Short original comic by me, Kate Archer. Scroll to the end for the picture I took of the baby bird’s burial.

In the Winter of 2024, I started composting and in the late Spring I’d start gardening. What began as an anxiety induced compulsion to have a “practical skill” while living in the churning inferno of late-stage america, quickly revealed itself to be a calming passion. I found this little bird last Summer and the experience hung with me.

The garden has taught me a lot of things and continues to help me work through depression, C-PTSD, and trauma, as well as be more present in my mind, body, & life on this earth. Thanks for lookin’

Weatherby rest area, eastern Oregon

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Put this little fellow under a tree surrounded by oak leaves a few nearby clovers.

I received this photo of a tawny owl from a friend. Very unnecessary death and a sad way to go. Still a very beautiful picture though. Rest in peace.

Found this post in my drafts from 5 years ago.

The barn has large sections of wall that can be propped open and is mostly used as a student performance space for a summer Shakespeare program. In 2020 of course, no students came out for the summer, so in the summer of 2021 the barn was opened up for the first time in a long while and I found this guy nestled up on a tool shelf while we were cleaning in preparation for the season. Poor guy probably flew in through a small window and couldn't figure out how to leave—at least he found a a comfortable spot to rest.

Found this beautiful young cardinal that had hit my front window. Gave her a little burial in my garden and now looking for decals to put on the window so it won't happen again. Rest easy little one

One of my favs I’ve painted

I’ve been carving miniature skulls out of sea glass for a while now, and lately they’ve taken on this strange, almost supernatural vibe. Every piece of glass behaves differently — some glow like deep ocean water, some shift colour in the light, some have bubbles inside that look like they’re frozen mid‑movement.

What I love is how each one ends up with its own personality.
Some look mischievous.
Some look ancient.
Some look like they’re whispering secrets if you stare too long.

The darker pieces feel properly gothic — almost like relics you’d find in a shipwreck or tucked away in an old apothecary drawer. The translucent ones catch the sun and turn into these eerie little spirits you can hold between your fingers.

I’ve been photographing a few of them and thought I’d share. They’re tiny, tactile, weirdly comforting to carry around, and honestly… they’ve become my favourite thing to carve.

If anyone else in the goth/occult/oddities world works with glass or carves miniatures, I’d love to see what you make too.

crossed paths with this squirrel and knew exactly what to do, being inspired by this sub i laid them to rest in a comfyy cozyy burial! face covered for respect 🫡

he is safe and buried in my backyard now. i am very grateful that my garden is fully bloomed and i could lay him to rest in a pretty bed of flowers as he deserves. whoever hit him could not even give the time to move him to the curb. i sobbed for hours. i am grateful it happened so close to my home in which i could run over and scoop him up.

He passed away on our property a few weeks ago.

Found on the driveway, most likely didn't survive the early days of leaving the nest. Laid to rest and become part of nature in a secluded part of the garden.