But first … breaking news!

Canada Has Invaded the United States

Can you believe it?  Early this morning, troops poured over the border near Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver into the US.  Resistance is minimal.

Apparently Donald Trump has been offered a job serving coffee at a Tim Hortons in Toronto.

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April Fool’s!

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Now, about the really exciting news.  On Saturday I’ll be in Canada … and I’m going to buy ten new shirts.

I bet the last time I bought a shirt was ten years ago.  How’s that for longevity?  Clothes just haven’t been important to me.

But now the collars are fraying, the fabric is thinning, and I’m starting to hide my shirts under sweaters.  But guess what?  Here comes spring – too hot for sweaters.  So it’s finally time to act.

I did a Google search for “permanent press shirts in Gent” and came up with approximately nothing.  Now Canada beckons, and Toronto’s huge Yorkdale Mall.  There’ll be all sorts of clothing shops, perma-press shirts of infinite colours and patterns.  And yes, I want colour.  Maybe I’ll buy one shirt for each room in my apartment!  Red, green, blue, yellow, purple  and orange.  Why not?

I love perma-press.  Take them out of the drier when still a bit moist.  Hang them on hangers.  Et voilà!  No wrinkles, no ironing.

I’ve had a ritual this week, celebrating the end of one shirt each day, wearing it for the last time.  All worn out.  Today I’m adorned with a lovely but ancient mauve one.  I used to wear it with a tie at parties and fancy concerts.

Last time

You’ll be happy to know that I land in Toronto on Friday at about 7:45 pm local time (1:45 am Saturday in Belgium).  On Saturday at noon I pick up my rental car.  And 1:00 pm or so will see me walking the expanse of Yorkdale, with all the time in the world to find the ten precious shirts that say “Yes”.

Soon I’ll be a happy wearer

And actually … I’m already happy