Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library)

melissajayne

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

I am sorry this book is a bit late, but my favourite book for January was Farmer Boy. #12booksof2023

Andrew65

Andrew65 An excellent book. Great to have you with us, whenever you post 😁 10mo

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Eggs

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

This is one of my favorite books of the Little House series.

#Farm

#HumbleHarvest

@Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Perfect 😍 12mo

Eggs @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks 🥰 12mo

MissyD 😍 12mo

Eggs @MissyD 💕 12mo

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DebinHawaii

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

#IdiomInsight

#HasteMakesWaste was first recorded in 190 BC (https://grammarist.com/usage/haste-makes-waste/#:~:text=The%20modern%20use%20of%20the,more%20haste%2C%20less%20speed.” ) & it‘s well understood by farmers…

“Haste makes waste, but a lazy man'd rather get his work done fast than do it himself...all it saves is time, son. And what good is time, with nothing to do? You want to sit and twiddle your thumbs, all these stormy winter days?”

Eggs, Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks

Eggs Very nice 😊 14mo

Sparklemn Ummm...the answer is absolutely yes. 😁 14mo

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CrystalE02

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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I finished the audiobook of this book. I have the physical copy of the book. This book is so cute. I read this book as a child. I love this series. I rated this book a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

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melissajayne

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Saw this bracket on a few feeds and I thought about joining in on the fun. If someone could tell me who is hosting this, I will tag them as needed

Anyways, my favourite read for January was Farmer Boy. I am still in the midst of reading some other books, but I really did enjoy each time that I read the book. Looking forward to seeing what my favourite read of February will be. #2023readingbracket

bthegood @chasjjlee is hosting I believe - have a good day. 2y

Sapphire @chasjjlee is the host 2y

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Bookwormjillk

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ever since we read Farmer Boy for the Little House chapter a day read I‘ve been craving pumpkin pie. Finally got to it today!

megnews

BkClubCare 🥧 👏 2y

mabell Yum! 2y

Soubhiville My favorite! 2y

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AnnR Looks delicious! 2y

batsy Nice!! 2y

dabbe My. Favorite. Pie. #yum 😋 2y

mrp27 Yummm!! 2y

megnews Looks delicious!! 2y

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IamIamIam

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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I really loved this Little House story about Almanzo Wilder & his family farm in New York state. Fun fact, I JUST found out that this is Laura Ingalls Wilder's husband... 🤦‍♀️ Haha, what hard workers people were in the 19th century. It's amazing to learn about processes we take for granted and how much harder, yet infinitely richer, their lives were.

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TheAromaofBooks

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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I can't express how much I am enjoying buddy reading this series!! I've been meaning to reread it forever and am so glad that @megnews has given me the kick I needed!! I loved reading about a year of Almanzo's life and how much work went into every day! There are so many differences between the way they lived life then and how we do things now. I wish there were more books about Almanzo's growing years!!

TheAromaofBooks #Booked2023 - Author No Longer Living @Cinfhen @alisiakae @BarbaratheBibliophage
#Pantone2023 - Blue Perennial @Clwojick
#ReadySetRead - Author has 3 or more names; Continue a series; Favorite animal on the cover 🐮
#SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView @Andrew65
#NoBuy2023 - Hardback @PuddleJumper
#100YearsofBooks
#BookSpinBingo
#JumpStart2023 @Lizpixie 2y

Andrew65 Must be great fun to revisit them. Well done 🥳 2y

TheSpineView Fabulous!🥳🤩📚 2y

PuddleJumper You're finishing so many prompts! It's great! 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Is there anything else you‘d like to discuss?

Tomorrow we begin #LittleHouse on the Prairie.

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TEArificbooks I think the biggest difference was that Almanzo‘s farm was much more established and successful. 2y

melissajayne 1) The biggest differences between their childhoods was that Almanzo‘s parents had been married for quite sometime and were more established and he grew up in a more established community and Laura‘s parents were still a fairly young couple and not as established and living in a fairly new community.⬇️ 2y

melissajayne 2) I would probably prefer to live with Almanzo‘s family. 2y

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Bookwormjillk Almanzo's farm was much more established, but much more strict. I think I would prefer to be on the prairie with Laura.

Like others have mentioned I didn't like this book as much as the rest of the series when I read it before, but I enjoyed it a lot more this time through. I definitely think I will bake a pumpkin pie this weekend! 2y

keys_on_fire I think the biggest similarity is that everyone was expected to work and help each other. How you helped or what you did was just a reflection of your age and ability. There did seem to be more play in Laura‘s world, but that could be gender or age differences. I definitely liked Farmer Boy better as an adult than I did as a child! 2y

TheAromaofBooks I'm just consistently amazed by the amount of work both families had to do every day just to survive. Although the Wilders had more opportunities for cash/purchasing storebought items, they still spent so much time producing and making their own clothes and food. It was interesting to me the difference between the Wilders focus on their farm and how the Ingalls lived a lot more off the wilderness. I wish we got more books about Almanzo!! 2y

AnnR Between the two, I think I'd rather live with Almanzo's family because there was a mix of male and female siblings, which allowed for a more equal distribution of helpers between domestic chores and the more difficult farm labor. Plus, let's face it, they ate really good meals. 🙂 2y

sblbooks The biggest similarity was both families work ethic. The biggest difference was the Wilder's are better off financially, and they near a fairly large town. The Ingles family lives on the frontier, and for the most part is isolated from their community. I wouldn't have survived back then, but I would have to say the Wilder home would be much easier. 2y

megnews @sblbooks I feel I wouldn‘t survive either! Like @TheAromaofBooks I am constantly aware of how hard everyone worked then just to put food on the table and survive, let alone have a few small comforts. 2y

BarbaraJean The biggest similarity to me was the amount of work there was to do just to sustain daily life! The main difference that stood out to me was how isolated the Ingalls were compared to the Wilders, and of course the difference in the abundance vs. scarcity of food. Honestly, I think I would prefer the relative quietude of the Ingalls family, but the meals at the Wilders‘ table would probably win me over in the end. 😁 (edited) 2y

mrp27 I enjoyed this one so much and agree with many of the points here. Both families work ethic‘s are admirable and also their character, good people both families. I would probably enjoy living with the Wilder‘s most, who can pass on those meals?! But there is something about the Ingalls lifestyle that speaks of adventure, risk and the unknown and that appeals to me. 2y

IamIamIam While I enjoyed both stories, I could more easily identify with Almanzo's family. They made sure always to have enough on their farm to sustain their family and turn a profit. Laura's family lives off the chances of hunting rather than the guarantees of livestock and that's frightening to me! Their lives are similar but vastly different. I really enjoyed FB so much more than I expected!! 2y

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melissajayne

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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4.5⭐️ The second in the #littlehouse series, the book explores a year in the life of Laura‘s husband when he was growing up in Upstate New York. Aside from some of the political views that come through in the book, I quite enjoyed it. It‘s quite clear that the Wilder‘s are much established than the Ingalls and have a bit more money, as the 3 older children are sent to a school far enough from home that they have to board there. ⬇️

megnews

melissajayne I wonder if Almanzo would have chosen a different career if he knew he would become disabled and would have trouble performing the hard physical labour that is needed for farming. #2023 #bookreview #bookstagram #fiction #childrens #historicalfiction #readalong 2y

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BarbaraJean

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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The second book in the #LittleHouse series was just as delightful as the first. Reading about Almanzo Wilder‘s childhood was fascinating—although at times a little too detailed for me in its descriptions of how to build a bobsled, etc. 😆 I loved getting to know Almanzo as a character—his love for horses & all aspects of farm life (and his hearty appetite) were endearing! I‘m thoroughly enjoying the buddy read—Megan, thank you for organizing it!

megnews

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Roary47

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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4✨This is the second read through of this book and I enjoyed it so much more this time. Now that I‘m a parent this time through I saw a different side to the story and how amazing of a kid Almanzo really was. @megnews #LittleHouse

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

A fitting final illustration for a book chock full of food. I thought this quote was sweet. Looking forward to seeing Almanzo again in future stories. #LittleHouse

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Bookwormjillk This chapter was so sweet. Great ending. (And I may make a pumpkin pie) 2y

Roary47 I love how his father was supportive of what Almanzo wanted to do with his future even if it wasn‘t to be a farmer. Great ending! 😌💛 2y

megnews @Roary47 I did too. 2y

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AnnR After reading this, I couldn't imagine the last post not including food. Almanzo gets his dearest wish in the last chapter and at least that part didn't involve his mom's cooking. 😁😉 (edited) 2y

BarbaraJean Perfect illustration to close out the book!! I loved this ending: seeing Almanzo‘s father so supportive and wanting to hear what Almanzo wanted, and Almanzo getting his heart‘s desire along with his hearty meal 😆 2y

keys_on_fire I was so excited for and proud of Almanzo in this chapter! It was also an interesting reflection about the ‘freedom‘ of a farmer; I had never thought of it that way. Seeing my grandpa and uncle as farmers it seemed like they were ‘captured‘ by all the work and rarely took vacations, so that‘s where my impressions come from… 2y

TEArificbooks I liked this chapter too. I think it showed that as Almanzo was getting older and more mature and was a honest hard working kid, not only his father but the towns people were taking notice and he was ready for the next step of having his own colt. It was a happy ending for the book. 2y

mrp27 Perfect full circle ending chapter and illustration. I loved it and it was fitting. I kinda wish there was another Almanzo book. 2y

sblbooks @mrp27 I agree I would like to see another Almanzo book. Like everyone said, I love the ending! He finally gets to train Starlight. @megnews yes, that's the perfect illustration. 2y

Vansa I found a lot that I didn't like about this chapter,and it felt proto-libertarian.Farmers are very much dependent on other people,they wouldn't be able to pay for medical services with produce.In this book itself,it's clear how integrated with the community they are-Lauras family arguably live off the land and are more self sufficient.The disdain for other occupations was surprising and I really didn't like it in a children's book.(1/n) 2y

Vansa (2/n)specially given that Ingalls Wilder was writing these books at a time when their farm wasn't doing well!Also,it seemed very contradictory-Almanzo's father keeps telling him of the value of money and the hard work that goes into harvesting a bushel of potatoes and so on-he was getting the money because people were paying for it!And farm subsidies are huge,so agriculture really isn't the noble isolated occupation he makes it out to be. 2y

megnews @Vansa when the book is set in 1866 and even by the time it was written, many doctors were still taking goods as a form of payment. In addition, the first US farm subsidy was not until the year this book was published. 2y

Vansa @megnews that was just one example, of medicine. There are several instances in the book itself, where his father receives payment for his produce, and the horses. Laura's family are arguably leading far more the sort of consume-what-you-produce life Almanzo's father thinks he's living! 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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As a young girl, this was my least favorite and least reread in the #LittleHouse series, undoubtedly because the MC is a boy. I appreciated it much more this time around.

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

I‘d totally forgotten this chapter and never saw this coming. How great for Almanzo! What did you all think?
Tomorrow is our last chapter. I‘ll post a wrap up discussion Friday and then Saturday we‘ll move on to Little House on the Prairie. I‘m super excited!

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Bookwormjillk I was happy for Almanzo but $200 is a huge amount of money! Kind of made me squirm. 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk yes in today‘s dollars it would be $3748.55!!! Which means Townsend was walking around with $28000 in his wallet! Unimaginable! (edited) 2y

BarbaraJean I loved how Mr. Paddock stood up for Almanzo, but I couldn‘t believe he got Mr. Townsend to fork over $200!! I felt it spoke a lot to Almanzo‘s character. He‘s an honest, hardworking kid and Paddock knows it—as evidenced in multiple ways in this chapter! 2y

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AnnR I totally forgot about this chapter, too. How nice for honesty to be valued and rewarded! Mr. Paddock did freak me out a little bit, as I was worried he and Mr. Townsend might get into a full out fist fight. 2y

TEArificbooks I liked Paddock standing up for Almanzo too and thought wow that is a lot of money too. Thompson needed to learn a lesson though and I liked that his dad let him keep the money. And his dads advice about honesty. He kinda said, well you did the right thing, Thompson did the wrong thing, and you both had consequences (Almanzo was rewarded, Thompson punished). Definitely a life lesson and example on how even adults need to learn lessons too. 2y

Roary47 Almanzo is awesome in this chapter. He realizes what he wants to do and practices his arithmetic so well his father takes him to do real life training. Then wow that amount of money! Paddock is awesome for standing up, and Almanzo is amazing for deciding to take it to the bank. His father must have been so proud of him! 2y

keys_on_fire It was super nice to see Mr Paddock stand up for Almanzo, even knowing he would lose a customer. Not sure how many people would do that! 2y

mrp27 I was surprised by the $200 that‘s a lot of cash for a kid even in these days! But again, was struck by what an honest hardworking boy Almanzo was with good character. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Good grief! First of all, Almanzo has more fight than me because I would have given up! Second, while I do understand childhood was viewed very differently in this time period, I was a bit miffed with his father for leaving him to figure it out himself. It‘s amazing how much childhood has changed, at least here in the US.

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AnnR It seems Almanzo was incredibly lucky he didn't sustain worse injuries. I didn't care for this chapter, even taking into consideration the time period. His father should have taken more precautions in this instance. 2y

Bookwormjillk Wood hauling sounds miserable. You know it was bad if Almanzo couldn‘t eat! 2y

TEArificbooks As this chapter was a bit much for Almanzo. I little more guidance would have helped him. His dad could have plowed the trail for him, told him he was overloading the sled, maybe plowed some side tracks for him when they meet on the trail, stayed with him more, had Royal stay home and help etc. This is still a very dangerous job, and sending a 10 year old to figure it out himself is not reasonable. 2y

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BarbaraJean @megnews @Ann_Reads I was taken aback by the lack of intervention from his father as well. Like @TEArificbooks said, it seems like there were several things his father could have done to assist. I get that he was having Almanzo learn by doing, but it seems like a little too much for a 10-year-old, even given the difference between then and now! 2y

sblbooks I agree with everyone. The lack of instruction was surprising. Almanzo was just thrown in the deep end, with a sink or swim mentality. 2y

Roary47 I finally caught up! I agree with everyone that it was really concerning that his dad didn‘t give more guidance. I know that learning is accomplished when you practice yourself, but a little more guidance would have still let him learn. 2y

Vansa This really was difficult to read.As other commenters have said,even accounting for how long ago this was written,it seems extreme.I can't say I was surprised,though,because as I had commented on a earlier chapter-his father seemed really careless with the kids letting them play with fire and pretty much shrugging when he burnt his eye while baking the potatoes 2y

mrp27 A harrowing chapter! I‘m all for letting kids figure things out on their own but when they lack the physical ability it seems reckless. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Christmas Day! How did you think this chapter compared to Christmas at Laura‘s house and today‘s Christmas? I was a little miffed with Frank for scaring the beloved colts. The descriptions in this chapter really made you feel the cold and the warmth, feel the melting snow, and smell the feast. (I skipped yesterday because there just didn‘t seem a lot to comment on but if you have a comment please feel free here.)

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BarbaraJean This chapter seemed very similar to Laura‘s family Christmas, with a small assortment of gifts in the stockings, family coming to share a meal, and the kids all playing together after Christmas dinner. The food seemed more elaborate, but we know how Almanzo focuses on food! With the threshing chapter, I thought it was interesting how the Wilders wouldn‘t use a threshing machine, when the Ingalls were all for the “progress” of the machine! 2y

TheAromaofBooks The only thing that struck me from yesterday was that Almanzo's dad was against using the threshing machine, when Pa Ingalls was all for it. There is ten years between A & L in age, so presumably the events in FM take place a decade before Big Woods. I wonder if it's a difference in time getting used to the idea, or a difference between Pa & Father as individuals? 2y

bnp Good question @aromaofbooks. I wonder about whether their ages make a difference. Also, the Wilder farm is more established & the Ingalls life seems more risk taking 2y

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IamIamIam I was thinking that, while work never really ends on the farm, threshing was the one thing that needed attention in the winter. Maybe if they used the machine, it would take away the bulk of the farm work & Almanzo's dad doesn't seem like the type to enjoy leisure time. He points out that he'd rather work than twiddle his thumbs. 2y

Bookwormjillk I was mad at Frank, and mad at Royal for blaming Almanzo! I thought he did a good job of not rising to Frank‘s taunts. LIW does such a good job writing about Christmas though. She makes the simplest things seem so magical. 2y

IamIamIam I loved this chapter almost as much as I dislike Frank! What a scootch!!! I'm kind of glad Almanzo gave it to him during the snowball fight. 😏 I really enjoyed the description of all the food and I was happy that the kids got up a bit earlier and the family was able to enjoy Christmas morning together! 2y

TEArificbooks Don‘t have anything to add to the previous comments. I agree Frank is the worst, thought it under that Royal punished Almanzo for trying to stop Frank. And for the threshing, the thing that stood out was Almanzo‘s dad attitude about the machine is so different from Laura‘s Pa. But it does show when any new tech (even today) comes along there are people that refuse to use it. It usually takes about 20 years for it to become popular. 2y

TEArificbooks I changed my screen name from @mdm139 to @TEArificbooks so please tag me under my new name 2y

BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks I hadn‘t thought about the time difference given their ages—that‘s a great point. I think it may be a combination of changing attitudes over time as well as a difference in attitude between the two fathers. Almanzo‘s father seems a bit less flexible & open than Pa, and it seems like the Ingalls had fewer available conveniences than the Wilders and so they may have been more eager to take advantage of the time-saving technology! (edited) 2y

sblbooks I see many similarities between Almanzo's Christmas and Laura's. It was much more simple and less commercialized back then.The kids were always so happy for the simplest things. Frank is a brat; and Royal is not much better. He's always giving Almanzo a hard time when he's not the one at fault. 2y

melissajayne @TheAromaofBooks Little House in the Big Woods takes place in 1871-72; Farmer Boy takes place in 1866-67. 2y

melissajayne @sblbooks I think Christmas got really commercialized after WWII, especially in the 1950‘s. My mom‘s dad remembered one Christmas when he was 8 or 9(he was born in 1925) when he got two presents, when he expected nothing. 2y

melissajayne @BarbaraJean also the Wilder‘s are much more established and haven‘t been moving around due to the Civil War (remember the “West” didn‘t really open up until the 1870‘s). 2y

megnews @BarbaraJean @TheAromaofBooks @IamIamIam @TEArificbooks I also noticed the difference in attitude about the threshing machine. A lot of these responses make sense. Difference in attitude/experience/risk taking etc. 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk she does do a great job writing Christmas. It feels so homey and cozy. 2y

megnews @sblbooks @melissajayne agree about the simpler Christmas. My grandparents had similar ones in the 30s. 2y

megnews @TEArificbooks I tried to tag mdm139 this morning 3 times and was thinking oh no where‘d she go? So glad you‘re still here! 2y

mrp27 The Christmas chapters have always been my favorite, then and now. Interesting points about the threshing machines. I didn‘t think about the time difference. 2y

TheAromaofBooks @IamIamIam - It's true, I don't think Almanzo's dad would enjoy being idle, and he doesn't have as many chores/tasks in the winter. However, Laura's dad spends the winter running his trapline, which is their main cash source, so I can see him being excited about the threshing machine as he actually has other stuff to get done in the winter. 2y

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mrp27

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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#JumpStart2023

I couldn‘t help myself and I read ahead to the end of Little House chapter a day. Like many others this was my least favorite of the Little House series when I first read it as a kid. Now as an adult my view has changed, I loved it.

Lizpixie, Clwojick, megnews

DocBrown This is one of my favorites in the series. I love it when the Wilder kids are left home by themselves! 2y

mrp27 @DocBrown That was a great chapter! 2y

AshleyHoss820 I love when this happens! It‘s so interesting to bring new perspective to a book! Maybe I‘ll have to revisit this series this summer! ☺️🧡 2y

Clwojick Fantastic! Well done! 2y

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IamIamIam

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

LOL, all I could think of was Little House when I saw this!!!

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staci.reads

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

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I remember this being my least favorite when I read them as a child because it felt slower than the others to me. I don't think I noticed how much it focuses on food and meals until this time around 😂. Man, it made me hungry over and over again! #LittleHouse @megnews

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

I‘m going to be honest and say every once in awhile when LIW starts describing the making of something in depth, my eyes start glazing over. I have a difficult time picturing things like that in my head. This chapter was like that for me. But the thing that does stand out is what an amazing relationship Almanzo has with his father. They are so sweet together.

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AnnR My eyes glazed over some at the in-depth description of the bobsled construction, too. Interesting it was all held together by pegs though. Almanzo is a great helper, especially if the work might (eventually) involve horses. :-) Eliza Jane seems to be his polar opposite. So far she hasn't helped with any farm chores, but then again, not everyone is 'outdoorsy.' (edited) 2y

mrp27 I agree. Some descriptions I can get really into, others not so much. The bobsled was a rough one to get into. I do however enjoy Almanzo‘s time spent with his father. 2y

Bookwormjillk I can only follow the food descriptions 🤣 For the bobsled I just looked at the picture. 2y

BarbaraJean My eyes glazed over a bit with this one, too! @Bookwormjillk I also noticed there was no food in this chapter…😆 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

This chapter was absolutely fascinating to me because my 4th great grandfather is listed as a shoe maker on the 1850 census in Stow Massachusetts. Very interesting to read the process he may have used. I was worried about the kids going off to school without new shoes.

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AnnR @megnews - How interesting about your family history! Census reports hold a treasure trove of information. As for this chapter, I just couldn't imagine having one pair of shoes with all the work that was done outdoors, in all types of conditions. Modern society does take certain things for granted now, like having multiple pairs of shoes for different occasions. 2y

Bookwormjillk Can you imagine having someone stay at your house for two weeks so you can get shoes? I love the relationship Almanzo has with his father. He‘s his little buddy. He seems to like having him tag along to fix windows and shuck corn. 2y

TEArificbooks As a mother of boys that go through a pair of shoes a month, I can‘t imagine having to wait for the cobbler. But it was common back then for parents just to make them go bare foot until they stopped growing. Even if they had shoes it was for special occasions so they didn‘t ruin them. 2y

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mrp27 Such great information bout your family! I was fascinated by the cobbler and his work. (edited) 2y

keys_on_fire So many things were made much more sturdy in the past. I remember my grandfather getting a new fridge and his previous one had lasted over 30 years. And my mom would take her vacuum to get repaired because it was cheaper than buying new. Although I LOVE shoes and like having variety in my wardrobe, I have often wondered how much easier it would be to just have a few things. 2y

keys_on_fire Things were built to last in the past. My grandfather got more than 30 years from his fridge; mine barely got 15. My mom would take me with her to get her vacuum repaired bcuz it was cheaper than buying new. Now it‘s the opposite! I‘m only in my mid-40‘s, so it‘s amazing how much we replace so quickly these days. How much more money we could have for travel (or other pursuits) if we didn‘t have to have so many clothes! 2y

keys_on_fire Things used to be built to last. My grandfather's fridge lasted over 30 years; mine...less than 15. As a child, my mom used to take me with her to get her vacuum repaired bcuz it was cheaper than buying a new one. Now it's the opposite, and I'm only in my mid-40's! I like having variety in my wardrobe, and I love shoes, but sometimes I think it would be nicer to be like the Wilders with less clothes so I could spend my money differently! 2y

keys_on_fire I tried 3 times on my phone and once on the browser to post a comment about my thoughts. It's not working. I'm not going to try again because I'm worried that there will be a bunch if the system fixes itself... 2y

sblbooks That's interesting about your ancestry. @megnews as hard as I am on shoes I'd have a hard time if the had to last a year. We do take so much for granted nowadays. 2y

these_dreams I reread the entire Little House series a year ago for nostalgia‘s sake and so glad I did ❤️ 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk yeah if you think about it so far the schoolteacher has stayed with them as well as the peddler and now the shoemaker. When you consider the close living quarters people had then it‘s pretty incredible. 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire I think everyone has grandparents whose fridge lasted so long. And I too remember my mom taking her kenmore vacuum to sears for repairs. I work in a historic building made of marble. It‘s incredible and everyone comments how they don‘t build things like they used to. 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire we got your comments! 😊 2y

megnews @these_dreams we are having a great time rereading together too. 2y

IamIamIam My great grandfather and great uncle had a shoe repair shop in the 20s & 30s and I grew up very familiar with their equipment. It's really interesting to see the process in raw form! I'll always associate the smell of shoe polish with my great uncle! I was really shocked to see how Royal and Eliza's attitude had changed so rapidly after being at school! 2y

42 likes15 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today‘s chapter shows the Wilder family doing many of the same chores the Ingalls family did. at butchering time. It made me thankful I can buy sweet smelling candles. It seems like these would not smell great and probably smoke a lot as well.

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TEArificbooks I now want to make a candle but not from lard 2y

mrp27 I never thought about how much work went into everyday items for every day life. Oh how I take for granted flipping a switch for light to read by. 2y

AnnR Reading about how hard the whole family works, makes me wonder where they found the energy. I understand the children would be energetic but Almanzo's parents always seem to be busy too, a lot of it being hard physical labor. 2y

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sblbooks Agreed @megnews I don't think those candles would smell like the ones from Pier One. I would like to try that though, like @mdm139 said. 2y

keys_on_fire @Ann_Reads Your comment about energy makes me think about how different their food sources were than ours. Father even used the first snow to plow back into the ground. I‘m not a green thumb, but I‘ve had a lot of thoughts lately about how I could grow a few things even in an apartment. Maybe I‘ll give it another shot this spring! 2y

melissajayne @Ann_Reads it was a very hard life. You just kept doing it. You probably got a reprieve in the winter because you didn‘t have deal with the fields, but you still had to milk the cows, collect eggs, feed your animals, clean out the places where the animals lived, etc. on a regular basis in addition to the household chores. 2y

melissajayne My maternal grandparents have often remarked how much their lives growing up were very similar to the childhood of Laura and Almanzo. And that was only about a hundred years ago (my grandparents grew up on farms). 2y

Bookwormjillk I looked up where Almanzo lived and was surprised it was so close to the Canadian border. The part about plowing the snow into the soft ground was interesting to me. I wonder why that works. 2y

TheAromaofBooks It's intriguing to me how much of the Ingalls's lives involved hunting and trapping, while the Wilders live a more settled life, with virtually all of their food and supplies coming from what they are raising themselves. Where the Ingalls butchered one hog, the Wilders butcher several, and a young steer - but no mention of deer or rabbits. Their area of the country had been occupied by settlers for so much longer and it really makes a difference! 2y

IamIamIam @TheAromaofBooks I was thinking that too but with the way Almanzo eats, it's probably what the entire Ingalls family eats in one sitting! I felt that the Ingalls lived off the land so much more than the Wilders and their high-production farm. While they're comparable lives, I see them as quite different experiences. 2y

IamIamIam I was really impressed with the girls getting down and dirty with the innards and pulling out all the things they'd need to make a variety of products for the year. The candle making reminds me of the local living museum and their winter event where all the homes are lit as they would have been, with sconces and fires in the fireplace. 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk your comment made me look it up too. Wow just about 20 minute drive today. 2y

megnews @Ann_Reads @keys_on_fire my gran came from a farming family and they ate huge breakfasts and big dinners (lunches-they‘re southern) with meat like pork chops that we would have had for dinner. But I guess they needed it for the energy. It also explains why we didn‘t see the obesity we do now - everyone worked it off. 2y

41 likes13 comments

IamIamIam

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Got lucky at the library before! My digital loan of Farmer Boy expired a few days ago & I got so behind!! Lol, I decided to jump the gun on the next book in the series so I'm not scrambling to catch up again! @megnews

29 likes

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

There‘s so much to discuss in this chapter. But my favorite part was how much Almanzo loved the horses. He is so sweet. I was so glad for him when he won the prize for best pumpkin. And it was so cute when he thought 3 days at the fair were too much. What stood out to you?

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Vansa I am absolutely fascinated by the concept of a milkfed pumpkin. I've never heard of it, and I never knew dairy could aid the growth of a plant! 2y

TEArificbooks What stood out to me was he thought keeping his method of milk feeding the pumpkin a secret was lying so he honestly answered the question. And his dad‘s advice on gambling - “never bet your money on another man‘s game” 2y

Bookwormjillk I loved his dad‘s advice too. 2y

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sblbooks It was interesting to see what kind of things they did at the fair back then. I'm like Almanzo, the animals are my favorite too. 2y

mrp27 When I first read farmer boy as a kid I never thought about character development but it‘s been an absolute joy watching Almanzo grow during this reread. This chapter he demonstrated his strong work ethic. 2y

IamIamIam I really loved when Almanzo was talking about the horses with his dad. It's so cute how much he cares for the animals. I also realized where the expression "a run for your money" might come from! I would have liked to hear about the girls crafts and the other side of the competition but I was really impressed by the thoroughness of the judges with the crops! 2y

37 likes6 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

I really wanted a picture of Almanzo shaking the apple trees but since there isn‘t one, I‘ll post this instead. This chapter was more hard work but somehow harvest seemed more fun than planting. I felt and wanted to be right there in the action. I‘d love those apples and cider and a piping hot potato. But can we talk about how Almanzo got burnt and it was a quick fix and right back to work? No time for injury at harvest time.

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TEArificbooks I felt their anxiety in this chapter. The race to get the harvest in before the freeze. I thought it was sweet how the kids argued about who‘s potato exploded and who should eat the last one. You definitely work up an appetite working that hard day after day, crop after crop. 2y

mrp27 Wowza, I was worried for Almanzo in this chapter! Thank goodness it was a minor injury and he was brave and strong to continue on working. 2y

Bookwormjillk They seemed to have such abundance compared to Laura, but so much work! I was worried about Almanzo‘s eye too. That sounds horrible! 2y

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sblbooks You're right about injuries, back in the day they didn't run to the doctor for every little thing. People were just tough back then. 2y

Vansa Quite honestly I find Almanzo's father a really careless parent!Surely you don't let such a little kid near an actual fire?! 2y

megnews @mdm139 I felt their anxiety too. A race against uncontrollable nature. 2y

megnews @Vansa I think life was so different back then. Children weren‘t treated like children for long. 2y

IamIamIam Folks were made of such sturdier stuff back then... Almanzo near burns his eye out & his dad said, "Wrap it up and get back to work!" Lol, not unkindly, but I can't imagine a parent doing that today!! So glad they got their harvest in and I read l was really impressed at how the peppers and onions were stored and will stay all winter! 2y

33 likes8 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Another chapter of hard but good natured work. I suppose you can pickle anything but pickled watermelon rinds was a shock to me. Waste not want not. We commented on year round eggnog before but this chapter makes me wonder when eggnog transitioned to a winter holiday thing.

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BarbaraJean Eggnog does NOT seem like a refreshing beverage in the middle of a hard day‘s work! I guess it would give you some protein and energy, but I can‘t imagine drinking all that rich, spiced creaminess and then heading back out into the hot field! Also, I really want pictures of each of the different crops and how they gathered them in. I couldn‘t picture how the stakes of navy beans worked! 2y

mrp27 As an eggnog lover I do find it an odd choice to hydrate with on a warm work day. I love how proud Almanzo was of his mother and her butter. 2y

BookNAround I currently have pickled watermelon rinds in my fridge. My daughter and I saw them at the store and wanted to try them because we like all things pickled. These are fine but not amazing. 😂 2y

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sblbooks Almanzo was quite a little worker. He said putting up hay was like play. I've never done it myself, but my mom and my grandfather talked about it, neither one of them said it was like play. 2y

megnews @mrp27 yes that was so sweet. 2y

megnews @BookNAround wow! I‘ve never even seen them 2y

TEArificbooks I thought it was nice that the kids were so proud of their mother‘s butter even though they all helped churn it, they gave her all the credit. I am really starting to want to churn butter and get cute little molds for them. 2y

TheAromaofBooks I had never thought about eggnog as a warm-weather drink, but it actually (kind of) makes sense. In the winter, cows are usually not giving milk as they are dried off in anticipation of their spring calves, and egg production also drops dramatically as hens need a certain amount of daylight in order to make an egg. But both those things would be available in large quantities at the end of summer. It still seems like it would be heavy in the heat! 2y

TheAromaofBooks @BarbaraJean - I wondered the same thing about the beans. I can't quite picture what they are accomplishing. Are they literally just in a pile?? I thought that at the end they were maybe going to shake them or something to get the beans out, but they just left them, so I'm also not sure when/how they actually get the beans! 2y

mrp27 @TheAromaofBooks Thanks for the info. The eggnog makes sense now. Sadly I know nothing of farm or animal life. 2y

TheAromaofBooks @mrp27 - I grew up and still live in a very rural area with many relatives and friends who still do a lot of things the “old-fashioned“ way, but even I am sometimes stymied by certain processes they follow here. Farming the way they do involves such a connection to land, seasons, and weather, all without the aid of things like the 10-day forecast! It's crazy to me how much knowledge we as a people have lost over the last few generations. 2y

Vansa @TheAromaofBooks lovely comment. And very true 2y

TheAromaofBooks @Vansa - Thank you!! I really amazed at how many things my grandparents knew how to do as a matter of course that I have no idea how it's done. I love books like this and how they remind us of how different generations have completely different challenges to face!! 2y

IamIamIam Aaand I just realized where apple cider vinegar comes from... lol 2y

33 likes14 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

How did you think it went, all things considered? 😂

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TEArificbooks Way better than I thought. I thought it was cute that his big sister helped him cover up the black mark on the wall and they ate 6 lbs of sugar of while the parents were away. 2y

megnews @mdm139 I thought that was so sweet of his sister. Can‘t believe they didn‘t get sick from all that sugar. 2y

sblbooks Pretty well all things considered, at least it didn't burn the house down. I can't believe Almanzo tried to feed the pig candy. 😂 Kids were a lot more mature back then. (most of the time) 2y

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BarbaraJean I was pretty surprised at the lack of repercussions over the sugar, given how strict Almanzo's parents have seemed thus far! @megnews I thought the kids were all going to end up with stomachaches, but apparently they just ate cake & ice cream all week with no consequences whatsoever. 😂 @mdm139 I loved that Eliza-Jane covered up the black mark on the wall--and their conversation about it afterwards. Such a sweet moment. 2y

TEArificbooks @BarbaraJean I think her parents knew that while the cats away the mice will play and kinda expected the kids to eat all the sugar even if they hoped they wouldn‘t. As @sblbooks said at least they didn‘t burn the house down. Things could have been worse. 2y

megnews @BarbaraJean I really thought there were going to be repercussions about the sugar too. Mother was in a great mood. That‘s what some time away from all that work does I guess. 😂 2y

AnnR @mdm139 You summed up my thoughts, too. At least the house was still standing and all the farm animals were okay. 2y

mrp27 After working so hard all the time it was nice to see the Wilder kids let loose. Yes, they made some not so smart decisions but it worked out well. 2y

Vansa Loved this chapter.The trouble the kids got up to was completely believable and not over the top.And Almanzo finally realised why he's not allowed to go near the frisky,easily spooked Colts! 2y

Bookwormjillk This was a fun chapter, and I loved that Eliza Jane covered the spot. 2y

keys_on_fire I babysat when I was 12 (after taking a CPR class at the hospital) but I don‘t know if I could have done that for a week with no adults around. My mom did teach me how to cook when I was much younger than that so I would have even known how to make a few basics like Mac and cheese and eggs. I think kids can learn skills like this and respect them if done right. Reminded me of the episode of The Cosby Show where the kids were left alone! 😂 2y

IamIamIam I love that the first thing they did was make ice cream!! Overall, I think it was nice to see them act like kids & I loved that Eliza Jane patched the wallpaper for Almanzo!! 2y

34 likes12 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

What observations did you have from today‘s #LittleHouse chapter? I can‘t help but continue how sweet Almanzo is in his continual desire to grow up so he can take care of more things in the farm.

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TEArificbooks I liked that line too and when he snuck into the corral to be with the colt. And I liked how he has fond memories of fishing with his dad. 2y

mrp27 His love for the horses is so sweet. 2y

sblbooks Poor Almanzo wants a colt so bad he can't stand it. 2y

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BarbaraJean Even though it still sounds like so much work, somehow this chapter made me want to be part of it all! Especially the berry-picking day! I‘m so interested to see how things go while the parents are away…🤔 2y

keys_on_fire Yes, what a fun chapter and a cliffhanger at the end! I remember going blueberry picking as a kid when we would visit relatives in Michigan. Such a fun time! 2y

megnews @sblbooks my mom lived in Cleveland the first 5 years of her life. She longed for a horse but my grandparents always said there was no room in the city. When they moved to the suburbs she was in despair that they still couldn‘t have a horse in the backyard! 2y

megnews @BarbaraJean @keys_on_fire I love berry picking. I hate white jean shorts to pick strawberries. Who knows why? 🤷🏻‍♀️ my uncle owned a blueberry farm and I loved eating them right off the bush. I loved the cliffhanger. I had to check the ages of the oldest kids. Didn‘t seem old enough. (edited) 2y

TEArificbooks I liked his butter churn better than Laura‘s 2y

megnews @mdm139 my gran‘s job was butter churning and she always talked about how hard it was. 2y

BarbaraJean @megnews I hadn't thought to check their ages--13 and 12!?! At least in the first chapter...even if they've turned 14 and 13 by this point, that definitely doesn't seem old enough to be in charge of a farm and younger siblings for a week! 2y

IamIamIam @mdm139 I thought that too... how cool is a rocking butter churn! 2y

34 likes11 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

A couple things stood out to me in this chapter. First, I really liked Father‘s lesson on the value of a half dollar, all the work that goes into it. Second, the singing of The Star Spangled Banner prompted me to do a little research. This story is set in 1866. While TSSB was written in 1814, it was not recognized by the US Navy until 1889 and didn‘t become the national anthem until 1931, 2 years before the book was published. Before this, 👇🏻

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megnews Hail Columbia or My Country Tis of Thee were usually used. While it‘s possible TSSB was sung, it seems unlikely, and this is more a product of the time it was written rather than the time it‘s set. What do you think? Other observations? 2y

TheAromaofBooks I was really struck by the half dollar story. So much work for 50 cents!! 2y

Vansa Your research is very interesting!I felt sorry for Almanzo!It seemed very strict to me.His dad is clearly very different from Laura's Pa who seems much more indulgent! 2y

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bnp Thanks for the research on the star spangled banner. I never thought about when it was adopted. 2y

TEArificbooks I noticed that about the song too. I wish I could have seen those boys faces when Almanzo pulled out his half dollar. He got the last laugh again and a pig to make more money. Good lesson on money but maybe the cousin got a little lesson too. 2y

AnnR Thanks for the informative post for this chapter, especially given the timeline of The Star Spangled Banner. I'm not sure what to think. (Personally, I've always preferred America The Beautiful but the first version of the poem wasn't even written until 1893.) As for Almanzo, he sure lets Frank get under his skin all the time! I suppose if Almanzo was savvy about it, he could have got his suckling pig and a lemonade. 2y

keys_on_fire I think Almanzo‘s father gave him that half dollar in recognition of all the hard work that he had done. Makes me wonder if Frank did less work for his family and that Father was sending his own message with his ‘lesson‘. If LIW used the new national anthem when she wrote this book, again, what foresight! 2y

sblbooks I really enjoyed this chapter. There's a good video on YouTube that talks about Francis Scott Key and the poem The Star-Spangled Banner that I found very interesting! I like how Almanzo's father teaches him the value of a dollar. 2y

BarbaraJean So interesting about the Star-Spangled Banner history. It makes sense that the song was kind of projected backwards onto the era in the book. I also loved the half dollar story, as well as how Almanzo took it to heart. He kind of got the best of both: he showed off the money and showed up his cousin, AND he spent the money wisely and got his pig. Wins for Almanzo and his father, perhaps not so much for Cousin Frank. 😆 2y

mrp27 Yes, thanks for the insight to the Star Spangled Banner. I enjoyed fathers speech about America being built by farmers. (edited) 2y

IamIamIam Great information for this chapter! I think Frank was just a product of a different environment, being from the city and not raised on a farm. I loved that Almanzo really learned the value of the money he received and how his dad explained that without farmers, we wouldn't really be able to sustain ourselves as a country. 🥰 2y

34 likes11 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

This chapter finds the entire family in a rush to save the corn crop from the frost. It‘s funny how Almanzo takes his time on all the farm chores to avoid going to school. Ingalls does an amazing job developing his character.

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TEArificbooks And my kids are saying they would rather do school than do chores 2y

sblbooks I wish I had as much energy as Almanzo! 2y

mrp27 I must say ewww… I don‘t know if I‘d like my soap brown and slimy. I was a bit sad they couldn‘t water all the corn. Again, I‘m exhausted thinking about it! 2y

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megnews @mdm139 I‘m with your kids!! 😊 2y

megnews @mrp27 yes the soap sounds pretty gross. 2y

TheAromaofBooks This sent me down a bit of a bunny trail to try and get my head around it being below freezing in July!!! plantmaps.com has the record low and high temperatures each month for every state in several locations, and upstate New York does have some July lows in the 20s!!! 2y

keys_on_fire My grandfather was a farmer and he used to always say that the corn should be knee high by the Fourth of July! 2y

IamIamIam Catching up now and I was thinking the same as Sarah... a freeze in July seems out of the ordinary but that far upstate and potentially in the mountains, it does make sense. 2y

IamIamIam @mrp27 I wondered what that soap smells like! Does it smell like bacon at all with pork fat in it? Lol 2y

megnews @IamIamIam even as a huge bacon lover I would not want to bathe with the smell! 😂 glad you were able to catch back up. (edited) 2y

35 likes10 comments

Vansa

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

#LittleHouse @megnews
This is a debate that still rages. And has no easy answers.

11 likes

Vansa

Farmer Boy (Turtleback School & Library) | Laura Ingalls Wilder

#LittleHouse @megnews Alice, you clever little proto feminist!

13 likes

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

What a fun chapter! It‘s amazing how fun everyone made the work while working so hard. I think I‘d love in a perpetual state of grouchiness! Almanzo is so smart for a child his age. I love how he had the last laugh! #LittleHouse

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TEArificbooks Loved the joke almanzo played on them. I was shocked in the last chapter they didn‘t have a dog being a farm, more so know that I know they have sheep. A herding dog and a guard dog are very common to have. 2y

sblbooks @mdm139 I wondered the same thing. Having sheep and Cattle, I can't believe they don't have a border collie or something. 2y

Bookwormjillk I loved the part when he stopped work to see the kittens. 2y

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BarbaraJean I thought it was so interesting that they washed the sheep before shearing instead of washing the fleeces afterwards. I don‘t know anything about sheep shearing, but it seems like it would be easier to wash a fleece that‘s NOT attached to a sheep! @mdm139 I loved his joke, too! So perfect after his having been teased all day. 2y

Vansa @mdm139 I wondered about that too!Having grown up reading Enid Blyton where dogs are part of the farm,it was strange that Ma didn't like dogs! 2y

Vansa @BarbaraJean I think thats maybe to make the shearing itself easier? 2y

mrp27 So much work all the time! I‘m exhausted thinking about it all! I was once fortunate enough to go to a Sheep Shearing place called the Sheep Agrodome in Rotorua New Zealand. It was fascinating to see the shearing in person. 2y

megnews @mrp27 I just don‘t think I could have done all this work. So glad I was born when I was. 2y

mrp27 Agreed!! Such physical work all the time. 2y

32 likes9 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Something came up yesterday and I didn‘t get a chance to read at all. Catch up today. This was a very interesting chapter. First, I thought it was sweet how Almanzo listened so carefully to everything his father and the horse buyer said he is already planning for his future at such a young age. Second what a mystery with the dog and the robbers. I‘m glad the Wilders were not hurt. #LittleHouse

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keys_on_fire This was an exciting chapter! After reading, I thought it was interesting that the peddler knew about the horse buyers, but not about the robberies 😂 2y

Bookwormjillk @keys_on_fire ohhhhh good point. I wish they could have kept the dog! 2y

TEArificbooks Sometimes I think humanity doesn‘t deserve dogs. Poor thing was starving, but still protected them. 2y

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sblbooks I agree with you @megnews I don't trust that horse trader. Sounds like he might have been in on it. 2y

BarbaraJean @Bookwormjillk I totally thought this chapter was going to turn out as “this is how Almanzo got his dog.” I was so sad the dog disappeared at the end! 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire hmmm maybe you‘re on to something in solving the mystery as well. 2y

mrp27 Interesting points made here! I got an uneasy feeling about the horse buyer and was hoping Father wouldn‘t sell to him. I too agree that some times we just don‘t deserve the kindness and loyalty of animals. 2y

29 likes7 comments

megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

#LittleHouse Confession time. I always loved the idea of these traveling peddlers. I don‘t know why but I think it‘s so cool. And it‘s wild that he stayed the night with them!

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Bookwormjillk I like how he spread the news. 2y

TheAromaofBooks The orchard where I work down the road - the owner there still remembers a group of transient peddler/traders who used to come around and would camp in a section of woods still known as the “gypsy woods“ - that was as recently as the 60s! They did travel in vans rather than horse-drawn wagons, but apparently would come through every year and barter with the different farmers in the area. 2y

keys_on_fire This reminded me of the peddler in the Kansas part of The Wizard of Oz movie! 2y

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sblbooks If I lived back in the 1800s, this is the kind of job I would like to have. Although, I'm a woman so, I doubt I would have that opportunity. 2y

rubyslippersreads @keys_on_fire Professor Marvel! 🔮 2y

mrp27 I agree! I‘ve always loved it in movies and books when a peddler shows up in a wagon. 2y

BarbaraJean I‘m fascinated with the traveling peddlers, too! Especially little houses on wheels. I always loved stories of gypsies & the like, and I think they lived in a little caravan in Danny the Champion of the World (a childhood favorite!). This says the peddler‘s cart was like a little house, but it seemed more like a little shop on wheels. Maybe he would usually stay the night with people on his regular route? It all reminds me of Parnassus on Wheels!

Parnassus On Wheels

2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk yes the tidbit about him bringing the news was very interesting. 2y

megnews @TheAromaofBooks that‘s so cool! 2y

megnews @sblbooks yes this would be a great job! Perhaps you would have had to marry a travelling peddler instead. 😂 2y

sblbooks @megnews oh yes, that would work.😉 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Sorry for today‘s later post. Busy with family. I hope all who celebrate had a joyful holiday.

I loved in this chapter when it said Almanzo was a little soldier in the great battle against weeds. We see Alice helping despite the difficulty in a hoop skirt and another conversation about gender differences. I am curious about the dialect/use of the word “be.” “I don‘t care how pretty I be.” I‘ve seen mother and father use this as well. Any 👇🏻

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megnews Thoughts? 2y

TEArificbooks I noticed the “be” as well. I think it was common usage then and over time we started to change it to “am” and other variations. I also like hearing about all the work in planting the fields and how his mom made sure to give him two pieces of pie since he worked up an appetite and how he fell asleep on top of his cover since he was so tired. 2y

Bookwormjillk I‘ve been wondering about that too. I wonder how regional it was since Laura and family didn‘t seem to use it. 2y

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KristiAhlers I think that was just the common way of speaking among the “working class” as it were. It could also be a Midwest thing. Living in the Midwest myself (I‘m originally from California) they do have terms I‘m not terribly familiar with them. 2y

sblbooks Almanzo and his siblings all work so hard, without complaint. I too, noticed the usage of "I be" I'm not familiar with that. So, it could be a regional thing or something that's changed over time. 2y

sblbooks Merry Christmas🎄 I hope you enjoyed your day with family. 2y

Eggs Merry Christmas ❤️ 2y

Eggs Merry Christmas! 2y

AnnR Happy Christmas, all!
I was actually cheering on Alice in this chapter, since it seemed like Almanzo was being a little competitive. Doing all that work in a hoop skirt must have added an extra layer of difficulty. 2y

Vansa Happy Christmas to everyone!!! I've been remiss in posting,have caught up now and I have a ton of observations.firstly,does anyone think that the descriptions of food are as elaborate as they are,because the book was written during the early years of the Great Depression,at a time of deprivation and having to make do?As far as I know,Wilder wrote them to make some extra money because their farm wasn't doing too well (1/n) 2y

Vansa (2/n)Maple syrup,to us in India,is just a fancy accompaniment to pancakes,that our relatives living abroad would get us.I did not realise,again,how foundational it seems to food,with the entire process of making sugar described again.The little kids on the farm really really put their shoulders to it,it's exhausting even reading about it!What sets these books apart,and ensures their enduring power,to me is how accurately she captures being a child 2y

Vansa (3/n)just the little observations,like Almanzo knowing his brother likes their cousin's hat,from when he disparages it-such an acute insight!And the narrative voice is pitch perfect,like a child but not childish.Can anyone explain to me what he means by the "French boys and their fathers"?Why are they stereotyped as lazy and so on?Why are they living in what seem like far more impoverished circumstances? 2y

megnews @mdm139 yes, he was exhausted. I was exhausted just reading about all that work! 😂 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk @mdm139 @KristiAhlers @sblbooks possibly a combo of region and time and perhaps class too. I know there are remote regions of Appalachia that speak an older form of English we‘d barely recognize. I tried to Google about this “be” usage but couldn‘t find anything. It‘s intriguing. 2y

megnews @vansa @keys_on_fire had made a similar observation about the time period this was written (great depression) affecting the focus on food. We all agreed this could be the case. In regards to the French, a couple guesses. First, this is only a few generations past the French and Indian War and old prejudices may have been passed down. America has a history of looking at anyone “foreign” as less than for several generations until there is 👇🏻 2y

megnews Significant assimilation. The French may not have assimilated. As far as the different living situation, my understanding is French settlers were more into hunting and trapping, thus more transient, and possibly with less income than farmers like the Wilder family. These are only guesses based off the limited history I recall. (edited) 2y

Vansa @megnews thank you for those very thoughtful responses! 2y

mrp27 Merry Christmas everyone! Blows my mind doing gardening in a hoop skirt. Reminds me of how strong women are. As for the use of be I just chalked it up to the time period. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

In today‘s chapter we find another similarity to Laura‘s life-maple sugaring. What I found interesting though was the potato train and Father‘s many trips to take the potatoes to it. How the whole family was involved in this endeavor. As a farmer his father really seemed to diversify. The family definitely seems to be well off for the times.

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sblbooks It was interesting seeing the similarities to Laura's upbringing. I think the location makes a huge difference. Almanzo's family lives close to big cities, where is Paul always wanted to live on the frontier away from people. 2y

IamIamIam I was amazed that they got $500 for the crops! I loved the spring cleaning part and how they scrubbed out the cellar and pulled the rugs up and then tacked them back down. Also, I think I'm going to buy a few wintergreen bushes to go with my holly in front of the house. 😏 2y

Bookwormjillk I loved the promise of spring in this chapter. 2y

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mrp27 I‘m a bit of a neat freak so all the cleaning in this chapter was right up my alley and very satisfying! Cleaning is my best stress reliever. 2y

TEArificbooks This was a good chapter. Had the food and the work it took to make it. I smiled when the sister didn‘t think it was fair he got to stay home making sugar and eating berries and she had to go to school so he would take her out berry eating on the weekends. He is a good brother. I also liked the spring cleaning. Thought it was interesting they ripped up their carpet and laid straw underneath for insulation every year, but they had no vacuum. 2y

keys_on_fire It‘s obvious that Almanzo‘s family is more well off, but it makes me wonder if the makeup of the families has an impact on that as well. Pa had two girls and no one to help him with the chores. In Almanzo‘s family, both parents had two children of the same gender to assist them. That has to make a pretty significant difference… 🤔 2y

megnews @sblbooks I agree. New York State was much more settled by this time where Pa was still on the frontier so Almanzo‘s family had much more access to material comforts. 2y

megnews @mdm139 I found the straw under the rugs interesting too. 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire good point. I imagine without sons his father would have had to have had some hired hands to help with all the animals and crops. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

In typical little boy fashion, Almanzo doing things he knows he‘s not supposed to be doing.

Also, a chapter without food!!

I hope everyone affected by the winter storm is weathering it well.

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keys_on_fire The storm today really helped me feel like I was in the book! 2y

IamIamIam I got this done early at work today because we had a half day. This chapter was so cute and I loved how Almanzo knew he needed to take a break when the calves were frustrating him. So patient!! The sled scene was so funny!! I laughed out loud in the office! 🤣 Stay warm, everyone!! 2y

Bookwormjillk Our power went out for a few hours when the storm first came through. I realized I would have never made it in Almanzo‘s day! 2y

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sblbooks I agree, this is a cute chapter. The little calves didn't know what to think. @Bookwormjillk I know, right? This storm really makes you realize how good we have it. It's 11° here thankfully I still have power. Stay safe everyone. 2y

TEArificbooks Loved the sled scene with the calves 2y

mrp27 It‘s in the 70‘s here in California so hard to relate to all the snow and cold that‘s currently going on. Wishing everyone a safe and warm holiday. I loved Almanzo‘s patience and steadfastness. 2y

AnnR Almanzo was a bit naughty showing off but thankfully nobody got hurt. I'm guessing the next chapter has food. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Sundays look different in the Wilder household. Living in a more populous area, they attend church. But one thing hasn‘t changed. Children sit still and quietly. No work. No play.
I‘m taking bets on if we‘ll make it through one chapter without salivating descriptions of food!

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keys_on_fire With this book being published in 1933, do you think the Great Depression had its influence with all the descriptions of food? If money is tight and food is scarce, maybe the remembrance of these times was even more vivid when she was writing. 🤔 (edited) 2y

IamIamIam @keys_on_fire That's an interesting thought. This was another really interesting chapter. I especially liked the descriptions of their Sunday best for church! 2y

TEArificbooks Mmmmm pancakes! I just read a book called The Wilder Life, about a lady that visited all the locations and museums in the books. When she went to Almanzo‘s Farm in this book she felt they needed pancakes. 2y

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megnews @keys_on_fire that‘s a great observation. I wonder if that is the case. 2y

mrp27 @keys_on_fire That is an interesting thought! 2y

mrp27 Different from Laura‘s Sunday but the same. Once again I can‘t imagine sitting still doing nothing for a whole day. I‘d go crazy thinking about everything I had to do and not being able to do it. As always loving all the food! 2y

sblbooks @keys_on_fire good point. 2y

Bookwormjillk @mdm139 I read that book! I liked it from what I remember. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

How many authors could write a whole chapter on bathing as well as LIW? Another educational chapter here and one that again makes me thankful for modern conveniences. What they had to go through to bathe and only once a week! Oh my!
Of course there were more food descriptions. Interesting that Mother used the twist and not the whole shape for the convenience of them flipping themselves. I didn‘t know this.
Here too we find an offensive name 👇🏻

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megnews Used for Native Americans as Mother makes a dough with cornmeal. I‘m sure this was in reference to the fact that Natives introduced settlers to corn. Another opportunity for a teachable moment with young readers. 2y

mrp27 I was mesmerized during the donut making. Such wonderful descriptions. I cringed a little too with the bread name but like you said it could have just been because of the introduction to corn. Either way, another moment to do better. I loved the name of this chapter and that Saturday night feeling except now I call it shower fresh! 2y

Bookwormjillk I loved that his mother will weave her own cloth but can't be bothered flipping donuts. Perspective is everything! Love that Saturday night feeling! 2y

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IamIamIam Really interesting!!! Another sweet chapter describing daily life and I agree, I'm so grateful for indoor plumbing and hot water heaters!! 2y

sblbooks Who knew that donuts with the hole is new-fangled? Today, I'm thankful for a nice, hot shower. 2y

megnews @sblbooks yes I would have thought those were the originals! 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk haha! I hadn‘t considered that but it is funny. I guess with so much time consuming work any opportunity for a bit of efficiency is appreciated. 2y

keys_on_fire I have found myself getting upset or anxious when my hot water doesn‘t make it through the pipes as quickly as I could like. Reading this chapter and remembering what others had to do to take a bath once a week puts things in perspective for sure! 2y

Roary47 We used to have a cabin that we had to boil water on the stove for a bath. I like how he was tempted to just put on clean clothes, but mother would know. Mothers always know! 2y

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IamIamIam

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

For our #FarmerBoy readalong, I have not only learned so much about life in the mid-1800s but I've learned a ton about Northern NY state! I love New York history and this is just so exciting!! For the ice cutting chapter, we have the guys traveling to the pond near Trout River.

megnews I love the excitement of finding local or personal connections when I read! I‘m glad you‘re finding some here. 😊 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Today‘s chapter continues to showcase how different and difficult and often times more dangerous everyday things were at this period of time. We‘ve come a long way to ice cubes coming out of our freezer at the push of a button. Can‘t imagine having a 9 year old help with such a dangerous job today.

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AnnR Another story stressing the importance of listening to your elders. Almanzo got lucky one of the workers was able to grab his leg when he slipped in. I thought surely there wouldn't be any food in this chapter, but nope, I was wrong. “Buried in sawdust, the blocks of ice would not melt in the hottest summer weather. One at a time they would be dug out, and Mother would make ice-cream and lemonade and cold egg-nog.“ Eggnog in summer. Interesting! 2y

megnews @Ann_Reads I thought the same thing about the eggnog. The sawdust technique is very interesting. 2y

TheAromaofBooks This is one of the chapters that really stuck with me when I read these books as a child. I was fascinated by the idea of cutting these huge chunks of ice and having them not melt even in the summer! 2y

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TEArificbooks Once again very glad for modern conveniences especially my ice maker 2y

BarbaraJean I had to laugh when Almonzo thinks to himself that it‘s funny that there are people who don‘t know how to saw ice. Wonder what he‘d think of our modern ice makers?! 2y

IamIamIam I loved this chapter and found a map of Trout Lake State Park in Northern New York! Gonna post that on my page. I was absolutely fascinated with the process of cutting and storing ice! I have so much respect for these folks and it just grows with every chapter. I loved reading about how Almanzo's dad had to defrost the horses' nostrils! 2y

KristiAhlers No I can‘t even. But back then all able bodies were bodies. We take so much for granted. 2y

sblbooks I'm with you @mdm139 I'm very thankful for my ice maker after reading this chapter. 2y

megnews @KristiAhlers we do take A LOT for granted! Probably more than we can imagine. 2y

megnews @TheAromaofBooks I still don‘t understand the science behind how it doesn‘t melt. Going to have to read up on it. My gran said they used to keep things in a stream to keep them cold before they had a refrigerator. I can‘t imagine that either. 2y

megnews @BarbaraJean this is something I always wonder. My great grandma, born in 1895, would sit and watch the traffic out the window and I often wondered what she was thinking and could she imagine the changes life brought and how much faster everything was. 2y

BarbaraJean @megnews Love that image of your great-grandma. My grandpa was born in 1899, and it‘s always stayed with me that the day he died he was reminiscing about all the changes he‘d seen in his lifetime. I still remember his voice saying “…I saw the cars come.” 2y

mrp27 Yeah I‘m still trying to figure out how ice packed in sawdust does not melt! Even more yummy food descriptions. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Like so many other things #LittleHouse, birthday celebrations were different too. A day off school! What a nice day Almanzo had. With plenty of cookies and doughnuts too! I don‘t think we‘ve gone one chapter without a discussion of food!

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rubyslippersreads I know—such a contrast to the simple (and often sparse) food in the Ingalls household. 2y

mrp27 Agreed! Not one chapter yet without food. Sweet that Almanzo seemed to get some one on one parent time too in addition to missing school. 2y

TEArificbooks Yes I liked that he got to stay home from school and be with his parents alone on his birthday and got all the food he loved. I couldn‘t imagine playing outside for hours in -40 though 2y

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IamIamIam These books are just so informative!! Also, it's stated that Royal will be going to Malone for the Academy and after a quick Google, that's Northern NYS, near the Canadian border. Anyone else like the Christmas Story triple dog dare? Lol, boys have always been daring one another to lick things they shouldn't!! 2y

IamIamIam @rubyslippersreads I hadn't even pieced that together until you mentioned it! Do you think that's mostly because of the farm? The Ingalls didn't raise as much livestock and seemed to live more off the land. 2y

megnews @mrp27 @mdm139 yes the one on one time was very nice too 2y

megnews @IamIamIam I didn‘t even think to Google that. Yes, boys have been daring each other in general for generations! That is a great observation about the food availability. Makes a lot of sense. 2y

Bookwormjillk Do you think Laura got so sick of listening to Almanzo talking about his mother‘s cooking she decided to get her revenge by writing a book about it 😂 I liked this chapter. The shingle and cloth making were interesting to me, and I liked seeing it through Almanzo‘s eyes. 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk i was wondering if she was in shock at how different their upbringings were food wise that she‘s really overdone it with the descriptions in every chapter. It‘s getting a bit comical. 2y

AnnR @IamIamIam I was so glad Almanzo had enough common sense not to take the dare. Imagine having your tongue frozen to a pump handle. That sounds horrible.

2y

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mrp27

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Loved my reread of Little House in the Big woods and now enjoying chapter a day of Farmer Boy. The storytelling in these books have definitely stood the test of time.

annahenke I have such fond memories of my mom reading these to me and my sister when we shared a room as kids. 2y

mrp27 @annahenke What great memories to have! 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Well after all the conversation yesterday I‘m very curious to hear what everyone thinks of this outcome and if everyone thinks this is the last we‘ll hear of the Hardscrabble gang. I have a feeling the parents are going to be mad! Another chapter with violence but I can‘t say those boys didn‘t finally get what was coming to them.

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Vansa I was surprised that the teacher managed to successfully physically intimidate those awful boys-practice in an earlier school? What a difficult life for a teacher! 2y

TEArificbooks Definitely different than the way teachers are allowed to handle things now. 2y

mrp27 I can‘t believe I hardly remember any of this! I‘m glad the bullies got what was coining to them but I was amazed most by everyone‘s attitude of letting it all play out without any concerns about violence or death. Such non chalance toward it all. Bothers me to think that a child had to worry about this and witness it. (edited) 2y

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sblbooks I'd say they got what they had coming to them. I'm still surprised that they weren't expelled before, when the other teacher died of his injuries. Like @mrp27 said everyone was so nonchalant, like this is just a way of life. Everyone else in the class couldn't even concentrate on their work, for worrying about what was going to happen. 2y

IamIamIam This was so unexpected and I'd be lying if I said I hadn't read those pages with my jaw literally hanging open!! I hope this sets these boys right. I'm with @Vansa! Such a difficult job for these teachers! 2y

megnews @mrp27 I can‘t believe I didn‘t remember this either! Like @IamIamIam said, I was totally shocked. 2y

keys_on_fire I think it‘s really terrible that one lone man had to stand up to a gang by himself. You could argue that Almanzo‘s father ‘helped‘ but why other parents didn‘t band together to stop this from getting here and expecting the teacher to handle it alone is sad. I feel like the same thing happens today. 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire I agree and with the strict discipline of children we attribute to this time period it‘s quite shocking it had t been dealt with by the community already. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

I loved the cozy picture Laura painted in my head of the family gathered together eating popcorn. My family has done this too as I‘m sure many others have which just goes to show many things may change but some traditions remain. The story about Pa getting up in the middle of the night to wake the cows in the freezing cold was very interesting. I can‘t stand the bitter cold so I just can‘t imagine having to do that! Other observations?

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IamIamIam I thought it was interesting that they dipped popcorn in milk!! 40 below zero is brutal!!! I can't imagine what that might be like!!! I thought it was interesting that the calves needed to be looked after during the night and that Almanzo's dad was able to get up every night to tend to them! 2y

AnnR My observation is Almanzo loved to eat! 🙂 2y

megnews @Ann_Reads he did! I can imagine Laura asking him about his life or just casual conversations over their marriage. It sounds like a topic he must have talked about a lot. 😂 2y

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megnews @IamIamIam yes I never heard of dipping popcorn in milk before. I was curious about the 40 below comment. I guess I was surprised thermometers were common household items then. That is definitely brutal. 2y

IamIamIam @megnews That led me to believe that they might be farther north or west than I expected. NY state is so big and I live literally at the southeastern-most point!!! They might be closer to Canada with temperatures like that. 2y

IamIamIam @Ann_Reads Haha, he's a growing boy and I love that he's so focused on meals! They did work hard so maybe that's why he's so focused! Meals seem to be really large too. Definitely way more food than we're used to at a meal! 2y

mrp27 Still enjoying the food descriptions and loved the cozy popcorn scene. After someone else had pointed it out it seems Almanzo had a lot more food than Laura did and I can see for the first time the differences in their childhoods. I never thought to compare and contrast when I first read these. (edited) 2y

sblbooks My Grandfather said when he was young they popped popcorn and made popcorn balls on Christmas Eve. I've watched a documentary one time it said farmers during this time had to eat at least 4,000 calories a day to survive, just because the work was so hard. 2y

megnews @sblbooks my gran said they always strung popcorn as tinsel for the tree. Yeah I can‘t imagine how much energy it would take to take care of all that! 2y

megnews @mrp27 yes, I never did either. 2y

Bookwormjillk Breakfast sounds amazing! We used to eat popcorn and play Monopoly every time the lights went out. 2y

KristiAhlers I never would‘ve survived in those kind of temps. I‘m such a chicken when it comes to extreme temps! I love revisiting these characters as an adult. So much I didn‘t take in as a child. 2y

Vansa I thought the chapter presented farm life in all its difficulty and hard work.Very interesting descriptions.I have to say I was surprised by the quite unnecessary comment on how Indian popcorn must have been awful! 2y

TEArificbooks I can understand all that food. I have two boys and when they are going through a growth spurt they can eat a full meal and tell me they are hungry 30 minutes later. He definitely had more food than Laura. I wonder if that was because they were closer to a larger population and they could buy food versus just making it themselves. I‘m sure they made plenty themselves too. 2y

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megnews

Farmer Boy | Laura Ingalls Wilder

Say what?! That took a dark turn. In that day and age of children being seen and not heard it, this was quite a shock to hear and it sounds like they went unpunished? I‘m curious how those reading aloud with their kids processed this one. I hate to take away from everything else in the chapter but I couldn‘t let that casually slide like it seems to at their dinner table.
Almanzo‘s relationship with the animals is so sweet and I could have 👇🏻

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megnews Pulled up a chair to eat at that table. Except the headcheese. What observations did you have? 2y

TheAromaofBooks I was also very startled by the sentence about Jonas! Since he died later did it just not count as murder?? Other than that, I absolutely loved the descriptions of the barns and animal interactions, especially Almanzo feeling so proud about his cow-milking abilities. Milking by hand is HARD WORK. Barns are pretty much my favorite place to be, and Laura captures the warm, cozy, fabulous-smelling atmosphere of them so well. 2y

sblbooks The milking reminded me so much of my grandfather. I never could get the hang of it, he made it look easy. It's not! I can't believe those boys actually beat a man until he died, and they got away with it. It blows my mind. 2y

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TheQuietQuill After reading that Jonas died later on from his injuries was sad, and even more so when the teacher said that he was friends with Jonas. Today, we‘re taught to respect teachers, but it must have been a pretty dangerous job back then! I would have been terrified, I was a teacher before becoming a stay at home mom and I can‘t even imagine! 2y

IamIamIam That was extremely unexpected!! I'm shocked that it was tolerated and that the boys were allowed back! But a shocking ending to a chapter that was so informative! I know almost nothing about farm life and livestock. The most barn experience I have is the one at the museum I have tours at and that was a multimillionaire's summer home for his horses! I love the way Almanzo interacts with the animals. He seems like a very sweet boy. 🥰 2y

AnnR This chapter was rather violent. I kept thinking, the community did nothing about the bullies so it seems the teacher had no choice but to protect himself, and the other students. Really a shocking chapter in some ways. I wasn't as surprised by the farm descriptions as I grew up around animals and used to milk my grandfather's cow when I was 6 years old. She was pretty docile. (edited) 2y

keys_on_fire As sad as it is going to seem to say this, I can‘t imagine being a teacher in today‘s times either. With school shootings so prevalent, there are some crazy similarities that I doubt anyone would have predicted. I‘m glad the descriptions of the barn, animals and milking was there to balance all of that. The other thing that caught my attention was the mother trying to get through the doorway with her hoop skirts. Can u imagine cooking in those?? 2y

megnews @keys_on_fire I agree about teacher safety. The difference that was shocking to me was that it went unpunished. 2y

Bookwormjillk I was shocked about the teacher too. Why weren‘t they arrested for murder? Also Almanzo had a lot more food than Laura but wasn‘t allowed to talk at dinner. It‘s interesting to compare the two childhoods. 2y

megnews @Bookwormjillk my grandfather grew up in a “children should be seen and not heard” environmental especially at the dinner table. He relaxed with us but you could tell it was a struggle. I like reading these back to back before Laura gets older because we can compare better with it fresh in our minds. 2y

mrp27 I loved all the food descriptions but I too was a bit shocked about Jonas. Made his dads reaction to Royals announcement about Big Ritchie being back more understandable He knows what they are capable of. 2y

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