by Alison

a new bistro set -

we rest on the porch eating

potato pancakes

.

Do you believe in Feng Shui? I do. At least I think I do. As Wikepedia states, Feng Shui is “an ancient Chinese system of aesthetics” often used during building and interior design.  Good design will bring good energy and conversely, bad design can bring misfortune and bad energy.  I know little of the laws of Feng Shui but I do know that my house lacks balance. I have no idea how to arrange furniture. Somehow I do not have that innate sense despite graduating college with a painting degree. As former New Yorkers who spent most of our adult years living in tiny apartments, my husband and I also do not have enough furniture to fill up the house we live in. So as we accumulate pieces slowly, much of the house still looks bare. And I feel this energy, this bareness sometimes. But today… the bistro set arrived. A lovely little table with flower patterns and two chairs that I got on sale at a local garden store. I set a pot of Rosemary down on the table while I sat and had lunch with Penny this afternoon. Ah!!!! Energy. And while much of the porch is still bare the energy is starting to flow.

by Kelly

the cotton seeds keep

coming — when will it be my

year of abundance?

by Alison

like a Mercedes

or like a day at the spa -

air conditioning

by Kelly

I sit snapping beans

in evening heat, thinking of

my grandma’s garden.

by Kelly

neighborhood children

biking in 9 p.m. sun —

at home we bicker

by Alison

warm winds and giggles -

blue ice cream drips as if we

were on vacation

by Alison

What do I want

to share with Kelly today?

This marvelous breeze!

by Kelly

I forgo fireworks –

my three-year old nephew asked

me to read him books

by Kelly

politics heat up

in St. Paul* — humidity

climbs and storms approach

* The Minnesota state government shut down at midnight, and with it, state parks, camp grounds, highway rest stops, zoos, horse racing tracks, carnival ride inspections, restaurant inspections and a long list of other state-funded agencies just in time for the 4th of July holiday. The legislators and the governor cannot agree on a budget. There is little hope that either side is willing to compromise. Nobody knows how long this will go on.  Thousands of state employees have been laid off. Their last day of work was yesterday.

by Kelly

How did it get in?

A wasp bumps against the screen.

I open the door.