Uncategorized
The Juncture of Three Cultures
Ever since I’ve gotten to know Anna Miller, the young woman who lives with us, I’ve said that the difference between her Swartzentruber community and the Amish community where I came from is about as great as the difference between my community and the outside world. In fact, Anna’s group called anyone who is not…
Read MoreThe Amish, Misunderstood Again
Many of the misconceptions of the Amish come about because someone misunderstands their ways and then imposes their values on the Amish. This is how the misconception of “rumspringa” became so widespread… the people making a documentary The Devil’s Playground misconstrued the idea of what “rumpspringa” is all about. Now the misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the…
Read MoreLanguage and Thought
Does language influence thought or do thoughts influence language? Or both? These are questions I had debated in a linguistics class at Smith College several years ago. Now these questions come to mind again because of the young woman living with us who is adjusting to the English world. And in this case I mean…
Read MoreFrom a Farm Boy to the Outer Limits of a University Education — Meet Henry Troyer
Because of the publicity that I’ve received for both my memoir and the PBS American Experience film “The Amish” that I was featured in, I occasionally receive emails from people who have read or heard my story and want to let me know how they’ve related to it. Very often these people have an Amish…
Read MoreNovember Transitions
Thirty-five years ago tonight my life changed irrevocably. At this time of the night that many years ago, I had just donned my first “English” clothes, had the first haircut in my life; and I was about to be driven to the train station to take a night train out of Cleveland. Thirty-two years ago…
Read MoreThe Ramifications of Wisconsin v. Yoder, Part 4
Here is another segment of my paper. I have put in bold the arguments I find the most compelling. Professor Joel Feinberg assessed this case. Like Justice Heffernan, he understood the intricacies involved. First he acknowledged the case for the exemption: The case for the exemption was a strong one. The Amish sincerity is beyond…
Read MoreIn Our Backyard
There is no surer sign of the seasons changing than that of birds migrating. David and I have had the privilege of living in homes on migratory routes. Once, while we were living in Fairfax, Vermont, we had our windows open for the first time in early June. At supper, I heard birds that were…
Read MoreAutumn Memories and Pumpkin Pie
My house smells like autumn right now. I made my first pumpkin pie of the season today. I took the recipe off my own website and realized when I tasted the pie filling that I had adapted a two-pie recipe to one, all except for the molasses — Drats! When everything is right, pumpkin pie…
Read MoreMy Book’s on Sale!
Thank you to those who let me know that it was difficult to leave comments on my blog. I have corrected that situation, so you don’t have to type those indecipherable letters/words just to be allowed to leave a comment. Since I’ve done this, I’ve been getting a lot of solicitations, which always start out…
Read MoreRebecca Questions Answered 2
Stephanie Reed wrote: Has Rebecca had a chance to begin attending a Bible-believing church since she left? I believe that’s a hugely important step in her journey, one that will provide a whole community of support in addition to yours, not to mention setting her on a path to healing. Rebecca has chosen not to…
Read More