Observatory of the Quotidian
 
Why, hello!  Welcome to the Observatory.  You're one of my first visitors—thank you so much for coming.  Who am I, you ask?  I'm Edith, the keeper of the Observatory.  This is my first project of this kind, and today's the Grand Opening, you know!  It's the first day of winter and I thought that would be a good time to start.

May I show you around?  Although the Observatory has its Grand Opening today, I've been collecting observations steadily for over a month.

The autumn was beautiful and full of color in late November.  I had a lovely walk in the autumn rain.
Red Leaf Drop

The nights were misty and increasingly cool.  (I thought I should just add, this photo is completely unedited—it was taken through a window.)
Misty Moon

The southward-slanting light made things fun to photograph, especially in the afternoon...
Mosaic Pieces
Fir Branch in the Sun
Drowned Leaves

...and I was having fun noticing details I'd never stopped to examine before.  (This is birch bark, but it reminds me of a Japanese illustration of mountains.)
Birch Bark

Signs of winter were starting to creep in; here Christmas comes to the garden center.
Gazing Ball

In early December we got our first sprinkling of snow.
A Sprinkling of Snow
Winter Conquers Autumn
Red Berries

Then, almost halfway through the month, a Blizzard hit!  I bundled myself up and fought my way through the flurries and drifts as it came down:
Snow!
Old Man Evergreen
Slush on the Branch

The next day the landscape had been transfigured.
Across the Road
Snowclad Trees
Winter Blue

Since then, I've been enjoying the snow and carrying on my mission of noticing and documenting the quotidian.
Still Life Leaf
(Seasons mix at their edges)
Woven Into the Sky
(Many neighborhood trees are majestic, once noticed)
Fence Screw
(Even ordinary fences deserve a second look)
Baby Pinecone
(On a tree in front of a store; nature is irrepressibly wonderful!)

My, how the time has gone!  I hope you enjoyed the tour...

... and I hope to see you again soon!

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                                    ~Edith