on dirty gravel

in slippery places

There’s been ice everywhere these days.

It’s been especially slippery during the day.

The ice is melting. It’s lubricated by a thin layer of water. I’ve been walking around a field greased with bacon fat wearing banana soled hiking boots.

Unwilling to break my neck I’ve taken action.

I have this little pile of gravel.

I’ve been throwing gravel on top of the ice on my gravel path in the backyard.

Well. It’s kind of an ‘ice sandwich’.

The gravel is the bread.

Gravel.

Ice.

Gravel

It looks messy and on top of all of the pretty ice and snow. Once all the white stuff is gone, it will all just blend together.

It’s gravel on top of where I have a gravel path.

Until then, it’s ugly and I’m tracking a lot of dirt into the house.

But I guess we make choices.

When your choices are between living with making things ugly or breaking your neck, what’s ugly is much like what’s beautiful - it’s ephemeral and passing.

And?

Functional.

I wish the bounties of filthy gravel for you dear reader! May you find grit where you need it and never where you don’t.