Smitten By a Country Maiden

It is no secret that my husband, David, and I are collaborating on a sequel to Why I Left the Amish. For the next several days, we will be posting excerpts of how we met at the YWCA in Burlington, Vermont. I was a new resident there after leaving the Amish, and David was playing…

Read More

The Little Village Giveaway

This giveaway is designed for people who have read my book. The winner will be able to choose three buildings for their own little village from those pictured below. These were handcrafted by my husband, David. To view a bigger image, click on the picture. From left to right: Large church, barn, covered bridge, colonial…

Read More

Giveaway of a Copy of “Why I Left the Amish”

Would you like to win an autographed copy of my memoir, Why I Left the Amish, complete with an eco-friendly fabric gift bag? If so, please link to my blog from your website, blog, Facebook, or Twitter, then come back and let me know how I can find the link. For every link I find,…

Read More

Angels along My Way — “Megan” Part II

It was through Megan that I was able to connect with a county social worker, which gave me hope that I would be able to have someone intervene on my siblings and my behalf. That did not work out, which led me to making the decision to leave. I knew I needed help, and so…

Read More

Interviews…

Tonight I am going to interrupt my “Angels along My Way” series to make a few announcements. Today I was interviewed for a local radio station by Daria Fisk, on her program called “Various Voices.” She hopes to air the program tomorrow, Wednesday, February 9,  from 2:00 to 3:00 PM, and then rebroadcast it on…

Read More

Angels along My Way — “Megan” Part I

There came a time in my late teens when I often felt I had no advocates — I literally felt there was no one I could turn to when the violence in my home became unbearable. There was a shroud of secrecy around the violence, as there often is within dysfunctional families. I did not…

Read More

Angels along My Way — Olin Clara, Part II

The tribute that I wrote back in August actually fits nicely after the one I posted yesterday, which puts this next excerpt from my book in context: I continued to go to Olin Clara’s house on Saturdays for several years. I learned her methods of baking pies and cookies, and I learned through her appreciation…

Read More

Angels along My Way — Olin Clara, Part I

Today I start my series called “Angels along My Way.” I am starting with “Olin Clara.” In the Amish community, women get their husbands’ names before their own. I would be known as “David Saloma” if I were still in the community. For a tribute to Olin Clara, that I wrote back in August, click…

Read More

The February Deal

It is time to reveal the February deal. For the month of February, I am offering a free handcrafted, reusable eco-friendly fabric gift bag with the purchase of my book at the full price of $19.95 plus $2.05 for shipping for the first book. I am offering free shipping and a free gift bag for…

Read More

The Numbers — of Women versus Men Who Leave the Amish

One of the questions asked at my talk this past weekend was whether there are more women than men who leave the Amish. I didn’t actually know the answer to this gentleman’s question, but I decided to find out.I have a book called “Ohio Amish Directory; Geauga County and Vicinity,” that lists all the Amish…

Read More