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The setup

The Whittaker Saga: the setup

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 I  was vastly inspired when reading the decades challenge, and as a history teacher, I could not stop myself from giving it a try. Of course, true to my nature or refusing to do things by the book, the first thing I did was break the rules. How? By creating as my protagonist a single, working woman living on her own! Gasp! Why? Partly because a story popped into my head, but also, partly, to honor the many women who - by choice or necessity - actually worked, and worked hard for their living in the 1890s. We tend to forget them, but the working women were there - from the hard working farmers that we often downgrade by calling wives, as if they weren't an essential part of the economy of the farm, to the working class women working as domestic help or in the factories where they were only payed half of a man's wages.  So with that, I introduce Abigail Spencer, a single, working, middle class woman in 1890s Willow Creek:  As middle class there is only a few jobs avai...
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1980s: I think I'll call it The Whittaker Saga (Last Chapter)

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As Christmas comes around, Sydney decides it's time for them to throw a big party. A caterer and mixologist are hired, people invited, the house decorated. By the time the guests arrive, Sydney is so ready for their first party, especially as they have invited their very prominent neighbors. She is really excited that they all agreed. The party goes, overall, well. The caterer is a mess, has no uniform and insists on interrupting her cooking in order to try to join the party, but with some work she's kept in the kitchen. Her food is good, luckily, and the guests seem happy enough dancing, drinking and eating.   But Carl is restless. He's happy that all his siblings have come, and he tries to enjoy himself, but guilt is eating away at him. He knows he should have told Sydney everything before they married, but every step of the way, every week and month, he finds excuses not to. This party is only the latest in the string of excuses he has had. As the party dies down, he hid...
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1980s: Thanksgiving and the importance of family history

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For Thanksgiving, Betty and Thomas gather their family at their new house. It's the first time they're all going to spend a holiday there. With a more limited space, and with all their children now having partners, they opt for only inviting the closest family and letter others cater to themselves and their children. It's a hard choice to make, but more people can't possibly fit in the house, it will be tight regardless. While Betty is cooking, Thomas sets the table. For many in the family it's the first time they meet. Larissa has not met anyone but Susan, and Russell not anyone at all. But dinner is delicious and the conversation flows, even if the family has to spread out between table and sofas around the house. In spite of the chill, Larissa takes some time to get to know Michael and Carl outside. After dinner, they all gather around the house. Betty takes some time to play with her favourite (only) grandson. She so hopes that now that they all have partners ...
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