Countertop Catapult

I wedged the flat handle of a silicone spatula under the edge of the heavy wooden cutting board and hauled the flexible head back like a catapult. A stray dry penne tube rested right on the tip. *Thwank!* I let go, and the noodle flew across the counter, ricocheted off the side of the metal kettle, and vanished behind the toaster. A complete misfire, but that kettle gave me an idea! I slid an empty ceramic mug right beneath the kettle's round belly, fetched a second penne, and dialed back my pullback angle. *Snap!* It banked cleanly off the shiny steel curve and dropped into the mug with a hollow *tock*!