On my nightstand

What have you learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder? You know, Little House on the Prarie (not the TV show), By the Shores of Silver Lake, etc.

As a child, those stories taught me that the simple life could be good--very good, in fact. And filled with meaning and joy and contentment.

This book on my nightstand has instructed me with more of the same. It's a sampler of the rediscovered writings of Laura, and it includes lots of essays titled things like "Having a Family Motto," "The First Frost," and one of my favorites, "Simplify, simplify."

Laura was cheering on the cause of simplicity, encouraging downsizing and efficiency, in July 1919:

"There used to be 207 kinds of lawnmowers. Now there are only six. This number does not include the regular mowing machine which the Man of the Place uses so effectively in the front yard nor the pet colt who mows the lawn and puts the clippings to such good use."

Suzie's commentary:

Sorry, Laura, but the # of lawnmowers available has definitely increased. Then again, branding over the years has probably ensured that there are only 6 leading lawnmower manufacturers. Oh, and I love the way you call Almanzo "The Man of the Place." (If any of you are wondering, that was the inspiration for the references to"the husband" on this blog.)

Laura goes on to extol the virtues of a "dining-roomless house," since the dining room is technically only used for a few minutes three times a day. "The fact is that most dining rooms are used by the family as a living room as well, and so in the new plans, the rooms are frankly combined into one."

Suzie's commentary:

Love Laura's use of the word "frankly"--and frankly speaking, she's not afraid to speak plainly on lots of things in a world that's sometimes too careful.

Laura ends her essay with these words:

"Everyone is complaining of being tired, of not having time for what they wish to do. It is no wonder when they are obliged to pick and choose from such multitudes of thoughts and things.

The world is full of so many things, so many of them useless, so many, many varieties of the same thing creating confusion and a feeling of being overwhelmed by their number. It would be a wonderful relief if, by eliminating both wisely and well, life might be simplified."

Suzie's commentary:

Yes, yes, never have we been so tired and so harried. We've never had so many options . . . or so many startups that fail. Never has employer/employee loyalty been rarer, and never have I had more options for clothing myself or simply finding the perfect mustard. I say, let simplicity reign! Perhaps we should be content with accomplishing less in a day, but spending our valuable time on the most intangible things--learning and spending time with God and others. Let's live in smaller houses and eat simple, fresh meals, surrounded by friends and family. It will be hard work to live this simply, ignoring a million distractions, but I think Laura would agree--it is worth it.

The ideal is worthy; yet, I must admit, I still order the occasional decaf skinny cinnamon dolce at Starbucks. And perhaps that is OK, too, as long as we are not obsessed with consumption and catering to our every whim. Everything in moderation.

Thoughts?