Laura Reflects on Freedom

"...Americans won't obey any king on earth. Americans are free. That means they have to obey their own consciences. No king bosses Pa; he has to boss himself. Why (she thought), when I am a little older, Pa and Ma will stop telling me what to do, and there isn't anyone else who has a right to give me orders. I will have to make myself be good.

Her whole mind seemed to be lighted up by that thought. This is what it means to be free. It means, you have to be good. 'Our father's God, author of liberty--' The laws of Nature and of Nature's God endow you with a right to life and liberty. Then you have to keep the laws of God, for God's law is the only thing that gives you the right to be free."

Little Town on the Prairie

Happy Fourth of July!

Wisdom of Ma

"If wisdom's ways you wisely seek,

Five things observe with care.

To whom you speak,

Of whom you speak,

And how, and when, and where."

Written in Laura's album after an altercation with Nellie Oleson

Survey Results: The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure

Our readers were almost evenly spread out on when or if they would be purchasing a copy of The Wilder Life by Wendy McClure.

Here are the results:

30% said they didn't plan to read it
25% said had pre-ordered it, while another 25% said maybe
20% of our readers said they would buy it once it's out

The majority of our readers not opting to purchase the book surprised me. The majority of the reviews on Amazon have been favorable. I'm one of those people who usually buys anything to do with Little House on the Prairie or Laura Ingalls Wilder anyway, but I think this is such a new idea in the Laura World that it would be of great interest to many.

Thanks for participating in our survey. We'll have a new one coming soon.

New Book for My LIW Collection: Mary Ingalls on Her Own

I really shouldn't buy books. I have more books in  my office than I can shake a stick at. Yet, when it comes to anything Little House or Laura Ingalls Wilder, I usually plunk down my hard earned cash.

My friend Marilyn reviewed this title for us in 2008 here. Since then I've had the book on my wish list, but never bought it because I had so many other books to read. When I placed a recent order with Amazon, I needed to reach $25 for free shipping, so I picked up the book.

I'm not sure when I'll get to read it, but you'll get a chance to read my thoughts once I do.

What's the latest Little House or Laura Ingalls Wilder purchase you've made?

Vintage LHOP Autographs and Plates up for Sale

Lennon Parker, administrator of PrairieFans.com and the Little House on the Prairie forum, Prairie Talk, is making available for sale some of his LHOP collection.

Cards were signed during a cast ball game from the 70's. Photos (never been published) also come with the sale. The autographs were signed from the cast as children/teens which make them rare. Signatures include ...Lindsay and Sidney Greenbush, Kyle Richards (now on a reality show with sister Kim Richards), Melissa Gilbert, Johnathan Gilbert, Alison Arngrim and Bonnie Bartlet as the only adult. As a bonus a signed picture of Brian Part (Carl Edwards) will be included.

Also available is a set of six Little House plates with hangers.

For more details please visit http://www.pioneerontheprairie.com/prairie_forums/boards.php?topic=683&board=_pc