I found my self reluctant to leave Lancaster county and the Amish. For me, they exude a calm that was very pleasant to experience.
I am reminded of my years in school where reading those poets who rue the loss of the pastoral life. I understood intellectually the discussion that ensued, however I never felt their words; that is until today.
I cannot even express the charm I see in the life the Amish live. I realize that it requires sacrifice on their part. Every choice comes with consequences. Equally, part of me felt that I had crossed a border to another country. I was now the stranger, not understanding the customs or language. It was me that stood out by the way I dressed, acted and spoke.
I had met last year, while in California, Mennonites who had moved to Modesto at the beginning of the 19th century and are still working the same farms.
It is hard to post when the band width is so small. this happens often when traveling; but I am sometimes surprised. I would not expect narrow band width in Washington DC.
I started out with one idea for today’s post and ended up with another. I would likely be the odd man out at Burning Man; but it does have appeal.
I was last in Atlantic City about 30 years ago. Today the same empty lots are empty. That said, it appears the city is cleaner than it was during my last visit 30 years ago. I think the really bad parts of town were torn down and replaced by a casino; which will now be closed and hence derelict; i.e., returned to their former state.
Atlantic City is not on any direct route to anywhere; you really have to go there. Forunately I wanted to visit Lucy the elephant in Margate.
Probably the first time I heard of the Oregon Trail was a western movie. It was much later before I heard about the Oregon Trail in school; and it was this summer I actually saw it.
Quickly done and I should wait to publish it; however I am rather pleased with the way it is coming together. I will post a finished copy later.
One of those vignettes of life. We were to meet Stefan at a coffee shop in Silverlake in Los Angeles. We arrived a little early; I dropped Bernadette and went to park the car. When I arrived at the coffee shop Bernadette had already engaged someone in conversation. The woman had a dog named “Emily”. While the coffee shop had a dog friendly policy there was a man who clearly was disturbed by Emily; especially when she became excited over the attention she was getting. I suggested I take Emily for a walk to let her calm down. When I returned with Emily, it was clear that Stefan was in another part of the coffee shop and we had not seen him. However one of Stefan’s friends saw me walking Emily and said: “Isn’t that your father? and does he have a dog? ”
