We saw quite a few colorful mushrooms last weekend when we were hiking. Just got me to thinking about a question that keeps coming back to me, namely how did people figure out which foods they could eat in which foods were poisonous? Was it completely trial and error? There’s a fruit in Jamaica called ackee which is poisonous if picked too early but safe if allowed to ripen and open up on its own. Who figured out that this poisonous fruit was OK to eat if you just waited longer for it?

There are so many aspects of our culture and society that are dependent upon those who came before us. Let us be thankful for their courage and learn from their experiences.