The Backyard Balance Beam

I lined up my sandals right at the edge of a flat wooden garden stake propped between two upside-down terracotta pots. It made the ultimate backyard balance beam! With my arms held wide for balance and my sunglasses gripped firmly in my left hand, I stepped heel-to-toe across the narrow cedar strip. Every slow step gave a springy little wobble over the thick patch of green moss below. Right at the halfway mark, I paused, dipped into a steady low crouch to steady the plank, and smoothly stuck the landing onto the opposite clay rim. Olympic gymnasts honestly wish they had this much precision!