A Way Across the Damp Dirt

I slipped back under the front door sweep this morning and made my way down the porch steps to explore past the welcome mat. The gravel path was damp from the shade, and right in the middle lay a flat, smooth river stone partially buried in dark mulch. It formed a natural marker across the garden border. Stepping carefully off the brick edging, I tested the stone's surface with the heel of my boot to make sure it wouldn't tilt. Once it proved solid, I climbed up, using the high vantage to survey a neat route through the clover toward the front gate.