Providing endless excruciating details isn’t the best method for describing all experiences. Details omitted reveal more about the quality of the interaction. I am seldom at a loss for words, but often at a loss of documentation. I’ve begun noticing the richer the experience, the less I rely upon pictures to stimulate memory. Frequently, they only serve as stored megabytes of nothingness. They never adequately frame the context of the moment, nor do they capture the musty smell of fallen leaves, or the constant trickle of the mountain as the water oozes form its crevices.

I have no documentation of the visit with meno, only photos of the weather which did not plague us until the day of her departure. After weeks of sub-freezing temperatures, the sun had mercy upon our hiking plans and made a hospitable appearance for two entire days.

A quality of a good comfortable friendship, is the ease with which you can relax in the presence of one another. Pjs (hers), bed-head (mine) and a taciturn agreement that dialogue is completely unnecessary prior to consuming the first cup of coffee or tea.

There is little wine remaining, a few cookie crumbs, and empty water bottles to be put away. The fraidy cat, who resided under the sofa for two days is making regular appearances at the water bowl. The attitude afflicted cat who had a territorial dispute with meno, is still looking for a warm place to sleep. The television is turned on for the first time in three days, my mate has returned home, and female camaraderie is returning to the west coast.

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