Anne Shirley’s Apprentice Goes to Rocky Ridge Farm

My friend Joann and five of her children have embarked on an adventure that has me green with envy: they are touring this beautiful country of ours in a motor home. Joann’s husband’s work involves a great deal of travel, and this grand plan is a way for the family to spend more time with dad.

Joann’s nineteen-year-old daughter is chronicling the adventure at the delightfully named blog Anne Shirley’s Apprentice. The family’s blog names—and adventurous spirit—are inspired by Swallows and Amazons. No duffers allowed!

Yesterday’s entry ratcheted up my envy and delight even more: they visited Laura Ingalls Wilder’s home in Mansfield, Missouri.

Immediately inside the museum, so that it is almost the first thing that one sees is a large glass display case with the words “Pa’s Fiddle” written across the top. I was simply enraptured, but very quietly. The kind where you can’t say anything because it would ruin everything, because no one else could feel quite the same, and it’s no use trying to explain because words don’t cover it.

I can’t wait to see where they’re headed next.