On Sunset And Friendship - Livingston, Montana

“Sweet is the memory of distant friends! Like the mellow rays of the departing sun, it falls tenderly, yet sadly, on the heart.”  
-Washington Irving (1763-1859)

While Walking With A Friend - Polson, Montana

 “It was William Penn who, centuries ago, described the seven features of deep-hearted friendship in this way:
   "A true friend unbosoms freely,
   Advises justly,
   Assists readily,
   Adventures boldly,
   Takes all patiently,
   Defends courageously, and
   Continues a friend unchangeably." “
- Herbert Lockyer (1886-1984) in a summary regarding Epaphroditus

Superheroes At Every Corner, Missoula, Montana

My friend, Jenny, called and suggested we spend a recent Saturday morning strolling her neighborhood, perusing the literal dozens of yard sales that bloom on a particular weekend in May.
Now, bear in mind that, since being married to the poster boy for “Simplify Your Life”, I haven’t spent a morning yard-saling in about 8 years.
And I kinda loathe idle shopping in most forms. And it would mean forfeiting my precious coffee-in-jammies morning.
But, I love Jenny.
And we would simultaneously be strolling and hanging out together.
So, I did not say, “I’d rather have a tooth pulled.” (Jenny works for a dentist and could follow through on that).
I said, (hem, haw) “For you, I will do this.“
And we did share splendid catch-up conversation, and a fun chat with some spunky seniour ladies.
So friendship yields were high.
And, yes, I bought a few small things, such as a vintage gold chain & a grey pearl costume bracelet - both from the spunky seniour gals!
But this photo is the coolest thing I brought home that morning. 
 Isn’t this what the serious yard-salers hope for?

Winter Slough, Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge, Stevensville, Montana

Ever act upon a great idea and then wonder, "Why didn't we start doing this months ago?" A recent personal discovery of this kind is that the Lee Metcalf Wildlife Refuge is a great halfway meeting point with my dearest friend, to meet, walk, chat and laugh non-stop.
(A prescription for heart health: Repeat as often as possible, including in the spring when all the red-winged blackbirds will be full-throatedly chirr-chirring in the cattails. Any variation of scenery will suffice, as the key ingredients are friendship, chatting, and laughing.)