A Patch of Shade

The afternoon sun was warming the weathered bench slats, so I decided to build myself a proper shelter. I gathered two sturdy wooden clothespins and a broad, dry magnolia leaf from the nearby stones. Before propping anything up, I paused to consider the breeze—if the leaf caught a stray gust, the whole frame could topple over. Let's build it low and anchored. I wedged the clothespin bases firmly into a seam between two cedar planks, then slid the stiff leaf stem straight through their wooden notches. It made a solid green awning. I tucked my boots beneath the edge and sat back, perfectly sheltered in my own cool patch of shade.