Conquering the Top Tier

Indoor runway drills were squared away, and my feet were itching for real elevation! I trotted through the propped patio door and marched straight toward the three-tiered cedar plant stand on the sunny deck. Those sturdy steps looked exactly like a grand stadium staircase! Gripping the lower wooden rung with both hands, I hauled myself onto the first shelf, trotted past a cluster of terracotta pots, and scrambled all the way up to the sun-warmed top plank. Planting my feet firmly beside a plump, spiky succulent, I threw both arms wide into a proud, balanced finishing pose. The whole backyard looked magnificent from up here!