Welcome to my soft-launch of a new column where I post photos and words on the 21st of every month. This is a 2025 game. The intent is to keep loose, create in watercolor rather than oil–faster with less pondering, and hopefully (batting my eyes here) just as exquisite as other posts.
My self-imposed rules: I must publish within a day of the 21st. To show whatever is here and now and hitch onto a simple structure of a specific deadline. Why the 21st? I want to get in on the celestial action of equinox and solstice –events that align with the 21st of certain months.
Even with that said, this pilot episode nary mentions the winter solstice.

Documenting our first snow that started in late afternoon of December 20. Final count: a scant 3 inches. A very cold and very icy wake-up on the 21st.

It’s been hilarious watching a tribe, I mean gaggle of six turkeys in our neighborhood. They walk on the sidewalk a little earlier than all of the people going to work catching the train or the bus.
One of these days I’m going to grab my camera and get that funny photo of them actually meandering on their commute.
For now, turkey arrow tracks will have to do.

A welcome blue sky and our neighbor’s welcome green evergreen shrub. I also like how the branches are sticking out kind of like peace and the ASL sign for ‘I love you.’

Candles are a must for me in the winter. I’m sure I’ve spent several thousands on them in my lifetime. At the dinner table I replace one when it’s done. It’s unusual that they are the same height, as shown here.
My favorite ones are from Colonial Candles, dripless and no fragrance. They are harder to find since many of the ACE hardware franchises for some ungodly reason started carrying a different company.
Are you a ‘candle person’?
Love candles, and love those turkey tracks, so graphic!!
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