"THE LONG WINTER"

Subject: The Long Winter Fri Feb 01, 2008 1:56 am

It looks like I got here about 5 months late for this discussion!
I would like to add that "The Long Winter" is one of my favorites, too. Though this family went through a very difficult winter, they worked together and became closer as a result of it. I love the way each member of the family does what needs to be done without complaining! You can't always say that for families today! We are all so spoiled! Laura taught school even though she hated it...because she loved her sister and wanted to help her through college. Almanzo risked his life to help his friends, not many people now days would do that either. Through it all, the Ingalls family managed to make the best of things and have joy in each other. This book teaches a valuable lesson for us today!

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Feb 01, 2008 5:56 pm

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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Wed Feb 06, 2008 1:28 pm

I'm late too Sabrina---guess I didnt post much a few months ago. The Long Winter is a book I used to read almost every summer. I guess to keep "cool ". LOL
This is my favorite of them all. It just shows the good that comes from working together and it displayed the beginning of Manly and Laura's relationship. I've read up on this winter (I think 1869-70) it was many months of blizzards and very little food. BUT no one died. I can imagine how nice it must have been to see springtime!
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It is the lack of Christianity that has brought us where we are. Not a lack of churches or religious forms but of the real thing in our hearts. LIW.....Words From a Fearless Heart

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Mon Jun 09, 2008 7:13 am

Isn't it amazing how no one died during the long Winter and no one in the Ingalls family even got sick? I think the severe cold must have frozen all the germs! But... Carrie did seem to become even more fragile as a result. With her head aches and weakness afterward, I wonder if she was anemic.

I sure would like to know how the Boasts made it through in their claim shanty....

Violin

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:56 am

I remember the first time I read this book I was so afraid that Carrie was going to die!

I'm currently reading this book and have about a fourth of the book to go yet.

I like Laura and Pa's discussion about the muskrat on page thirteen (Make Hay While the Sun Shines). It's a very interesting and though provoking conversation.

I always feel so sorry for Almanzo when Lady gets away from Mr. Foster. I think it's quite amazing that the townspeople didn't seem to become extremely angry with Mr. Foster. If that would've happened today, there would've been some fireworks!

I'll comment more when I finish reading the book. :)
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Thu Jul 10, 2008 12:13 pm

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:12 am

lol Yes, I would!

I finished reading the book last night.

I love the suspense of Almanzo and Cap's trip. Even though I've read the book multiple times, it's still very exciting.

There are several things in this book that I really would like to see. One being the button candle and the other being the twists of hay. I don't fully understand the button candle.

I also like how ingenious Ma is when it comes to baking with very little of the correct ingredients.

I also have a question. Laura and Almanzo are really ten years apart, but by the end of this book Laura is fourteen and Almanzo is nineteen. Does anyone know why Laura changed the age gap between them?
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 11, 2008 9:21 am

Laura didn't think the wide age difference would go over well with the parents of the children reading her books, so she brought the ages a little closer together. Those who would turn into true fans of Laura Ingalls Wilder would no doubt go on to study about her and learn of the difference. Back then, age wasn't a big factor, but in the early 1950's it was.........also, it was Ma who had the problem with the age difference of Almanzo and Laura, not Pa.....
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 11, 2008 10:56 am

Okie-dokie, thanks! I thought that it'd probably have something to do with it not going over well with the parents, but I wasn't certain. Thanks! :)
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 11, 2008 11:46 am

I am terrible with remembering numbers but it seems to me that I have read a few different age difference quotes concerning L&A. I finally gave up trying to figure it out!

I was very disapointed that the DeSmet Little House gift shop was out of hay twists. They might have some now though. I really wanted to feel one and buy one for our history center.

I saw detailed directions for making the button light but I can't remember where. You might find an image if you Google it.

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Thu Jul 17, 2008 11:24 pm

I think the portrayal of absolute dispair of the Ingalls family was wonderful in this book .When Laura and Carrie have to get home from school due to the blizzard i found it disturbing that when they did finally arrive home Pa was just leaving to go get them ,,,,,would have thought as soon as sky changed color he would have figured they could be in some trouble and needed him ....Just my thoughts

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:46 am

Hmmm... That never occurred to me. I guess in my mind, the fact is firmly established that Pa can do no wrong! Laughing

Of course he could, though. Some would call him irresponsible for dragging his family all over the country, making them live in a dug out, etc. but... Pa is my hero so I know he must have had his reasons. How's that sound?

Hello Kitty

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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:20 am

I've been reading this one for a couple days and so far I like it.

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Wed Jul 23, 2008 11:36 am

Oh good! I'm glad you like it. Some would say it gets dreary but I find it inspirational.
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Thu Jul 24, 2008 8:37 pm

I'm reading this book and I'm really enjoying it. I think it's really cool how they were able to survive such a hard winter

Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 25, 2008 5:38 am

I like to read it in the Winter. It makes any Winter (other than theirs) seem easy!
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:20 am

Picture of a train stuck in the snow in southern Minnesota on March 29, 1881. The Ingalls' Christmas package and mail would've been stuck on this train or a train similar to this one.......can you imagine digging it out of the snow???
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Fri Jul 25, 2008 12:09 pm

I love it! That picture really makes it real doesn't it?
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Sat Jul 26, 2008 11:38 am

Yikes! No, I can't! That's really quite amazing! My area got over one hundred inches of snow last winter, but it's nothing compared to that picture!
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Subject: Re: "THE LONG WINTER" Sun Jul 27, 2008 4:39 am

Thanks Rhonda ...where we live it has never snowed so this picture helps me related much better.....one day we hope to travel a bit and see snow