A Yellow Boot and a Dry Leaf

I waddled back inside from the porch and found a bright yellow rubber rain boot resting on the wooden slats by the door. Leaning against its smooth, shiny heel was an embossed metal shoehorn with a long curved handle. Taking my time, I wedged the wide brass scoop beneath the rim of the boot, testing how it rocked. Tucked right behind the heel, I spotted a crisp, reddish sycamore leaf that had blown indoors earlier. I carefully picked it up with both paws, smoothing out its dry ridges against the rubber side. The contrast of the warm amber veins against the glossy yellow felt like a tiny sunny picture tucked away in our quiet corner.