I Learned; He Learned

As you're reading this, my home is again "home" to another Amish runaway. He's young, inexperienced in many ways, eager to please, and a delight to foster. His name is Monroe.

I walked into my kitchen one morning just in time to see Monroe . . . removing my new metal skillet from the microwave.

"What'd you just do?" I asked, fearing his answer.

Amish Book and Blog Update

Updates! As promised, here's what's going on with my work in progress (WIP); an Amish nonfiction book, and this blog.

My book details our "adoption" and life with son Mosie, stories of Amish Gma, their Anabaptist heritage, tales of others who've left Amish, and much more. Two publishers were looking at my book proposal (bp) but one politely and graciously passed. The second is taking its sweet time deciding to buy it or not. Having been in the writing industry for 20 years, I understand the complexities of traditional publishers; I realize they take a bp to Committee, and I acknowledge the slow-turning wheels but, frankly, the increasing demand for truth and authenticity about the Amish leaves me wondering why this publisher is letting a good thing lie dormant. "Ride the wave," I want to say, "Buy the manuscript and let's get this book in readers' hands now!" I could self-publish and get my book into readers' hands within months but, I'll try patiently working the traditional route first.

One of the reasons I launched this blog was in response to the demand for reality vs romanticism. Since its December launch, more than 16,400 people have visited! Some hits come from Germany, Italy, Denmark, Russia, Canada, Poland, Japan, as well as the good ole USA. The most popular post, Amish Sex Education (you won't read that in a fiction book), hit 2,651 readers, and the growing list of blog subscribers prove that the public - curious about the Amish - want informative and accurate facts.

Amish Pucker UP

Bet you aren’t aware of it. Those who yearn to imitate – or become – Amish, prepare to do it. For me, just knowing about the required act is enough.

There’s a “greet one another with a holy kiss” Bible verse (Romans 16:16). The verse is one of many the Amish use to mandate a behavior.

A Biblical scholar I am not, nor do I wish to debate the translation or context. I do believe what was meant, in the Apostle Paul's original letter, was referencing the common custom in his day; a kiss on the forehead, lips, or hand as a greeting, affection, or sign of respect. It’d be similar to us today saying, “Internet hugs,” or “Kisses to your family,” rather than a literal embrace or kiss.

Amish Push the Envelop

They have their rules. Infinite rules. Rules that don't make sense. Tradition. "It's our way," the elders say.

But many Amish I know creatively push the envelop! See what they can get away with before the line is crossed and the Bishop or Preacher comes calling. As some say, "before the black hat comes up the lane."

Mosie chuckled when he told me of homes where the no household electricity rule didn't include the barn, where Amish enjoyed lights and power tools. Harvey smiled when he told of the time he invented a buggy windshield by encasing it with clear plastic wrap.

I've met Swartzentruber Amish who've bought homes from English - with indoor plumbing - but kept promising the Bishop they'd remove that worldly convenience . . . or when they build a room addition they won't add electric and plumbing. Somehow that room addition is never built.

Are You Smarter than a Book Cover?

“I was brought up to believe that the only thing worth doing was to add to the sum of accurate information in the world,” said anthropologist, writer, and speaker Margaret Mead. Her quote resounds in my soul; guess that's why I blog about Amish - and those who leave - giving accurate information.

One screaming inaccuracy I see on fiction book covers is the well-groomed, attractive, side-glancing or provocative looking Amish gal with a wispy tuft of hair dangling from her white kapp.

Why wrong you ask?