(This is part five of my search for the best writing nooks in the world. The previous posts are available here. From now on, all nooks will be posted here on Blogger, as well.)
“Predictable,”
a man in full beard and Berluti shoes tuts as he skims over the tattered papers
he’s found lying on my desk. The fact that the gentleman is both uninvited and
unwelcome plays negligibly on his burly face. “Predictable,” he repeats in a
rumble of his lungs, “Disappointingly, so.”
“Really?”
I feign kindness as I maneuver myself closer to the door. There’s bound to be
someone within earshot who’d gladly clobber this bloke. “You expected Canada after the Midwest? You expected a writing nook in Prince Edward Island after Wisconsin?” I’m rather
proud of my pension at surprising and do not enjoy it being lambasted by a
wandering blowhard. “How did you get in here anyhow? I’m not in the habit of
keeping my study door unlocked.”
“Pfft,”
he blows out wetly through his whiskers and flails a thick hand at the
compromised lock. “Child’s play for the determined.”
“Determined?
For heaven’s sakes why?”
“You
are several days late posting your blog. Your followers may be few, but they
are hardy in resources.” At this, he points to himself quite expansively. “I excel
in finding tardy bloggers. One might even call it my specialty.” He lumbers
toward the door. “I had hoped with your mental peculiarities to find your
absence more interesting than the simple, predictable Christmas what-not. A
blogger’s involuntary committal is always nice to add to my resume. Try harder
next time, Ms. Stowe.” He winks.
“You
can leave now.” I even point.
“Oh,
and Canada?” He snorts derisively as he eases his way out. “A trifle too eager
to surprise, aren’t we?”
“Shut
up.”
...
I have never read Anne of Green Gables. I should state
that up front.
The story of the little
orphan girl who is sent to live on a farm on Prince Edward Island has never
been more to me than a tale I’ve never been told. Alas, Lucy Maud Montgomery
was never on my summer reading lists in school (a fact I’m mourning at the
moment.)
So when I picked PEI as my
latest Writing Nook locale I was embarrassingly ignorant of the island’s
literary ties… Another nick against my account, I’m afraid. But let’s keep this
from Mr. Berluti-Shoes, shall we? I am loathe to suffer another visit today.
Anyhow, I have always been
intrigued by Canada. I’ve been lucky enough to visit four provinces in my time
but lingered only long enough to enjoy a small nibble of their treats. I’ve
always wanted more. And more is
something Canada can certainly offer. (Do you realize how immense Canada is?
There are countless crannies for every imagined nook. It is a wonderful land to
settle in for a write.)
So, without any further
nonsense on my part, here’s the spot my journal and I would curl up in first…
The Elmwood Heritage Inn
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island,
Canada
(Rosa’s
Room)
 |
| The Elmwood Heritage Inn...Ten days in December-next sounds perfect. Pencil my muse and I in! |
 |
This is “Rosa’s
Room.” The fabric-draped walls surrounding the queen bed remind me of the
quilted tents a wee-Chloe made underneath the dining room table. I feel a
magical, children’s tale beginning to grow.
|
 |
| The Victorian sofa, the cushioned rocker and the little desk tucked
cozily against the wall lend a warm preciousness to the 45-ft long “Rosa’s
Room.” Oh, please, let it be winter when I nook here. |
 |
| Under the eaves of the inn lies the perfectly charming private bathroom
of “Rosa’s Room.” |
 |
| What a welcoming dining room! Even I with my anxiety order in tow would
feel comfortable within these walls. |
View: I have no idea (a theme I’m surprisingly
coming to accept more and more). The Inn is located in a quiet residential area
in the historic district of town, so I have few worries that the view out my
third floor room would be objectionable in the least.
Quirkiness
of Place: I have three
words for you… Prince Edward Island. While visiting relative in Maine as a
child, I remember hearing talk of vacations spent on the island… a prince’s isle! Yes, my imagination was
quite sharp (annoyingly so, some would say) even then.
 |
The provincial
capital of Prince Edward Island, Charlottetown’s population is only 35,000 and
averages 114in. of snow a year.
|
Environs
Exploreability: A whole
island to explore? One with literary roots poking out all over the place? I
could stumble around there for years.
Here's a link to the Elmwood Inn’s website, a fascinating place to stop for an online
visit. History and recipes abound!
And so this is where I’d
settle in next to write… with a copy of Anne of Green Gables tucked firmly at
my side. So, Mr. Berluti-Shoes, look for me at the Elmwood if you ever lose
track of this blogger again.
Until our next nook…
Chloe Stowe
