Rebecca
Rainy Wilder Days
Last weekend, my niece and I traveled to Mansfield, Missouri, to celebrate their annual Wilder Days. Although there are several events from Wednesday through Sunday, the majority of the festivities took place on Saturday, which was the only day we were able to be there. We were looking forward to a wonderful day of Little
Share this Post
Lessons from Laura
Mansfield, Missouri, held its annual Little Laura/Little Farmer Boy contest this past weekend. I asked my seven-year-old niece if she wanted to wear her prairie dress and participate in the contest. “No,” she answered without hesitation. “I want to be in a Mary contest.” Did I mention my niece is blonde? I find it somewhat
Share this Post
First James, Then George, Then Grandpa
The story of “Grandpa’s Sled and the Pig” told in Little House in the Big Woods is a popular one. It’s interesting how stories about naughty children are so much more fun than stories about well-behaved ones. But the story has puzzled me for a very long time — ever since I first became interested
Share this Post
Anne vs. Laura
Last week I got wind of a fight I didn’t want to participate in — mainly because I could never choose a side. The question at stake: Who’s Cooler: Anne of Green Gables… or Laura Ingalls? Wow. I felt like Aunt Lotty when Mary asked her which she liked better, brown hair or golden. I
Share this Post
Grandpa's father
Lately, I’ve been thinking about Samuel Worthen Ingalls. Laura’s great-grandfather. He interests me because he is the one ancestor Laura never met who makes it into one of her books as a minor character. As I wonder what kind of man he was, Garth Williams’ depiction of him flashes into my mind’s eye. You know
Share this Post
Kids Think the Darnedest Things…
One day when Pa was hunting, two Indians came. They came into the house, because Jack was chained. Those Indians were dirty and scowling and mean. They acted as if the house belonged to them. One of them looked through Ma’s cupboard and took all the cornbread. The other took Pa’s tobacco-pouch. They looked at
Share this Post
Whatever Happened to Mary Power?
This question has been a common one over the decades, with not much of an answer available until recent years. Gina Terrana, who has researched the life of Mary Power and published articles on her in the Laura Ingalls Wilder Lore and in The Homesteader, is now offering a print-it-yourself pamphlet including pictures and detailed
Recent Comments