We finally took your recommendation and went to that little bookstore you mentioned. Honestly I was skeptical because the place looked so unassuming from the street but the selection inside was incredible. I ended up finding a first edition of that novel we talked about last summer and I couldn't believe the price. The owner was this older gentleman who clearly loves what he does and he spent twenty minutes just chatting with us about obscure authors from the 1970s. I think I'm going to go back this weekend to see if they have anything else hidden away. You really have a gift for finding these hidden gems. The whole experience felt like stepping into a different era you know? No rush no pressure just good books and good conversation. I already texted you a photo of the cover but I'll send you my full list of what I picked up once I finish unpacking them. Thanks again for the tip.

I finally got around to trying that fermentation project you were telling me about. I started with a simple batch of hot sauce since you said it was the most forgiving for beginners. The first week I was convinced I'd ruined it because there was this weird smell but I looked it up and apparently that's totally normal. By day ten it started to smell incredible actually. I blended it up with a little vinegar and garlic and honestly it's one of the best hot sauces I've ever had. I already started a second batch with habaneros this time. You were right about it being addictive as a hobby. It's like science you can eat. I'm going to try making kimchi next if you have any tips. The whole process is way less intimidating than I thought it would be and the payoff is so satisfying.