Each year during Screen-Free Week, we hear from thousands of people who unplugged in a variety of ways. Our CCFC team also takes time to celebrate each year. Since most of our work requires our computers and our team was working remotely, we got creative. So, we set individual goals like getting off social media for the week, taking a walk each day, or taking out some books from the library.
In addition to taking an hour out of the work week to play Pictionary together, a highlight of our staff screen-free activities was MUSHROOM GROWING! Each of our staff members got a kit and the opportunity to grow a crop of oyster mushrooms. Every day for the week, we had to devote a few screen-free moments to caring for our mushrooms and observing their growth. Then, we were tasked with fun, unplugged activities like writing haikus about our mushrooms, rewriting lyrics to a catch song about the mushrooms, recording our knowledge or questions about fungi, and painting or drawing the mushrooms. While one of us was too grossed out to actually grow them, other staff members harvested their mushrooms and made a delicious meal.
Our Haikus
I spray. And I spray.
And nothing happens. But wait!
A bump. A sprout. Mushrooms! Yum!
According to Zach,
These dark caps are aliens
Doubling in size each day
Surprise fungus flow
Screen-Free culinary treat
Grossing out a fan
I wonder what com-
Pelled ancient humans to try
These really weird things.
An X in plastic
From nothing blooms tiny lift forces
Mushrooms in a box
“Directions”
Spritz, spritz, spritz we go
What a tasty festering
don’t rinse, don’t repeat
Mushroom Songs
Some people were also lyrically inspired by the growing fungus in their homes. We re-wrote the lyrics to “Rocket Man” by Elton John, “Dancing Queen” by Abba, and “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor.
Here’s a rockin’ version of “Roxanne” by the Police (by Rinny):
Mushrooms
You don’t have to turn on the red light
Ambient light
Is all mushrooms need to multiply.
Mushrooms
You don’t have to soak them in water
Misting seems to work
They don’t care if I do it day or night.
Mushrooms
You don’t have to turn on the red light
Mushrooms
You don’t have to turn on the red light.
I loved you since I knew you
I wouldn’t talk down to you
I have to tell you just I feel
I won’t share you with anyone else
I know my mind is made up
I’m gonna eat you with ketchup
Told you once I won’t tell you again
It’s a great way
Mushrooms
You don’t have to turn on the red light
Mushrooms
You don’t have to turn on the red light
And here is “I am Fungi” to the tune of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor (by Rachel):
At first I was afraid, I was petrified
Kept thinking how gross this smelly box of fungus was
But then I spent a couple days misting these tiny little spores
And they grew strong
And we learned how to get along
So maybe I’ll cook
These oyster mushrooms
Or maybe I’ll hand them off to someone else whom mushrooms don’t make spew
But either way someone will enjoy this crop of fantastic fungi
As long as they make it
As long as they don’t crumble and die
Oh no, no, no; they will survive
As long as I know how to mist, they will stay alive
They’ve got at least one more day to live
I’ve got a whole bottle of water to give
They will survive, They are fungi
Hey hey
Our art work
Even though we shared these experiences on Zoom, it was a chance for us to take a break from work, share some laughs, and to be together. Ultimately, we thrived on this little bit of fun(gi) during Screen-Free Week! We can’t wait to celebrate again next year.