The Real Story

Have found a "horse film" which I believe is about the gay rights project and which shows a "gay scene" very clearly, in my opinion. It was Stablemates, 1938, with Mickey Rooney. There hasn't been a lot of information written about this film on the Internet, so far, but I happened to see the last part of it on television. A man and his male friend [it happened to be a teen in the story] discussed the appropriateness of whether they should kiss or not [they were friends and like newly-adopted "father and son"]. When the older man kissed the other on the cheek, he was leaving for a while; and the younger said, "I won't wash my face [until he came back]!" The story isn't meant to promote older gays with young boys [they just happened to be the characters in this case] but it raised issues about homosexuality for observant people! And I think the "advertising" which has been done with "two women" more recently has to end!--It's not about two women, or one [like myself], it's about homosexuality in general [men and women]--as far as the real issues go.

NOTE, added March 5, 2011 -- Will add this entry to a Label about Canadian police because of the strong connection between RCMP and horses [the RCMP Musical Ride, especially, is a reminder of mostly past history].--And, of course, there have been American "Mounted Police" also.

Mountie Shows

When my son was around 8 or 9 years of age, we lived in a country area. A neighbouring country community was holding their annual fair; and it was announced the RCMP Musical Ride would be performing! The Musical Ride is a show on horseback. The date happened to be a "Father's Day" Sunday! At the time, I was very happy for my son's sake since his own dad lived too far away to visit. And it was also nice the RCMP were willing to come to such a small place--even though there was a somewhat bigger city nearby [more people were able to attend if they wished to]. We went to the fair and the show, and saw friends there; and it was a wonderful day--in the open air--to see the horse and Mountie show! Later, I made some small posters of photos I took and they hung in my son's room for a while. *** Have just found out from the Internet that the Mounties have been performing for many decades, including at the world fair in New York in 1939. *** There was a Canadian/American writer and his writer wife who spent time in both Ontario and New York. They had a summer home a little north of Belleville, Ontario. If I recall, the wife had written some children's books, including "Little Susannah and the Mounties," [something like that] which was made into a movie with child actress, Shirley Temple. *** When I was living in Belleville, not too long ago, some of my contacts were skeptical and said the Mounties weren't planning to pay me for my writing or anything. [They were people who should have known better, in my opinion.] And I said to them, "What do you mean they won't pay!?" When I saw evidence like the above [Musical Ride and the book/film], I had to have some hope! [The hospital people around here might like to say I'm "off."--The above doesn't provide evidence in my favour, etc.--But they're not going to dampen my spirits! I had faith in the Mounties, in general, for one thing....]

Mountie Film

Have added a link to a movie about a Canadian Mountie [fictional/comedy], which I've been writing about recently in the original Waterlily Story blog. This movie was based on a cartoon character from the 1960s or so. In some ways, the film might be seen as derogatory--to the efforts or any individuals involved in the gay rights project--but it depends on how you take it, I guess!? And there are real Mounties shown in previous news [video] footage at the end--they kind of rode up on horseback! So, myself, I'd like to think the Mounties are competent, one way or another!? *** Have also been writing about the fact that the original Mounties--Mounted Police--rode horses.--That was before cars were invented? I'd seen movies about police dogs earlier, but I forgot about this connection between police and horses! *** Guess the farmers and Mounties have something in common with horses!?

Previous Generation

This was a photo of my mother's family long ago. My mom is the girl seated on the chair. Only one sibling is still alive today. [Haven't had a chance to ask permission to post his photo; but I think he could be persuaded to forgive me!?]

More Art

This is a photo of a wall mural by artist, John Hood, 1996.

Have read a poem written by a soldier earlier. He said we shouldn't feel bad for those who lost their lives defending the country. But we should make sure we don't live our lives for nothing!--We should make the best use of our freedom and opportunities, etc.

Local Art

These are photos of a wall mural painted by artist, David Yeatman, 1996.

My Beginnings

Thanks to the Oshawa Community Museum for providing this historical photo.

Barnhart's Pavilion, 1964


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This was the building on the beach where my parents were renting an apartment, soon after they came to Canada, around the time I was born. My mom remembers that the rent was $25/month. Have written in the original blog that there was a dance hall on the main floor. [And my mom can still remember the words of some Everly Brothers songs which were later recorded by the Beatles!]