Gay-positive summer reading

I ordered a copy of pegkerr's novel, The Wild Swans, and it arrived today, just in time for me to take to the cottage.

Peg told me:

It was a co-winner of the Gaylactic Spectrum Award, for best novel for the year 2000--the Spectrum Award, as you probably know [I didn't], honors the book (or novella or short story) which presents the best positive portrayal of a gay character in sf/fantasy. I was pretty proud of that!

Lisa anoisblue originally told me about this book, and about Peg.

Baxter's Bed and Breakfast

Regretfully I won't have much time to comment on my visit to Warkworth before I leave for the cottage. However I will post a few photos from the trip. Be sure to check ruralrob's journal for more details and photos over the next few days.

Here is the pleasant country home of ruralrob and emjaybaxter where I spent two restful days.



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Northumberland Hills

Baxter's is located in the Northumberland Hills, a scenic part of Ontario I had never visited before, though it is less than two hours from Toronto. On the day I arrived, Bob ruralrob, Bailey and Baxter led me on a hike up the hill behind their home so I could get a sense of the beauty of the area. Their pond and barns are visible in the distance.



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Asclepias tuberosa

One of my favourite wildlflowers, butterfly milkweed, I have never actually seen growing wild before, only in gardens. In Southeastern Ontario it is apparently abundant.



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Home decor

As one would expect from knowing ruralrob and emjaybaxter online, Baxter's Bed and Breakfast is full of interesting and beautiful objects.



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A good long ride

On Wednesday afternoon, Bob ruralrob and I went trail riding on a neighbouring farm. As a teen I took several years of riding lessons, but I doubt that I have been on the back of a horse in more than 20 years. I was comfortable in the saddle, but not confident of my signals. A horse is clever and headstrong enough to take advantage of an inexperienced rider. I had one or two hair-raising moments on the steeper hills, but nothing as exciting as Bob's rodeo pics.



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New friends

It was hard to leave Baxter's. Good company, good food, good country and good sleep made for an excellent getaway before I get busy and turn into a full-time single dad for a few weeks. Bob and Meirion are warm, generous and interesting hosts. I am thankful for their hospitality, and the chance to make some wonderful new friends: Baxter, Meirion (emjaybaxter), Bailey and Bob (ruralrob).



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