Double R Farm (Amish Country Soaps & Sundries)

It has surely been a long time since my last post. Many may be wondering just where I have run off to.  Well, I 've been writing away and recently published a Native American novel. In addition to working on the farm and teaching part time I some how found time to write.  Today is the day I send out the press release. Let me know what you think.

Christine

Well, we've finally gotten the rain that we needed so badly here in Sugarcreek.  The past few days it has been raining and the garden has finally gotten the moisture it needs. The weeds though, they are another story. Yesterday, I spent hours pulling and tossing them by the bucket- full. Today I hear we are set for  more rain.

The rain keeps me inside more. Normally that would bother me, but I've busy with my latest endeavor. I finally finished my 1st novel and am hoping to get it published.  No, it's not a book on gardening which you probably would imagine. The book would fall more into the category of Native American Literature. I grew up in New England surrounded by the ghosts of the Nehantic Indian Tribe, and at one point our family lived across from an old Native American burial ground . I was always fascinated with the way that they lived so peacefully on this earth leaving only their footprints as a reminder that they had been here.

If that weren’t enough to get me thinking, my mother’s side of the family are decedents of the Heron Tribe. As a child I listened to my uncle and grandfather spin tales of their earlier childhood where they incorporated the many rituals of their ancestors. You might say that at a young age I was hooked. I only wish that they had been around longer to teach me more, or at least that I had paid more attention as a child.

 I will admit that I am quite the dreamer, and these dreams have taken me where I am today. A while back I started thinking again and dreaming about writing a novel that encompasses the ideals and ways of the Native American culture. Who knows where this one will lead?

The midwest has always been considered the heartland of America. From it's gentle rolling pastures to it's simple way of life. It has for many years and  for many people held the promise of the American Dream.

We moved here years ago hoping to give our children a slower pace of life and an opportunity to build a closer relationship with the land. For the most part it has been a rather pleasant experience. We were able tfind a small Amish farmhouse in a place most people only dream about.

We are nestled in the small community of Sugarcreek, Ohio and are surrounded by some of the most generous people in Ohio. From the Amish to the English each caring for themselves and their neighbors. It is unique here and in my opinion one of the  best hidden treasures of this great country.

Lately, I have found myself very saddened by what I see happening here as well as in other parts of the U.S.. As I have said in previous posts the current state of the economy has dealt  devistating blows to many communities. Daily we see and feel it's disasterous effects. We watch helplessly as our friends and neighbors as well as ourselves loose jobs, homes and sometimes faith.

We like many others were taught that the American Dream was  within everyone's reach. That by working hard and living a clean life we would always be able to provide for ourselves as well as to help out our neighbors. As I learn that a co-worker has recently borrowed  money to pay property taxes even though the loan will not be paid by the time she needs to borrow more money to pay her taxes yet again; I can only shake my head. Or maybe it's the 63 year old gentleman with diabeties who has just lost the job he  loyally held for the past 15 years  and  no longer has health insurance to pay for  the insuln he needs.

This economy not only effects Americans finacially, but it also effects the inner sanctum of family traditons. Recently, an Amish man took the life of his wife and son. He lived a few towns over and when he heard his daughter would be relocating to our community he could bear no more. You see in the Amish community they do not send their older parents and relatives to nursing homes. They build an addition onto the farmhouse, called a dowdi house, and they live out their final years at home with their family. To this gentleman having his daughter leave the family home with her husband who had no choice but to relocate after he losing his job found it too much to bear.

I am not too sure where we as Americans are headed and honestly the uncertainty is unsettling at best. For those who are currently facing the brunt of this recession/depression my heart goes out to you. May God bless you and your families.