Hi everyone,

It's Mother's Day here today, and again, I'm not sure if its the same day for all around the world. I seem to forget that each year. Anyway, if you're a Mum, anywhere in the world, whether or not you are celebrating Mother's Day this weekend or not, I would like to wish each and every one of you a very happy day.

As Waltons fans, we know that a lot of importance and respect was shown to the mothers in the series. We love Esther Walton for the wonderful mother she was to John, and grandmother to those children who grew up in her loving presence. She became a great grandmother with John Curtis, and this must have been a special time in her life. We know that she had disagreements with her children and grandchildren, but she was always there to support and help when they needed it, and she provided a lot of the Christian values which the grandchildren seem to have.

Olivia Walton...who wouldn't want a mother like Olivia! She was happiest tending to her family, yet was a strong and independent woman in her own way. Patient, understanding and supportive, she nurtured seven wonderful children to adulthood, allowing each one to become their own person.

Mary Ellen Walton became a mother with the birth of John Curtis. She was another strong Walton woman. Very community minded, she became a nurse because her mountain community didn't have a nurse and needed one. Left to raise John Curtis on her own after the disappearance of her husband Curt, she became both mother and father to John Curtis for a time. A difficult job for anyone.

Erin Walton is also a mother, but we really don't know a lot about her as a mother. She is also struggling to be both mother and father to her children, as she raises them after her divorce. She is also a career mother.

Of the other Walton wives, who are also mothers, Toni, Cindy and Janet, I suppose the one we were allowed to grow most familiar with was Cindy. Is she perhaps the Walton mother most like Olivia? Cindy is also happy at home with her husband and family. We see her with little Virginia, and later see how devastated she is by Virginia's death. Perhaps Ben and Cindy's relationship could become The Waltons: The Next Generation? :-)) The couple are happy at home on the mountain. Ben is happy working in the lumber yard, although he had a stint in the navy and went to war, and John did before him. Cindy is perhaps the other one who keeps the family together, in the way Olivia did before her.

What are your thoughts on the portrayals of the different Walton mothers? Each is certainly different to the other, and many ahead of her time. We saw Olivia going back to College during the 1960's, and we saw Mary Ellen struggling to win a place at Medical School, obviously wishing to become a doctor at a time that it wasn't really usual for women to become doctors. Perhaps we should also include Corabeth as a mother too. Interesting mother she would have been. Aimee would never have been bored. :-) Send your views for the next digest.

Talk to you all again next week. Goodnight everyone,

Karen.

I have now realised another film! I must admit being a Prairie fan I liked Beyond the Prairie, but I also enjoyed Flood: A Rivers Rampage. One is heart warming but courageous, and the other is rapid and exciting! :)

<< Kami called Mary McDonough about her baby:>>

That's really proof that they are living out what the say about "being just like a family still"!

KAREN'S COMMENT: It was nice to hear that Mary was among the first people Kami called after having her baby. They are obviously great friends. I really enjoyed Flood: A River's Rampage too. A very exciting movie.

Hi Karen...

This is for Farrah. I don't remember the episode of Little House that you wrote about very well, but the cast list intrigues me. If the little girl mentioned is the character Elizabeth Stark played by Tammy Lauren, then yes, she has been on many things recently as an adult.

Two that are foremost in my mind are: The series Homefront, about life after the boys of WWII return home. She played Kyle Chandler's (now starring on Early Edition) love interest, Ginger Zabo (hope I am spelling the last name correctly.) I just love Homefront. It aired in the early 90's and now is being shown on the cable channel "TV Land" here in the United States at 9:00 am weekdays. It's a real fun show. In fact, they just had a Homefront marathon shown last weekend that had me glued to the television set. ;-)

Her latest role, that I have seen was in the CBS series Martial Law (at the beginning of the series before Arsenio Hall came aboard). She was a police officer and one of the sidekicks of Sammo (I forget his last name). But Sammo is the martial arts expert from overseas who is a wee bit overweight but packs a wallop in his kicks and punches. I *don't* think she is on the show anymore now that Arsenio is there...but I could be wrong. It has been awhile since I have seen it.

Next to the Waltons, though, I really like Home Front and would recommend it for the authentic costuming, sets and props of the 40's.

Hope this helps! :-)

Gina

KAREN'S COMMENT: I've never heard of Home Front, but it does sound an intriguing show. Probably just one of the many shows that never make it out to our shores. Thanks for the update Gina. I'm glad you recognised the name.

I think the Gunsmoke episode was actually pre-Waltons. It was initially shown in the spring of 1970 I think, but I'm not sure because I only watched that show occasionally. I think she was once on during a Waltons hiatus about 1977 but I'm not sure.

Please convey to Dave Mantor my thanks for the taping he did last spring

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: I've also seen Michael Learned on the occasional Gunsmoke episode and she is so different. I've never been a Westerns fan, probably because my Dad used to always watch them when I was little and I hated them then. :-)) There were such a lot on at one time. Dave will be reading this Donald and so your thanks will be passed on.

Last winter after viewing the Waltons episode about Grandpa winning the statue of Annabel Lee, I purchased from Amazon an illustrated children's book that relays Poe's tale. It's a sad tale but a good intro into poetry for children.

Maire

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually there's quite a lot of literature mentioned throughout the Waltons series isn't there. A while ago we talked about the other poem that John Boy read to Olivia on her birthday. I'm glad you were able to track down a copy of the book.

Dear Karen,

I wanted to write and tell you how very much I appreciate your newsletter, also to know I am not alone in how deeply the Waltons touched my spirit, as I grew up watching the show I learned what Morals and a loving family was, I did not have many good memories of my own so I cherish the ones "the Waltons" have given me!! I think most people would find that strange, but I assure you I am normal, and live a wonderful life, I now know that I am in good company with this group! Ha ha

My question is: since Kami just had her baby, is there somewhere we can send cards or e-mail congratulations? Does anyone know if TNN will replay the Life and Times of the Waltons again as I missed the first half? Thank you again for keeping me informed and all your hard work!

Good Night Karen, (I couldn't resist) ha

KAREN'S COMMENT: You are definitely not alone in your liking of the series, and many of us feel exactly the way you do. And yes, we are all normal (although maybe some of my family would beg to differ on that point LOL).

With regards to Kami, I'm sure if you posted the card, or whatever, to the Waltons Mountain Museum, it would be passed on for you. As for an email congratulation...you might have to settle for putting it onto the Waltons Forum. Go to The Official Waltons Site and follow the links to the Forum. I know she reads there often, although she may not have much time just at the moment!

Hi Everyone

Having just joined this illustrious band of merry Walton devotees I thought I would drop you a line from the UK. We are lucky enough to be still watching The Waltons and this week's episode was when Jim Bob came back off leave (furlow) and was pursued by a young lady that he had met on what he thought was his last night before being shipped overseas. A very good episode.

Along with a friend of mine, I am planning to be at this year's Walton Reunion in October so if anyone gets any info on which actors/actresses might be attending, I should be grateful if you could let me know via the digest. The Waltons Museum reckon they won't have any info until September but I know you fans out there have your ears to the ground.

So glad I found you all.

Regards from the UK

Sue

KAREN'S COMMENT: I suppose the Waltons actors can't really commit themselves so far ahead just in case they are offered work, and then many fans would obviously be disappointed. It is very generous of them to keep up all of the Waltons related appearances that they do, I think. How lucky you are being able to go Sue. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time. Have you managed to see Richard Thomas in Art?

Hi to all of you,

I don't get much chance to put messages on the this site, but really appreciate it. This is really for all the UK fans-next week, according to the Radio times, an entertainment program on late on either Thursday or Friday night, will feature Richard Thomas & Patrick Duffy looking at the cultural scene in London. This is only showing in the London area. Did anyone hear his broadcast on radio 2 a short while back? He apparently gave a very good interview on GMTV & talked a lot about the Waltons.

Kester

KAREN'S COMMENT: Did anyone see this program? Perhaps you could write and let us know about it.