Laura and Carrie have "An Errand in Town"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There was Nellie Olsen, Pa's wanderlust, and locust.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover what Laura would do.

The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Chapter Two "An Errand to Town"  


Chapter 2 begins with more ominous foreshadowing from Pa.  An early, freakish frost has occurred and Pa remarks how surprising it is.  If I had Pa's foreshadowing skills I would have bumped my hair appointment up by a few weeks.  Ingalls-Wilder continues to sprinkle chapter 2 with description.  ". . . their slender long leaves were greeny gold and golden green in their own shade."  Magical  

Pa decides to "do it himself."

  
It appears Laura is no longer helping Pa "make hay", as she is back to delivering water to Pa.  Perhaps Pa decided it was easier to harvest hay by himself.  (Again, some things never change.)  Pa breaks a cutting bar and sends Laura on an errand to Fuller's Hardware.  Laura was filled with dread because there were so many people in town.  Nowadays I feel the exact same way.  Too many people are in town when they should be at home practicing social distance.

Laura is both nervous and excited to be sent on an errand.  She asks Ma if she can wear her Sunday hair ribbons.  Practical Ma says, "There is no reason to wear ribbons on a weekday."  Laura soothes herself by remembering she at  least has a clean calico dress and shoes to wear.  

I need to channel Laura and start caring more about my appearance.  Before going to the grocery store to buy essentials, I ask myself if my pajamas can pass as pants.  I lie and say "Yes".  Then I put on a corduroy coat so I don't have to wear a bra.  I do agree with Ma on hair ribbons.  Totally nonsensical on a weekday.

Carrie wasn't always frail and scared.  She lived 6 months a year on a claim shanty, by herself.  

Thin, peaked Carrie is given permission to go on the errand with Laura.  Carrie is struck by Laura's bravery as Laura orders and pays 5 cents for the cutter bar.  Carrie admits she feels scared when people look at her.  Laura reassures her.  "There's nothing to be scared of," Laura said.  "We mustn't ever be scared."  WOW.  There was so much for the Ingalls family to fear.  To name a few: crop failure, blizzards, isolation, and starvation.  Again, this is the brave, confident Laura we "Bonnetheads" love.

The slough - a Pioneer Corn Maze 

      
The girls unwisely decide to take a short cut through the slough, so they can quickly deliver the cutter bar to Pa.  At first the shortcut is fun and exciting, but soon becomes scary. They become disoriented and feared they were just walking in circles.  "There was nothing, nothing anywhere that she could climb to look out above them, to see beyond them and know where she was."  (Did Laura forget she had just told Carrie they must never, ever be scared?)  

At first self-isolation didn't seem that bad.  I finally had time to finish painting the kitchen, kick start my fitness routine, and watch Frozen 2.  Now self-isolation feels scary because life has been cancelled for an indefinite period of time.  I am living the same day over and over - my personal Groundhog's Day minus Bill Murray 

What would Pa have foreshadowed if he saw Almanzo lollygagging on top of the hay?

Laura and Carrie finally find their way out of the slough and discover the dashing Wilder Brothers, Royal and Almanzo.  Royal is pitching hay to Almanzo, who is lounging on the job.  Almanzo's eyes twinkle at Laura, but Laura's eyes don't return the twinkle. Luckily Almanzo can see Pa, and he points the girls in the right direction.  As Ma says, "All's well that ends well." 

Chapter 2's conclusion reminds me that our period of self-quarantine will end.  And when it ends, chance are, someone's eyes will twinkle at us.

WWLD Summary

• Take care with your appearance
• Be brave no matter what
• You will be okay, even if you feel lost now
• Think twice before marrying someone who loafs during haying season

See you soon for Chapter 3 - "Fall of the Year."

Prairie Eydie

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Did Ma Wear a Bra?