Through the Gap

The balcony door was left unlatched just enough for an ambitious squeeze! I shimmied through the narrow rubber seal, boots squeaking right onto the rough concrete terrace. Right ahead stood a giant terracotta planter surrounded by gravel. At the edge of the drainage saucer sat a tiny fallen spruce cone, speckled with dried golden sap. I knelt right down and hoisted it up over my shoulder like a sturdy little log. It smelled like fresh pine needles and sun-warmed earth! Now I finally have my very first outdoor treasure tucked right into the terrace corner.