| The first installment ended with BruTwo behaving, while Lisa and I in the backseat were considering ways to misbehave. The convoy navigated the autoroutes to Rigaud, about 45 minutes from Montreal. We followed country roads into the great white north to the Sucrerie de la Montagne, one of the finest sugar shacks in Quebec. The parking lot was full with March Break families from Ontario. The snow was puddling, but the sap wasn't running. We had sighted buckets hanging from trees for half a mile before the entrance to the shack. ( I had to peak, the buckets nearest the cabane were empty!) Sugar Shack time is half an hour later, like Newfoundland, so we had to stand in line 30 minutes before we got our table. Caribous was poured in apology by the barkeep. Queuing for something is typical when Brunoing. Usually to see him, but in this case, to experience the local colour and food. It was during this lull in the festivities that a wrong was put right. An error was corrected. Something that should have, but hadn't happened did! I am proud to be a Brunette. I brag about being a Brunivor. But at that moment, I acted in my capacity of Executive Member of the IBC, Ontario Chapter. The International Brunothon Committee had declared 6 Brunettes gold medallists in the first International Brunothon, but had never actually awarded the medals. The IBC delegated me to present the medals, March 17, 2001. There before all in the foyer of the Sucrerie de la Montagne, (The puzzled guests who weren't Brunettes found themselves part of the ceremony as well) the medals were awarded to Jocelyne, Diane, Denise, Sandy, Lisa and Cynthia. Congratulations, Ladies. Johanne, your turn will come! The afternoon unfolded with traditional food, less than traditional music, with just enough of the traditional tunes to ensure an authentic experience. We shopped for maple products, rode the sleigh and tried the maple taffy. FACT: There are no definitive recipes for tortiere, eggs with maple syrup, pigs ears or maple taffy, but there sure are some strong opinions on how they should taste and look! The convoy departed as the sun began to set. Destination LaSalle, the home town of Johanne. She found us a nice restaurant in which to refuel and primp before the concert. Denise and Lisa transformed themselves. After all, there was an autograph session expected at the end of the evening. The group took to the transport vehicles. Johanne in one car, and her directions to the theatre in the other, to assist the second group with the "short" journey to the complex. It was when Johanne told Diane to turn at the next street, which was Rue Thierry...until she saw the sign that said Rue Paul (No not the guy who dresses like a girl.) Oh my, she exclaimed, I gave Jocelyne the wrong instructions. She hadn't actually. If Joc had ignored the names of the streets and turned per the map, she would have found the place toute suite. What would you have done, I ask? Ignored the street names that didn't match and follow the instructions or gotten lost? Jocelyne got lost, but not for long. With a quarter of an hour to spare - time to shop at the Bruno Boutique - we were ensemble encore! For those of you dear readers new to the reports, I remind you that Bruno is a superlative. And remains so. His concert in LaSalle was virtually flawless. Even the audience participated perfectly. He didn't have to tell us to do it again during La Manic. The CD has been out for 3 weeks with the lyrics, so there is no excuse to forget the words now. BRUNoTINY - pronounced Bru - no - teeny or Bru - no - tiny - the Academie Brunese hasn't had its monthly meeting to decide the definitive pronunciation. Jocelyne had the aisle seat. And in front of her was the smallest Brunette in the world. 5 years old, knew every lyric, dressed in the latest style. Carried herself with aplomb. We were thrilled, because if he were to venture forth into the netherworld of the last few rows of the theatre we had an irresistible force - a little girl. Bruno always stops to flirt with the little girls. And he would be right in front of us - particularly Jocelyne - be still our collectively beating heart! He never ventured forth. The room was too small, there was no balcony and he had canned all the special video effects. So...we had to make do with the autograph line. There was quite the Bru-Ha-Ha in the lobby of the theatre. Sales of Brunobilia were contracted as Dominique counted her inventory and totalled the paperwork. B has an ally in that sister of his! No sign of the Thierry, fils de Bruno. But there had been Macha sightings. It is a shame we like her, the new lady in his life. She at least has a thriving career and the envy of all the Brunettes. |
