Book Preface “Unearthing the Secrets” now online

The full Chapter 1 excerpt of Success Made Simple has already been available online here.  Today, I’ve gotten permission to share one last bit–the preface, where I describe the story behind the book.  Hope you enjoy it. Unearthing the Secrets I pull my truck into the drive, unsure whether to continue. It’s midafternoon, and I’m down on my numbers for the day, so I decide…

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The Amish and Easter Monday

Judging by my email inbox and the lack of traffic on the roads, today, Easter Monday, is a day off for a number of us. Amish Religious Holidays What holidays do Amish observe? And how does that affect the work schedule? In Amish Enterprise, Donald Kraybill and Steven Nolt write that in Lancaster County, “Church members faithfully recognize Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, And Christmas. …

At an Amish youth singing

Last Sunday I attended an Amish youth singing in Lancaster County. What follows is a short account. Youth practices may vary from community to community. Not all Amish youth follow the pattern described below. In some communities, such as Holmes County, Ohio, not all youth are members of so-called “singing groups” (those who aren’t are more likely to be among the wilder youth). Amish youth…

Unusual Amish Businesses: The Amish iPod Shop

Recently, while in Lancaster County, I visited one of the most unusual Plain businesses I’ve come across. Two enterprising brothers have created a business destination that one would hardly expect to see in an Amish community. But with the increasing openness of Amish to technological solutions, I suppose it was just a matter of time until a shop supplying the Apple iPhone and iPod, and other…

Checking in on the kero-net from Lancaster County

Hi everyone, and thanks for all the feedback on the semi-controversial book video.  I meant to post something from here in Lancaster County much sooner, but funny thing, every Amish home I visit claims their Wi-Fi connection is down.  Frustrating. As I’m on some dodgy illicit kerosene-powered land line tucked away in a tobacco barn right now, and I don’t know how much longer it…

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Big day

Today’s the big day.  My Amish business book is officially in stores, and if you’ve ordered, it should be shipping by now.  Many thanks! If you enjoy it, please tell a friend.  I appreciate all the support! Will be doing some speaking in the weeks to come, on radio and in person.  Exciting. Also, there will be some print media coverage as well, starting with…

Delaware Amish buggy

Rick shares a pair of photos from a Dover, Delaware Amish auction.  This first shot gives you an idea of what legroom is like in the back of a buggy.  Anyone ridden in something like this before?  Not too roomy. Rick also notes that the Dover buggies have a whip holder at the front, creating an unusual “antenna” look, which you’ll notice in the picture…

Amish business – Daviess County, Indiana

Amish business – Daviess County, Indiana

“When the English get something, it’ll come to us somewhere down the line.” So says an Amish old-timer in a recent article on Amish businesses in Daviess County, Indiana, entitled “For the Amish, primary currency is hard work” (http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/mar/06/for-the-amish-primary-currency-is-hard-work/). Taken by itself, he could be talking about technology or, say, the common cold.  But in this case, the Amishman is referring to the economy.  How…