Little House

Blog Challenge:

Did you have a favorite TV show as a child? 

Around the time I turned 9, Michael Landon made a TV series out of the classic "Little House on the Prairie" story.  It quickly became my favorite TV show.  I was not much of a TV-watcher (still am not) so it was a big deal that I was committed to watching the show every week. 

I had blond hair and my younger sister had brown hair, so we used to pretend to be Mary and Laura.  I became fascinated by all things pioneer era.  We used to light a candle and sit at the kitchen table at night and try to read or do homework.  It wasn't easy, but it was certainly more fun! 

As I grew older, I learned that there were some things about being a pioneer that I would not like, such as outhouses.  I also decided that I loved other modern conveniences, such as warm showers, automobiles and air conditioning.  However, I still have a fascination with stories about pioneer-era people and their experiences.  As a result, many of the books I have read over the past several decades are about pioneer-era people on both the American continent and in Britain.  Perhaps that is one reason I have such a great love of history.

I really liked Mary in the TV series and later in the book series.  I learned that in her teens she went blind, which would have been extra tough in a pioneer situation.  I began a period of intense fascination with stories about people who went blind.  I found probably every book in the school book order forms on blind kids.  Two of my favorites were "Follow My Leader" and "Blind Sunday."  I liked seeing the TV Mary learn to cope with her blindness and find a husband. 

I loved watching Laura grow up on TV, especially when she met Manly (her future husband).  Knowing who was going to win his heart, it was fun to watch Laura and Nellie fighting over him. 

Today when I see an old episode of "Little House" it brings back so many great childhood memories.  It is still one of my favorite TV shows ever.