Here I would love to share with you our travels and adventures as international mushroom consultants. MEMOIRS about husband Pieter Vedder, who was a SCIENTIFIC PIONEER in Commercial Mushroom Cultivation Education. His practical handbook is in 9 languages and is called the MUSHROOM BIBLE: https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2020/08/modern-mushroom-growing-2020-harvesting.html
The date marks the death of Joel Roberts Poinsett, an American botanist, physician and Minister to Mexico who in 1828 sent cuttings of the plant he'd discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charlotte, South Carolina. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia Pulcherrima.” (Submitted on March 11, 2010, by Brian Scott of Anderson, South Carolina.)
If you click on the above link: Poinsettia Day, you can read: In July of 2002, the House of Representatives created Poinsettia Day, passing a Resolution to honor Paul Ecke Jr. who is considered the father of the poinsettia industry.
These Poinsettias are photographed on the day I became an American Citizen.
On December 3, I forgot to celebrate my 30th birthday...
Cathedral Mexico City Zocala poinsettias←click link for images to enjoy the RED SEA of POINSETTIAS during CHRISTMAS time. We both have visited that Cathedral and it is sad that it is sinking...
We even do have a Poinsettia tree in our garden; see previous blogpost about it below.
Photo from our Poinsettia with leather deer from India.
You can read that previous post below: History of the Poinsettia.
July 30, 2018. On Friday at vet's visit, Amanda discovered a Mammary gland tumor on Dido
BUT over the weekend the tumor opened up and I had to call her for help.
She said to put a gauze on and tie it around his shoulder and then cover with a onesie.
Did make one from a silk knit sweater's sleeve from Pieter...
Slept with him in the kitchen on the floor—on sleeping bags + duvets—that calmed him!
Surgery was on July 31st and this is August 2, 2018
April 3, 2021 Dido up close with his tongue out...
October 28, 2022 we started giving him more tiny meals per day and also goat milk but we did not manage to nurture him back to good health...
June 18, 2023 after my 2nd surgery Dido became my loving and loyal kitty nurse
July 4 on the sofa in the living room—Dido my constant companion—they sense when we're in pain!
July 16, Dido with his tongue out but next to me as a body guard...
August 1, with me in the veranda behind screen door—on the oak stool with soft blanket.
Dido had to be near me!
Always talking to his human parents...
November 27, around 22:00 Dido's final night and he opted for sleeping next to me underneath the down duvet...
November 28 at 0:43 under the down duvet and next to my cotton flannel pajama... So sweet!
Dido sure felt loved and secure and I've told him that he is going to meet his fur sis Sacha soon.
At 1:27 when I came back from the bathroom... he was still on his side feeling so safe and warm.
Dido on my lap at 8:58 this morning...
Dido had a final sunny morning...
This is 10:23 and Amanda the vet could not make a house call today so Pieter did take him inside the wicker pet carrier and he held him while he got his shot.
Amanda thought it was cancer that did him in, he had one lump on the side of his chest and what grew inwards?
Two days short of 16 years + 8 months.
Born on March 30, 2007 at our home and died peacefully on November 28, 2023 around 11:00 AM
Pieter buried him near the other kitties and one of the Mexicans helped him with that, they just arrived to do the lawn.
Pieter had weighed him inside his Angel bag and he was 3.5 kg.
R.I.P. Sweet Dido Boy!
Related links:
A New Angel | Katie Isabella mentioning our Dido to the Cat Blogosphere—THANK YOU!!!
Reading such compliments and/or book reviews is uplifting!
Great book! My admiration for your work.
Truly a fantastic guide to growing mushrooms.
Best book on mushroom growing
Hi Pieter
Hope all is well with you,
Just ordered your book on Amazon & looking forward to the read. Your original was always considered the bible for mushroom growing and I often refer to it. It is a well thumbed version from early nineties. Keep things lit!
Mike
Pieter,
Stay safe and enjoy life.
Best wishes and will always be grateful for your help and advice.
Mel
Thanks for the times you came to Greenwood Mushroom farm to teach.
Pieter's reply:
Done so with enthusiasm and love for the job!
"Your BIRTH IS BLESSING To All.
All our Blessings for your Good Health!"
From Peru:
Mr Pieter is a hero to all those who once started this cultivation. Next to your words printed in that book, it is a huge help.
Thank you very much for everything—I am organizing and I will see how I manage to get updated to the 2020 book.
I will leave the country next month.
Thank you very much for everything.
Vocational school Horst, at the time, is that right?
My reply: Yes, I worked at the CCO for over 14 years before we immigrated together.
I remember that, we worked there regularly at the time. We were young then... time has flown by.
Nice words. You have indeed meant a lot to the mushroom industry and still do! Enjoy it and stay healthy!
Best book on mushroom growing
Congratulations on your latest addition of Modern Mushroom growing 2020. Your first addition was a great asset to the farm. Your many contributions to the mushroom industry are really appreciated.
You have watered to blossom, many who needed the most.
And now it's our turn,
Watering of blessings,
For your GOOD HEALTH.
Pieter's reply:
Thank you so very much; it is greatly appreciated!
I met Mr. Jans and Mr. Vedder while working at Highline Mushrooms in Canada.
These are two very excellent teachers. I learned much about caring for mushrooms and much more about caring for people. I left the mushroom industry about two decades ago but their kind of kind leadership cannot be forgotten.
Thanks Pieter,
For giving us the opportunity to learn so much about mushroom growing.
In the early 80s I was one of the students of the CCO. I have learned there so much.
Lessons which help me still today.
I'm proud and honored that I was privileged to go there.
Pieter's reply:
Have done so with lots of passion and in Dutch, German and English for the short courses and ending with only English... Most is being bundled now in our books so not all is lost!
"Pieter, thank you for transitioning the growing of mushrooms with your science but practical approach."
Pieter's reply:
Thank you and it is not about how much I know but how to transfer that knowledge in an understandable way and with lots of personal practical experience...
Guess I was born to be a teacher!
I'm glad and honored that I can count Pieter to the masters, from which I learned so much. It was not only mushroom but also for your daily life, helping me to move away from my mind's barriers.
Thank you Pieter, for all what you did for me and the Mushroom community.
Well worthy Pieter, a great addition for any of 'us'...
Pieter's reply:
Hope it will help many mushroom growers all over the world! The basics never change, even for those that grow in less modern facilities.
I'm certain it will and never a more true statement in our business Pieter that often missed. You reiterate this so well throughout all stages in your book and now great to have the 2020 edition after referencing you verbally over the years.
Mr Vedder was my teacher in 1967 – 1968. Since then I was growing mushrooms till 2 years ago. So the basic knowledge for mushroom growing was all that time with me.
Mushroom growing is a very interesting and exciting culture.
Pieter's reply:
That is great to hear from a former student, from the era before the Training Centre was officially opened on September 9, 1969. Yes, today was an anniversary... Your English also stands out!
Hope you continue to do well in whatever you do.
Oh so good to hear from you Dr. Vedder, some of my best memories of work – was working for Campbell's and growing mushrooms, and my time spent in Georgia at your operation.
I still have your book and frequently pick it up to peruse.
Do you live near the old operation? Hope you and your family are well and if you ever make it back to PA – be sure to look me up at Golden Oaks.
Oh yes, Bobcat – I'm pretty sure I ran into one before bounded back into the woods, when I first moved back to this area. Thank you.
If you scroll down on this blog, under labels: Mushroom Editorial Review you will find more posts with meaningful compliments!
As both of us always said:
It is not important what YOU say about YOURSELF — BUT WHAT OTHERS SAY ABOUT YOU...
