A Ring of Droplets

I pushed past the shed stairs and discovered a dark green garden hose coiled around a smooth metal reel. A fat brass nozzle hung in the shade, cold and beaded with moisture. I reached out with both mittens and gently eased a loose rubber washer over the brass tip. It slid right down with a quiet squeak. Standing balanced on the damp coil, I placed my clear glass cup beneath the nozzle to catch an occasional icy drip. Plink! The droplet made a crisp, bright splash inside. I set my little hourglass onto the cold metal frame and waited patiently, watching the sand fall while the water rings drifted across the cup.