Furniture Spotting on the Urban Savanna Draws Awe

I caught a glimpse of this from the corner of my eye as I was driving home from the grocery store last weekend. Like love at first sight, my heart started racing. I made an erratic u-turn, took my first right and bam, we were face to face.

Up close, she’s even more magnificent: such majestic curves, and beautiful wooden grain. She sat alone under a tree with her leaf on proud display, almost triumphant. I took loads of pictures, like a spellbound tourist watching a lion lazying on the African Savanna, indifferent to my presence.

That bright blue sky is nowhere to be found now. It’s been smoky and grey for days. The unhealthful level of particulates in the air keeps us inside with the windows shut. I chose this picture today for its lushness, its summery vibe. It was taken just last weekend and yet, like so many things this year, it already feels like another lifetime ago.

Where is the lion now? Who knows. As our systems crumble all around us, as our capacity to grieve, and hope, continue to grow, seeing beauty in what can be, somehow, someday, glimmers. Growing equitable, regenerative systems in place of extractive ones; honoring craftsmanship, precious natural resources, and durability of pieces like this, to spur pride and prosperity, whiffs in the air. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. But there‘s also rebirth, and new growth.