The Donner Party
Monday, April 26, 2010
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Amy BizzarriRecent posts
World Nutella Day! Saturday, February 5th - 2/1/2011
Review and Giveaway: Shakespeare for Kids - Macbeth at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater - 1/31/2011
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I am always annoyed by people that
boast, "No, our family doesn't do tv." (For a very funny
take on this one, visit
Stuff White People Like: #28 Not Having a TV.We do have a tv, and my son perhaps could not survive
without his Friday night dose of Star Wars, but honestly, my
husband and I really don't do tv. Wait - I take that
back - I do religiously watch LOST every Tuesday night but
it's about to go off the air in a matter of weeks (and please, feel
free to suggest another show to me, because I don't know what I'll
do without my weekly escape to The Island), but I just
haven't found myself interested in any other shows, and that,
coupled with the fact that we read a lot, and then, life, it's
just busy - well, we just don't do tv very much. Not because
we oppose it, or because we think it fries the brain.
Instead, we cuddle up to the warm glow of our Apple,
specifically American Experience and
Frontline on
PBS.org.
A few nights ago we cuddled up together in bed to the
story of the Donner Party, one of the most compelling episodes of
the American Experience that I've ever seen. Just imagine: it's the
winter of 1846 and you find yourself stuck in the desolate and snow
covered Sierra Nevada with your young children, fighting to
stay alive. That's what happened to a group of American settlers
that had set out to California on a newer path out west, only to
find themselves stranded, starving and freezing to death. Of the 87
pioneers that set out from Independence, Missouri, only 11 men and
36 women and children survived the ordeal.
A few days later, I was surprised to see during my
morning news round up that new research has uncovered even more
insight into the survivors of the tragedy. I was struck by the
discovery of slates showing that the children continued with school
lessons despite the harsh conditions.
Even if you're not much of a history buff, you'll
appreciate the strength that these men, women and children
demonstrated, as they pursued their piece of the American
dream.
Watch the video here:
and read about the latest research on the Donner Party
here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/36574673/ns/technology_and_science-science/
Amy Bizzarri is a mom of two living in Logan Square. She also blogs at tiramisumom.com.
See more of Amy's stories here.
