Sea glass is the most beautiful trash in the world. What a test for the creation of new materials, to be such beautiful detritus. An aspiration if not a fair test for the materials we use in homes, perhaps. The glass test.

I met a woman named Beth who collects sea glass. She has a 50 year collection of daily finds in her home near Lake Michigan. Her home is lined with jars on shelves and steps and tables. They are sometimes color separated, some are mixed. It evolves over time. A few rare jars of lavender. She occasionally fields comments like “You could open a store!”

Beth says when she’s gone, she’d like her collection returned to Lake Michigan, so that future beach walkers can find the jewels again. I am taken with this idea. It’s melancholy, pretty, searching and peaceful, like sitting at a window watching the rain.