How we cite our quotes: (Chapter.Paragraph)
Quote #1
My favorite colors are the colors of the sea, blue and gray and green, depending on the weather. My brother William is a fisherman, and he tells me that when he is in the middle of a fog-bound sea the water is a color for which there is no name. He catches flounder and sea bass and bluefish. Sometimes he sees whales. And birds, too, of course. (2.3)
It's obvious from her letters that Sarah's super connected to nature—especially the sea. She comes from a family of fishermen, so she's comfortable on the ocean and knows the names of all the sea life.
Quote #2
Sarah came in the spring. She came through green grass fields that bloomed with Indian paintbrush, red and orange, and blue-eyed grass. (3.1)
It's not just the Witting family that pretties up their home to welcome Sarah—nature seems to do her role, too. The flowers start blooming as if to make sure Sarah sees the best of the Midwest when she arrives.
Quote #3
"But I've touched seals. Real seals. They are cool and slippery and they slide through the water like fish. They can cry and sing. And sometimes they bark, a little like dogs."
Sarah barked like a seal. And Lottie and Nick came running from the barn to jump on Sarah and lick her face and make her laugh. Sarah stroked them and scratched their ears and it was quiet again. (4.42-43)
Sarah isn't afraid of nature or wildlife, and she embraces the natural world and its inhabitants. She's even approached and petted seals as though they're dogs or cats. In fact, she says they basically are dogs of the sea.
Quote #4
Sarah sat up. "Do you have lots of snow?"
"Lots and lots and lots of snow," chanted Caleb, rolling around in the grass. "Sometimes we have to dig our way out to feed the animals." (6.11-12)
Although the Midwest is beautiful, there are also pretty brutal winters to contend with. Caleb gives Sarah the cold hard facts about what it's like around here when it snows—and how they keep the farm afloat.
Quote #5
"It blows the snow and brings tumbleweeds and makes the sheep run. Wind and wind and wind!" Caleb stood up and ran like the wind, and the sheep ran after him. Sarah and I watched him jump over rocks and gullies, the sheep behind him, stiff legged and fast. (6.23)
Even though the winter and snow can be pretty harsh, Caleb's completely unfazed. After all, he's lived in this particular climate for his entire life, so he's used to it. He doesn't know anything else.
Quote #6
"I can't swim," said Caleb.
"Can't swim!" exclaimed Sarah. "I'll teach you in the cow pond."
"That's for cows!" I cried. (6.28-30)
Because there's no sea or large body of water around, Anna and Caleb have grown up without having to learn how to swim. But Sarah wants them to know how to navigate all the elements, and so she gives them an impromptu swimming lesson in the cow pond.
Quote #7
Sarah loved the chickens. She clucked back to them and fed them grain. They followed her, shuffling and scratching primly in the dirt. I knew they would not be for eating. (7.8)
Sarah's a sucker for all animals. She has a cat, adores the dogs, is delighted to meet the sheep, and refuses to eat her new chickens, instead giving them names and keeping them as pets.
Quote #8
We planted the flowers by the porch, turning over the soil and patting it around them, and watering. Lottie and Nick came to sniff, and the chickens walked in the dirt, leaving prints. In the fields, the horses pulled the plow up and down under the hot summer sun. (7.30)
All of the characters are accustomed to working with the earth. Jacob is a farmer, and the kids learn from him. They plant gardens, take care of animals, and even know how to ride horses.
Quote #9
The rain came and passed, but strange clouds hung in the northwest, low and black and green. And the air grew still. (8.1)
Because the characters know the natural world around them so well, they can spot the signs of an impending storm. Those low clouds hanging around could spell disaster… and they have to fix up that roof pronto in anticipation of the squall.
Quote #10
"We ran outside and saw a huge cloud, horribly black, moving toward us over the north fields. Papa slid down the roof, helping Sarah after him.
"A squall!" he yelled to us. He held up his arms and Sarah jumped off the porch roof.
"Get the horses inside," he ordered Caleb. "Get the sheep, Anna. And the cows. The barn is safest." (8.30-32)
When the squall finally hits, it's a big one. Jacob has the foresight to get everyone—and everything—inside the barn so they don't get battered by the wind, rain, and hail. Yikes.