In the United States, last Sunday was Father’s Day. As longtime readers might recall, our philosophy for special days is to celebrate early, celebrate often. Accordingly, on Saturday, we met our daughter Shannon and her husband Mike in southern Maine at When Pigs Fly Pizzeria in Kittery.
Clif and Mike reflected on their beer choices. Did the beer measure up? Yes, it did.
There was pizza.
And for Clif, a tofu bowl with perfectly fried tofu and ever-so-fresh pea pods.
We had a wonderful time eating and chatting. Even though we are homebodies, we so enjoy our southern Maine adventures with Shannon and Mike.
On Sunday, which was actually Father’s Day, did we stick to our usual routine and stay home? We did not. We went to a movie, The Death of Robin Hood, a violent, grim take on the famous outlaw. No merry men cavorting in tights here. This movie is not for the faint of heart, so readers be warned if you decide to see it.
After the movie, we cheered ourselves up with drinks at Margaritas in Augusta.
Duly cheered, we headed home to spend the evening in our gazebo on the patio.
With the addition of lights, our special spot has gone from very sweet to enchanting.
We stayed until dusk came, and the solar lights in our yard blinked on. Despite the grim movie, it was a very happy Father’s Day indeed.
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In the United States, last Friday was Juneteenth, a federal holiday. According to Wikipedia, “It is celebrated annually on June 19 to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States. The holiday’s name, first used in the 1890s, is a portmanteau of June and nineteenth, referring to June 19, 1865, the day when Major General Gordon Granger ordered the final enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation in Texas at the end of the American Civil War.”
In honor of this day, here is one of my favorite songs, “Blackbird,” written by Paul McCartney, who was inspired by the Civil Rights movement in the United States.
Notes From the Hinterland 
Enjoy your post and love the name When Pig fly!
It is a fun name!
Any day that ends with margaritas is fine by me. Is that pizzeria owned by the bakery? I love Pigs sourdough.
I never realized Blackbird was civil rights inspired. Now I need to listen to it again…
😊
I feel the same way about margaritas. Yes, the bakery and the pizzeria have the same owners, and there is a bread store attached to the restaurant. Lovely that Blackbird was civil rights inspired.
Another fantastic weekend in the books! The pizza looked amazing, but that friend tofu and pea dish looked delicious! It’s been a while since I’ve had well-prepared tofu!
Glad it was an enjoyable weekend, despite the rough movie.
Hope your week is off to a great start, Laurie!
Thanks, Melissa. The tofu was very good. As for the rough movie…because we are movie buffs, we see our fair share of rough movies. But, it wasn’t exactly a festive movie for Father’s Day. 😉
I love those lights! They make solar lights so much better than “back in the day”. 😉
We enjoy When Pigs Fly Bread here in Mass, bought from a local store. Never knew it was from Maine.
Finally, I had no idea Blackbird was inspired by the Civil Rights movement.
Thanks for all that info!
Thanks, Julie! The lights inside the gazebo are run on batteries. Sorry I didn’t make that clear. However, the lights outside the gazebo are solar powered. Yes, When Pigs Fly is a Maine company. And, lovely to learn that McCartney was inspired by the civil rights movement when he wrote Blackbird.
Ha! My mistake. It would be hard to have solar lights INSIDE wouldn’t it! 😉 However they are powered, they look great!
I didn’t make it clear enough. I understand the confusion. But however they are powered, they are a treat.
Your outdoor area looks so lovely now.
I think I will give that film a miss…. 🙂
And thanks for your explanation of Juneteenth which I had never heard about until last year.
Thanks, Barbara. This Federal holiday is relatively new.
I did not know Blackbird was inspired by the Civil Rights movement. I love that song. Thanks!
Your lights are magical.
Thanks, Mary! Love that song, too.
My choir did an accaoella version of it that I just LOVED to sing. I will try to find a pro group doing that arrangement and send it to you.
Oh, nice! Thanks!
Loved this arrangement- we had the whistlers too!
Oh, lovely! Thanks so much for sending me this link. Loved that whistling.
Grim movies aren’t my thing either Laurie and other than that it’s lovely to see a finest of father’s day celebrations and your gazebo lights look truly enchanting! 💚✨️ xxx
Thanks, Xenia!
Now I am envious – the tofu and pea pods looks fabulous and would have been right up my alley! Did see the term ‘Juneteenth’ in various places . . . had no idea what it meant – thank you for the explanation . . .
My pleasure!
What a wonderful day! The lights in your’mosiquito free safe space’ look wonderful!
Thanks so much! How we love our gazebo.
Your gazebo is so charming and sweet, I bet it has become your favorite summer hangout!
Our second living room!
Beer, pizza and a movie. That is a delightful weekend! And oh, you have made your pavilion into a fairy land with the candles, lanterns and, of course, your garden view. Enchanting, indeed!
Thanks, Carol Ann. A really good weekend. And as today is a beautiful June day, we will be spending time in the gazebo tonight. Sparkling water during the week. Adult beverages on the weekend.
Laurie, it’s nice reading about your celebrations. I will give the movie a pass with appreciation for the head’s up, however, I’m glad you could enjoy a movie out along with good beer, food, and company.
I adore your enchanting gazebo with the solar lights. I imagine you’ll spend many, many days and nights enjoying that space, free of mosquitos.
I love the Beatles! I didn’t know the history behind this song. The birds in the video are a nice touch.
Thanks so much! As I’ve mentioned previously, the movie is a grim one, ever for us. We see a lot of dark movies. But everything else was a delight, especially the gazebo. Just to clarify: the lights in the gazebo are not solar. They run on batteries. Outside the gazebo we have solar lights. Sorry I didn’t make that clearer.
Solar or battery-operated, they are stunning. Thank you for clarifying.
That sounds like a wonderful Fathers Day! Except for the movie, I don’t think I’d be able to see that one. But I’d have stayed in the gazebo until well after dark and enjoyed the fireflies too.
A very nice Father’s Day. The movie was a grim one, even by our standards—we see a lot of dark movies. Wouldn’t recommend it to the casual viewer.
Hi. I think you wrote about Pressure recently. My wife and I saw it a few days ago. It’s a good one.
Yes, I did. I liked the movie very much, especially Andrew Scott’s performance as the uptight but correct meteorologist.
When Pigs Fly use to be a regular stop but haven’t been there for a while. Good food in the restaurant and great bread to take home. Sounds like Cliff had a great weekend.
Yes, the bread is really good. I bought a couple of loaves in the store attached to the restaurant. Not much bread left. 😉
Fine celebrations, especially after the film was over.
Yes, that version of Robin Hood was tough going. As film buffs, we’re used to such movies, but probably not the jolliest choice to see on Father’s Day. 😉
Happy belated Father’sDay to the fathers in your family. I love that you take every opportunity to celebrate life 🙂
Thank you so much! Our celebrations are relatively simple but we enjoy them a lot.
Since reading your title, the song “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific has been running through my mind. Your gazebo certainly sets the stage for many an enchanted evening; it’s just wonderful.
Juneteenth is quite a celebration here in Galveston and Houston, complete with parades, art contests, and so on. The local historical connection has helped to keep the celebrations alive and well.
Yes, that song came to my mind, too. Not surprised to learn that Juneteenth is a big deal in Galveston and Houston. Must be a festive joyous time.
I’m very fond of Paul McCartney’s Blackbird, but had clue about what had inspired it. I can listen now with a fresh pair of ears, and enhanced understanding.
Clearly the Robin Hood film did not make easy watching. But do you think it’s worth watching, or should we give it a miss?
Knowing the backstory of Blackbird gives it added beauty. As for Robin Hood…If you don’t mind a very gory, a very grim movie and a very different take on the story, then it could be worth seeing. The acting and filming are good. If you do watch it, let me know what you think of the movie.
Oh, I like that tent — and the pretty lights!
You and Clif have your own bit of paradise there, Laurie! The tent and lights are a beautiful addition to your backyard.
I remember Blackbird, too. Now I know its history.
Thanks so much, Lavinia. We are very grateful to live in such a beautiful place.
That sounds a great weekend!
A very good weekend of simple pleasures.