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A Visit with Amish in Vermont
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…
Read MoreSacred Chants from around the World, Part 2
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…
Read MoreSacred Chants from around the World
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…
Read MoreA New Normal
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…
Read MoreWhen God Laughs
I often think of a saying I first heard from my friend, Monica Orr: "We make plans and God laughs." That is a very apt way of looking at our lives right now. David and I had planned to leave for Ohio this Friday, to attend my niece, Sarah Mast's, wedding. She is marrying her…
Read MoreBloggers Beware
First of all, I want to apologize to those who are subscribers that you received several notices from my blog today. I was purging my blog of any images that I don't remember where they came from. This system sends out notices whenever I update any blog posts that were created in the old system.…
Read MoreReflections about Traditions: Both Amish and Swiss
When the Koch family was here, I asked Miriam about several traditions that I have often associated with being unique to the Amish, at least as compared to the mainstream culture in this country. I am discovering that some of these are traditions carried over from the old country. Here are some of the discoveries…
Read MoreMy New Adopted Granddaughter
Her name is Hadassah. Look at that sweet face… wouldn't you have adopted her? Photo by Marco Koch The Koch family, who I wrote about in an earlier blog post, were visiting from Switzerland for nine days. The second day into the visit, I asked Hadassah, who is five, if I may adopt her as…
Read MoreWhen Amish become Martyrs
I felt compelled recently to writing an article about an issue that has arisen between a local law in Auburn, Kentucky and a group of Swartzentruber Amish. Two Amish men Amos Mast, and his son, have been arrested for not placing collection devices on their horses. They have refused to pay the fine, and now…
Read MoreA Tribute to Special Vermonter and his Family
Yesterday David and I drove up to Essesx Junction, Vermont for Leo Lalancette's 90th. birthday party. Those who have read Bonnet Strings, know about the family who "adopted" me when I had first left home and thought I wouldn't have anyone to spend Thanksgiving and Christmas with. It turns out I did. The Lalancettes welcomed…
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