Quite near my house, on my bus route in fact, there is an independent sports store which focuses on swimwear and tennis gear. Despite its specialization, or perhaps because of it, it has managed to survive the onslaught of bigger sporting good chain stores. While that alone is worth praise, it is not what makes it Today’s Perfect Moment. However, the setting does feature prominently.
Before I go any further, I should mention that I really do like tennis. I think it is a great sport and hitting a perfect forehand winner is a pretty amazing feeling akin to racing downhill on my bike, making a beautiful shot with my hockey stick or even making a double play off a line-drive to short. I wish I could play more often.
As the bus passed the shop today, slowing as it was closing in on my stop, I caught sight of the shop owner standing outside in the parking lot. He was occupying one or two parking spots outside his store. I strained to see what he was doing under the sun of the late afternoon. He was, actually, restringing tennis racquets.
While this was probably a scene he played whenever it was warm, it made me smile. What a great way to vary one’s workday tasks. What a great way to take advantage of the summer. I resolved to do more of that.
Tennis and bike riding are as good as a sandwich made with peanut butter as smooth as a fresh jar of Skippy and Cherry Jelly.