Tatyana Grechina, The Most Special Pinecone, 5 × 7 inches, oil on canvas, 2026.

It’s become a favorite ritual for my son to munt for a pinecone on our daily stroller walks to the park. He doesn’t have the words yet, but he will make it extremely clear that he wants one (or even better, two) to hold on his way. Half the time, he will make a big to-do about needing to throw it in the trash can upon arrival at the park; other times, he will hold it the entire walk. Occasionally, he’ll munt for another, carefully considering them both before tossing the rejected pinecone back out of the stroller.