MinnPost Picks: on a Laura Ingalls Wilder Thanksgiving, guide-dog dropouts, and what Mr. Rogers means to 21st century kids

“Thanksgiving with Laura Ingalls Wilder,” The Paris Review Anyone who grew up with Laura Ingalls Wilder's books remembers mouthwatering descriptions of smoked meats, homemade pies and hand-churned butter. But that apparent abundance on the prairie was one of the series' many myths — one designed to draw readers in the books' Great Recession debut. For the Paris Review, Valerie Stivers re-creates what might have been a Thanksgiving spread for the Ingalls family. — Greta Kaul, data reporter “Inside the world of guide dog dropouts,” Mel magazine Lauren Vinopal interviews a few owners of some very good dogs who have been guide trained, but, ultimately, "career-changed" out of service. Less than 5 percent of dogs are cut out for service-dog work, and many are booted for issues such as not going to the bathroom on particular surfaces, distractibility, underbites, and barking at bearded men. And, yes, there are photos. — Corey Anderson, creative director “The Ventilator: Life, Death And The Choices We Make At The End,” NPR As a hospital nurse, Stephanie Rinka witnessed firsthand what it's like living with chronic illnesses or severe mental disorders. She repeatedly told her family: "I don't ever want to end up like that." But this NPR "Hidden Brain" episode explores how that stance — one she took when she was healthy — was challenged by ALS. — Jessica Lee, local government reporter “What happened when I showed vintage Mister Rogers to my 21st-century kids,” The Washington Post TV journalist Mary Pflum Peterson tried to share the original “Footloose” with her kids, with disastrous results. “E.T.” was declared “too slow.” So she didn’t even try to show them “Mister Rogers” — but they happened to walk in as she watched an episode for a work project. I’ll let her tell the rest. — Susan Albright, managing editor

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MinnPost Picks: on a Laura Ingalls Wilder Thanksgiving, guide-dog dropouts, and what Mr. Rogers means to 21st century kids

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MinnPost Picks: on a Laura Ingalls Wilder Thanksgiving, guide-dog dropouts, and what Mr. Rogers means to 21st century kids