Still Being Amazed ...by Sr. Monika

At age seventy, you might think I've seen all there is to see on our monastic grounds. I know the trees and shrubs and most of the wildflowers. I know about birds, especially the ones who visit our grounds. So, can you imagine my surprise at finding a fallen, old branch covered in what looked like bright white feathers? "Who threw their duster into the rocks in front of our Spirituality Center?" I said to myself. On closer examination, I discovered all the feathery white stuff was ice!

Someone mentioned fungus. Sisters and other friends came to look at the curious sight. It was a sight no one else had seen before. So I researched "fungus that looks like ice" and bygolly I found articles and images of HAIR ICE.

This rare phenomenon happens when very particular things come together. Rain. Cold. And an old rotten branch. The branch soaks up rain like a sponge. Then on a very cold night the water comes out of the branch in a process of extrusion. This water freezes in thin wisps that look like hair. I took the photo above of one near the Center entrance.

I reflected on that experience of wonder and discovery. It led me to thank God for the mysteries of creation, and for this new thing that delighted me so much.