How do Amish deal with special needs children? We’ve often had questions here about how Amish approach individuals with disabilities, and children in particular. I confess the meaning of “special needs” has never been totally clear to me. From what I understand it can cover a broad variety of situations, from moderate learning issues to much more severe handicaps. English society attaches a stigma to…
“Are they accurate?” In Thrill of the Chaste, Valerie Weaver-Zercher observes that the question of factual accuracy was the most frequently asked of her during her research. It’s one which, she explains in a late chapter of the book, she was reluctant, for various reasons, to address. She does cover the issue in much depth, though. One quote in support of Amish fiction authors: Many…
You might have heard something about the Amish that made you wonder, “now where did that come from?” Myths are typically the child of a grain of truth…and a lot of imagination. We want explanations for things that puzzle us. When they’re not forthcoming, people fill in the blanks. And sometimes the things they come up with are, frankly, bizarre. Below, three Amish myths I’ve…
In a previous post on Amish wall decor, reader Kate had this to say on visiting an Amish friend’s home: I realized that I could see six picture calendars from where I was sitting in the kitchen [featuring] horses, barns, lighthouses, bluebirds, and wildflowers. It’s true, as Kate’s example suggests, that Amish are partial to calendars. Amish generally don’t display art for its own sake….
Family Life, in print since 1968, is one of the most widely-read Amish publications (circulation for 2010 was a reported 31,000). You won’t find Family Life in all Amish homes, but you will in many, if not a majority of Amish households. One of the most interesting parts of the periodical is a regular feature called “The Problem Corner”. It’s essentially an advice column where…
If you were looking for Amish fiction in, say 2002 or 2004, your choice would have been limited to a handful of selections, most by Beverly Lewis or Wanda Brunstetter. Today, you can have your pick of over 60 authors, and well over 250 titles. In the opening pages of Thrill of the Chaste: The Allure of Amish Romance Novels, Valerie Weaver-Zercher describes the rapid…
Returning to the Rules of a Godly Life devotional, from Part Two (“Words”), rule # 11: You cannot have disputes and divisions with fellow humans and still have peace with God. If you love God, you must also love your fellow men, because God has commanded it. Short and sweet, but one of the hardest to take to heart? ~ Some Amish observe Easter Monday…
A good, comfortable seat is nothing to sneeze at. The more so since we sit so much nowadays, be it for work, in the car, or just using a computer. I’ve lately been contemplating a new swivel chair for my desk. The one I’m sitting on as I write this post is a bit thin on the cushion. My back lets me know about this…
Pinecraft in Sarasota, Florida is a place where Amish and Mennonites like to congregate in the colder months. If you’re Amish and traveling to Pinecraft, there’s a good chance you’ll hop on a bus such as that operated by Pioneer Trails. The company makes regular runs from Ohio and Indiana from September to July. For Pennsylvanians, Elite Coach provides service from January to March. Heading…
Amish in Hardin County, Ohio are embroiled in an outhouse controversy that’s been percolating for the past year (more details here). Amish are balking at requirements that new homes have a “proper well”, paid waste removal, and septic system. Common practice in this community is to spread outhouse waste on the fields. Health and environmental concerns are the reasons given for enforcement. Interestingly, old homes…