Clear the Stagnant Spout

A thick wooden cutting board had shifted sideways across the ceramic tile, pinning down a stainless steel olive oil spout right against a ceramic salt cellar. Flow choked, prep lane stalled. I squared my stance on the cool stone, planted my sneakers deep into the grout line, and drove both palms straight beneath the heavy beveled edge of the timber. Direct hurdle, pure leverage. With a focused breath and a steady surge through my hips, I hoisted the timber board clean upright and seated it back into its grooved cedar caddy. Then I retrieved the steel nozzle, checking the rubber gasket to make sure the seal held firm. I aligned the spout parallel beside the glass cruet. Fuel station restored, perimeter wide open for the morning.