1. Little House on the Prairie, Netflix series. I cannot believe I did not write an immediate review of this in July when I binged all eight episodes in three days. I liked it. I really liked it. Is it like the books? Kind of? Is it like the old TV series? Maybe? Is is its own retelling of a story and a girl that I have been semi-obsessed with most of my life? It is!!
They did an amazing job of showing what a reckless fool Charles Ingalls was by going cross-country with his family by themselves. They both point it out in dialogue and various scenes through the episodes. That fording the flooded river scene takes on a higher level of panic when you watch it rather than read it. They show many things from Caroline's perspective, which is not one that is considered in the book, and one I did not give a lot of thought to prior to this. They were also very smart and cast a hot actor in the role of Pa so not only do you forgive him for endangering his family, you start to think you'd get in a covered wagon with that guy too. It also makes you wonder if pioneer life was so very busy that both Pa and the new, leaner, dare I say, hotter Mr. Edwards just didn't have time to ever button up their shirts. They also included a nod to the infamous Bender family murderers in the first episode. If you have a slight obsession with the LIW as I have, you know that Laura remembered later in life that Pa stopped to water the horses at the Benders but they didn't go in and therefore weren't murdered. Did that happen? I don't know. Did I know about it because I have read all the things about LIW and then feel so proud of myself because I knew instantly who that creepy family in the episode was supposed to be? 100%!!!
There were things that were definitely a stretch. They made Mary years and years older than Laura and gave her an immediate love interest. Mary was maybe all of 8 when they made the trek into Kansas. The most glaring thing was how accepting and loving Laura and her entire family were of the Native American population they were trespassing on. Laura Ingalls Wilder was many things, but she was not a friend of Native Americans. The series gives her a best friend who is Native American and shows the two families getting along, supporting one another, and surviving a rough frontier due to their combined forces. It's lovely but very untrue.
Overall, I liked it and will watch Season 2 when it comes out. It is a pleasant little escape and provides a bridge to things that gave me joy when I was a child.
2. Graduate School. This fall, I am on my 5th and 6th class of working towards my Masters in Teacher Leadership. This means that I am on my 5th and 6th time of thinking why are there no tests? Why is everything a paper or, worse, a group project? Why can't I just study for a test, regurgitate the information back, and everyone leave feeling happy and accomplished? And if you are wondering if I am older than all my classmates, I am! And sometimes, even the professors! Is this humbling or invigorating? Both? I elected to take in-person classes because I do not learn from a screen and I know this. This does make for some long days and I am tired in class. I do not really want to turn and talk to anyone about the topic at hand. I want to sit, take notes, and dream about going to bed when I get home. I usually let the youths around me go first and talk away with their enthusiasm and shiny, new knowledge. I say things like "I heard you say..." or "I can connect with..." and we smile awkwardly and try to fast-forward time with our minds.
3. Wedding. OH MY GOD! I am getting married in less than a month and there are a million things to do. Even a small wedding has a lot of small details to attend to. We picked fall because it is so pretty up here and wanted the colorful leaves and beautiful weather. It will be small, with just family, and in our house. (Not having furniture in our front room yet is really working out for us!) I struggled to find a dress but have found one and in less than one month, I will wear it and stand with my person in front of our families and say all the words that swim around in my heart every day. I can't wait!
I am off to sip warm coffee out of a mug on the porch, surrounded by an impressive vine of morning glories that have finally started flowering. I'll listen to the birds and notice which trees around me are starting to change and simply breathe in that crisp air and smile.
