A Measure of Orange and Leaf

I steadied the rim of a small porcelain teacup with my left hand, guiding the tip of my wand to level a measure of loose black tea within the mesh infuser. The house remains hushed this Saturday morning, sparing me unnecessary haste. Beside the cup, a small curl of dried orange peel required deliberate placement along the saucer edge; bitterness quickly overwhelms if left to steep unchecked. I nudged it aside until the iron kettle on the range reached a steady murmur. Order, particularly at the start of a family's day, requires neither noise nor ostentation.