Book ~ "A Family Outing" (2016) Ruby Remenda Swanson

From Goodreads ~ Ruby Swanson’s life changed when her sixteen-year-old son walked to her office, closed the door and with his hand still on the doorknob said, “I’m gay.” Despite her initial reaction of shock, fear and denial, Ruby became a public advocate for equality and acceptance of the LGBT community. "A Family Outing" is the story of Ruby’s experiences. She addresses the deeply homophobic time in which baby boomers grew up, the emergence of the gay rights movement and how the AIDS epidemic transformed the LGBT landscape.

"A Family Outing" is a memoir about discovering gay great-uncles and learning about their lives. It is about operating spotlights at a drag queen show and about marching in Pride Parades. It is about the discrimination that gay people continue to face today and what emerges from the direct, clear-eyed prose. Finally, it is the picture of a woman who endured taunts from religious fundamentalists and political protestors to become an LGBT advocate.

This is a memoir by Ruby, an Alberta mom, who shares her journey after her oldest son, Carl, came out as gay when he was a teenager in 2003. At first, she struggles but the book tells about the about the ups and downs of that experience.

Swanson doesn’t just talk Carl's coming out to her family and friends. She also discusses society has treated LGBTQ+ people over the years, from the AIDS crisis to Pride marches. She discovers other gay family members along the way including a member of Lawrence Welk's band and a drag queen in Toronto.

I liked the writing style. There was a lot of interesting information and it was at a high enough level that it wasn't too much information. It's amazing that it wasn't until 1968 that Canada decriminalized homosexuality. The American Psychiatric Association didn't remove homosexuality from its manual of mental disorders until 1973. Gays and lesbians couldn't join the Canadian Armed Forces until 1992. Same-sex marriage in Canada wasn't legalized until 2005.

King Slice, Toronto, ON

I stopped in at King Slice (Queen Street W/Lisgar Street). It's been a while since I've been there. It was a busy spot!

I had a slice of pepperoni pizza for supper. Yum!

One Eyed Jack, Toronto, ON

I had supper at One Eyed Jack on Richmond Street W. 

I sat at the bar because the tables were full of Maple Leaf fans.

Free samples at SampleSource.com - April 2025

A couple weeks ago, I had answered an emailed survey from SampleSource and a box of free goodies and coupons just arrived. This is the 14th box of samples I've gotten from them since November  2013.

Crumpet and Muffin will be very happy because there are 3 packages of Whiskas morsels in gelled gravy (plus a coupon for 3 more free) and a package of Temptations Lickable Spoons (plus a coupon for another free one). 

 There is also a sample of Reactine (plus a $4 off coupon) and an Affresh dishwasher cleaner tablet (plus a coupon for 10% off). 

In addition, there are coupons for a free large bag of Kettle Brand air fried chips, a large bottle of Pure Leaf iced tea and a 12-pack case of lemon-lime grapefruit zero sugar 7Up.

Nathan Phillips Square, Toronto, ON

On my way to and after supper and Life After, I stopped by Nathan Phillips Square and our city hall.

5pm:

9:30pm:

"Life After", CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre, Toronto, ON

I enjoyed Life After with Anne and Franca this evening. at the CAA Ed Mirvish Theatre.

Here we are ...

Me, Anne and Franca

Despite being a famous self-help author, Frank Carter’s optimistic advice offers little solace to his 16-year-old daughter, Alice. After his untimely death, Alice embarks on a quest for truth, unravelling the events that changed her family forever.

It was funny and sad. The cast performed well. Julia Pulo especially stood out for me as Alice's goofy best friend, Hannah.

Milestone's Grill and Bar, Toronto, ON (Eaton Centre)

I had supper this evening with Franca and Anne at Milestones in the Eaton Centre. 

Franca had a Sweet Chili Chicken Bowl (warm crispy chicken bites, sweet chili sauce, sautéed vegetables, jasmine rice, crisp wontons, sesame seeds). She said it's what she always gets.

Anne had a Stuffed Portobello Mushroom Cap (Italian tomatoes, edamame, spinach, arugula, spiced tomato pepper sauce, Asiago cheese, tri-colour quinoa & rice pilaf, basil oil, seasonal vegetables). She said it was really good.

Book ~ "Blackout" (2018) Alex Segura

From Goodreads ~ Startling new evidence in a cold case that's haunted Pete drags the exiled PI back to his hometown of Miami. But as Pete and his partner, Kathy Bentley, delve deeper into the unsolved murder, they become entangled in Miami’s obsession with a charismatic and dangerous cult leader and his even more menacing followers. 

At the same time, the detectives find themselves at odds with a Florida politician’s fixation on wealth, fame and power. It all converges in the heart of the Magic City and Pete is left scrambling to pick up the pieces - or die trying. 

Pete was a former newspaper reporter and PI in Miami and now a PI in New York ... because of his last PI case in Miami, he was safer hiding out in New York. His friend, Jackie, was an attorney in Miami and asked him to work on a case that had ties to Miami. One of her clients, Trevor McRyan, was running for governor in Florida. Stephen, his son, had led a less than stellar life and had disappeared and his parents want him found and contained. There's another reason Jackie wants Pete back in Miami. Stephen may have something to do with the death of Patty, Jackie's niece and fellow high school student of Pete's, who he'd had a crush on. Patty's disappearance and murder about 20 years ago had never been solved so it was personal for Pete. So Pete headed back to Miami and he and Kathy, his former partner, investigated and caught up with a religious cult.

This is the fourth in the Pete Fernandez series (I read the first ones in the series recently) and, though it was very convoluted, I thought it was okay ... one more to go! It works as a stand alone but I'd recommend you read the others first to get the background. It is written in third person perspective with the focus on Pete. The timeline jumps back and forth and the chapters are labeled. I usually don't mind when a story does this but I found it confusing in this one. As a head's up, as usual, there is a lot of swearing and violence.

Martin Goodman Trail, Toronto, ON

It's a nice sunny day and I had the urge to head to the beach ... so I drove to Budapest Park and parked and went for a long walk along the Martin Goodman Trail.

Sunnyside Beach and pavilion

Then I headed along the boardwalk (Martin Goodman Trail).

KC's tree, Trinity Bellwoods Park, Toronto, ON

I visited KC's tree at Trinity Bellwoods Park this afternoon. I hadn't been since November when the leaves were changing colours.

The trees in the park are just starting to bud ... it won't be long until everything will be in full bloom.

Osmow's, Toronto. ON,

I had lunch at Osmow’s on Queen Street W (just east of Bathurst Street). 

I sat by the window which was fun for people watching.

I got a large chicken shawarma (with chicken, tomatoes, garlic sauce, tahini and red pepper humus) so I could have half for lunch and the other half for supper. It was a good hearty shawarma, though it could have used more sauce. 

The staff were really friendly and helpful.