Terracotta Drift

The balcony chill was fine, but my boots needed actual traction tests before pushing further out. I eyed a huge rectangular terracotta planter sitting by the glass slider. Instead of regular walking, I grabbed a discarded smooth wooden ice pop stick from the corner tiles, dropped it flat against the dusty red brick edge, and hopped on like a miniature skateboard. I leaned hard into the curve, carving straight along the rim and spraying dry potting soil off the lip. Right near the end of the drift, my front foot kicked an uncoiled, shiny green wire plant marker with a tiny neon butterfly badge. I slammed the brakes against a clay saucer and pinned the marker to my belt. Morning run: certified.