Posts by Saloma Furlong
Heath Fair and Introducing “Rebecca”
So last Sunday was the Heath Fair. I ate no fried dough, I stayed away from cotton candy (what I think of as colored steel wool), and I took no rides. For me it was fun to walk around and see the people, hear authors speaking in the authors’ tent, listen to music, see the…
Read MoreAmish Manners
“Dave” emailed me these comments and questions in regard to Amish humor. I’m glad you posted this. Just Saturday evening, we had supper with a young Old Order family which we recently befriended. After supper, Elena washed the dishes while Amos and his children retired to the living room. We enjoyed light conversation with some…
Read MoreThe Heath Fair
When I lived in Burton, Ohio I knew that the Geauga County Fair happened every year. Some of the Amish youth went to it and had fun there, but it was supposed to be off limits for the us. I was a goody-two-shoes, so I never went there. Here is a photo that "proves" the…
Read MoreAn Amish Handshake
One of the little-known facts about the Amish in general (and I’m sure there are exceptions, given there is such diversity among the Amish) is that they are not demonstrative in their affections. In my home community, hugging and kissing was just never done as a way of greeting people or saying good-bye. Handshakes were…
Read MoreAmish Humor
Lindsae wrote: My questions is about humor in Amish culture. Do Amish people appreciate things like satire, sarcasm, etc.? Do children and families tell jokes, sing funny songs, and pull harmless pranks on one another? Do they use humor as a way to diffuse tension, deal with grief, or make people feel better? Lindsae, the Amish…
Read MoreAnswering Questions
Bonnie wrote: I found your book very moving. You have certainly embraced this new life and I am very happy for you. My question (feel free to not answer if this will cause you trouble with your Amish family) what punishment if any happened to your brother? Bonnie, while I was in the community, my…
Read MoreYour Questions
Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning. ~ Albert Einstein It has been a while since I offered this, and I know many of you have signed up recently to my blog. So, I would like to offer to answer your questions in my…
Read MoreWhat Are You Now?
The problem of sanctity and salvation is in fact the problem of finding out who I am and of discovering my true self. ~ Thomas Merton Last week I delivered my 111th author talk since my book was published. (I love the symmetry of the fact that there were 111 people at the talk.) There is…
Read MoreWho’s Driving this Buggy?
The other day, David and I were driving east on Route 340 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I was talking with David when I caught quite a sight out of the corner of my eye. We’d met a buggy driven by a man with a long gray beard that was blowing in the wind. Right next to…
Read MoreA Crash of Cultures
Nowhere is the clash of cultures between the Amish and the mainstream so apparent as it is on the road. There was another car and buggy accident on June 27 as reported here. The driver of the Ford truck that crashed into the buggy was apparently not under the influence and it is not reported…
Read More