Not “Amish”, but quite entertaining nonetheless. Kevin Roberts, “Friend” to some and “Quaker” to others, writes a nice blog at quakerthink.
In his latest post, Kevin surveys the transportation options available to him on his isolated Ohio homestead, and had me chuckling as he described Dude, the twenty-five dollar donkey that may be worth even less, and the one-holer convenience outhouse that comes in handy on long walks in the country. Kevin apparently drives truck, but would like to find feasible alternative transport, and takes interest in Amish neighbors, whose horse-drawn transport does the job just dandy.
Conclusion: Kevin’s “leaning Amish” and may sign up for the buggy plan, but doesn’t sound like he’s sold just yet. In another post, Kevin shares some choice been-there-done-that wisdom:
…one of the things that I recommend to any potential Husband who is contemplating a life spent on dirt roads far away from town is to work out a deal with a Wife. Not just any Wife, because not just any Wife will do. There are very specific and very difficult aspects of this sort of lifestyle, and yoking to just any Wife that comes along and expresses a desire to live forever with an outdoor toilet is likely to result in unforeseen incompatibilities.
The Wife-finding guide which follows is a gut-buster, while revealing the deep respect Kevin seems to have for his own. If you’ve got a moment, have a look at this humorous and insightful blog.
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6 responses to Quakers in the Country
Sounds quite interesting so off I go to have a look!
He is hilarious! I only read the first post but can’t wait to go read more. Even if you just read his profile, it’s a crack-up. Thanks for the new find and have a Merry Christmas if you don’t post before then ~ ☺
Hey Erik-
So here you are. A strange small world it is, I think. The Amish in my neighborhood are mostly Swartzentrubers, with some Beachy folks to the south. We Quakers abandoned the plain witness about 100 years ago, so I get my hats from Lena Yoder across the highway. Very few of us are non-electric, but it’s not unheard of.
Quakers and Anabaptists share the peace church foundation, and also the believer’s church structure (when we do it right). Theologically we’re more left wing. But not all the Amish around me are so sure.
Jake Weaver once asked, “You’re one of those Quaker-Amish, right?”
The answer is no. But it’s the right question to ask.
Quakers in the Country
He ought to read Scott Savage’s books. Savage is a convert Quaker in Ohio who, along with his wife and multiple children, follows the “old paths”, including horse drawn transportation and no electricity. Savage was living near Barnesville, OH for a while, but I believe is living near Mansfield now, where he was (is?) working as a librarian for the University.
Amish in Belmont and Guernsey County, Ohio
Thanks everyone for commenting and a special thanks to you Kevin for stopping by the blog, I am glad that folks have enjoyed yours, I certainly have myself. Did a quick check and looks there is a settlement of 2 districts in Belmont County, listed as ‘Barnesville’ by David Luthy, as well as 2 settlements at Guernsey County to your east, it looks like, Quaker City/Salesville which you mention, and one at Middlebourne, both small settlements as well.
Matthew appreciate the mention of Scott Savage, am aware of him but unfortunately haven’t had a chance to read him yet.
Quakers in the Country
Scott Savage is the reason I’m a Quaker, which is a debt I will never be able repay. He created and published Plain Magazine, the last publication in the world set by hand in movable type. Very, very ambitious.
He’s also written The Plain Reader, a book of excerpts from the magazine, and A Plain Life, somewhat autobiographical.
He presents an interesting commentary on the Anabaptists, as seen from the perspective of a non-electric plain Quaker. The similarities and the differences make for thought-provoking reading.
Quakers in the Country
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