The Abandoned: Fat Shroom - Guest Heart Thursday

Thursday, December 2, 2010

Fat Shroom - Guest Heart Thursday

This time of year one can find all kinds of various fungi in and around The Abandoned. This Fat Shroom caught my fancy right away--it made me laugh. I'm sure this shroom must be saying, I'm such a "fungi." (grin)

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

WARNING: Anyone wishing to visit The Abandoned, must seek permission from the owners.

6 comments:

Clytie said...: Fungi? Fun Guy? Yep, I think that really is what he's saying!!! In a hearty kind of way (wink wink)! I'm so glad you found him, and captured his unique personality and shape!; December 2, 2010 at 11:13 AM
Laura said...: And it really looks like it is talking too with that depression in the center, like a mouth. Cool!; December 2, 2010 at 1:06 PM
~Cheryl said...: His lacy cushion sets him off perfectly -- great find! You are such a fungirl!; December 2, 2010 at 7:52 PM
Lyneen said...: His colors sets him off from the surrounding nature.... Love the FUNGUY! LOL; December 2, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Lois said...: It is a pretty color too!; December 3, 2010 at 8:37 AM
Halcyon said...: This one is really nice. It does look like a chubby little heart!; December 3, 2010 at 10:07 AM

The Abandoned

Years ago, I dedicated this blog to The Abandoned, a huge complex of abandoned buildings in rural Oregon.

Surrounded by wetlands and old growth timber, The Callahan Center was built in the 1970's by the State of Oregon as a rehabilitation center for people recovering from injuries on the job.

In 1992, the property was bought by a mega church. However, the Living Enrichment Center closed in 2004, amidst financial scandal and the property was abandoned.

The buildings stood empty for many years. Over that span the property was vandalized and looted. Yet the beauty of its rare architecture shone through the shambles of abuse and disrepair.

In the summer of 2013, the complex was completely demolished. We were all sad to see the buildings go, but because of trespassers and vandals, it was necessary to take them down.

The area where The Abandoned once stood is filled with $500,000 mushroom houses (homes built so fast they pop up like mushrooms) built on postage stamp lots. There are sidewalks and tall lamps where I once watched the foxes of the field leaping above the grass, hunting rodents.

The surrounding woodlands still survive. It is my prayer the wetlands and forests with their pristine creeks, native trees and flowers, as well as the wildlife which shelter there, will be protected.