We have lived in North Carolina one full year, but there are many things we haven’t learned or experienced yet. I was sure I had discovered the largest mushroom I’d ever seen in the grass by the side of the road. Out came the toy camera. Click went the shutter. I included the toe of my shoe for size comparison, wanting to be as scientific as possible before calling a botanist.

On closer inspection, the mushroom turned out to be a very common thing around here – litter. Who knew a paper plate could look like a giant pseudo mushroom? No doubt there are things growing in, on, or under it, but I’m not interested in a taste test.