R. Jean Bell
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rjbell.bsky.social
R. Jean Bell
@rjbell.bsky.social
460 followers 210 following 1.5K posts
aka bex. she/her. Reader, writer, poet, editor-ish. Socially awkward. My sense of humor is broken and I tend to hermit. Disabled (chronic pain). US native living abroad. Submissions Editor at Apex Mag.

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rjbell.bsky.social
THE PORTAL IS OPEN! THE PORTAL IS OPEN! You can dance into the ring and submit your story for consideration at @apexmag.bsky.social
A ring of white mushrooms in grass with fallen leaves
October 3, 2025 at 11:56 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
It has crawled forth, in its shimmering darkness, and seeks the true source, the Apex, of dark glory.

Support the @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter!

www.kickstarter.com/projects/ape...
A shiny dark blue beetle on an oak twig
October 2, 2025 at 9:31 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
Another weird alien growth preparing for the @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter party...
A raised orange spot on the back of a green leaf with numerous small protrusions
September 28, 2025 at 11:04 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
This alien egg is preparing to hatch. I believe it wants to join in the @apexmag.bsky.social Kickstarter festivities.
Egg shaped blob with a brownish textured surface and a small hole.
September 27, 2025 at 4:40 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Grew up calling ones like these turkey tail, but I've not made a proper id.
A shelf fungus with stripes in shades of brown, reminiscent of a turkey's tail. Growing on a moss covered stump.
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
A young "violet ametysthat"... Not sure of English or scientific. Used to be considered edible but now removed from edible list because it collects high levels of arsenic (if I recall correctly). I just think they're pretty
A small purplish brown mushroom growing in moss, surrounded by fallen oak leaves.
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Penny bun boletes in the ground
Chunky mushrooms with brown hats and pale brown stalks in grass, moss, dead leaves, sticks, etc
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
For entertainment purposes... A row of fly agaric.
Red and orangish red capped mushrooms (stalk is white) with varying amounts of white/cream rough spots on the caps. No signs of nisser (Danish small elf or brownie like beings).
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Did some foraging on first walk but went back out later to do more. Pic is of later success. Chantarelles and a lot of Boletes.
A basket of fungi. A mix of small pale orange mushrooms (Chantarelles) and large, heavy stocked brown capped ones (penny bun edible boletes).
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Thought of @diabolicalplots.com recent request when I took this one. There were two on stump but Skye decided to lie on one of them.
Closer photo of orange-pink blob of slime mold surrounded by moss and pine needles (two needle bunches, pretty short, if anyone feels a need to ID the nearby trees)
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Took dogs into the woods this morning. They were happy even though I attached their collected poo bags to their harnesses....
Woods scenery with tall pines with limited lower growth. High grass etc around trail, foreground a fern. Two black and white border collies with harnesses and attached leashes. Closest in orange looking at camera, tongue out. Further away is looking into the woods with blue plastic hanging off her black harness.
September 20, 2025 at 8:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
We're down same spot again today (walking dogs) and they're more open. I believe one of the distinguishers is a pattern on the stalk, which these don't have, but I haven't studied enough to know who has what.
Same mushroom as earlier in thread but with hat open so it is flat 3 of same hatted mushroom
September 16, 2025 at 7:34 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
Be inspired. Do your best to make something beautiful out of that pile of sh!t someone else left.
A dew covered white capped thin stalked mushroom growing from horse manure
September 16, 2025 at 7:10 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
I can't ID this one with any certainty as it's a category I've not started studying yet but I know there a couple similar at a glance that need details checked to differentiate. I just like their looks.
A large umbrella shaped fungus with a big hat, dark brown and slightly protruding in the middle, fading to beige or cream at the edges. The thin stalk has a very pronounced ruffled ring. It's growing in grass with fallen birch leaves.
September 15, 2025 at 5:11 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Yellow staghorn fungus. A spiky armed fungus, all prongs reaching upwards. Surrounded by moss and beside a small rotting stump.
September 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
I have not been online much in months. This nifty warning label feels very appropriate to my life lately.

Sorry if I've missed anyone's exciting/sad news and failed to provide moral support and encouragement on your own turns around the shaft.
Rotating Driveline warning label. Shows bendy person in boots twisted around a drive shaft, waving as it spins.
August 26, 2025 at 3:59 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Starting a book I know nothing about. Made a deal with my librarian for her to just order me books sometimes.
Hardcover of _the Wren in the Holly Library_ by K. A. Linde.
July 4, 2025 at 6:30 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
In a teeny library in Northern Denmark, @clpolk.com _The Midnight Bargain_ is on a display shelf. It was even more prominent my previous visit but I was too rushed to photo.
The Midnight Bargain on display beside "Toppen af Danmark" on a white library shelf
June 10, 2025 at 10:58 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
Must admit these are conveniently sized for waiting room reading (chiro).
Cover of "The Girl from the Other Side" Vol 2.
May 26, 2025 at 9:14 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
Do not forget to take time to stop and enjoy the flowers. Smell the fresh air. Get pollen on your coat...
Two black and white border collies sitting together amidst white wildflowers and green meadow plants. One looks off to the left and the other to the camera. To lower right some yellow flowers as well.
May 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Resting after chiro in backyard. Enjoying beech view and blue sky. Studying a 1950s Danish book on apple trees with eye for suitable types for orchard expansion in next few years.
Blood red copper beech leaves against a clear blue sky. A small patch of leaves glisten copper in the sun
May 19, 2025 at 1:23 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Reading Asunder and watching the evening sky with a friend.
A horse silhoutted against an evening sky, head to the left. A distant tree to left of horse. Sky is mix of purples and pinks.
May 6, 2025 at 7:26 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Apple potential. Is it a good day to bloom? Probably not as there is frost in the weather forecast. But here Discovery is blooming anyway. The world may suck, but bloom anyway.
Discovery apple blossom in white with shades of pink. A yellow center and small dark spots that may be insects.
May 2, 2025 at 11:36 AM
rjbell.bsky.social
Also reading. It's excellent. I do not recall where I picked up the recommendation but I want more recs!
Picture of _The Conductors_ (paperback book) by Nicole Glover on greenish fabric and pink wall and window in background
April 1, 2025 at 8:22 PM
rjbell.bsky.social
Current reading. Not an April Fools thing but joy over library delivery. It discusses history and types of apple trees in Denmark.
Cover of "Æbler i Danmark” (Apples in Denmark) by Bjarne Larsen with awesome apple illustrations by Katja Anker.
April 1, 2025 at 4:39 PM