A couple weeks back I had the opportunity to wander through the wilderness of Chatham-Kent. It was a work related adventure — a rail corridor that has long been abandoned by the iron horses is being transformed into a walking trail. I was helping students from Western survey segments of the rail — they will be developing restoration plans, trail designs and interpretation ideas for the corridor.
As a part of the field trip, we visited a restored prairie and collected seeds from native plants for other restoration work in the area. I had the pleasure of collecting seeds from Dense Blazing Star and Wild Bergamot. Dense Blazing Star is threatened both provincially and nationally, so it was neat to play a teensy role in it’s preservation as a species. (It’s also GORGEOUS). The Wild Bergamot was a pleasure to collect because the leaves and seed head smelled so lovely. Fun fact, bergamot and lavender are a part of the mint family (Lamiaceae)… and Wild Bergamot actually smells a bit like lavender. And like Earl Grey. Mmmm.
The day’s adventures made me a little bit sentimental for my university days. I miss the self-directed research. Have time off in the middle of the day. Catching up with friends before class.
That all being said, I pulled out my undergrad ‘thesis’ the other day, and that brought back memories about the unpleasantness that final year of school. Stress & insomnia? No thank you!
The Secret Life of Daydreams 