In the previous installment, Lanette visited Ruthaleen Dukater again and learned that the woman has someone visit her every week to make sure she is doing alright, considering she is blind. Besides visiting Ruthaleen, Lanette also spent time with the Colton family. During her stay she discovered the children do not know how to read, so she chose to read Winnie the Pooh to them aloud. Due to the enthusiasm from the children, Lanette feels that she would like to teach them to read, but isn’t sure how to do so without shaming them. This week we will find Lanette stranded during the first snowstorm of the year.
Chapter Five
October 31, 1934
Dear Maisie,
I can’t believe I have the opportunity to tell you this. I’m stranded at the Colton place because there is a full raging blizzard outside. Thank goodness Mr. Colton recommended I stay the night, or I would have been caught in it before I ever reached Miracle. There’s already over an inch of snow on the windowsill and I’ve only been here for two hours. In that time, Mrs. Colton has been kind to me by making me a bed on the floor near the fireplace. Right now I’m waiting for supper to be served.
Have you ever experienced a snowstorm? I’ve heard about them and we did have a few at college, but something tells me the one happening outside is nothing like I’ve ever witnessed before. The wind is sure howling. You can hear it screeching down the chimney and banging against the window panes. While we have a good fire going in here, there’s still a slight draft. Mrs. Colton just placed a wool blanket at the bottom of the door to block from the air seeping under. Just thinking about how cold it must be outside makes me shiver. Boy, am I grateful my horse and mules are in Mr. Colton’s barn where they will be safe. They are just as lucky as I am to be hosted by such a wonderful family.
During the first hour that I have been here I read more of Winnie the Pooh to the children before letting them sift through my saddlebags to see what other books I had brought along. Since they do not know how to read they simply look at the pictures and choose the books that way, or they ask me what the books are about. Guess what they decided on this time? The Velveteen Rabbit! I absolutely love that story, so I was thrilled they wanted me to read it to them. So I did a few minutes ago with the children all huddled around me. Even Mrs. Colton, cooking in the kitchen area, lifted her head every now and then, signaling to me that she was also listening. Mr. Colton was in the barn at the time making sure the livestock had water that wasn’t iced over, so he missed most of the story, unfortunately.
Later...
It is now late in the night. Everyone is sleeping except me. I’m writing the rest of this letter by firelight with a blanket wrapped around me. I had to stop earlier because Mrs. Colton had supper ready. She made roast beef with baked potatoes and carrots. The meal was really good and surely warmed up my insides.
After supper the children asked me to teach them the alphabet. The fact that they wanted to learn enthused me so much! I’m still bubbling with excitement that they want to know how to read. I obviously obliged them and then introduced them to simple words like “snow” and “cap.” They really ate it up and asked me how to spell other words. Therefore, we spent the better part of the evening going through words in The Velveteen Rabbit for them to comprehend. Mr. and Mrs. Colton was even looking over our shoulders, for they were just as interested in learning to read. They may not have spoken up about it, but I could tell from the intrigue written plainly across their faces. I reckon being stuck at their house on a blizzardy night has been rewarding since I have had the time to teach the kids a few things about the English language. I’ve truly had a wonderful evening and I hope you have, too! Hope you are staying warm!
With Love,
Lanette
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