accessories. I am known for them. I like to accessorize. due to the fact that I always do, I am also always at a risk of losing and earring, a hat, a scarf, some gloves I knitted perhaps. most often, what remains are single earrings, missing their counter part. I hold on to those earrings for some reason, I put them back in my jewelry box and they resurface occasionally while I search for a set to wear. when they do, I remember when I wore them, and most importantly I remember when and where I lost them.

one purple earring was lost on the descent from Middle Sister when skiing from it’s summit with Dan. one of my favorites; a silver dangler was lost in a cliffed-out scare in whitefish, my first week back in Montana in years. another, an orange enameled piece was lost twice, the last time in Stanley, Idaho along a path to a hot springs when I was getting ready to raft the middle fork of the salmon river. there’s a silver hoop in my jewelry box, a set I purchased from pdx airport on my way to LA for a conference with my graduating class. khakis, button up white shirt, high heels and an expensive purse with a few freshly printed business cards in it, ready to sell myself. then there’s the hat that Kenny replaced, I lost the original on Howard’s plunge on the Payette river while spending 4th of July with Brittnea and James.

memories tied to them all. I feel the same way about scarves, skirts, shoes and other things, but the jewelry for some reason has stronger ties to them. I remember the times when I wore them and often the times when I lost them. much like the ring my mom got me when I graduated. I still remember us sitting in our favorite restaurant in Mona, Italy when my little sister gave me the little package. I lost this ring in the boiling river with Andrea when she came down or opening weekend at Big Sky.

as many fond memories that I have with all my accessories, I also have long ago accepted the fact that each of these items simply travel through my life and move on. when this happens, I take it in stride. because having the memory of once possessing this item and remembering my life when I wore them, is delightful in itself, almost like actually having the item still.

the loss of the ring was sad, yes, but I am delighted to think that I am leaving little gifts and trinkets in my wake. in far away places. an offering in a sense. or you could just call it littering, but I doubt my wooden purple earring will ever emerge from the summit glaciers of the middle sister.