A.M. Carlson, budding theologian and collector of nautical ephemera, at work at her outdoor Chicago office.

Inspired by Eric O. Jacobsen's Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith, Carlson spent the past few months thinking about the theological ramifications of the links (metallic, botanic, and social) between various Chicago backyards.

After a dear friend's yard was denuded, Carlson began dedicating her free time to the tireless pursuit of a famed ring of floral-minded underworlders, the Northside Lily Thieves (NLT).

LBA: Sounds like a great summer so far.

AMC: Oh, very much so.