It Feels Like "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 tiresome stories with Pa, forced cheerfulness, and food shortages.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 21 kicks off with warmer temperatures and bright sunshine.  The calm weather is a welcomed change.  But somethings never change, Pa heads to Fuller's Hardware after a lunch of brown bread and potatoes.  Pa returns whistling a tune and carrying 4 pounds of beef.  Ma immediately wants to know where Pa found such a treasure.

Mr. Foster (Of Leading-the-Children-Onto-Open-Prairie-During-a-Blizzard AND Scaring-the-Herd-of-Antelope Fame) butchered his oxen and was selling the meat for 25 cents a pound.  In my humble opinion, Mr. Foster should have given the meat away to make-up for the antelope blunder.  It is surprising the townspeople didn't throw him headfirst into a snowbank and call it done.  Ma starts meal planning immediately.  She makes plans to sear the meat while Laura's mind drifts to gravy. 

Bad news follows the good news.  Pa tells the family the train will not be chugging into DeSmet until Spring.  Already two trains are snowed in between the Tracy cut and DeSmet.  The Train Superintendent has run out of patience with blizzards and has given up.  

Gentle, composed Ma reacts in a less than an expected way. She is rocking and rolling her hands in her apron.  "Patience!  What's his patience got to do with it I'd like to know!  He knows we are out here without supplies.  How does he think we are going to live till Spring?"  Pa calms Ma down by reminding her they only have the rest of January, and then the short month of February, and then it will be Spring in March.  (Hmm.  Midwesterners know Spring is temperamental and could wait until May to truly show up.)  

Laura does a mental inventory of the family's food supply:

• 4 pounds of ox meat
• a few potatoes
• a partially filled sack of wheat

I understand making mental food inventories.  I am limiting my grocery store trips to once every two weeks.  The Ingalls could probably live on what I have in my kitchen for months.  Unfortunately, my kids become anxious when we are low on tortilla chips and mineral water.  I have been channeling my inner Ma by asking - "How can I use what I have to make a carb heavy dinner?"  When the pandemic is over, I would like to only visit the grocery store once a week.  Planning ahead will give me extra time to read.

GASP!  The Superintendent is a block of ice!

I, like the Train Superintendent, have run out of patience for what happens next.  Laura panics and asks Pa if he could go and kill a rabbit.  Instead of grabbing his gun, Pa cuddles his daughters and proceeds to tell a tedious 6 1/2 page allegory.  I can summarize the allegory into two sentences. 

• Eastern Train Superintendents are quitters, unlike Westerners who have perseverance.  Take it from Pa, "Well, the Superintendent is an Easterner.  It takes patience and perseverance to contend with things out here in the West."
• Train Superintendents freezing into a block of ice is an exaggeration that makes even Ma smile.

The epic allegory had more effect on Laura than it did on me.  Laura deduced that Pa wanted her to stand by him in hard times, to be cheerful, and to keep up the family's spirits.  So, Laura and Ma dutifully start singing about Canaan to lift the somber mood.  

Laura goes to bed and she can't sleep.  Laura knows the wheat and potatoes won't last until Spring.

WWLD Summary:

• Stand by your family in hard times.
• Sing to both pass time and lift spirits.  
• Know what you have in your pantry.

Smile now because you won't be smiling after chapter 22.

See you soon for Chapter 22 - "Cold and Dark."  

Prairie Eydie

Pa Finds "Wheat in the Wall"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were tiresome days, empty bags of wheat, and quarreling parents.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

This adorable print of a young Laura can be bought on Etsy - CarrotTopPaperShop.  

Chapter 23 - "The Wheat in the Wall"

The chapter begins with Laura asking Ma what month it is.  Ma tells Laura it is mid-February.  (My daughter also asks me what month it is; I tell her to look at the calendar.  Good heavens, the girl is going into fifth grade.  Ma could teach me about motherly patience.)  

Laura begins complaining about the family's limited menu of brown bread.  She is swiftly corrected by Ma.  "Never complain of what you have.  Always remember you are fortunate to have it."  I have been keeping a gratitude journal ever since Oprah suggested it as a daily practice in 1996. The list illuminates how rich my life is, but I wouldn't say "No" to a pair of well fitting jeans and a pedicure.    

Laura notices the bag of wheat is almost empty.  She stuffs down her fear, remembering Pa's instructions to never be afraid.  (My boys ate 3 pounds of tortilla chips in 3 days.  It is a good thing the Ingalls didn't have teenage boys in the house.)  Laura asks Ma if they are going to starve.  Ma explains that Pa will kill Ellen, the cow, and her heifer calf if need be. Laura becomes unglued and cries, "On no!  No!"  Ma's well of patience has run dry.  She says, "Be quiet, Laura." 

THIS is where Mr. Foster belongs.  

Pa returns from his pre-supper sojourn to Fuller's hardware.  A rumor is circulating about a settler who has has 300 pounds of wheat.  The supposed settler lives within 20 miles of DeSmet.  Ma asks who started the rumor.  Pa reckons it started with Mr. Foster.  What?!  Who?  Why is anyone listening to that man?  Shouldn't he have been run out of town after the antelope incident?  Perhaps Mr. Foster is the Nellie Olsen of The Long Winter - a character you love to hate.    

You can only push Ma Ingalls so far.

Pa starts slyly hinting how he'd like to fetch the wheat for the town.  That was a big mistake on Pa's part.  LIW writes, Ma was quiet, but terrible.  "Your hauling hay is bad enough," Ma told him.  "You don't go hunting for that wheat!"   The thought of Pa dying in a sudden blizzard and being abandoned with four daughters and a free loading family isn't appealing to Ma.  Pa backs down and tells Ma she is right.  Again, Pa's adventurous spirit is more important than providing security for his family.  He shouldn't have even considered going to find the wheat.     

Pa notices the empty wheat sack.  Ma tells him they have wheat for one more baking and there are still six remaining potatoes.  Pa mysteriously asks for the milk pail and leaves the house.

Pa carries the pail to Royal Wilder's feed store.  Of course, he finds Royal and Almanzo eating stacks of pancakes.  Pa asks to buy some wheat and Royal says he has no wheat to sell.  

Pa isn't taking no for an answer.  He takes a saddle off the wall, removes the plug, and fills his pail with wheat.  Amanzo is flummoxed and asks how Pa knew wheat was hidden in the wall.  "The inside of this room doesn't fit the outside," said Pa.  "It's a good foot short, allowing for two by four studding besides.  Gives you a 16 inch space there.  Any man with an eye can see it."  

After arguing and negotiating with Almanzo, Pa pays 25 cents for the wheat.  He then accepts an invitation to eat a stack of hot, syrupy pancakes with a side of hickory-smoked ham.  Pa doesn't pilfer a bite of ham or pancake for his girls.  Once more, I hate the image of Pa stuffing himself while Ma is home boiling six sad potatoes.  

Pa returns home with the wheat just before the next blizzard strikes.  Ma is relieved.  "Oh Charles,  I might have known you'd provide for us, but wherever did you get it."  Pa doesn't reveal his source.  Laura falls asleep to the sound of the mill grinding wheat.

WWLD:

• Complain and then immediately feel guilty for complaining.
• Pretend to be brave.

See you soon for Chapter 24 - "Not Really Hungry."  (I wish I had this problem.)

Prairie Eydie


          



        


  

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
  

    

Almanzo is "Free and Independent"

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 overfed bachelor brothers.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 25 - "Free and Independent"

Chapter 25 is both a brief and Laura-less chapter.  The chapter centers on Almanzo and Royal chatting in the feed store.  (Guess what?  The brothers are eating pancakes!)  Almanzo has been so focused on thinking and whittling that Royal, instead of Almanzo, is stirring-up the supper pancakes.

The Wilder Family.  A young, strapping Almanzo is second from the left (back row).  He learned how to make pancakes from his Mother.

It has dawned Almanzo that folks in DeSmet are starving.  "I said starving," Almanzo repeated.  "Take Ingalls, there's six in his family.  You notice his eyes and how thin he was?  He said he was out of wheat."  Almanzo reminds Royal a farmer can't grow much their first year of sod farming. 

Stir-crazy Almanzo starts reciting different scenarios about how starved the town will be when the train finally arrives.  He lists DeSmet families who will be depleted of provisions.  Almanzo has determined that people will starve even if he sells his precious seed wheat.  Sick of listening to his brother's ramblings, Royal asks Almanzo to get to the point.  He is shocked by Almanzo's response, "Somebody's got to go get that wheat that was raised south of town."  There is a rumor surrounding an unnamed  farmer, 20 miles south of DeSmet, who has a glut of wheat.

Almanzo is 19 years old.  He is willing to risk his life, during a narrow window of clear weather, for the town.  He knows a blizzard could strike without warning.  Plus, no one is exactly sure where the shanty is or if the farmer will sell his wheat.  Also, remember the rumor was passed on by Mr. "I Ain't Never Seen an Antelope Before" Foster.  

A rare photo of Almanzo eating supper at Royal's feed store.

Is Almanzo a hero or the result of needing three to five more years of brain development?  His brain is not fully wired for clear judgment, impulse control, and good risk assessment.  I also wonder if the sense of community was stronger in 1882 than in 2020?  Currently, many people refuse to wear a face mask to protect others from the Corona Virus.  Where is their sense of community?  If alive today, I am sure Almanzo would be wearing a mask with a "Pancake" theme.

The chapter ends with Royal declaring, "You're not going to tackle any such foolhardy trip alone.  If you're bound and determined to do it, I'm going along with you."

What Would Almanzo Do? 

• Eat a steady diet of pancakes
• Study a problem from all angles
• Chose the Hero's Journey

See you soon for Chapter 26, "Breathing Spell."  (Whew!)

Prairie Eydie

The Ingall's House is "Cold and Dark"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were tiresome days, boring "games", and fiddleless evenings.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 22 - "Cold and Dark"

The blizzards are giving Laura bad dreams.  She used to see darkness as restful, but now darkness is a horror since it is punctuated by the shrieks and howls of blizzards.  I wish Laura had access to weighted blankets, lavender oils, and the Head Space app.  

To do:  Fill hopper with seed wheat.  Turn crank.  Repeat all day long.

To do:  Follow complicated hay twisting system.  Warm hands after twisting enough hay for an hour.  Repeat all day long.

The DeSmet days are numbingly similar.  Mary and Carrie grind seed wheat all day.  Ma makes brown bread and cleans.  Laura and Pa twist hay.  Their hands are red, swollen, and cut by the hay.  Their coats are ripped under their arms - where they hold the hay to twist it.  Ma patches their coats but the hay quickly slices through the patches.  

The family's first meal is brown bread and their second meal is potatoes.  They each get two small potatoes that Ma has boiled in their jackets.  Pa gets an extra potato because Grace doesn't eat two potatoes.  Laura feels listless and tired.  She is living the same day over and over.  She misses being outside and going to school.

I, too, feel listless and tired.  I want to matter again.  Being a teacher front loads you with a daily purpose.  My days at school were tiring, but I ended the day knowing I had been helpful and kind.  Whether it was finding a student the perfect book or finishing a chapter, with students, right as the bell rang.  My daily purpose is gone.  Distance learning isn't effective for reluctant readers.  These days, I do what I can for my students and then I unload the dishwasher.

Yes!  This is the page turner I have been looking for!

Ma feels her girls' depression.  She remembers the successful "Bible Verse Recitation" game and comes up with a twist.  The girls will take turns reciting, from memory, extended passages from their Independent Readers.  The girls recited  engaging speeches and poems like - "The Speech of Regulus" and "Old Tubal Cain."  Laura is, of course, motivated to win and recite more than Mary.

One morning, Laura finds Pa laughing in the kitchen.  He has dug a tunnel from the house to the stable and can get to his chores in comfort.  Pa's smile widens as he discloses that their house is buried in a snow drift.  Laura investigates by peering out the attic window.  She is shocked when horse hooves trot by at eye level!  Pa tells her it is the Wilder brothers and explains, "There's no one in town but those two, and me, that dares go out of town.  Folks are afraid a blizzard will come up."  The enterprising Wilder brothers are selling hay for 3 dollars a load.     

Since the house is "warm" from the snow drift insulation, Laura teaches Mary to twist hay in the lean-to.  (Remember that George Masters and his wife didn't twist hay and that Mary is blind.)  The days continue on and on.  One day, even Ma can't muster enthusiasm for the reciting game.  Ma and the girls spend the whole day sitting while Pa hauls hay from the slough to the stable to the lean-to.  

I am spending a lot of time staring out the window.  I know what all the neighbors are up to and my son says I should become a private investigator.  He's probably right.  My neighbors, across the street, spend a lot of time fussing around their pick-up truck.  Their garage door is open by 6 AM and they are busy circling and peeking into the truck.  Is it so wrong to be curious about why they are doing this?  I also watch my bird feeders.  A cardinal couple has been visiting. I feel happy when they swoop in for some seeds.  Today I am going to put up a hummingbird feeder.      

As we know, bad news always follows good news for the Ingalls.  Sadly, Pa's tunnel has blown away and he loses his temper.  "I did hope my tunnel would last through one of these onslaughts, anyway.  Gosh dang this blizzard!  It only lets go long enough to spit on its hands."  Then Ma loses her temper and snaps at Pa!  "Don't swear, Charles!"  Finally, Ma and Pa are acting like normal people.

Pa decides to lighten the mood by reading a story from his book, Livingston's African Journal.  He needs the button lamp even though it is daytime.  For some reason, Laura is unsettled by the impromptu read aloud.  "Laura tried to listen but she felt stupid and numb.  Pa's voice slid away into the ceaseless noises of the storm.  She felt that the blizzard must stop before she could do anything before she could even listen or think, but it would never stop."  

Laura interrupts the story and asks Pa to play the fiddle.  He obliges her, takes his fiddle from its case, and begins to play "Bonnie Doon".  "But every note from note from the fiddle was a very little wrong.  Pa's fingers were clumsy."  Pa's fingers are damaged from the cold and hay.  He puts the fiddle away.  Laura drowns in the guilt of asking Pa to play in the first place.  She feels the worst thing that has happened so far is Pa not be able to play the fiddle.  

The chapter ends with the family crowding around the cook stove for warmth.

WWLD:

• Stoke your competitive spirit.
• Teach someone a new skill.
• Ignore your parent's bad behavior.

Come back tomorrow for Chapter 23 - "Wheat in the Wall."  (Watch out Almanzo!  Pa is onto you!)

Prairie Eydie   

Pa Hunts "Antelope"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were dashed dreams of venison, runaway horses and food shortages.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Morgans are very desirable horses and Almanzo had a matched pair named Prince and Lady. To be matched, both horses should have the same general outline from head to tail.

After endless hours of blizzards and huddling 'round the cookstove, Chapter 20 gets off to an exciting start.  Pa bursts into the kitchen announcing an antelope herd was spotted west of town.  The men of DeSmet are going hunting while the women stay home and twist hay!  Pa fills his pockets with cartridges and rushes out. 

Laura peeks out the window and sees a pack of men -  including Almanzo Wilder on his horse, Prince, a beautiful Morgan.  Last to join the hunting party is dashing Cap Garland.  Laura immediately starts day dreaming about venison.  Ma shuts that time waster down by reminding Laura, "We must not count our chickens before they are hatched."  

I have been daydreaming my entire life.  My favorite childhood daydream was pretending I was Laura.  Fortunately, my family lived next to several vacant lots, so I could run through weeds with my sunbonnet hanging down my back.  

Prairie Eydie - the original Cosplayer.

In my thirties, I daydreamed about being the perfect mother; those dreams vaporized when my oldest son was born.  My kids have been quarantined for 58 days.  Len takes long walks in his pajamas.  When I ask Gus to practice his clarinet, he rolls up in blanket and flops to the floor.  Lulu has taken up cosplay.  She said cosplay is pretending every day is Halloween.  In "normal" times I would insist on Len wearing jeans, Gus practicing for 30 minutes, and that Lulu spend her money on something other than wigs.  But.  It seems that we are never getting out of the house and I don't even care what they do.  So much for being the perfect mom.     

Almanzo loaned Mr. Foster his other horse, Lady.  If you have forgotten who Mr. Foster is - let me remind you.  We first met Mr. Foster in chapter 9 when he stumbled into the school house to lead the teacher, Miss Garland, and students home during a sudden blizzard.  It was well-meaning, yet incompetent Mr. Foster who was leading the children into the open prairie.  Luckily Laura walked into motel and saved the day.  Why Almanzo would loan Mr. Foster, who only owned oxen, an expensive horse is beyond me.  

Pa has appointed himself leader and tells the men to "String out and go slow and easy.  Don't scare 'em."  Soon, Almanzo sees that Pa and the men almost have the herd surrounded!

Almanzo turns to tell Mr. Foster, but . . . SURPRISE!  Mr. Foster has jumped off Lady and is prematurely shooting at the distant antelope herd. Lady freaks out and runs to join the antelopes.  "In a moment the horse and the herd passed over another white curve, then, growing smaller, they appeared again and again the prairie swallowed them."  Disappointed, the hunters lower their guns.  Only Mr. Foster took a shot.     

Mr. Foster shows minimal remorse for panicking Almanzo's horse, scaring the antelope away, and dashing Laura's dreams of venison.  Mr. Foster says, "I'm sorry.  I must have let the mare go.  I was so excited, I didn't think.  I thought the horse would stand.  I never saw an antelope before."  The men then politely discuss options for Almanzo to retrieve Lady.  Surprisingly, the discussion contains no cussin', blamin', or tantrums.    

Almanzo decides to circle around and look for Lady.  He is confident he will not get lost.  Soon he is engulfed by the prairie's largeness.  "He felt that he was the only life on the cold earth, under the cold sky; he and his horse alone in an enormous coldness."  Finally Almanzo spots Lady!  The wind magically carries Almanzo's whistle and Prince's whickering call to the frightened horse.  Lady gallops towards Almanzo and follows him back to town.

Meanwhile, Pa returns to the house - defeated.  The kitchen is silent, except for Carrie's sigh.  Eventually Pa spins the tale about doofus Mr. Foster and the antelope.  Ma soothes Pa's ego by saying, "They would have been poor eating anyway, this time of year."  

Royal Wilder:  1/2 of the well fed brothers

While Ma starts preparing dinner, Pa steps out to Royal's feed store to see if Almanzo found Lady.  (I have no idea why Pa needs this information.)  Royal is cooking pancakes and bacon.  Almanzo is bringing in saddles to clean. Pa notices the empty spaces on their walls and the room seems suspiciously snug.  The brothers invite Pa join them for dinner - and Pa does.   

I struggle with Pa eating pancakes and bacon while Ma and the girls are at home eating boiled potatoes - again.  I wish Pa would have slipped some bacon into his coat pocket, asked for a "to go" container, or just declined the invitation.  

Truthfully, I struggle with this chapter because the focus is not on Laura.  Let's be real.  If Laura had been in charge of the hunt, Mr. Foster would have stayed behind and twisted hay.  

WWLD Summary:

• Daydream.  Even if people tell you not to.

See you soon for Chapter 21 - "The Hard Winter."

Prairie Eydie




     

Ma Says, "Where There's A Will"

I often ask myself, "How did Laura Ingalls Wilder get through hard times?"  The Ingalls family didn't lack challenges.  There were food and coal shortages, along with an unhealthy reliance on kerosene.  During this period of self-quarantine, I decided to reread The Long Winter to discover - What Would Laura Do?

Chapter 19 - Where There's a Will

The joy of Christmas candy and Youth Companion stories have been forgotten in Chapter 19.  The coal is gone and the Ingalls are burning hay.  LIW writes, "The hay made a quick, hot fire, but it burned away more swiftly than kindling."  When Pa isn't doing chores, he is twisting hay.

It has always bothered me that Pa isn't wearing a hat.  

Laura wants to help Pa twist hay.  He is reluctant because her hands so small.  But, Pa agrees because he cannot twist enough hay by himself.  Unfortunately the lean-to isn't sealed.  Snow blows in through the cracks and drifts onto the floor.  (I wonder why Pa didn't store the hay in the abandoned front room?  Maybe it was too labor intensive since the stable was by the lean-to?)  

LIW includes a drawn out, unclear explanation of how hay is twisted.  I have revisited the paragraph several times and still don't understand.  I can confidently say twisting hay involves lots of tucking, sliding, and holding hay under your elbows.  Pa both instructs and encourages Laura.  "Then slip the ends in between the kinks and let it twist itself back tight.  That's the way!" 

Laura twisted six sticks of hay before her hands were numb with cold and cut from the hay.  She is so proud that she helped her pa.  I, also, love the feeling of being helpful.  There are so many ways to help during a pandemic.  Like asking if your friends/family need anything before going grocery shopping. Or by staying at home.  Or by wearing a mask in public.  These are all helpful gestures.

Yep.  The arrow is pointing at Mead's Hotel.  
This is where the Masters should have been "guests."

NOTE:  You may be wondering if George Masters helped with the chores or the  hay twisting.  The answer is - No.  He did not help.  Even Mary, who was blind, helped twist hay and grind wheat.  I can only imagine sitting in that crowded, resentment filled kitchen every day.  I know forgiveness is a gift you give yourself - but I understand how Laura held on to her Masters' anger. 

The chapter continues with more bad news.  The Ingalls are down to their last loaf of bread.  Ma needs flour.  Pa and Ma banter about the outrageous price of flour before moving onto the divisive topic of kerosene.  Ma is disgusted the family relies on newfangled kerosene for light and wishes she had some good ol' fashioned grease.  Pa seconds her opinion,  "That's so.  These times are too progressive.  Everything has changed too fast."  

Hmmm.  Not hard to imagine what Ma and Pa would think about our reliance on cellphones, air conditioning, and Target.  I channel my inner Ma when saying things like, "When I was a kid the whole family shared one box fan!" or "When I was in college I had to make phone calls after 7:00 PM because it was cheaper.  PLUS, I  typed all my papers on a typewriter." 

What could go wrong?

Pa ventures out to buy flour, but returns with a sack of wheat because there is no flour in the stores.  As a special treat, Pa   
hands Ma a box of yellow axle grease.  Once again, Ma showcases her talents of making do with what is on hand.  The girls use the coffee mill to grind the wheat; then, Ma makes a sour dough starter and bakes some bread.  Ma doesn't need yeast or milk to make a nutty bread.  (I wish LIW would have included a detailed paragraph explaining how this was done.)  Finally, Ma uses the axle grease to make a button lamp.  Pa is smitten.  "You're a wonder Caroline.  It's only a little light, but it makes all the difference."  

The chapter grinds to a dreary conclusion. The family first decides to combine lunch and dinner and then they go to bed to save axle grease and sticks of hay.

WWLD:

• Offer to help.
• Listen to elders discuss "the good ol' days"
• Catch up on beauty sleep.

Horse, you don't know how good you have it.  You could be making multiple trips to the slough to get hay during a blizzard!

See you soon for Chapter 20 - Antelope!

Prairie Eydie