Sunday, August 21, 2011

The Glittering Cloud~

That chapter title is from On the Banks of Plum Creek --
I mentioned before that while trying to find balance in my days as an empty nester, new- homesteader, blogger; I was turning more to reading for pleasure.  I’d forgotten how much I used to enjoy reading; actually coming away from the computer , picking up a book and being lost in a good story.
The Little House books are good.  I never read them as a girl. In fact, I never read them until now.  They are my books of leisure these days. They are full of such wonderful information, they are not just fiction; but living history!  On the Banks of Plum Creek has struck a chord with me. Especially now- this summer…Grasshopper plague  I can relate to how Laura felt when the ‘Glittering Cloud’ rolled in with such vengeance. dead corn  I understand how disappointing it was when the wheat could not be saved.
The Glittering Cloud 007    Day after day the grasshoppers kept on eating. They ate all the wheat and the oats. They ate every green thing- all the garden and all the prairie grass.      The Glittering Cloud 010 I understand what it means to have a prairie bare and brown.
Not a green thing in sight anywhere.
Perils of Gardening 048
The whole prairie had changed. The grasses did not wave; they had fallen in ridges.  The rising sun made all the prairie rough with shadows where the tall grasses had sunk against each other.
I hope that while trying to learn all I can to be a homesteader-- I  have the courage and strength to stick out this trial.  The same way they did in The Little house books…
“And the locusts went up over the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt; very grievous were they.”
“For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruits of the trees which the hail had left; and there remained not any green thing on the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.”
More than anything—I hope that I can remain faithful to the hope that is in me—and not shrink back.

God Bless you and Thanks for reading!

*It's what's happening at our homestead...(prairie homestead)








7 comments:

Mary Ann said...

Texas is surely going through a time of tribulation this year. I'm praying for all of you daily, that you get sween rain for all of your sakes!

Granny said...

The book sounds like one I'd enjoy. I'm glad you're enjoying it but sorry you're experincing what they went through. I pray that y'all get rain soon to end the terrible drought.

gail@My Repurposed Life said...

More things change, the more they stay the same.
Glad you've picked up reading again. It's a great pastime.
Sorry you "understand" so much of their strife.
Fall is just around the corner, right?
gail

michelle said...

Hi Pat! I am so sorry that it has been so dry there, this summer has been so trying around the states.
I pray that you get rain soon and the greenery begins to grow again.
Enjoy your reading and have a good day.
xoxo

The Boston Lady said...

Those books are the best! I read them along with my daughter when she was young. The Long Hard Winter was our favorite. What determination these folks had and ingenuity. I was always amazed at HOW they survived it all. That's the spirit this country was built on! Thanks for bringing back some memories. Ann

Anonymous said...

Wow. I have read those books many times (I love them). I can hardly imagine having pests like that. I'm sorry that you are experiencing them for yourself. :(

I have started reading again as well. I read a lot when I was younger, but haven't much over the past ten years. I had forgotten how relaxing it is!

Anonymous said...

Meant to leave my blog address on the comment above (for some reason I can only commnet as anonymous when the comment form is inbedded below the post, instead of in a pop up window...not sure why.)

Kateri @ http://dandelionhaven.blogspot.com/