Little House On The Prairie - General Discussion

[Blergh]

7 hours ago, jird said:

Was watching Whisper Country, and damn, Mary is really awful in it. She's a terrible houseguest (oh, it's time for dinner? I'm gonna wash up and change instead of being on time), she yells at everyone instead of speaking like a reasonable human being, and she interferes with everything (leave the rooster tied up, nosy!) because she thinks she knows best. It's like she's channeling Charles - I guess it's a good thing she didn't fall down and break her ribs.

I suppose her having to wear a corset instead of an ace bandage wouldn't have had the same effect on the viewers.

[jason88cubs]

I like how no one cares when Charles yells at the Reverend about the Bully Boys

 

"WELL I GUESS WE HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT THEN DO WE"

 

"I'm sorry Charles I just can't agree with what you did"

 

" THEY BROKE MY RIBS KNOW I GET TO WALK AROUND SHIRTLESS!!!!!!!!!! SECRETLY I LOVE IT.!"

[Blergh]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

I like how no one cares when Charles yells at the Reverend about the Bully Boys

 

"WELL I GUESS WE HAVE NOTHING TO TALK ABOUT THEN DO WE"

 

"I'm sorry Charles I just can't agree with what you did"

 

" THEY BROKE MY RIBS KNOW I GET TO WALK AROUND SHIRTLESS!!!!!!!!!! SECRETLY I LOVE IT.!"

'Well,if I tried to fight them and they broke MY ribs then afterwards I had to walk around shirtless, no one would be tuning in. ... er tithing in the collection plate!'

[Mr. Sparkle]

I'm watching "As Long as We're Together." The very first scene between Laura and Albert is weirdly flirty. 

[Blergh]

On 5/31/2023 at 8:27 PM, Superclam said:

I'm watching "As Long as We're Together." The very first scene between Laura and Albert is weirdly flirty. 

It's somewhat true- and did Pa Ingalls truly think a little curtain between their mattresses would  be all it would take re  getting Albert to put all . ..unbrotherly thoughts out of his skull?!

Edited June 4, 2023 by Blergh

[jason88cubs]

I don't understand how Charles didn't put up a wall or a divider between their bed and Carrie's

 

Also, did Charles even talk to Caroline about Albert living with them?

 

I can't recall

Did Charles just show up with Albert and say "he's the son I never had, finally a son!!!" (starts crying) and Caroline said "oh great another mouth to feed. Oh how I wish I ran off with Handyman Chris"

On 5/30/2023 at 10:43 PM, Blergh said:

'Well,if I tried to fight them and they broke MY ribs then afterwards I had to walk around shirtless, no one would be tuning in. ... er tithing in the collection plate!'

I always like to imagine Caroline enjoyed being grabbed by the bully boys "Oh so this is what it's like to be have a man be attracted to you. I'm so use to Charles being soft and tender and that awful crying after every sexual encounter"

[Egg McMuffin]

On 5/30/2023 at 1:48 PM, jird said:

Was watching Whisper Country, and damn, Mary is really awful in it. She's a terrible houseguest (oh, it's time for dinner? I'm gonna wash up and change instead of being on time), she yells at everyone instead of speaking like a reasonable human being, and she interferes with everything (leave the rooster tied up, nosy!) because she thinks she knows best. It's like she's channeling Charles - I guess it's a good thing she didn't fall down and break her ribs.

She was also going around flaunting her flesh in temptation’s raiment.

[Mr. Sparkle]

I caught the tail end of that, and everyone was earning their acting money! So much emoting! 

[Blergh]

Actually, what happened with Charles inviting Albert was that they were on the verge of leaving Winoka at  6AM and he and Caroline were washing the hotel's dishes when Charles pondered that he wasn't sure Albert would have wanted to join them. Caroline puts an end to the hemming and hawwing by pointing out that Charles had been drying the SAME dish the whole convo so he needed to just ask Albert if he wanted them to join them-spurring Charles to literally run out there and seek out Albert's spot under the wooden sidewalk to do the invite.

I'll bet more than once Caroline wished she'd just acted obtuse to Charles's hints and let him dry that ONE dish before they just left for Walnut Grove!

[Egg McMuffin]

14 hours ago, Blergh said:

I'll bet more than once Caroline wished she'd just acted obtuse to Charles's hints and let him dry that ONE dish before they just left for Walnut Grove!

Especially when Albert killed their grandson.

[jird]

3 hours ago, Egg McMuffin said:

Especially when Albert killed their grandson.

Well, to be fair, they only cared about the grandson for that one episode, then they all forgot he'd ever existed.

[crazy8s]

Always funny to me is when they get back to Walnut Grove and the kids run around to tell everyone about clean up day in the town, not one single time did anyone ask who the heck Albert was.

No introduction by Laura to the other kids like this is Albert, my new brother we brought home as a souvenir from Winoka or anything.

[Blergh]

5 hours ago, crazy8s said:

Always funny to me is when they get back to Walnut Grove and the kids run around to tell everyone about clean up day in the town, not one single time did anyone ask who the heck Albert was.

No introduction by Laura to the other kids like this is Albert, my new brother we brought home as a souvenir from Winoka or anything.

 

Maybe the Walnut Grove folks were hoping Albert was a figment of their imagination and would disappear if they didn't question his residing with the Ingallses.

[Snow Apple]

On 6/1/2023 at 6:32 AM, jason88cubs said:

Did Charles just show up with Albert and say "he's the son I never had, finally a son!!!" (starts crying) and Caroline said "oh great another mouth to feed. Oh how I wish I ran off with Handyman Chris"

Good thing photographs were not common back then because Albert looks exactly like Charles as a boy. Exactly. Like they were the same person. Mrs. Olsson would have a field day comparing pictures.

[Mr. Sparkle]

6 minutes ago, Snow Apple said:

Good thing photographs were not common back then because Albert looks exactly like Charles as a boy. Exactly. Like they were the same person. Mrs. Olsson would have a field day comparing pictures.

The similarities are indeed uncanny! 

Also weird how Grace looks a lot like Buck Rogers. 

[Blergh]

2 hours ago, Superclam said:

The similarities are indeed uncanny! 

Also weird how Grace looks a lot like Buck Rogers. 

I never noticed the slightest resemblance between Bonnie Bartlett and  Gil Gerard!

OK, I know you meant 'Baby' Grace Ingalls but still. . .

[jason88cubs]

On 6/2/2023 at 11:16 AM, Egg McMuffin said:

Especially when Albert killed their grandson.

Caroline:HOW COULD YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charles: Don't you ever raise your voice to MY SON!! That's MY SON!!! Charles Ingalls JR!!

Albert: But Pa my name is Albert

Charles: You don't wanna carry my name? (sits down bawling)

Albert: Well I'd rather be names Chris

Caroline: Oh now THAT'S a manly name!!!!

(Charles gets up and walks out)

Caroline: Where are you going?

Charles: To find a tree to fall out of to break some ribs

[debraran]

I thought when he went to school, it should have been straightened out, who he was, last name? Then of course, Eliza gives them a family tree project to do...very understanding of her. : )

I always thought Albert should have lived with the Garvey's who had a lot more room and one kid. He could visit Charles and still play with the kids. Laura wouldn't have to have a brother/not brother that close to her in the loft and I wont go there with James and Cassandra. My patience was thin by that time.

He couldn't take the Sanderson's, no, no room or money but he took Albert and then 2 more. Duh.

[Blergh]

3 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

Caroline:HOW COULD YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!

Charles: Don't you ever raise your voice to MY SON!! That's MY SON!!! Charles Ingalls JR!!

Albert: But Pa my name is Albert

Charles: You don't wanna carry my name? (sits down bawling)

Albert: Well I'd rather be names Chris

Caroline: Oh now THAT'S a manly name!!!!

(Charles gets up and walks out)

Caroline: Where are you going?

Charles: To find a tree to fall out of to break some ribs

Caroline: Wait! DON'T do that again, Charles!

Charles: You mean, you forgive my defending Alber. ..er CHUCKY?!

Caroline: No! I mean, you should find a good 'widow-maker' tree like Granville Whipple encountered that'll  fall right on TOP of you!  Don't worry about keeping your shirt on since I'll insist on  throwing a closed-casket funeral!

[Blergh]

19 hours ago, debraran said:

I thought when he went to school, it should have been straightened out, who he was, last name? Then of course, Eliza gives them a family tree project to do...very understanding of her. : )

I always thought Albert should have lived with the Garvey's who had a lot more room and one kid. He could visit Charles and still play with the kids. Laura wouldn't have to have a brother/not brother that close to her in the loft and I wont go there with James and Cassandra. My patience was thin by that time.

He couldn't take the Sanderson's, no, no room or money but he took Albert and then 2 more. Duh.

Agree but I guess ML wanted Albert to be more of a show regular than the Garveys were  but I don't see why they didn't just have Albert sleep in the barn's hay loft like many a farmer's boarder/farmhand did in those days! Moreover, while I could see Charles getting all upset that the laws requiring  parentless minors needing to have official guardians if not adoptive parents having to apply to HIM, I thought it was a bit much that CAROLINE kept ranting against the existence of 'the LAW'. Oddly enough, while they actually tracked down and had the someone depict the somewhat dim Mr. Quinn, they NEVER said WHO Albert's bio mother had been or what had become of her. ..much less WHY she and Mr. Quinn had not been married at the time of Albert's birth! My guess is that one or both of them might have been separated but still married to a legal spouse at the time.

[debraran]

3 hours ago, Blergh said:

Agree but I guess ML wanted Albert to be more of a show regular than the Garveys were  but I don't see why they didn't just have Albert sleep in the barn's hay loft like many a farmer's boarder/farmhand did in those days! Moreover, while I could see Charles getting all upset that the laws requiring  parentless minors needing to have official guardians if not adoptive parents having to apply to HIM, I thought it was a bit much that CAROLINE kept ranting against the existence of 'the LAW'. Oddly enough, while they actually tracked down and had the someone depict the somewhat dim Mr. Quinn, they NEVER said WHO Albert's bio mother had been or what had become of her. ..much less WHY she and Mr. Quinn had not been married at the time of Albert's birth! My guess is that one or both of them might have been separated but still married to a legal spouse at the time.

A little soap opera_ish but I never thought about his mom, I guess my mind had her dead too, maybe at birth? Did he say why his dad put him in orphanage? I can't say I was heavily invested in his character but it doesn't seem much of a back story. Albert was "blind" when he met him once and then he was dead when he ran away to him, suddenly cured, when he burned the blind school down. Such a weird episode. I guess death was convenient, good thing they were buried often on their own property. I wondered where Charles Jr was buried, you'd see it, but how far from the house. Not really thought about except when Caroline thought she was pregnant along with  Laura and she wasn't.

Yes, ML wanted the drama of Albert living in the same house and later when it was so crowded it was insane. I was thinking the sod house myself over the barn which would be colder. Even if he didn't want to build the little house out, it wasn't designed very well. IF Charles lived, where would he have gone? I know kids slept together back then but having all girls, he made it seem they needed privacy etc. You never saw where Grace slept when she outgrew the cradle and Carrie was still downstairs by the foot of her parents bed. He didn't care, it was about the story, but my mind did go to these things watching again. Sometimes they'd go somewhere at night or during the day and a kid would be missing...no explanation, he just felt no one would notice, a babysitter had Carrie or Grace or they were flying solo. ; )

Edited June 5, 2023 by debraran

[jason88cubs]

If anything when they extended out the kitchen they could have made that a bedroom or something. I don't know

[Blergh]

Yeah, why couldn't they have used the sod house for Albert with him taking all his meals with the Ingallses? It was good enough for Grandpa Ingalls and even the whole family before they'd built the Little House!

I suppose Albert's bio mom had died early or even possibly giving him life but it's surprising that NOTHING was said about her fate .. and I don't recall her name being written out or mentioned not even by Mr. Quinn! In retrospect, I'm a bit surprised that ML wouldn't have tried to milk extra angst out of a possible 'Albert's mom died bearing him' deal.

Good point! @debraran , it sure WAS convenient that Mr. Quinn somehow got buried on his own otherwise empty farm with a marked grave to boot! Who had been with/ found him when he died? Who paid for that grave? What was going to happen to the farm  (which looked surprisingly neat and tidy for a property that had had its owner recently die)? None of these questions got answered!

Then, later on, when Albert was supposed to be starting med school (before he got the fatal leukemia diagnosis) how was THAT supposed to have been paid? Both Charles and Caroline were working zillions of hours in the big city barely keeping their enlarged family of five afloat but the issue o how  Albert's impending tuition was being paid  given zilch dialogue (along with Mary's firebug specs- which would have easily cost a farmer roughly a year's income)!

[jason88cubs]

If anything the Oelson's would have been better off taking in Albert

 

Also I need to go back and watch the episode when Albert goes with them. i truly don't recall Charles discussing with ANYONE about bringing Albert along. Maybe Caroline? Which was her encouraging him to

 

Edited June 5, 2023 by jason88cubs

[Blergh]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

If anything the Oelson's would have been better off taking in Albert

 

Also I need to go back and watch the episode when Albert goes with them. i truly don't recall Charles discussing with ANYONE about bringing Albert along. Maybe Caroline? Which was her encouraging him to

 

That's about it- and Charles didn't even discuss it with Laura before he inflicted Albert on the way back!

Of course, as soon as they got settled in the loft, Albert made a joke about 'Laura the Locomotive' re her snoring but that didn't stop him from continuing to sleep there much less anyone suggesting he might have a quieter and sounder sleep in the barn/sod house!

BTW, from the time that Laura wed Manly until the Ingallses adopted James and Cassandra Cooper, Albert had the WHOLE loft to himself with his two 'little sisters' Carrie and Grace evidently had to make do with the trundle bed at the foot of Charles and Caroline's bed! Then he had to share the loft with James while Cassandra made it THREE girls sleeping at the foot of the parental bed!  Bogus!

Edited June 5, 2023 by Blergh

[debraran]

53 minutes ago, Blergh said:

That's about it- and Charles didn't even discuss it with Laura before he inflicted Albert on the way back!

Of course, as soon as they got settled in the loft, Albert made a joke about 'Laura the Locomotive' re her snoring but that didn't stop him from continuing to sleep there much less anyone suggesting he might have a quieter and sounder sleep in the barn/sod house!

BTW, from the time that Laura wed Manly until the Ingallses adopted James and Cassandra Cooper, Albert had the WHOLE loft to himself with his two 'little sisters' Carrie and Grace evidently had to make do with the trundle bed at the foot of Charles and Caroline's bed! Then he had to share the loft with James while Cassandra made it THREE girls sleeping at the foot of the parental bed!  Bogus!

That's just gross, I've seen the yard of space at the end of the bed. He's a carpenter, build something! They couldn't show beds because there was no room, Carrie's bed in one shot was inches from their bed. Kind of silly, but again he was ML and you just bought they had a place under the floorboards for their clothes.

I loved the "little house" but not with that many kids and it's funny how poor they were supposed to be but Laura lived in a nice house, Mary had nicer blind school homes, all their friends. I get not wanting to wreck the charm but don't adopt the town!

At least when they left Walnut Grove the girls and James had a big home that looked pretty nice when they showed it. Own? I'm not sure but not rustic and maybe Caroline liked it better.

[jason88cubs]

If I recall in one episode Harriet said something along the lines of "don't buy what you can't pay for" and of course it was made to seem like she was a AWFUL person but she was right. Charles was the worst

[debraran]

Ignore ML butt, just the only shot I had showing their bedpost and Carries bed. A tight squeeze for sure.

 

I think Harriet was a good business woman. I admit, I'd be horrible, too big of a heart and I'd probably change or lose my store. You just can't be overly charitable and pay for the items you bought with good feelings. Sure if you had a good year and they did, you could be, but having everyone on tabs and owing is not good business.

They  did buy things in the past,  loaned and gave many items, lanterns, coats, medicine, whatever they needed for an emergency.

[Blergh]

11 hours ago, debraran said:

Ignore ML butt, just the only shot I had showing their bedpost and Carries bed. A tight squeeze for sure.

 

I think Harriet was a good business woman. I admit, I'd be horrible, too big of a heart and I'd probably change or lose my store. You just can't be overly charitable and pay for the items you bought with good feelings. Sure if you had a good year and they did, you could be, but having everyone on tabs and owing is not good business.

They  did buy things in the past,  loaned and gave many items, lanterns, coats, medicine, whatever they needed for an emergency.

As much as ML might have preferred otherwise, I've ignored his backside and agree with your conclusion that this would have been too tiny a space for two much less three growing girls to have slept in even on a temporary basis much less a permanent one! Were they supposed to be stacked like cordwood one atop the other with only the bottom one getting the mattress or did the three just stand atop the mattress and 'sleep' that way? Bogus!

[jason88cubs]

32 minutes ago, Blergh said:

As much as ML might have preferred otherwise, I've ignored his backside and agree with your conclusion that this would have been too tiny a space for two much less three growing girls to have slept in even on a temporary basis much less a permanent one! Were they supposed to be stacked like cordwood one atop the other with only the bottom one getting the mattress or did the three just stand atop the mattress and 'sleep' that way? Bogus!

Agree, at some point they needed to expand or something. I know money was tight but somehow they added on for the kitchen?

It's just weird the Charles was a working man but had this small little place while there was widows who I assume made money selling preserves or something who had these big houses living alone

[debraran]

9 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

Agree, at some point they needed to expand or something. I know money was tight but somehow they added on for the kitchen?

It's just weird the Charles was a working man but had this small little place while there was widows who I assume made money selling preserves or something who had these big houses living alone

Their house was cute but the only one with one smaller was Mr Edwards before he got married. Sanderson's, Garvey's, Mrs Whipple, most of the people Charles saved, lived in larger homes with separate rooms and door on them! None of them seemed rich and many were struggling or farmed or worked with their hands. 

I remember even back then wondering what they did to have those homes when Charles struggled so much, even though he farmed and worked at the mill and did odd jobs.

[CountryGirl]

I recall Carrie moving into the loft after Laura married. Then when James and Cassandra were brought into the mix, James and Albert shared half of the loft and Carrie and Cassandra shared the other half. 

[Blergh]

9 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

I recall Carrie moving into the loft after Laura married. Then when James and Cassandra were brought into the mix, James and Albert shared half of the loft and Carrie and Cassandra shared the other half. 

I  honestly don't recall those arrangements but I'd like to think you're right (even though the loft itself was cozy for two but would have been sardine-cans for four)!

Regardless it was still (to semi-quote Laura's closing narration), 'a house full. ..of claustrophobia!

[jason88cubs]

and then all of those people and then some shoved in that tiny little house snowed in during Christmas

[CountryGirl]

1 hour ago, jason88cubs said:

and then all of those people and then some shoved in that tiny little house snowed in during Christmas

There's a reason it's the Christmas they never forgot and it's not because of the warm memories.

[jason88cubs]

38 minutes ago, CountryGirl said:

There's a reason it's the Christmas they never forgot and it's not because of the warm memories.

I have mentioned it multiple times but that is by far my least favorite moment of the series. When they see the snow is so high they are trapped and they all just sit and laugh. In reality they would have been shoveling all night , stocking up on food and doing what they can to not be trapped

 

but not the Ingalls!

[CountryGirl]

4 minutes ago, jason88cubs said:

I have mentioned it multiple times but that is by far my least favorite moment of the series. When they see the snow is so high they are trapped and they all just sit and laugh. In reality they would have been shoveling all night , stocking up on food and doing what they can to not be trapped

 

but not the Ingalls!

They've got Pa Messiah and his manly chest - they don't need shovels or food when they can bask in the glory of his saucer-sized nipples.

[jason88cubs]

Just now, CountryGirl said:

They've got Pa Messiah and his manly chest - they don't need shovels or food when they can bask in the glory of his saucer-sized nipples.

we know where to hang the stockings!

[Mr. Sparkle]

1 hour ago, CountryGirl said:

There's a reason it's the Christmas they never forgot and it's not because of the warm memories.

Three words: 

No. Indoor. Plumbing. 

[jird]

On 6/5/2023 at 8:23 AM, jason88cubs said:

If anything when they extended out the kitchen they could have made that a bedroom or something. I don't know

Bizarrely, when Charles finally agreed to build out the house (in the episode where James and Albert run away, I think), suddenly James and Albert were all, "No, Pa, we love spending every moment within 2 inches of seventeen other people all the time! Please don't give us more room!"

Every person in Walnut Grove with a house had a bigger house than the Ingalls.

[jason88cubs]

Never forget when Charles got hit by the tornado and told Edwards and Lars Hanson they were packing up and leaving, Edwards said "well we will help ya with your crops"

and Charles turned around and screamed "DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND I LOST MY CROP FOR THE 50TH TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN'T KEEP BEGGING FOR HELP!!! NOW LET ME WALK OVER TO OELSON'S AND ASK IF I CAN BUY SOME TOBACCO ON CREDIT!"

[debraran]

9 hours ago, jason88cubs said:

and then all of those people and then some shoved in that tiny little house snowed in during Christmas

Always hating public bathrooms etc. I remember thinking what if someone has to pee? Who wakes up and doesn't have to pee...let me into that barn! lol

Outhouses were "in" but I always wondered why if farmers and carpenters, they didn't realize composting pail and bucket would work too in winter or storms. Sawdust and large enough pail. A costar once told of the unsaid BO that would be there with sweat and old clothes not ready for wash day. The not so rosy, sweet view of prairie life ...there just isn't enough lemon verbena.....

[jason88cubs]

5 minutes ago, debraran said:

Always hating public bathrooms etc. I remember thinking what if someone has to pee? Who wakes up and doesn't have to pee...let me into that barn! lol

Outhouses were "in" but I always wondered why if farmers and carpenters, they didn't realize composting pail and bucket would work too in winter or storms. Sawdust and large enough pail. A costar once told of the unsaid BO that would be there with sweat and old clothes not ready for wash day. The not so rosy, sweet view of prairie life ...there just isn't enough lemon verbena.....

im sure back then they used a bucket, then would empty bucket out..i would assume

[Zella]

They would have had chamberpots inside likely for those occasions. 

[debraran]

Yes, I think they had those pots but my point was composting is not as stinky and more sanitary with sawdust or something like that. Please no pictures in my head of a home with no real inside doors and very small walking areas, using a chamber pot...especially snowed in at Xmas. ; )  Leave me with some fantasy. lol

 

[jason88cubs]

I love when Charles asks for his snow boots and coat and Caroline ask "what ever for?!?!"

"because I wanna sit up here wearing snowboots and my jacket, now what the heck you think for?!?!?:

[Egg McMuffin]

11 hours ago, jird said:

Bizarrely, when Charles finally agreed to build out the house (in the episode where James and Albert run away, I think), suddenly James and Albert were all, "No, Pa, we love spending every moment within 2 inches of seventeen other people all the time! Please don't give us more room!"

That’s because the Little House was full…OF LOVE!!

[Blergh]

I think the entire Little House = proto- tiny house deal somewhat epitomized a failing of the show in that, once the Ingallses had finished having suffered and endured literally every step from the Big Woods until they finished their own Little House, the entire concept of them being one pioneer family carving this hithero unsettled (by Europeans) wilderness into a community with other pioneer families got totally scuttled.

I mean, with the sole exception of Mr. Edwards's pre-marital and post-marital abodes, every other Walnut Grove resident seemed to have been long since comfortably settled with all the conveniences and  comforts of a Bostonian suburban neighborhood!

 

 

[debraran]

8 hours ago, Blergh said:

I think the entire Little House = proto- tiny house deal somewhat epitomized a failing of the show in that, once the Ingallses had finished having suffered and endured literally every step from the Big Woods until they finished their own Little House, the entire concept of them being one pioneer family carving this hithero unsettled (by Europeans) wilderness into a community with other pioneer families got totally scuttled.

I mean, with the sole exception of Mr. Edwards's pre-marital and post-marital abodes, every other Walnut Grove resident seemed to have been long since comfortably settled with all the conveniences and  comforts of a Bostonian suburban neighborhood!

 

 

Yes, that was questioned even back then, why even the log cabins of some, whether loner guys or families or couples were bigger than Charles's home. At least show some less cute but homes like they had in the LHOP movie.

That home was basic, he would have added on I assume if they weren't run off, but even though I LOVED the movie, I thought Charles was selfish. Caroline had to bring up 3 girls alone with no neighbors, church or store. Who knew how long before it was a town and it was a day trip to go to the town he went too for supplies. What if she needed help, what if her labor went badly or a kid broke an arm or Carrie didn't wait to fall down a well until she had neighbors and the Olesons to help her.  Not a life I would have wanted but Caroline did have "Santa Edwards" to come and all was well.

Mrs Whipple did  very well it seemed in her home and of course the Sanderson's and the Widow with her new woodwork and most of the kids friends. Although I didn't like them, when the new family moved in the Ingall's house, neighbors must have wondered why they didn't buy one of the many homes of "one time" people that came and went in Walnut Grove.

Edited June 9, 2023 by debraran

[Blergh]

23 hours ago, debraran said:

Yes, that was questioned even back then, why even the log cabins of some, whether loner guys or families or couples were bigger than Charles's home. At least show some less cute but homes like they had in the LHOP movie.

That home was basic, he would have added on I assume if they weren't run off, but even though I LOVED the movie, I thought Charles was selfish. Caroline had to bring up 3 girls alone with no neighbors, church or store. Who knew how long before it was a town and it was a day trip to go to the town he went too for supplies. What if she needed help, what if her labor went badly or a kid broke an arm or Carrie didn't wait to fall down a well until she had neighbors and the Olesons to help her.  Not a life I would have wanted but Caroline did have "Santa Edwards" to come and all was well.

Mrs Whipple did  very well it seemed in her home and of course the Sanderson's and the Widow with her new woodwork and most of the kids friends. Although I didn't like them, when the new family moved in the Ingall's house, neighbors must have wondered why they didn't buy one of the many homes of "one time" people that came and went in Walnut Grove.

My guess is that Mr. Carter being a blacksmith didn't have a great deal of cash to throw around and the Ingallses seemed to be eager to hightail it  outso Charles could 'move on up' via working in big,bad city's men's clothing store [Oooh?!] so they spent about as much time going over the house and property as Oliver Douglas had done the Old Haney Place on Green Acres. ..and that wound up being that!

BTW, did anyone else wonder why Isaiah's post-marital abode seemed to have been a one-room cabin with exactly ONE bed right smack in the middle of that room? They seemed as reluctant to address that almost literal room elephant when he had become Matthew's guardian as they'd been reluctant to address how the Ingallses, Garveys and even the Oleson families EACH lived in one room apartments in Winoka with exactly ONE bed per family!  I know times may have been tough and one might not have gotten the chance to get another mattress but how tough would it have been to have dropped some dialogue stating that one or all the parents/guardians had opted to sleep on the floor while their offspring would  have had the bed to themselves.?