I love this story, Steve, and yes, Little House on The Prairie has always been a real fave of mine! Sandy ----- Original Message ----- From: "Frances Vitulla" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Sunday, July 12, 2009 8:35 PM Subject: [RecipesAndMore] Re: The Window
> > Hello Steve, I like this story, and I love little house on the prairy. > Boy they realy had to wirk hard. Thank you for sharing. > Original message: >> The Window >> Every day, I sit at the old, scarred, wooden table when I get time. I >> look out the tiny window with the little panes of glass. Right outside >> the window is a maple tree. >> In spring, I watch as new buds appear and, in no time, it changes into >> a beautiful lush green color. In fall, I watch as it changes from green >> to gold, orange, then red. I smile at the squirrels that run up the >> tree all the time, grabbing whatever they can for their winter storage. >> I look around the room. It's not very big, matter of fact, it's only 20 >> feet by 20 feet. One door, on the opposite wall from the window, allows >> fresh air to enter the room when someone enters or exits the building. >> I see the stone fireplace, sitting all alone on one wall, and I wonder >> how many meals were prepared in that workmanship of stone. I wonder >> about many things as I sit by the window. >> I know that, originally, the cabin had a dirt floor. I know four >> children were raised in the cabin. I know the fireplace was the only >> means of heating the place on cold winter nights and that all meals >> were cooked in it. I look around the room and wonder where the bed >> originally used to sit. >> There is no bathroom. There was no running water, originally. There >> were no stairs to climb into the loft area. These are facts that I have >> rehearsed over and over in case anyone asks me any questions. >> I work in a historic log cabin. It was built in 1856, and I must say, >> the workmanship in those days was mighty fine. Sometimes I run my hands >> over the rough wood inside and outside of the cabin, realizing how much >> labor was put into building the house. >> I like to try to imagine what life was like for the family, who lived >> there in those days. I can feel the lady in the house, looking out that >> same window that I do, whenever she had the chance to. I even try to >> imagine what she would be cooking for supper for her family on some days. >> No washing machine or dryer, no running water to take baths or wash >> dishes with, no television, no computers, game boys for the kids, nor >> any of the things that we have in our lifetime. >> I know the woman who lived in the house raised three children while her >> husband served in the war between the states. He died while she was >> pregnant with the fourth child. >> I can only imagine raising that many children in such a small space. I >> know she gave birth to all four of her children in that cabin. I know >> her husband built the cabin for her for her wedding present. >> Life was simple in those days. The cabin often reminds me of how Amish >> people still live today. Children were taught to give a hand and help >> where help was needed. Someone had to bring wood into the house for the >> fireplace. Someone had to help with the laundry outside, which took all >> day to do. The children played outside all the time and even with a >> dirt floor, they were healthy. >> I try to imagine living in a house with a dirt floor. I can only >> imagine the bugs and critters that came up through the dirt. Yet, the >> family lived healthy lives, and all lived to be in their 90s except the >> youngest child, who died in her 50s. >> Sometimes I feel like I'm Carolyn Ingalls on "Little House on the >> Prairie." The cabin reminds me of the one in that television series. I >> always liked that show, and the day I was asked if I thought I could do >> anything with the old cabin, that is who I thought of when I first >> opened the door. I even said, "Wow, I've got a little house on the >> prairie." >> I turned the cabin into a candy shop. Luckily I have a solid floor >> today with tile. >> Yet, everything else is original. I have green and white gingham >> curtains to cover the window. I made wooden shelves on the walls to >> display my jams, jellies and woodcrafts I make. I made wooden signs >> that hang on the old log walls, with silly sayings. I gave the cabin a >> touch of personality. >> But, when I get a chance to sit at the old wooden table and look out >> the window, I can't help but think of the woman, who lived in the >> cabin. I wonder what her thoughts were when she had time to rest and to >> look out that window. I'm sure she was exhausted every day, knowing >> what life was like in that era, the days when life was lived to work >> from dawn to dusk. >> I think about the children and how their evenings were spent in the >> loft without the conveniences of today. I know the school they attended >> was a mile from their cabin. Perhaps they read books at night. I'm sure >> they shared secrets and giggled amongst themselves. >> I love the old cabin. I marvel at the workmanship that was put into >> building it. >> Knowing there were no modern tools used to cut each log. I see the >> marks where an ax was used to split the logs. >> I have a lot of respect for the family that spent many years in such >> small quarters. >> I'm glad I read the history of the family and can answer questions when >> folks ask them. Most women are shocked that a mother could raise four >> children in such a small place. I always think, "Where there is a will, >> there is a way." >> I come home from work daily to spacious rooms, television, computer, >> running water, washer and dryer and all the conveniences we all take >> for granted today. >> Although our forefathers did not have what we have today, I know they >> had patience, strong family ties, hard working togetherness, and strong >> wills. I know the original family, from what I've read about them in a >> history book. They would never have dreamed that their house would, one >> day, sit in a historic state park and have thousands of visitors enter >> through their door. >> When I get a chance to sit by the window, I smile at the beauty outside >> those tiny panes of glass. I watch the seasons change each year. And >> though my life in the cabin began 145 years later than the woman who >> once lived there, I believe we share something in common. I believe she >> loved her house the same as I do. I believe she looked out that window >> and smiled at the beauty outside as I do. >> Time can change many things through the decades of life, but Mother >> Nature gives us beauty, year after year. > >> A single candle can illuminate an entire room. A true friend lights up >> an entire lifetime. Thanks for the bright lights of your friendship. >> > -- > Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network. 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