How do I (post-montrealer abashment) embrace if not love, Toronto? Let me count the ways:
 

Bike. Bike down Strachan to Lakeshore, then along the strung-out lake front trail, peddling west through well-tended parkland, squawking lake-gulls & brazen Canadian Geese (all settling here? Go south you foolhardy big birds), over a bridge, below the bridge, slightly up, tilting down, pushing hard on the ups & joyful cruising on the downs. Lakefront, winding dirt trail through some marshlands, along the Humber river, chill wind in my face, sweat on my back.

Art. This weekend(for example); Toronto International Art Fair showcasing galleries, Montreal, NYC, this city, London, Bucharest, Barcelona & more. I found some work both solid & soothing. Handed out my postcard to several galleries; chill wind in my face, sweat on my back.

Queen Street West, my neighbourhood. Crowded, tattooed, pierced, rude & lively, energetic & sweet, sad & strong; a motley crew & the ashtray of Toronto.

Stores with clothing & sultry boots calling to my empty wallet.
Foods I can’t afford but enjoy knowing are there; cakes, oysters, cheese, bunches of flowers (take that Bougainvillea filled walls of warmer land).

Art galleries galore.

Enough espresso to throw us all into a heart-pounding rage.
A local community centre set in the park; swimming pool, tai chi, pilates, ping pong, a running track, babies, children, free daily newspaper. Trinity Bellwoods, a United Nations of picniking, cycling, walking, music-playing, ball&frisbee throwing, people. Spotted last winter; 2 police officers on horseback, running their horses in the field, playing.  Many dogs, small/big, happily running with gummy balls in mouths and squirrels blasting in all directions.

Home. South facing window & doors to a Juliet Balcony, sun infusing the afternoon, through cloud & fall-chilled air, & me hanging slightly over the rail, sniffing it in, head slowly turning from east to west & back. Sighting, between forefinger & thumb but clear, an angel in the distance, about to take off from Prince’s Gate, hovering over the water announcing potential glory.

Then a cup of tea & home made stove-top popcorn. Perfect finger food while reading a good book on the sofa, the wandering crane hand finds it.