Nestled in my pouch is my most
treasured companion—Walden the gnome. His name, a whimsical tribute to Henry
David Thoreau’s ode to nature, perfectly suited for a simple life and forest
adventures. Similar to Walden Pond, my gnome companion adapts to the changing
seasons. Walden, standing at a height of just 2 ½ inches, has a snow-white
beard that adds to his charm. Underneath a gnome cap, his mischievous eyes
sneak a peek.
Often, perched on my shoulder or
peeking out from my pouch, Walden shares my explorations. Try to spot him
perched on a moss-covered rock or dancing on a red belted polypore. Other
times, he’ll stand gazing wide-eyed at a family of deer, his tiny hand
clutching a miniature shovel.
Walden isn’t just a wide-eyed
explorer. He is a dedicated mycologist. Walden differs from other gnomes that
guard buried trinkets. Instead, the hidden world beneath the forest floor
enchants him. The intricate network of mycelium captivates him, the delicate
threads that connect to trees, as well as the saprobes that decompose and
recycle. Armed with a magnifying glass the size of a ladybug’s spot and a shovel,
he is a champion of finding fungi. Walden sees himself as the guardian of the
beneficial fungi in the forest. He lectures and does impromptu seminars for the
animal mycophiles, teaching them the proper way to spread spores throughout the
soil. He even helped me fact check my current work in progress.
Walden speaks the language of nature and will interview many critters and fungi. Occasionally, Walden will interview a plant or even a person. On my blog, I’ll translate Walden’s interviews, transforming his conversations into engaging narratives. Walden will infuse the interviews themselves with his characteristic humor and wonder, while also weaving in scientific facts and explanations. Walden will treat readers, young and old, to a delightful blend of anthropomorphic storytelling and the genuine science behind the wonders of the natural world. So stay tuned for interviews with creatures who have a special relationship with fungi.
