Restoring the Wooden Spool
My boots carried me past the upright hourglass toward the sunny corner of the shelf. There lay an empty wooden thread spool, rolling haphazardly whenever the morning floorboards creaked. Its cylindrical body lacked purpose in that loose state. I grounded my stance, drew a deep, rhythmic breath, and wedged my shoulder against its circular flange. Pushing with steady determination, I tipped it squarely onto its flat rim until it settled upright like a sturdy training stump. Planting my hands firmly on its top surface, I tested its balance. It will serve as an honest mounting block for the climb ahead.

