Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Madge Comes To Town!

Barbara: In our lucky blog-world, we haven’t had just one close encounter with a blog friend, but this week we will raise that number to three! We met Madge yesterday and will meet Mary-Jo on Thursday.

Madge is a LA-based blogger/writer and you’d know her well from our comments section here. Madge set herself an incredibly ambitious and exciting agenda—and we were happy to be co-collaborators in her big plan. She decided to take a kind of Artist’s Journey of discovery, a cross-North America tour, meeting bloggers and fellow writers that she’d connected with online, but didn’t know yet in “real life”.
Madge in Cabbage Town
Deb: First thing that struck me was how much I loved Madge’s speaking voice and I told her so. It is so interesting when you are blogging back and forth with people with just the typed word to represent them.  As we always refer to it as the writers “voice”, it is so wonderful to hear that voice out loud.

In The Beaches
Barbara: Exactly! So we spent the day with her yesterday and decided to make it an “explore Toronto” kinda day. When you show a newcomer your hometown, there’s always that double-edged thing of wanting to show it off and also wanting to see things you might not always get a chance to see yourself. As luck would have it, the weather was glorious and we were able to make several lovely stops as well as having a good drive around the parameters of the city.



Deb: The day was about getting to know each other with a backdrop of Toronto. Toronto was the forth character and it rose to the occasion on this warm, sunny spring day! In movies Toronto usually plays other cities in the world, but today it was Toronto. Outside of spring construction everywhere, it did us proud.

Barbara: We picked Madge up at her west-side hotel, then drove along the lake to the east side where we had lunch in Leslieville. Then we drove down to the Beaches, where we took a relaxing walk along the beachside boardwalk and then along the boutique-filled streets of Queen East. Then we drove northeast and discovered Cabbage Town (the largest collection of Victorian-era houses in North America). From there we drove over to Yorkville, which is Toronto’s downtown high-end area (with the Chanel, Escada and Tiffany, etc, boutiques). From there we went over to Casa Loma and took pics of the beautiful castle that a devoted husband—Sir Henry Pellat—built for his wife in the early 1900s. Then we went southwest back to Madge’s hotel’s district and enjoyed a yummy dinner and drinks on a rooftop patio.

Deb: At one point we were kinda feeling guilty about not taking her to the CN Tower. Barb and I had discussed it previous to the day and had no interest in going up again as we both have a height thing.  But ever the good hostess, Barb brought it up. Madge had NO interest (thank God!) and said that what we had shown her was right up her alley, so ... whew.

Barbara: When all was said and done, we’d managed a pretty good overview tour of the city and also gotten to know each other a whole lot better. It was a beautiful day of laughter, chat, sun and sights. Thanks, Madge, for making this a great visit and a great day!

Deb: I think it is just a fantastic idea this artist journey of yours, Madge. Thank you for your warmth and generosity. So lovely to meet you. Bon Voyage. 

(Barbara: Sorry, girls, my pix sucked, so these photos are all courtesy of Madge. Thank you!)

37 comments:

  1. What a glorious day to meet two wonderful women. It was a day of fun, laughter all in such a clean city. We laughed and talked and walked and shared stories. For more details check out my blog. http://madgew-musings.blogspot.ca/

    Barb and Deb were everything I expected and more. I loved being in their presence listening to them talk about how they met and their lovely families. They are truly my real friends now that I have heard their voices. I love these two amazing women.

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    1. Awwwh...This is so great.....it mustve been soooo much fun....!!!
      BTW if you ever plan an Indian tour....you lemme know..!!! :D

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    2. Madge just read your blog and it was wonderful! Thanks for the kudos and the Toronto compliments. Hope the rest of your tour is just as swell!

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    3. I just had a chance to read your blog too, Madge. Thank you so much for your sweet words -- and for the great shots! Good luck and have fun on the rest of your trip xoxo

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  2. WOW..Girls....SUCH FUN !!!! YOU GIRLS LOOK GORGEOUS !!!! WOW.....Hey when I get there next year.....You guys are gonna show me around right ???
    Awwwwh.....These pix are making me jealous !!! SOOOO JEALOUS !!!! LOL...
    So Deb....PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE...come here soon !!! (And try to trick Barb in coming too..!! IDK We'll plan something ;) ) lol
    And Both of you ...we are skyping again at least...I know you are caught up in some stuff right now....but as soon as you're FREE.....WE ARE SKYPING..!!!!

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  3. Shalaka, I have been to India and it changed my life. I went about 7 years ago and it was glorious. I love your country and hope one fay to return. Thanks for the invitation. Where do you live? Also, if you come to Los Angeles you are welcomed to stay with me.

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    1. Awwwh thanks Madge thats so sweet...I'll think about it :) I live in Mumbai. When did you come ??? where were you staying ??

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    2. As you well know Shalaka, I am coming! Colin and I will be there in November and we will look so forward to seeing you!!!!!!!!!

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    3. I know....ME TOOO !!! CAN'T WAIT !!

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    4. I would LOVE to go to India. It really is top of my wish list. Maybe if I win the lottery ;)

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    5. AWWHHH...PLEASE LET THAT HAPPEN SOOON !!!

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  4. Wau it looks so summery already! Well I guess that Toronto is a bit more south than where I am (in my country). That is such a good idea to go visit all people you've met online. Well it is because I am travel junky and I would love to just travel around the world. Because I am going to go travelling in the future, I went to the dentist and booked an appointment to take my wisdom teeth out (I still have all four). So week from now I will be two tooth less wise. Yaiks! I don't like dentist at all, so I am doing this with private (and not public) one. Sooner it is over the better. Hmmm, lets talk about something else than dentist.

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    1. Ick. Been there, done that. Not too much fun. But you get to eat lots of ice cream and take awesome pain meds. Hope it goes well. Will be thinking of you.

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    2. Oh, the pain meds... Need to buy some too. I think I will get some from the dentist as well, but I don't like the pills so I need to get the other ones. Silly me, already panicking. Thank you.

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    3. Oh, poor Kasku!! Take care. Poor Michele had hers out just before Christmas. All her holidays this year are marked by major operations! I will be thinking of you and wishing you the best!

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    4. Thank you also. Just out of intrest how long was Michele in pain afterwards? Or anyone else who can remember their own teeth pulling? I know it can differ from person to person, but I just like the idea of knowing approximate time. Like waiting for a connecting flight in long journey. Now I am wishing I had done this over 15 years ago. It would have been free and most importantly I would be done.

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    5. I think she was kind of wonky for about a week (as in being swollen and having to watch what she eats, etc), but the only really uncomfortable days were the first 2. Think of the bright side: you'll be waaaay better for it after! xo

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  5. w00000t Middle Agers visit reunion party in Toronto!!!!! That is so awesome! Once I get published in Nature (ha. ha.) and Kelly starts working full time Toronto is definitely on our list of places to go! :D

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    1. Someday...someday. We will visit Toronto. Maybe spring break...if it isn't expensive. I don't know. We'll see! :D

      Looks like you all had an awesome time!!!!!!

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  6. Looks like a fabulous day and what a great journey you are on, Madge!

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  7. What fun! I would love to meet you ladies or any of the regulars here. I'll be tantalizingly close next weekend as my husband and I need to make a quick trip to Peterbourough. So close and yet so far :).

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    1. Ohhh, too bad, Erin! Peterborough is nice though. Have fun!

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  8. Such great pictures and it looks and sounds like you guys had a wonderful time together!

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  9. Nice! Thanks for sharing. I'm so envious I just might have to make the trek back again, for the sightseeing!

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    1. Oh, Kate, how we wish this could have been the Toronto you saw! Please come back!! And when you do, maybe we can do that tarot session too ;)

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  10. Yay for Casa Loma! One of the gems of your fine city, indeed!

    Laura in ATL

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  11. Look at you...you're just gorgeous! :D
    Sounds like a lot of fun to me! =)
    And everytime someone writes about how lovely Deb and Barbara are...it sends shivers down my spine. I wouldn't expect less. ;)

    I love sightseeing (even if I've been to a place a 100 times...you always discover something new, or you just enjoy the familiar things).

    If you ever decide to visit Germany...let me know...I have that sad feeling that some people don't like my country (because of its nasty past...but we're not Nazis...*sighs*).

    When I was in Toronto, I wanted to go to the CN Tower, but we didn't... ;)

    Oh and you will most certainly dislike my voice...it sounds so blergh. And I don't know if I'm talking differently, when I'm talking English...maybe. ;)

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    1. It sounds like you need to make another trip here then (just don't expect us to go up the CN Tower with you ;)

      I've been to Germany a few times. I loved it. It is a beautiful, beautiful country with lots of utterly different scenery.

      As for your voice: you are not allowed to "blergh" yourself here anymore, young lady! Positive, that's the only way. :)

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    2. *hehe* You're right.
      I can go there on my own. ;)
      And I need to re-buy the Toronto Hard Rock Cafe - Shirt. I lost mine some years ago. :(

      Awww, thank you! That's what I think, too. I love living in Germany.

      Sorry! :D I shut up now...you're gonna love my voice. ;)

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  12. Really fun meeting Deb and Barb. Thanks for all the lovely comments. Great women.

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  13. I just love reading this. I can't wait to meet Deb and Barbara, too. Madge and I met last year in LA. What fun, but not enough time. I'm loving following Madge around. Hugs to all of you.

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  14. I am so jealous! What fun you had! The pictures are lovely and absolutely beautiful. So glad you all had a fantastic time!

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  15. What a fabulous day! Totally off topic but... Deb, where did you get those shoes?? Love them!!!! - Anne

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  16. It's great to finally meet someone that so far you've only typed at/with. That had to have been lots of fun, given the smiles on everyone's face. I agree, Deb. Matching their "voice" with their voice can be a surprise sometimes.
    There's also nothing like a tour of areas from someone intimate with the little-known "gems" of the area.

    I've done the VERY basic "in Toronto overnight" tour, which means I've seen the waterfront on Lake Shore Blvd, enough of the CN tower to not have to go back up again, and Rogers Center. Technically, there was a Red Sox/Jays game, which populated the downtown area with Bostonians. I spent a lot of time studying the park, the half roof we sat under, and the size of it all. WOW. Architecture catches my eye. I'll have to check out that Cabbage Town area you mention.
    I've also been to the Roy Thomson Hall.

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    1. (I cut that off for some reason.) I love how walkable downtown Toronto is and how comfortable I felt there. I have to hook up with you ladies at some point. I'd love the "insider" stories. :)

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