LIW anticipated this question and answered it, "The blizzard winds had blown earth from the fields where the sod was broken, and had mixed it with snow packed so tightly in the railroad cuts that snowplows could not move it. The icy snow could not melt because of the earth mixed with it, and men with picks were digging it out inch by inch." Of course, intrepid Pa is part of a crew picking away at the western cut. Ma worries he is working too hard since he returns home shaking. Pa says all he needs is a good night's sleep.
April 1881 happenings in DeSmet:
- Blizzards have whipped the Ingalls' claim shanty to shreds. Pa needs tar paper to repair the shanty; yet, there is no tar paper at the lumber yard.
- The charmed Wilder boys have shut down Royal's feed store and are at their claim shanty planting Almanzo's hoarded seed wheat.
- Melting snow has caused wide spread flooding. Big Slough is now part of Silver Lake.
Beloved Mr. Boast pays the Ingalls a visit. Railroad ties served as his sidewalk since all roads were flooded. Mr. Boast doesn't bring butter or Mrs. Boast, just news that they survived the winter. Laura's friend Mary Power also stops by for a visit. Laura says, " . . . they felt like strangers again, beginning to get acquainted." I wonder if I will have any social skills after the extended quarantine? I am spending a lot of time talking to my cat and watching Fashion Runway. (Tim Gunn is quite inspirational and I am committed to "Making it work.")
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| Look at all the yummy weeds you can add to your side salad. Did you know most yard weeds arrived with settlers and are still eaten back in "the Old Country"? |
The month of April plods on - sans train. The town's only food is the remaining wheat from Almanzo and Cap's heroic quest. Every day the loaf of brown bread Ma makes gets smaller. Carrie helpfully suggests they start eating grass. Ma laments that weeds aren't big enough to eat. On April 30, 1881 a work train passes through DeSmet. "It seemed to wake the whole town up to hear the train whistle again and see the smoke on the sky."
The town is geared up for the freight train to pass through on May 1st. Ma lets Laura sleep in because she doesn't need help cooking breakfast. Ma uses the last of the wheat to bake each family member a final, brown biscuit. After breakfast, Pa joins the other men on the depot's platform. Pa is gone such a long time that even Ma becomes impatient.
Pa finally returns home with three packages. He has bad news. "We forgot the train that was snowed in all winter," he said. It came through, and what do you suppose it left for DeSmet?"
Well dear reader, if you guessed "telegraph poles" you would be correct. (According to the book Prairie Fires by Caroline Fraser - "The next train carried telegraph poles. They were not for sale as firewood, railroad employees told them, the townsfolk carried them away nonetheless, sawed them up, and burned them for fuel.") Fortunately there was an emigrant car full of supplies for emigrants. The men broke into the car and divided up the supplies. Ma is dismayed at the lawless behavior, but Pa says "I'm past caring what he (Mr. Woodworth - the depot manager) ought to do! Let the railroad stand some damages!"
Ma got off of her high horse and, for the first time in months, the Ingalls ate salt pork, potatoes, and white biscuits for dinner.
What Would Laura Do?
- Become reacquainted with old friends
- Enjoy sleeping in
- Swear off gluten found in brown, sourdough bread
See you soon for The Long Winter's dramatic conclusion.
Prairie Eydie
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