“So you’re allowed to celebrate if you want to?”
Granny wasn’t sure what Marge was asking. Did she think the Amish needed permission to buy chocolates on Valentine’s Day? “When I told you we had a set of rules, they’re there to make sure we aren’t distracted from our plain way of living. You see how we live off the grind, like you call it.”
“You mean grid….you live off the grid.”
“Jah, we don’t have heating or electric bills. We don’t want to be dependent on anyone. Now, using a propane stove doesn’t give us a monthly bill.”
“So you don’t have to pay the English anything?”
“Jah, but we pay taxes on our property. School tax too, even though our kinner don’t use the English schools, and that’s hard to swallow sometimes, because we pay for our Amish schools and their teacher.” She turned to Marge. “Still want to look at this house?”
“Yes, I sure do. It’s bigger than I thought though. I wanted something the size of yours.”
“My house is a dawdyhaus. We lived in Roman’s house while raising the boys, but we don’t need all that room now. There’s one in back of this here farm, but it’s so small for a family.”
“Joe and I don’t want kids, so a smaller house would be better. “
Granny thought she was hearing things. “Did you say you don’t want kinner?”
“We have dogs. They’re like kids. Kids are expensive and the world’s so messed up, I don’t want to bring any into it. Anyhow, since you shared your age, I’ll share mine. I’m in my thirties and think it’s too late for kids.”
“It’s not too late, and kinner are a blessing from the Lord. How can a dog be like a kid?”
Marge put her head down. “Well, we don’t make much money, and feel we can’t afford kids to be totally honest. But, I told Joe, if we live off the grid, we might be able to afford one. Once I hit forty, I think it’s too risky having kids.”
“So you want a small house so you can have kinner?” Granny asked.
Marge looked at Granny fondly. “I don’t know why I told you that. It’s hard to share my feelings, but I feel like I’ve known you a long time. “She took the car keys out of the ignition. “Yes, I do want a child and if I can show Joe we can afford it, I know he’d want one too.”
A smile spread across Granny’s face. “I love to be a matchmaker and save money. I find it’s like a game, to see how thrifty I can be. You’d be surprised at how little it takes to raise a family if you pinch pennies.” She put her hand on Marge’s shoulder. “Let’s go see the dawdyhaus then. You’ll need to pull the car further down the driveway since it’s in the back.”
Marge started the car back up and pulled down along-side the house to where the dawdyhaus stood. “See, it’s real close to the main house but much smaller.”
Marge put her hands on her cheeks and squealed. “It is so cute. I love it. And there’s so much land,” she said, turning to look at the vast amount of land in back of the house.
“There’s sixty acres…plenty of land to raise turkeys.”
“Turkeys?”
“Jah, the people who lived her raised organic turkeys and couldn’t keep up with the orders. The English put their orders in for Thanksgiving in September.”
“Really? But we don’t know anything about raising turkeys.”
“Jeb does and I’m sure he’d be happy to help. In the winter, you can raise rabbits.”
“For pets?”
Granny laughed. “Nee, for eating. You can sell them at the auction in Dayton. People come up from Pittsburgh to buy them.”
“Do you eat bunnies?” Marge put her hand over her heart and gasped.
“Jah, it makes goot stew.”
Marge shook her head. “You Amish live like Little House on the Prairie.”
Granny raised her eyebrows. “Well, you’d have a little house and lots of land.”
Marge roared. “Let’s go see the house.”
Granny was surprised at how Marge quickly got out of the car and opened her door, trying to help her out of the car. “Danki. I’m sixty-nine, but I can still walk.” Granny winked at Marge.
“I know. Just don’t want you to slip. There’s ice over here.”
“I’m sorry. Maybe more sensitive about turning seventy. Hard to believe.” She saw the ice and was grateful for Marge’s assistance. She held on to her for the short walk to the little house.
When she opened the front door, Marge clucked her tongue. “Someone forgot to lock the door.”
“We don’t have locks on our doors.”
“Are you kidding? No locks? Is it against your rules?”
“Nee, just don’t see the need I suppose. Not much to take if someone wants to rob us. And if someone’s that needy, they’re welcome to take our food.”
Marge shook her head and pursed her lips. “Well, I’ll get a lock if we buy this. Someone might take our flat screen.”
“What’s that?”
“Our TV.”
“Are you going to run it off a generator?”
“I guess living off the grid means no TV. Oh well, I’d survive. Nothing good on anyhow.” She walked into the house and her eyes lit up. She slowly moved her head, trying to take in all that she saw. “It’s charming. Just what I imagined.” She walked over to the black wood burning stove. “We can heat the whole house with this?”
“Jah, and you’ll be nice and toasty. You have a few acres of woods out back to chop your own wood too.”
Marge went over to the kitchen. “No appliances. But you said I could get propane powered ones, right?”
“Jah, we have a catalog at home. I can show you.”
“Marge walked into the living room and reached out her hands and spun around. “I love it. I feel like Goldilocks and the Three Bears.”
Granny found it tiresome to understand what the English were talking about, so she didn’t ask what she meant, but assumed Marge liked the house. “There’s two bedrooms upstairs. Let’s go take a look.”
They made their way up the steps to the landing where two doors stood opposite each other. “The rooms are both the same size.” She opened one door and let Marge in.
Again Marge squealed with delight. “It’s a Cape Cod. Oh my. I love how the walls are slanted and the dormers stick out.” She walked over to the window. “The view is magnificent. The barn looks much bigger from here.”
“It’s medium sized. Big enough to raise a cow, some chickens, a pig. Things you need to live off the land. And there’s an orchard out back, full of fruit trees and berries. Do you know how to make jam?”
“Oh, I could never do that. Looks too hard.”
“It’s so easy, my grandkinner can do it. We make it and sell it to the English. There’s lots of little ways to make money.”
“Could you teach me? I’d love to learn.”
“Jah, I’d be happy to. Ach, and you could be an Amish driver. We really need someone now with Maryann’s surgery in Pittsburgh.” Granny said.
“Oh, I could help drive, and remember, I’m an LPN. I do home visits and could check in on Maryann.”
“Really? Praise be.” Granny said. “I know we didn’t meet by accident in the hospital. Maryann will need checking on, but the roads get so bad in the winter, but we could hire you to drive up and help her.”
“I hate to say this, but I work for an agency that isn’t cheap. Could Maryann afford help with eight children?”
“Our Gmay has money set aside. We just didn’t know any English who was a nurse.”
“What’s a Gmay?”
“It’s German again. I’m sorry. It means community. It’s what we call our church.”
“And your church will actually pay for nursing care? I can’t believe it.” She rubbed her hands together. “I can’t wait to share all this with Joe. He could be a driver and I could be assigned cases up here in Smicksburg.” She took Granny’s hands and jumped up and down. “I’m so excited.”
~*~
Dear Lizzie,
I’ve enjoyed your letters, but miss talking to you. When you told me how much cheaper land is in Western PA, I started thinking. I should head out on the bus and take a look at some of those farms for sale. And I could visit with you too. I don’t have any kinner to stay with though. Are there hotels nearby? Or maybe an Amish family with a spare room I could stay with for a few days.
I know you have restaurants, because you told me how much you enjoy the Country Junction. I’d like to take you out for dinner again. I think I could come in a few weeks. Let me know in your next letter if you’d like my company.
Amos Miller
Lizzie held the letter to her heart and was surprised at how much she wanted to see Amos again. Yes, she’d be going to the special dinner Roman and his precious girls were making her next week, but she needed to move slowly, looking for those special people the counselor said God would put in her life to help her heal. And it wouldn’t be an overnight process. Was Amos Miller one of those people God was putting in her life? Roman and the girls too? Well, if He was, it would all work out and she wasn’t going to fret. She’d cast her cares on God who was leading her down a path of redemption, a path that would give her beauty for ashes.
~*~
Later that night, Granny was still chuckling over her new animated friend. Marge was a bundle of energy and she had no doubt that she and her husband could live in the little house and have kinner. It made her feel good to help out the English, especially ones that seemed not to be making it. When Marge told her how her husband lost his job, being self-sufficient seemed to be a wise decision.
She looked up into the dark night, not a star in sight, all hid by thick clouds.
Lord, I’m thankful that you hear my prayers even though I can’t see you, or feel your sweet presence sometimes. I confess my mind is troubled with the cares of this world, and it’s choking me. I cast off Maryann to you Lord. I’m beside myself with worry. Take care of her body and mind. She needs You to help her emotionally, to feel like a whole person. I pray you help the kinner and Michael over the next month as she heals. Danki for Ruth caring so much to organize meals.
And Lord, I see Lizzie’s cleansing tears and I’m so thankful you’re giving her beauty for ashes. I hope she gives Roman another chance. The girls are so excited to help make a special meal for her. Lord, use the girls again, like you did for Fannie. Help Lizzie to trust again…to be as trusting as a child…and let her trust Roman. I know she’s writing to an Amish man, but Lord, please, open her eyes to Roman. Help her forget the past and move forward.
And Lord, I give Lavina to you. She said she wished Jeb was her daed. Something’s not right with her own daed for her to say such a thing. It’s so unusual for see such a mean Amish man. Help Lavina’s daed forgive her. Soften his heart to see what a treasure Lavina is.
I ask all this in Jesus name…
Amen
Granny put her hand on her heart. Peace flooded her soul and she had to fight back tears. Why she felt she could carry all these burdens herself, and not take more time to cast them on the Lord throughout the day, was a mystery. She needed to stop and pray three times a day, like Daniel in the Bible. Granny remembered when all five boys were home and she’d stop after each meal and pray, and the strength she felt. Why did she stop? Well, starting tomorrow, she’d say her casting off prayers three times a day. The more burdens she had to carry, the more often she’d need to stop and unload.
~*~
Here are a few Amish muffin recipes. Enjoy!
Blueberry Muffins
1½ c. flour
¾ c. sugar
½ tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking powder
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 egg
1/3 c. mill
1 c. blueberries
Mix ingredients and place in muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.
Oatmeal Muffins
1 c. rolled oats
1 c. milk
1/3 c. shortening
½ c. brown sugar
1 egg
1 c. flour
½ tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
Mix oats and milk together. Add remaining ingredients and place in muffin cups. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Apple Butter Muffins
1 ¾ c. flour
½ c. sugar
2 tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. nutmeg
Pinch of ginger
Pinch of allspice
1 egg, lightly beaten
¾ c milk
¼ c. oil
½ c. apple butter
Combine first 8 ingredients. Add egg, milk and oil until moistened. Fill greased or paper-lined muffin cups with rounded tablespoon of batter. You can add a teaspoon of apple butter on top of each muffin for added flavor. Bake at 400 degrees for 15-18 minutes.
Episode 8
Wings to Fly
Roman watched as his girls eagerly set the table, and thanked God they were so excited to have Lizzie over again this week for dinner. Their trusting nature seemed to be rubbing off on Lizzie’s wounded heart and maybe his mamm was right; they’re just what she’s needed all along, a living example of total childlike trust.
Last week, when Lizzie came over before the knitting circle, he’d had Millie and Tillie jump off the steps, playing their little game of “Catch Me”. They went up to the third step and yelled “Catch me,” and he did. Then they’d go up to the fourth step, on up to the fifth. As much as Millie begged to go higher, Roman knew he couldn’t risk her getting hurt. He hoped Lizzie learned from his girls just how trusting they were; they risked getting hurt but knew that he’d catch them. They trusted him and hoped Lizzie could learn to do the same. To trust her Heavenly Father to catch and carry her as she went through her time of healing.
When she mentioned Amos Miller was coming to visit, right around Valentine’s Day of all things, he panicked. She did think so highly of this widower from Lancaster, saying how much he wrote. So Roman wrote her letters too and went to the store more than usual. And these little dinners with his girls seemed to be opening up Lizzie like the sun does flowers. But what if it opened her heart to Amos Miller when he came tomorrow?
He went over to the stove and stirred the rabbit stew he’d prepared, and said a silent prayer. His mamm had told him about her “casting off” prayers, now doing them three times a day, like Daniel in the Bible. He aimed to do the same.
~*~
Maryann lay on the living room couch and looked over at Lavina, rocking her boppli. “I’m so glad you’re here to help with the kinner. I’m so thankful.”
Lavina patted the baby’s back. “I’m glad to be in Smicksburg, but don’t think Ella and Zach want me here.”
“Well, the Lord needs to soften their heart towards you. He softened mine.” She put her head down and fidgeted with her wool shawl. “I’m so sorry I treated you like Mary Magdalene…”
“All’s forgiven, Maryann. We’ve talked about this before.”
“Just the same, I’m still working on my judgmental attitude. It creeps up in other places at times.”
“Well, you need to work on getting better too. You have another radiation treatment tomorrow.”
Maryann clenched her hands and willed fear to go away. “I’m thankful too that I only had a lumpectomy and didn’t lose my whole breast. Radiation therapy came with that choice. Doctors said I wouldn’t need it if I got a full mastectomy, but I’m not regretting my decision.” Maryann turned to look out the window and saw a red car pull up the driveway. “Marge is here, right on time. Granny says she’s an angel that fell from heaven.”
Lavina grinned. “She’s looking at the house down the road from Granny’s. Wants to live like the Amish. I was almost ready to leave for the fancy world until I met Granny…and you.”
Maryann thanked God Lavina had lea
rned so much about a loving family by seeing hers interact over the past few days. She mentioned several times how she never knew love could be so strong in a marriage, and hoped to find a man like Michael someday. But would most Amish men judge her in their heart, knowing she had twins out of wedlock?
~*~
Ruth hadn’t let Luke get so close to her in over a month, but they were both looking out the same narrow window to watch birds. The Audubon bird count was something she looked forward to every year, as did most people in the settlement. It broke up February with its thick clouds and gloominess. She looked up at the new white gourd feeder Luke made her, something she still couldn’t believe. He’d always criticized her birding in the past, but was now doing it with her.
She kept thinking of how sorry Luke said he was about looking at pornography on English cell phones at work. Having quit his job and working with her daed, she knew he had no access to them, but what if he did? Would he have to look at other women to see beauty, not being satisfied with her? Yes, he was still sleeping in a twin bed in Micah’s room, and this couldn’t go on forever, but she just couldn’t let him back in her bed…in her heart.
She felt the warmth of Luke’s peppermint breath when he spoke. “God said He’ll give us wings to fly again, Ruth.”
“What?”
“Jeb showed me in the Bible. If we wait on the Lord, He’ll renew our strength and mount up with wings like an eagle’s.”
Ruth looked more intently at the birds through her binoculars and felt Luke’s arm on her back.
“Just want you to know I’m waiting on God and waiting on you, too. Waiting until you can let me in that heart of yours.”
She had that urge again to run into Luke’s arms, to forget all the pain. She put down her binoculars and looked at him, his mellow blue eyes piercing her heart. His eyes got closer and she felt his lips rub against hers. She yearned to be with him again, but an image of a lady, nude, raced through her mind and she turned her head.
~*~
Lizzie took her long brown hair and wrapped it up in a bun, then put on her prayer kapp. She looked in the little mirror on her bedroom wall. Amos told her she was beautiful and he seemed to really mean it. Actually, everything Amos said she believed came from his heart. Why couldn’t she believe Roman was sincere? Had too many things happened between them?
Smicksburg Tales 1,2 & 3 (Amish Knitting Circle, Amish Friends Knitting Circle & Amish Knit Lit Cirlce ~ Complete Series: 888 pages for Granny Weaver Lovers and 30+ Amish Recipes Page 17