She heard shuffling and turned to see Jonas coming toward them with the aid of his hand crutches. His MS seemed to be actually improving on the experimental drug.
“Fannie, can you bring a sack of oats from out back? We’re low and need to bag some up.”
“It’s huge. I mean, it must weigh a hundred pounds.”
“It weighs fifty, and Lizzie carried that amount all the time.”
“But I’m not Lizzie, and I’m tired. It’s planting time.” She held out her hand. “I barely have time to clean my nails and it’s embarrassing.”
Jonas rolled his eyes. “Lizzie never complained like you do,” he said with a huff, then spun around and headed toward the counter.
“Can I help?” Granny asked.
“You?” Fannie gasped. “Nee. We need a man to carry that sack, and that’s exactly who will do it. Melvin will carry it out next time he comes in.”
Granny walked over to Jonas, who was visibly shaken. “Can you afford to pay help?”
Jonas looked up at her and shrugged his shoulders. “Never had to when Lizzie was here.”
“Jonas, we have to live in the present, jah? Lizzie is now my dochder, too, and she has new responsibilities. Being a wife and a mamm.”
Fannie marched past them and went into the attached house, slamming the door.
“She’s a moody creature,” Jonas mumbled. “Lizzie was even-tempered.”
“Jonas Miller, it is not goot to compare Fannie to Lizzie. Fannie’s only been helping in this store for three weeks. Have some mercy.”
“I do, but I never knew she was so moody. Hard to live with a yoyo.”
Granny put an index finger over her lips, and tapped her foot. A yoyo? Surely not! “Jonas, do you want us to start that little dawdyhaus down by Jeb’s fishing hole? You’d be goot company, and Lizzie misses you.”
“I don’t know. I love this store…when Fannie isn’t here.” He groaned. “Maybe she’s just not cut out to work as hard as Lizzie. Maybe I do need to hire some help.”
“Can you afford it?”
“Maybe one day a week. For heavy work.”
Granny leaned forward. “I met a man in town who’s awfully sweet. Living at Jerry and Janice Jackson’s old place until he finds decent work. I know he could use the cash.”
“Deborah, you amaze me. I’ll look for an Amish worker first.”
“And the Lord be with you because it’s planting time. Every man is out plowing, planting, or working construction. Do you have someone in mind?”
“Jah. Nathan. Your grandson.”
“He’s working with Roman and they’re mighty busy, expanding into cedar lawn furniture. No, Nathan can’t be spared.”
Jonas stared at the ceiling. “Can I trust this Englisher you hardly know?”
“The Jackson’s know him. He’d be homeless if it wasn’t for the Christian charity of the Baptist.”
The little bell over the door jingled and Jonas nodded to customers. “I need to really think this over. Everything’s changed since I now live with Fannie. I always thought her the most pleasant girl, but you never know someone until you live with them.”
“Maybe Fannie’s thinking the same thing,” Granny said, a little too defensively. But Fannie was one of her girls, and when it came to her girls, she was a hen among her chicks: protective.
~*~
Granny put the roast beef on one of her good China platters, and then told Jeb to open his eyes. “For you, Love, meat and potatoes. Eat to your heart’s content.”
Jeb got up and kissed her cheek. “Danki. I really appreciate it. You could have pan fried the fish ‘Jenny’ caught, but went to all this bother.”
“It’s your favorite, and I said I’d make it.”
Granny sat with Jeb, hands clasped, and they bowed their heads for a silent blessing.
“Met a girl today that is so different. She’s Baptist, but I think she yearns to be Amish.”
“Why?”
“Well, she wants to knit and learn to make pies.”
Jeb grinned. “Let me guess. You offered to teach her.”
Granny nodded. “I did. Want to get to know her better…”
Jeb put a slice of meat on Granny’s plate and then his. “Don’t spread yourself too thin. I was hoping you’d spend more time with Lavina. Seems like you avoid her.”
Granny’s head shot up. “I do not. Do I?”
“Well, Nathan lives here and when she comes over, you’re off to Roman’s.”
“So they can have privacy….”
“Deborah. I know you better.”
Granny put a hand on her heart. “Afraid Nathan will get hurt. He’s so innocent…”
“And Lavina’s not? She repented and the Good Book says she’s as white as snow.”
Granny clasped her hand tighter around her fork. “Love, I know it’s in my head, but it’s going to take some time to get it in the heart. Nathan and I have always been so close…”
Jeb snapped his fingers. “Maybe that’s it. Are you jealous that Lavina takes up all his time? Feel left out?”
Granny swatted at the air. “He lives here. How can I miss him?”
“He’s always at Roman’s working or out planting. Any free time goes to his sweetheart.”
“She’s not his sweetheart, I don’t think. He’s just so tenderhearted; he’s helping to build up Lavina. He knows the story.”
Jeb hit his knee and laughed. “We see what we want to see. He’s in love, Deborah.”
“Did he tell you that?”
Jeb leaned forward. “Trying to ‘read between the lines’ like you and Roman can do. Remember last fall when you said you knew Roman still loved Lizzie, and I thought you were daft? Well, you were right, and now I’m watching people more close-like. Nathan loves Lavina.”
Granny pursed her lips. Nathan had that special gift of compassion, and if the Lord intended it to be used on a hurting young girl, she’d have to accept it. She closed her eyes and quickly cast her concerns for Nathan on the Lord. “The Lord’s will be done… not mine.”
~*~
Granny couldn’t sleep. Why did she take an immediate liking to Colleen but not Lavina? It was Old Christmas when Lavina showed up at her place last year, and it was all a shock. The day of fasting and reflection turned into another church counsel day with Jeb called out to intervene. Then he’d brought her into their home to stay for a few weeks.
Was she jealous that her husband took such care for a hurting girl? Surely not. And as for Nathan, Jeb was wrong. She and Nathan had a special bond no one could break. Her grandson confided in her about matters of the heart.
She turned over on her side and stared out the bedroom window, still open as spring aired out the house. The melody of a lone nightingale might bring much needed sleep if she only closed her eyes and listened. Granny breathed in deeply the sweet scent of freshly plowed earth, an aroma that always took her back to her childhood.
After a few minutes, sleep still eluded her, so she looked out the window, into the stars and prayed:
Lord,
You know me through and through. Is there something in my heart not right? Why does fear grip me when I think of Nathan being with Lavina? I know you’re in control, but I just feel sometimes like I’d do things differently, and I’m sorry. You’re God and I’m a little human who doesn’t know anything compared to your vast wisdom. I cast Nathan’s heart onto you…turn it the way you want it to go.
And Lord, Jenny’s sad little face breaks my heart. I couldn’t be happier having Lizzie for a daughter, but to see Jenny this way took me by surprise. Bless her little heart and help her see the love her new mamm has for her. Maybe they’ll bond over knitting…I don’t know, but I cast her on you, for you care so much.
In Jesus name,
Amen
Dear Readers,
I hope you enjoyed the first episode of Amish Friends Knitting Circle.
I leave you once again with a recipe in every episode, just like
Amish Knitting Circle, the prequel. When May rolls around the hills of Western Pennsylvania, strawberries are in abundance. There’s nothing like fresh strawberries sliced over angel food cake.
Amish Angel Food Cake
½ c. egg whites (11-12 eggs)
1 ½ c. sugar, divided
1 ½ tsp. cream of tartar
1 c. cake of pastry flour
½ tsp. salt
1 tsp. almond extract (or vanilla)
Sift together ¾ c. sugar and flour at least 3 times. Set aside.
Beat eggs until frothy, and then add salt and cream of tartar. Beat this liquid mixture until thick peaks can be formed. Add ¾ c. slowly, 3 Tbsp. at a time, each time beating well with egg mixture.
Slowly fold in the sugar and flour mixture you set aside, adding ½ c. at a time.
Add almond or vanilla flavoring.
Pour into ungreased angel food cake pan.
Bake at 375 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until done.
Enjoy!
.
episode 2
Tea Kettles Sing
Granny gasped as the girls ran in barefoot, tracking dirt across her freshly polished hardwood floors. “Ach, you girls need to wash your feet in the basin on the porch. Oma’s told you before.”
Millie jumped up and down. “Sorry Oma. But we couldn’t wait. Our pumpkins are coming up.”
Tillie gave Granny her usual hug around the middle, and then took her hand. “Come see, Oma.”
“I’m having someone over for tea, Honey. She’ll be here any minute.”
Jenny crossed her arms. “Who’s coming? Fannie? She’s fun.”
“Nee, Janice Jackson. Remember her? She’s the pastor’s wife of the Baptist Church in town.”
Millie pointed to her arm. “The sun turned my skin brown, but Janice’s is black.”
Granny scrunched her lips to one side, wanting to laugh, but knowing it was these times, these coming and going times, that the girls were learning important lessons. “Millie, Janice was born with black skin. It’s the way God made her. My sheep are all colors, jah?”
“No,” Jenny said. “There’s no blue sheep, or pink sheep….”
“Ach, Jenny, you know what I mean. Animal colors. Some sheep are white, some brown, black, cream color….the way the Goot Lord intended. My yarn isn’t one color, jah? Would be boring to look at? God made people different colors too.”
“I think Janice is pretty. Her black skin makes her teeth look whiter,” Tillie said.
“Now you girls need to call her Mrs. Jackson. The English don’t go by their first names. They use Mr. and Mrs. to show respect.”
“How come we don’t?” Jenny asked, her arms still crossed.
Granny didn’t want to admit it, but Jenny’s constant challenge to everyone’s words was getting on her nerves. How many times over the past few weeks had Lizzie come over in tears, feeling she was a bad mamm? Roman wanted his new bride happy, and chided Jenny too. Jenny didn’t need to hear it from her.
Jack’s bark sounded the usual sign; someone was coming down the driveway. “You girls make sure Jack has enough water. Ach, all the animals need to be checked. It’s noon and mighty hot today.”
“Jack has plenty of water and –”
“Go check the animals again, Jenny,” Granny said, forcing a smile.
Jenny rolled her eyes.
“Jenny, we need to talk soon, jah? And you know what about…”
Jenny’s now steady eyes penetrated Granny’s soul. Such hurt. Why wasn’t she as happy as Millie and Tillie to have a new mamm? What could be done to make Jenny see she was loved…needed?
A knock at the door sounded and Janice opened the screen door. When she flashed her brilliant smile, Millie pointed at her. “See, her teeth are whiter.”
Granny gasped, but Janice let out a laugh.
“Sorry, Janice,” Granny said.
“No need to apologize.” She took off her flip-flops and walked over to the girls. “I hear you girls are gardeners. Growing a big pumpkin patch.” She put her finger to her cheek, as she looked over at Jenny. “You’re almost seven. I bet you could teach some of the little girls who live with me how to weed.”
Jenny put back her shoulders and grinned. “Jah, I can show them.”
“How about we come over sometime and you teach gardening? I know I’d learn a lot, too.”
Granny’s heart felt warmer than this hot June day. Her English friend had been praying for Jenny and now encouraged her. Praise be. “You girls go check on the animals, like Oma told you to do.”
All three girls nodded and skipped out of the house. Granny hugged Janice. “Danki, for that.”
“What?”
“Making Jenny feel needed.”
“Deborah, I need help. Wish I had a green thumb, but…it’s black.”
Granny chuckled. “Do you want your tea hot or cold?”
“Cold. It has to be eighty degrees out there. How do you live without air conditioning?”
“Never had it, so don’t know what I’m missing, I suppose. But we Amish don’t fight nature, but go along with it. The Lord made the heat, jah?”
“No electricity. Don’t know how you manage.” She took the glass of iced tea from Granny. “Can we sit on your porch? Your flowers are gorgeous.”
“Jah, let’s do that.” Granny led the way out to the porch swing on the far side of the wraparound porch, where the trellises with climbing roses were, for more privacy. “What’s on your mind, Janice?”
“Well, I know your husband’s in the ministry, being an elder. I thought you could relate.” She took a sip of tea and looked down. “Do you ever feel jealous? Feel like your husband loves the ministry more than you?”
Granny remembered last Old Christmas, when Jeb was called away for church duties. “Jah, I suppose. At times.”
“I haven’t felt this way before. Ever since Jerry started his doctorate, he’s just too busy. Not there for the girls at Forget-Me-Not.”
“But I see other men there, trying to be goot role models for the girls. Men like James Rowland…”
Janice’s chin quivered. “I know. The church volunteers and all but…”
“You’re lonely?” Granny asked.
A tear slid down Janice’s cheek. “Not lonely. I have lots of friends. Just miss Jerry, but he doesn’t seem to miss me.”
Granny tilted her head. “Don’t yinz go out every Friday night? Call it your date night?”
“Yes, but the conversation always turns to theology. What Jerry’s learning in school.”
Granny didn’t know why the English went to school for the Bible, when they could just read it. It wasn’t too hard to understand, but kept her thoughts to herself. She eyed Janice and noticed crow’s feet around her eyes. “How old are you ?”
“What?”
“How old are you? I never asked, but I am now.”
“Why?”
“Well, women go through the change. I went through it young, in my mid-forties. I remember feeling sad over nothing.”
“I’m over fifty, but that’s all I’m saying,” Janice said, as if embarrassed.
“With age comes wisdom, jah? No shame in it. But as we age we need to take goot care of ourselves. Have you told your doctor about this? Maybe get a hormone level test done.”
Janice wiped a stray tear. “This was the last thing I thought I’d hear. I thought the Amish didn’t go to the doctors, only herbalists.”
Granny choked on the tea she’d just sipped. “Doctors? They saved Maryann’s life. Of course we go.”
Janice sighed. “I’m sorry. I thought you grew herbs and made tonics for everything.”
“Well, we use herbs and medicine. But you need to see a doctor and take care of yourself. Let me see your fingernails.”
“Why?”
Granny reached for her hand. “Brittle fingernails are a sign of the change. Do your nails chip?”
Janice’s chin started to quiver again. “Yes, all the time. I
used to have gorgeous nails, real healthy-like. I thought it was low iron.”
“Do you have that, too?”
“Yes, but I’m taking supplements.”
Granny squeezed Janice’s hand. “I think you’re going through menopause. Hot flashes at night?”
“It’s hot out. It’s June!”
“Sudden burst of tears when you are usually a pillar of strength?”
Janice bowed her head and wept. Granny got up and sat in the swing next to her. “It’s natural. God’s plan. Don’t fight it, Janice.”
“I feel like I’m going crazy, too.”
“Mood swings. Jeb almost built a house near his fishing hole when I went through the change, saying he couldn’t take it.”
Janice looked up at Granny. “Seriously?”
“Jah. He’s the one who made me see a doctor. Now you go for Jerry’s sake, or else he may want to live in your church building.”
Janice let out a sigh of relief. “I feel a little better, just knowing this has a name. Menopause. I hardly ever think I’m fifty-one. Still feel like I’m in my thirties.”
“I’m seventy and some days I still feel like a kid.” Granny patted Janice’s hand. “You coming to knitting tonight?”
“Yes, along with Colleen and her little one. Maybe Jenny could read to her. I know Jenny loves to read.”
“Wunderbar goot idea. Wunderbar.”
~*~
Ella heard the screen door open and turned to see Zach. “Home for lunch?”
Zach took off his work boots and threw them on the black rug by the door. “Ella, we need to talk.”
Ella cringed. She’d been up half the night with Moses, and snapped at Zach this morning. But did he need to come home? They could make peace at dinner time.
Zach collapsed in a rocker in the living room and she followed him in, sitting on the bench. “I’m sorry, Zach. Moses is one colicky little baby. I didn’t mean to talk so harsh to you this morning.”
Zach shook his head. “What?”
“Our quarrel this morning. I was exhausted.”
Zach got up and sat on the bench next to her. He took her hand. “Ella, it’s not that. I was let go today.”
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 31