I’m glad I watched so much Little House on the Prairie when
I was a kid
and when my daughter
was a kid

I feel it has prepared me

My daughter was madly in love with Charles
Who wouldn’t be?
Pa Ingalls
Working, farming, playing the fiddle
Played by Michael Landon

But, it’s Ma Ingalls I was thinking about today
She worked and farmed too – sure
She sewed everyone’s clothes – yep
Once she had to cut open her own leg
when it was infected and she was alone – of course
Plus, she made breakfast for everyone

This morning I realized I needed to rewash my dishes
Since my neighborhood is under a boil water advisory
I realized I needed to repack my son’s lunch
Rewash his strawberries
Maybe not drink the coffee I had set up the night before

I boiled water in a kettle
Let it cool a bit
Washed the strawberries
and all the lunch containers
with safe, boiled water

So you can just call me Ma

I mean, then I told my kids to grab a granola bar, and I stopped at Starbucks on the way to an appointment —

But still.