters sent to all, and I could have been another pen pal after all.

Of course, with letter writing, one had to have the prettiest stationery with matching envelopes. For 25 cents I bought a note pad or a box of uniquely designed writing paper. I also received stationery for birthdays and Christmases and even bought some out of my allowance, which was 50 cents per week.

Then there were the sealing wax sticks in multiple color choices. I melted the wax on the “V” of the envelope closure and pushed down a sealing wax seal stamp to ensure that no one but the intended recipient would read the letter.

I had different designs of stamps, but my favorite was my initial “N.” Somehow this stamp made the letter more personal AND mysterious, at least to my young mind.

I am sure that the authors whose published books of letters I read now did not use pretty stationery and sealing wax stamps.

I am also very sure that no one has saved any of my letters to be published in a 600-page tome after my death for all to read.

In 1965 during the first week in my first college journalism class, the professor told us never to write anything down on paper for anyone to read that we did not want to haunt us later in life.

I believed him.

He also told us in that class that in the future we would be reading our newspapers not on paper but through the use of a machine.

I DID NOT believe that.

Yet, look at me now – I read The Town Line newspaper on my home computer.

FOR YOUR HEALTH: Discover a Minimally Invasive Procedure Transforming the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain

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An innovative procedure can help people with back pain get back to feeling better.

(NAPSI)—For more than half of her life, 43-year-old Megan Bettor dealt with bouts of excruciating low back pain. She doesn’t remember a specific accident or injury that caused the initial pain – all she knows is that it was a constant part of her life.

Megan knew something had to change and began exploring surgical options, including a disc replacement, an invasive and expensive treatment that may or may not address her pain. That’s when she met Ramana Naidu, M.D., director of pain management, MarinHealth Medical Center and interventional pain physician and anesthesiologist.

This type of pain is a relatively new discovery and caused by vertebral endplates that get damaged due to age, wear, tear and everyday living. While approximately 5.3 million people in the U.S. are living with vertebrogenic pain, this condition did not have an official diagnosis until recently, let alone a treatment.

Dr. Naidu thought Megan would be an ideal candidate for a procedure utilizing Boston Scientific’s Intracept™ Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System, which provides a minimally invasive, same-day treatment specifically designed to address vertebrogenic pain.

The Intracept system targets a specific nerve in the lower back – the basivertebral nerve or BVN – that transmits pain signals from the damaged vertebral endplates to the brain. The Intracept system uses a radiofrequency probe to heat the BVN and prevent it from sending these signals. The procedure is proven to be safe and effective, with patients reporting significant pain and functional improvements at five years after a single treatment.

“Historically, the disc was presumed to be the source of most chronic low back pain, but recent research demonstrates that the vertebral endplates play a significant role in causing pain,” said Ray Baker, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer, Neuromodulation, Boston Scientific. “By targeting the BVN, patients can achieve durable relief through a minimally invasive procedure.”

After receiving insurance approval, Megan underwent her procedure with the Intracept system in November 2023. Her pain relief was immediate and, as time went on, Megan ramped up her physical activities without the accompanying low back pain.

If you have suffered from chronic low back pain for at least six months and find it gets worse with physical activity, you may have vertebrogenic pain.

Physicians across the U.S. are trained to make this specific diagnosis and to determine if treating your low back pain with the Intracept system may be an option for you. You can also use the Intracept Physician Finder to locate a physician near you to make an appointment and learn more about this diagnosis and proven treatment.

Results from case studies are not necessarily predictive of results in other cases. Results in other cases may vary.

SMALL SPACE GARDENING: Don’t let frost end your garden season

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by Melinda Myers

No matter where you garden there never seems to be enough time to grow and enjoy all your favorite vegetables. Start preparing now to extend your growing season and continue enjoying garden fresh vegetables even after the first frost.

Some vegetables like cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, kale and Brussels sprouts tolerate frost and even taste better after a slight chill. Most of these can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 to 28 ˚F.

Leeks are another vegetable that thrives in cooler temperature. Many tolerate temperatures as low as 20˚ F. Just mound some protective mulch around the plants and continue harvesting.

Take advantage of the chilly winter temperatures to store some of your carrots, turnips and parsnips in the ground for winter. Just cover the soil with straw or evergreen boughs after it lightly freezes. Dig as needed or during a winter thaw. You will enjoy their wonderfully sweet flavor.

Floating row covers protect plants from frost while allowing light, air and water through. (photo courtesy of MelindaMyers.com)

Those first few fall frosts are often followed by a week or more of mild temperatures. Protecting frost sensitive plants from the first few fall frosts is one way of extending your season. Cover the plants with old bed sheets, mattress pads, or similar items in late afternoon and remove them as soon as the temperatures climb above freezing. Keep these handy and be ready to cover whenever frost is in the forecast.

Make it easier by using floating row covers. The spun material allows air, light and water through while protecting the plants from frost. You will find different weights of row covers that provide different levels of temperature protection. Just loosely cover the plants and anchor the edges with stones, boards or garden pins. You only need to remove the fabric to harvest ripe vegetables. Otherwise, it can stay in place until the vegetables stop producing or you decide it is time to end the season.

Create a high tunnel over garden beds filled with large plants. Use hoops and row cover to allow easy access for harvesting while protecting the plants.

Cloches have long been used to jump start the season or extend it beyond the first fall frost. You’ll find a variety of shapes and sizes available. Select one large enough to cover your plants and protect them as needed. Look for those with vents to prevent plants from overheating and those that allow water through while trapping in the heat.

Don’t let unripe tomatoes go to waste if you are unable or unwilling to protect them from frost. Harvest any that are starting to show color before the killing frost and finish ripening them indoors. The bottom of the tomato should be greenish white or starting to color up. Store your green tomatoes in a cool (60 to 65 degrees) location to extend their storage life.

Spread out the tomatoes on heavy paper or wrap them individually in newspaper so the fruit do not touch each other. They’ll ripen over the next few weeks. Speed up the process by moving a few tomatoes to a warm bright location a few days before they’re needed. Enjoy green tomatoes fried, in relish, salsa, pies or many other ways.

And when your season ends, begin planning for next year. Enlist some of these strategies to jump start the season for an earlier harvest.

Melinda Myers has written over 20 gardening books, including Midwest Gardener’s Handbook, 2nd Edition and Small Space Gardening. She hosts The Great Courses “How to Grow Anything” instant video and DVD series and the nationally syndicated Melinda’s Garden Moment radio program. Myers is a columnist and contributing editor for Birds & Blooms magazine. Myers’ website is www.MelindaMyers.com.

SCORES & OUTDOORS: The discovery of a rare mushroom in central Maine

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Roland D. Halleeby Roland D. Hallee

Recently, at camp, a friend showed me photos of a mushroom – an unusual mushroom – she had seen on the grounds. The mushroom had a blue hue and was seen in a wet area. So, it was research time.

It turns out to be an Indigo milk cap, Lactarius indigo, a type of wild mushrooms that are found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. They typically grow in deciduous or mixed forests, and are often found in association with hardwood trees such as oak, beech, and maple.

Indigo Milk Cap is a widespread but uncommon, distinctively colored mushroom. In the summer and fall it can be found on the ground alone, scattered, or in groups, in oak and pine woodlands. It grows on the roots of hardwoods, including oak, ironwood, and blue beech; and pines.

These mushrooms look out of place in nature. Sure, mushrooms come in all kinds of different colors, but blue mushrooms are pretty rare.

Indigo milk cap mushrooms are a beautiful and intriguing species of fungi that grow in temperate forests around the world. While they are widely admired for their striking blue color and unique flavor, many people are unsure if they are safe to eat. In this article, we will explore the question, “are indigo milk cap mushrooms edible?”

First, it is important to note that not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Some species contain toxins that can cause serious illness or even death. It is therefore essential to correctly identify any mushroom before consuming it. Indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, but there are some important factors to consider.

One of the main concerns when it comes to eating indigo milk cap mushrooms is their latex, a milky substance that is exuded from the mushroom when it is cut or damaged. The latex of some Lactarius species can cause a burning sensation in the mouth or throat, while others can cause gastrointestinal distress. However, the latex of indigo milk cap mushrooms is generally considered non-toxic and is not known to cause any adverse effects.

Another factor to consider is the age and condition of the mushroom. Young, fresh mushrooms are generally safer to eat than older, more mature specimens. Look for mushrooms that are firm and have a fresh, fruity smell. Mushrooms that are slimy, discolored, or have a foul odor should be avoided.

It is also important to cook indigo milk cap mushrooms thoroughly before consuming them. Like many other mushrooms, they contain chitin, a tough, indigestible substance that can only be broken down by cooking. Raw or undercooked mushrooms can cause digestive upset or even be toxic.

When cooking indigo milk cap mushrooms, it is recommended to sauté or roast them to bring out their unique flavor. They pair well with garlic, butter, and herbs like thyme and rosemary. Some people also enjoy using them in soups and stews.

While indigo milk cap mushrooms are generally considered safe to eat, it is important to take precautions to ensure their safety. Here I will repeat what was written above. Make sure to correctly identify the mushroom, choose young and fresh specimens, and cook them thoroughly before consuming. By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the unique flavor and beauty of indigo milk cap mushrooms while staying safe and healthy.

When sliced with a knife, the mushroom stains an even darker blue. They’re truly one of the most interesting mushrooms I’ve ever seen, let alone eaten.

As an aside (and it’s funny I even have to say this) cooking or visually enjoying these mushrooms will be the only thing you do with them.

Just because a mushroom is blue, doesn’t mean it’s magic (hallucinogenic). The only trip you’ll be taking is probably to the grocery store to get some garlic and parsley.

The amount of truly blue foods in the world is pretty slim, and these have to rank among the most interesting.

Long story short, the key to finding indigo milkcaps is timing. These mushrooms need a lot of rain to produce a decent fruiting, so after you’ve found a place where one or have been spotted, make sure to go there after a good rainfall, and you might get lucky. Milkcap mushrooms love the same habitat.

When harvesting, the most important thing to look for is the stem. More often than not, milkcaps will probably have been visited by bugs before you get to them. This may mean you cut off and discard the stems, or you may just have to pass on them. Timing is tricky, and a day or two can be the difference between mushrooms for a meal and compost.

The color and shape of these mushrooms is really distinctive – -there really aren’t any other blue mushrooms that you could easily confuse with them. That being said, certain types of dangerous mushrooms can have slightly similar colors, but mostly they’re purple-ish-not nearly the same striking blue as indigo milkcaps.

The indigo can be cooked like any other mushroom, and you can substitute them just about anywhere mushrooms would be welcome. These are relatively clean since they grow in coniferous forests, but you’ll want to check for the occasional pine needle.

The big problem here is that bugs like these guys, and more than likely what you find may be past prime. You could make some stock out of the buggy ones, or dry them, but there’s many other nice mushrooms out there.

If you really want to eat these, make sure they are the right mushroom, and you can find recipes online.

As for me, I will stick with the ones you buy in the supermarket. You can’t make a mistake with those.

Roland’s trivia question of the week:

Catcher Doug Mirabelli formed a famous tandem with which Red Sox pitcher?

Answer
Tim Wakefield (whose primary pitch was the finicky knuckleball.)