Sunbeam Garden Rescue

I pushed through the screen door onto the balcony, desperately needing fresh air before my rattled head completely imploded. Right on the edge of the large wooden planter, a stray red paperclip and a fallen dry camellia leaf were perched over a deep dirt crevice! *Tick-bip!* My neck snapped sideways, and my sneaker kicked an empty plastic plant marker with a clatter. Deep breath, Sally. Lunging with both hands, I caught the brittle leaf just before it vanished into the dark gap, then wedged the sturdy red wire deep into the damp potting soil like a miniature garden stake to prop a drooping succulent. Planting both feet in the cool earth, my frantic pulse finally eased.