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Lost Letters

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The homies Sam and Rie sent us some of the most beautiful and thoughtful resupply packages - complete with powdered miso and chocolate.

The homies Sam and Rie sent us some of the most beautiful and thoughtful resupply packages – complete with powdered miso and chocolate.

As Harpo and I prepare for out southbound PCT this year we’ve been going through some ephemera from our 2013 Appalachian Trail thru hike – sorting, reminiscing, recycling. In many ways, this process makes us hopeful for the experience before us, while allowing us to reflect on the love and generosity we experienced while on the AT. These images represent just a few of the lovely missives we received from friends when we were so far away from home… these things which continually draw us back, and which bathe any thought of return in golden light.

The cover of our half priced AWOL guide, which we switched to in Virginia after realizing it was a far superior tool compared to the traditional data book. Note: we burned the rest of the pages, as one does...

The cover of our half priced AWOL guide, which we switched to in Virginia after realizing it was a far superior tool compared to the traditional data book. Note: we burned the rest of the pages, as one does…

A congrats card - which we suspect of being an actual graduation card - was waiting for us at trail's end thanks to Sandy and Gerry.

A congrats card – which we suspect of being an actual graduation card – was waiting for us at trail’s end thanks to Sandy and Gerry.

Arts! An altered flyer from OnTheBoards - a venue we had recently performed at just before leaving for the AT. This accompanied a bottle of delicious whisky thanks to the lovely Ms. Jorgenson

Arts! An altered flyer from OnTheBoards – a venue we had recently performed at just before leaving for the AT. This accompanied a bottle of delicious whisky thanks to the lovely Ms. Jorgensen

A letter from our friend and fellow adventurer Tessa Hulls. It was always awesome to have a few words here and there to remind us of the comforts - and friendships - we had left behind. The letters reminded us of the possibility of return on the hard days...

A letter from our friend and fellow adventurer Tessa Hulls. It was always awesome to have a few words here and there to remind us of the comforts – and friendships – we had left behind. The letters reminded us of the possibility of return on the hard days…

A crown for every king, or queen - sent from Harpo's niece and nephew. We wore these for a full day hiking.

A crown for every king, or queen – sent from Harpo’s college friend Liza’s — made by Liza and Jason’s son Emmett. We wore these for a full day hiking.

The delightful Ms Tania Kupczak sent us our first real re-up surprise package. We were so overwhelmed with gratitude when we opened this in Connecticut outside the package store and found new socks and Arnicare and Emergen-C with inspirational messages written on them!

The delightful Ms Tania Kupczak sent us our first real re-up surprise package. We were so overwhelmed with gratitude when we opened this in Connecticut outside the package store and found new socks and Arnicare and Emergen-C with inspirational messages written on them!

Cats I have loved

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Returning from the AT last winter, the idea of signing a lease, or even making a ‘permanent’ home seemed impossible.  Having work obligations around Seattle, we found a grand solution – house sitting.  I love it – it’s like getting to see a portrait of people’s lives, the way the envision themselves – expressed through funky or nostalgic tchotchkes, beautiful and/or totally inappropriate furniture, wild book collections, pleasing artistic arrangements and collections,  and most interesting of all – beloved pets.

Since January we have house sat for over 14 residences. Here are (just a few) of the cats I have loved:

This old gal was a real pal.

Nona – This old gal was a real pal.

Shoehorn communicates. Loud and proud. He lives amongst the most beautiful antique furnishings and sleeps on the dining room aloft a lovely, home-knit blanket. He sees ghosts but fears only the taxidermic bear in the bedroom.

Shoehorn – communicates loud and proud. He lives amongst the most beautiful antique furnishings and sleeps on the dining room table, aloft a home-knit blanket. He sees ghosts, but fears only the taxidermic bear rug in the bedroom.

Pooshie believes that the time you spend in bed is the time you have dedicated to loving him.

Pooshie – believes that the time you spend in bed is the time you have set aside just for for loving him.

Moochie is the most patient, lover. He lives with my parents and is like the wise priest of the household.

Moochie – lives with my parents and is the wise, patient, priest of the household.

This family forgot to tell us the name of their cat. However it's affectionate and demanding nature and tabby colors reminded Groucho of his grandma's cat. So we named her Thor.

This family forgot to tell us the name of their delightful, drooly cat. However it’s affectionate and demanding nature and tabby colors reminded Groucho of his grandma’s cat. So we named her Thor.

Cortezis an au natural beauty. This independent spirit seizes the day (and night) going in and out at will - delighting in everything around her.

Cortez – an au natural beauty. Her independent spirit seizes every day (and night) as she goes in and out and in and out and in and out at will.

These buddies don't know pain. Don't know fear. Don't know their own strength. All they know is love.

Blues Bros – These buddies don’t know pain. Don’t know fear. Don’t know their own strength. All they know is love.

The first cat love of my life - Friskie

Friskie – The first cat love of my life

Cats - an excerpt from the musical (Harpo age 15)

Cats – an excerpt from the musical – Harpo age 15 on the left