I'm sorry. I can't. Don't hate me.

Or hate me! My heart WILL go on.

This is the best stock photo I could find.

I saw a meme this morning that said I can’t explain it but 5x5=25 gives off the same energy as Friday!

It’s true.

I haven’t watched the new Céline Dion documentary but I absolutely will. It’s controversial to say this but I’m not a fan of her music just like I’m not a fan of Taylor Swift. I was going to apologize for this because I’m worried about offending someone (or everyone) but I decided against it. It’s okay to not like things.

Okay, wait.

It’s not that I dislike Céline Dion. There’s a difference between fandom and appreciation. I appreciate and acknowledge the talented artist that she is. I just don’t seek out her sound when I want a song to stab me in the chest.

That being said, I love divas. And Céline is a diva and I can’t get enough of her persona. I love her in interviews. I’m obsessed with her lack of filter and self-consciousness. She doesn’t care what she sounds like or how she’s perceived (unless she says otherwise in the documentary). Whatever comes out of her mouth, whether in her wonderful Québécois accent or in random, very out of place song, is gold. She inspires me to loosen up and be as free-spirited as I can in my own art and self-expression.

Speaking of art and self-expression, thank you for your responses to my last two essays. I’ve never received so many comments and private messages about my writing. My father texted me to say my interview with a crow was my best work yet. And I’ve received so many kind words about my essay in French. Your comments gave me an extra spring in my step. Merci beaucoup!¹

Sorry, I have to mention Céline again. Do you know which song I like? “When You Believe” from the Prince of Egypt soundtrack.

Never mind. That was Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey.

Last week I ate a poutine for the first time in almost a year. It was the best and worst poutine ever.

Real cheese curds in London! Invisible gravy?

What happened: I went to a Saint-Jean-Baptiste celebration for Québécois expats in the UK, and it was comforting to hear and be with people from home. A guy with a t-shirt that read I ♥️ CÉLINE greeted us at the pub door (lol). The organizers served poutine with REAL cheese curds. I was expecting some unholy shredded cheddar cheese on top of gravy and fries. But no! They pulled through with the real deal.

Unfortunately the gravy wasn’t gravy at all. It was brown water.

I’m flying to Montreal next week and I can’t wait to:

1. Eat a classic poutine at Orange Julep.

2. Buy Karine Joncas eye patches at the pharmacy and slap them on my face.

3. Dry my clothes in a dryer.

4. Swim in all backyard pools I’m invited to (thank you in advance).

5. Drive on the side of the road I learned to drive on.

6. See family and friends of course!

My husband says I should listen to Céline’s French songs. He thinks I might change my mind.

I’m writing this sentence from the laundromat and I cannot tell you how many pounds I’ve spent on drying towels and underwear from Costco since last summer. Hundreds I’m sure.

Speaking of Costco, I should add another item to my “Things I can’t wait to do in Montreal” list:

• Go to Costco and buy two packs of underwear. The Eddie Bauer Hi Cut Briefs-10 pack in black.

I’m taking a newsletter break for a couple of weeks. Next week will be hectic with packing + my kid’s last week of school. I’m going to be one run-down mama by the time I board my Air Canada flight. All I’ll want to do is put my headphones on and ignore my family while I watch 7 hours of movies and drink cans of V8.

I’ll write to you from my in-laws’ pool.

See you then!

1. Et merci à tous les p’tits baveux qui partageaient pas le chemin, aux dindes sauvages qui détruisent les La-Z-Boy et finalement, RIP aux iguanes tués par Julie Bertrand.