Laura's Little Houses: Happy birthday

Showing posts with label Happy birthday. Show all posts

Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Happy Birthday, Michael Landon

Happy heavenly birthday to Michael Landon! He would have been 87 today. Is it any wonder that a man who had such a wicked sense of humor was born on Halloween?

We will never know how long he would have been producing great television shows and movies or what his new ideas would have been, but I am glad to see that Little House on the Prairie continues to attract fans worldwide.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Happy Birthday, Almanzo!

Today Almanzo Wilder would be 159 years old. Just like we did for Laura's birthday, I would like to dedicate this post to many favorite episodes from Season Six through the end of the Little House on the Prairie television series to celebrate this occasion.

Season Six

This is a tough one because Almanzo's character is introduced in Season Six and has a lot of great storylines. While "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not," is my overall favorite, there are so many others that are close seconds:

"Back to School" because this is where Laura falls head over heels in love with Almanzo and accidentally calls him "Manly." He is also sweet to Laura when she fails her teaching exam.
"The Werewolf of Walnut Grove because we see him acting as a protective brother to Eliza Jane and admits to his young friend, Laura, how much he will miss her when they leave Walnut Grove.
"Wilder and Wilder" because we see what a responsible, capable young man he is and he finally starts to notice Laura is maturing.
"Sweet Sixteen" because this is where Laura and Almanzo's courtship begins; he finally sees her as someone more than a "young friend" and he even makes an idiot out of himself when he fears Chad Brewster is making advances toward her.

Season Seven

"Laura Ingalls Wilder" is a definite favorite, probably for most fans. Almanzo loses his crop to a drought and can no longer build his house of dreams for Laura. His stubborn side rears its ugly head when she wishes to take a job in Radner to help him get back on his feet. Their engagement is broken off more than once, but eventually the two reconcile and they marry at the blind school in Sleepy Eye.

Season Eight

"Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow" is an important Almanzo episode. It finds him devastated with the loss of his crop, battling diphtheria, suffering a stroke, and retreating into a deep depression. The poor guy can't even enjoy the birth of his first child, because he's stuck in a wheelchair. It isn't until Laura finally gives up that he realizes he must fight to gain back his life and begin making plans for the future.

Season Nine

While my favorite episode of Season Nine is "A Child With No Name," my favorite Almanzo episode is "Welcome to Olesonville." Harriet Oleson finds a bearer's bond in Lars Hanson's old house (Yes, I know it burned down in an earlier season, but just go with it.) and uses her power to try to get Nels Oleson elected mayor of Walnut Grove. Some people encourage Almanzo to run, but it isn't until Harriet insults him that he decides to do it.

What are some of your favorite Almanzo episodes?

Sunday, February 7, 2016

Happy Birthday, Laura!

Everyone's favorite pioneer girl is celebrating her 149th birthday today. Wow! How amazing is it that someone from the past has touched so many lives.

While I often share excerpts from the Little House books to celebrate, today I want to share my favorite Little House on the Prairie episodes from each season, because if Laura had never written such wonderful books, this now classic television show would never have been produced and I would never have met so many wonderful people.

Season 1 - "Christmas at Plum Creek"

As Christmas approaches, members of the Ingalls family find themselves short on cash but full of secrets as they work hard to make the holiday special for each other.

Season 2 - "A Matter of Faith"

Caroline's decision to stay home alone while Charles takes the girls on a trip nearly proves fatal when a scratch on her leg becomes infected.

Season 3 - "Little Girl Lost"

Carrie falls down a mine shaft while tagging along with her sisters during a school assignment.

Season 4 - "Here Come the Brides"

Love is in the air when Nellie Oleson falls for pig farmer Luke Simms and Miss Beadle finds herself attracted to the boy's father.

Season 5 - "There's No Place Like Home"

After trying to live in the city of Winoka, the Ingallses, the Garveys, and the Olesons head home to Walnut Grove to rebuild the town.

Season 6 - "He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not"

When Charles tells Almanzo he and Laura must wait until she turns 18 to marry, Almanzo forces Laura to decide between him and her father.

Season 7 - "Laura Ingalls Wilder"

When Almanzo's crop is destroyed by drought, he loses the land he was going to build a house on for Laura. Their wedding is postponed and their fighting threatens to end their engagement.

Season 8 - "A Christmas They Never Forgot"

The Ingalls family and Hester Sue celebrate Christmas together by sharing stories of Christmases past.

Also Season 8 - "Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow"

Pregnant with her first child, Laura is distraught when Manly turns ill and she finds out they are deeply in debt. Things go from bad to worse when a stroke paralyzes Almanzo. His sister's visit to Walnut Grove only makes matters worse.

Season 9 - "A Child with No Name"

Almanzo and Laura's son dies and she blames Doc Baker, which leads to the entire town turning against him.

What are some of your LHOP favorites?

Saturday, February 7, 2015

Google Honors Laura Ingalls Wilder's 148th Birthday

Google is honoring the 148th birthday of Laura Ingalls Wilder on their homepage today. Check it out: https://www.google.com/

Happy birthday to everyone's favorite country girl.