Let's Talk with Cheryl Hollon

Every fall, on the first day of school, a writing assignment arrived with the predictability of leaves turning color. Our new teacher would introduce themselves, write their name across the blackboard, and then announce the predictable: “On a sheet of notebook paper, write an essay about what you did on your summer vacation.”

I secretly wished that tradition would disappear. My family never took vacations. There simply wasn’t room in the budget for beach trips, national monuments, or amusement parks. Instead, we packed up for the 200-mile journey to my grandparents’ little farm tucked into the rolling hills of eastern Kentucky.

As a child, I worried my essay wouldn’t measure up to stories of Disneyland, lakeside cabins, or sleepover camping adventures. Looking back through adult eyes, I realize my summers were filled with quiet treasures. There were long afternoons beneath shady trees, the comforting rhythms of farm life, homemade meals shared around the kitchen table, evenings spent lying on a homemade quilt staring at the Milky Way, and enough freedom to let my imagination roam.

I was the child who faithfully checked out the library’s maximum number of books every week. I would happily climb up my favorite tree and disappear into mysteries and adventures before returning in time for supper.

This summer has offered a different kind of experience. My siblings and I gathered for a long weekend in the charming mountain town of Highlands, North Carolina. We wandered quaint shops, shared laughter over leisurely meals, and then followed the winding mountain roads to the magnificent Biltmore Estate. Touring the grand mansion was a delight, and a leisurely wine tasting made for the perfect ending to the day.

Escaping Florida’s sizzling summer temperatures was certainly a treat, but there’s something comforting about returning home. After all, every good adventure deserves a cozy ending.

I’d love to hear your own back-to-school memories. Did you look forward to writing about your summer vacation, or did you dread that first essay assignment? Share your stories in the Booklover’s Bench comments.

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Want to learn more about our author Cheryl Hollon? Visit her WEBSITE.

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The Webb’s Glass Shop Mysteries are set in the city of St. Petersburg, FL. The characters spend considerable time creating magnificent glass art and also sampling the culinary delights of the downtown waterfront’s foodie landscape. Please buy books locally if you can. Independent bookstores need your patronage. If your budget is tight, support your local library – that counts, too! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CF91QF