The Ingalls are "Weathering the Blast"

 I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There was ice in the water bucket and no central heating.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 13 begins with another row of frosted nails, another layer of ice in the water bucket, and another blizzard.  Laura and Ma get up to wash their faces and start breakfast.  Pa has gone out to the stables and returns "Hungry as a wolf."  For breakfast there are hot cakes, crisp slices of fat pork, and dried-apple sauce!  (I can just see the Masters tucking into this plentiful breakfast.  Grrr.)

I wonder what time the Ingalls wake up in the morning?  There can't be much to do, other than tend the animals, during a blizzard.  After breakfast, Ma suggests they get the work done so they can "sit by the fire with an easy conscience."  This is an opportune time to compare Laura's chores to my chores. 

It could always be worse.  My chore list could begin with collecting buffalo dung for fuel.

 Laura's chores:

1. Put on beans to parboil.  
2.  Wash the dishes.
3.  Wonder how cold it is at the shanty.
4. Sweep the kitchen.
5.  Make the beds.  (Surprise!  Since the attic is frigid, Ma says the beds can air out for the day.)

Prairie Eydie's chores:

1.  Wonder what to make for dinner.
2.  Wash the dishes.
3.  Wonder how long the quarantine will last.
4.  Sweep the kitchen.
5.  Air out the beds.  (I have heard that making your bed every day will either make you happier or change your life.)

Pa decides to go over to Fuller's to hear the news.  He thinks someone may be lost in the storm.  Personally, I think someone (i.e. Pa) wants to get away from the women folk. 

Fun Loving Ma

Ma says a blizzard outside is no reason for gloom in the house.  So, she comes up with a super fun game for the girls to play.  "Now Mary," Ma said, "you tell us a verse, then Laura will do the same, and then Carrie.  See which one can keep on longest."  (I bet Laura is waxing nostalgic over the game of batting around a pig bladder.  Oh, the good ol' days in Pepin, Wisconsin.)  

Back when games were FUN!

I will cut to the chase, the game ends in a tie between Mary and Laura.  Laura feel shame for always wanting to beat Mary, especially since Laura can never be as good as Mary.  Laura makes a mental promise to be a school teacher and earn money to send Mary to college.

My daughter, Lulu, had to create a board game for Art class.  She didn't like the assignment at first, but got into the swing of things.  Her game is called "Random Things" and it involves challenges like "Dancing in the Front Lawn" and "Putting on a Sock Puppet Show."  The game is a hit and we play it nightly, since Lulu keeps adding fresh cards.  

Pa returns from Fullers with the weather report (It is forty degrees below zero) and news that all the towns people are accounted for.

Continuing in the theme of Ma's game, Pa plays hymns on his fiddle to pass time.  His tunes once again gets the family singing lustily and marching about.

WWLD Summary:
Complete chores first thing in the morning.
Play competitive games with your family.
Sing and march around the house.

Throwback photo of Prairie Lulu and her Prairie Mama

See you soon for Chapter 14 - "One Bright Day"

Prairie Eydie
   
  

BONUS: The Art of Musing with Prairie Pa

Prairie Pa and Prairie Eydie in simpler times.  

Okay. So I am pretty sure Prairie Pa is the only person both losing weight and lowering his blood pressure. Today we are going to find out "What Would Prairie Pa Do?" - instead of "What Would Laura Do?"

Welcome back, Prairie Pa.

Prairie Eydie

I used to eat out all the time.  I had my own booth at Chili's and frequented the local "All the Chicken One Can Eat" Chinese restaurant.  Desserts, cookies and candy were a big part of my life.  These goodies stopped weeks ago.
  

A typical Prairie Pa lunch pre-quarantine.

• No more turtle sundaes at Culvers.
• No more church functions that culminate in sweets.   (What is church without goodies?)  

Yesterday I stepped on the scale and found out I lost five pounds.  I had stopped weighing myself weeks ago, since it was always bad news.  My philosophy is "Ignorance is bliss."

I also went to a doctor's appointment yesterday and found out my blood pressure was 30 points lower than my last visit.  My wife and I go on long walks around the neighborhood.  It seems like we talk more.  

I am noticing my charge card bills are much lower than usual.  Maybe half the normal amount.  I love Menards, Lowes, and Fleet Farm.  I am scared to go there now.  I am not buying gas despite the fact that it is almost being given away.  

Could this new lifestyle of "Sheltering in Place" not be a completely "ill wind"?   

I am asking myself:
What do I make of this?
When this is over, do I go back to my old ways?

As always, only The Shadow knows.


Prairie Pa  (a.k.a. The Rocket) 












Can't get enough Prairie Pa?  Check out this previous Prairie Pa post. 
Prairie Pa and the Art of Change

"Pa Goes to Volga" Chapter 11

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were wildcat men and snowed in trains.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 11 - "Pa Goes to Volga"

The chapter begins with the 3 day blizzard ending.  The Ingalls are in good spirits.  Ma is enjoying the sunshine and  Mary is luxuriating in stillness.  Sadly, no one is hearing the sound of the train whistle.  

And you think YOU'VE have a hard winter.

Pa gathers some info and tells the family, "Train was stopped by the snow filled big cut near Tracy."  Pa has been asked to go to Volga on a hand cart with 5 other men.  The men will clear the track as the train chugs along.  Pa humbly announces, "It is only 50 miles."  

Wait! What?  50 miles!  My city recently put sidewalks in my neighborhood and I am still annoyed.  I have a corner lot and hate shoveling.  I have a snowblower, but it scares me.  Once, I didn't use the choke properly and the engine ran "too rich."  That caused a small-motor-meltdown.  Previous  small-motor-meltdowns were centered around an innocent weed wacker.  Next time Wisconsin is dealt a snow storm, I can remember Pa shoveling 50 miles of train track.  It is all about reframing.

On the way to school, Laura and Carrie stop to watch Pa and the other men on the handcart.  They are pumping, rolling, and shoveling along.  Pa is keeping spirits up by singing a motivating song.  Two and a half days later, Pa returns to DeSmet on a work train.  He is still singing that earworm of a tune!

"If the Devil's in the way,

We will roll it over him,

And we WON'T drag On beHIND!"

Mr. Edwards would be a great guest at any dinner party. 

Surprise!  Pa has brought Mr. Edward home with him.  All you Bonnetheads will remember Mr. Edwards from the book, Little House on the Prairie.  Mr. Edwards traveled 40 miles to meet Santa Claus in Independence, Kansas.  He brought Laura and Mary each a shiny tin cup and a stick of candy.  Upon seeing Mr. Edwards again - Laura says, "He was the same tall, lean, lounging wildcat from Tennessee."

Prairie Eydie and "Mr. Edwards" (aka Ellen)

Don't we all have a friend like Mr. Edwards?  Someone you are always happy to hear from and who will go the extra mile for you?  My Mr. Edwards is Ellen.  Even though 1,924 miles separate us, we connect almost everyday.  We are always happy to hear each other's voices.  You would think some joy would have lessened, but it hasn't.  Ellen helps me be my best self.  I can't tell you how many times I have gone on a jog, signed up for the class, spoken my truth or enjoyed a long laugh after talking with Ellen.  I challenge you to call, text, or send a card to your "Mr. Edwards."  These friends deserve to be celebrated. 

The real Mr. Edwards' name was Edmund Mason.   He was born in England (not
Tennessee) in 1846 and died in Kansas in 1906.  I wonder if he ever made it to Oregon?

NOT the real Mr. Edwards. (This is Victor French - the man who played Mr. Edwards on the Little House on the Prairie TV series.)   

Mr. Edwards is heading to Oregon because the Dakotas are "too settled up."  A tax collector had stopped by Mr. Edward's claim shanty and that was the final nudge he needed to pack his bags.  Mr Edwards wisely said, "Politicians are worse pests than grasshoppers."  

Chapter 11 ends on a happy note.  Mr. Edwards has left a 20 dollar bill on Mary's lap.  The money more than doubles Mary's college fund!  As usual, Ma sums it up best - "He has a heart of gold."

WWLD:

• Enjoy reconnecting with friends
• Reminisce about the good time

See you soon for Chapter 12 - "Alone."

Prairie Eydie

Millie, my former role model and current Bonnethead, waking up to seize the day. 

     

Laura Listens to her Inner Voice

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were sudden blizzards, cute/devilish boys, and shoes with lots of buttons.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Can you spot the luddite?

Chapter 9 begins with Laura dreading school. Poor girl is heavy hearted.  Whoa.  I am also heavy hearted about school.  

I am a low tech teacher - not a total luddite, but close.  I want my students holding actual books and turning pages.  Now I facilitate Distance "Learning" from my laptop.  I don't know if my students are comprehending their books or if they are even reading.  I am unable to scour library shelves and put books in their hands.  It makes my heart sigh.  I will never take forgranted the simple act of sitting next to students and reading together.

Imagine wearing these all day.  Not very practical for farm work or blizzards.

Thank goodness for Sloggers (I just ordered a pair).  VERY practical for all your farming needs.

Despite her dread, Laura gets ready for school.  She puts on her woolen winter dress and Sunday hair ribbons.  There is a tense moment when Carrie loses a button off her shoe.  Before even looking for the button, Laura immediately says, "We must take a button off Mary's shoe."  (LIW Refresher:  Mary doesn't go to school because she is blind.  Laura resents Mary because Mary has blonde curls and Laura has straight brown hair.")  Luckily, Ma finds the button, sews it on, and shoos the girls out the door.

Where is Cap's fashing grin in this photo?  Laura admitted, in later years, that she had a crush on Cap.  Laura and Cap never dated, though Cap did date Laura's friend, Mary Power. 

Laura's friend and Cap's love interest, Mary Power

Laura and Carrie bravely make their way to school.  The school house is on the open prairie with no surrounding buildings (remember this).  Two boys are playing baseball in front of the school.  A boy with yellow hair and a flashing grin throws Laura a curve ball.  Gasp.  Laura catches the ball and immediately feels ashamed of her unladylike action.   It turns out the dynamic yellow haired boy is Cap Garland.  (Is Cap short for something?  Like Captain?)  Cap's sister, Florence Garland, is the teacher.  Laura is enraptured with the school's 12 desks.  "All the desks were patent desks, made of wood varnished smooth as glass."  

Laura and Carrie end up looking forward to school days.  One day, there is suddenly no sunshine and a gust of wind crashes into the school house.  "The blizzard was scouring against the walls and the winds squealed and moaned in the stovepipe."  Laura is immediately transported back to Plum Creek when a blizzard hit unexpectantly and Pa lived in a snowbank for three days.  

Miss Garland is from out East and has never experienced a blizzard.  She grapples with if she should cancel school.  Laura wants to tell Miss Garland what to do and imagines having to burn all the shiny desks to stay warm.  Fortunately, Mr. Foster (the man who owns the ox team - - - if that means anything to you) arrives to lead everyone back to town.  

Dory - aquatic Laura Ingalls Wilder

The group ventures out into the violent blizzard.  Soon they are struggling, staggering, and feeling smothered.  "We can't go on this way," Laura thought.  Funny, I have that same thought a minimum of 7 times a day.  But I realize, like Laura, there is no choice but to carry on.  

Laura sees Cap leave the group.  She realizes he is headed towards Main Street, but the group is following Miss Garland to the open prairie.  Now, I would love to say Laura listens to her inner voice and follows Cap, but she doesn't.  "Laura did not dare follow him.  She must take care of Carrie and Teacher had told them to follow her." 

Thank goodness Laura bumped into the Mead Hotel moments later.  Beyond the hotel was nothing but prairie and now the group is able to navigate to their homes.  

Laura and Carrie's coats are driven with ice and their eyelids are bleeding.  But Ma says, "Alls well that ends well" and hands the girls ginger tea.  The chapter ends with Laura's thoughts - "She could not imagine that Heaven was better than being where she was, slowly growing warm and comfortable, sipping the hot, sweet, ginger tea . . . "


WWLD Summary

• Dress up for school.  Ribbons optional
• Carry on - especially when you don't want to 
• Act ladylike 
• Listen to your inner voice - it could know something!
• Drink tea and appreciate Heaven on Earth

Oh dear.  See you tomorrow for chapter 10 - "Three Days' Blizzard.

Prairie Eydie

The Ingalls are "Settling In"

I much prefer Garth Williams' illustrations. 

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There was no straw or extended weather forecasts.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Early map of DeSmet, South Dakota.  Ingalls #1 is a store that Pa bought and quickly sold.  Ingalls #2 is the store where the family hunkered down for the long winter.  

Chapter 8 begins with the Ingalls rolling into DeSmet with a wagonful of belongings.  They are moving into Pa's store with the false front.  (False fronts made stores look more grandiose and also provided additional advertising space.)

Laura immediately wants to hang the curtains because she doesn't want people staring in their window.  Now, this is a darn shame because I love looking in windows when I am out walking.  My extensive data from years of casually glancing in windows is that most people hang pictures too high and don't understand scale. 

Ma tells Laura and Carrie they will start school the next day.  Laura wrestles with her inner demons.  She is afraid of meeting strangers, but she gives herself a pep talk.  "Pa said she must never be afraid and she would not be.  She would be brave if it killed her." 

I am very good at giving myself pep talks.  If I liked sports, I would be an excellent coach.  Yesterday I didn't want to be brave and spent most of the day reading Courting Mr. Lincoln.  I was in no mood for motivational self-talk and acted more like Nellie Olsen than like Laura.  

Being a single mom during a pandemic isn't great.   I was sick of giving gentle reminders (a.k.a. nagging) to my kids.  Take a shower.  Go outside.  Practice your instrument.  Help me find my coffee cup.  Talk to me. The responsibility of setting the day's tone lands on me.  I know Pa wouldn't approve of fear-based sniveling, so I returned to acting brave and peppy.  Just as Laura is brave for Carrie, I will be brave for my kids.

Straw is a stalk, usually a waste product of wheat, that's used as bedding.   Hay, typically alfalfa or grass, is used as animal feed.

Luckily, the only controversy in Chapter 8 is that straw ticks are filled with hay and not straw. Laura gives us long, cozy descriptions of their new digs.  "The creamy curtains, the varnished yellow desk and chair, the cushions in the rocking chairs, the rag rugs and the red tablecloth, and the pine color of the floor and walls and ceiling were gay."  I can easily imagine what I would see if I peeked into the Ingall's house.  

The chapter concludes with Pa musing about moving to Oregon because DeSmet is too crowded with a population of 75 to 80 people.  Ma is not having it and  firmly states - "Yes, but now is the time for the girls to be getting some schooling."

WWLD Summary:

Close the curtains.
Be brave - especially when you don't want to 
Use what you have to make your house cozy

See you tomorrow for Chapter 9, "Cap Garland."

Prairie Eydie

Forever Your Prairie Gal

  

It's an "Indian Summer"

This is the original cover of The Long Winter.

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were destroyed crops, LONG winters, and a lack of antibiotics.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

This is a Little Auk and most likely what Pa found in the haystack.  Sure is a cute little guy.

Chapter 6 begins with an unhappy auk.  The strange bird isn't enjoying life in the shanty and has been giving Laura desperate looks.  Pa says there is open water on Silver Lake and they can set Little Auk free.  Laura and Mary accompany Pa to the lake.  The auk was indeed distressed as "Laura barely had time to see it rising tiny in the great blue-sparkling sky."

This picture of a South Dakota shanty gives insight into why Laura is always writing sky descriptions.  

I relate to the distressed auk and want to zip away from my metaphorical shanty - soaring above the grey clouds, moody children, Zoom meetings and my partially painted kitchen.  Escape the endless screens, grocery-shopping phobia, corona virus briefings, and all the books I bought but don't want to read. 

I don't need orders to live in gratitude and self-righteous reminders about how important sheltering at home is.  I am grateful I can safely stay home with my kids.  But, isn't it okay to want to soar away, sometimes?  Isn't it?  Ma probably wanted to fly-the-coop from her life of salt pork bits, shoddy shanties, and Pa's whims.

Pa - Prairie Prophet

Anyhoo, after the ungrateful auk bolted, Pa and the girls listened to the silence surrounding Silver Lake. "The silence was no sound, no movement, no thing; that was its terror."  (I guess that means the silence was worse than a quiet two year old.  Shudder.)  Pa, once again, eloquently lets Laura and Mary know his feelings.  "I don't like it.  I don't like it at all."   

Chapter 6 Odds and Ends

• Ma encourages the family to get themselves full of sunshine before winter arrives.  I encourage the same thing for you and your family.
• The chapter ends with Ma playfully calling Pa a "goose."  (I am not sure LIW ever learned the art of a good cliffhanger.) 

Prairie Eydie social distancing at Old World Wisconsin

See you tomorrow for Chapter 7 - "Indian Warning" (the chapter I wish was NEVER written)

Prairie Eydie

The Art of Musing With Prairie Pa

Okay. So I am pretty sure Prairie Pa is the only person out there losing weight and lowering his blood pressure. Today we are going to find out What Prairie Pa Would Do - instead of What Laura would do. Welcome back, Prairie Pa.

Prairie Eydie

Yesterday I stepped on the scale and found out I lost five pounds. I stopped weighing myself a couple of weeks ago. Always bad news. My philosophy: “Ignorance is bliss.”

I noticed that my charge card bills are much, much less than usual. Maybe half. Just not spending a lot of money.

I went to a doctor’s appointment yesterday (another story) and my blood pressure was 132/70, thirty points lower than my last visit.

Mary and I go on long walks around the neighborhood. Seems like we talk more. 

Could this new lifestyle of “sheltering in place” (who came up with that euphemism?) not be a completely “Ill wind?” Could I learn something from this? Should I change some things?

I eat out all the time. I have my own booth at Chili’s and my own bowl at the All The-Chicken-One-Can-Eat Chinese Restaurant. Deserts, cookies, candy are a big part of my life. But this all stopped over two weeks ago. No more turtle sundaes at Culver’s. Mary stopped making goodies (not inviting people over) and church functions stopped (what is church without goodies?).

I love Menards, Lowes (We veterans get 10% off! Eat your heart out draft dodgers.) and Fleet Farm. Scared to go there now. Not driving much anymore so gas bills are down (not sure if this makes any difference. I think they are giving it away.). Eating out is expensive, so lots of money not spent.

What do I make of this? When this is all over, do I go back to my old ways? 

As always: “Only the Shadow knows.”

The Rocket (aka Prairie Pa)