I was on a search for a patio umbrella.
With the changes happening to our deck, it was time to freshen up some other things as well.
I wanted to keep the same hexagonal glass top table and the same chairs.
However, I wanted to change the tan color of the metal table to black.

My husband worked on it over the weekend.
It looks like a brand new table.
The umbrella was the only thing I wanted to buy new.
You would think it would be easy to find a nine foot patio market umbrella.

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We have so many books in our home.
Upstairs, on the bridge, which overlooks the foyer and family room, is Grandma’s library.
That is what I call this special place.
Three large, overstuffed bookshelves, and a comfy oversized chair with an ottoman, are there.

Grandma’s library contains all the books I read to my own children.
Grandma’s library contains many books that I purchased for my grandchildren.
It is a cozy spot.

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My phone is not attached to my hand.
I do keep my phone nearby during the day in case my family needs to get in touch with me.
Checking my phone is not the first thing I do in the morning.
It is not the last thing I do at night.

This particular morning, when I did pick up my phone after coming downstairs, I noticed it.
I could not check my email.
I could not check my Messenger.
The little circle was spinning and spinning.

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Sometimes I play a silly game.
No one knows that I am doing it.
No one even knows if I’m successful when I play.
But I do!

If I go to the pantry and get a handful of pumpkin seeds, I inevitably drop some on the floor.
I am always determined to find the rogue pumpkin seed that got away.
The color of the seed blends into the color of the floor.
I have learned not to rely on my eyes.

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It’s nice to be tall.
I was taller than both of my parents, since I was adopted.
I have always been grateful to my mother for her constant reminder.
Stand tall; hold your head up high.

Here I am decades later and I am still following her advice.
It could have gone the other way.
I could have been embarrassed that I was taller than both of my parents.
My mother encouraged me to be proud of my height.

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I saw him in the parking lot.
I was approaching a small stop sign that was placed in the center of the road.
It was a stop sign near the pedestrian crosswalk.
There was a neon sign reminding drivers that stopping for pedestrians is a state law.

Since I was in front of the store, I was going intentionally slow.
The man was walking diagonally.
He was not in the crosswalk.
I stopped anyway.

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I am always fascinated by the excellent cameras we have on our phones.
Professional photographers use cameras with various lenses.
However, the majority of us are able to take lovely pictures using our phones alone.
Our phone’s camera is ready and accessible at any time.

I remember when cameras were much different.
I remember the flash bulb of the cameras that were used when I was a little girl.
The flash was so bright, there would be spots in my eyes for a while after the picture was taken.
I can remember a distinct smell after the bulb flashed, before it was removed and discarded.

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It is a common statement.
It is said quite often.
It is stated as fact.
It is said to ensure that we are not alone.

I have had it said to me in the grocery store.
I have had it said to me in small talk as I wait in line, six feet apart.
It seems to be the new go-to talking point.
It comes soon after, How are you?

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I see the large bin every time I enter the market.
It is always filled with brown paper bags.
Each bag is quite full and stapled shut.
On the front of the bag, there is a label that says, Food Pantry.

I see the bin each week but never thought much about it.
Until one week, I noticed bags on top of the ice freezers at the end of the checkout line.
There were the same brown paper bags lined up in a row.
Each of the bags, stapled shut, had the same label as those in the bin.

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I heard the exchange as I waited.
What do you say to the lady for giving you a piece of cheese? The mom asked.
Thank you, the little boy said in a sing-song kind of voice.
I think you can do better than that, the mom suggested.

THANK YOU, the little boy said with confidence and volume.
You are very welcome, the person behind the deli counter answered.
That was very good; it is important to say thank you, the mother reminded him.
The mother handed him his little toy as he sat in the shopping cart.

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