“Happy Memorial Day!” I hear everyone saying today. Happy? Really? “It’s just another day to me,” someone shrugged. “The pool’s open!” exclaimed another jubilantly. “We’re having a picnic,” still others remarked. Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, began as a day…
Victory May Depend on You
“It is a war in each man’s heart. Each man is fighting as the spirit moves him,” said Hira Singh, speaking of the war, in the absorbing story of author Talbot Mundy. Every day is showing more plainly that Hira…
Oh, baby sister…
Today is the birthday of Grace Ingalls, Laura’s youngest sister. One of my favorite passages in the Little House books concerns Grace. It is found in chapter 30 of By the Shores of Silver Lake. Grace has disappeared on the…
Too Good To Be True?
Sandra’s excellent post last week about Rose’s contributions to On The Way Home made me think about our expectations of Laura. Not Laura the book character but Laura, the real woman. Most people probably think of Laura as the embodiment…
Laura Ingalls Wilder Family Letters Go Online
We are pleased to share the following announcement from Michael Edmonds, head of Digital Collections at the Wisconsin Historical Society. The Wisconsin Historical Society has recently published on its website more than a dozen original letters written during the Civil…
Making Memories Together
I can only think of one thing more enjoyable than reading a Little House book — sharing a Little House book. Working in the early education field, I see a common trend among parents who read to their children. When…
Those Sweet, Simple Things Of Life
“It is so hot,” Ma said. “I believe I will have cottage cheese balls with onions in them, and the cold creamed peas. Suppose you bring some lettuce and tomatoes from the garden, Laura.” ~Little Town on the Prairie, “Mary…
The Nine-Patch Quilt
One of the first of the Laura crafts I tried was the nine-patch quilt. I belong to a family of quilters, so that choice may have been pre-ordained. It’s a simple pattern: nine squares of fabric stitched together in a…
A Dog’s a Dog for A’ That
It is surprising how like human beings animals seem when they are treated with consideration. Did you ever notice the sense of humor animals have? Ever see a dog apologize — not a cringing fawning for favor, but a frank…
Laura and her dogs
One of my favorite characters in the Little House books is Jack, the brindle bulldog, Laura’s loyal friend and companion through the first 3 books. Even though Laura is surrounded by a loving family, there are times when it seems…