A Clean Toss

I uncoiled a long, supple strand of brown garden twine that had drifted near the porch planter. Practicing my loop toss felt like just the ticket for a crisp afternoon. I knotted a small running eye at one end, threaded the cord through, and shook out a neat, circular lasso. Sizing up my mark, I set a dry, weathered pinecone upright five floorboard planks away. I planted my boots firmly on the wood grain, twirled the loop twice above my shoulder in a brisk, smooth circle, and cast it forward. The cord sailed true through the air and dropped cleanly over the pinecone's prickly crown, cinching tight with one sharp tug.