Wow!!! I'm overwhelmed by the responses!! :shock:
That so many took so much time to address my question kind of blows me away; especially the longer explanations. I had no idea there was so much to the focus situation.
There is so much to absorb (I looked at the cameralightlens site) and I will have to go through all that to see what's going on. But I should say, upfront, that I'm, basically, a point-and-shoot guy. My 'specialty (snicker)' is unposed, off-the-cuff, candid shots; usually spur of the moment and quick reaction to whatever is happening. I use the camera to record events, gatherings, and to record memories. I realize that makes me a non-serious (pro) kind of photographer (I love what the serious ones do; I wish I was as good). As I said but maybe didn't make clear - is that it was this latest batch of shots that seemed to be slightly out of focus. I have a couple of hundred shots (maybe more) that I did not see any focus problems. I'm particularly intrigued by the 'center focus' line of thinking. There is so much I haven't delved into and only now becoming aware of (this 'serious' photography stuff is heavy going). Since most of my pics are 'spontaneous', I don't have the time to 'adjust' all the factors (I tried that a few times but by the time I got it all done, the moment had passed); I just let the AutoFocus bring it in and - 'click'.
I didn't realize that 'tomorrow' was going to be right into the Thanksgiving crush and today (Fri) was a disaster. I'll put another pic up and check 'store original' so you can see my concern. And I'll try to do all of the suggestions that were posted (honest - I want to do it better).
But many thanks to all who took the time to post their thoughts - it kind of blew up my head to see all that effort.

candid, off the cuff shot

OK, but tomorrow - pie calls. What is 'EXIF'?

I don't know if you can see it or if enough shows on the pic but the edges of just about everything are not sharp.
Like the center pole on the umbrella.

Let's see if I can do this

Just hand hold but I'm very steady and it was through almost all the shots - also, in previous batches, did not notice any off-focus - just in this latest batch (that's how I caught it - very unusual).

Just took a look at the last batch of shots from my Canon DSLR T1i and noticed that the Focus seems to be 'just a little' off (not sharp). I use AF pretty much 100% as my eyesight won't let me Manual focus accurately. In the past, all the shots were right on in sharpness but this last batch seems just a tad off.
Is there any way to calibrate it (myself or service)? I don't think the small monitor screen will show how sharp a test shot is; it takes the large screen PC monitor to see it.
Oh, yeah, not to show my ignorance, but does the AF work directly through the main lens or something else?
Thanks for thoughts.

For 'PhotoArtsLA'
Just to keep the terminology straight, "What's an M-Disk?"
That's a new term to me.

I know I'm just a 'newbie' but I like this last one by Cheineck very much. It has the cursive-style lettering that Lou Ellen started with and adds the lens for a great effect. I like both the coloring and the black and white and I don't think it should be only black-white for a business card (although may be more expensive) especially if Lou is a female (it wasn't said - could be either way with 'Lou'); it would make 'her' a little more 'unique'.
As everybody is quick to say "just MHO" (like it doesn't really count).
:lol:

I just found an old Konica FS-1 camera and a whole bag of Tamron adapter lenses, including a GIANT telephoto that was never used. Is there any interest, anywhere, for these items? I don't have any idea what they are worth or if anyone still has an interest but I hate to see them just 'hang out' wasting away. I have moved on to digital and don't want to go back but would like to find someone who still has an interest in film. This was an excellent camera and all the lens made it fun. If anyone is interested, I can provide a list of all the lens that go with it.
There is somewhat of a time constraint.

While reading all the (very helpful) comments, I also clicked on the 'Trick Photography and Special Effects' offer and let it play for me. While I don't have, at the present time, enough time to indulge in this offer, I wondered if anyone has and what they thought of this guys eBook. If the consensus is VERY positive, I "might" consider adding it to my G-kids photo present; she might just enjoy the experience.
Any comments?

Thanks to all for the replies - very helpful. I'll send her the books with your recommendations and she can add to them as she sees fit.
Very kind to help the novices here.
Great bunch.
Jiim

There were 2 reviews of the 'Missing Manuals' for the APE10 book and both said the same thing - "For -expert- users only".
So I passed. Got the AdobePress books.
Thanks for the opinions/replies.
Jim

My Granddaughter just got a new digital SLR and has shown a real flair for using it. I'd like to get her Adobe Elements 10 and a good novice book to help her along.
Can anyone recommend a good novice (very beginner) AE10 book for her to learn the program; she's also a novice PC user (not Mac), so it should be extra simple with good illustrations.
Many thanks.
Jim