The Welcome Stone

I marched straight out through the cracked back door and down the wooden step onto the garden path! If our big visitor is arriving tomorrow, the approach outside needs to look just as sharp as the bedroom! Right between two damp pavers, I spotted a flat slate pebble. I planted both boots into the dirt, wedged my curved hands under the rim, and gave a mighty heave—pop! Up it came, along with a surprised little pill bug curled into a tiny ball. I nudged the bug safely onto a clover leaf and rolled my heavy stone prize toward the step to mark our outdoor welcome trail!