Pod of Green Gables

Marilla sews Anne some new dresses so she has decent clothes to wear to school and church, although the plain style of the dresses make Anne wish even more for puffed sleeves. Star goes on a long tangent about fabric and garment construction before finally returning to the chapter where we hear all about Anne's first day at Sunday School. What Anne says about the sermon and the preacher makes Marilla feel like this clever child can read her mind!

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Anne and Rachel's first meeting was a fiery exchange of insults that left each of them feeling furious and offended, and Marilla feeling perplexed. Rachel deserved what she got (Matthew's words) and even Marilla chuckled thinking about it, but Anne must be punished. Anne refuses to apologize and welcomes a life of solitary confinement, but can Matthew soften her heart and bring about a reconciliation that will restore peace to Avonlea?

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

It's been two weeks since Marilla and Matthew decided to keep Anne at Green Gables (even though she is not a boy) and Anne has been thriving in the fresh air and in the kindness and structure of her new home. But where has our nosy and outspoken neighbor been all this time? Rachel has been confined at home with an unseasonable attack of the grippe, but as soon as she feels better she rushes right up to Green Gables to meet the "imported orphan" she is so curious about. It is a clash of tempers and we are here for it!

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Marilla and Anne return to Green Gables together, much to Matthew's relief. Marilla intends to give Anne a proper education in religion and house-hold chores, but how on earth do you keep an imagination like Anne's grounded long enough to memorize a passage or scald a dishcloth?!

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Marilla and Anne have driven down the Shore Road and arrived at Mrs. Spencer's house. Marilla intends to figure out how this mix-up of Anne being an orphan girl, and not an orphan boy, has happened and if Anne can be sent back to the asylum. But can Marilla really let her go when she finds out exactly where Anne will end up?

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Kindred spirits, lets take another buggy ride with Anne. This time, instead of chattering about her dreams and fancies to a bemused Matthew, she is reluctantly recounting her tragic childhood to an increasingly sympathetic Marilla. After such a history, will Marilla have the heart to send Anne back to the Nova Scotia orphanage?

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Matthew and our as yet unnamed heroine arrive at Green Gables to find a surprised and somewhat annoyed Marilla. We learn Anne's name in a heartbreaking scene where, once again, Anne learns that she is unwanted and Green Gables is not to be her forever home.

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Chapter 2 introduces us to Matthew Cuthbert on his way to pick up the orphan child he and Marilla are adopting. We meet the enigmatic, talkative, red-haired girl who is excited to call Green Gables her home, but Matthew realizes that there has been a sad mistake.

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Star and Hayley are starting at the beginning of the series where we meet Rachel Lynde and Marilla Cuthbert. These are two unique, strong, and inspiring women that we will come to know and love. Rachel is a busy-body gossip and Marilla is a no-nonsense pragmatist, but in truth, we all need friends like this.

Sources:

Annie Macpherson “Home Children” https://spitalfieldslife.com/2015/11/25/annie-macpherson-the-gutter-children/

Barnardo’s https://www.barnardos.org.uk/who-we-are/our-history

Article: https://www.heritagetoronto.org/explore/barnardo-emigration-home-children/

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov

Star and Hayley provide a brief introduction to the podcast! Welcome kindred spirits!

Artwork: Hayley Civian

Music: Kathy's Theme, composed and performed by Oleg Bezuglov