May 24, 2010
Toronto, ON

Happy May Two-Four! My friends and I have decided to celebrate this quintessentially Canadian holiday in true Ontarian style. Yup. Beer in a can and a BBQ! Fresh Ontario pickerel awaits in the fridge next to fresh Ontario produce. We'll grill it up after we take a wee pleasure cruise around Toronto Island. With ... of course ... beer in a can! After we might climb up on the roof to see if we can catch a firework or two.  Happy birthday Queen Victoria, wherever you are...

Up on the roof ... More Toronto photos here

May 21, 2010
London, ON

Bonsoir from late-night London-town. Me, myself and the mini dog have been doing some important post-tour laundry, working on our photographs and plotting the glory of our coming weekend! Not to mention, catching up on all our favourite TV shows that my parents' PVR was kind enough to record for me while I was away. Um ... season finale of House anyone? I'm so gonna watch that again. And again. 

On the morrow I head back to Toronto for some May Two-Four fun with the girls. I suspect there will be barbecues. And bikinis. And roof-tops. And ferry rides. And beer in a can! We can only hope.

God save the Queen!

 xox
La K

Happy First Birthday Ursa!

May 17, 2010
Rochester, NY

I confess. After a whole week of basic cable I am so happy to see the Turner Classic Movies channel again. How I missed thee! It's really the perfect end to a perfectly long travelling day. Along with a bubble bath. Woke up this morning and said my sweet goodbyes to Brooklyn. One serious espresso and an eggy bagel later I high-tailed it over a hundred bridges, and even more miles to the heart of industrial Albany. You know, just for fun. Had a rendez-vous with an old pal, ate some spaetzle, a veggie dog and drove off into the sunset like a good little New York Thruway road princess. Been listening to audio books all along the way (a Sweetlandish road tradition.) This trip it's "New York" by Edward Rutherfurd. Loves it.

Tomorrow it's Home Sweetland Home for me, back in the arms of Canada. I would have lingered longer chez Mr. America, but my puppy's first birthday tomorrow and I just can't bring myself to miss it! I know she's a dog and doesn't know it's her birthday. But she'll still be so grateful for the long run and big slobbery kiss she's about to receive. And so will I.

Woof,

x

K

 Somewhere in Albany ... 

More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

May 14, 2010
Brooklyn, NY

Word up from the Park Slope slope! My week in New York City is already more than half over. How did that happen so fast? I've been having an epic time, perhaps the best NYC trip ever. Played a great show last night at Caffé Vivaldi and made some new friends. Then ran over to catch the end of  brilliant cellist Brent Arnold's set at The Living Room ... Made it for the last two songs, and the biggest glass of whiskey I ever done seen. Long live the American free pour.

Tonight I head out to Red Hook for the "Urban Cowgirl Cabaret" show at Jalopy with pal Jan Bell! It's such a magical little venue and I've always wanted to play there. Come on out y'all, for a little cowgirl adventure! But don't forget your umbrella. I feel a thunderstorm coming on ....

Giddyup,

              x x

                     La K

Red Wellies save the day!
More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

May 10, 2010 
Edison, NJ

Nothing says road girl like waking up in a New Jersey Turnpike motel on your birthday. By yourself. But I am happy as can be so long as these directions to Starbucks get me a doppio espresso asap. Driving into NYC this aft, for a haircut, a much-needed manicure and une petite Sweetlandish birthday soirée. Meeting up with pals Luther Wright and the Wrongs, and The Jack Grace Band for their show at The Ear Inn. Whiskey and picked eggs please!!

One year older, 

x

K

 The Ear Inn, NYC 
More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

May 7, 2010
Port Deposit, MD

Greetings from beautiful Chesapeake Bay. I've just come in for the night after my first inaugural campfire of 2010! My hair smells positively delicious ... and bed is calling. Had an amazing night in Baltimore this eve sitting in with my dear friend James Keelaghan for his gig at the Cellar Stage. Because everybody loves a good old fashioned church basement adventure. Especially when it involves cub scouts ....

This weekend I'm playing the Susquehanna Music and Arts Festival in Havre de Grace. I plan on eatin' me about million crab cakes. We'll see how it goes. Will report soon.

xo

Sailor Sweet

Cub Scouts HQ, aka ... our green room
More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

May 5, 2010
Kingston, NY

Quelle belle journée! The first day this year it's been hot enough to tell that the air-conditioner in my car is broken ... Ah zut. More freon s.v.p. I'm sitting atop a mountain overlooking I-87. Good thing they have wireless here. And amber lager. Am waiting for the sun to set and New York City rush-hour to un-rush, so I can bomb through to the 1-95, final destination Folk Festival, Maryland. Spent last night with dear friends in Albany, sleeping in sweet and flowery guest chambers. Aujourd'hui was Woodstock, NY, for snacks, supplies, green fields and bubbling brooks. And happy Sweetlands. Tonight is Motel New Jersey!

There may be photographs,

x

K

Did I say flowery guest chambers? 

More Mini Birthday Tour photos here

May 1, 2010
Toronto, ON

Happy May Day from grey and lovely Torontonia! Woke up at a reasonable hour ce matin and enjoyed a delicious Beltane champagne brunch at Eddie Levesque's. Mmmmmm. Fontina cheese and truffle oil scramble ... 4ever! Tonight, I'll be celebrating my very favourite ancient pagan holiday with a special concert in the Fleishman Gallery @ Wonderworks. Come early for a screening of my newest "Adventures in Sweetland" video. Wine, cheese and fairy cake reception to follow. Obviously. And perhaps we can even scrounge up a Maypole ....

Love & honey,

MayQueen

 Mayday Mayday ... With Bill Bourne in lovely Leslieville