This morning I came across a beautiful oddity in a patch of soil where I’ve planted begonias and await the bloom of ranunculus to brighten a winter day in Southern California. Tucked in between two plants, I noticed what looked like a simple carved wooden flower.  It had 5 “petals” and a ball like center. When I bent down to pick it up, I realized it was a mushroom, one I could have never even imagined existed. I googled  “flower like mushroom" and found it was called an Earth Star. The name was as magical as the sturdy little flower I held in my hand. I learned the Blackfoot Indians believed it really was a star that had fallen to earth during supernatural events. Curious to see if there were more, I went outside again and discovered another one, not as perfect as the first. The center ball had a little hole on top.  I gently squeezed the bulb and a puff of dust, spore dust, emerged like a tiny volcano. 
Today reminded me of my favorite quotes from E.B.White – “Always be on the lookout for the presence of wonder.” Small miracles can emerge when you tend your garden.  Unexpected wonder can appear in one’s own backyard.  Pay attention.  It is all there, right under your nose.