I'm a little bit country...

Last night after work I was standing at the corner of Queen and John in Downtown Toronto, like I do, waiting for the streetcar. Starbucks in one hand, cell phone in the other. Screaming teenagers standing outside the MuchMusic studios to the right of me, ranting homeless dude to the left of me. And usually? Usually this is the kind of energy I thrive on. I'm a Big City Girl. Capital B, C and G. I love the noise, the hustle, the bustle. But yesterday I was tired. I leaned against the lampost on the corner while I waited to be crammed onto the streetcar like a commuting sardine. When I peeled myself off the post I noticed a white, sticky substance on my jacket, my purse, my hands. Someone had used glue, the kind of glue you apply from a bucket with a paintbrush, to stick up a poster for an event at a nightclub. "Party with Paris". Sponsored by Paris Hilton. What the hell? I realize that I'm not the first person to complain about getting a sticky mystery substance on their clothes thanks to Paris Hilton, but I took it personally. Not hot, Paris. Not hot at all.

It was that exact moment that I really started to look forward to the four day weekend I've got coming up. The Robeau and I are going to Collingwood, for what I am calling a "country get away". Of course anyone who is truly outdoorsy is laughing their ass off at me right now. Collingwood, North of Toronto, is about as urban a "country get away" as you can get. It's ski country in the winter and it has a lot of Yuppie money pumping into it, which means a fancy grocery store, a beautiful strip of quaint shops and yes, a Starbucks. We've gone a few times because the Robeau, he likes the country and this seems like the best compromise. Last year, we found a ski chalet that we can rent for a bargain when it's the off season. It's on 10 acres of land. There are trees everywhere. And a hot tub! Did I mention the hot tub?! We really only hit the Starbucks on the way in and out of town, but it makes me feel better just knowing it's there.

Crickets still make me nervous, but the view from the kitchen of our little get away is helping me find my inner country girl:


I've loaded up the ipod with a bunch of new CDs including Terence Blanchard's A Tale of God's Will (about Hurricane Katrina) because he never fails to inspire me. I've got some (new to me) Carmen McCrae for singing along with and of course, the new Joni Mitchell CD, Shine (available only at Starbucks!) because what is more perfect for a Canadian country get away than a little Joni Mitchell? I'm going to sleep late, go for long walks with my camera and put Bailey's in my coffee first thing in the morning. I may even make an Apple Crisp. I'm a little bit country like that. Small c.