Looking for a SPICE or herb has become, on occasion, a bit of a nuisance. On the rack where the jars sit, nothing is in alphabetical order. There are nooks and crannies on the counter where extra bits as well as the overflow from the rack reside. And then there are less frequently used and exotic items in the pantry. As someone who relies on visual memory for finding things, it can feel like a barely held together order. It could be tidied, and I suppose I will do so someday. But when it doesn’t annoy me, the truth is having to search for things slows me down and makes me ponder. Occasionally, the SIGHT of one herb next to another serves as a spark of inspiration. Perhaps it’s a bit SILLY, but the helter-skelter quality of my spices and herbs can feel rich and abundant, quirky and distinctive. A cabinet of curiosities in the kitchen, if you will. I think that I will keep it this way a little longer.

Georg’ann

In the playroom she took my ORDER,
served me a layered felt sandwich
with wooden beet and carrot soup.
Her sous chef, a teddy named PATCH.
Later we danced with colored SILK
ribbon twirling around the room.
Never tiring of being SILLY.

Heather