Hi there everyone,

There's not much to report from me here this week really. It's been another hot week and, naturally, we've had electricity rationing again. It's all due to an industrial action from the workers of an electricity plant here in Victoria. Today's paper said that they've come to an agreement though, so maybe we can go back to using air conditioners to help us survive the
hot spells. Do you have much in the way of strikes over there?

It seems ironic that in the Waltons day, it seemed that men would have done anything for work, to earn money and be able to support their families, but these days, if there is disagreement between the workers and the employer, it's straight off to strike. And it's always the electricity, or the transport or something that you really need, and it affects huge numbers of people. I think it's fair enough if workers have complaints to try to come to an agreement, but they just seem to affect so many people in so many ways.

Teachers went on strike a few years ago here, but the school I was at chose to ask for the parents support and asked them to write to the government supporting the issues the teachers were fighting for. I don't remember what they were, but the school I was at said that if they went on strike and closed the school, the parents would be affected and definitely wouldn't support them. A far more sensitive and sensible approach I think.

Oh well, enough of my complaints about the hot weather and the electricity rationing etc. It's lovely over here today, really nice and sunny. The house is even quiet as everyone else has gone out. Life's been busy too. Both James and I are back at school (him studying, me working!), Rod's still working and will have a break sometime in July, and Tim hasn't started Uni. yet. He will start at the end of February. He's certainly enjoying his very long holiday.

There hasn't been a lot of letters coming in lately, so if you have something that you'd like to comment on regarding The Waltons (actors, shows, etc) then now's a great time to drop me a line. Talk to you all again next week.

Goodnight everyone,
Karen.

The only thing we have heard about the script that Earl submitted and this might be second or third hand knowledge is that it starts with John Walton having a heart attack. We don't know if its fatal or not either.

Wasn't there an episode early in the series in which John had a heart attack? I seem to remember it was pouring down rain, and he had the heart attack out in the mill, and I remember him being in bed with the family very concerned hovering around him; I think I remember him being in the hospital in an oxygen tent as well. What episode was this? I hate it when something is on the tip of my tongue and I can't think of it!

Geri Ann

KAREN'S COMMENT: Geri Ann, I remember an episode with John in hospital because of pneumonia, but Ike had a heart attack during the show too. Can't remember either title, but maybe Ike's one was "The Attack"?

Hi Karen and all,

It's cold and snowy here in Virginia. Quite a contrast to what Karen described her weather was like!!

I found the comments and observations about the Walton's Christian views/religious views quite interesting. I do remember Olivia reading her Bible in some episodes, but offhand the only one I remember is "The Thanksgiving Story". But in several episodes including "The Sermon" and "An
Easter Story" several members of the family quote Bible verses from memory. I think that would be quite common for children to learn Bible verses and memorize them. The adults were probably raised that way too, and maybe that's why you don't see them reading their Bible.....they can just say various verses to themselves in times of trouble, etc. In quite a few
episodes it's evident that Olivia has a deep faith, as does Grandma. It's also evident that Grandma is from a generation where you didn't question the dictates of your church. If they said No Drinking, then you didn't drink! Things like that. Obviously not everyone lives their faith that way. I agree with Karen....I especially enjoy Grandpa's views on God. And John really had a strong faith too but he just didn't go along with the religious rituals of the church.

Just my .02!!

Nancy

KAREN'S COMMENT: Grandma certainly did know her bible well. She could often come up with an appropriate verse, and Grandpa could too. Interesting that John, the product of these two, could reject the church as he does. He does have a strong faith and I remember during the episode The Baptism, that he mentions that he doesn't like being yelled at in church. I also remember that in The Homecoming, the children were given a present if they could recite a verse of the Bible. Naturally the first bible verse to be quoted was "Jesus wept." :-)

Waltons Fans,

I just wanted to drop a note and reply on the Christian outlook of the Waltons. I agree with the one person that spoke that there could have been a lot more Jesus in the Waltons. However, with the way TV (and its sad) I doubt they were able to do much more than they did. At least they made known there is a God and more there. As in the show Touched by An Angel.
They never actually talk about Christ as the way to salvation, but hopefully it will at least make some go to their local Church and see what this "God" thing is all about. In this world its hard and the media is not so much in favor of the Lord. I just praise God for ways he is able to get on TV and spread the good news.

Good Night Everyone...

KAREN'S COMMENT: Actually I think that what they showed was probably a fairly realistic representation of how a family of that time, with regard to lifestyle and where the Church and religion fitted in to their lives. It was shown that the church was a very important part of their lives, with Sunday being set aside for Church, and Christianity being shown through their daily activities. The show itself, in my mind showed a very Christian way of life, without expressing talking about God. Perhaps that's a good way of getting the message across....more subtle, but using the family as role models. What do you think?

Country Roads was played on Apples Way episode The Accident --Apples Way was a program produced by Lorimar, the same company that produced the Waltons.

In The Thanksgiving Story, where the Baldwins say they want to 'adopt Jason' Olivia goes right off and reads the Bible and then comes back to express her opinion. The viewing audience concludes that had she not done this, she would have come out with a ferocious attack on Miss Mamie and Miss Emily for trying to steal her son.

Donald

KAREN'S COMMENT: I remember Apple's Way, and yes, Lorimar did that one as well. It wasn't all that successful I don't think, especially out here, but I enjoyed it. Does anyone else remember it? I remember the scene you mention very well. It's one of my favorite Waltons moments. I think it's so funny. I think it also shows that Olivia is using all her strength and
faith to avoid saying something to these ladies, that she knows she will regret later. Once again, God is at work in her life.

Hi Karen,

This really isn't Waltons related, but since someone mentioned John Denver songs, I just wanted to share this little part of my life. When I was a baby, my dad was away in the service and my mom was the only one there to take care of me. (This would have been 1974, 1975.) She tells of rocking me to sleep with a John Denver record playing softly in the background. She's as big a fan as I am, maybe even bigger. Anyway, said it worked like a charm. And even as I got older, I have always been a great fan of his older work. Now that I have my own little one to sing to, I have carried on the tradition. We even have a CD player in his room specifically for this reason. "Take me home, country roads" is the main one he falls asleep to, but even his rowdiest days only take four or five songs to get him calmed down and sleeping. I can rock or dance with him and he'll fall fast asleep. It may be just because he doesn't want to listen to me sing - I'm rather bad at it - but I like to think it's because he likes me! And besides, it has become one of those special mother-child things and it is such a wonderful feeling to have him fall asleep in my arms!

Just wanted to share that.

Larissa

KAREN'S COMMENT: What a lovely tradition in your family. :-) I think all parents should sing to their children, even if they are "rather bad at it". Children learn so much from being sung to. I've found that children whose parents sing nursery rhymes and read/say other rhymes, seem to have a much better feel for rhythm than those who don't. Rod has a favorite Nana Maskouri (sp?) song that he used to sing to our boys in the rocker when they wouldn't settle. I don't know the name of it but it's about a ferris wheel or spinning wheel I think. He always gets the words wrong though and changes them all around all the time, so if our boys had to sing that song
again, I suspect they'd have to ask "which version?". :-)

I was quite interested in finding out about the list of people from the show who had passed away. I checked the forum that you were talking about, Karen, but I couldn't find anything. Are you able to give me more specific information about the link? Hope you can help me.

Janet

KAREN'S COMMENT: This list is now part of www.the-waltons.com

Hi, my name is Donna and I have been a fan of the Walton's since I was a kid and my brother also is a fan. I think it is one the best shows ever on TV. My brother and I watched an episode yesterday about the character Jenny Pendelton, played by the actress, Sian Barbara Allen and we were wondering what ever happened to her. Do you know?

Donna

KAREN'S COMMENT: Hi Donna and welcome to the list. Sian really hasn't done much since the 70's. She seemed to have moved right out of acting altogether. Did you know she was once Richard Thomas's girlfriend?