One thing that always cheers me up: PBS shows by Lynn Lovegreen

 

This month’s theme is things that always cheer us up. One obvious answer is books, but since all of us probably share that one, I thought of another: PBS shows. You can find me in front of the TV most evenings, watching fun shows. It’s a great way to lift my mood.

 

PBS stands for the Public Broadcasting Service, and it’s a non-commercial television network with local member stations all over the US. Everyone can watch it for free, something that doesn’t happen much in these days of streaming services. 

 

PBS airs kids’, news, educational, and entertainment programs. It’s aired a few hits you’ve probably heard of, like Bob Ross’ The Joy of Painting, and Julia Child’s cooking shows. And who can forget Downton Abbey or the gorgeous Poldark?!

 

The show Masterpiece started out as Masterpiece Theatre, which started by airing only British shows based on books. (They branch out from that occasionally, but most of their programs are still literature-inspired.) I love watching Masterpiece for dramas like Nolly and Wolf Hall, and mysteries like Endeavour and Magpie Murders. I just finished watching the latest season of All Creatures Great and Small--how can you go wrong with the scenery of the Dales and heartwarming stories about people and animals? It’s so cozy.

 

Outside of drama and mysteries, I enjoy the nature and science shows like Nature and Nova, and history shows like American Experience and Secrets of the Dead. I learn more about stories in the news from in-depth shows like Frontline, and about music from shows like Austin City Limits.  There really is something for everyone there!

 

All of this is available on your local public TV station. Or, if you donate to PBS, you can also pull up shows on their PBS Passport website. It’s a great way to catch up on shows you missed or re-watch your favorites. (I might have to see that Poldark show again!)

 

To check out PBS for yourself, go to https://www.pbs.org. I’m sure you’ll find the perfect show for you!

Learn more about Lynn Lovegreen from her website www.lynnlovegreen.com or follow her on BlueSky at @lynnlovegreen.bsky.social.

The Bucket List I Never Knew I Had

 

I didn’t even know I had a bucket list, at least not until a few weeks ago. I had absolutely no idea I was about to cross a nearly impossible item off my unknown list.

 Don’t get me wrong. I’ve made several list-worthy achievements. I’m the first on both sides of my family to graduate college. I am a veteran eclipse chaser, travelled to the United Kingdom (I loved Scotland) South America, the Mediterranean, and even Russia (twice). And now I am comfortably retired. Not bad for someone who never even bothered to compile a bucket list.

I am the author of several books for young adult and middle grade youth. Some have won awards, including one I received only two months ago from the International Literacy Association for my debut non-fiction book, Unlawful Orders published by Scholastic Focus in 2022. They designated me one of their "authors to watch" in children's nonfiction. 

 
But now I have made the big leagues. As of August,2023, I am also a PBS pundit. That item is worth more to me than everything else on my phantom list.

 

This began in July, 2023, when I received an inquiry from Christian Valle, the TV production manager at KRWG public radio, on the campus of New Mexico State University (NMSU). He planned on creating a documentary on Clara Belle Drisdale Williams, a distinguished NMSU alumna. Mr. Valle wanted to interview me. Because of the research I did on her and her sons for Unlawful Orders, he considered me an “expert.”

 
Be still my beating heart! My recorded interview took one hour, and the minute it ended, I thought of a dozen things I had forgotten to say. I felt like anything but an expert. In my heart, I feared he thought he had wasted his time with me. Then I got an email saying the documentary, titled Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education, was about to air.

 
That was two weeks ago. I watched the documentary using the PBS app, and there I was. Several points from my interview were included. I feel honored to be identified with Clara Belle Williams, who taught crowded classrooms filled with students, including her own three sons, in a one room schoolhouse. If you are a teacher or a parent, or both, take a moment to magine the fortitude that required. Those three boys grew up to defend America during World War II, and then went on to become renowned Chicago physicians who saved countless lives. Meanwhile, Clara Belle continued educating hundreds. In 1980, NMSU, her alma mater, awarded her an honorary doctorate for her years of service to humanity. She believed in the power of education to mold lives.

Everything I learned about her impressed me. I was happy to be able to share my knowledge with others. Now and forever more, I am available on PBS. True, its not like being a star. There was no pay for this, just a “Special Thanks to” note in the credits that included my name. But this bucket list item will live on long after I have "kicked it."

The direct link to view the documentary Clara Belle Williams: New Mexico Pioneer in Education on PBS is - https://www.pbs.org/video/clara-belle-williams-new-mexico-pioneer-in-education-hgk3qr/ You can also see it on YouTube by clicking here:

 

The Attraction of the Unknown

Or why mystery is such a draw to many readers. I'm a victim of it myself. I LOVE a well-written mystery. I will by pass any number of other genres to get my hands on a mystery, especially if it is by one of my favorite authors.

As a child my favorite author was Alistair MacClean. I was obsessed with his work, acquiring every title, even the later ones that weren't quite up to the same level as his earlier stories. DRIFT ICE STATION ZEBRA, THE GUNS OF NAVARONE-- cool mysteries wrapped around a spy novel-- and so many others. I'd look forward to each new book with the same excitement Christmas morning brought. It probably isn't a surprise to know I majored in Criminology when I first started college a lifetime ago. 

And I haven't changed. Cozy mystery, hard-core detective novel, amateur sleuth, I love them all. I send more time watching old Herecule Poirot, Morse, Inspector Lewis, Miss Marple and Sherlock Holmes on PBS channels than I care to admit. I'm attracted to the challenge of figuring out the solution to the puzzle, gathering the clues along with the sleuth, interviewing the suspects and making character judgements to ferret out the bad guy. I like to see the hero win the day, right the wrong, put the world back in balance, heal the wounds of the ones that suffered. And it's probably not a surprise that I finished college as a Nursing major. <g> Weird how our inner core reveal themselves.