THE LONG WINTER

L is for:

THE LONG WINTER by Laura Ingalls Wilder 

THE LONG WINTER is my favorite of Laura's books with THE FARMER BOY (because it has food, lots of food in it) being second and LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE as third in line (they sew up a storm).

If you’ve read my blog at all, you know that I’m a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder, but not just Laura, I enjoy her daughter Rose’s writing, as well. I go to the Laura Ingalls Wilder festival every year and visit both houses, in Mansfield, Missouri. For years, there’s been scuttlebutt (gossip) about Rose being the writer of Laura’s books. I say to that, hogwash (gibberish) and poppycock (nonsense, absurd)!  

First Line:The mowing machine's whirring sounded cheerfully from the buffalo wallow south of the claim shanty, where bluestem grass stood thick and tall and Pa was cutting it for hay.

End Line: The sun was shining warm, the winds were soft, and the green grass growing.

Here is a silly thing. When I am sad, my go to book (after my Bible) is THE LONG WINTER. It makes sense to head for a depressing book, when you're depressed. Right? Like using fire to hold back a forest fire. Makes sense to me.

The other night, I get a phone call, late-ish, during the hours when I don’t normally get phone calls. 

"Hello?" I say, wondering if it's my daughter or her potential kidnapper, on the line.

“Guess what?” Dr. Lovely Daughter says.

“What?”

“They are finally building the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum!” 

We had recently discussed the alleged claim to build a museum. I think DLD said something like, would it be in her lifetime. Here’s the link to the news feature about the museum's groundbreaking, if you're interested.

I'm expecting there to be a plaque on the museum's wall, maybe as you enter the front door. The plaque will read: This spot on the wall is dedicated to Teresa Coltrin for the 5-10 dollars she stuffed in the collection pot, over the years, for the Laura Ingalls' Wilder Museum.

My speech is forming in my head, as I write this.