jholiday returns

I know all you loyal readers have been on the edge of your seats since my last post, checking the page day and night for the Chico updates and gossip that I promised. I'm up late tonight after too much tea, and I can't but reminiscence of my week in my hometown, so it seems perfect to write an update and mark my return to San Luis.
I spent my days wondering around downtown Chico, which is much like dt San Luis. This was partly because I like to window shop and partly because I couldn't think of anything else to do. As a tenacious book lover, the used book store in Chico is one of my most anticipated stops. While there, I scored a really nice copy of "The Return of the Native" for my antique hardbound collection, "The Myth of Sisyphus", and "The Sign of the Four", (which is one of the few Sherlock Holmes stories I have not yet read). I also promise a review of "The Myth of Sisyphus" when I finally finish it (not an easy read, that one)
When I settled onto a patio table outside of a coffee shop next door, I had the pleasure of attracting many of the downtown Chico "personalities", until my little table was fully encircled by these perpetual coffee shop philosophers. We talked mainly of books, first my books, then great novels, our jobs, the heat, love lives, people we know. So immersed was I in our little circle that I didn't realize I was due to meet Breanna for dinner until I was very late. I fell all the more in love with my hometown now that I have a friend and good conversation waiting in many a coffee shop.
The weekdays were sprinkled with fun lunches and dinners with my memaw, and a multi day shopping extravaganza with Breanna. The warm Chico nights filled with old friends and long stories over countless pints. And lets just say my imaginary romance with Vlad wasn't all that imaginary after Friday night! When my memaw and step pepaw left for the weekend, I got to add late nights of great music and wine (Paso wine. Holla!) while sitting on their porch, watching the sunk sink past the city lights.
I love it when you get a vacation exactly right, and the joy of being in a new place doesn't fade until the long trek back, whence comes a slow burning yearn for home and the familiar, speeding your journey and closing the last chapter on a fond memory.