... and I experienced feelings of both excitement and relief. Major news events had crowded out the prepared piece, and it will be shown "sometime in May", according to the producer. "It's completed, and is great," says she.
After eight hours of shooting, and the subsequent requests for additional photos and relevant information -- I'd completely lost any sense of what would be shown.
I was beginning to wonder if I'd remembered to comb what hair I have left; whether I'd checked my makeup after a full day (hadn't looked into a mirror since leaving home that morning); and all those things that fill the time after you've spent endless hours being on camera. There were long stretches when I'd forget the crew was even on site, or that I was wired the whole day as I conducted my bus tour (had I said anything that might later prove embarrassing?).
It would have been great to have risen this blue-skied Sunday morning; viewed the footage along with the nation as it watched; and had it all behind me. Now the period of nervous anticipation has been lengthened, and the doubts will continue; maybe not. There's a level of disbelief to it that persists, and I really do forget the continuing public exposure in the course of my work days as things settle into my new normal.
And that includes word from our superintendent announcing that he'd received a request from the Guardian (and I mistakenly associated that with the Bay Guardian - a SF newspaper) from the UK. They were seeking a 30 minute phone interview to be used in connection with a travel show aired in England. "We'll send questions by email, and set a time certain if she will accept." I said yes.
The same day I'd just responded to a request from a State University of New York (a "... small college with a student body of around 2000") for me to deliver the Commencement address at their graduation ceremonies of May 2016. What an honor!
My response was to live rather immodestly with the sense of importance it afforded me for a few days -- let the warmth of it wash over and stoke my ever-aging ego before sending regrets. "... While I enjoy excellent health at 93, to accept such a commitment for a full year in the future would be tempting Fate," says she. (You'll notice how readily I slip into referring to myself in the third person these days). I no longer plan ahead more than six months, and this proposal more than exceeded those self-imposed limits.
Meanwhile, someone on the faculty of the University of Oregon has discovered my blog and -- on the strength of that interest -- has invited me to travel to their campus some time this fall or winter semester to present to their classes. The NPS will grant permission, and plans are being made for me to accept their invitation. This is a pleasant reminder of my visit to Humboldt State University in Northern California a few years ago, and of how exciting that was, and how it felt to be interacting with students and faculty women who were doing such amazing work in Feminist Studies. I've accepted and am waiting for next steps.
Who says the Golden Years can't be quite the best ever?
I just have to be careful not to ever buy green bananas ... .
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