Recently I had an opportunity to meet a legend in the documentary filmmaking community, Ken Burns. He had come to Maine to promote his latest film, The National Parks – America’s Best Idea. My station was doing an interview with him for our evening talk show. I had heard that he was coming and planned on attending the taping, hoping that I might at least get a chance to shake his hand.

As the time drew near I hung around near the lobby, hoping to catch a glimpse of him as he arrived. In fact I missed his arrival and later notice him actually sitting quietly out in the lobby checking his blackberry. He had two people with him, the writer of the film and an assistant. I actually wasn’t sure if he had been helped since we no longer have a receptionist. So I took a deep breath and went out into the lobby. I asked them all if they had been helped and they had. Someone from the show was coming down in a few minutes. I introduced myself and explained that I had gone to school at RIT for documentary film and particularly appreciated and admired his work. I talked about how at the end of the Civil War series he made I felt devastated, almost as if I had been there and gone through the war. He said that type of response is not one that he often hears but he appreciated it. I also mentioned a moment in his film “The War” that was very touching and he said that he had in fact used that very same moment to show the film off to some dignitaries in Washington! Soon after I excused myself and said I would see him in the studio.

Later as he came down the hall toward the studio, I held the door open for him. Our station show producer was with him and said, “And this is Nathan Tinsley.” Ken smiled and said “Yes we’ve met!” I felt like saying, “Yes Becki, Ken and I go way back… like 5 minutes ago!” The interview went well. He was very excited about the film. Overall I found him to be very approachable and kind. It really was a thrill. I thanked him for coming and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, Nathan.” he said as he left! Of course there was so much more I wanted to talk to him about. Like how does he conduct interviews, how does he sift through hours of footage, process questions. But I decided to be thankful for what I did get to talk with him about and let it go. It’s a meeting I don’t think I’ll ever forget! In the picture you’ll see me next to Ken Burns. The man beside Ken is his good friend and writer, Dayton Duncan.

The March of Me

Just a check-in from B-lo. It's been awhile since I posted. It never seems like anything 'post-able' happens. But I suppose it's a good thing just to say, "Hi."

First off, to all the Hunnies with the kiddies back in school: sounds like it's going fairly smoothly. What a great thing. I hope the school year continues well, and all of you enjoy your new-found 'me' time. (There is some 'me' time in there somewhere, right?)

Noah was actually born on our school system's cut-off date. Oddly enough, that gives me the choice when to send him (at least until he's 6). Our district still allows sending kids 'late', but no longer allows students to test in to go early. There is no policy for kids born on the cut-off date- they just don't include that one day a year in their policy.

Long ago I decided to wait the year for various reasons, and I'm still comfortable with that. I think he could easily keep up with preschool, but it won't hurt him to stay home another year. He's small, and a boy. As much as I hate to take gender into account, I do think it makes a difference (at least some of the time).

I have to keep reminding myself that he could easily be in pre-school now, and hold him to that standard. That, and I'd like to find something he can do away from me later this year. Perhaps a short class or activity, just so he can get away from me and take orders from another adult for awhile.

I'm waddling. It's funny, but when I was expecting Noah I was very large and uncomfortable at this point (37 weeks!), but my balance was still good and my hips were stable. I didn't understand that whole waddling thing. This time, I totally feel like I'm an extra for March of the Penguins. My balance is gone. My hips shift and crack like crazy. It feels like my legs might fall off. I'm not too keen on the lack of mobility, but it is what it is, and it will be over soon. Oddly enough, the pain is mostly gone. It was really crazy for awhile bit for some reason it got better. Even the OB can't figure out why. I'm not asking questions. It does wake me up at night, but it's not constant. I'm fine with it.

So that's about all the news from here. I'm just waiting. I'll post when anything happens, or have John do so through my account. There may or may not be internet in the hospital- apparently it depends on which room you pull.I've been tempted to schedule surgery again. I'm hoping for an easier recovery if I avoid it, as this time I'll have Noah to chase. So far the baby doesn't seem to be breach, so that's one hurtle down. I can't be induced, so things will have to progress smoothly in order to pull it off. We'll see how it goes.

Jane's first day!

Hello Hunnies! Jane had a great first day of Kindergarten! She sat with the kids for story time, ate in the cafeteria, used the potty, and even raised her hand and "shared" something verbal with the class. I'd love to know what she said. I'll have to ask the aid. When I asked her how kindergarten was she said "It was very long." (8 am to 3 pm) I couldn't ask for more! She is really happy now that she has gone through it. She was a bit teary before getting on the van this morning. I was surprised that I cried too, after she left. It was hard because she was sad. But then I started telling Nate something and I stopped in shock because I wasn't trying to talk over the noise of our kids! I really enjoyed my first day too!

End of summer

Hello friends, August is just about over and I am thankful we survived summer vacation! Anna has been out of school since early August and has grown increasingly fussy. My only breaks have been when the in home support people have come to help her and an occasional book group meeting. (We read all the major novels of Jane Austen, again! Now we're reading the Three Musketeers.) Come to think of it, we haven't gone on a date since June... hmm. Summer is of course Nate's busy time. He had a couple of weddings to shoot this month as well as a promotion for an addiction recovery program in NH. This week he's in PA helping Seth move up from VA. Seth seems to be doing well in his new job. He and Blair are expecting a baby in Feb. or March.

So, Anna starts first grade on Tuesday and Jane starts kindergarten on Wednesday! It's a toss up who is more excited, Jane or me. Who else is going to school this year? Caleb, of course, but I forget what grade he's in. Can it be second grade already?

Hey our chickens started laying eggs this weekend! They are just the soft shelled first eggs, but I call that success! They are fat and happy, quiet and friendly (as much as chickens are friendly.)

How are you all doing? Kris, how are you feeling?

Sad News

I'm not sure if any of you will remember Keith Perkins or not from RIT. He married Tanya Trezise a couple years before we all got married. Tanya's brother goes to our church (when they aren't on the mission field to Brazil). Anyway we received word today that Keith died suddenly. He was returning from a business trip to China and his connecting flight was cancelled so he got a hotel room in NYC. He was found the next day (yesterday) by hotel staff. No word yet on cause of death. I just wanted to let you all know.

Good year for lettuce

Hello Hunnies. Is it raining buckets in New York? We've had rain here for two weeks and it's getting to be a downer. Last week we were on vacation down south so we were just worrying from afar. But this week has been sad, watching the peas rot and little seedlings being eaten by mean slugs. (I actually haven't watched any slugs eating since I squish the little slimy pests as soon as I find them.) I just keep telling myself it's a bad year for (name any crop) but a good year for lettuce. We're going to try to pick strawberries tomorrow for jam. Hope they don't all have mold! We are all doing well really. Things at the station are getting thin but Nate still has a job. Anna and Jane are in summer school a few hours a week which is wonderful for us all. I'm keeping calm with reading and a little quilting in the evening. The chickens are good, growing fast. We look forward to eggs in September. Nate is puttering on computers in the basement. How many husbands are puttering on computers tonight? I bet a large percentage. Have a great Independence Day!

Howdy!

Well summer is here. Caleb had his last day of school last Friday and we have been swimming ever since. Not too much new here. Caleb will do a summer time basketball camp offered by his school in two weeks then the following week Vacation Bible School. Hopefully he'll have fun. While he is out having fun poor Emily will be stuck with me. Unfortunately being only four years old she is still too young for most of these summer time activities. So I guess she and I will hit the parks while caleb is gone in the mornings. other than that nothing new on our end. I hope all is well with every one else. Kris, I hope you 're feeling good. How much longer till THE day?

jenn