The simpler life, the Amish.

[mrsilv04]

Was riding the motorcycle through Amish country this morning, and come across an Amishman planting wheat, using a drill on steel wheels, pulling it with a 6 horse hitch.

I could have pulled off the road and watched that for about a half hour.

I would have loved to have gotten a picture... but they're just not big on pictures. I know that it likely wouldn't have mattered from the distance that I was at, but I feel it is more important to be polite, and to defer and honor their traditions.

This local group of Amish aren't as strict as some. The rules that this particular group of Amish is seem to me to be contradictory at times. They have recently embraced large solar panels and LED lights on their homesteads, and have flashing LED warning lights on their buggies and bicycles. They can have diesel powered skid-steers to clean the poop out the dairy barn, but they can't have a tractor to plant or harvest the crops (this MUST be done using horses). They can have a gas powered lawn mower to cut the grass in the yard, but it must be a walk behind (it can't be ridden). Many times you will see the Amish youth cutting the grass while barefoot.

I have seen in other states, when the Amish can have modern diesel tractors, but they have old-school steel wheels mounted on them. It seems that they've put the steel wheel restriction in so that the tractor cannot be driven for any distance, nor can it be used on the roads.
There are other Amish groups that are so strict that they don't even allow the use of bicycles. Bicycles!!! Bicycles are a staple for transportation in this local group. Bicycles are everywhere.

While this is still an "old order" group, they seem to be fairly progressive, as to what the local bishops and their rules are allowing them to have.

I find the whole Amish way and lifestyle to be fascinating.

 

[Zee09]

Yup I deal with them daily.....

 

[Zee09]

 

[BHopkins]

When I lived in Kentucky, there was an Amish community that was across the Ohio River, South of Cave in Rock, IL. Their major source of income was hand made furniture, and they made some beautiful furniture, specializing in inlaid tables. They had a general store off the highway, which included a furniture store.

I always found it curious how they decided what modern technology to embrace. The sawmill and woodshop used electricity. And I saw tractors and forklifts outside the woodshop. But the general store, right next to the sawmill operations, which was staffed by the women and daughters, had no electricity. It used kerosene lanterns for light, and a battery operated calculator for checking out customers. None of the homes had electricity running to them.

It definitely seems like a life free of all the hassles of modern conveniences, that the rest of us rely on. No worries if the internet goes down, and you can't stream your favorite programming.

 

[skyactiv]

The builder for my home used both Amish and Mennonite subs. The Amish were dropped off and picked up in a van and the Mennonites drove.

 

[dishdude]

No thanks.

 

[AutoMechanic]

Amish lifestyle is awesome and the people are always so friendly and welcoming. When I was younger we went up to Amish Country Pennsylvania and there was this amazing Amish family who invited us for dinner when we met at a produce stand and their son hand forged a horseshoe and painted it red right at their house in their setup and gave it to me as a souvenir. I thought that was pretty neat. And it was so interesting to go in their house with no lights or anything just doors open and natural lighting. It is amazing how they do it. I would love to have that simple of a life. After we left my dad was like I’m glad that’s over with because I couldn’t go any longer without my phone but I thought it was great to take a break from everything and enjoy the slow pace of life for a day.

 

[walterjay]

Yup I deal with them daily.....

Same here. My supermarket has a hitching post for the horses.

I live about 45 minutes from the largest group of Amish in the states.

 

[Drifter]

Grew up in NW Pennsylvania. Always had a deep respect for the Amish.

 

[Kira]

I feel the level of mechanization of the "empty nest / sized-out-of-scale" farms and communities they buy heavily effects the lifestyle boundary decisions they make. I suppose pragmatism is the word. I say this after grazing elbows with Amish and like sects in 6 states throughout my life.

I always prayed their apparent omission of dental care didn't cause 'em pain.

 

[walterjay]

My garage was built by Amish.

 

[wavinwayne]

I've never had any interaction with any Amish folks, but I've seen video of them raising a barn. It is something to behold.

 

[walterjay]

Certain ones are not big on hygiene. At an Amish stand this summer I was almost knocked over by the smell. A barn would have smelled better.

 

[racer12306]

I deal with the regularly on the roads, not much in person. The toughest part is winding roads through Pennsylvania, either coming around a curve and bam theres a buggy or trying to find a safe spot to pass them since PA isn't very big on shoulders.

View attachment 302341

Have you seen the front engine dragster at that house. He's been trying to sell it for a couple years. Had a blown small block in it until this year. It just came across my marketplace feed and he wants $14k without the engine.

 

[Zee09]

I deal with the regularly on the roads, not much in person. The toughest part is winding roads through Pennsylvania, either coming around a curve and bam theres a buggy or trying to find a safe spot to pass them since PA isn't very big on shoulders.





Have you seen the front engine dragster at that house. He's been trying to sell it for a couple years. Had a blown small block in it until this year. It just came across my marketplace feed and he wants $14k without the engine.

Yes he usually has several vehicles for sale. Last year he sold a Bentley.

 

[ecotourist]

We spent two weekends on a Hutterite colony. Nice people. A friend was a school teacher there. They asked about us for years afterwards.

The Hutterites have the best of modern equipment but otherwise lead a simple life, dress in an old style, and don't believe in education beyond about grade 8. They drive vehicles suitable for large groups.

 

[AZjeff]

This might have been posted before but it's still amazing:

 

[goblin]

One thing I know about the Amish - in the immediate aftermath of the West Nickel Mines shooting, when a sick lowlife (who was also their neighbor) shot a whole class of Amish girls, members of the Amish community immediately went to the shooter's house to comfort his family and pray for him. They also attended his funeral. Whole 'nother level.

 

[AZjeff]

The Amish in the part of NW Pennsylvania where I grew up and lived for 48 years still live a very simple lifestyle. Last I knew still no electricity or telephones on the property, no motorized machines, no rubber tires. Interestingly it was okay to lease a spot of ground by the road just across the property line, have a pole put in and have a telephone. They'd work at construction, in sawmills, etc and run the equipment and drive the forklifts. They'd build garages, sheds, etc for English and would hire someone with a van to pick them up and take them home. It was fact that there was no wild game to be found within walking distance of a young boy around an Amish property and they didn't have hunting seasons. They married early and had kids until there was a problem that broke the process. Children were born at home unless a problem came up then off to the hospital with no insurance. A pediatric nurse I knew wasn't happy with the situation they'd see over and over. I knew a number of people who lived near or next to an Amish farm and it could be a challenge. There's always more to the story than you get driving by or visiting "Amish country" Pa.

It's amazing they're able to keep their beliefs and lifestyle intact.

 

[goblin]

Their use of technology is basically about not allowing them to get soft, to keep it simple. Technology that makes things too easy and comfrotable is avoided. Also - technology that comes from the outside. For example, electricity coming from the power grid would be a no, but coming from local solar panels can be a why not. Engines running on natural gas are sometimes ok.

Then, there's the ownership of technology. Most will not own cars, but hiring a cab for a longer trip is ok. As long as it's out of the ordinary enough to not become an easy habit.