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FEBRUARY: 1-2-3-4-5-6-7

Now that the kids have grown and my role is re-defined I am celebrating. With a full back pack, guitar and newly released 15 song/16 page booklet CD, my Greyhound bus pass will take me around Ontario and even perhaps Montreal. This is a month long trip that will be a template for future trips.

A journey into Ontario, the place I was born and raised AND a journey into me; a middle aged woman realizing a world of possibilities, like being 18, but with the confidence of many years life experience....

Saturday morning, January 8, 2005 Somewhere in the heavens

Travelling at 585 mph and 40,508 feet above the Great Lakes, the Westjet flight is on time and I'm wondering if the next month of travelling and singing will be as smooth.

Leaving Calgary temperatures of a ridiculous minus 25, I have minus 1 temps to look forward to in Hamilton, Ontario.

Hamilton airport is clean and small. Easy to get around. And yet the ladies bathroom is still where it is most likely to run into someone you know.
At least female friends !

I saw a familiar profile at the bathroom sink and when she turned around, I automatically called "Pam?"
She turned with surprise and answered, "Phyllis?"
The Still Standing Festival brought us to Nanton, Alberta last summer. It was a festival to raise funds and boost awareness for the loss of the wooden grain elevators that once dotted the prairies and more specifically saving the Nanton elevators.
Pam is the owner of Mainstreet Cafe, in Nanton. We know how great her food is especially her butter tarts and "tunnel" carrot cake, because we performed at her cafe also.

Some would say "what a small world", but I think it is fitting to run into someone from Nanton. The positive energy of this little hamlet inspired my songs "Still Standing" as well as "Our Town" and always feels like 'home' when we visit.
I recommend visiting there on a summer aft.

My brother Ray Wheaton lives in Hamilton with his wife Julie and two young sons.
He is one of the most versatile singers with the widest vocal range of anyone I've ever met.
I've never sung my songs with my brother until now. It has been one of my goals to teach him my harmonies and bring him out to Calgary. (watch for that !) He's quite a character as well !

He hones his skills hosting Karaoke and recently signed up with Juno award winner Ray Lylle, to develop his presentation skills in a course Ray L. teaches. http://www.raylyell.com/

Ray W. picked me up and helped me with the guitar,bag and back pack but I know I won't be so lucky in the days ahead. (I do have some transferable skills - years of carrying in groceries - all I can carry in one load ! - as long as I don't accumulate too much 'stuff' along the way, I should be able to haul everything myself.)

Ray L. offered his training stage for us to rehearse for the gig tonight. What a great facility. It is a mock lounge-looking space with a small stage and audience area.
This is where his students train and it served our purpose well.

The gig tonite is at STATS, a small bar with the room focus - a pool table. Hamilton is steel town and I'll tell you more about the "hammer" and what that means in a few weeks when I'm there again.

(I don't know where I put my eye glasses - they are prescription and it could be a real expensive problem trying to get a new pair - OH they'll turn up. I hope.)

Performing is always special with a great audience. My brother has developed quite a loyal following and apparently he had been busy promoting my music, too. The crowd at STATS were fantastic ! Friendly, interactive and listeners ! They really got the music !
"Fairbank Lake" as well as "No Ordinary Cowboy" were favorites. And though post-Christmas, "The Christmas Message" was requested. The listeners were "generous" with their kind comments all night !
After my two hour show we Karaokeed (is that a word?) until 2 am. It was so much fun, singing and dancing !

By the time we get home I've been up for 24 hours straight. Just like I was 18 again.
Oh I hope I survive this...

Click here to see photos

Sunday, January 9, 2005 Plus temperatures, melting weather

We're on our way to Sunnyside restaurant - one of those checker table-cloth , charming all-day breakfast places, where you visit a few times for the good food then return again and again claiming it as "yours". After the unbeatable home-fries and eggs and chatting with Margaret the waitress, who happened to say she like country music, I brought in the my orange guitar. BTW I've nicknamed it the "Spaniard" after my journeys in Spain (but that's another story) The owner joined her and No Ordinary Cowboy must have pleased their ears because we could hear the promo CD I gave them play in its entirety from the kitchen soon afterward. It was surreal.

In his mid fourties, Ray is also spreading his wings - well at least thinking about spreading his wings. He told me one of his friends gave him a newspaper ad with auditions for Barry Gibb singing roles and other singers for a Bee Gees show being produced here in Hamilton. He is the only one I know who can hit those notes 'cause he wants to, not because of some blow to the body, if you know what I mean !

Maybe one day he will have the courage to try out for some of these parts. We planned more gigs for the first week in February, when I return to Hamilton. (I'll get him onstage as much as I can)

We left Sunnyside and Margarets unforgettable smile to visit a few sites like Hess Village where all the musicians play at one time or another - a series of venues along the same street. (don't know where I put those glasses. Airport said nothing in the lost and found - oh well)

I decided to travel to Sudbury tonight on the 10:30 bus. It means a 2 hour stopover in Toronto, but I'd be "home" to see Mom by 6 am. I think travelling at night while I sleep, would save a whole day.

The one hour trip to T.O. in the empty greyhound is quick and it is always awesome seeing the CN Tower atop the nightscape. I love big cities at night. And tonight it is open coat weather, mild, good for walking. I saw a Kinkos with internet hookup within two blocks of the bus station .

Up until now, someone has helped me with my back pack, and guitar, box of CDs, oh and the bag of 'stuff' I wasn't supposed to accumulate (all in one day !!)

I could not carry it so dragging was the alternative. The doors to the depot were at least a block away. Kick, drag, pull and push got no sympathy from passers by. This ain't small town Canada anymore, Phyllis. ( I did have a young woman stop and ask me for money!)

The best Twoonie I have spent in ages was a bus locker. The Spaniard was too big so I had to carry it but the rest fit perfect. Now, where do I put the key so I don't lose it along with my glasses ! My breast coat pocket has a little zipper - good place for hiding things... (Unzip) . my glasses ! What a relief - yep what a good hiding place !!

I don't know if I ever really have to use the bathroom or if, like a child, I just have to visit them to see what each one is like. But I make my way to the bus depot ladies bathroom and I'm listening to women come and go. Two catch my ear. I'm surprised to hear their accent is Austrailian. Nelissa and Sharon are on a two week tour of Eastern Canada, US and soon off to London, England. Quite the trip. I give them a CD of my Canadiana and they seem very pleased .

I walk to Kinkos down the street to check my email and I'm back for 1 am when my bus leaves for Sudbury. No adventures tonite, just looking forward to a good nites sleep on the bus.

I love Toronto, especially downtown. I'll take time to visit Marche and more next week when I return !

Click here to see photos

1 AM, January 10, 2005

This Greyhound, headed north, was almost full. He boarded last, just as I thought I'd have a double seat to myself, and settled in beside me. A handsome rugged 30ish, and a sociable talker, he was on his way to Calgary to work on the oil rigs. His first sentence began "I hate sleeping on buses"

He continued with, "I've gotta give up partying and lusting". My dilemma... do I sleep or do I listen .
Yep, I was not going to sleep any time soon!

After two hours, it was obvious his ego gear was stuck in 'me, myself and I". Little does the poor boy know that handsome doesn't have the same staying power as intelligence, wit or genuine interest in the rest of the human race. It will be a rude lesson.

With 30 minutes of actual sleep, we rolled into a still sleeping Sudbury.

I was caught off guard and had to orient myself to the new bus depot location. For a minute I thought I was Jimmy Stewart in "It's a Wonderful Life" . As if everything had changed because I made life choices and moved away. Nah, they moved because of profit margins !

The taxi driver helped me with the bags this time and dropped me off at Sudbury transit to catch the Copper Cliff bus to the Lively bus .

They were just opening their doors when I hobbled in with all my bags ready for another 45 minute wait until departure. Among other early morning risers, the bus driver picked up his coffee and eyed the guitar. There was mischief written in his expression. A John Prine tune and a couple other ditties revealed that Bob played well and had a gift of wit. (Sean gave me info on folk venues in Sudbury too!) Music opens doors and connects people. I see it all the time.

Bob helped me with my bags and kept me so mesmorized with his stories, I forgot how tired I was. We drove through Copper Cliff where I went to high school decades ago, (um, ah I mean just a few years ago ), and creeped right up to the INCO smelter at the base of the impressive Super Stack, to drop off morning shift workers. We met the Lively bus and once again Bob helped me with my bags explaining to the beautiful bus driver, Laura, to take good care of me . And she did, right to Mom's front door. I'm leaving my bags in the living room. I've gotta sleep.

The point of this trip is to meet people, see places, connect again with family and friends and introduce them to my songs of Canadiana and more. Hopefully write a few songs while I'm here, too. I didn't have anything to say at twenty, but I think I do now.

Click here to see photos

January 11, Tuesday morning Cold -15

My sister Linda is an RN at the Memorial Hospital.
Today on her day off, she'll take me where I need to go. We talked about her joining me on my travels. If I got hurt or ill or hit by a truck, she could take care of me and get me back up on my feet. If she got hurt or ill or hit by a truck I could write her a song. . I'm travelling alone.

We lined up some radio interviews - hopefully will pan out.

Supper at Linda's
Years of being the cook and housewife, makes me appreciate homemade meals. I inhaled it and had seconds. After we eat its fun to sing a few songs and listen to my nephew play acoustic. He's very good and I'm prodding him to show me a few plucking techniques.
He took 'sound' in college and he'll be my sound guy on Friday and Saturday.

Tomorrow, Linda is loaning me Tim, her husband, as a chauffeur. He's threatening to wear his cowboy boots and hat and oil slickers.

Click here to see photos

Wednesday, January 12, 2005 Blizzard weather

Does Tim dress up . Oh Yeah ! He does. (See pics - up in a few days or so)

It is snowing, thick - we are driving in a blizzard, but he's chuckling saying, "this is summer in Sudbury".
The weather is changing every day. From mild to blizzard. The predictions don't look pretty either !

We've lined up a Friday night show at Mr. J's in Lively .
A House Concert at Cathy's on Saturday and then over to The Club in Minnow Lake on Saturday at 10 pm.

Tim is a great tour guide and we watched the slag dump the orange molten over the side of the slag piles. Slag is black and dead looking. When I was growing up, the scenery around Sudbury was barren; slag hill beside another slag hill. Over the years they have invented fertilizers that have made it possible to grow the cereal rye, on the abandoned slag piles. "Rye on the Rocks" was the experiment used as the prototype to problem solve all kinds of growing problems in other parts of the country as well.

We took a short cut past Clarabelle Mill. This is the facility where INCO's ore is railed then crushed. It is mixed with a solution and piped to the smelter in Copper Cliff at the base of the Super Stack (remember ?)

What would you do if someone you hadn't seen in decades, showed up at work and popped their head around the door?
Well, Terry was on the phone at the Credit Union when I popped my head around the door. It was great to see her, but I think from now on, I should call first. At our age it is hard to say how 'shocking' it could be. We had a nice visit and will see each other Friday night at the show. She gave me names of some of the girls I'll try and contact, too.

I asked Tim to drop me off at Ushie's house. She's the mom of my best friend in high school. Haven't seen her in a decade. What a wonderful surprise. The smells and sounds of her little house brought a wave of memories back. All the fun Monika and we had. All the growing up.

It is a familiar experience to have old smells and sights evoke memories. But what is refreshing is to walk into places I've never been with new faces and smells.
New ways of doing things, new ideas. That is an awakening. A reminder I am still alive and that there are still so many things to explore.

At midnight, I'm trying to sleep. The rain is pouring. I'm hearing booming thunder and watching the lightning show outside my bedroom window. This is unbelievable for January in Sudbury !!

Click here to see photos

Thursday, January 13, 2005 Temperature plus 7, rain all day

Expecting minus 18 temps and what they are calling a "flash freeze" tonight.
This could turn everything into an ice village. Lets just go with the flow and see what happens.

The Northern Life newspaper is published 3 times a week. I dropped off a bio, cd and photo a few days ago. The journalist called and said they planned on including something in Friday's paper. We'll have to watch for that.

I called to rent audio equipment for Mr. J's and The Club. The guys name is Dan and he will meet me at Mr. J's tomorrow night at 6:00pm with the equipment. Speakers, monitor, stands and mixer. Everything is starting to come together.
I'm calling Anna, Wendy, Evelyn and a few others.
Hoping Anna's home and we can get together. It's been umm umm decades !

Roland, from the 8th Ave Songwriters Club in Calgary, was kind enough to put new strings on my guitar for me. I bought the wrong strings - they sound really tinny. I thought I'd pick up Elixirs, the coated strings and try to put them on myself. This is part of the learning curve as I perform alone right? Well, I broke the first string and the second string wasn't going on quite right so I called a music store..yep, that learning curve can wait !

Tim is my chauffeur again today.
He dropped me off at Anna's house.
He takes the guitar to the music store for me and drops it off.
What a great guy !
Most schools are closed because of the conditions or actually because of expected conditions - mass freezing - which doesn't happen during the day anyway.
But here we are out in this weather.

Anna hasn't changed a bit. She's still so beautiful. She doesn't walk, she floats, glides.
We have similar training backgrounds as well.
I used her husband's guitar and played a few of my songs.
She seems surprised the songs are so good and tells me so. Spending almost two hours chatting, goes by quickly and Tim picks me up at 2:30pm.
Anna is going to try and get to Mr. J's tomorrow night. That would be so cool!

When I get home from Anna's I get a call from Terry's brother, Roy.
What news!! Roy Denomme is one of the organizers of the Copper Cliff Acoustic Concert series they developed to bring revenue into the Copper Cliff Legion, which was is great need of the financial injection. He has been to our web site www.calgarysongwriter.com and is interested in coming out to Mr. J's tomorrow night to hear my work. Perhaps I can even interest them in booking me for one of their Thursday nights ! My brother Ray called tonight all excited.
He actually went down and auditioned for the Barry Gibb / Bee Gee voice in the Bee Gee musical. He said even if he doesn't get the part he is proud of himself for doing it! They said they'd call next week. So I'll look forward to that !

Since I arrived at Mom's (Agnes') there has been the 1000 piece puzzle on the living room table. We have put in a few hours a day trying to piece it together.
- usually that happens between 10 pm and 2 am.
And midnight is about the time my back molar starts to act up . (Just before I left Calgary my dentist told me after replacing an old filling, that if it acted up it should be pulled.)
I wonder what will get done first; the puzzle or the extraction.

The guys from Calgary are asking for pictures for this journal.
I would love to oblige and I will, once I find the camera. Don't know where I left it, but it has to be in Sudbury somewhere. It'll turn up. (Retrace your steps Phyllis!)

The roads are pretty wet. Wasting energy on worry is fruitless.
Tomorrow will be very interesting !

Click here to see photos

Friday, January 14, 2005

Spending today getting ready for tonight. Kept checking to see if the Northern Life had arrived. Next time, I will try and get an earlier article although it may not make a difference in attendance because of the road conditions anyway. I tried out the guitar and the Elixirs make all the difference !

I'm ready to go. The Nothern Life arrives about 5 pm and I flip through it. To my surprise there is a huge article with lyrics to Fairbank Lake! It is more than I expected. What a treat.

I borrowed mom's car and headed over to Mr. J's. Dan the audio man is there and has everything set up already. His equipment is large enough for a room of 500 people and I think its overkill especially tomorrow night for the small bar. Not to mention I cannot haul this around with two roadies and a couple of serious brother-in-laws! He says he will set up and take down and shows me the only two buttons I need to push, tonight and tomorrow night. Obviously the technical learning curve is NOT becoming to me to hop on.

People start to arrive. Sudburians tolerate the weather and show up. A table of about 8 high school friends are a delight. Another surreal experience.

If I had my camera I would take a picture !

I ask Roy Denomme to come up and say a few words about the Copper Cliff Acoustic Concert Series and I'm sure he makes himself a few more fans for their Thursday nights. They produced a CD of Greatest Hits; Sudbury entertainers who performed at their venue. He said I'll be on the 2005 - maybe with Fairbank Lake !

Enough people in the crowd know my Fairbank song and we try it as a sing a long. Cool!

It's not that late when I get home and Mom and the puzzle are waiting. Oooh there's that tooth again. The race is on .

I'm looking forward to the house concert at Cathy's in Minnow Lake and then off to The Club not far from her house! And all the equipment will be set up - I hope I remember which buttons to push !

Click here to see photos

Saturday, January 15, 2005 Cooling off -25

I just met with with Roy Denomme and his wife and kids. What a family. His teenagers love music of all kinds and will certainly reap the blessings of 'hanging' out with all the musicians their Dad and Mom support !
I interviewed Roy for our web page in Calgary. Roy and Terry Lister are responsible for setting up the Copper Cliff Acoustic Concert Series. In doing so, they have given the Copper Cliff Legion a breath of fresh income. Roy mentioned he would love to see musicians and Legions work together to offer a cross country tour of steady music across Canada. I think Terry and Roy are two men who could organize this for sure !
Too bad their concert series doesn't start until February. I would have loved to play there.

I'm interviewing Roy, because it is a good idea to include resources like enthusiastic venues that host original music across Canada.

Roy asked about the sound equipment - it WAS impressive - and how much it cost me. I will break even after renting, but the vocals are vital, especially when people haven't heard my work before, so renting is a judgement call, I explain.
After a hot cup of coffee, I ask them to please keep in touch. Their concert series is only in its second year and I really would like to take part in the future.

I met with Dan (the sound guy) at Tim Horton's - the HUB of Lively. I was pleased with the sound but even more pleased with the two button push system !
Again, all I do is show up at The Club, Dan will take care of setting up and backing.

I'm trying to retrace my steps to find the camera and stop off at Linda's . It is not there either. I won't worry. It will turn up.

When I got back to Mom's, the phone rang. It was Roy Denomme. He said, "If you stay until Tuesday, we will set up a concert for you. We will do a mass phone out to our regulars and see who we can bring out. I can't promise a big crowd, but we can help you pay for your equipment!"
I was stunned. They supply the sound guy and equipment, audience munchies and passed the hat as well as hopefully sell CDs. I have to stay ! What a great bunch !

I'm almost ready for tonights House Concert.
Cathy is a fighter for justice and women's rights in male dominated jobs. She is a fighter, but growing up I remember her sense of humour the most. Merv and Cathy are retired and are enjoying helping others and trying new things.
I'm glad I'm a new thing - it has a nice ring to it!

I have to try and remember to announce the date of the Copper Cliff performance as well.
There may be a chance the camera rolled out of my black bag - maybe in Linda's truck.
I'll check there when she comes to pick me up.

Yes, the camera is there! I hold it up like a trophy. Aggie can stop combing the house looking for it!

Cathy and Merv had prepared trays of food and wine. It was lovely. Their friends were warm and friendly. Another treat! I sang about an hour, then we all proceeded down to The Club where the equipment was a dominant force and made me look so professional.
(I won't break the illusion by exposing the two button system)

These guys learn fast and take part in a few interactive songs! It's a freezer outside, but its warm and cozy inside The Club.

On our way home, I mentioned to Linda that my tooth will probably have to be pulled.
It's acting up. She says coincidentally, "You could probably take Tim's dentist appointment Monday". So the tooth will go before the puzzle gets finished. I was hoping to keep the molar a little longer but, oh well.

Mom is working away on the mailman's pants. I slide into my chair and try to find the rest of the picket fence. 312 pieces to go.

Click here to see photos

Sunday, January 16, 2005 Minus 30, with windchills - coldest place on earth

Today I can sleep in. No one to contact today, everything is closed.

Let me tell you about Agnes.
When I met with Ushie last week, she reminded me of a story about Mom. I spent a lot of time with Ushie's daughter at their house and on one occasion they drove me home about 20 miles west of Copper Cliff.
She hesitated joining her husband and daughter in driving me home, but Werner said "just throw on a scarf" and she did. Mom invited them in for tea and while sitting and chatting, Werner turns to Ushie and according to Ushie he says 'you're ugly' (probably because her curlers in a scarf made her head misshaped) She was horrified and remembers that Agnes stepped in and said "No one looks good in curlers"
She put Ushie under the hair dryer and combed out her hair for her. Ushie said Mom saved the day. I felt for poor Werner, though,'cause Ushie went on to explain the tongue lashing he got on their way home !
It was a good story about Mom. I didn't remember that one at all, but it was pretty typical of Mom.

Mom has this crooning kind of voice. If she hears three words, she breaks out in song.,
I had said, "It sure is cold out" and she breaks out in song with "Baby its Cold Outside".
One of the toddlers said, "I Love you Gammie" and she broke into, "I'll be Loving You Always" . She does it all the time and I've tried to learn all the old standard songs she keeps popping up with, but there is always a new one she pulls out to surprise me.
And dance. No one could jive like Agnes.

I'm sitting here still working on the pickets fences and thinking about this past week.
I'm learning tons. Trying to build this puzzle has reminded me of what I've learned and what I still need to learn. Like these puzzle pieces; If a piece doesn't fit one way try it another way.
Or
A piece that looks like it should be a perfect fit, doesn't fit no matter how much I try to make it fit, but another piece that I thought for sure would NEVER fit, to my surprise is the fit.

Probably most profound about this 1000 piece puzzle, is that I have to trust the bigger picture. It's there even if it is not clear right now. At least the puzzle gives you a box with a picture. Life doesn't!

Lastly, I'm reminded by this puzzle that everything makes more sense after a good nights sleep. It'll all be there when I wake up.

I'm not looking forward to taking Tim's dentist appointment tomorrow.

Click here to see photos

Monday, January 17, 2005

I guess the tooth will go before the puzzle is finished. Mom and I gave it a valiant effort last night.
Tim picked me up for the appointment and I make sure they know I'm Linda's sister and have the same fear, love/hate relationship with dentists. (she is well known in dental circles !)
After the x-ray, Mr. Dentist tells me he's off to Florida in 3 days and I have some options.
That must mean he can't pull it today. (But I'm leaving tomorrow night after the concert anyway.) So another option is Amoxicillan. Keep the inflammation down and deal with it in another city or home whatever the need. I'll take it !!

I come out smiling and the puzzle is back in the race.

At Mom's, I get a call from the Sudbury Herald, the big daily newspaper in this city of about 100,000. They will be doing an article for Thursday's paper and they will mention where my CDs are available - online as well as 'Records On Wheels' in Sudbury. So even though I won't be here, it's good for my portfolio. Cool.

So tomorrow it's the Copper Cliff Acoustic Concert Series, then hop on the bus at midnight and head back down to Southern Ontario.

Click here to see photos

Tuesday, January 18, 2005

I grew up thinking water was clean and pure, but
I grew up thinking air had a taste. That's Sudbury.
Great water, stinky air. (In the heat of the summer especially, the polluted air from the smelter would sit even closer to the ground and our noses.)

On the prairies, the water can be an orange color and taste like salty minerals, but the air
is clean and pure. That's the Prairies.

In many parts of Sudbury and area, you drive through 'rock cuts' - it's like driving through the centre of the Earth; paths literally blown through solid rock hills to build a road. It is harsh and uniquely beautiful. I've always loved the abundance of birch trees here too, which are not as plentiful on the prairies.

This morning I have lots to do. First the morning ritual of vitamins along with the additon of Amoxicillan and Ibuprofin for my tooth. I pour out what ends up being a small handful of pills; salmon oil capsules, multiple vitamin, one ibuprofen and one amoxicillin. I throw them back with a little water and sit down at the kitchen table. Ten seconds later I am surprised by a puff of smoke coming out of my mouth! Horrified and thinking where there is smoke there's fire, I grabbed a glass of water. I guess that combination is a cooker! (Won't try that again.)

I spend Tuesday morning calling for bus stations lining up buses for the next few days. After the Copper Cliff concert, it's a bus to Toronto to make connections to Belleville, my next stop. But apparently a lot of bus routes have been dropped and the only bus to Belleville is at 7 pm. So once the bus gets into Toronto at 6 am I will have about a 12 hour wait. I'll have to carry around the guitar all day, too.

But I really want to stop in Belleville. There are friends there I haven't seen in 25 years !
It'll be grrrreat!

Tim is driving me to Records on Wheels on Elm St. in Sudbury, to drop off some CDs. CBC's Dan Lesard, one of the on-air guys, agreed to play some of my songs, so we'll drop off a copy with him as well. He mentioned interviewing John Wort Hannam from Alberta just a few months ago, on John's tour through here. He said he enjoyed his CD and his voice.

If you have an opportunity to take in one of John Wort Hannams concerts in Calgary, jump at the chance. You won't find a smoother voice than John's & often Tom Hamilton plays fiddle with John - the combination is sooo worth it!

I'm getting ready for tonight at the Copper Cliff Acoustic Concert Series, and packing because I'll leave on the midnight bus after the show. I am understanding how the straps on this back pack work - finally - but extra stuff has to go. I have to travel lighter.

I give Mom a big kiss and hug goodbye and look over at the almost finished puzzle. (see photos) We came so close to finishing it!

The Copper Cliff Legion is a great venue. It is a music oasis for musicians travelling across Canada. The people are a listening and appreciative audience. Stan Rogers and John Prine people - true folkies - they love lyrics and stories! Terry Lister provided the sound and what a sound ! The show is two - 45 minute sets, with a break in between. Part of my learning is to discipline myself to take a break. Roy explains that I should take a break before the audience starts twitching so they can go outside for a smoke. (these are smoke free venues, another plus for singers)

These folk lovers "get" the music ! They were also generous in buying my CDs and their pass the hat donation. A last minute audience who came out on a bitterly cold and blustery night - I am so impressed ! I will be telling everyone out west about their commitment to music and their great venue! I know the CCAC Series will be a huge success in the years ahead.

Linda is driving me to the bus. It's so cold and blowing.
The bus is only half full and I get a double seat and sleep.

Click here to see photos

Wednesday, January 19, 2005 Thick snowflakes cloudy -12

Walking in the snowfall in downtown Toronto is beautiful.

The locker is another well spent twoonie, but I have to carry around the guitar all day.

I spend the day walking, visiting the research library and downloading pics for the journal as well as getting caught up with my email correspondence.

WARNING - Always close all screens and log out when using an Internet Lounge!

I just received a call on my cell phone asking me what kind of emails I was sending out. I must have minimized my hotmail screen and not closed everything. Someone (who couldn't spell) maliciously emailed everyone on my email list a a creepy letter. It was signed "a friend" but came from my email address, so what are people going to think !! This will teach me to double check before I leave an internet lounge!

I get back to the bus depot and they tell me there is a 5:15 bus no one told me about when I called. Jackie and Paul pick me up by 9:30.

They haven't changed a bit. It is great to see them. I know we are going to be up real late visiting!

Click here to see photos

Thursday, January 20, 2005 Minus 18, cold (feels like -25)

I knew Jackie and Paul in my teen years.
They married and had two kids. Jackie kept wondering where my interest in music came from and I was in awe of what a talented home decorator she turned out to be.

When I decided to take this month of touring Ontario, I really thought I would end up in a few hostels or at least on peoples floors. But the way its turning out I, could not have found nicer accomodations at the Holiday Inn. And the people in my path are way more friendly ! And it keeps getting better and better. My room is a nautical theme. I signed the guest book Popeye!
(Jackie's place would be such a perfect bed and breakfast)

Not only was their house lovely, but it was unquestionably a loving home where a steam of family and freinds visit and hang out. Just like her Mom and Dad's house in Parry Sound so long ago. We crash-coursed on two decades of catching up and Kristy, her daughter-in-law to be, joined us. We did the girl thing, massaged feet and hands, so nice - they even chose a purple nail polish for me!

Sammy is the house dog and before I left he performed for me. All the cupboards were opened and Sammy went from drawer to drawer closing them. Twirled and danced, smiled and had a cheese treat!

Jackie and Paul drove me to Kingston, an hour from Belleville and I set up in Chapters for the two hour performance. My sister Wendy and her husband, Tom, met us there. They are in the military in Kingston.

It's good singing. It has been a few days and feels good to exercise my voice.

Click here to see photos

Friday, January 21, 2005 Bitterly cold, -22 feels like -35

In the morning, we set out with the camera to take a few pictures.
It is bitterly cold, and I mean bitterly!!
The humidity makes the temps that much colder!
It is not detracting from the beauty of this historic town though.
The bluffs dotting Kingston's share of Lake Ontario, were perfect locations for the French and British forts built here.

Martello towers, with walls as thick as 12 feet, protected entry to the harbours. Little remains of Fort Frontenac built in 1689, but at Fort Henry, you can relive history in the summer as actors dress up and role play the historical characters of that era.

On Kingston's main street, is their grand eye-popping city hall.
Kingston was targeted for the Capitol of Upper and Lower Canada at one time.
Their location was declared too vulnerable, too close to the U.S., so the capitol was moved to Ottawa.
But, the parliament building had already been started, so the city of Kingston was lucky enought to acquire this mammoth. What a beauty!

Kingston's history goes way back and Tom explains that at the bottom of Lake Ontario lays more history. During peace negotiations, it was not uncommon that a number of scuttled ships were deliberately sunk as a gesture of good faith by both sides at reducing weapons and fleets. A playground for scubadivers!

Kingston is home to the Royal Military College (where Tom works)
Canada's famous Queens University is here, as well as a Canadian Armed Forces Base, where Wendy works (she was in Bosnia for 6 months last year).

Unique to Kingston, is the number of penetentiaries. Kingston Pen, Collins Bay and Joyceville are literally part of the city. And I'm told there are another 7-9 more.

Ontario is loyal Tim Hortons country. Sudbury had one on every corner and so does Kingston. They boast 15 Timmys here.

I'm getting ready for tonight back at Chapters and thinking about how the music will fill the enormous building tonight. Rob, with a sound company, will come out and set up equipment - it's easier on my voice, too.

Had several people come up to me during the performance saying they thought I was a CD but I kept getting louder as they walked toward me. They were surprised. A little girl and her family sat nearby and she danced to every song. Nice people.
I asked one of the Chapters staff to pick the final song. (get this ...) She picked The Stones of Signal Hill.
I said, "Wow, you actually remembered the title" and she said,
"Well, I just moved to Kingston in December.
Before that, I was at Signal Hill Indigo in Calgary and we have your Stones of Signal Hill CD in our store there.
(I just laughed, that's so cool)

After Chapters tonight, Wendy has promised despite the cold, that we can go to The Prince George to look for ghosts !! I can hardly wait.

Tir Nan Og is an Irish pub in the Prince George Hotel. The Speckled Hen and Montes, also are housed in the 1809 Hotel.
Bartenders Pete and John fill me in on the details. The most famous ghost is Lily.
As a teen, she would light a candle for her lover as a sign he could come to her.
One night the candle caught fire and in one of four historical Prince George fires, Lily was killed.
It is believed that another fire claimed the life of two rum runners in the basement cellar of the hotel.
Sensitive people and pch(how do you spell psychics) often pick up the arguments of these two men.
John and Pete are animated in their story telling of objects not just falling, but being tossed across the room. And the time the bar taps, for pulling pints, were totally turned around - the beer logos facing the other way. This could only be done with a special tool. Or by a ghost!

The story telling is exciting, but Im so hungry after the two hours at Chapters. Their home-fries sit content in my tummy with the paralyzer - nice bartending boys!

Click here to see photos

Saturday, January 22, 2005 No warmer - if anything even colder!!
(don't tell me your temps Calgary - I don't want to know)

7 am and Wendy and I are in the bus headed for Ottawa. I didn't set up any play gigs but my nephew Stu and Emily live there and that is my connection city for the VIA train to Montreal.

I do want to make some calls for contacts and next time I will be better prepared.

Wendy rented a car and we're driving all over Ottawa looking at the sites.
I sure hope it is not too cold to pull out the Spaniard in front of our Capitols Parliament Buildings and get a picture.

Yep, waaaaay too cold!! Keep driving!
Hope these pictures take through the car window!
It's Emily's birthday this weekend, so we meet her family at their apt and have supper.
Later we play charades and sing. What a good time!
Six of us in a little cozy apartment meant for two. Its like a pj party!
But were all tired.

Click here to see photos

Sunday, January 23, 2005 Minus 20, yep feels like minus 30 !!

Cathy is Emily's Mom and Maria is Emily's sister. They are heading out to Toronto then London. Cathy just asked Stu to check her car. It's not a day to be stranded on the side of the road.

Cathy gave me two recipes for dips we had last night and I've got to send these out to everyone. They were delicious! Click here for the recipes.

Wendy drove Stu, Emily and me around. IKEA first, then we try to find an internet place. No luck with the internet place but IKEA is always fun.

Wendy left for Kingston at 4 and took Stu and Maria to meet with some of their friends.

Staying back is a good idea. It will give me a chance to repack for Montreal.
I cannot take all this with me. Time to Downsize!

8 pm, time to eat. Emily gave me a map to an Irish pub called Racies.
Its only about 5 blocks. It's so cold. Have I used the word bitter yet!!
Walked too far. Walked back. I'm froze.
8:30 hmmm took me a little longer than I wanted.

Sign on door - we close tonight at 9 pm I have half an hour This place is awesome.
Hanging baskets aflame! over a wooden bar Wooden booths like the middle ages and the biggest big screen TV I've ever seen.
There is a row of men eating and cheering watching football in front of the screen.
They look like little boys at home in their living room with TV trays in front of them.
It's kinda funny and kinda pitiful.

I make a few phone calls to see if anyone is home. Sometimes it's lonely travelling alone. Not too many are in.

It will be good to sleep tonight. Tomorrow Montreal.

Click here to see photos

Monday, January 24, 2005 Warming up, only -18 feels like -27!!

Too cold to walk to the bus, I call a taxi.
Once I get to the VIA station, I am told I am at the wrong VIA station and that if I hop the Orleans bus, I still have time to catch the 9 fifteen train.

Explaining my dilemma to the bus driver he thinks I was told the wrong info and I'm caught in the middle wondering the same thing.
It probably has something to do with the bus pass I'm using, but I do board at the second station.

I'm on VIA headed for Montreal.
It is comfortable and there is a woman seated next to me.
Get this - she works for the Canada Council for the Arts - in the grants area.
I have to chuckle - I opted not to send in a grant application because the deadline was shortly after I get back from this trip. Maybe this is an omen.

Downsizing my luggage was a great idea. My guitar and a small bag.
But I have to go back to Ottawa on my way home to pick up all the rest of the stuff.

Genevieve lives upstairs in our building in Calgary.
She has given me her sister's name and address, Helen.
Helen has a spare apartment - it is actually their other sister's who is out of town, and has offered it to me for my 3-4 day stay here.

The Montreal subway is beautiful. So detailed and clean. LIke a city under a city.

Helen picked me up from the subway and showed me the furnished apartment where I will stay. The older style houses are row on row, people living very close together with circular stairs to the upper levels. Helen explains she likes the sense of community. What an opportunity to have this amazing place to stay.

Helen and her partner Loussie, operate a day care and I'm going to sing for the children tomorrow. Now I am so far behind on the journal, I must find a place to upload some pics and send out with the journal.

About 8 blocks from Helen's, I find an internet place.
I'm sitting here after 3 hours of typing and sending pics to Doug Faires and wondering why it is so cold in here.
An Algerian just came over and offered me some Algerian baking. mmmm good!
I'm done for today - time to find a hot cup of cafe to go with the cookies in my tummy.

Standing on the corner of Rue Gaspe and Ru Jean-Talon, the signs indicate a very ethnic end of Montreal. All kinds of people, languages.
But I'm freezing and I have to find a place for a hot drink.
Oh, that's funny, It's not - it IS - A Tim Hortons !

As awesome as it is to be in Montreal, it feels like I've just seen a familiar face! Sitting here sipping on a double double, the french accents all around, I feel a little homesick. I catch an English voice and want to go over and sit with a couple. I'm so pathetic. It's only been a few hours. On my way home, I stop at a Panneman or corner store - there is literally one on every corner.
It's important to buy just what I need and what I can carry. With those parameters, what would you buy for a 4 day stay.

The reality of the travelling musician is to travel light and allow the music to pay for itself.
When I have had to rent equipment, I break even or go backward. I have to trust the unknown, buy only basics and hope that people will be given to me to help me on my way.

While I'm away, I check my email as often as I can.
Here is a quote that someone sent me. After reading it, he thought it applied to what I was doing. But I see that it applies to all of us for certain:

On self-esteem:
Self-Esteem is one area of growth that requires you to take risks in the physical world, so that you can learn to rely on yourself. Only by taking risks, can we gather power into our bellies, the kind of power that leads to intuition, then to courage.
And courage is the energy we need to be able to recognize intuitively the guidance signals that tell us to get on with our lives.
Not listening to these signals leads to losing power, self-respect, and ultimately health."

Courage is a tough one. It did take some courage coming here.
But I have a feeling it is going to be a good four days. (yep, there's that intuition kicking in)

This warm bed feels good !

Click here to see photos

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 Cold but who cares - I'm in love - with Montreal.

I love old cities. Parts of Montreal date back to the 1500's More than any other city I've been in, Montreal is a city of communities. Brownstones, line the streets. Bicycles waiting against the picket fences; used all year.
And the people, as I'm about to witness, cross many barriors to make friends and work at their jobs. I am finding out that the Nobel Peace prize could easily go to many people here, living their daily lives, finding ways to get along despite the communication barriors.

Pannemans are on every corner, awesome historic churches every few blocks! This is a lovely apartment. I am very grateful. Do you know what patisserie means in english?
One of the first words I learned since yesterday. Visited today. MMMmmmgood!
With all this cold weathe,r I need the extra carbs - and what a way to take them!

I am seeing many chapeaus in Montreal. Stylish, knitted and fur, berets and caps.
I'm wondering why hats are so fashionable here and repeat the word chapeau. Yeah, catchy word - chapeau. English haaat; French Chapeau It does have a ring to it...
( just may look around for un chapeau!)

I have hope to accomplish three things today:
Take the Spaniard to the day care upstairs at Helene's and Loussie's and sing for the children,
Find the Yellow Door, and Visit Old Montreal.

The kiddies at the day care, are toddlers. They enjoy songs with rhythm and sing la,la,la, along with my songs. Their favorite seems to be a-rum-sum-sum, an old campfire song with actions.

It is a wonderful opportunity seeing how the three people working here provide a loving environment in spite of the fact that one worker is just learning French. Many gestures and word repetition is necessary to be understood and their efforts are genuinely kind. It is a treat to sing here today.

The metro is easy to get around and the space is almost new age looking. I especially like it because it is heated. For the low price of 2.60 you can get out of the cold AND take a ride anywhere in Montreal. What a deal!

Somehow I find my way downtown and to the Yellow Door.

The Yellow Door is a 3 storey Brown Stone in down town Montreal with it's front door painted noticable bright yellow.

It is well known for it's teen and elderly programs. and it's history dates back a couple of generations as an historic folk venue.
The folk venue element of Yellow Door has been booked in advance for months, but I hope to play and take part in the elderly volunteer program. I've been in touch, but haven't received any email confirming this for Wednesday.

Channing gives me info on the elderly program, internet access and more. Hopefully I can get in touch with Isabel to confirm.

Back into the metro to warm up. And also to journey to Old Montreal, the oldest part of Montreal.
I hate to say how cold it is - so I won't.

Again, I meet tourists who are seeing the sights, and who recommend places in Old Montreal I shouldn't miss. Sue and Matt can barely be seen from under their parka hoods and scarves. Austrailian, they have just come from 3 months in Banff. They are staying at the International Youth Hostel (at very reasonable rates) and their next destination is Vermont, then New York.

I gave them my card and just finished explaining that they can read their names in my journal on Jan 25. So, Hi Sue, Hi Matt! Just as you described the Notre Dame Cathedral was Magnificient!

The walls of Old Montreal live among the new.
The St. Lawrence just a roll of a rum-keg away.
I have to come back in the summer time !!

Shopping isn't on my list, but staying alive is, so I'm looking for a cafe. Not a Starbucks or a Second Cup, but a local merchant cafe. The first one I find , Im entering!

Cafe Sasion was clean and warm and very fashionable. I was the only customer, which I thought odd, then quickly remembered why my ears were numb and my toes without feeling.
Upon my request Wazima directed me to the ladies room.
Didn't meet anyone in the ladies room, probably because it was the mens room.
Sheesh!
I must really be froze up!

Although renovated, the Cafe Saisons main walls shared history with all the buildings on Rue Notre Dame. The ceilings were high and acoustically fun.

Wazima, a beauty from Afghanistan, owned the restaurant. She moved to Pakistan, then Canada over ten years ago. Her use of language is impressive.
The food was delicious - heres what I ordered :

Poitrine depoulet coulis au poivron rouges
servieavec riz basmati, safrron et legumes
creme de choux-fleurs
latte and French stick

We spoke about music and I tested out the acoustics by singing a few lines. She explained that the owner before her, did bring in music and she thought it would be a good idea. So I offered to come out for free and sing tomorrow. I want to get the word out there about this venue and perhaps live music can pull in more evening customers. It is also an opportunity for musicians to perform in Old Montreal. I'll see what I can do about promoting her venue on Maple post list and our web site in Calgary. You never know. She says to come any time around supper, so now I have something to look forward to tomorrow.

As I work my way through the subway, I'm thinking I'd like to try to visit a Montreal bar.
Exiting Jarry Metro, near home, I see Jarry Bar. That'll do nicely. It is well lit, smokey and I appear to be one of the youngest patrons. Kinda like being in a legion.
What to order...I did order liquor and I drank it all.
If I was concerned about freezing before I wonder how much quicker I'll freeze having thinned my blood on vodka.

It's nice to unlock the apartment door. Cozy and warm inside and I'm tired.
It feels like I walked across the polar caps today.
Sleep will be here soon.

Click here to see photos

Wednesday, January 26, 2005 With temps too cold to mention I'll Fait Frois!!

There is a note on my apt door window.
That's interesting. It's from Francoise asking me for dinner tonight and some sight seeing. The cell number is included.
That sounds like fun. Maybe eat at Cafe Sasion first, seeing I'll be playing there anyway.

I need to check my email for a message from Isabel, to know whether to take The Spaniard to the Yellow Door elderly program. It's back to the nearest internet place on Rue Jean-Talon.
This time I ask the handsome Algerian his name. Omar is very helpful and has downloaded a disc of photos of Montreal I have taken.
I add his photo to my collection and he calls in Dr. Truong Thanh Lang, (no relation to KD,) to take our photo together.

Several of Omar's friends, call this morning. Michele is from Winnipeg and is bilingual. He runs a local restaurant and when Omar explains I'm a singersongwriter, Michele suggests I come tomorrow morning for the breakfast customers. Nicole is a Fench teacher and she's pretty sure she has some students in her class from Calgary.

Finished typing and checking email, Omar asks me if I'd like to join him for lunch.
He tapes a sign to the door and off we go.
Just across the street is the Jean-Talon Marche or Farmers Market. It is beautiful.
I didn't know this was here. It's quite a suprise.
I choose an endive dish and Omar has stuffed chicken and pasta.
The chef is what I believe the stereotypical Frenchman to be like.
Flirtatious, smooth, and lots of eye contact. (There is a song there somewhere too!)

We tried contacting the front office to see about busking, but the door was locked.
Ill check again tomorrow.

I thanked Omar for the tour, lunch and his kindness, but I don't know how much he understood of my pitiful french.

Setting off for the address of the Yellow Doors elderly program, I'm still not sure if Isabel got my message.

The little street I'm trying to find is not on my map or the city transit map.
Channing's hand drawn little post-it map will have to do.
Since arriving to Montreal, I have had no sense of direction. I'm solely working on intuition and miraculously it works. I come right up to the correct street within one block of where I'm going.

The building is a seniors residence and someone lets me in.
Standing at the door of the activity hall, I look at two beautiful young women and ask if one is Isabel.
She realizes instantly that I did not receive her email and I'm so sorry to have put her in a difficult position.

They have already booked Julie, to instruct a fitness and stretching class. Knowing I cannot come back next week, I'm feeling kinda disappointed, but oh well. Cèst la vie.
Isabel says to wait a minute and comes back after talking with Julie.
Julie is not going to use her CD music and asks if I can play for her warmups and stretches. About half an hour. I guess I'm going to be the aerobic music. Cool. Never done this before.
Which songs ...
I start out slow and keep it fairly gentle.
It's so cool. I have to keep in time with them so my feet are moving too, so I dont go too fast for the class of seniors.

Julie has a great short hair cut and uses this product called manicpanic over her white hair, to give it the steaks of pink, yellow, & blue. It looks so trendy.
One of the gals in this group, was frustrated with what she was doing and told the group to be patient -
" I'm working like the devil in holy water " (never heard that one before)

Turns out Juliette is from Edmonton going to university in Montreal and volunteering her time with the Yellow Door. That's cool, too.

Kuna, Julie, Fadwa, Tran, Annette, Rosa, Isabelle, Juliette, Paola, and Claudette enjoyed the music and asked for a few more songs before I left. What great smiles and what a gift to be allowed to play today. Another miscommunication problem solved, by compromise, and made today, a success.

I called Francoise and we set a date for 5pm.

I have two hours before I have to be home, so I have to find the nearest internet to download some of this journal. After an hour there, the computer goes blank.
I've lost it all. I wish I could swear in Francais!!

Made my way through the belly of the Metro and just get in, when Francoise arrives.

What a night this will be!
It will be wonderful to have company, and secondly, I don't have to carry the Spaniard around all night, too!
We drive to Old Montreal and now I have someone to explain all the scenes and structures from the comfort of a warm vehicle.

Francoise is impressed with Cafe Saison.
I sing for an hour or so then we enjoy a delicious supper.
I speak to Wazima about mentioning her Cafe to the musician list I know and she is interested.
A few more songs and away we go to see some sights.

We drive up to the top of the mountain - Mount Royal. I am surprised to learn that no one lives up there and that it is actually kept as greenspace, a park.
The view is spectacular!
Next we head over to China Town. It is so cold, we can barely stay outside more than a couple of minutes before finding shelter. This is another area that would be interesting to visit in the spring or summer.
Francoise suggests a visit to a bagel shop and once inside, I know we need to take a photo of this famous landmark.
Maison du Bagel is open 24 hours.
Yeah, go figure... I didn't get it either... but as we were there, a taxi dropped off three people while it waited, two cars were outside double parked on the road (a cop drove by parked behind them, then drove off) in other words, people obviously need their bagels !
But it was interesting to see them make the dough, toss the bagels into hot water, then bake them in the open ovens.
(and I particularly liked that it was toasty warm in there !!)

Another great stop - thank you Francoise.
Driving around and viewing more awesome sights like McGill University, more churches and stretches of community row brownstones, confirmed to me that Montreal is a quaint and charming city.
To top the night, Francoise and I stopped at KILO, a beatnik looking cafe and dessert bar.
We ordered something rich, a version of pear and chocolate mousse with coffees. (yep need those carbs!)
It was good to talk and visit.
Francoise is fluent in French and English. Born and raised in Quebec, she has been quite a traveller particularly since her children grew up.
Our dear, Gen who lives in our building and Helene, are Francoises daughters. We talk about our children and she says something profound; that it is not a husband that completes us, but our children. I agree, that because of our children, we go places, feel things, venture out more than we would if left on our own. We are forced to stretch and grow, out of love. She speaks of her children with great pride and is excited, anticipating Gens first born, only a few months away.

What a nice night! Francoise is a lot of fun and a great tour guide.

It's been a long day and the last thing I remember, is pulling the duvet up around my chin.

Click here to see photos

Thursday, January 27, 2005 weather - nothing's changed in that department!

Deli Joes, on the corner of Jean-Talon and Saint Dominique, is a large, newly renovated restaurant. I particularly loved the big tree focal point. Hot coffee tastes great on this, yet another icy morning. Helena, the waitress is a black haired beauty.
The only customer in the place appears to be a business man. He is sitting at the table in front of me. Brief case and overcoat wait on the side chair. He looks very classy, gray hair, "not young but still not old" as the lyrics go. This cowboy speaks French to Helena and smokes a filter tip.

I wonder, once I begin to sing, if the customers will mind my English songs.

"Alain" turns around and speaks in his French accent, reminicent of a young Maurice Chevalier. I hear the word 'musique' and smile and nod. We carry on an English conversation, he is fluent. A retired government minister he is not a business man at all. He explains the type of work he does with French men here in Quebec, helping them grow from the traditional paradigms and tribal expectations they lock themselves into. It sounds like a worthy program and I ask if it is available for other men in Canada.

Alain is also a philosopher and writer of allegories and there is a rich and stimulating exchange of words and emotions.
But mostly from my observation he is a poet of high degree. Before he left for his appointment he explained, with reference to men, that "love cannot exist without self-confidence and confidence in others." He went on to add that love was also joy, "the way I feel right now".
Uh Huh - those French men!
The stereotype plays out and I'm enjoying the attention.

Knowing he would not be able to stay and hear me play, I gave him my last CD before he departs.

It's always fun singing and making new friends.
Jason walks in after Alain's exit and listens to a few tunes. Nods and compliments, then asks to see my guitar. He starts out with a Guns and Roses song and I stop him and ask him to please play his own songs which he has admitted he has written. (I see this often, where people find more comfort singing covers - other people's work, than their own.) He has a Spanish technique and the Spaniard is at home in his hands.
Michele orders me a free breakfast and it is more than my eyes can take in. Sausage, bacon, eggs, sliced browned potatoes, beans, fruit cup and toast.
Amazing!
The chefs come out of the kitchen for a break and we sit around talking. Michele is convinced they should begin to add music to their venue. Jason says he'll come out and play. Something is being born here!

I listen to the accents and languages of Helena, Jason, Michele, Gina, Shawn and Marco and the world feels at peace in the warmth of Montreal and the good company surrounding me.

I sing a couple more songs, then haul my stuff across the street to the closest internet place.
I'm hoping I can retype everything I lost yesterday downtown. It is going to take a few hours including the photos I have to send. Michele mentions that if I'm still in town to come back, and I agree to come back at supper time tonight.

It's nice to see a familiar face, Omar, working today again.
I check my email and their is a note from Alain. This confirms the title of poet I have christened him.

(With respect for your personal message, Alain, I want to share with women everywhere, the depth and beauty of a man's feeling side. Because of the work you do with men, I know you will understand my need to include this in the journal)

Phyllis,

Our short exchange this morning filled my day.

What I remembered most is not wanting to leave.

When I turned around and saw you, I was drawn right into your eyes.

Those of a child who wants it that way.

In there lives your soul. A beautiful one indeed.

There is nothing like a "second wind".

A rebirth of our own this time.

It was always there. We just didn't know.

And all of the sudden, we are.

Beautiful, loving and in peace within.

Be this short stay in Montreal, a most memorable one.

It has been for me, thanks to your energy field.
Love, Alain.

(gotta love those French men - I'm thinking of Maureen, Adrienne, Linda in Brandon and a few others who would love to meet Alain!)

I work steady getting the journal updated and photos downloaded onto disc and sent by email to DFweb Design in Calgary, who keep up the page. (Hi DF!)

It turns out that Omar is a Latin dancer. He invites me to stay a few extra days and learn some of these dances and I am tempted. It would be a wonder of the world to actually see live men (not on TV - doing the salsa, meringe etc.
Helena, from Deli Joes, is also a Latin dancer and has danced competitively. I wonder if these two have met and know this about each other.

It's already supper time and I miss the rush at Deli Joes.
Normand (who looks alot like Salvador Dali), and the restaurant owner Giuseppe, are animated in their story telling. Giuesppe is a businessman, publisher, performer, race car driver and more. He and Michele have surrounded themselves with loyal staff. He tries out the Spaniard, then I play a few tunes. He slips a couple large bills in my pocket and thanks me. I'm so impressed with these folks!
I tell Michele I will mention their venue so other musicians can connect with them on their way through, too.

Tomorrow I make my way to VIA and Toronto, then Kitchener.

Click here to see photos

Friday, January 28, 2005 Yep, cold

It's been a great stay here in Montreal despite the cold.
Today I have to clean the apartment, check email at the Internet Place for bus connections from Toronto and get down to Montreal's VIA station by 5 to pick up my ticket.

By 11, I'm at the Internet place but there is a sign on the door, Coffee Break - gone to Tim Hortons.
I walk across the street, but no faces are familiar. Across the other street is the market and perhaps Omar is there and besides, I'm hungry, so I'll pick up lunch. The chef was the same friendly flirty French man from the other day. I ordered a quiche, they looked appetizing. He smiled and began talking in broken, but very good English. " Madammme, yoo are da singer? " I say yes. He continues,
"I watch for yoo yesterday, but yoo deet not come. I ave da name of the admeeneestraation pour vous"
It is either very kind of him or its been a very slow week that he would remember Omars request the other day, for a contact person for me. He gives me his card with the info on the back.

The quiche was delicious and as one French woman explained to me, all are made from real ingredients, cream, butter, eggs.
You could tell!

When I returned to the Internet place, it only took me 20 minutes to get the info I needed.
Omar introduced me to Barbara, a social worker working with crisis teams in Montreal.
Very interesting.

There is a profound email circulating on the Internet that crossed my desk months ago.
It spoke about the different seasons in a person's life. That everyone comes into our lives for a specific time; either a short time, or for a season in our lives and some come into our lives and stay for a life time. It's likely I will never see any of these people again, but their kindness and messages made my stay richer even though it was only for that short time.

Back underground in the Metro, I think how right at home I feel in the big city in the belly of Montreal.
I didn't get a chance to busk. The acoustics in the Metro would have made that an experience worth remembering. Maybe next time, if there is a next time.

During my stay here, I was very proud of myself that I did not buy any 'stuff'.

I take a short cut through The Bay on my way to another Metro ride to VIA and am stopped by a salesman. I ask, "Is theese da directionne too La Metroh?" (I'm so delighted at my improved French)
He says "Oui madamme, do you speak English?" (I don't know how he knew) He asks me to put my salt stained boot on his bench. (He caught me off guard - no don't put your foot on his bench - too late.) He's a good salesman. Everyone needs a spare bottle of leather protecter. Yep, somehow I found room for my new purchase, thanked him for directions and plodded off in the direction of the train.
Montreal's VIA is like an international airport in design and number of shops and amazing restaurants.
I depart at 6:15 and arrive in Toronto at 11:30 pm.
Switched to a Hamilton bus and Ray picked me up about 1 am.
I was starving, so he asked where I'd like to stop . Anywhere that's, open was my answer.
His choice - Tim Hortons, I should have known.
We walk in and two men are sipping on coffee, discussing world issues. Serge calls out to Ray. ' Hey, Ray! '

There is something about Ray, everyone knows him no matter where we go.
It is uncanny. The men begin to chat. Serge and Ray have known each other for decades and played hockey together.
Mark is in advertising and marketing. Somehow Ray tells them I am a songwriter and Mark is excited to buy one of my CDs saying, "This is the best music, because it is original. It's hard to find, good stuff"
He understands that all 'cover' music was once original, never heard before music. He gets it!

It's another long night and tomorrow (today) we head to Kitchener for a house concert.

Click here to see photos

Saturday, January 29, 2005 minus 9, decent weather

Ray and I will meet Carol and Shane half way between Hamilton and Kitchener. At a Tim Hortons.
(of course.) It has been years since Ray and I have spent this much time together and next week I will be in Hamilton for about 5 days, so we will have lots of fun .

Ray has a sense of humour that keeps everyone chuckling. His line of work gives him lots of material to work with. Ray is an Exterminator. He says, to be politically correct "we don't use rat traps, we use rodent stations". And "we don't kill, we transfer them dimensionally." He's good at his job and he's good with people. But more examples of that as the week unfolds.

Gail and Marc have booked a House Concert in their newly built home. Lots of good food and interesting people. I find advice on how to finish off a creme brule and how to get the brown sugar to crystalize perfectly. And for my musician friends, right from the mouth of a 'beer connassieur', recommendations of the 'best' beer, Hobgoblin (dark) and Fiddlers Elbow (light) and the Belgium choice called Stella Artois.
A couple of the men are from Scotland and I ask my usual questions, "Do you know where Tillymaud and Aberdeen are in Scotland?" (questions stemming from the Argo letters, I archived for the Museum of the Regiments) The company is friendly and the night seems to fly by quickly.

Click here to see photos

Sunday, January 30, 2005 minus 10 (not hot but still not cold)

Kitchener is a city with a large German population. In fact, Kitchener was originally called Berlin.
Waterloo and Kitchener have grown into each other and the boundaries seem invisible.
Mennonites live in the area and contribute to the color and cultural richness of this area of these southern Ontario twin cities. On my previous summer visits, the sight of a horse and buggy driven by pioneer-like Mennonite woman, along the highway, was a novelty to me, but part of the scenery for the locals.

Carol and I spend a few hours today driving around looking at venues for future visits to this area.
We find two venues that promote original music. Circus Room looks like a lot of fun and I'll look into this one. We stop at Mollies Bloom and I think it's important to support the venue and have at least a drink or something while we gather info about the venue and read the local entertainment magazines. I order a coffee and Carol has water so I ask for the waiter to add irish creme to the coffee thinking it would be a little better purchase. (The one coffee with irish creme came to $7.50 ! This is an expensive venue, sure hope they pay their bands as well.)

Click here to see photos

Monday, January 31, 2005 minus 8, sunny

Shane drives me around Kitchener to take a few photos, but the scenery is not as beautiful as the greenery of a southern Ontario summer. The parking lot of the famous Jacobs farmers market, is empty today, but in the summer this is a bustling must-see.

I'm looking forward to tonight. Carol, Shane and I will be attending one of Ray's volunteer shows called Sentimental Journey (after a song of the same name that our Mom would sing around the house)

Ray has gathered a talented "team" of volunteers who perform EVERY Monday at a different nursing home for free. The troop comes complete with colorful costumes, feathered hats, stripes and props of all kinds. They deliver a show of 'the oldies' songs, complete with sound system and lighting to an appreciative audience.

By 6 pm, we set out to find the nursing home venue in Hamilton, but are lost. Hamilton's one way streets are hard to navigate even with a map. We keep stopping to ask directions. (In the end we are a half hour late and find out that Ray has left out one of the Street names in his directions.)

The show is colorful and the audience mesmorized by the music and antics on stage.
These are the players:
Judy Bristo, Bill Brown, Ron and Bev Eggar, Davey Jacobs, Brian and Rose Roszel and Ashley, Lynn Sheehan, Robin Rogers, Maggie Viveen and Ray Wheaton and Aunt Jean Toyne.
We watched the smiles and tears on the faces of the residents and are very proud of these generous people.

Davy asks for any info I can give him for a friend of his who owns Time Out Bar and Restaurant.
He is pretty sure we can book something this week. That would be so cool.

It's an early night and are back at Ray's by 9 pm.
This gives us a chance to go out to Hamiliton's famous Hess Village.
This is a street famous for the artists that play the venues. We stop at "Lazy Flamingo" and "Gown and Gavel" and gather more info about these venues for the future. Another late night ...

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 mild day, minus 5

February already. I can't believe it - this all feels like a dream. But the reality of it all is setting in; I guess I brought back more than shoe polish from Montreal. (Courtesy of La Patisserie, I also have myself a nice little roll I have to take care of.)
My goals today are to get to the gym, a library and contact Davy's friend Dave, at the Time Out Bar, to see if I can perform my original music there some time this week.

Julie, Ray's wife, is taking me to downtown Hamilton and I'll bus my way back to their house later. Julie is ecstatic about her latest project. Nine week old Jasmine, Belle of the South, is from Mississippi. She just arrived a week ago by plane. She is a black standard poodle and snow is a novelty for her. Julie is excited at this point in her life, to have the dog of her dreams, to breed puppies for others to enjoy.

I'm walking along the sidewalk outside of Jackson Square. From out of nowhere, a young man approaches, pleading with me to give him a bus ticket. I'm confused for a second; I don't have any bus tickets. Then he asks for money, but in an angry tone. I would certainly have given him a bus ticket if I had one, but I will not give out money - that is my own personal rule. (I will take people and feed them, but I will not give money to a beggar, because food is rarely their priority.) His angry tone gets my mother-dander up and now there's NO way he's getting anything from me without talking nice.
This is the first time during the past month, where I actually felt nervous about interacting with someone. As today unfolds though, I will feel more vulnerable and for the first time in a long while, dangerously unsafe.

Jackson Square is impressive. It is laid out in some order I'll call random. But somehow, it makes sense to me and it's fun finding all the twists and turns.

Libraries and gyms both give me a workout and it just so happens a library and a gym are located in this city-block mall. My first stop is the library; where the stories are stored waiting to happen. Laura is the first smile you meet in Special Collections. (www.hpt.ca) Her division keeps and protects the archives so she has access to all the information pertaining to Hamilton. This, too, is a very old city and the archives are impressive. I read more about Sophie McNab, a young girl of 13, whose year of journaling gave historians insight into the day to day life of growing up in the 1800's. Of Scottish decent, her family lived in Dundurn castle, one of the sights we are going to see later this week.

I read about colorful people and places, of "fabulous Victorian mansions and harvested ice from the Bay each winter".
Hamilton - the home of Ray Wheaton and Sheila Copps. A newspaper title catches my eye; an article dating back to 1934. A Tragedy of Christmas; the starkest tragedy. A train wreck at Dundas - fifteen persons lying dead.
Gruesome, so sad and yet (in the article) there is a rhythm, poetry in the last paragraph.
Are these spirits telling me to sing about them? Maybe so. I photocopy the article for future reference.

I look over at a pile of ancient books. Romas is a man with a big grin and friendly eyes. Gently turning each page of these priceless archives, he is looking for insights about the family of a past Hamilton VIP. He, himself, is a fountain of information, and answers my questions about Hamilton with confidence. Hamilton had the first pressurized water system in Canada and second in North America. I ask what that means and he simplifies it for me. This meant that Hamilton had the first fresh water system, to carry water from house to house, first by wooden routes then cast iron. He loves his home of Hamilton, the place he was raised and explains that you are always 10 minutes from the country. "We are an industrial city of hard workers, proud of who we are." ( I think he will like the song I wrote called 'Our Town'.)

I'm thinking, someday I'll be a fragile remnant of the past, like these books. Duct tape, crazy glue or modern technology won't keep me intact longer than a lifetime. But the magic of the music to preserve a message, well, that's another story.

There is never enough time for a library visit and I'm back in the mall to tackle the next item on my to do list.

I think if you're going to call yourself a singer/songwriter then you must have 'busked' in your career. Busking (singing on the street or in public for coins) helps the process of 'paying my dues' and getting down to the grassroots level of performing. Just me, the guitar, my songs and people walking by. I had hoped to have the opportunity of this experience during the course of this trip. Cynthia, with mall administration, is very helpful and encouraging, but so much is regulated now and I realize if it's going to happen, it won't be here .

Gabrielle has good energy. She is one of those fun people you know you would be good friends with if you worked together. She helps me at "Labels for Less", the perfect stop for shorts and a tee shirt, $4.99 each, but I still need runners (everything is in my back pack traveling across the province somewhere. One day we will be reunited!).

Found runners and with the Family Fitness guest pass, I can enjoy the next couple hours working out. Paul is the facility tour guide. He apologizes for his tiredness. He is studying economics and politics and has just written several exams.
As Paul speaks about Family Fitness Centre, it is obvious they are committed to the needs and values of their obvious multicultural clientele. A trainer comes back to the office to get a tee shirt for one of the customers who "didn't know". There is a strict rule about apparel in this facility. No tank tops or showy clothes in the co-ed area.
Over the intercom, an announcement is heard letting the women know that a man will be walking through their Exclusively Women's Gym.

Now some people might say these rules are old fashioned thinking, but I say it's pretty progressive. Addressing cultural and psychological needs of clients, is socially kind and is likely to lead to success in their business. Two hours later, I'm hungry, but feeling so gooood .
Only 6 pm and it's dark outside the mall. Even though we've had a few balmy warm days, it is still winter. The streets are swollen with people of all kinds, the work rush trying to get home. Found a restaurant in this older part of town. I'm leaving a message on Ray's answering machine, telling him where I'm having supper. Whatever town I'm in, I always enjoy reading the local papers. They confirm just how alike we are wherever we live. They also present the subtle differences. There is a stack to read through, while I wait for my order.

This is a long rectangular restaurant. I'm sitting near the middle facing the back of the room. It is curious that men keep walking to the back and standing in front of a door waiting to be buzzed in. I wonder what's going on in that room. Chicken kabobs on rice with salad. It tastes delicious. There goes another man into that room.
Maybe they have a poker game going on back there. Or a spy ring. Lots of thoughts of illegal activity go through my head, stirring fear and anxiety in an otherwise easygoing head. I'm going to ignore this. La,la, la, la, la.

It's 8 pm and Ray calls saying he'll be here in 20 minutes. I read more and the phone rings again. It's Monika, a high school friend who I haven't seen in 25 years. We set up a time to meet in Toronto along with Debbie Z. another school friend I recently rediscovered living in T.O. We're going to meet at the Smiling Buddha Bar, corner of College and Dovercourt in Toronto, on Saturday afternoon for the Outrageous Winter Open Stage. I'm performing a set there. This is a day I'm looking forward to.

At one point a woman walks past and I ask her for directions to the ladies room. She points to the short hall beside that mystery door which is seemingly swallowing men whole. The ladies room door is locked. Looking toward the front of the long room, the waiter catches my eye and buzzes me in. (Buzzes me in Phyllis.!!!)
(Yep, my over active imagination is caught, but it's worth the chuckle.)

It is 10 pm and REALLY dark outside! But we are running on Ray's time now so I don't panic. I pay my bill and go outside to wait. He should be here soon. It seems so much colder than this afternoon.
"I'm so hungry..any money?" are the words out of his mouth. He was loud and desperate. Now looking right at me, he begs for money.
I say I will get him something to eat and head for the entrance of my home for the last 4 hours. He starts to yell.
"No! They won't serve me in there!" as if, because he is black, they won't feed him.
I gesture to come with me.
He screams, "I CAN'T go in there!", as though he believes this opening to be the port of a science fiction transporter that will send him away.
He demands the money, not the food. He seems terrified and as I watch his behavior it quickly becomes clear his agitation and paranoia are the signs of a desperate addict grabbing for cash.

"I will buy you food", I explain and start into the restaurant.
Now he thinks he's on a cruise ship and demands burgers, two of them. Shouting this at me a couple of times, gets my mother-dander up again.
I come out with some take out food from the shelf that takes about 1 minute. He is no where in sight. The red head at the bus stop, says he's a regular at this corner. Yesterday he approached an older lady who pulled out a large bill when he had harassed her. She had seen this scene play out with different characters each night. As her bus pulled up, I could feel the tension of the addict's energy moving toward me and I turned around. He saw the food and I handed it to him. He WAS hungry, but his priority was getting cash and so began to swear profanities at me. For an instant, I felt real fear. This poor soul is hanging on to his last thread of self control. It is hard to know what he is capable of doing. I found refuge back in the restaurant and he wandered off to find another victim.

10:20 pm and Ray and I are pulling away from this street.
It's good to see a familiar face. He asks how my day was, and I tell him to read the journal like everybody else!

Our last stop is Time Out Bar, to meet Dave the owner, Davy's friend.
Another 'cowboy' (by now I'm using this term for any male with class) gray haired, not young, but still not old, he agrees to bring me in Thursday night. It's not a lot of time to advertise to stir extra business for him, but if they like the music, this could be a good spot to come back to next time. And then we could do the promotions it would need. He is gracious and agreeable. Barry and Roy are regulars and we sit, get to know them a bit.
Barry buys me a white wine (thanks Barry) and somehow I get it down.
(I'm not a drinker, but I'm trying to find some kind of drink that I can enjoy socially).

These are good people and I'm looking forward to Thursday.
It's been a long day.

Click here to see photos

Wednesday, February 2, 2005 Mild around zero

Today is a strange day . mysterious. The CN Tower, through the Toronto landscape, is impressive. Toronto is only an hour from Hamilton and I am on a pretend business trip with someone I cannot mention.

Several places we stop at have amazing facilities, but in fear of competition, won't allow pictures or saying where it is. (I guess they fear new clients and publicity, too)

So the pictures are just photos of places unknown. (and kept unknown just in case you wanted to grow your own tropical garden or open a restaurant after a famous Italian Landmark.)

As we drive back into Hamilton and round the swirling highway that takes us up to Upper Paradise, it still amazes me how much like Montreal it is, with this huugge 'hill' they call a Mountain almost in the center. A great percentage of the population live on the 'Mountain' and the view is spectacular. Along one of the deeper curves, a metal fence with hockey jerseys and flowers reminds the traveler that someone, probably someone young, lost their life here. I ask the driver and that is so. A teenager fell to his death from this height on the Mountain. I pause.

We stop at Tim Hortons (of course) and I'm looking forward to a tour of Dundurn Castle tomorrow. I have read about Sophia (the 'i' is pronounced as an 'i' not and 'e' sound) and her family, and am excited to step into her kingdom and see if any of their spirits are visiting when we are there.

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Thursday, February 3, 2005 Cloudy, melting weather around zero

Dundurn Castle is a piece of local architecture with deep historical importance. The property is situated on scenic Burlington Bay at the bottom of the Mountain. It isn't the kind of castle you would see in England though, with stone turrets and moat, but it is an estate 'worthy of a Scottish laird'. (and I'm in awe again about this Scottish connection) Built by Scottish immigrant Allan Napier MacNab in 1833, it would become the home for many activities, from raising children, to impressing famous politicians, and providing jobs for many staff.

Don and Tom work at the Dundurn and explain some of the history while we wait for Tracy 'the cook' to take me on a tour. Meeting Tracy was like walking back in time. He knew every little detail and answered every one of my questions. The first step into the front hall, seeing the winding regal staircase was awesome. These, said Tracy, were the stairs Sophia walked down on her wedding day. That gave me goosebumps. Later as the tour ended I would have the chance to pretend I was Sophia and come down those very stairs fantasizing what it would have been like seeing her father and family proudly watching at the base of the staircase.

Dundurn is a must see ! I now join Janet, also dressed in period costume, for the tour of the upstairs. She explains details like the fact that the MacNabs loved natures colors and chose paints like sunset yellow, sky blue, running water and cloudy skies. It is fascinating.

Allan MacNab was a carpenter by trade. He was an ingenius man and someone who was on the edge of technology for his day. ( If he lived today he would be the first to own a computer, newest cell phone and most modern devices.) His cistern in the attic, used gravity to fill their bathtub. He purchased one of the most modern wood stoves that must have saved the cook many hours of bending over the hearth. For a short time, MacNab was prime minister of Upper and Lower Canada. He invested and became rich from real estate and speculated in investments that left him pennyless. He was a dear husband and good father as Sophia explains in her journal. And above all, he was a proud Scot.

The basement was where the cooking was done and staff housed. Tracy joins the tour again and offers us warm ginger snaps out of the oven. This lower level is a favorite with tourists, but you will have to go to see why!
Dundurn is full of stories with revealing insights into Canadiana. And for some reason I am to learn more about Scotland and more Scottish immigrants who formed our Canadian future. Some day I will be back to this castle for certain.

For those so inclined ,Tracy passes on a drink called a 'shrub'.
( I'm thinking maybe this is for me .)

From the London Butler Guide
Shooter Shrub 'the fifth way'
1 lb sugar
1 bottle brandy
1 bottle white wine
one nutmeg
lemon
Mix above ingredients and let soak for a week.
Serve.

It's dark and we are setting up at the Time Out Bar and Grill. Don't know how tonight will go, but Ray is the sound guy and his equipment is top notch, so the sound will be great.
The audience is appreciative. On my break, I go over and talk with the regulars.
It is good to see them again; 'If You've Loved' touches Barry. Roy enjoys the tunes, too.

John Harris arrives, a local talent and I ask him to play. I even get to join him on harmonies. I love singing with other people, especially those who sing like Roger Wittaker and play like, . well, John Harris. (what a treat)

After I'm finished playing ,I meet Marg and Dave. He is a guitar player with a local band and states that he has NEVER heard anyone do what I did tonight. I asked what that was, thinking it might be something I have to fix. But he continued with, "I've never heard anyone sing their own music for an entire evening ." And he also enjoyed the tunes!
I think there is a trend toward appreciation of original music. To hear new lyrics and music is intellectually stimulating.

I explained to Time Out owner Dave, (another Dave) about the Argo letters and that I want to go to Scotland one day. He grins from ear to ear and says he has a brother who lives in Scotland, a musician and to let him know when I'm going and he will make sure we meet. "If you need a place to stay let me know"
Wow. I think maybe I really will get there.

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Friday, February 4, 2005 mild, plus 3

A good day for taking a walk, so I am taking Ray Jr. and Kyle, my two nephews for an after- school Sub at a nearby mall. Ray Jr. is into art and Kyle loves soccer.
I was saving myself for Auntie Barbs supper tonight.

The day seems to disappear somehow and we get into the car to go visit my Auntie Barb and Uncle Chester, whom I haven't seen in probably 15 years.
They want me to bring my guitar, and once again, music is helping me reconnect with more family.

It takes us about 40 minutes to get to their house in Cambridge. The aroma of hot food and baking greets us with the turn of the door. Swiss steak, uncle's carrots from his garden, and Auntie Barbs famous deserts. Mmmmm
(why did I ever think I would go hungry on this trip??)
Uncle Chester and Auntie Barb lived in Sudbury years ago and I'm happy to be visiting with them and seeing my cousins again. 16 year old Esther teaches me a few things on the guitar. She is very gifted.

I sing some of my work, Esther sings a few of hers and we all join in a few group choruses. Uncle quotes moving poems and lyrics and sings a song about the war when both sides stopped and sang carols in the trenches. (I have to find that song)

A highlight to the night was when he took Ray and I to another room to show us photos of our grandfather, great grandfather and great, great grandfather framed on the wall. (Now I know whose genes are responsible for the 'Wheaton' eyebrow! )
It is touching to reunite with family.

On the ride home I think about meeting up with Debbie and Monika for brunch tomorrow morning in Toronto. I haven't seen them since high school. They want to come out to The Smiling Buddha Bar . Should be fun.

My backpack shows up after it's long bus ride from Ottawa. I can now change out of my striped sweater!

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Saturday, February 5, 2005

9 a.m. Debbie Z just called. Their SUV was sitting in their driveway when, during the middle of the night, someone rammed into it and sped off. A hit and run in their driveway! She's not sure if she can make it, but she is still going to try.

Ray is being very cautious; he doesn't want to read about himself in the journal.
(I've been very selective, actually)

We're leaving for Toronto and he is emptying his jacket pockets. "I'm always getting notes from women you know."
and hands me a small tattered page with penciled handwriting - milk, eggs, bread, peanut butter. yep.a grocery list

Chatting along the way, the topic of Dundurn Castle and the MacNab family comes up.
A common lunch for Sophia's ailing mother was oysters and beer. These were chosen for their high protein content. During those years, beer consumption was common and although not understood until much later, beer was safer than the water from the bay. In the 1800's cholera outbreaks attacked the population on a regular basis - if you drank the water. If you drank beer, it was likely you survived.
"It must work, Phyl" Ray says, " After all, how many people do you know who drink beer that have cholera?" There is something more hilarious in his expression that makes this much funnier in real life.

It's 10:30 am and the CN tower greets us once again. We park and come up directly under the restaurant where we are meeting the girls.
It's a beautiful day and I look up at one of the huge windows that line the restaurant wall.
There they are. Wow, so beautiful ! I have to take their picture.

What do you say to people when you haven't seen them in so long ?
Everything and anything. We could have gone on for hours more, but we need to be at the Smiling Buddha Bar by 2 pm, so we make arrangements to meet there. Debbie, a long time resident of Toronto, explains the directions to Ray.

It's supposed to be a short northwest drive, but after 10 minutes of driving east in a mid day fog, thick as mullagawtauny soup, I'm wondering.
"Do you know where we are, Ray?"
"Yeah, Lake Ontario is to our left and the city to our right."
"Isn't the lake there?" pointing to my right.
Immersed, deep in fog, between the two, we debate where the lake and city are. The fog breaks for a second and boat masts and icy vastness poke their way through the landscape. We turn around to try another direction.

We are looking for the Gardiner Speedway, no I think that's expressway. Finally . http://www.smilingbuddhabar.com

John Dorsey, is the host of the Outrageous Winter Open Mic. I am the special guest and will start at 3 for a set. Monika and Debbie are not lost.

There is an interest List on the internet called the Maple Folk list which connects musicians, songwriters, folk music lovers and more. You can find venues, talent and general resource info from other members, from this free interactive support group. I met Louise on this group just over a month ago when I responded to one of her emails to the group and coming here today was the result.

We exchanged web pages and got to know each others work.
www.wezel.com/wezel One powerful tool I've found during this trip has been Web pages, mine and other people's.

I walk into Smiling Buddha Bar, greeted by a chubby smiling porcelain Buddha and Louise. "Where is the Spaniard ?" she asks with disappointment in her voice.
"My brother is bringing it. He just dropped me off and is trying to find a parking space."
(She knew who the Spaniard was !)

John Dorsey (www.johndorsey.ca) welcomes everyone and plays a few of his tunes backed up with his steel guitar player, Gord Cole, and brings up several singer/songwriters to perform two songs each. It's a treat to hear what others are doing and when a 75 year old musician performs, my ears perk up, listening to what precious experience he has to reveal. Dwight Peters gives me a number of venues in Winnipeg and Toronto to look into and everyone is in awe of a talented musician, who plays his bass like a 6 string guitar.

At the end of my set, I ask John to come up and read David Argo's part in My Dear Mae.
He is visibly touched by the words and explains afterward that his father died during WW2, a very young man. This was difficult for John, but he was a true performer.

By the end of the afternoon, Debbie and Monika admit they are overwhelmed by the ability of each presenter and their lyrics. "This is another world we didn't know about."
And another world they want to learn more about.
As they look on wide eyed, it confirms my belief that original music, not just the genre of folk music, feeds the need for intellectual stimulation that middle age people crave.

This is another opportunity for me to network with other musicians, make notes, exhange info and even CDs. I have a large collection of Indy (independent artist) CDs at home that I take pride in and enjoy. John and I discuss why people so rarely email with feedback when they are given or purchase a CD.

Everything wraps up by supper time and Ray is excited about the experience. He sat for several hours watching the fingering, listening to each performer in awe. He too, expressed the fact that he didn't know these kinds of performances existed. We have made a pact. In five months he will know enough guitar to perform with me in Calgary. He has the songs and vocals wrapped up, but now it's just accompaniment. He accepts the challenge eagerly, like a kid.

Ray has Karaoke tonight at a bar in Hamilton, but before we go back, I want to take him to Movenpick's Marche downtown at the corner of Front St. and Young St. This is my favorite restaurant ever. They give you a 4 by 8 inch card which they warn you not to lose or you will be doing dishes. As you move around the Marche choosing which selection of food vendor/chef you would like, the chef stamps your card. The selection of food is phenomenal. The quality, wonderful.

I enjoy the hustle and bustle - almost like an open farmers market, yet because there are is much variety, there are no lines.
Located in a building where old meets new, the architecture here is worth a few snaps with the camera. There are two grand trees in the middle of the Marche 'courtyard' of vendors. Pastries, seafood, pasta, salad bar, café bar, fruit drink bar, pizza, you name it - it is there.

Ray says, coming here is like being on vacation. I hear drums. Like Chinese drums. Sure enough, there is color flashing on the other side of the restaurant. Can't see what's going on, but that drum beat is the same kind they use for the Chinese lion dance. The troop approaches and yes, it is a blue Chinese lion and it dances over and sits right next to our table. My camera is full. Oh no and he's so close I can touch him ! I have to delete something from the memory chip. Ooohh, I hate to do this, but for those of you who know about my 55 ft dragon at home, you know I have to take this photo.

We get back to Hamilton just in time to help set up for the Karaoke night.

After 29 days, everything on my list is accomplished. Today was my last booking and this calls for a Kahlua and milk. In fact two of them.

Click here to see photos

Sunday, Febuary 6, 2005 mild near zero weather Winding down - get organized

Ray's Sentimental Journey troop has booked a special Sunday performance at a nursing home in Hamilton this afternoon. And another show in Burlington tomorrow night.

I am the photographer for the show and it's fun following everyone around between costume changes. At one point, I take a photo of a young woman and her son in the audience. I am told by staff that I need permission to take photos. The young woman gratefully agrees and she is teary eyed to see the image in the camera display. We exchange emails so I can email her the pic.

One hour into the 1 1/2 hour show, staff begins to wheel the residents out, but they refuse to go. One nurses aid walks away smiling, "They really love the show !"

This group of volunteers are doing what they love and love what they do. They bring great joy into the lives of so many who are forgotten.
Bless them all !

Click here to see photos

Monday, Febuary 7, 2005 This is my last journal entry 

Woke up with the morning paper headlines " Police probe twin blasts in downtown Hamilton." I think a photo would be really cool for the journal and Ray rolls his eyes.

Julie and I go with Ray on his lunch hour to find these two 'bomb' sites. The first site, a bar, not far from the addicts corner earlier this week, was pretty much in tact. Only the widow boarded up and just a dent in the front door - not at all what I expected. Apparently the inside is really torn up. Ray doesn't think they will let me in to take a picture. At the second site, people were mulling around, others taking pictures, too. It was more shocking; like war footage on the news.

A heritage building that Ray thinks I should see, is the old CN building. "Do you want to see where X-Men was filmed? They were going to tear this building down."
We stopped in front of the stately building and there was a man taking photos of the grounds. Ray jumps out and of course, knows this guy too. They shake hands and Richard begins to give us a personal tour of what is now called 'Liuna Station.'

Liuna Station was established as a heritage site and 7 million dollars pumped into its renovations. It is now used as a banquet and convention center and pays for itself.
The huge ballroom, once an waiting area for travelers, is elegant. Richard has a great sense of humour and is sparring with Ray -their weapons - wit.
It is hilarious to watch - we have just found Rays double - his bilingual double!

Tonight is Sentimental Journey in Burlington.
I am going to go along and take more photos.
Maggie lives about half an hour from the show so Ray goes out to get her and brings her home afterward. She is a delight, as are all the members of the cast. Without giving out her age, she probably has the most 'life experience' of anyone in the group and she also dances and sings in another troop called Geritol Follies that travel around Canada and the U.S. She is one ball of talented energy.

It is foggy driving home, but the lit up palm trees along the casino entrance dared us in. Ray had never been to a casino, so what a great way to end the night. The colors, sounds and pretty lights brings out the kid in us! (luckily the kid in Ray and I is never that far away, anyway)
We walk around with a container of nickels and feel rich.
People are everywhere this late at night and there is something very familiar about them.
I get it now. when we look around at the residents - I mean patrons of the casino - I am reminded of the nursing home we just left. Including tanks of oxygen, walkers and canes.
After a few minutes of play, we are not big winners and it's hard to get into the game, so we decide to go try out the restaurant. Ray approaches a senior at a slot machine, gives her the remainder of our nickels and we leave with a million dollar smile she gives us in return. That's payday.

Ray orders bison burger and as the chef looks at him he says, "Hi, remember me, I'm so and so. It's unbelievable that my brother knows so many people everywhere we go. But it is also an indicator of how special he is and how memorable.

I'm leaving Ray with that challenge I mentioned earlier.
In 6 months he will come to Calgary and perform with me on guitar.
Ray says it's time for me to get out of town and calls me a tornado. That's not true of course, for any of you who know me.

It has been a full month. Networking, reuniting, performing, challenging myself to live on a shoe string and meeting so many wonderful, kind people who wanted to help me wherever they could.
My family, my old friends and my new friends.
Thank you to all! And thanks to you, the reader, who kept me focused, knowing you would forgive the spelling and grammar, and spacing difficulties. Your emails were encouraging !

I've learned so much . Let me know if you are there. Keep in touch .

Good night .

"What lies behind us and what lies before us, are tiny matters, compared to what lies within us." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Click here to see photos

After singing at a Red Hat Society dinner, I was given a red hat which I agreed to take on my trip and include in photos from time to time.

It is a little worn from the trip as I am, but here is the web site about the Red Hat Society. Go to http://www.redhatsociety.com to read more about these women and the 24 chapters in Calgary. And I was told over 30,000 chapters world wide.

Phyllis will be performing at McNally Robinson, downtown Calgary, promoting her 15 song CD "The First Song" on Friday, February 11, at 7:30.