Little House on the Prairie was a must sit down and watch television series at our house when we were little. I don't know why us three girls enjoyed it so much. As I was putting away last night's dishwashing this thought crossed my mind and looking around my kitchen I could just feel the ambiance of a country kitchen with kitchen gadgets of old, makeshift additions incorporated amongst modern day technology. I remember how Charles, husband and father, he would come up with ways to make 'chores' easier for himself and family. I thought 'How he must have watched daily routines being performed and how to improve them without creating financial stress for them.' Those feelings of satisfaction and humbleness when his family showered him with hugs and kisses for it were so meaningful to me. It took me back to times spent at my grandparents while my Mom was working and how I would watch them both go about their daily routines. My grandpa was always in the barn creating something just like Charles and I would see something new or different sometime later. My grandma would be tickled at showing off a contraption to other family members. I remember her saying 'Look what Johnny did!' (I never found out why she called him 'Johnny' instead of his given name 'Horace.') My grandma would can pickin's from the garden, make comfy quilts and such, baking all-get-out pastries, man, I would love those days again. So standing here I have my own little house on the prairie living in the city I can say that's one television show that has impacted my lifestyle in a way I think not too many will understand or appreciate, not that it really matters what 'they' think. All that matters is that I live a humble and satisfied life always with a touch of country.
We don't have the Little House On The Prairie look, which is really cool, but do have the Old West (as in the old spaghetti tv western shows) and modern day rodeo look to our apartment. Can't forget all of our Star Wars pictures, as well. Didn't watch that show much, but did watch. Also watched Highway To Heaven with an older Michael Landon in it.
I loved little house on the Prairie , and the Waltons... We still get regular re-runs to this day, I'll sometimes watch a Waltons show but I haven't watched a LHOP episode for donkeys years now..
You know Von, I think that show impacted people worldwide I hear more on it than any other show I would rush home to see it and my Uncle that worked in a Bank, did the same and everyone where he worked rushed home too Great characters and storylines - can't beat it
I have the series on DVD, as well as a couple of movies that were made on the books, and I watch them often. That is the series that I have watched the most times, and never mind watching again. The books were good too. Although written for children, I read them as an adult and enjoyed them.
Yes, those were the "good old days" of tv! Really wish there were shows like this on today, so kids/young folks could watch descent programs.
Great post @Von Jones. As a kid, I read Laura Ingalls Wilder boots voraciously; they were among my very favorite reads (along with Booth Tarkington's Penrod ). I liked the TV show but it was never as good as the books, no matter how handsome Michael Landon was. My mother loved the show so we watched it together each week; that's my best memory of the TV series--watching with my mom. Thanks for the memory.
I'm not sure the kids of today would identify with this type of programming, All my 3 grandkids would probably be bored to tears. That is sad, but their life is about everything bright and shiny. It's a different generation for sure.
Thanks for sharing those great memories! Little House on the Prairie and The Walton's have influenced my life too in wonderful ways.
There are a couple of movies based in the Little House books too, which are good, and which I have watched a few times, but I watched the series when it was was originally broadcast, most of the episodes several times in reruns, and I have watched the whole thing on DVD a few times. I loved the Waltons too, watched it when it was online, and have the first few seasons on DVD. I didn't buy them all because I lost interest in the Waltons, pretty much, after all the kids grew up, and particularly when they replaced John Boy with someone who was so not John Boy. I've also watched the movies, including the pilot and the reunion movies.
Back in the mid 70s I had to go to New York City for a parade(I was a drummer in the Shriners). My wife and our kids had accompanied me and one day while we were walking thru central park we came upon John Boy who stopped and chatted with us for a few seconds. Really a wonderful person.