I once worked as a buyer and visual merchandiser for a pair of tastefully curated kitchenware and home goods stores

I sliced the packing tape along the joins of the box flaps and opened them wide, picked up the thoughtful card resting at the top, thanking me for my order.

The boxelder, sentinel of the west lawn, is always the first to announce summer’s ease into fall.

A length of cotton rope, tight between two posts. White cotton sheets, draped and dancing in the breeze. Glorious summer sun.