I prefer the term "recycling"

I have a new patio set. Well, it's new to me. I was out walking the dogs and saw a patio set leaning against the side of a communal garbage bin. I've participated on the giving side of this neighbourhood tradition, but I have never seen anything I have wanted to take. Until that day.

The patio set was well used, but still in good condition. It included an umbrella (cemented into a pot -- how classy is that?) a table and 4 wooden chairs that perfectly match the table I have in the backyard. I looked at it and really considered it, but I kept walking. I didn't want to be one of those people. Garbage picker.

I called my sister and posed my dilemma. Do I take it? Knowing it belongs to someone in my neighbourhood who replaced it with a new set from Superstore (the boxes were in the trash, I'm not psychic). Knowing the someone to whom it once belonged could look into my yard at anytime and see I stole it? Well, sister was half asleep and would have agreed to me stealing the Hope diamond. So off I went.

I ran out into the alley before anyone else could get there. (In my head, there is a lot of demand for worn out deck sets.) I didn't want to lose out on my find and forever regret my decision. I grabbed it all and tossed it over my fence into my yard.

I set up the chairs around my table and marvelled at the greatness of the match. I put up the table briefly, but it is a little wobbly. It took me almost three weeks to get enough nerve to put up the umbrella. I figured the umbrella was like a large neon sign pointing to my yard screaming for people to notice I am the resident dumpster diver.