Return-Path: <marriott@teddynite.com>
Delivered-To: untroubl8492-bruce@untroubled.org
Received: (qmail 1964607 invoked from network); 3 Feb 2026 19:14:36 -0000
Received: from mail.teddynite.com (quiver.pinupkacune.com [217.11.247.138])
  by vx0.untroubled.org ([45.63.65.23])
  with ESMTP via TCP; 03 Feb 2026 19:14:36 -0000
DKIM-Signature: v=1; a=rsa-sha256; c=relaxed/relaxed; s=mx1; d=teddynite.com;
 h=To:From:Reply-To:Date:Subject:Message-ID:MIME-Version:Content-Type;
 i=marriott@teddynite.com;
 bh=+6fQwANkznqNJV9tJt9LdV7hv94T5D5G974sTLQJFH8=;
 b=rEd+XzCW9ZFD0tG7F+bG60mCAtnCmmsO5tI69xUt5fgia9CHewPo+l9yOqeLBDEaj26s/CHPwfeK
   65tjldeHtNcQDjcHc3nUt3i0JiYWcR+3VrTg0aSiOtOTL5VdBL17/wI+h3zrYFJzCuV8z2s5yhH1
   OnpoPGIyq9nOZ5hsEi9XrVN6PIsVbjPf5bvS9VE3UnojNSTUqSI84hPc1O3oC9WRnB7G6Op/HSkw
   HNAwuxHT6xxvGcDe3t1drn+KdmE+JGKwYUEbCxwk4EiIIqiV7G/8vF2HUAAwbrwpRHGd9BkrGdii
   sv4tP21bdLbGdyxL9B6/OAQk6bT215mGm2DaPQ==
To: bruce@untroubled.org
From: Marriott Lodge Stay <marriott@teddynite.com>
Reply-To: marriott@teddynite.com
Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2026 14:13:54 -0500
Subject: Your thank you gift from your recent Marriott stay
Message-ID: <xFkejviJ-gGFQB2Ni9FAMH5Dr.ee047@teddynite.com>
X-Request-ID: cdc98749-e9f0-4f8a-aec2-3ce95e81a525
X-Mail-Source:  node-t39
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type:  multipart/alternative; boundary="bkc8db__-s6JjwHdrvACqm7Qj3ovFH8Lv-.5by"
Content-Length: 21839

--bkc8db__-s6JjwHdrvACqm7Qj3ovFH8Lv-.5by
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable

The=20morning=20light=20filtered=20through=20the=20blinds,=20painting=20lon=
g=20stripes=20across=20the=20polished=20floor=20of=20the=20conference=20roo=
m.=20Sarah=20placed=20her=20notebook=20on=20the=20table,=20the=20soft=20thu=
d=20echoing=20slightly=20in=20the=20quiet=20space.=20She=20looked=20over=20=
the=20agenda=20one=20more=20time,=20noting=20the=20main=20topics=20for=20th=
e=20team=20meeting.=20The=20project=20timeline=20was=20the=20first=20item,=
=20followed=20by=20a=20discussion=20on=20resource=20allocation=20for=20the=
=20upcoming=20quarter.=20She=20hoped=20the=20conversation=20would=20remain=
=20productive=20and=20focused,=20as=20there=20were=20several=20interdepende=
nt=20tasks=20that=20needed=20clear=20owners.=20Jack=20was=20the=20first=20t=
o=20arrive,=20carrying=20two=20mugs=20of=20steaming=20tea.=20He=20offered=
=20one=20to=20Sarah=20with=20a=20nod.=20"Thought=20you=20might=20need=20thi=
s,"=20he=20said,=20his=20voice=20still=20rough=20with=20morning.=20"Thanks,=
=20Jack.=20I=20was=20just=20reviewing=20the=20notes=20from=20last=20week's=
=20client=20check-in.=20They=20were=20quite=20pleased=20with=20the=20initia=
l=20prototypes,"=20Sarah=20replied,=20taking=20a=20careful=20sip.=20The=20t=
ea=20was=20hot,=20with=20a=20hint=20of=20lemon.=20"That's=20good=20to=20hea=
r.=20It=20makes=20the=20late=20nights=20worth=20it,"=20Jack=20said,=20pulli=
ng=20out=20a=20chair.=20The=20door=20opened=20again,=20and=20the=20rest=20o=
f=20the=20team=20began=20to=20filter=20in,=20exchanging=20quiet=20greetings=
=20Maria=20talked=20about=20her=20weekend=20hiking=20trip,=20describing=20=
the=20view=20from=20the=20summit=20in=20vivid=20detail.=20"The=20air=20was=
=20so=20clear=20up=20there,=20you=20could=20see=20for=20miles.=20It=20reall=
y=20puts=20things=20into=20perspective,"=20she=20said,=20unwinding=20her=20=
scarf.=20David=20mentioned=20he=E2=80=99d=20finally=20finished=20the=20book=
=20he=E2=80=99d=20been=20reading,=20a=20historical=20fiction=20novel=20abou=
t=20a=20cartographer.=20"The=20amount=20of=20detail=20about=20old=20map-mak=
ing=20techniques=20was=20fascinating.=20It's=20incredible=20how=20they=20na=
vigated=20without=20any=20of=20our=20modern=20tools,"=20he=20mused,=20adjus=
ting=20his=20glasses.=20The=20conversation=20meandered=20from=20weekend=20a=
ctivities=20to=20a=20shared=20favorite=20bakery=20that=20had=20just=20intro=
duced=20a=20new=20sourdough=20recipe.=20The=20casual=20chatter=20helped=20e=
ase=20everyone=20into=20the=20work=20mindset.=20Sarah=20finally=20tapped=20=
her=20pen=20lightly=20on=20the=20table.=20"Shall=20we=20get=20started=20I=
=20think=20we=20have=20a=20full=20slate=20today."=20Everyone=20turned=20the=
ir=20attention=20to=20the=20whiteboard=20at=20the=20front=20of=20the=20room=
,=20where=20the=20project=20outline=20was=20neatly=20written.=20The=20discu=
ssion=20began=20with=20a=20review=20of=20completed=20milestones,=20each=20t=
eam=20member=20providing=20a=20brief=20update=20on=20their=20respective=20a=
reas.=20The=20atmosphere=20was=20collaborative,=20with=20questions=20and=20=
suggestions=20flowing=20freely.=20They=20talked=20through=20challenges,=20n=
ot=20as=20obstacles,=20but=20as=20puzzles=20to=20be=20solved=20together.=20=
The=20clock=20on=20the=20wall=20ticked=20steadily,=20marking=20the=20passag=
e=20of=20the=20morning=20as=20they=20worked=20through=20each=20agenda=20ite=
m.
Marriott
A=20Gesture=20of=20Our=20Appreciation
In=20recognition=20of=20your=20recent=20visit,=20we=20have=20arranged=20for=
=20a=20two-piece=20luxury=20cooling=20pillow=20set=20to=20be=20sent=20to=20=
you.
This=20is=20open=20to=20you=20because=20your=20travel=20history=20includes=
=20a=20stay=20at=20a=20Marriott=20hotel=20or=20a=20partner=20property=20wit=
hin=20the=20last=20twelve=20months.=20The=20pillow=20set=20is=20provided=20=
at=20no=20charge=20to=20your=20household.=20Following=20a=20brief=20questio=
nnaire,=20you=20may=20also=20reserve=20a=20two-night=20stay=20at=20particip=
ating=20locations,=20which=20will=20be=20provided=20at=20no=20charge.=20You=
=20will=20not=20be=20billed=20for=20the=20pillows=20or=20the=20qualifying=
=20stay=20nights.=20We=20have=20800=20pillow=20sets=20available.=20This=20a=
rrangement=20concludes=20tomorrow.
Participate=20To=20Receive=20Your=20Pillows=20+=202=20Night=20Stay
Attributes=20of=20the=20Cooling=20Pillow=20Set
Designed=20with=20advanced=20phase-change=20materials=20to=20regulate=20tem=
perature.
Hypoallergenic=20fill=20promotes=20clearer=20breathing=20throughout=20the=
=20night.
Ergonomic=20support=20helps=20maintain=20proper=20spinal=20alignment.
Breathable=20fabric=20cover=20enhances=20airflow=20and=20comfort.
Retains=20its=20shape=20and=20support=20over=20extended=20use.
Easy=20to=20care=20for=20with=20removable,=20machine-washable=20covers.
The=20number=20of=20pillow=20sets=20is=20defined=20by=20the=20program.=20Av=
ailability=20for=20the=20two-night=20stay=20period=20is=20coordinated=20thr=
ough=20the=20program's=20schedule.
We=20value=20your=20choice=20to=20stay=20with=20us.=20Your=20insights=20hel=
p=20us=20shape=20future=20guest=20experiences.
The=20park=20bench=20was=20cold,=20but=20the=20afternoon=20sun=20offered=20=
a=20gentle=20warmth.=20Leo=20watched=20as=20a=20flock=20of=20birds=20wheele=
d=20in=20the=20sky,=20moving=20as=20one=20fluid=20shape=20against=20the=20b=
lue.=20He=20often=20came=20here=20to=20think,=20to=20step=20away=20from=20t=
he=20constant=20hum=20of=20the=20computer=20screen.=20The=20sound=20of=20ch=
ildren=20laughing=20from=20the=20playground=20blended=20with=20the=20distan=
t=20rustle=20of=20leaves.=20An=20older=20man=20sat=20down=20on=20the=20far=
=20end=20of=20the=20bench,=20pulling=20a=20sketchbook=20from=20his=20bag.=
=20He=20began=20to=20draw=20with=20quick,=20sure=20strokes,=20his=20gaze=20=
flicking=20between=20the=20page=20and=20the=20ancient=20oak=20tree=20across=
=20the=20path.=20After=20a=20few=20minutes,=20he=20noticed=20Leo=20watching=
=20and=20offered=20a=20shy=20smile.=20"It's=20a=20good=20subject,"=20the=20=
man=20said,=20his=20voice=20soft.=20"It's=20been=20here=20longer=20than=20e=
ither=20of=20us,=20I'd=20wager."=20Leo=20nodded.=20"It's=20impressive.=20I=
=20always=20notice=20the=20way=20the=20branches=20twist.=20There's=20a=20lo=
t=20of=20character."=20The=20man=20chuckled.=20"Character,=20yes.=20And=20h=
istory.=20Every=20storm=20it's=20weathered,=20every=20season,=20it=20tells=
=20a=20story=20in=20its=20growth."=20They=20fell=20into=20a=20comfortable=
=20silence,=20broken=20only=20by=20the=20scratch=20of=20charcoal=20on=20pap=
er.=20A=20woman=20jogged=20by=20with=20her=20dog,=20a=20cheerful=20terrier=
=20that=20strained=20at=20its=20leash.=20The=20sketch=20artist=20captured=
=20the=20momentary=20energy=20with=20a=20few=20swift=20lines=20at=20the=20c=
orner=20of=20his=20page.=20"Do=20you=20draw=20often"=20Leo=20asked.=20"When=
ever=20I=20can,"=20the=20man=20replied.=20"It's=20a=20way=20of=20seeing.=20=
You=20look=20much=20more=20closely=20when=20you're=20trying=20to=20translat=
e=20something=20onto=20paper.=20You=20notice=20the=20light,=20the=20shadow,=
=20the=20way=20things=20connect."=20He=20turned=20the=20sketchbook=20slight=
ly=20so=20Leo=20could=20see=20the=20progressing=20drawing.=20It=20was=20a=
=20detailed=20study=20of=20the=20tree's=20gnarled=20trunk,=20with=20the=20p=
layground=20a=20soft=20blur=20in=20the=20background.=20"That's=20really=20g=
ood,"=20Leo=20said,=20meaning=20it.=20"Thank=20you.=20It's=20a=20practice,=
=20like=20anything=20else."=20The=20conversation=20drifted=20to=20other=20t=
opics=E2=80=94favorite=20places=20in=20the=20city,=20the=20best=20time=20of=
=20day=20for=20light,=20a=20new=20exhibition=20at=20the=20local=20art=20mus=
eum.=20The=20man=20recommended=20a=20small=20gallery=20that=20featured=20la=
ndscape=20painters.=20"It's=20quiet=20there,=20not=20too=20crowded.=20You=
=20can=20really=20take=20your=20time=20with=20each=20piece."=20Leo=20made=
=20a=20mental=20note=20to=20visit.=20The=20sun=20began=20its=20descent,=20c=
asting=20longer=20shadows.=20The=20artist=20closed=20his=20sketchbook,=20br=
ushing=20stray=20charcoal=20dust=20from=20his=20trousers.=20"Time=20for=20m=
e=20to=20head=20home.=20The=20light's=20changing."=20He=20stood,=20offering=
=20a=20brief=20wave.=20"Enjoy=20the=20rest=20of=20your=20afternoon."=20"You=
=20too,"=20Leo=20replied.=20He=20stayed=20on=20the=20bench=20a=20while=20lo=
nger,=20watching=20the=20light=20play=20through=20the=20leaves=20of=20the=
=20old=20oak,=20seeing=20it=20now=20with=20a=20slightly=20different,=20more=
=20attentive=20eye.=20The=20sounds=20of=20the=20park=20continued=20around=
=20him,=20a=20steady,=20calming=20rhythm=20of=20everyday=20life.

http://www.teddynite.com/emoocioa

--bkc8db__-s6JjwHdrvACqm7Qj3ovFH8Lv-.5by
Content-Type: text/html; charset="UTF-8"
Content-Transfer-Encoding:  quoted-printable

<!DOCTYPE=20html>
<html=20lang=3D"en">
<head>
<meta=20charset=3D"utf-8">
<meta=20name=3D"viewport"=20content=3D"width=3Ddevice-width,initial-scale=
=3D1">
</head>
<body=20style=3D"margin:0;padding:20px=200;background-color:#f8f8f8;font-fa=
mily:Georgia,'Times=20New=20Roman',Times,serif;">
<div=20style=3D"display:none;font-size:1px;color:#ffffff;line-height:1px;fo=
nt-family:Arial;max-height:0px;max-width:0px;opacity:0;overflow:hidden;mso-=
hide:all;">
The=20morning=20light=20filtered=20through=20the=20blinds,=20painting=20lon=
g=20stripes=20across=20the=20polished=20floor=20of=20the=20conference=20roo=
m.=20Sarah=20placed=20her=20notebook=20on=20the=20table,=20the=20soft=20thu=
d=20echoing=20slightly=20in=20the=20quiet=20space.=20She=20looked=20over=20=
the=20agenda=20one=20more=20time,=20noting=20the=20main=20topics=20for=20th=
e=20team=20meeting.=20The=20project=20timeline=20was=20the=20first=20item,=
=20followed=20by=20a=20discussion=20on=20resource=20allocation=20for=20the=
=20upcoming=20quarter.=20She=20hoped=20the=20conversation=20would=20remain=
=20productive=20and=20focused,=20as=20there=20were=20several=20interdepende=
nt=20tasks=20that=20needed=20clear=20owners.=20Jack=20was=20the=20first=20t=
o=20arrive,=20carrying=20two=20mugs=20of=20steaming=20tea.=20He=20offered=
=20one=20to=20Sarah=20with=20a=20nod.=20"Thought=20you=20might=20need=20thi=
s,"=20he=20said,=20his=20voice=20still=20rough=20with=20morning.=20"Thanks,=
=20Jack.=20I=20was=20just=20reviewing=20the=20notes=20from=20last=20week's=
=20client=20check-in.=20They=20were=20quite=20pleased=20with=20the=20initia=
l=20prototypes,"=20Sarah=20replied,=20taking=20a=20careful=20sip.=20The=20t=
ea=20was=20hot,=20with=20a=20hint=20of=20lemon.=20"That's=20good=20to=20hea=
r.=20It=20makes=20the=20late=20nights=20worth=20it,"=20Jack=20said,=20pulli=
ng=20out=20a=20chair.=20The=20door=20opened=20again,=20and=20the=20rest=20o=
f=20the=20team=20began=20to=20filter=20in,=20exchanging=20quiet=20greetings=
=20Maria=20talked=20about=20her=20weekend=20hiking=20trip,=20describing=20=
the=20view=20from=20the=20summit=20in=20vivid=20detail.=20"The=20air=20was=
=20so=20clear=20up=20there,=20you=20could=20see=20for=20miles.=20It=20reall=
y=20puts=20things=20into=20perspective,"=20she=20said,=20unwinding=20her=20=
scarf.=20David=20mentioned=20he=E2=80=99d=20finally=20finished=20the=20book=
=20he=E2=80=99d=20been=20reading,=20a=20historical=20fiction=20novel=20abou=
t=20a=20cartographer.=20"The=20amount=20of=20detail=20about=20old=20map-mak=
ing=20techniques=20was=20fascinating.=20It's=20incredible=20how=20they=20na=
vigated=20without=20any=20of=20our=20modern=20tools,"=20he=20mused,=20adjus=
ting=20his=20glasses.=20The=20conversation=20meandered=20from=20weekend=20a=
ctivities=20to=20a=20shared=20favorite=20bakery=20that=20had=20just=20intro=
duced=20a=20new=20sourdough=20recipe.=20The=20casual=20chatter=20helped=20e=
ase=20everyone=20into=20the=20work=20mindset.=20Sarah=20finally=20tapped=20=
her=20pen=20lightly=20on=20the=20table.=20"Shall=20we=20get=20started=20I=
=20think=20we=20have=20a=20full=20slate=20today."=20Everyone=20turned=20the=
ir=20attention=20to=20the=20whiteboard=20at=20the=20front=20of=20the=20room=
,=20where=20the=20project=20outline=20was=20neatly=20written.=20The=20discu=
ssion=20began=20with=20a=20review=20of=20completed=20milestones,=20each=20t=
eam=20member=20providing=20a=20brief=20update=20on=20their=20respective=20a=
reas.=20The=20atmosphere=20was=20collaborative,=20with=20questions=20and=20=
suggestions=20flowing=20freely.=20They=20talked=20through=20challenges,=20n=
ot=20as=20obstacles,=20but=20as=20puzzles=20to=20be=20solved=20together.=20=
The=20clock=20on=20the=20wall=20ticked=20steadily,=20marking=20the=20passag=
e=20of=20the=20morning=20as=20they=20worked=20through=20each=20agenda=20ite=
m.
</div>
<center>
<table=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellspacing=3D"0"=20bo=
rder=3D"0"=20width=3D"640"=20style=3D"max-width:640px;width:100%;margin:0=
=20auto;background-color:#ffffff;border-radius:8px;overflow:hidden;box-shad=
ow: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:bold;color:#A02035;letter-spacin=
g:-0.5px;line-height:1;">Marriott</div>
<div=20style=3D"height:4px;width:120px;background-color:#A02035;margin:16px=
=20auto=200;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td=20style=3D"padding:40px=2040px=2032px;">
<h1=20style=3D"font-family:Georgia,'Times=20New=20Roman',Times,serif;font-s=
ize:28px;line-height:1.3;color:#1a1a1a;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:16px;text=
-align:center;">A=20Gesture=20of=20Our=20Appreciation</h1>
<p=20style=3D"font-size:18px;line-height:1.6;color:#262626;margin-bottom:24=
px;text-align:center;">In=20recognition=20of=20your=20recent=20visit,=20we=
=20have=20arranged=20for=20a=20two-piece=20luxury=20cooling=20pillow=20set=
=20to=20be=20sent=20to=20you.</p>
<div=20style=3D"background-color:#f9f9f9;border-left:4px=20solid=20#D82A49;=
padding:20px;margin:32px=200;border-radius:0=204px=204px=200;">
<p=20style=3D"margin:0;font-size:16px;line-height:1.7;color:#1a1a1a;">
This=20is=20open=20to=20you=20because=20your=20travel=20history=20includes=
=20a=20stay=20at=20a=20Marriott=20hotel=20or=20a=20partner=20property=20wit=
hin=20the=20last=20twelve=20months.=20The=20pillow=20set=20is=20provided=20=
at=20no=20charge=20to=20your=20household.=20Following=20a=20brief=20questio=
nnaire,=20you=20may=20also=20reserve=20a=20two-night=20stay=20at=20particip=
ating=20locations,=20which=20will=20be=20provided=20at=20no=20charge.=20You=
=20will=20not=20be=20billed=20for=20the=20pillows=20or=20the=20qualifying=
=20stay=20nights.=20We=20have=20800=20pillow=20sets=20available.=20This=20a=
rrangement=20concludes=20tomorrow.
</p>
</div>
<table=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellspacing=3D"0"=20bo=
rder=3D"0"=20width=3D"100%"=20style=3D"margin:40px=200=2032px;">
<tr>
<td=20align=3D"center">
<table=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellspacing=3D"0"=20bo=
rder=3D"0">
<tr>
<td=20align=3D"center"=20bgcolor=3D"#1a1a1a"=20style=3D"background-color:#1=
a1a1a;border-radius:6px;padding:0;">
<a=20href=3D"http://www.teddynite.com/emoocioa"=20style=3D"font-size:18px;f=
ont-family:Georgia,'Times=20New=20Roman',Times,serif;color:#ffffff;text-dec=
oration:none;padding:18px=2048px;display:inline-block;font-weight:bold;lett=
er-spacing:0.5px;border-radius:6px;line-height:1;">Participate=20To=20Recei=
ve=20Your=20Pillows=20+=202=20Night=20Stay</a>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<h2=20style=3D"font-family:Georgia,'Times=20New=20Roman',Times,serif;font-s=
ize:22px;color:#1a1a1a;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:20px;text-align:center;">=
Attributes=20of=20the=20Cooling=20Pillow=20Set</h2>
<table=20role=3D"presentation"=20cellpadding=3D"0"=20cellspacing=3D"0"=20bo=
rder=3D"0"=20width=3D"100%">
<tr>
<td=20width=3D"50%"=20valign=3D"top"=20style=3D"padding:12px;border:1px=20s=
olid=20#ededed;background-color:#fcfcfc;border-radius:6px;">
<ul=20style=3D"margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#262626;font-size:16px;line=
-height:1.7;">
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Designed=20with=20advanced=20phase-chan=
ge=20materials=20to=20regulate=20temperature.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Hypoallergenic=20fill=20promotes=20clea=
rer=20breathing=20throughout=20the=20night.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Ergonomic=20support=20helps=20maintain=
=20proper=20spinal=20alignment.</li>
</ul>
</td>
<td=20width=3D"50%"=20valign=3D"top"=20style=3D"padding:12px;border:1px=20s=
olid=20#ededed;background-color:#fcfcfc;border-radius:6px;">
<ul=20style=3D"margin:0;padding-left:20px;color:#262626;font-size:16px;line=
-height:1.7;">
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Breathable=20fabric=20cover=20enhances=
=20airflow=20and=20comfort.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Retains=20its=20shape=20and=20support=
=20over=20extended=20use.</li>
<li=20style=3D"margin-bottom:10px;">Easy=20to=20care=20for=20with=20removab=
le,=20machine-washable=20covers.</li>
</ul>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
<p=20style=3D"font-size:14px;line-height:1.6;color:#666;margin-top:24px;tex=
t-align:center;font-style:italic;">
The=20number=20of=20pillow=20sets=20is=20defined=20by=20the=20program.=20Av=
ailability=20for=20the=20two-night=20stay=20period=20is=20coordinated=20thr=
ough=20the=20program's=20schedule.
</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td=20style=3D"padding:32px=2040px;text-align:center;background-color:#fafa=
fa;border-top:1px=20solid=20#eaeaea;">
<p=20style=3D"font-size:16px;line-height:1.6;color:#444;margin-bottom:20px;=
">
We=20value=20your=20choice=20to=20stay=20with=20us.=20Your=20insights=20hel=
p=20us=20shape=20future=20guest=20experiences.
</p>
<div=20style=3D"height:1px;width:100%;background-color:#d82a49;max-width:20=
0px;margin:0=20auto;"></div>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</center>
<div=20style=3D"font-size:8px;line-height:1.2;color:#f0f0f0;font-family:Ari=
al;max-height:1px;overflow:hidden;mso-hide:all;">
The=20park=20bench=20was=20cold,=20but=20the=20afternoon=20sun=20offered=20=
a=20gentle=20warmth.=20Leo=20watched=20as=20a=20flock=20of=20birds=20wheele=
d=20in=20the=20sky,=20moving=20as=20one=20fluid=20shape=20against=20the=20b=
lue.=20He=20often=20came=20here=20to=20think,=20to=20step=20away=20from=20t=
he=20constant=20hum=20of=20the=20computer=20screen.=20The=20sound=20of=20ch=
ildren=20laughing=20from=20the=20playground=20blended=20with=20the=20distan=
t=20rustle=20of=20leaves.=20An=20older=20man=20sat=20down=20on=20the=20far=
=20end=20of=20the=20bench,=20pulling=20a=20sketchbook=20from=20his=20bag.=
=20He=20began=20to=20draw=20with=20quick,=20sure=20strokes,=20his=20gaze=20=
flicking=20between=20the=20page=20and=20the=20ancient=20oak=20tree=20across=
=20the=20path.=20After=20a=20few=20minutes,=20he=20noticed=20Leo=20watching=
=20and=20offered=20a=20shy=20smile.=20"It's=20a=20good=20subject,"=20the=20=
man=20said,=20his=20voice=20soft.=20"It's=20been=20here=20longer=20than=20e=
ither=20of=20us,=20I'd=20wager."=20Leo=20nodded.=20"It's=20impressive.=20I=
=20always=20notice=20the=20way=20the=20branches=20twist.=20There's=20a=20lo=
t=20of=20character."=20The=20man=20chuckled.=20"Character,=20yes.=20And=20h=
istory.=20Every=20storm=20it's=20weathered,=20every=20season,=20it=20tells=
=20a=20story=20in=20its=20growth."=20They=20fell=20into=20a=20comfortable=
=20silence,=20broken=20only=20by=20the=20scratch=20of=20charcoal=20on=20pap=
er.=20A=20woman=20jogged=20by=20with=20her=20dog,=20a=20cheerful=20terrier=
=20that=20strained=20at=20its=20leash.=20The=20sketch=20artist=20captured=
=20the=20momentary=20energy=20with=20a=20few=20swift=20lines=20at=20the=20c=
orner=20of=20his=20page.=20"Do=20you=20draw=20often"=20Leo=20asked.=20"When=
ever=20I=20can,"=20the=20man=20replied.=20"It's=20a=20way=20of=20seeing.=20=
You=20look=20much=20more=20closely=20when=20you're=20trying=20to=20translat=
e=20something=20onto=20paper.=20You=20notice=20the=20light,=20the=20shadow,=
=20the=20way=20things=20connect."=20He=20turned=20the=20sketchbook=20slight=
ly=20so=20Leo=20could=20see=20the=20progressing=20drawing.=20It=20was=20a=
=20detailed=20study=20of=20the=20tree's=20gnarled=20trunk,=20with=20the=20p=
layground=20a=20soft=20blur=20in=20the=20background.=20"That's=20really=20g=
ood,"=20Leo=20said,=20meaning=20it.=20"Thank=20you.=20It's=20a=20practice,=
=20like=20anything=20else."=20The=20conversation=20drifted=20to=20other=20t=
opics=E2=80=94favorite=20places=20in=20the=20city,=20the=20best=20time=20of=
=20day=20for=20light,=20a=20new=20exhibition=20at=20the=20local=20art=20mus=
eum.=20The=20man=20recommended=20a=20small=20gallery=20that=20featured=20la=
ndscape=20painters.=20"It's=20quiet=20there,=20not=20too=20crowded.=20You=
=20can=20really=20take=20your=20time=20with=20each=20piece."=20Leo=20made=
=20a=20mental=20note=20to=20visit.=20The=20sun=20began=20its=20descent,=20c=
asting=20longer=20shadows.=20The=20artist=20closed=20his=20sketchbook,=20br=
ushing=20stray=20charcoal=20dust=20from=20his=20trousers.=20"Time=20for=20m=
e=20to=20head=20home.=20The=20light's=20changing."=20He=20stood,=20offering=
=20a=20brief=20wave.=20"Enjoy=20the=20rest=20of=20your=20afternoon."=20"You=
=20too,"=20Leo=20replied.=20He=20stayed=20on=20the=20bench=20a=20while=20lo=
nger,=20watching=20the=20light=20play=20through=20the=20leaves=20of=20the=
=20old=20oak,=20seeing=20it=20now=20with=20a=20slightly=20different,=20more=
=20attentive=20eye.=20The=20sounds=20of=20the=20park=20continued=20around=
=20him,=20a=20steady,=20calming=20rhythm=20of=20everyday=20life.
</div>
<img=20src=3D"http://www.teddynite.com/open/YnJ1Y2VAdW50cm91YmxlZC5vcmc.png"=20width=3D"1"=
=20height=3D"1"=20style=3D"display:none"=20alt=3D"">
</body>
</html>

--bkc8db__-s6JjwHdrvACqm7Qj3ovFH8Lv-.5by--
