trillium spa & resort

Outside, a damp, cold fog has settled over the city of Toronto. It's the kind of weather that chills to the bone, makes you yearn for a cozy blanket and mug of hot tea in front of a crackling fireplace.

Things have been somewhat stressful for Jeff and me lately, so we decided to take 24 hours and make a quick trip up to Muskoka for some R&R. We opted for The Trillium Resort & Spa, a lakeside resort with cottages surrounded by 68 acres of forest. The photo further down the page was our cottage; click to enlarge.

We both did some reading and napping, and I had a reflexology and Swedish massage treatment at the spa. Jeff's not a spa person; I definitely am. I love the peaceful atmosphere, sipping herbal teas and browsing magazines (I opted for my poetry book) in a cushy armchair in my white terrycloth robe in front of the fireplace for my treatment.

I was trying to figure out why I like massages so much. It's partly because I have them so rarely, so they're a special treat. Partly because they feel so great, leaving me pleasantly wobbly and relaxed afterward, and the physical contact is comforting. But a big part of it is the relief in giving myself up completely to the ministrations of someone else, in a safe environment.

In order to properly enjoy a massage, you have to be able to completely let go of self-conscious worrying ("Dear lord, I don't want him/her to see my flabby thighs!"), to be willingly manipulated and kneaded like a lump of helpless dough. If you tense up, it won't be nearly as pleasant a experience. Ironic that it can be so liberating to be so completely submissive.

Anyway, I tried reflexology for the first time. A nice fellow named Jack worked on my feet for 50 minutes. I hate my feet, so it was VERY hard at first, fighting the urge to yank my feet away so he wouldn't notice my calloused heels, the lack of pampering and polish. But then it started feeling so great I forgot about being self-conscious and let myself melt into footrub-induced euphoria.

After Jack finished with me, Jeff (not my Jeff, another Jeff) took over. It was one of the best massages I've ever had, and asked if Jeff ever worked in Toronto. He laughed and told me they'd have to pay him a LOT of money to leave Muskoka for Toronto. Sigh.

Felt wonderfully relaxed after and could barely pull on my winter clothes to wobble back to our cabin, where I found my Jeff stretched out on the couch in the living room, napping. I made a brief attempt at reading my book but fell asleep on the other couch after only a few minutes.

The visit was way too short but did us both good.

Session tunes update (tunes I've learned so far):
The Swallow Tail, The Donegal Reel, The Galway Rambler, Cooley's Reel, The Boyne Hunt, The Sligo Maid, Drowsy Maggie, Ms. McLeod's Reel, The Green Groves Of Erin, The Bank of Ireland, working on The Earl's Chair.

My letter of the day (thanks, Morgan!): "I totally feel for you in your 'anticipation' comic from Life in a Nutshell. However, geeks are the best. Love your comics, both of them. Also, saw you at the Gathering, Urban Tapestry rocks! Thanks for giving me geek pride." Also see Allison's comment on my Nutshell strip yesterday. Allison, of course, is the redhead in the comic. :-)

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