by Maureen
I am fascinated with the Amish...the plain people. I’m not sure why. Maybe it is with awe that they can live with so few possessions and gadgets and the modern conveniences we can’t seem to live without. I can’t imagine not blow drying my hair. I couldn’t be writing this blog if I were Amish. I wouldn’t have the company of Simon Cowell, Jimmy Kimmel, McDreamy, McSteamy or Brothers and Sisters to share my home. Heck, I wouldn’t even be able to have a ciggy while I try to write this!! Yet they survive and thrive without it all. They have each other.
Yes, maybe it is indeed awe.
We have a rather large Amish community about 30 minutes from here and a huge community about an hour away. I so enjoy wandering thru their shops, tasting their cheese and watching the kids play outside...not burdened with Nintendo, Wii or computer games...they play and laugh with delight at chasing each other.
Yep, I’m thinking it is awe.
When I managed a store at the outlet mall, we had a large clientele of Amish ladies. They would come in on a Saturday morning. A large group would hire a driver with a trailer on the back of the extended van and SHOP until they dropped! And they had cash...wads of cash! And the youngsters that accompanied them would shyly watch the “English” people. Maybe these little ones looked at us with the same awe. And the teenagers that came...hiding behind the buildings sneaking cigarettes! Perhaps they aren’t so different after all.
The times are changing for all of us, including the Amish. They have propane powered modern conveniences. No more ice boxes...propane powered refrigerators. Very little hand sewing...propane powered sewing machines. Propane stoves. Propane chargers for their cell phones. And telephones in their fields. Who needs electricity when you have propane!!
I think of my friend Carol and her family ties. I think of Tina and her devotion to her religion. I look at myself and the closeness I have to my extended family. I think of Dianne and the relationship she has with her grandkids. And the family events and outings of Tinka. I think of Jennifer and her dedication to her students and children. I think of Lynn and her compassion for those less fortunate. We are all so different, yet whether we are Catholic, Jewish, Lutheran or no religion...we aren’t that different from each other, or the Amish.
Maybe it really isn’t awe...maybe it is familiarity.
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ReplyDeletedang that's big!~
ReplyDeletehmmmmm...better fix that~
ReplyDeletei just noticed how pretty i am~
ReplyDelete......BUT I NEED A NEW LOOK!!!~ :D
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of good looks.....Bam!! 6
ReplyDeletewonderful awe inspiring blog, Mo~ The only amish I've ever seen were in the movie Witness.....and I was busy checking out Harrison Ford~ They seem to be similar to the polygamous communities in Utah~ I could live without the xbox in my house....but dang...my computer...I don't know~
ReplyDeleteGood Morning Tina & DeeDee! Mo, what an interesting topic. I am fascinated with the Amish. I have had one encounter with them. They had a horse/buggy contraption that was "backing up traffic".You have to admire a group of people who resist the temptations of the modern world.
ReplyDeleteA Happy Thursday to everyone!!
They can sure whip out a nice quilt....and I mean quality...and furniture!! Old world craftsmanship.
ReplyDeleteI have always admire the way they live. They're simple peaceful ways made the school house shootings so much more horrible.....
Society right now could take a lesson starting with the house and the senate......
Nice subject Maureen....always a soothing picture thinking of Amish country...the people...the wagons...their peaceable kingdom..
Morning Glories!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on first you hussy! Yea you Tina!
Mo what comes to mind when I read the last part of your wonderful blog is we are all human and humane.
Not so different just different approaches to what fulfills us.
Morning to DeeDee and Bonacci!
ReplyDeleteDid South Carolina GOP Rep. Joe Wilson buy himself a place on the Presidential shit list or what!!??
ReplyDeleteUnbelieveable!
I would imagine that his D.C. dance card isn't going to be very full for the rest of this administration....
I wonder how much money he is being paid to make a fool of himself...it must be a lot for him to be willing to join the ranks of "asshole" the world over.....
I have found that the smaller the constituency...the bigger the mouth...iykwim...
Reminds me of a Donahue show about AIDS that was on just as we were beginning to understand what had hit us.....a very handsome man in the audience was visibly on the verge of an anger explosion and one of the gay guys on the stage said...
Now take this really angry guy for example...the one with so much hate that is yelling the loudest.....I'd be willing to bet he is sitting up there with a pair of red lace panties under those wranglers....
BOOM!!
Good Morning!
ReplyDeleteMO: I've only seen the Amish on TV or in movies..and have always been fascinated by their way of life. I've always wanted an Amish quilt..and Mr Z thinks the fireplace he's seen on TV is pretty cool. I guess in AZ tho..neither of these things is very practical.
My mom always admired the Amish for their sense of community..the way they would pull together when someone needed a house or a barn, and then have it built in a day.
I'm intrigued by Rumspringa..I can't imagine what a tough decision it must be for the young people to make, to leave their community and all they know to see what life is like outside of it, and then to decide whether to give it up or not. MO, do you know if they are ever allowed back to see their family if they decide to leave the Amish way of life behind? I was never clear on that point.
Very interesting blog today MO..thank you!
Congrats on 1 TINA!
ReplyDeleteHI LYNND, BONACHICHI and DEEDEE!
Oh boy Helen and Margaret hit it out of the park again!
ReplyDeleteA Butt Load of Moolah! http://margaretandhelen.wordpress.com/
I love these girls.
DeeDee: This is for you. Rep. Wilson may have opened a very big can of worms. Read this on a comment page.
''Rep Joe Wilson is a Col in the US Army reserves.
Please contact his Commanding Officer and remind him of his duty to maintain discipline in the ranks.
Article 88: Contempt Toward Officials: Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.''
Over $68,000 dollars has been raised over night for the man running against him in 2010.
Hope his taking one for the team was worth it.
Waving at Zona!
If you haven't read the text from the letter that President Obama received after Ted Kennedy's death.... please read it.....its moving and true...
ReplyDeleteheres a link if you need it....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/09/president-discusses-lette_n_281504.html
Biden was quoted in the Huff Post saying health care could be signed by Thanksgiving....
Lynn D!!
ReplyDeleteThank you for turning me on to Margaret and Helen...I love it!
and this from today....
"Someone needs to remind Representative Wilson that he and his family currently have a public option for their health insurance. And while you’re reminding him of that, be sure he understands that the next time his doctor has a finger up his butt all of us taxpayers footed the bill. Come to think of it, maybe instead of paying the bill we can skip the finger and just introduce his ass to my foot. I mean it. Really."
lmao!!
I wish they would court marshal the SOB....but Barack seems to always turn the other cheek....like not prosecuting Bush and his cronies...but he will eventually get tired of it.....I hope...
Thanks for the good information on that....I wondered if he or anyone else has carte blanche when it comes to the most powerful man in the free world......lol
Awesome blog, 'weenie! Surely, we all have the same needs to be loved and feel a connection and a bond to something bigger than ourselves.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably old news, as I think I've mentioned it before in a comment or two, but I've always loved the philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russel, in large part for a comment he made while he was being processed for some jail time he had to serve during WW1 (he was arrested for pacifist activities).
The processing fellow was getting him to fill out a standard form, one question of which was about the incoming inmate's religion. Russel answered "atheist".
The guy looked at him, puzzled, and as he wrote "atheist" down he said "well, I guess whatever you call it, we all worship the same God"!
The remark apparently cheered Russel for weeks! And me, even today!
The
DeeDee your welcome! I did read the letter from Senator Kennedy to President Obama. My reaction was he truly believed he was doing what was best for people.
ReplyDeleteIf anyone thinks I am biased well yes to some extent. I would also be calling out anyone Dem, Rep, Independent if they were doing what our elected officials did in the Presidents speech last night. The behavior was boorish at best and irresponsible at worst.
I have really had my eyes open in the last few months about all of the people we elect. I have finally figured out I need to pay attention not only to their voting record but how they behave and how they treat the public.
Don't know what I was thinking in the past when I just assumed that if they were running for higher office that they were by definition intelligent. Boy that has been blown out of the water for me. Seems most of them are no more intelligent than you and me (you and I?) and that in a nutshell has started to scare the hell out of me. You and I (You and me) I am beginning to think could do a much better job. :)
Sorry Mo back to your blog.
Whabby:
ReplyDeleteThe processing fellow was getting him to fill out a standard form, one question of which was about the incoming inmate's religion. Russel answered "atheist".
The guy looked at him, puzzled, and as he wrote "atheist" down he said "well, I guess whatever you call it, we all worship the same God"!
It made me laugh out loud and cheered me up to!
Good Morning HOoters!
ReplyDeletecongrats on 1st tina~ and I bow to your humble reminder of my being the recipient of those certain religious prayers! :)
Mo- great blog! There is a fairly large Amish community in the area of our weekend place. Years ago when my kids were younger there was a family that lived right across the street.
They would stand outside and watch the kids in the swimmning lake, their parents selling fresh Amish baked goods on Saturday mornings at the Campground.
The kids shyly became friends with my boys and my kids were eventually invited to their home to play. What a wonderful cultural experience. My kids learned what 'fun' was made of and how the Amish lived up close and personal.
The Amish are a great community of hard working, friendly people who are often treated without the respect they deserve.
Hope everyone has a great day!
Goodmorning everyone,
ReplyDeleteWhabby invited me to join in commenting here. I have read many topics/comments and everyone has wonderful insights on life. It will take a while to connect names with all but I really liked Maureen's write up on the Amish.
They always look prim and proper. Now when I am in my kitchen I have a tendency to wipe my hands on my butt when I am cooking. So I wear my apron backwards (only kidding).
The Amish work the land but they never look dirty. When I am outside in my garden, I get pretty dirty.
I have always been impressed with the Amish people and their dedication of the family unit and the neighborly love they share.
Yes I agree....I am in Awe!
I have wonderful neighbors and we help out each other at times. Like my neighbors daughter backed out of her driveway, hit my garbage can and it went flying all over the place. I went out to help her pick it up. As I told her Mom, she puts the car in reverse and hits the gas.
I am from New York State, Mother of 4 children (all grown) and Grandmother to 5 Grandsons and 1 Granddaughter. Another Granddaughter is due in December.
Waving at goldie!
ReplyDeleteWelcome Gloria! Hey now I can type Morning Gloria! :)
Ok I better get off the internets and start packing. I can see Sacbarb out of the corner of my eye just over my shoulder I think she is saying "Are you packed yet"?
ReplyDeleteGood Morning!
ReplyDeleteTina Congrats on first, you pretty thing, you.
DeeDee I think it's time to have a 3rd major political party in the Congress and Senate; Democrats, Republicans, and Assholes.
Bonach Hoping you have a great Thursday, too.
LynnD Love Margaret and Helen. I sometimes forget to check in with them. Thanks for the reminder.
Zona I think the Amish young adults can leave for one year to see if they would prefer a different way of life. I also believe that the decision they make at the end of that time is final.
Bear You gave me a problem in Area 51 that I attempted to solve. I assumed you meant 150,000 km per sec not hour, but maybe I'm mistaken.
Goldie I hope 50 is still treating you well.
Gloria Welcome! Nice to meet you.
Ooooh, I got 25 by accident.
ReplyDeleteMO Great blog today. The Amish are fascinating, aren't they. That's funny about the teens smoking behind the buildings. Some things are universal, I guess.
ReplyDeleteDid everybody go to a barn raising or something?
ReplyDeleteJ/L: Yes, 150,000 kps, not kph!
ReplyDeleteAnd... OMG... you got the numbers spot on! See, using the pythagoran theorem really is straightfoward! :)
And, by the way, in that short comment in A51, you pretty much covered the content of next Wednesday's blog!
Except... except... let me throw out a tantalizing bone here... even though you did the math perfectly for a right-angle triangle with a 150,000 kilometer long Line B, your answer as to what your stopwatch would read isn't... quite... right! Let me be clear: It IS correct for a triangle with those exact dimensions. But the real triangle that results when Shirley is traveling 150,000 kps has slightly different dimensions.
As I said, you're not far off. Not far off at all. And yet, in the small difference between your number, and the true number, is the real essence of (why I am in awe of) time dilation!
That point forms the last bit of next Wednesday's blog, and provides the segue to the very important Blog 7, in two weeks.
Meanwhile, welcome to the Owl's Nest, Gloria! Hope you like us, and stay a spell!
Welcome Gloria~
ReplyDeleteDeeDee~ you look smashing~ *cough*cough*~
J/L~ I'm trying really hard not to comment on ur comment~ :)~
Goldie~ :D
Hi to LynnD (have fun!), Bear, Bonachichi, and Zona~
I'm off to the funeral~ SacBarb...she has settled down (i think)...thanks for listening~ :D
69~
ReplyDelete....for good measure~
ReplyDeleteTina Are you afraid there'd be no one left in the Democratic or Republican parties? :)
ReplyDeleteOkaaaay,
ReplyDeleteI go to read a news site and this is a headline: They're No Bodice Rippers, But Amish Romances Are Hot
Weird! LOL I included the link to the article for those of you who may want to read some Hot Amish Romance. Also a clip from the article.
Once again we are more alike than we are different.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125244227154093575.html?mod=rss_Weekend_Journal
Ms. Woodsmall writes "bonnet books," or Amish love stories, which are a booming new subcategory of the romance genre. The books, written by non-Amish writers, are aimed at a mainstream audience. But Ms. Woodsmall researches her stories among the Pennsylvania Amish, and she has a loyal Amish following.
The plot of her 2006 novel, "When the Heart Cries," revolves around Hannah, a young Amish woman who falls in love with a Mennonite and hides her plans to marry him from her strict parents. The lovers struggle to overcome the cultural divide, and actually kiss a couple of times in 326 pages: "His warm, gentle lips moved over hers, and she returned the favor, until Hannah thought they might both take flight right then and there. Finally desperate for air, they parted."
"I can't stop reading them," said Mary Ann Blank, an Amish woman with a wide smile and graying hair she wears neatly parted under her prayer cap. She clutched her signed copy of the third book in Ms. Woodsmall's "Sisters of the Quilt" series, published by WaterBrook Press, a Random House imprint. "I usually better not start in the morning because then I sit around too long," she added.
Most bonnet books are G-rated romances, often involving an Amish character who falls for an outsider. Publishers attribute the books' popularity to their pastoral settings and forbidden love scenarios à la Romeo and Juliet. Lately, the genre has expanded to include Amish thrillers and murder mysteries. Most of the authors are women.
I just realized I never went back into work the other day to finish a project I was working on. Crap! Guess I'll be doing that today after my hair appointment. I swear, my brain is a sieve these days.
ReplyDeleteBear I have no idea what light dilation is I'll have to think on this a bit. :)
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. I am intrigued with the Amish people in how they live. Simple yet pure in appearance. Most work with their hands but are prideful in what they accomplish. Working the fields for the harvest fall is amazing in how they provide for the future.
ReplyDeleteYes...so simple yet so pure..I am in Awe.
HI BEAR!! Did you see my comment in Area 51..could you see what you could come up with please? ;)
ReplyDeleteJ/LIN: Thanks for the info..I wasn't sure. btw..I hate that word..dilation..ugh.. ;)
Welcome GLORIA! Pull up a branch and stay a while!
LYNND: I wish I was going too..you're going to have so much fun..remember..hugs all around! :)
TINA: I hope your daughter is all right..she's such a sweetheart...and so young to be going through this. {{hugs}} to her and her friend..
ReplyDeleteBEAR: I so hate that word..I can't write..could you see what you CAN come up with..sheesh... ;)
ReplyDelete40..cuz I wish I was...
ReplyDeleteSTOP laughing GOLDIE!! :D
well....speaking of pure...I am back to tell yall..I was going to give myself a perm tonight....but I am having some vertigo.....I hate it because this wig stinks....may be the vertigo will pass.....
ReplyDeleteZona: I do recall that you hate the word "dilation"!
ReplyDeleteYou doth protest too much, methinks. Does this aversion have anything to do with Randy?
I was once with an Amish farmer, walking through his field, when he noticed a man kneeling down and cupping a hand to drink from the farm pond.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish farmer shouts, “Trink das wasser nicht. Die kuhen haben dahingesheissen.” (Which means: ‘Don’t drink the water, the cows shit in it’.)
The kneeling man shouts back, angrily, “I’m a Muslim, I don’t understand you... I speak Arabic and English. If you can’t speak in the sacred tongue of Islam, speak to me in English.”
The Amish farmer replies, ‘Use two hands, you’ll get more.
Hardie Har Har, DeeDee! How does your brain think of this stuff??
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Gloria! It sounds like you're in the business of having grandbabies. Maybe they're easier, but sheesh! So many!
DeeDee, you um, look...
ReplyDeleteI'm still thinkin'....
ReplyDeleteFresh!
ReplyDeleteI don't know this first hand; just from an acquaintance from PA.. He claims that the boys on Rum Runner or whatever you call it, get pretty rowdy. I was under the impression that that Rum thing was only an option for boys; Do the girls do it, too?
ReplyDeleteWhab, will we be meeting Delta next week?
ReplyDeleteHappy 1 Tina.. but you cheaqted..
ReplyDeleteMo..
ReplyDeleteGreat blog..and I think you are 100ptct correct.. familiarity. I could not live without any modern
convenience's I will freely admit that. I am so familiar with all that I have that I am so used to it. But its just the same with the Amish they are familiar with what they have, and they are also used to the way they live.. and it is amazing how they thrive and make do. The nearest Amish community from me is in PA, I have never been, but I know its there.. I actually love the way they dress, so simple.. again, great blog!
Tina..
Loved the movie Witness..
Tina cheaqted? Never! Not our Tina!
ReplyDeleteGloria..
ReplyDeleteWelcome to night owls, my name is Carol also know as cpgem8. Glad you stopped by, and hope to see you again. You are surly welcome here. Sounds like you have a very busy family life, and congrats on the upcoming arrival of your newest granddaughter..
Bonacci..
ReplyDeleteHmm.. are we talking about the same Tina?
Waving @ Tina, DeeDee, J/L, Lynn, Zona, Whabby, Goldie..
ReplyDeleteZona..
Loved your "branch" welcome..
Dee,
ReplyDeleteIt seems you gave Eunice a perm, and one of those tight ones.. It actually looks like it hurts.. I like her scarf tho..
Dee,
ReplyDeleteI had forgotten about those shootings, that was awful..
Lynn...
ReplyDeleteHappy packing... how fun, when do you leave?
J/L..
ReplyDeleteWow your are smart.. :O)
Whabby..
I think you have found your counterpart in J/L..
Ok.. going home.. bbl..
ReplyDeleteCarol,
ReplyDeleteThank you for the welcome. Yes, when everyone is here, I try to find a quiet corner. My oldest grandson is 19, 6'3" just starting college and my youngest is my first granddaughter that just started school this year. For the last 5 years she was my daily partner. Sooooooo, right now I am adjusting to the big change in my life. I am missing her walking through the door in the morning, with her bag of toys that we are going to play with. lol
Tina, what do you call that new look Eunice is sporting? Excited Bottlebrush?
ReplyDelete63
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ReplyDeletepencil that in would ya Shirley?
ReplyDeleteWelcome Gloria~
I have some catching up to do....be back later tonite.
Hiya Kgrl! I sent you a message, then FB farted.
ReplyDeleteBonach LMAO @ Excited Bottlebrush!
ReplyDeleteCarol No, not hardly!
Kgrl You managed to swoop in at an opportune time. :)
No hair dryer??? That is blasphamy!! And why is propane ok but electricity is not?? ija...
ReplyDeleteToday is day 2 of a nasty headache, but at least the screen is not shimmying around like a topless dancer tonight.
I need to go soak my head, hope you all have a wonderful evening!
Good evening feathered friends!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments on the blog today. I was watching 20/20 last week as they did a story on Rumspringa and all of a sudden the blog poured out!!
CHI CHI... yes, girls do it also. And they get WILD!! I think they get even more wild then the boys! In our local community, there are people that go to the bars and book their rides home and when the bars close, they drive the drunken Amish girls home. They charge a fortune, but the girls gladly pay it after they had passed out in a field on their way home one time!!
There are also a lot of DUI offenses as a lot of the kids try and drive their buggies after a night of drinking.
GLORIA...welcome to the nest. I hope you visit often, play along and maybe even contribute a blog along the way. Some people here call me "MO" or "MOWEENIE". Welcome!
LYNN...have a wonderful time this weekend! And have safe travels. {{HUGS}}
JUST LIN...are you and LANI going to the BBQ?
DEE DEE...that was hilarious!
MO Sadly, no. I'm having all of my remaining teeth (14 on the bottom) pulled tomorrow. Needless to say I will not be in any shape for a BBQ, or anything else, for that matter. I don't know if I will be up for a visit here in the nest tomorrow night, or not. Maybe.....I will be on pain killers, after all. I am starting on tranquilizers tonight as I really, really hate the shots in the mouth. I have had trouble with my teeth and gums all my life and this has been put off for as long as it possibly can be. Maybe I will drug blog tomorrow night. Ha!
ReplyDeleteBear Please don't give me any more math problems tomorrow night. It's hard enough when I'm not on drugs. LOL
ReplyDeleteJUST LIN...I'm sorry about your dental issues. I hope it isn't too painful for you. And please do "drug blog"!!!!
ReplyDeleteScrish, I'm sorry to hear about your headache. It is quite possibly the worst pain possible because everything you do hurts.
ReplyDeleteJust_Lin; Eek! The rest of your teeth? Will you get new ones?
Gloria, what kind of perverse life do you live that you came to know Whab? Whatever it is, you're among friends.
ReplyDeleteBonach Dentures, unfotunately. We've always known this was coming and the time is now. I inherited my dental genes from my mom. She had all her's out when she was about 40.
ReplyDeleteOh, Mo, your blog was so beautiful. I too have been in awe of the Amish way of life. Our town has off shoot from the Amish faith and I try so hard not to stare when I see them in public.
ReplyDeleteI just love their clothes. I'm so in awe of their simple life and wish I could get my family back to the basics.
Scirish...
ReplyDeleteSorry about the headache, they can be awful when they linger..
J/L..
I will be thinking about you tomorrow.. check in if you can..
Mo...
Seriously, they get DUI for driving the buggies?
I am off to bed..
ReplyDeletec u all tomorrow..
Nite!
Sweet dreams,
ReplyDeleteJ/LIN: Good luck today..I'll be thinking about you..please check in when you can.. :)
ReplyDeleteMorning Glories!
ReplyDeleteDon't know if I will have time to post on the new blog so I am waving at all of you this morning.
J/L I am so sorry you will not be at the bbq :( I had high hopes to meet you! I am will be thinking about you all day. You know how much I love the the dentist.
You and Dianne both are in my thoughts as I am can almost feel your pain! Makes me want to run through the room screaming EeeeeeeK!
Tina I hope Lil Sis is doing better today. I am sending (((Hugs))) her way. There is nothing more painful than realizing that someone your parents age can pass away in the blink of an eye and the pain is doubled when it is a close friend who is now without a parent.
Ok Sending (((Hugs))) and kisses to everyone! Oh by the way I read about the Mexico Hi-Jacker and if anyone I mean anyone, in my line says they have been talking to God or heard God, or had whispers from God before this flight. I am getting out of line and running like Flo-Jo for the next exit!