Didn't quite believe it when I saw the headline on the front page today:

Pilgrims crowd S.F. store to bask in Clinton's glow

Remember what the word "pilgrim" actually means? What made them use that word instead of "fans" or something along those lines? The word "pilgrims" was repeated on the inside page headline. But the story pretty much bears out the use of the word as people fawned on Clinton in a small bookstore in San Francisco.

Upon first glimpse of Bill Clinton's smiling face inside San Francisco's Book Passage bookstore Monday, a cheerful roar erupted from those who came to pay homage, shake his hand and offer words of continuing love and support.

"Meeting you has been one of the most fortunate moments of my life," said Marie Weirick, an accountant from San Rafael, while Clinton, in white shirt and orange tie, scribbled his name in her book. "And tell Hillary I will be looking forward to seeing both of you back in the White House someday."

To that he gazed gently into her eyes and whispered, "Thank you so much for saying that," completing one of the longer exchanges allowed in the world of big-time book-signing extravaganzas.

...Debra Mattson of the Oakland hills gave Clinton a framed image of a quilted heart with the notation, "Love is a bridge that runs from heart to heart." She said it was an homage to the Clintons' embattled but enduring relationship.

"It used to be so good to have a president capable of answering questions using more than one syllable," said Mattson, a partner in a high-tech start-up. In his presence, she was almost crying and was so excited she forgot to shake his hand.

Walking away, she said: "Go John Kerry." Clinton responded: "All right!"

..."I just love Bill Clinton," beamed Anne Aull, a former history teacher from Larkspur who shivered when she said it -- like a 64-year-old star-struck teen. "He was a great president, smart, wonderful and was unfairly treated by the Republicans. He always made me proud and he gave us good standing in the world."