Something Better than Honey Boo Boo . . . .

JT Bock, are ya listening?  I still want to do that documentary series we talked about so many years ago.  We did get a very meaningful start with Jenny's story, but there's more.

And, I'm sure our concept would be higher quality than "Honey Boo Boo."  

No offense, Honey, but that grossness promoted on your show-----a little goes a long way. And, that assessment is coming from one who is far from prim and proper high society. 

Anyway, I've bounced this idea around for about 15 years and am thinking more and more that it could turn into a meaningful and inspiring documentary series.

My passion for this idea received another boost yesterday.   

Out of respect for the person mentioned, I'm not divulging any specifics like names or places but am simply using the example to illustrate the potential of my idea.

Anyone who knows me is probably aware of my sense of spontaneity.  An idea comes, and I think, "Why not?" 

That sense has taken me on a lot of adventures throughout life, most with very happy and satisfying results.  Occasionally, some go bust, but that's life.

Yesterday, on a rainy, dreary day, I spent more time than usual at my computer.  As often happens, something I was reading triggered a former student's name.  This student appeared in my sophomore English class about 42 years ago.

I loved his name and especially loved his charming Southern accent.  This was before another Southerner charmed me into nearly 40 years of marriage and counting.

Anyway, I enjoyed this particular student immensely, and beyond that English class, I had no idea whatever happened to him.

His name has popped into my brain several times over the years, so yesterday I decided to act.

I Googled and found the name WITH a telephone number.  I dialed. 

He answered, still with a bit of a Southern drawl. 

I asked if he'd ever lived in Sandpont.

"A long time ago," he said.

I chuckled and announced, "Well, I was one of your English teachers  . . . can't remember if it was Miss Brown or Mrs. Love at the time."

"Miss Brown sounds right," he said. I immediately detected, however, that his enthusiasm might not matching mine. He was on a mission when his phone rang. 

Still, I asked him a few questions and then told him I'd let him get on to his work.  

Then, he asked me a question about class reunions.  I told him that his 40th was coming up and I'd be happy to get him some information.

Without giving away a lot, this SHS grad is a cattle rancher who rides horses, does cutting and craves privacy.  

Our conversation ended up lasting much longer than I first sensed from his initial reaction.  
Later I looked at his web site, and, sure enough, the face hasn't changed much except for that beard.  And, sure enough he's an authentic-looking cowboy. 

After hanging up, I thought, "No regrets there. His story turned out to be downright fascinating."  

I still would love to know how he fell into ranching from a very different earlier career, and if we were to proceed on my documentary idea, maybe that and other questions could be answered.

This particular former student cherishes his privacy, and I do respect that.  So, maybe his story wouldn't exactly turn into one of my documentaries, but there are others and they are wonderful stories that could be told.

They could be told, not only to inspire young people but to reinforce the value of teachers in our lives.  Plus, they would be compelling to viewers.

Imagine a teacher reconnecting with a student after 30-40 years and then spending time---day-to-day, slice-of-life time----with that student who deeply involved in a meaningful, fascinating career after high school. 

Seems to me like stuff for PBS, stuff that could be supported through grants from educationally-inspired institutions or corporations. 

I have already assembled material about several students, for example, the visionary behind World Vets who go into third-world countries, donating their expertise and guidance. 

Some students run their own recreational or corporate enterprises; some are gifted photographers, some even travel the world promoting geocaching, some work at the White House, some work in law enforcement and, yes, even some are dedicated educators.  

Anyway, I'm inspired, once again from my out-of-the-blue telephone conversation.  These stories must be told-----to elevate the level of television offerings, if nothing else. 

And, if "Honey Boo Boo" beats them in the ratings, so be it.  I have a feeling some viewers might be hungry for viewing other than slugging around the house, gorging and burping. 

I think I need to call JT Bock out of the blue and talk ideas. 

Happy Thursday.