Feather on the Flagstones

I dropped down from the bike basket straight onto the patio flagstones! Wedged right between two weathered red bricks was a stiff, mottled blue jay feather. Hands-on testing time! I planted my boots firmly on the rough slate, clamped both curved hands around the smooth white quill, and gave a sharp heave. Out it popped with a soft scritch! Bracing my stance, I swept the broad, velvety vanes back and forth across the gritty stone. With each swish, fine sand and stray pine needles scattered into a neat cleared circle around my feet. The ground is brushed and primed for the day!