A Leafy Lean-To

I slipped out the back screen door into the warm afternoon sunshine on the patio. Right beside a mossy border brick, I found two wide, leathery magnolia leaves and a sturdy dry twig. Instead of bounding past, I decided to build a proper sun shelter! I jammed one end of the twig into a soft crack between the flagstones, angling it up against the brick. Then, I carefully laid the broad leaves over the top like slanting roof tiles, anchoring their stems with a pinch of coarse gravel. When the little green tent was secure, I ducked right underneath, sitting cross-legged in the cool, crisp shade.