“We are friends and I do like to pass the day with you in serious and inconsequential chatter.
I wouldn’t mind washing up beside you, dusting beside you,
reading the back half of the paper while you read the front.
We are friends and I would miss you, do miss you and think of you very often.”
– Jeanette Winterson –

As my time in Washington draws to a close, I’m spending as much time as possible with my dear ones, meeting for long heart-to-heart talks over dinner, campfires, and tea. Lots of tears have been shed and much laughter shared. How I shall miss them and cherish their friendship from afar through Skype, emails, phone calls and visits.

Today I am off to spend the day with my dear friend Natalie who is visiting with her hubby and daughter from their home in Thailand. We first met in 1993 when we lived with friends on the same boat moored in Moscow, Russia. She is a true kindred spirit and no matter how much time passes between visits, each reunion is a delight filled with non-stop talking and a shared love for nature, travel, and as many berries as we can eat.

My poor foot is still kaput so instead of hiking we’ll be driving to favorite spots: ocean, lake, mountains. I can’t wait.

Cherries are ripe and ready here in Washington and I wish I could hand deliver a basket of these beauties to each one of you. These photos will have to do.

Cherries

Cherries-2

Cherries-3

What is your favorite thing to do with an old and dear friend?