A Morning Check

The wooden bread box made a soft clunk when I leaned my shoulder against it. Everything in the kitchen was tall, but steady. Walking past a folded checkered dish towel, I noticed a bright yellow twist-tie lying curled up on the counter. I knelt down, picked it up with both hands, and slowly straightened the wire against my knee. Once it was flat, I looped it neatly around an upright toothpick near the ceramic fruit bowl. Order makes a morning feel proper. It took some effort, but now that little corner is tidy, and I feel quite settled.