Laura is "Not Really Hungry"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were monotonous chores, shrieking winds, and lame surprises.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 24 - "Not Really Hungry"

Chapter 24, a mere three pages, begins with the Ingalls eating their last six potatoes.  Pa is stunned the potatoes came out correctly, one potato for each family member.  Laura isn't hungry and forces down her carbs.  She feels numb and half asleep - only the hot, sweet tea tastes good.  When was the last time Laura had any protein?

Pandemic or no pandemic.  Numb and half asleep describe me at 4:00 every day.  I know ways to avoid the slump:  drink water throughout the day, exercise, "Act how I want to feel," get a good night sleep, etc.  I have a hard time consistently making good choices.  At 4:00, it is easier to eat pretzels than to go on a brisk walk.  Poor Laura had no access to pretzels or Gretchen Rubin's podcast, Happier.

Ma attempts to motivate her daughters by listing chores.

1. Wash dishes
2. Wipe stove
3. Sweep
4. Make beds
5. Study lessons
6. Recite lessons       

Ma coyly reveals she has a surprise for supper.  No one really cares, but Laura pretends, "Have you, Ma?  That's nice."  The girls try to recite their lessons, but can't.  The storm's ceaseless shrieking has their attention.

While "Sheltering in Place" I have tried to hearten my own mopey children.  Bath bombs, Dipped cones from Dairy Queen, and ukuleles were very successful.  Not as successful were a Steven King book, suggestions to watch Frazier together, and "tacos without toppings."  (I am limiting my grocery store trips.)   

Where did Ma get the codfish?  Another side business for the incorrigible Mr. Foster?

Ma decides to reveal the surprise early.  Drum roll please!  And the surprise is . . . a frozen part of a salted codfish.  The Ingalls (and Masters) will have codfish gravy with their bread for supper.  The only one who seems excited about the cod is Pa.  "By George, Caroline nothing can beat the Scotch."  (Pa gives us a rare glimpse into Ma's heritage.)

Pa and Laura, wearing their patched jackets, twist hay in the lean-to.  They smell the codfish when they return with armfuls of twisted hay.  "Just the smell of it chirks a fellow up," Pa said.  "Caroline, you are a wonder."  Being unfamiliar with the word "chirk," I looked it up.  Chirk means cheer and was first used in 1843.  I guess it takes time for new words to travel across the prairie.

Royal Wilder's Feed Store

Ma tells Pa they have enough wheat to outlast the current blizzard, but not longer.  (Will Pa make another trip to Royal's feed store?)  Laura takes the coffee mill from an exhausted Carrie.  She is worried because her sister is very thin and pale.  LIW writes, "The coffee mill's handle ground round and round it must not stop."

WWLD Summary

• Carb load when necessary
• Feign interest in people's surprises
• Help family members when possible

Join me next time for Chapter 25 - "Free and Independent."

Prairie Eydie