Monday, June 20, 2011

June 30, 2011 
Toronto, ON

There's no place like home. I returned to the big city a short while back, with tales to tell in spades. When last we spoke I was packing up my little red van on the streets of downtown Brooklyn... Since then I've made midnight pilgrimages to sacred lands of my youth, sought out beautiful bays where I once cast my heart, cavorted with handsome sailors upon ancient yachts, and made the grand journey home to my sweet Sweetlandish bed. Now I confess, gentle readers, there is more to my story that I may one day tell... But for now it shall remain a mystery.

And as for today, quelle belle journée! It was the perfect temperature in downtown Toronto. Warm, with a lake breeze, just swift enough that one must hold onto their sun hat while strolling. Not to mention the distinct aroma of sugar in the air, drifting over from the Redpath factory on the lakeshore. Strangely delicious, and slightly creepy. This afternoon I did some adventurous cooking, purified my entire premises (aurevoir bunnies of dust!) And then wandered over to the St. Lawrence Market, all in the name of cheese. Now I'm here at my writing desk, observing my daily ritual: Ponder intently whatever I may be composing while gazing at the beautiful church across the street (right now all glowy in the sleepy sun.) And I feel grateful.

I've been doing a lot of writing lately here at my perch, and for that I am grateful as well. Have a couple exciting projects on the go, so stay tuned for more details! Tomorrow I head up Georgian Bay-way to play a Sauble Beach Canada Day house concert. Sweeet. There will most certainly be fireworks.

Happy Canada!

xo
Sweetland

P.S. The last of the photos from my Southern tour are now posted here!


 Back in the big city, baby ... More summer shots here!

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

June 15, 2011 
Brooklyn, NY

Word up from the heart of sunny downtown Brooklyn! Me, myself and my metro card have been roaming the streets of NYC all week on a bit of a working vacation. I left lovely uber-rural Rappahannock county Virginia and rolled right into the concrete innards of the big city... A bit of a polar shift. But balance in one's life is important. My memories of my time in the country are so sweet. The silhouettes of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the periwinkle dusk... The sparkling of the fireflies, the twinkling of stars... Not to mention I got to drive a truck though a field down a mountain. And then back up! I also went kayaking, rump bumping, and had a Virginia mud bath. After which my friend proceeded to catch me a fish and then cook it for dinner. All in a day's work.

Here, a day's work is a different thing altogether. I put on my Sweetlandish heels and take on the town. Went on rainy adventures to Central Park, had a fantastic gig at Banjo Jim's, made strange new friends and caught up with some old ones, hid in dark alleys, waited on a thousand trains... And of course, made a few excellent purchases. As well, it must be noted that the gentlemen on the streets of downtown Brooklyn are quite friendly indeed. Canadians on street corners are far too polite to tell you how much they like your outfit, or how attractive you look on any particular day. Judging from the amount of times I heard the phrase "Lookin' good, white lady!"  I think it might have to be the name of my new album.

I also got to see some great music while in town.  Particular mentions to The Silver Daggers from Tallahassee, FL who played a set right after me on Friday night. They were amazing and so lovely that I had to go see them again the next day! And hier soir, I celebrated my last evening in NYC with pals Blackie and the Rodeo Kings for their CD release show at The Living Room. They were brilliant as always and it was one hell of a time.

And now it's time to pack the van and hit the road. Next stop, Newport, RI! I have an appointment to keep with a certain sailor...

Anchors aweigh,

x
K

 Central Park in the rain...
More photos from my recent adventures here!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

June 1, 2011
Rappahannock County, VA

It's true. I'm down in the holler again. With the cow cries and the fireflies, the Virginia pine and Virginia wine. Well, actually it was Virginia sparkling wine. And it was delicious and served to me by dear friend, teacher and mentor Paul Reisler when I arrived on his doorstep. I'm staying at Paul's glorious sprawling manor for a week of rest, writing, and hopefully artistic productivity! This house is a magical sanctuary of art and inspiration. I'm quite sure I can make anything happen here.

So how about that weather? It's H-E-double-hockey-stick hot in the South and has been for a good week. Even though I wake up in the morning too hot to sleep and by mid-day my brain has melted into a shadowy puddle of its former self, I am just so happy to not be cold! I'll take it. And the heat wave is an excellent excuse to drink beer before cocktail o'clock, and hose yourself down in public. And jump in the river! As if I needed an excuse...

Since last we met my adventures have been many. Left Asheville full of peaches and grits and arrived  in Savannah that evening. Have been listening to Nancy Drew audio books in the car which has been hilarious and seriously entertaining. The Sherlock Sweetland in me still likes to get her detective on on a regular basis. Not to mention it's excellent research for the young adult mystery series I am going to write soon ... So stay tuned!

Savannah was beautiful and enchanting and my gig was amazing.  Thanks so much to Bill de Young from Connect Savannah for writing such a wonderful article in the local entertainment paper. And not to mention, putting me on the cover! That was a surprise. It was a bit surreal to walk around a town where I'd never played before and see my face on every street corner. I secretly liked it.

The morning after my show I took myself on a romantic picnic to the famous Bonaventure Cemetery, site of my "famous" Girl with the Spanish Moss Hair photo from many years back. Me and my tempeh salad sandwich curled up by a nice comfy grave and had a good think. And I wrote some magic postcards while I was at it. (Check your mailbox, you might get lucky!) After that it was a quick drive to the ocean so I could at least stick my feet in ... Then, a whirlwind trip up to Chesapeake Bay for family visitation and some oh-so deliciously deep-fried seafood. Yum!

And now it's now, and I'm about to tuck myself into bed with Joseph Campbell's Hero with a Thousand Faces and ponder the mythical metaphors of my life. And then hopefully have sweet dreams...

Nighty-night,

x
K

P.S. Just posted new photos from my Southerly Adventures in Sweetland!  Have a peek here.

 Old Savannah in the mysterious light of night.
More tour photos here!