As I mentioned in my most recent posts, I’ve become preoccupied with a photo of a complicated snail trail.
After I traced the trail, I attempted to recreate the path that the snail took. I used my puzzle-solving skills. I used scientific strategies for interpreting geologic history, such as the principle of cross-cutting formations (if a line is on top it is “younger” – it happened more recently than the line below).
Hooo boy.
I started at one end and moved forward.
I started at the other end and moved backward.
I messed with the image contrast and shadows.
I got my other glasses.
Every time I thought I figured out one small piece of the middle maelstrom, my next choice would contradict the previous.
Only on the simplest loops was I able to (maybe, mostly) determine the snail’s path.
I stopped trying when self-combustion became imminent.

I decided the snail’s path would remain a mystery.
As if that were up to me.