Last week, Clif, Dee, and I took four days off—Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday—from our regular routine to relax and have fun. Our daughter Shannon, her husband Mike, and their dogs joined us on Friday and Saturday.
On Friday, the weather gods were in a good mood. Although it was hot, there was no rain, and off to Absolem Cider Company we went for a picnic and drinks. Mike’s aunt, Claire Hersom, met us there.
I had an utterly delicious drink of rum mixed with strawberry liqueur.
Dee took this picture of us. In the picture, Claire looks uncertain, but really and truly, she had a good time.
Chickens, hoping for a treat, joined us. They might have gotten some popcorn that made it to the ground.
Here are a couple more pictures of this lovely place, only five miles from where we live. How lucky is that?
On Saturday, the weather gods continued to smile for the morning and early afternoon, and we spent the entire time on the patio for a bagel breakfast and a lunch of Clif’s legendary grilled bread.
I forgot to take pictures of the food, but I did manage to capture this daylily against my Great Library/Elferterre sign.
Unfortunately, the rain came late afternoon, bringing flash flooding to some places. But Shannon and Mike and the dogs made it home safe and sound.
On Sunday we went to the movies to see Haunted Mansion. Not a great movie by any means, but it was a lot of fun albeit tinged with some sadness.
On Monday, we had planned to go to East Boothbay and have a picnic on rocks by the ocean. But guess what? The forecast was for rain in the afternoon. As it takes an hour and half to get to East Boothbay, we decided to stay closer to home and have a picnic by the Kennebec River, about seven miles from us. However, the weather gods foiled us, and by the time the picnic was packed, we could hear thunder rumbling. Out to our patio we went, and we had barely finished eating when the rain came. Back in we scurried.
The rain did not last long, and we decided to console ourselves with ice cream at Fielder’s Choice in the neighboring town of Manchester. We might not have made it to the coast or even to the Kennebec River, but we had some wicked good ice cream.
That surely has to count for something.
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Reading
Tooting my own horn
One of my blogging friends, Carol Ann of Blogging for Joy, recently read Maya and the Book of Everything, the first book in my Great Library Series. She had such kind things to say about my novel. Many thanks, Carol Ann! I’ve written this before, but I feel like it must be noted again: Because of my blogging friends, my Great Library series has traveled around this country and around the world, too. No small feat for an indie writer. To borrow from Shakespeare: “I can no other answer make but thanks, And thanks; and ever thanks…”
Introducing…
Volume Five of Résonance, an online journal. The following description is taken from its website: Résonance features works “primarily by and/or about the Franco-American communities of the United States….There has long been a need for this type of resource. Franco-American and other writers who wished to communicate the reality of this linguistic minority have often found no literary-focused vehicle to do so….Résonance is published by its Editorial Board in Orono, Maine, under the aegis of the Franco American Programs of the University of Maine.”
For new readers: Yes, Franco-Americans are an actual ethnic group in the United States. Between 1840 and 1930, about 1 million French Canadians immigrated to the United States. They primarily settled in New England but also spread out to other states where there was factory work.
In Maine, the state where I live, about 30% of the population is descended from French Canadians. That would include me—my family name was Meunier—and indeed French was my mother’s first language. My great-grandmother never did learn how to speak English, but the feeling was that she understood more than she let on.
Unfortunately, the Yankee Protestant population did not welcome us with open arms, and there was active discrimination and prejudice against Franco-Americans. In Maine, Ku Klux Klan membership was huge, with rallies and cross burnings other methods of intimidation.
For more about this, read David Vermette’s excellent piece in Smithsonian Magazine.
Sometimes, situations do improve, and Franco-Americans no longer face they discrimination they once did. By gum, thanks to the University of Maine at Orono and editor-in-chief Steven Riel, we even have our own journal, Résonance. And I am happy to report that I am the creative nonfiction editor.
Enjoy!
Notes From the Hinterland 
How nice to be able to feel at home after years of discrimination. I am impressed by your position as an editor on the magazine.
The rain putting paid to an outing is a very familiar story this summer.
A long process, Tootlepedal, and not without a certain amount of resentment toward the dominant culture. Even in my day, Maine Francos were made to feel as though they were congenitally stupid, and nothing could be done about it. Slowly, slowly that is changing.
I knew you would be able to identify with all the rain.
Your note about the Klan is interesting, along with the implication that religious bigotry lay at its heart. In the 1920s, the Klan was active in Iowa, and racial issues weren’t involved; it was anti-Catholic prejudice that animated them. My family was affected indirectly rather than directly, but some remembered cross burnings. More recently, Vietnamese communities in my part of Texas were targets. Your story’s another reminder that there are many kinds of prejudice.
I’m with you when it comes to ice cream being a wicked good ending to a staycation, and congrats on your editorship. That sounds like a perfect spot for you!
Yes, it was religious bigotry. I should have made that clear. In Maine, the Klan marched against Catholics and immigrants.
Sorry to read that your family was affected. Sigh. Those cross burnings must have been terrifying. Creeps me out just thinking about it.
Alas, many kinds of prejudice.
Dear Shoreacres — I appreciate your comment (even though I’m saddened by it). My father grew up in New Jersey. In the 1920s, as a small child, he pointed to a “parade” on the street in front of his house. His mother hustled him inside, denying that it was a parade and explaining that “they eat Italian children.” Not far wrong.
Oh, my! A Klan parade. Chilling.
What a wonderful way to spent four glorious days off! I can feel the joy across the miles!
As we would say in Maine, a finest kind of staycation.
What a lovely staycation! So glad you all enjoyed yourselves and didn’t let the rain ruin it for you.
Many thanks! Always important to have a Plan B. 😉
Ice cream makes everything better!
Now that sounds like a great way to enjoy a string of summer days! 🙂
I love that UMe has recognized Franco-Americans with that journal. About time, oui?
So much fun! About time is freaking right.
How interesting to learn about the publication Résonance and your role in it. Just wondering, does the term Franco-American include the large Acadian diaspora that became Cajuns or anyone who happened to immigrate from France or another French-speaking country? Or does it primarily refer to people who migrated from French-speaking Canada? Do Franco-Americans of Acadian descent maintain any ties to those roots? Do they ever attend the World Acadian Congress, the next one being held in Nova Scotia in 2024?
I don’t know the answers to your questions, but I will ask around.
P.S. I have just sent your questions to the journal’s editor-in-chief. If he doesn’t know the answers, he should be able to steer me toward someone who does.
Thanks, Laurie. Should be interesting.
Steven Riel, editor-in-chief of the journal, had this response to your question: “As I understand it, Franco-Americans is a term for people of French ethnicity who came to the US from Canada. Acadians are a subset of that. French-Americans are people who came to the US from France.
“I can’t speak about whether Acadians as a whole stay connected with their roots, but I know that some individuals do.
“As for those who came to the US from a French-speaking nation that was a former French colony, I think we would refer to them as Senegalese-American, Congolese-American, etc., but if they speak French, also Francophone.
“I am not an expert in any of this but had to apply the Library of Congress subject terms and controlled set of demonyms in my work, so I have a little knowledge.”
Hope this helps!
Aha, thanks for this, Laurie. So Franco-Americans must include Cajuns. Interesting distinctions of heritage!! And Steven Riel has a very appropriate surname for his responsibilities, since Louis Riel was a famous Canadian who led the Riel Rebellion in the 1800s against the federal govt for discrimination and land grabs against the Métis (mixed French and Indigenous in western Canada).
What a wonderful four days! It made me so happy for you. And I so appreciated earning about the history of your heritage-and congratulations to you on being part of the journal! n editor! no less! love Michele
Thanks, Michele. So many people have no idea about Franco-Americans and the prejudice we encountered.
Speaking of ice cream: Do you prefer it in a cup or in a cone? What are your favorite flavors?
Unless I’m have ice cream with some kind of topping, I prefer it in cone. My favorite flavors are peanut butter, black raspberry, and grapenut. Weird assortment, huh? And what about you? What are your favorite flavors?
One would be cookies and cream. Another would be mint chocolate.
All good!
Congratulations on becoming the creative non-fiction editor … and a very interesting role for you with your personal connections… looking forward to reading some of the articles..
Thanks, Gerrie! It really is a good little journal if I do say so myself.
Sounds like a lovely 4 days off and the cider company sounds a great place to visit. Thanks to you I have been educated about those of French descent in the US. I must read that link you shared.
It was a lovely four days off. So nice to read that you now know about Franco-Americans. Believe it or not, there are many in the U.S. who don’t know our history m
Last week we watched Oppenheimer and have enjoyed it. Which was followed by long discussions. As we both read about him and his work. Politics and bureaucracy can be worst of the enemies for scientists.
Indeed they can!
I had thought the Ku Klux Klan concerned themselves only with those of African origin so I must follow your link even though I’m bound to find it depressing. The film ‘Till’ is available to watch on Netflix UK (I think) but I can’t bear to watch it .
Changing the subject – I just love that photo of a piece of fluff masquerading as a chicken.
Alas, Catholics were also targeted. In the late 1800s, there was a fear that French Canadian Catholics were plotting to take over New England and join it with Quebec.
I know what you mean about “Till.” I haven’t watched it yet either.
We watched Spike Lee’s “BlacKkKlansman” and the last 15 minutes includes a calmly stated and devastating description of Till’s brutal end. My son didn’t know how to respond when I started sobbing uncontrollably. I’m glad these films are made, but I don’t have the wherewithal to watch.
I think it’s all the more upsetting because it’s such relatively recent history and took place in a supposedly civilised country and it’s good that your son and everybody’s sons are aware of it so they can understand some of the emotions that still exist – and here I’m talking about any country not only the U.S.
Amen!
Many countries participated in slavery (and still do), but I agree that the people of this country should know better. I’m so unhappy with the current state of things, all the progress lost because of an inept and selfish ex-president and his conservative cronies. It’s devastating to men and women, people of color, the LGBTQ community, and any one else that’s not a member of some sort of white elitist culture. It’s depressing.
It sure is. Sigh.
An excellent film, but a tough one.
Yes.
Great staycation, and wicked good ice cream always makes things better. 🙂 We missed one topic during our visit – French Canadian ancestors. My father’s side of the family traces back there. 🙂 Hope you have this glorious weather we’re having.
Ice cream can brighten up even the gloomiest day. The next time we get together, we can discuss your father’s French Canadian ancestors. Would love to hear the names, which for some reason are always so dear to me.
That sounds a lovely break from work. And how great that you were all together! I’m glad that the rain didn’t spoil it completely for you.
In Maine, when you plan something outside, you always need to have a Plan B. It was a lovely break from work. So nice to have the family together.
It’s the same here – always assume he weather can turn.
A little concerned that two great parts of the staycation – the bread and the beard – didn’t get a look in. Fortunately there were photographs. Congratulations on the editorship.
And a picture is worth a thousand words. 😉
It is when it’s a picture of a gem of facial ornamentation.
It looks like a wonderful little holiday Laurie!
Thanks for the Franco American links! I’ll read the Smithsonian article later today, with my French Canadian ancestors in mind!.
It was a wonderful little holiday. That article is well worth reading.
It was a good article Laurie. Merci!
Glad you liked it! David Vermette is a good writer, and if you haven’t read his “A Distinct Alien Race,” you might want to put it on your TBR list.
Will do!
I’m pleased the weather cooperated – and found your origins history fascinating.
Thanks, Derrick! Too many people in the U.S. are unaware of the history. My generation of artists, writers, and thinkers have decided it is time to speak up.
Excellent
How good it is to be able to read your blog again!
Glad to have you back and reading!
Thanks to you, I read David Vermette’s work, A Distinct Alien Race. He covers the history, it’s context and it’s outcomes thoroughly. I appreciated his conclusion in the attached article: “Talk of a French Canadian threat waned in the first years of the 20th century, as migration across the northeastern border slowed temporarily. This Victorian episode faded from memory only when U.S. fears were transferred to new subjects: the even more foreign-seeming Jewish and non-Protestant immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe, who, in the early 20th century, began to arrive in growing numbers on U.S. shores.”
I wonder at human beings’ need to make people “other” and fear them. It happens so much and has tragic results.
Regarding your staycation: I love that a picnic happened, albeit on your own patio. But you had a picnic! So fun!
Wonderful that you read David’s book because of one of my posts. Yes, it’s so sad that we make people “other” and fear them. Sigh.
As for the picnic on the patio…we take our fun where we can get it.
Congratulations on the excellent review of a wonderful book and also becoming the creative non-fiction editor of Resonance. (Sorry, couldn’t get the accent code to work!)
I am so pleased you had a lovely long weekend with your family but sorry the weather made you change your plans.
Thank you, thank you! All in all, a very good weekend even with the rainy weather.
Congrats on your new editing job! I found your info fascinating, as I never realized that Franco-
Americans were discriminated against. Franco -Americans seemed so “normal” to me as a kid, compared to my Polish immigrant Babcia and Jaja, who were tobacco farmers (and ultra-Catholic). Live an learn! 😉
Thanks so much!
Many people don’t realize the history of Franco-Americans. And I must say that in Maine, the discrimination was particularly bad. In the early 1900s, the legislature passed a law banning the use of French in schools except in foreign language classes. Kids who slipped up where forced to write on the chalkboard “I will not speak French in school.”
What a wonderful staycation Laurie and many many congratulations with your creative nonfiction editor role! 💖
Many thanks!
Laurie, I had no idea the Klan was active in Maine. I think we all need to be vigilant and proactive when it comes to bullying, prejudice, meanness, and such … of all kinds. What a great staycation you had! And congrats on the new gig — you’ll be perfect for it!
Sobering, isn’t it? Little old Maine, a northern state, being rife with the Klan. Yes, we surely do need to be vigilant and proactive.
As always, I enjoyed your post. You know how much my family enjoys our neighborhood Audacious Aleworks, so I doubly appreciate your fondness for Absolem Cider. And, oh yes, your view wins hands down!
I’m glad you tooted your horn in celebration of my delight! And thank you for telling the story of Franco-Americans in Maine and elsewhere. I got a tiny bit of insight from Maya’s family too!
Thanks, Carol Ann! Yes, I wove the history of Franco-Americans into the four books.
Audacious Aleworks sounds great!
What a wonderful staycation and love the photo of the Great Library sign!!🙂 Glad the weather gods gave you two great days outdoors and movies and ice cream are always a great backup plan. Definitely plan on exploring the online journal and congratulations on being an editor!!🙂
Thanks so much! Hope you enjoy the journal.
Your picnic and that drink look yummy. There is something about eating outdoors that makes it all taste good. I’m sorry to hear about the rain interruptions. What a summer so far.
Congratulations on the new editing gig and how perfect for your interests and strengths. I didn’t know any of what you shared about Franco-Americans.
Thanks, Alys! We love eating outdoors, and we have lunch on the patio as often as the weather allows. Unfortunately, there have been too many rainy days when we have had to eat inside.
Believe it or not, a lot of folks who live in Maine have no clue about Franco-American history. Franco writers, artists, and other creatives are trying to change that.
It seems the rain has been relentless on the east coast this year, and again in parts of the UK. Nothing seems to happen in moderation these days.
I’m glad you are bringing awareness to the Franco-American history. When I attended college, I enrolled in an American history class, taught ironically by a woman from Sweden. The class focused on all of the contributions of women in early American history, and it was shocking how much has been left out of the text books. Further, many things were credited to men, that were actually invented by their wives. Women are responsible for the 40 hour work week, early unions designed to protect workers and get young children out of factories, and more. All that progress at the turn of the last century, makes our current losses all the more disheartening.
Oh, yes!
Looks like you had a fine time, and escaped the worst of the weather. Rum mixed with strawberry liqueur sounds like an excellent way to celebrate!
That drink was pretty darned good, as my Yankee husband would say.
How great to hear about Résonance! You are a thoughtful writer, as I know from the Great Library series, and I have always maintained that good editors have to have a good writer inside.
A-w-w-w, thanks so much!
That sounds like a wonderful four day staycation with family, Laurie, and I love the Great Library Elferterre signs. And thank you for the Franco-American history lesson, too, and I have bookmarked Résonance.
We have three pinot meunier grape vines a friend gave us. It is one of the varietals that can be used in champagne.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinot_Meunier
Oh, fun! How cool is that there is a pinot meunier grape vine. And used for champagne!
Excellent staycation, and wicked good ice cream always improves everything. During our stay, we overlooked one topic: French Canadian ancestry.
I’m glad you got those nice stretches of sunshine, Laurie. Plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors even if only in the backyard. We named our deck “vacation” so now every day we spend some time on vacation. Lol. A little rain would be great here, but we’ll make do. 😀
Tee-hee! Love that you named your deck “vacation.” Today, is bucketing rain in Maine, and there are flash-flood warnings. Sure do wish I could send rain your way.
New England is getting swamped this summer. Weird weather. Hopefully you can spend some time on “vacation” (your patio) soon.
Thank you for sharing the interesting history of Franco-Americans, Laurie. And congratulations on being an editor for the new magazine! That must be a lot of fun.
My pleasure!