skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Ken Burns: "The Roosevelt's"

9 years ago

Anyone watching this on PBS? It covers Teddy, FDR, & Eleanor runs for 14 hours, I believe. Quite fascinating, IMO.

Teddy was said to have been our most loved Pres., but as all humans he had his ~ dark side...loved war, tho not all would view it that way. His mother & first wife died hours apart, just after his daughter was born.

I find Presidents so very interesting.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (26)

Fun2BHere
9 years ago
I am DVR'ing it.
morz8 - Washington Coast
9 years ago
My mother had hoped to enjoy it but emailed last night to tell me it's on too late for her....she is early to bed.

She sounded disappointed - So I ordered the book to surprise her with, it should come end of this week.

We were busy right up until dark last night then still had to eat, straighten the kitchen etc so I didn't see the first segment myself.
Related Discussions
burn baby burn
Q
Comments (20)
Yes, of course, my "common sense" approach to the burning of grasses would preclude doing it under conditions of "red flag" fire warnings and the like. I hope that went without saying. So there! ;) Overall, I've got to say that over the past couple days, this thread degenerated into one of the stupidest ones I've seen on GardenWeb in quite some time. And sadly, I feel my contributions were to blame for that stupidity more than anything else (except possibly for hortster...). So, I'd like to extend a sincere apology to all y'all for having dragged you down to my level in this fashion. On Holy Week, no less! I'm sorry. I wish you all the best on this Good Friday, and a happy Passover, et cetera. Cheers!
...See More
stripping foliage--ken
Q
Comments (14)
I first saw this method while I was visiting central Germany several years ago. I would stop and talk to english speaking town folk while out walking. They all did the same thing. Mid to late December they stripped all the foliage off all their roses and tied up any long wind whipped canes. Easy spring clean up and pruning. I first started this method after moving up to N.GA. Have had great success. I wait for my rugosa to start dropping it's foliage. To me, that is a good sign everything is shutting down. In my area, some bush's will hold on to their foliage until stripped, no matter what. Most foliage comes off quite easly. For the stuff that wants to hold on forever, I have a pair of small snips and just snip it off close to the cane. It leaves a little nub that will fall off in a couple of weeks. The dead stuff comes off and most of the small twiggy stuff on ALMOST everything. It depends on the bush and variety. Stripping them in cold weather does NOT trigger new growth. Cold, damp soil seems to keep everything asleep. Pruning them back and nice warm soil triggers wake me up. I have never had any problems with this. Even last winter when it was so warm. The soil was cold and damp. I get a good look at each bush doing things this way. Plus the roses look a lot cleaner. Now, I'm no expert. I'm just telling everyone what I do and what works for me. If you are happy with what you do in your garden during the winter, DON'T change anything. If you want to try this method but aren't really sure about it, take a small section of your garden and try it. I stripped "zepphy", Green Rose, Baron Prevost and Abraham Darby today. Zepphy took most of the time but her foliage came off very easy. Being thornlees also helped. Still have all my mini's and minifloras to start tomorrow.
...See More
summer burn vs winter burn
Q
Comments (7)
Just wondering.. do you guys water the day after a good soaking rain? How about the day after a little drizzle? OR do you still go out and stick your finger down to check the moisture level? We planted about 55 new conifers this year (for windbreak, etc.) and can't possibly go out and check each rootball's moisture. So I was wondering if there is just a general rule of thumb. Dave says he waters daily, but does that include days when the ground has already received some rain? This always confuses me. Our soil is mainly clay & shale, so even when I do stick my finger down in, it is hard to tell whether it's actually moist, or just the typical cool dampness of the clay itself (hope that makes sense..?). So I've just been giving them a good soaking 1-2 times a week. I have an Irish Juniper that just turned into toast this week. It was planted last fall and watered very well. Not sure if it was actually winter burn showing up now or just the result of this heat wave. Anyway, we are going away for 5 days, and don't really have anyone to come water all our trees... so I am worrying over what to do about all the new conifers (most of them being 9-11 ft. douglas firs, various 4-9 ft. arbs, some small blue spruces, and mugo pines). We are having the same terrible heat wave here in PA right now with very little precip... although it did storm and rain buckets last night. Laura (who is becoming tired of dragging out the hose and doing Mother Nature's work for her) ;)
...See More
The Fallacy of "We Will Never Forget"
Q
Comments (33)
" From what I've read over the years, the average inductee is from a rural area or small town and is from a family background with much lower than average education and socioeconomic levels" I sincerely hope you aren't counting my family in that group snidely. They are bright and didn't lack education or were from lower income levels. They enter as officers since they have education. Also, I stated reasons why people join, and you only restated one, so here: "or weren't ready to enter university yet. Many thought it might whip them into shape. Or help then earn the money for school. Or wanted to see places overseas." Simply because you don't agree with what they do, doesn't mean unintelligent people choose it. Trouble getting employment? Why because they're young, and need experienced that the military gives them? Yep! And it's the best training. Most cutting edge. Oh, and this article seems to say the opposite of what you have "heard" A 2011 Pew survey asked post-9/11 military veterans to list the most important factors that had motivated them to join the military. Nearly 90 percent listed serving the country as an important reason for joining, and 77 percent listed educational benefits as important. Upwards of 60 percent said they wanted to "see more of the world," and 57 percent said that learning skills for civilian jobs was an important factor. In contrast, only 27 percent said that difficulty finding a civilian job had been an important factor in the decision to join the military.
...See More
sheilajoyce_gw
9 years ago
Well done, of course. We are recording the series. I knew that TR overcame a very sickly childhood, but I had no idea that the way he built up his body included so many hours upon hours of daily of strenuous exercise and physically demanding routines.
SunnyDJ
9 years ago
I too really, really enjoyed it...I also like to read/see things about the presidents....Very enjoyable.....
susanjf_gw
9 years ago
mortz? have mom check with her local pbs station...ken burns specials are aired over (and over, lol) at different times, and one might be better for her viewing time, than prime time....
chessey24
9 years ago
We're DVRing it also - football got in the way-and probably will tonight also. Oh well. Also waiting for the book from the library.
pekemom
9 years ago
I am watching it....i love seeing all the old photographs and hearing the stories that go along with them.
susan_on
9 years ago
I'm watching it, and enjoying it!

This post was edited by susan_on on Mon, Sep 15, 14 at 17:55
gloriam
9 years ago
I watched it last night and enjoyed it, gonna watch it tonight also!!
Deeby
9 years ago
I loved his series on the Civil War. What a talent he is. I remember I burst into tears when old film clips were shown of the then elderly soldiers meeting each other in the 1930's. Edited to add: I would like to include mention and give honor to my great-great grandfather, Thomas Guilford Morrill, who died of smallpox during the Civil War, fighting for the North, March 18, 1864. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice, Grandfather Thomas.

This post was edited by Deeby on Mon, Sep 15, 14 at 16:05
pump_toad
9 years ago
I watched it also and enjoyed it. Anything Ken Burns has done is always interesting in my opinion.
Lois
User
9 years ago
I'm watching it, too. Watched it twice last night! Yes, PBS runs them all the time at different times.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
I'm fascinated by this series. The photographs are amazing, aren't they? I've read many biographies and autobiographies about and by these people, but Ken Burns always seems to find the most incredible details and images. Remarkable.
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
I'm fascinated by this series. The photographs are amazing, aren't they? I've read many biographies and autobiographies about and by these people, but Ken Burns always seems to find the most incredible details and images. Remarkable.
dedtired
9 years ago
Yes, I am also watching it. I knew Franklin and Eleanor were related somehow, but I didn't know the connection. Very interesting all the different personalities, and those who failed and those who succeeded. The early deaths in the family certainly had an impact on the children. Very well done, although I thought it got a bit long in spots. I wish Teddy had not been so gung ho about hunting. All part of his "manyl" persona.
morz8 - Washington Coast
9 years ago
I've been trying to check for her, she's two hours from here but her Comcast service (still in Washington) is out of Portland and not Seattle like my own....it appears to be showing even an hour later zip 98632, beginning at 9 and her bedtime 8:30. Here, it's airing at 8 and repeating at 10....

Maybe it will show at a time I can find that suits her schedule better at a later date, she's convinced at this age if she varies from her normal routine she will lose the opportunity to fall asleep....maybe she's right ;)
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
9 years ago
Morz8, quite often, PBS will air the last week's episode sometime over the weekend during the day. Just a suggestion.....I haven't looked it up for this series.
joan_mn
9 years ago
We watched it, really liked it. I also love Ken Burns' stuff.
morz8 - Washington Coast
9 years ago
Rhizo, thanks, I'll look later in the week and see if there are weekend showings. That would be great, Saturdays can be long days for her, no planned activities and her senior swim at the Y not on weekends ;) In the meantime, I do have the book coming.

I saw some of last nights episode, just wanted to hug Eleanor, bring her home with me as a little girl and tell her she was beautiful and loved.
naughtykitty
9 years ago
She might be able to check it out with "On Demand" since you said she has cable service. I might try watching it on demand since you all say it was good.
sheilajoyce_gw
9 years ago
I am enjoying the series, but as much as I like Paul Giamatti's acting and narrating skills, seems to me that his soft, gentle voice is a mismatch for Teddy's, who was energetic and bombastic.
CArol Kelley
9 years ago
Im loving it also.Can anyone tell me whose voice it is,that reminds me of Henry Fonda?I noticed it right away in part 1.I watch it nightly but also DVR in case I get interrupted.
sooey
9 years ago
I've been watching and have enjoyed it. Ken Burns is talented and thoughtful in his work. Interesting to see the people behind the cameras and the history. I think it is very well done.
MiMi
9 years ago
There are several Ken Burn's documentaries on Netflix and they are all very good. I really liked the one about the Dust Bowl, I learned a lot about the Dust Bowl I did not know and there is a lot of actual footage, some of it sad. Showing the poor state people and livestock were in. There is also interviews of people who lived thru the era, all so very interesting.
bee0hio
Original Author
9 years ago
The main narrator is Peter Coyote, gramsbear. Is that who you're wondering about? I like his voice...he narrates a lot on TV.
cathyid
9 years ago
Ours are recorded but we will start watching them tomorrow. Here is a copy of the OPB network schedules and it looks like there are some showings that will be convenient for her.
http://www.opb.org/television/programs/roosevelts-an-intimate-history/

Related Stories

Design Ideas Inspired by Ken Burns' 'Prohibition'

By Becky Harris

The Roaring Twenties: Swank, swagger and streamlining dominated design

LIVING ROOMS How to Convert Your Wood-Burning Fireplace

By Laura Gaskill

Learn about inserts and other options for switching your fireplace from wood to gas or electric

REMODELING GUIDES 'Yakisugi-ita' Is Setting the Siding World on Fire

By Ivon Street Studio

Exterior wood siding created by a Japanese burning technique is now alighting in the Western world

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Bootlegging Past, Quirky Supper Club Present

By Vanessa Brunner

The only crime in this newly bustling home on a Washington, D.C., lot is the sinfully delicious cooking

ECLECTIC HOMES My Houzz: Eclectic Bohemian Style in a 1976 Fixer-Upper

By Alexandra Crafton

These Southern California homeowners patiently added color, style and function to their outdated home

TRAVEL BY DESIGN The Father of the U.S. National Parks Lived Here

Adventurer John Muir helped preserve the nation’s natural wonders. His California home shows his domestic side

HOMES AROUND THE WORLD The Kitchen of Tomorrow Is Already Here

By Mitchell Parker

A new Houzz survey reveals global kitchen trends with staying power

SMALL HOMES Houzz Tour: A Family of 4 Unwinds in 540 Square Feet

An extraordinarily scaled-down home and garden for a couple and their 2 kids fosters sustainability and togetherness

GREEN BUILDING Off the Grid: Ready to Pull the Plug on City Power?

By Jen Dalley //

What to consider if you want to stop relying on public utilities — or just have a more energy-efficient home

KITCHEN DESIGN 8 Fireplaces to Feed Your Kitchen's Style

By The Inman Company

It's easy to find good kitchen help these days — these fireplaces help you cook, provide focal points and create delicious warmth

Sponsored

Remodel Repair Construction

9 Reviews

Industry Leading General Contractors in Westerville

More Discussions

Hope everyone in areas where severe weather is forecasted

13

Smile today - 5/10/24

10

Website with just menu suggestions?

25

Weekend Music Thread (FNM) Mothers Day

25

Was trying to watch a webinar and this pops up

2