How Many Books Exactly?

 

For anyone who knows me, they might say I am a little obsessed with Laura Ingalls Wilder, her books, and the shows based upon them. Though I have explained that the books weren't my favorites as a kid, Little House on the Prairie was a show I never missed. 

In the years that have followed, I've enjoyed watching Laura's universe expand in a multitude of ways:

• The Rose, Caroline, Charlotte, and Martha books,
• The books about other characters and historical figures from the Little House books, 
• The books that tie to Wilder and her books in some way, 
• Homestead sites and museums,
• The 2005 Little House on the Prairie television miniseries,
• The two Beyond the Prairie movies,
• Cast reunions and memoirs...

... and the numerous other books about Laura and her family that continue to make their way into world. 

Over the weekend, I catalogued all the books in my Laura Ingalls Wilder collection, which includes books in all of the above mentioned categories. I discovered over the years that I tend to forget all the books I own, so I've occasionally bought a book more than once. If that happens, I donate it to my local library, which runs an annual book sale. 

The total books in my Laura Ingalls Wilder collection stands at 122. I have shared some of them at Laura's Little Houses through the years. I might do that with some of the more recent additions to my collection. Does that sound interesting to you? Let me know in the comments. 

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Movie Review: Highway to Heaven (Lifetime, 2021)

 

In 2021, Lifetime aired a television movie based on Michael Landon's 1980s hit, Highway to Heaven. Based upon the write-up, it appears this was intended to be a movie series, but for whatever reason that didn't happen. Christopher Landon was one of the writers, and Cindy Landon and Wayne Lepoff signed on as executive producers on behalf of Michael Landon's estate (Lifetime). Last night, I ordered this Highway to Heaven movie from Amazon Prime Video to see what it was all about.

Angela Stewart (Jill Scott) plays an angel sent to earth portraying a junior high school guidance counselor. Here, she meets Principal Bruce Banks (Barry Watson) and Vice-Principal Gloria Sanchez (Yoshié Bancroft). They eagerly invite her to join the faculty of Daly Junior High for a six-week position. 

Settling right into work, Angela meets Cody Grier (Ben Daon) and his father, Jeff (Robert Moloney), who have been struggling since the death of mother and wife, Melissa. Jeff has tucked away all the dreams and plans he had made with Melissa, and Cody has gone from a top-notch student to a kid who even the guidance counselors don't want to work with. In the end, many lives will be changed with new chapters to look forward to for more than one character.

Highway to Heaven is a superb family film that deals with family, forgiveness, starting over, and second chances. Viewers gain insight into Cody and Jeff's life, but they also learn a bit about Bruce's past, which I believe might have evolved if the series were picked up. Have to admit I cried more than once. While I don't feel Scott and Watson had the comradery of Landon and French, that could have come with time as the actors and characters developed.

If you enjoyed the original Highway to Heaven, you will likely appreciate this movie. 

Release date: November 6, 2021 (United States)

Language: English 

Also known as: The Good Year 

Production companies: Propagate Rain Productions

Runtime: 1 hour 27 minutes

Color: Color 

Sound mix: Stereo

Aspect ratio: 16:9 HD

I watched this movie for free thanks to Amazon Prime Video. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Highway to Heaven: Stream Landon Series on Frndly TV & 2021 Lifetime Movie

 

 

As I was reviewing older posts at Laura's Little Houses, I came across a post about Highway to Heaven. As Michael Landon fans know, this show starred Landon as Jonathan Smith, a probationary angel sent back to Earth to help struggling people. In his first assignment, he meets ex-cop Mark Gordon, played by Landon's friend and Little House on the Prairie co-star, Victor French. Together, Jonathan and Mark travel the country on assignments from God. 

Today, I discovered that the four seasons of Landon's Highway to Heaven can be streamed on Frndly TV. They are also on Amazon Prime Video. How exciting!

Back in 2014, nearly 23 years after Landon's death, The Hollywood Reporter announced Highway to Heaven was getting a remake thanks to A&E and Halfire-Core Entertainment. Mark Wahlberg was signed on as executive producer. Not sure what happened, but it didn't come to fruition.

However, in 2021, Lifetime released an adaptation of Highway to Heaven as a TV movie starring Jill Scott (Steel Magnolias & Flint) and Barry Watson (7th Heaven). Angela Stewart (Scott) is an angel who is sent back to Earth as a school guidance counselor to help "troubled students and families" (IMDB). Watson plays Principal Bruce Banks. 

Did you know about this? I sure didn't. 

This movie is available on Amazon Prime Video.

Life Transitions and Simplicity

 

Photo credit: Freepik.com

It's that time of year again when I decide I'm tired of winter and yearn for the warmer, sunnier days of spring. That usually coincides with some type of weather event. LOL! The third storm in the last two weeks arrived today. It will gradually turn to rain on Sunday. 

The more time I spend at Modern Prairie, the more I begin to appreciate the simple things in life. Throughout the last year, I found myself buying fewer pre-made or pre-packed items. Breads, sauces, seasoning mixes, and more are often made in my kitchen. I can't remember the last time I bought a frozen dinner. I've been meal planning for months, which allows me to buy what we need for the week and only restock staple items. 

Impatiently waiting for spring, I ordered my plants and seeds from Burpee. I even bought a seed starter kit and good soil to start early. Broccoli, brussels sprouts, potato, onion, celery, and strawberry plants/seeds will arrive at the appropriate times. I will wait for later in the year to plant herbs. No one will ever call me a homesteader, but I enjoy spending time outdoors. 

Photo credit: April Cornell

I'm buying clothes made with more comfortable fabrics and in styles that I can work in. Weekends off--not that there are many--are spent organizing the house to make life easier and tending to self-care. I won't channel my inner Caroline Ingalls in an attempt to make clothes--that would go poorly--but I do love me a simple camisole under a sweater. 

Part of this is possible because of the stage of life I am in. We might be empty nesters this summer. I'm not emotionally prepared for that transition, but a lot of what I am doing now should help ease some of the pain. I'm thinking of taking up drawing or some other creative outlet in addition to my writing. I've been able to log on to some of the Modern Prairie weekend events, which is great for social interaction, so maybe I won't feel too lonely once the girls don't live here full time. 

I've been putting into place a plan for retirement. Though it is several years in the future, I really feel like we need a solid plan to get it all to come together in the timing that works best for me. 

How have you handled life transitions? What did you find the most challenging and the most rewarding?

Anne with an E Inspired Fan Fiction Story: A Scandal in Avonlea

 

Thought I would continue Miss Stacy and Sebastian "Bash" Lacroix's storyline that was left out to dry when Anne with an E was cancelled unexpectedly. In "A Scandal in Avonlea," some of the residents are upset when they see Miss Stacy and Bash riding in a wagon together as they head to the Cuthberts' for supper. You can read the story here.

As you might recall, I compared Lucy Maud Montgomery and her character to Laura Ingalls Wilder back in 2021. You can read my thoughts here if you curious.