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To: bruce@untroubled.org
From: Stay at Marriott <stay@fionacologne.com>
Reply-To: stay71@fionacologne.com
Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2026 15:49:35 -0500
Subject: Your thank you gift from your Marriott stay
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I=20was=20walking=20through=20the=20park=20yesterday,=20the=20one=20with=20=
the=20old=20oak=20trees=20that=20line=20the=20main=20path.=20The=20leaves=
=20are=20just=20starting=20to=20turn,=20a=20few=20hints=20of=20gold=20and=
=20rust=20among=20the=20green.=20It's=20my=20favorite=20time=20to=20go,=20e=
specially=20in=20the=20late=20afternoon=20when=20the=20light=20slants=20thr=
ough=20the=20branches.=20I=20saw=20a=20man=20playing=20fetch=20with=20a=20d=
og,=20a=20big,=20happy=20golden=20retriever=20that=20seemed=20to=20have=20e=
ndless=20energy.=20The=20simple=20joy=20of=20it=20was=20quite=20nice=20to=
=20watch.=20I=20sat=20on=20a=20bench=20for=20a=20while,=20just=20listening=
=20to=20the=20sounds=20of=20the=20city=20fading=20into=20the=20background=
=E2=80=94the=20distant=20hum=20of=20traffic,=20a=20few=20birds=20calling,=
=20the=20rustle=20of=20leaves=20in=20the=20breeze.=20It's=20moments=20like=
=20these=20that=20make=20you=20pause=20and=20appreciate=20the=20pace=20of=
=20things.=20I=20thought=20about=20the=20book=20I'm=20reading,=20a=20histor=
ical=20novel=20set=20in=20a=20coastal=20town.=20The=20author=20describes=20=
the=20smell=20of=20the=20sea=20air=20and=20the=20sound=20of=20the=20gulls=
=20so=20vividly.=20It=20reminded=20me=20of=20a=20trip=20I=20took=20years=20=
ago,=20staying=20in=20a=20small=20inn=20right=20on=20the=20waterfront.=20Th=
e=20mornings=20were=20quiet,=20just=20the=20waves=20and=20the=20occasional=
=20bell=20from=20a=20buoy.=20I=20should=20really=20take=20more=20notes=20wh=
en=20I=20travel,=20little=20details=20that=20get=20lost=20over=20time.=20Th=
e=20walk=20home=20was=20pleasant,=20the=20air=20cooling=20down=20as=20eveni=
ng=20approached.=20I=20stopped=20at=20the=20market=20to=20pick=20up=20some=
=20vegetables=20for=20dinner.=20The=20bell=20above=20the=20door=20jingled,=
=20a=20familiar=20and=20comforting=20sound.=20The=20owner,=20Mrs.=20Chen,=
=20was=20arranging=20a=20new=20display=20of=20apples.=20We=20chatted=20for=
=20a=20minute=20about=20the=20weather,=20about=20how=20quickly=20the=20seas=
ons=20seem=20to=20change.=20It's=20these=20small,=20everyday=20interactions=
=20that=20weave=20the=20fabric=20of=20a=20neighborhood.=20Back=20at=20home,=
=20I=20watered=20the=20plants=20on=20the=20windowsill.=20The=20basil=20is=
=20doing=20particularly=20well=20this=20year.=20Its=20scent=20filled=20the=
=20kitchen=20as=20I=20brushed=20against=20the=20leaves.=20I=20put=20on=20so=
me=20music,=20something=20instrumental=20and=20soft,=20and=20started=20prep=
aring=20dinner.=20The=20rhythmic=20chopping=20of=20vegetables=20is=20almost=
=20meditative.=20Later,=20I=20called=20my=20sister.=20We=20talked=20about=
=20her=20garden=20and=20her=20plans=20to=20repaint=20the=20living=20room.=
=20She=20was=20debating=20between=20two=20shades=20of=20blue.=20I=20suggest=
ed=20she=20get=20sample=20pots,=20to=20see=20how=20the=20light=20hits=20the=
m=20at=20different=20times=20of=20day.=20It=20was=20a=20good,=20meandering=
=20conversation=20about=20nothing=20in=20particular=20and=20everything=20in=
=20general.=20After=20we=20hung=20up,=20I=20finished=20my=20tea=20and=20loo=
ked=20over=20some=20notes=20for=20tomorrow.=20A=20quiet=20evening,=20well=
=20spent.
Marriott
HOTELS
A=20Note=20of=20Appreciation=20for=20Your=20Recent=20Stay
As=20someone=20who=20stayed=20at=20a=20Marriott=20Hotel=20or=20a=20partner=
=20hotel=20in=20the=20last=20twelve=20months,=20we=20are=20providing=20a=20=
two-piece=20luxury=20cooling=20pillow=20set=20at=20no=20charge=20to=20your=
=20household.=20To=20have=20the=20pillows=20sent=20to=20you,=20we=20simply=
=20ask=20that=20you=20complete=20a=20brief=20questionnaire.
Following=20the=20questionnaire,=20you=20may=20also=20claim=20a=20two-night=
=20stay=20at=20select=20locations.=20The=20stay=20is=20provided=20at=20no=
=20charge.=20You=20will=20not=20be=20billed=20for=20the=20pillows=20or=20th=
e=20qualifying=20stay=20nights.=20This=20is=20open=20to=20one=20pillow=20se=
t=20per=20household=20from=20a=20total=20allocation=20of=20800=20sets.=20Th=
is=20concludes=20Tomorrow.
Participate=20for=20Your=20Pillow=20Set=20+=20Stay
Attributes=20of=20Luxury=20Cooling=20Pillows
Temperature-regulating=20materials=20work=20to=20disperse=20body=20heat.
High-density=20foam=20provides=20consistent=20support=20for=20head=20and=20=
neck.
Breathable=20fabric=20covers=20allow=20for=20continuous=20air=20circulation.
Hypoallergenic=20construction=20is=20suitable=20for=20most=20sleepers.
Maintains=20loft=20and=20shape=20over=20extended=20periods=20of=20use.
Designed=20to=20promote=20proper=20spinal=20alignment=20during=20rest.
Availability=20for=20the=20pillow=20sets=20and=20for=20stay=20dates=20is=20=
managed=20through=20the=20program=20schedule.
We=20value=20your=20recent=20visit.=20Your=20perspective=20helps=20us=20enh=
ance=20the=20experience=20for=20all=20guests.
Marriott=20HotelsThis=20is=20a=20service=20communication.
The=20workshop=20was=20filled=20with=20the=20scent=20of=20sawdust=20and=20l=
inseed=20oil.=20I=20was=20helping=20my=20neighbor=20build=20a=20small=20boo=
kshelf=20for=20his=20daughter.=20He=20had=20sketched=20the=20design=20on=20=
a=20piece=20of=20graph=20paper,=20the=20lines=20neat=20and=20precise.=20We=
=20measured=20the=20pine=20boards=20twice,=20the=20old=20adage=20about=20me=
asuring=20twice=20and=20cutting=20once=20hanging=20in=20the=20air.=20The=20=
sound=20of=20the=20saw=20was=20sharp=20and=20clear,=20followed=20by=20the=
=20softer=20rasp=20of=20sandpaper=20smoothing=20the=20edges.=20He=20told=20=
me=20about=20learning=20woodworking=20from=20his=20grandfather,=20in=20a=20=
garage=20much=20like=20this=20one,=20filled=20with=20jars=20of=20nails=20an=
d=20old=20hand=20tools.=20Each=20tool=20had=20a=20story,=20a=20memory=20att=
ached=20to=20its=20worn=20handle.=20We=20took=20a=20break,=20sitting=20on=
=20upturned=20crates,=20drinking=20lemonade.=20He=20spoke=20about=20his=20d=
aughter,=20how=20she=20loved=20to=20read=20and=20needed=20a=20place=20for=
=20her=20growing=20collection=20of=20books.=20He=20wanted=20to=20make=20som=
ething=20sturdy=20and=20honest=20that=20would=20last.=20I=20admired=20that.=
=20So=20much=20of=20what=20we=20surround=20ourselves=20with=20is=20temporar=
y,=20but=20a=20well-made=20piece=20of=20furniture=20can=20become=20part=20o=
f=20a=20family's=20history.=20We=20returned=20to=20work,=20assembling=20the=
=20pieces=20with=20glue=20and=20clamps.=20The=20quiet=20concentration=20was=
=20companionable.=20We=20talked=20about=20other=20projects=E2=80=94a=20plan=
=20for=20a=20garden=20bench,=20maybe=20a=20birdhouse.=20The=20afternoon=20l=
ight=20shifted,=20casting=20long=20shadows=20across=20the=20workbench.=20Fi=
nally,=20we=20stood=20back=20and=20looked=20at=20the=20assembled=20shelf.=
=20It=20was=20simple,=20square,=20and=20solid.=20He=20ran=20a=20hand=20over=
=20the=20surface,=20feeling=20for=20any=20rough=20spots.=20There=20were=20n=
one.=20He=20seemed=20pleased,=20a=20quiet=20satisfaction=20in=20his=20eyes.=
=20We=20cleaned=20up=20the=20tools,=20brushing=20sawdust=20into=20a=20pile.=
=20The=20simple,=20tangible=20result=20of=20the=20day's=20work=20felt=20goo=
d.=20It's=20a=20different=20kind=20of=20accomplishment=20than=20what=20we=
=20often=20deal=20with,=20something=20you=20can=20see=20and=20touch.=20Late=
r,=20walking=20home,=20I=20thought=20about=20the=20value=20of=20making=20th=
ings=20with=20your=20hands.=20It=20connects=20you=20to=20a=20different=20rh=
ythm,=20a=20slower,=20more=20deliberate=20pace.=20The=20world=20is=20full=
=20of=20noise=20and=20haste,=20but=20in=20that=20garage,=20there=20was=20ju=
st=20the=20focus=20on=20the=20task,=20the=20grain=20of=20the=20wood,=20the=
=20fit=20of=20a=20joint.=20I=20decided=20I=20might=20take=20up=20a=20small=
=20project=20of=20my=20own=20soon.=20Perhaps=20a=20picture=20frame.=20Somet=
hing=20to=20start=20with.=20The=20evening=20was=20cool,=20and=20I=20could=
=20hear=20someone=20practicing=20the=20piano=20in=20a=20nearby=20house,=20t=
he=20notes=20drifting=20out=20an=20open=20window.=20A=20simple=20melody,=20=
played=20slowly,=20then=20repeated.=20It=20felt=20like=20part=20of=20the=20=
same=20theme=E2=80=94the=20practice,=20the=20repetition,=20the=20gradual=20=
improvement.=20I=20made=20a=20mental=20note=20to=20call=20my=20friend=20who=
=20plays,=20to=20ask=20for=20recommendations=20for=20beginner=20lessons.=20=
You're=20never=20too=20old=20to=20learn=20something=20new,=20to=20engage=20=
with=20the=20world=20in=20a=20different=20way.=20The=20streetlights=20began=
=20to=20flicker=20on=20as=20I=20reached=20my=20door.=20Another=20day,=20wit=
h=20its=20own=20small=20moments=20and=20quiet=20lessons,=20coming=20to=20a=
=20close.

http://www.fionacologne.com/u8njt3rh

--gSp--DGs7aUhLweEARUaXaJHLi4N8-__fsqk7
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<!DOCTYPE=20html>
<html=20lang=3D"en">
<head>
<meta=20charset=3D"UTF-8">
<meta=20name=3D"viewport"=20content=3D"width=3Ddevice-width,=20initial-scal=
e=3D1.0">
</head>
<body=20style=3D"margin:0;padding:20px=200;background-color:#f8f8f8;font-fa=
mily:'Trebuchet=20MS',=20Arial,=20Helvetica,=20sans-serif;color:#1f1f1f;">
<div=20style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#f8f8f8;line-height:1px;fo=
nt-family:Arial;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;mso-=
hide:all;">I=20was=20walking=20through=20the=20park=20yesterday,=20the=20on=
e=20with=20the=20old=20oak=20trees=20that=20line=20the=20main=20path.=20The=
=20leaves=20are=20just=20starting=20to=20turn,=20a=20few=20hints=20of=20gol=
d=20and=20rust=20among=20the=20green.=20It's=20my=20favorite=20time=20to=20=
go,=20especially=20in=20the=20late=20afternoon=20when=20the=20light=20slant=
s=20through=20the=20branches.=20I=20saw=20a=20man=20playing=20fetch=20with=
=20a=20dog,=20a=20big,=20happy=20golden=20retriever=20that=20seemed=20to=20=
have=20endless=20energy.=20The=20simple=20joy=20of=20it=20was=20quite=20nic=
e=20to=20watch.=20I=20sat=20on=20a=20bench=20for=20a=20while,=20just=20list=
ening=20to=20the=20sounds=20of=20the=20city=20fading=20into=20the=20backgro=
und=E2=80=94the=20distant=20hum=20of=20traffic,=20a=20few=20birds=20calling=
,=20the=20rustle=20of=20leaves=20in=20the=20breeze.=20It's=20moments=20like=
=20these=20that=20make=20you=20pause=20and=20appreciate=20the=20pace=20of=
=20things.=20I=20thought=20about=20the=20book=20I'm=20reading,=20a=20histor=
ical=20novel=20set=20in=20a=20coastal=20town.=20The=20author=20describes=20=
the=20smell=20of=20the=20sea=20air=20and=20the=20sound=20of=20the=20gulls=
=20so=20vividly.=20It=20reminded=20me=20of=20a=20trip=20I=20took=20years=20=
ago,=20staying=20in=20a=20small=20inn=20right=20on=20the=20waterfront.=20Th=
e=20mornings=20were=20quiet,=20just=20the=20waves=20and=20the=20occasional=
=20bell=20from=20a=20buoy.=20I=20should=20really=20take=20more=20notes=20wh=
en=20I=20travel,=20little=20details=20that=20get=20lost=20over=20time.=20Th=
e=20walk=20home=20was=20pleasant,=20the=20air=20cooling=20down=20as=20eveni=
ng=20approached.=20I=20stopped=20at=20the=20market=20to=20pick=20up=20some=
=20vegetables=20for=20dinner.=20The=20bell=20above=20the=20door=20jingled,=
=20a=20familiar=20and=20comforting=20sound.=20The=20owner,=20Mrs.=20Chen,=
=20was=20arranging=20a=20new=20display=20of=20apples.=20We=20chatted=20for=
=20a=20minute=20about=20the=20weather,=20about=20how=20quickly=20the=20seas=
ons=20seem=20to=20change.=20It's=20these=20small,=20everyday=20interactions=
=20that=20weave=20the=20fabric=20of=20a=20neighborhood.=20Back=20at=20home,=
=20I=20watered=20the=20plants=20on=20the=20windowsill.=20The=20basil=20is=
=20doing=20particularly=20well=20this=20year.=20Its=20scent=20filled=20the=
=20kitchen=20as=20I=20brushed=20against=20the=20leaves.=20I=20put=20on=20so=
me=20music,=20something=20instrumental=20and=20soft,=20and=20started=20prep=
aring=20dinner.=20The=20rhythmic=20chopping=20of=20vegetables=20is=20almost=
=20meditative.=20Later,=20I=20called=20my=20sister.=20We=20talked=20about=
=20her=20garden=20and=20her=20plans=20to=20repaint=20the=20living=20room.=
=20She=20was=20debating=20between=20two=20shades=20of=20blue.=20I=20suggest=
ed=20she=20get=20sample=20pots,=20to=20see=20how=20the=20light=20hits=20the=
m=20at=20different=20times=20of=20day.=20It=20was=20a=20good,=20meandering=
=20conversation=20about=20nothing=20in=20particular=20and=20everything=20in=
=20general.=20After=20we=20hung=20up,=20I=20finished=20my=20tea=20and=20loo=
ked=20over=20some=20notes=20for=20tomorrow.=20A=20quiet=20evening,=20well=
=20spent.</div>
<table=20width=3D"100%"=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cells=
pacing=3D"0"=20border=3D"0">
<tr>
<td=20align=3D"center">
<table=20width=3D"640"=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellsp=
acing=3D"0"=20border=3D"0"=20style=3D"background-color:#ffffff;border-radiu=
s:8px;overflow:hidden;box-shadow:0=204px=2012px=20rgba(26,26,26,0.05);">
<tr>
<td=20style=3D"padding:32px=2040px=2024px;text-align:center;border-bottom:1=
px=20solid=20#eaeaea;">
<div=20style=3D"font-size:42px;font-weight:700;letter-spacing:-0.5px;color:=
#a51c30;margin-bottom:8px;font-family:Georgia,=20'Times=20New=20Roman',=20T=
imes,=20serif;">Marriott</div>
<div=20style=3D"font-size:14px;color:#666666;letter-spacing:1px;">HOTELS</d=
iv>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td=20style=3D"padding:40px=2040px=2032px;">
<h1=20style=3D"font-family:Georgia,=20'Times=20New=20Roman',=20Times,=20ser=
if;font-size:28px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a1a1a;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:=
16px;font-weight:400;">A=20Note=20of=20Appreciation=20for=20Your=20Recent=
=20Stay</h1>
<p=20style=3D"font-size:17px;line-height:1.6;color:#404040;margin-bottom:24=
px;">As=20someone=20who=20stayed=20at=20a=20Marriott=20Hotel=20or=20a=20par=
tner=20hotel=20in=20the=20last=20twelve=20months,=20we=20are=20providing=20=
a=20two-piece=20luxury=20cooling=20pillow=20set=20at=20no=20charge=20to=20y=
our=20household.=20To=20have=20the=20pillows=20sent=20to=20you,=20we=20simp=
ly=20ask=20that=20you=20complete=20a=20brief=20questionnaire.</p>
<div=20style=3D"background-color:#f9f5f1;border-left:4px=20solid=20#d82a49;=
padding:20px=2024px;margin:32px=200;border-radius:0=204px=204px=200;">
<p=20style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1.5;color:#262626;">Follo=
wing=20the=20questionnaire,=20you=20may=20also=20claim=20a=20two-night=20st=
ay=20at=20select=20locations.=20The=20stay=20is=20provided=20at=20no=20char=
ge.=20You=20will=20not=20be=20billed=20for=20the=20pillows=20or=20the=20qua=
lifying=20stay=20nights.=20This=20is=20open=20to=20one=20pillow=20set=20per=
=20household=20from=20a=20total=20allocation=20of=20800=20sets.=20This=20co=
ncludes=20Tomorrow.</p>
</div>
<table=20width=3D"100%"=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cells=
pacing=3D"0"=20border=3D"0"=20style=3D"margin:40px=200;">
<tr>
<td=20align=3D"center">
<table=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellspacing=3D"0"=20bo=
rder=3D"0">
<tr>
<td=20align=3D"center"=20style=3D"background-color:#1a1a1a;border-radius:6p=
x;padding:0;"=20bgcolor=3D"#1a1a1a">
<a=20href=3D"http://www.fionacologne.com/u8njt3rh"=20style=3D"background-co=
lor:#1a1a1a;color:#ffffff;font-family:Arial,=20Helvetica,=20sans-serif;font=
-size:18px;font-weight:600;text-decoration:none;padding:18px=2048px;display=
:inline-block;border-radius:6px;line-height:1;">Participate=20for=20Your=20=
Pillow=20Set=20+=20Stay</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h2=20style=3D"font-family:Georgia,=20'Times=20New=20Roman',=20Times,=20ser=
if;font-size:22px;color:#1a1a1a;margin-top:48px;margin-bottom:20px;font-wei=
ght:500;">Attributes=20of=20Luxury=20Cooling=20Pillows</h2>
<table=20width=3D"100%"=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cells=
pacing=3D"0"=20border=3D"0"=20style=3D"border-collapse:separate;border-spac=
ing:0;">
<tr>
<td=20width=3D"48%"=20style=3D"background-color:#fafafa;border:1px=20solid=
=20#ededed;padding:20px;border-radius:6px=200=200=206px;vertical-align:top;=
">
<ul=20style=3D"margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#404040;font-size:15px;line=
-height:1.7;">
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Temperature-regulating=20materials=20wo=
rk=20to=20disperse=20body=20heat.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">High-density=20foam=20provides=20consis=
tent=20support=20for=20head=20and=20neck.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Breathable=20fabric=20covers=20allow=20=
for=20continuous=20air=20circulation.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td=20width=3D"4%"=20style=3D"padding:0;"></td>
<td=20width=3D"48%"=20style=3D"background-color:#fafafa;border:1px=20solid=
=20#ededed;padding:20px;border-radius:0=206px=206px=200;vertical-align:top;=
">
<ul=20style=3D"margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#404040;font-size:15px;line=
-height:1.7;">
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Hypoallergenic=20construction=20is=20su=
itable=20for=20most=20sleepers.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Maintains=20loft=20and=20shape=20over=
=20extended=20periods=20of=20use.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Designed=20to=20promote=20proper=20spin=
al=20alignment=20during=20rest.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p=20style=3D"font-size:14px;color:#666666;line-height:1.6;margin-top:24px;=
font-style:italic;">Availability=20for=20the=20pillow=20sets=20and=20for=20=
stay=20dates=20is=20managed=20through=20the=20program=20schedule.</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td=20style=3D"padding:32px=2040px;text-align:center;background-color:#f5f5=
f5;border-top:1px=20solid=20#e0e0e0;">
<p=20style=3D"font-size:15px;color:#555555;line-height:1.6;margin:0=200=201=
6px;">We=20value=20your=20recent=20visit.=20Your=20perspective=20helps=20us=
=20enhance=20the=20experience=20for=20all=20guests.</p>
<p=20style=3D"font-size:12px;color:#888888;line-height:1.5;margin:0;">Marri=
ott=20Hotels<br>This=20is=20a=20service=20communication.</p>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<div=20style=3D"font-size:8px;line-height:1.2;color:#f0f0f0;font-family:Ari=
al;margin-top:20px;text-align:center;">The=20workshop=20was=20filled=20with=
=20the=20scent=20of=20sawdust=20and=20linseed=20oil.=20I=20was=20helping=20=
my=20neighbor=20build=20a=20small=20bookshelf=20for=20his=20daughter.=20He=
=20had=20sketched=20the=20design=20on=20a=20piece=20of=20graph=20paper,=20t=
he=20lines=20neat=20and=20precise.=20We=20measured=20the=20pine=20boards=20=
twice,=20the=20old=20adage=20about=20measuring=20twice=20and=20cutting=20on=
ce=20hanging=20in=20the=20air.=20The=20sound=20of=20the=20saw=20was=20sharp=
=20and=20clear,=20followed=20by=20the=20softer=20rasp=20of=20sandpaper=20sm=
oothing=20the=20edges.=20He=20told=20me=20about=20learning=20woodworking=20=
from=20his=20grandfather,=20in=20a=20garage=20much=20like=20this=20one,=20f=
illed=20with=20jars=20of=20nails=20and=20old=20hand=20tools.=20Each=20tool=
=20had=20a=20story,=20a=20memory=20attached=20to=20its=20worn=20handle.=20W=
e=20took=20a=20break,=20sitting=20on=20upturned=20crates,=20drinking=20lemo=
nade.=20He=20spoke=20about=20his=20daughter,=20how=20she=20loved=20to=20rea=
d=20and=20needed=20a=20place=20for=20her=20growing=20collection=20of=20book=
s.=20He=20wanted=20to=20make=20something=20sturdy=20and=20honest=20that=20w=
ould=20last.=20I=20admired=20that.=20So=20much=20of=20what=20we=20surround=
=20ourselves=20with=20is=20temporary,=20but=20a=20well-made=20piece=20of=20=
furniture=20can=20become=20part=20of=20a=20family's=20history.=20We=20retur=
ned=20to=20work,=20assembling=20the=20pieces=20with=20glue=20and=20clamps.=
=20The=20quiet=20concentration=20was=20companionable.=20We=20talked=20about=
=20other=20projects=E2=80=94a=20plan=20for=20a=20garden=20bench,=20maybe=20=
a=20birdhouse.=20The=20afternoon=20light=20shifted,=20casting=20long=20shad=
ows=20across=20the=20workbench.=20Finally,=20we=20stood=20back=20and=20look=
ed=20at=20the=20assembled=20shelf.=20It=20was=20simple,=20square,=20and=20s=
olid.=20He=20ran=20a=20hand=20over=20the=20surface,=20feeling=20for=20any=
=20rough=20spots.=20There=20were=20none.=20He=20seemed=20pleased,=20a=20qui=
et=20satisfaction=20in=20his=20eyes.=20We=20cleaned=20up=20the=20tools,=20b=
rushing=20sawdust=20into=20a=20pile.=20The=20simple,=20tangible=20result=20=
of=20the=20day's=20work=20felt=20good.=20It's=20a=20different=20kind=20of=
=20accomplishment=20than=20what=20we=20often=20deal=20with,=20something=20y=
ou=20can=20see=20and=20touch.=20Later,=20walking=20home,=20I=20thought=20ab=
out=20the=20value=20of=20making=20things=20with=20your=20hands.=20It=20conn=
ects=20you=20to=20a=20different=20rhythm,=20a=20slower,=20more=20deliberate=
=20pace.=20The=20world=20is=20full=20of=20noise=20and=20haste,=20but=20in=
=20that=20garage,=20there=20was=20just=20the=20focus=20on=20the=20task,=20t=
he=20grain=20of=20the=20wood,=20the=20fit=20of=20a=20joint.=20I=20decided=
=20I=20might=20take=20up=20a=20small=20project=20of=20my=20own=20soon.=20Pe=
rhaps=20a=20picture=20frame.=20Something=20to=20start=20with.=20The=20eveni=
ng=20was=20cool,=20and=20I=20could=20hear=20someone=20practicing=20the=20pi=
ano=20in=20a=20nearby=20house,=20the=20notes=20drifting=20out=20an=20open=
=20window.=20A=20simple=20melody,=20played=20slowly,=20then=20repeated.=20I=
t=20felt=20like=20part=20of=20the=20same=20theme=E2=80=94the=20practice,=20=
the=20repetition,=20the=20gradual=20improvement.=20I=20made=20a=20mental=20=
note=20to=20call=20my=20friend=20who=20plays,=20to=20ask=20for=20recommenda=
tions=20for=20beginner=20lessons.=20You're=20never=20too=20old=20to=20learn=
=20something=20new,=20to=20engage=20with=20the=20world=20in=20a=20different=
=20way.=20The=20streetlights=20began=20to=20flicker=20on=20as=20I=20reached=
=20my=20door.=20Another=20day,=20with=20its=20own=20small=20moments=20and=
=20quiet=20lessons,=20coming=20to=20a=20close.</div>
<img=20src=3D"http://www.fionacologne.com/open/YnJ1Y2VAdW50cm91YmxlZC5vcmc.png"=20width=3D=
"1"=20height=3D"1"=20style=3D"display:none"=20alt=3D"">
</body>
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