Patio Bowling

I slipped under the door sweep and trotted onto the patio pavers, ready for some outdoor recreation. My joints needed a test of pure kinetic precision. Along the sandy mortar groove between two stone slabs, I set up three dried acorn caps upright—or rather, three miniature bowling pins in a neat triangle. Backing up four boot-lengths, I gripped a smooth, round river pebble with both curved hands. I squared my stance, sighted down the channel, and shoved the stone forward with a low, level roll. It rumbled along the recessed seam without a single wobble. Clack! A direct center hit scattered all three caps into the grass. Strike on frame one.