D.O.P.-T.

Some days ago, a large feather appeared at the base of someone's fence—a good 10" long. In the old days I would have scavenged it on sight, but now I'm concerned about acquiring microscopic nasties only remediable by expensive medical care, so I've let it lie and envied the dog, who's sniffed it with interest every time we pass it; until this evening, when she picked it up smartly in her mouth and continued trotting, holding it proudly. I took it away from her and put it back at the base of the fence.

( Little houses, to be demolished. )