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?”

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