Tag Archives: midwest

November 21, 2017

Flammulina velutipes, the space shuttle mushroom

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Flammulina velutipes (Curtis) Singer Edible, but tough. Despite appearances, the commercially produced “enoki” mushroom found in many grocery stores is a cultivated form of this mushroom. One of the best-known and most-produced mushrooms in the world, Flammulina velutipes has a … Continue reading →

September 20, 2017

Entoloma salmoneum, an attractive fungus

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Entoloma salmoneum (Peck) Saccardo  Entoloma salmoneum can be found growing alone or scattered in leaf litter under hardwoods, or in moss under conifers; frequently on rotting, moss-covered conifer logs. When thumbing through Mushrooms of the Midwest, you see Entoloma salmoneum among the … Continue reading →

September 5, 2017

On Mutinus elegans, a mushroom both naughty and smelly

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Mutinus elegans (Montagne) E. Fischer Usually at least partially submerged in the ground; appearing like a whitish to pinkish or purplish “egg” up to 4 cm high; when sliced, revealing the stinkhorn-to-be encased in a gelatinous substance. Mutinus. Inspired by … Continue reading →

May 26, 2017

Volvariella bombycina, a silky-haired and stately mushroom

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Volvariella bombycina (Schaeffer) Singer [The cap is] oval at first, becoming bell-shaped to broadly complex or nearly flat; whitish or tinged yellowing to brownish in age; the margin not lined; dry; covered with silky hairs. Volvariella bombycina sounds like a nickname … Continue reading →

February 1, 2017

Release Party: The Loyal West, by Matthew E. Stanley

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in African American Studies, american history, Illinois / regional, military history | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Release Party: The Loyal West, by Matthew E. Stanley

A free region deeply influenced by southern mores, the Lower Middle West represented a true cultural and political median in Civil War–era America. Here grew a Unionism steeped in the mythology of the Loyal West—a myth rooted in regional and … Continue reading →

October 20, 2016

In search of good cornbread

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in food, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on In search of good cornbread

Tonight Cynthia Clampitt continues her barnstorming book tour of the Midwest with a reading a book signing in Winfield, Illinois. (Seven p.m. at the Public Library.) To celebrate, the blog shares one of the recipes Clampitt collected in Midwest Maize, … Continue reading →

August 30, 2016

Release Party: Barns of Illinois

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in Illinois / regional, photography | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Release Party: Barns of Illinois

Finally available in a full-color paperback edition, Larry Kanfer’s Barns of Illinois showcases the Illinois photographer’s much-praised images of the Midwest’s iconic structure. As a state abounding with broad farmlands, Illinois has depended heavily on its barns. At once imposing and humble, … Continue reading →

June 23, 2016

Throwbacklist Thursday

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in food, Illinois / regional | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Throwbacklist Thursday

The month of June brings countless pleasures to the Midwest. Few exceed the overwhelming presence of fresh produce at semi-affordable prices. At last, we can put aside the beyond-tired apples and oranges of the cold months to exult in ripe … Continue reading →

May 12, 2016

Throwbacklist Thursday: The Stories We Tell

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in folklore, journals | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Throwbacklist Thursday: The Stories We Tell

Humanity has undoubtedly told stories since forever. Possibly our ancestors acted or danced them before speech found its way into our brains. Writing brought religious texts and Gilgamesh but even then, tale-telling remained a largely oral art until literacy became … Continue reading →

September 3, 2015

Happy National Skyscraper Day

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in architecture, Chicago | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Happy National Skyscraper Day

Once rare wonders of the world targeted by giant apes, skyscrapers have become an indelible aspect of the urban experience. Their majesty inspires local pride, their beauty elicits amazement, and their daring/obnoxious designs spark debate. No city is more identified … Continue reading →