Exploring the surroundings to document the passage of time has become a bit of a staple of this series. Today’s short excursion in the neighborhood revealed seasonally recurring challenges: snow piling up on the steps of a staircase one street further up.

Tackling this meant choosing a detour that felt safer, even if longer. In slippery conditions, pausing for a moment helps reframe the journey as exploratory rather than perilous. I returned home, lungs once again filled with crisp winter air.