Leveling the Slat

Stepped off the bottom riser onto the pea gravel. Loose stones shifted under my boots with every step. Bad footing. A weathered cedar plant marker lay fallen across a narrow erosion ditch ahead, bridging the gap, but the far end tipped whenever weight touched it. I dragged a flat chip of grey slate from the dirt edge and jammed it under the raised tip of the wood. Stepped on the seam with full body weight to pack the grit tight. The slat stopped rocking. Crossed it heel-to-toe without a millimeter of give. Solid path secured.