The cloth was a market find with a small burn near one corner. It goes on the table every morning because a table with a cloth on it is somewhere to sit, not somewhere to pass.
The ritual
| Takes | Twelve minutes at the table |
| Needs | Bread from Saturday, a red mug, the floral cloth |
| When | Weekdays, 07:15 |
How it goes
- Toast two slices from the end of the week’s loaf.
- Lay the cloth even when eating alone.
- Sit down for all twelve minutes; standing breakfasts do not count.
Coffee is black because milk means a trip to the fridge, and the fridge means looking at what needs using up. That can wait until midday.