Honey Badgers and the Countess of Grantham: What I love about PBS

The snow pack is melting in the rain, and the streets are flooded. Oddly, there is lightning and thunder, which seems strange after all the recent snowstorms.

Winter has been a time to find indoor activities, and we have enjoyed watching the Sochi Winter Olympics. As good entertainment as that is, I dragged myself away last night and changed the channel to the NATURE episode on PBS. We receive PBS for free, as well as CBS, NBC (the Olympics) and other popular channels with a digital broadcast signal.

Last night, this NATURE show was all about one of my favorite animals, the honey badger. This African carnivore is actually in the weasel family, the narrator told viewers. I've blogged before about the honey badger; I photographed the one above at the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo. This was a new special about them, and a pair were filmed up close living at a wildlife rehabilitation center. Other wild ones congregated around a refuge dump. The two caged ones, Hammy and Stauffel tore through locks and bee hives, made ladders to escape their pens and attacked other animals when they escaped. I'm just coming to realize how intelligent they are, and am fascinated by this discovery that they can problem solve and make tools.

But back to PBS. This was one great show worth seeing. Public television has so many great shows. One of my very favorites is Downton Abbey, which I have watched for several years now. I was very into Gosford Park, the 2001 movie also written by Julian Fellowes and filmed as a predecessor to Downton Abbey.

This is season 4 for Downton Abbey, and many viewers are just getting on the bandwagon. A couple of years ago, the show was sublime; Sybil was still alive, Maggie Smith was killing it as the Dowager Countess and the story lines were fast and new. This year has been a little scattered. I'm disappointed with the way Bates, Anna and the rapist's storyline has played out. Having the guy come back in the house somehow seemed far-fetched and disjointed.

Will Mary wrestle any more pigs? Will she quit pining over Matthew and say 'yes' to one of her suitors? Downton Abbey's season finale is this Sunday, Feb. 23 at 8 p.m., so hopefully some questions will be cleared up. I can't wait. I will be watching next year, season five -

PBS has so many good shows. It's an impressive list: the Nightly Business Report and other news broadcasts, Nova, Frontline, Independent Lens, Austin City Limits.

Great Performances and other Masterpiece Theater classics besides Downton Abbey. Cooking shows, travel shows, Equitreking (horse-back travel) and children's shows. Science, history, art and culture. It's not great being stuck indoors in bad February weather. But if one has to be shut-in, an hour or two of PBS this winter just might make it not quite so bad.

Dallas Buyers Club heats up a Snowy Winter

I see the sea of white that is snow, taller than people where the snowplows have piled it. It's been a snowy winter of 2014, and we've had many days of zero degrees, even the negative teens. That's right; -16 or -13 degrees Fahrenheit: record cold for Indiana.

For Monday is predicted the beginning of a few days of thawing weather. Yet, here we are on Valentine's Day with a whopping 12 to 18 inches of accumulated snow on the ground in this area. So it’s a pretty, white Valentine's Day (Dr. Zhavago?) with snow-drifted spaces and shiny clear icicles hanging down.

This is a good time, mid-February, to catch up on movies nominated for the Academy Awards. One of the great films of 2013 is the Dallas Buyers Club. This filmed was directed by Jean-Marc Vallee from a screenplay written by Craig Borten and Melissa Wallack. It's set in Texas in 1985, and is based on the story of Ron Woodroof, a working man who is discovered to be HIV-positive. It's a smart movie, covers a lot of current and important themes, and also "feels good" - there's the idea that somehow the human spirit can triumph in even very adverse circumstances.

If that wasn't enough, the movie is electrified with performances by Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto. The film has already won awards at the 2014 Golden Globes and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Leto is amazing as Rayon, a transgender person in the film. The actor lost 30 pounds for the role and looked convincingly female: beautiful costumes, hair and makeup, is topped off with inspired acting.

McConaughey became a shell of his previous self in his preparation for this role as an electrician rodeo cowboy who somehow contracted HIV. Whether it was through sex with a prostitute IV drug user, his own drug use or possibly in some other way - that remains unclear.

Once diagnosed, the former macho man experiences discrimination, homophobia, shunning, and feels forced to go to drastic measures to try and save his life. This movie draws you in to begin to understand the complexities of the the drug trials and drug cocktail experiments that have finally allowed AIDS and HIV+ patients to live (or live longer) with their afflictions.

Lead character Ron bribed a hospital worker to provide him with the AIDS drug AZT because he was only eligible for a trial of the drug, which gave him a 50/50 chance of getting a useless placebo. But on AZT he only became more ill, his condition under the powerful drug worsened and exacerbated by alcoholism and cocaine abuse. Then after being unable to get AZT, Ron visits an ex-patriate American doctor in Mexico who is running an unusual medical clinic. Ron learns about unconventional and alternative medication regimens and strategies that also rebuild his immune system. Among other medicines he takes vitamins and peptide T, a protein not approved by the US FDA.

After some time in Mexico on this new drug and vitamin regimen, Ron returned to the USA smuggling the unapproved drugs and eventually established the Dallas Buyers Club to help other HIV+ people obtain these miracle drugs. All the while he was having to fight convention, challenge the FDA and also buck the medical establishment.

This story also does something else - it portrays the change of heart of a homophobic person. Gradually, little by little, empathy arises, fear subsides, humanity rules out. Whether the real Ron was homophobic or just more defensive, you see Karma come back around in this movie. As Ron learns to master his universe, if only for a time, it makes those of us watching feel that we can do anything too.

Love, be it collegial or romantic, straight or gay, familial or brotherly - love conquers all. So Happy Valentine's Day to you.

When Will I See You Again

I hadn't seen it in probably 20 years, but something made me want to see an old, inspiring movie. Dead Poets Society is a movie directed by Peter Weir, released in 1989. It starred Robin Williams as the engaging English professor at a Vermont boys' prep school. He challenges his young students to "seize the day," (carpe diem) and make the most out of their short and precious lives. Filmed at the beautiful St. Andrew's School in Middleton, Delaware, Dead Poets Society features an excellent performance by Williams and cast, and champions the power of poetry in way that is always fresh after all these years.

Convention versus unconformity is an important theme of this movie, as is the quest for romantic and collegial love. It also is a "think outside the box" smart movie, and a heartwarmer.

Sometimes it may come off as overly dramatic, but 'O captain, my captain,' will never have the same meaning once you have seen this movie. So, below is a new poem in honor of the poetry writers out there - to you. From the backs of envelopes I transcribe.

When will I see you again

There it is standing in front of us, like a bridge

I feel it again

Walking the dog through the acorns and almond trees

At night, the butterfly and dragonfly lights powered by solar batteries are so memorable. They glow in front of the hill, sweeter than even the twinkling lights of the town below.

The longing I have.

I re-read the same love poem every day because of how it makes me feel.

Although read slowly, to myself, it is a poem to be read aloud, savored and flavored.

It's written in the voice of someone waiting anxiously to see his love again.

His passion for her, I want for me.

You still have me

With one sweet kiss

One rushed embrace

A warm heartbeat in my ear, my head turned into your chest.


That's it - my poem for the day. Enjoy it, and sleep well tonight.

January Snows and Bitter Cold - introspection

January brings changes. Northeastern Indiana has had record cold temperatures and snowfalls. 29.6" of snow will break January records, and as of today we are almost there. Schools have also had record cancellation rates, and in my area this is the eighth day they have been out, making us all wonder how they will catch up and get everything done. Also, how long in June will they now be in session?

We are slightly immobilized. We think twice about getting in the car to go to the grocery store or anywhere. Wind chills make it nearly impossible for kids to play outside. One risks frostbite just going out to clear a driveway.

Yet we plod forward cheerfully as good Midwesterners, going out to work, to the YMCA, to the grocery store. Some things are different in this new year. It's time to change things up, make plans, simplify.

Some changes for the new year:

Exercising differently. Think about trying more outdoor exercise, like skiing and walking. But concentrate on different muscle movements than one has always done. So if someone has always run, she should switch to something else like swimming or dancing.

Pick up a new (or old) hobby. I have been playing the guitar again. I need more calluses on my fingers, but an old hobby such as this comes back fairly quickly. Music is great in stuck-indoors weather. I can entertain myself or lead a sing-along.

Get the kids to work on their science fair projects and experiments. This is easier said than done.

Cook like crazy. Bake a whole chicken and then later, make chicken soup from the carcass. Make an old-fashioned meat loaf. Splurge on hot chocolate.

Get out that new board game someone got for Christmas and has forgotten. Learn the rules and play it. Or play dominos - runaway Mexican Train has been popular the last few years.

Start organizing a tax file. Put bank statements, receipts, earnings forms and other documents together in a folder.

Write a letter to a penpal. If you don't have a penpal, write a letter to someone who might write you back.

Reattach buttons, repair holes and do other clothing repairs.

Draw, knit, crochet, make crafts, do craft kits such as shrinky-dinks. Order supplies online to be delivered if getting out is a problem.

Library branches are closed today - all kinds of offices and businesses, because of the cold. The high snowfalls drift and blow over the county roads, making travel dangerous and somewhat frightening. Yet it's beautiful also -

Indiana Winter

No longer do I see every detail in the grass, every leaf, every stick

It's the blanketing of white nothingness; serene calm and quiet snow.

Each snowfall is unique. This one is very fine and small; yet deep, dry, and still.

Each light, each sun and moon, brings a muffled oasis - brilliantly bright, clean, glowingly dark and luminous.

Moonscapes. Teen terrorists with sleds. Yard boundaries undefined. And when dark, suddenly sleepy cold.

The pines in the forest are sharply defined, the ground beneath them swept away with a white brush stroke.

Squirrels are digging for walnuts in the snow. Red tablecloths are found inside.

Fuzzy pajamas crackle with static electricity. Childhood memories of an old house, scuffing socks along shag carpet and shocking the adults with a finger touch. Sparks bright in the dark.

Now we've found the childhood art: traced small fingers cut out and made into reindeer antlers, cotton glued onto construction paper for snow and snowmen, painted, glittered treasures stuck with magnets to the refrigerator.

The summer sounds - common sounds, insects, motorcycles, are gone. The quiet is peaceful. The sky quickly goes from brilliant and bright to gloomy, with flashing moods that pierce brightly again. It cycles back to dark, and then gets ominous.

Bone-chilling cold. Beautiful is the pure white snow. Precious is life, and is love.

Essay, or Poem, for a November Day

Leaves of locust tree and Japanese maple lie mingled on the ground.

The gold and red leaves on green grass glow bright in the crisp cold air. I feel stunned by the intensity of their colors - it contrasts with my stomach, which is dull and full from lunch of chicken, potatoes and slugs of chocolate milk. I almost reel with the scene flooding into my eyes.

I'm ashamed to say I've always disliked the weedy locust. Now on the ground, the spider-like branches make an intricate pattern. Looking up at the tree's sprawl, I wonder if I may have it cut down next year.

No leaf blowers for me. I want the exercise of wielding the rake. No mosquito whine of motor spoils the air, and gentle quiet goes unheard. I refuse to rake up the carpet of scarlet Japanese maple leaves - they are too glorious.

Holy Earth scattered with the tree's ash; old fire of life.

Couples whisper like young lovers strolling down my street. They pay homage to the town's best trees, which rule in my yard. Walkers look happy, like dating courtiers.

"What kind of tree is that?", a voice calls out behind me. I reply without looking up. "Magnolia." She's my prize, and beneath her is where I'm raking. Then I look up and see a woman pointing. "Oh, that one. Japanese maple." Luminous red, alas, yes, this is her season. Magnolia, magnificent and pungent in the spring when she displays her tulip-orchid flowers, she now only drops sad brown leaves. I love her no less. But Asia is the beauty contest winner of autumn, and commands all the attention: it is her turn now, her season.

King Gyros does Ribs

I'm sorry I can't give you a better picture of this meal. I admit I ate much of it before I made it home to take a photograph. It was excellent! The half rack BBQ rib plate came with fries and slaw, and everything was really delicious. I find King Gyros' food to be consistently good.

I can't find a story on the internet to tell me the history of King Gyros in Fort Wayne. I do see locations in different places in Indiana, such as Bloomington, Indy, Marion, LaPorte, and Valparaiso. There also seem to be locations in Chicago and Ohio. Whether they are the same group of restaurants I can't tell, but I will vouch for the food at the locations in Fort Wayne.

For the most part, the atmosphere in the Fort Wayne restaurants is pretty plain. They don't seem to invest a lot of money in fancy decorating, so don't eat there if that is important to you. The Greek gyros sandwich itself is excellent. (Remember, don't make a hard 'G' sound when pronouncing this word if you want do so correctly). Served on pita with onion, tomato, sour cream sauce and feta cheese, it is the traditional gyros. The meat is tender and slightly spicy, the sauce and bread are cool and creamy. It's just how you would want it to be.

The ribs are great too. The sauce is slight sweet and tangy: plenty of it. It's not too dark and heavy. The meat is nice and done, not too dry, and comes easily off the bone. Owners and workers are generally nice and conversational; many seem very loyal and have worked in the business for years.

There is much of the traditional fare of this type of restaurant on the menu. I'm talking about varieties of hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches, burgers and a variety of fried fish. The location on Jefferson Boulevard, across from Parkview Field, lists ocean perch, Alaskan whiting, shrimp and catfish fillets among its fish dishes. There are also quarter and half cuts of chicken, both BBQ and Greek style.

You can order Greek salads and chicken Caesar salads. I'm glad to see they offer traditional Baklava, the honeyed layered pastry, and also a plain or chocolate chip cheesecake - something I have never tried. I'd be curious to know how far away from Indiana I could find a similar King Gyros. Maybe there are locations all over the USA. Regardless, I'm glad they are here in Fort Wayne and northern Indiana, so I can go back and see the large meat composite being sliced on the rotisserie and sample some sweet Baklava.