Revisiting Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow

Walnut GroveCast

Sarah and Laurie from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Legacy & Research Association visit the podcast to discuss this amazing episode and what can be expected at Laurapalooza 2025!

Learn more about the Laurapalooza event here https://www.liwlra.org/laurapalooza/

Episode: “Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow” (Season 8, Episodes 17 & 18)

• Date Aired: February 15, 1982 (Part 1), February 22, 1982 (Part 2)
• Director: Michael Landon
• Writers: Don Balluck, Bob Fraser

In the Little House on the Prairie two-parter “Days of Sunshine, Days of Shadow,” Almanzo and Laura Wilder face a relentless string of hardships. Almanzo’s dreams of a thriving horse-breeding business and bountiful wheat crop are shattered when he contracts diphtheria, suffers a stroke, and watches a hailstorm destroy his fields. As he grapples with paralysis and despair, Laura struggles to support their newborn, Rose, and keep their family intact. Eliza Jane, Almanzo’s sister, urges a move to Minneapolis, clashing with Laura’s determination to stay in Walnut Grove. A tornado further devastates their home, pushing Almanzo to the brink. Yet, through resilience and love, he secretly builds a new house, symbolizing hope amid ruin. Directed by Michael Landon, this emotional saga blends melodrama with heartfelt moments, showcasing the Wilders’ unbreakable spirit against frontier adversities, with a geranium’s survival mirroring their enduring strength.

Some Quotes I Chose

• “It’s like a dream come true, a dream come true!”
• “Laura: Can we afford it?”
• “It’s almost embarrassing being so happy.”
• “Just make sure you two don’t start calling me ‘gramps.’”
• “Would you stop worrying about me, please?”

The opening song “Albert” is written and performed by the amazing Norwegian band, Project Brundlefly and is used with permission.

Check them out at: https://www.facebook.com/ProjectBrundlefly

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