Homesteaders like the Oblinger family constantly struggled to make a living on the Prairie. An injury, bad weather, or simply bad luck with a crop might keep them from paying their bills. Many, like this family, moved from place to place trying to improve their chances.

To learn about Laura Oblinger's viewpoint on her life, read the letter she writes to her two daughters, Stella and Maggie, asking them to come and live with her in Minnesota at their grandmother's house.

As you read consider these questions:

• What difficulties does the mother describe?
• What sources of happiness, joy and comfort does she describe?
• Overall, what kind of picture of Minnesota life do you think the letter creates?