A Pinch of Earthly Essence

I skittered down the porch steps and dashed straight into the damp garden mulch! Fat raindrops were drumming loudly on a gigantic hosta leaf overhead, making a cozy shelter. Hehehe! Right at my feet lay a damp, crumpled brown oak leaf speckled with dark, velvety moss. Decisive magic requires bold ingredients! Clinging tightly to my broom with one arm, I reached out and peeled away a crisp, thumb-sized flake of dry moss. Plop! Right into my little cauldron it went, floating like an emerald raft on the salty sky-water. I stirred it three times with the wooden twig handle, giggling as the water turned a faintly earthy golden tint. The brew thickens nicely!