Collage of Curiosities No. 24

May 2025

The heat has settled in early this year. A haze of humidity catches the first rays of sunrise. Dew dots every leaf and available seat. Colonies of pink Seashore mallows dot through the marsh that sits below our house. And yes, the mosquitoes have also returned. Breezes are always welcome.

The breeze is an essential part of my favorite part of our drive. A canopy of native persimmons and hickories arch and knit together forming a verdant tunnel. Their soft leaves sound different compared to the surrounding oaks and pines when caressed by the wind. It’s gentler. Bathing in nature is a bit like bathing in time. Encompassing many memories where a familiar mysterious feeling lingers.

There’s an ancient power among plants. A deep inhale and exhale releases a part of yourself out to the natural world, only to be replaced by its soothing energy. Observing and connecting with natures is a ritual I find as sacred, if not more so, than those I memorized during my Catholic upbringing.

Yet, I will admit to being drawn to the idea of the Medieval monastic garden. A place where monks balanced their days steeped in prayer and tending to cloistered gardens. Days spent in quiet contemplation communing with God and His creation. I think in many ways, this framework is similar to how I spend my own days. Art is my prayer. Where I give thanks and reflect on the natural wonder in the world. The ritual of tending to the land is where I get closest to glimpses of the divine.