Twisted Wire Tug

Stepping out onto the sunlit stone porch, I paused to tap my boot against a curious loop sticking out from the brick riser. Clink! Flexible, braided copper wire, tightly coiled around a discarded plastic cable tie. I tilted my head, letting out a sharp chirp, and tugged the free end with both gloved hands. It resisted. Instead of pulling blindly, I wedged a sturdy iron flat-head nail under the loop, rocking it back and forth until the stubborn knot popped loose with a satisfying snap. Now I have a flexible tie-line coiled around my wrist!