For a smile as wide as a country sunrise
Hello everyone and welcome back to another look at magnificent mushrooms! Today we will be looking at a different type of fungi which are also interesting and quite common in northeastern North America, and undoubtedly in many other places as well. So, welcome to the world of the Jelly Fungus! There are several different varieties though I have not found them all yet, but it would be nice to get photos of each one.
I will show the Orange Jelly Fungus, plus the White Jelly Fungus, though my picture of the white jelly didn’t turn out very good and it was gone two days later when I went back to that spot. It was the only time I have seen the white variety here. The orange jelly is quite common around here though and can be found in shades of yellow-orange to dark orange.

Orange Jelly Fungus.
They really are quite jelly-like, bouncy and wiggly and a smooth surface. Though smooth, the surface is quite uneven and can even look somewhat brain shaped. They grow on rotting logs, stumps and branches. They can grow up to 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.5cm) long and 1 inch (2.5cm) tall. Both orange and white jelly fungi are about the same in size. Both seem to prefer coniferous wood.

Another Orange Jelly, but darker orange.
They will shrivel and dry out in dry weather but will return to normal when it rains. They can be found from spring to fall, though in our area they seem to be most common from early summer to early fall. They are edible if cooked in a soup, but SOME JELLIES ARE NOT EDIBLE, SO CAUTION IS ADVISED.

More Orange Jelly Fungi and just to the left of my name is White Jelly Fungus.
I would say it is better to stay away from eating them, they really don’t look or feel that appetizing anyway. But they are interesting to photograph, and they are very easy to spot while walking through the forest. Well, I hope you all have a great day and God bless!
Steve and Muffin.
©2025 Steve McLeod.
Both Jennifer and I had sensed trouble and this time it seemed to be close at hand, so I had called for Sky again. She appeared briefly and said she would be right back and not to worry. In the hallway Sky appeared not far from 2 men. “Lose something guys?” she asked. It did make them jump a bit, then they stammered a bit as they tried to think of what to say. “Just looking around,” said Brad. “Uh, yeah, that’s it,” said Beardy, “not doing no harm.”
“I disagree,” said Sky, “I think you are doing a great deal of harm. Come Angel kitty, mommy has a nice surprise for you.” She then pointed behind the two men. They turned just in time to see this huge lion getting to the top of the stairs, making it impossible for the two men to get away. The lion then gave a loud roar waking up everyone on that floor and the girls came running out with guns ready. My bodyguards did as well and they brought the men into the bedroom.
“Well, well,” I said, “this is a surprise.” Kat was now here too and I asked her to bring Trapper, Tim and Lance up to our room too. Brad and Beardy were the other two friends of Trapper. I hope they were working alone, but we have to make sure. Kat knocked at Trapper’s door. “Wake up Mr. Trapper!” she said in her little girl voice. He answered the door and she told him to get his friends up and come with her. She soon had them in our bedroom too.
“What are you two doing here?” asked Trapper of his two friends. “We were just looking around,” said Brad, “and that dame thinks we were snooping.” Trapper slapped him very hard. “I told you before, don’t call these ladies dames,” he said. “And they were not snooping, they were spying,” said Sky. “And what did you two hope to hear out there?” I asked. “We don’t need to answer your questions,” said Beardy, “we got rights.”
“Fine,” I said, “and those rights will get you locked up until the morning when we will figure out what to do with you.” Misty was here now too, so she and some of the girls took the two men to a room where they can be locked up for the night. “Well Trapper,” I asked, “are you with them?” “No way Steve,” he said, “I am totally on your side. I have no idea what those 2 were doing, they never said anything to me.” The other two men said the same thing.
I asked a few questions and we just generally talked a bit, but I felt they were all telling the truth. So did Jennifer and Kat, so we let them go back to their room. “I wonder if they work for Medina,” I said, “or if they are just hoping to cash in on some information to sell to anyone, not necessarily her?” “I think they are just a couple of guys getting in over their heads,” said Sky. “I agree,” said Jennifer. The rest of the night passed quietly and quickly.
I was in the shower when Rochelle knocked on the door looking for Colette. Jennifer let her in and she went over to the desk where Colette was looking at photos. They were all photos of Medina, but we changed the original to give her different hair colors and lengths and glasses on some. Amazing how a pair of glasses can change a person’s looks. Rochelle was looking at the photos and suddenly gasped! “How did you get this picture?” she asked Colette.
“Do you know her?” asked Colette. “Yes, that is Danielle Boyer,” she replied, “she is the CEO of the insurance company where Louis works, you know, the man who wanted to marry me!” I came back into the bedroom at that moment and everyone was excited and all talking at once. It took me a bit to get everyone quiet and I asked Jennifer to explain what was going on. We all went running down to the kitchen where several of the girls were making breakfast.
“Cristy, I think we found Medina,” I said, and I gave her the information we had. Interesting how these two cases are connected. Or did Medina actually plan it this way? It could be a way to trap us by bringing us into her territory where she can attack us once again, inflicting more damage to us. “It is not her territory,” said Amerie, “now we go into our territory. However, my big brother does not go, he stays where it is safe this time.” “I will make sure that you obey that order,” said Jennifer. Everyone laughed.
“Oops, I did not mean to make it an order,” said Amerie blushing. “I turned it into an order,” said Jennifer, “because it makes sense.” “Yes,” said Misty, “Medina would love to have you over there where it would be easy for her to kill you Steve. Much better for you to stay here where you can be protected.” Well, it seems like I am outvoted again. “Before anyone goes over there,” I said, “we will need to make some precise plans.
Medina is no fool and she will likely be anticipating that we will come after her. She may have even gone into hiding already.” The Bad Girls team, lead by Sky, and Kat with her Wildcats will be going along on this one. I had wanted Sky to stay behind, but she reminded me that all I need to do is say her name and she will be here. “But you will be on a different continent this time,” I said. “Just say my name,” she said again, “that’s all it takes.” “Okay, I will trust you,” I said.
Jennifer and Angel will be staying here, plus the rest of the team. Carine is still at the clinic helping protect our wounded team members, as well as Bridgette. We definitely don’t want to lose Bridgette, she is the only nurse we have left and our only vet. Those two “friends” of Trapper were given something to cause them to sleep and then flown to Lisbon where they woke up in a hotel.
To Be Continued.
©2025 Steve McLeod.