I have not forgotten you, my dear readers. I have been working, almost exclusively, on my Fulbright proposal for the past few weeks. I am using the Nielson Library at Smith College more than I used to when I was a student there. It is amazing how quiet it is there in the summertime. I love that library! Every time […]
Many issues arise between the intersection between the Amish culture and the mainstream culture because the values are so different. This often means that the Amish are granted exemptions from laws that they feel infringe on their religious beliefs or practices. Culturally, the Amish tend to be in touch with the precariousness of life and they believe that when our
On Sunday, David and I felt a little stir crazy from being around the house so much. He developed a blood clot in his leg several days after his surgery, which slowed his healing process quite a bit. He is now on blood thinner to deal with the clot and he is doing physical therapy exercises to regain the range
A Visit with Amish in Vermont Read More »
In my last blog post, I gave links to several sacred chants from around the world and I promised to give more, which is what I'm doing now. I love finding universal traditions in such diverse traditions as these unaccompanied chants. I hope you enjoy them. If you have favorites in the ones I posted last time or in this
Sacred Chants from around the World, Part 2 Read More »
Several weeks ago, I shared a link to an Amish wedding chant. Elva Bontrager, a reader and a former Amish person, introduced me to Gaelic Psalm singing in Scotland. Since then I have listened to this and one other recording of this amazing singing at the Back Free Church on the Isle of Lewis too many times to count. And
Sacred Chants from around the World Read More »
David had his surgery a week ago on Wednesday. The surgeon said that David really "blew his knee apart." Not only did the surgeon have to reattach the patellar tendon, he also had to repair the tendons on both sides of David's leg. The physician's estimate is that it will take David at least six months to heal, given it
