sabato 6 maggio 2017

Living the old ways ~ The Amish Culture.


Antiche, anzi antichissime sono le origini culturali che governano ancor'oggi queste comunità d'altri tempi che sopravvivono al progresso rifiutandolo per portare avanti vite vissute ed organizzate secondo i metodi che noi tutti usavamo secoli or sono: nei loro villaggi, ad economia ancora esclusivamente agricola, non esiste alcun macchinario tecnologico, non esiste elettricità, telefono, riscaldamento centralizzato, non esistono attrezzi che possano rendere più veloce ed agevole il lavoro di tutti i giorni .... 
Gli Amish non hanno fretta, vivono ancora il tempo scandito dall'orologio della semplicità, al centro delle loro giornate pongono il loro Credo ed il lavoro, non conoscono alcune tra le patologie più note ai nostri giorni e del tutto nullo è il tasso di autismo presso la popolazione infantile.



Sono quelle Amish vere e proprie comunità autosufficienti, piccoli villaggi dove si può trovare l'emporio, il fabbro, la falegnameria, la scuola, villaggi dove il denaro non ha alcun valore, almeno quello che ha per noi oggi ...




Lontano nel tempo ci conduce l'origine di questa cultura che ammiro molto per le regole di vita che detta, per la fede ed i valori familiari che la governano e da cui credo tutti potremmo imparare qualcosa: la storia della chiesa Amish inizia infatti nel 1693 anno a cui data uno scisma che ebbe origine in Svizzera all'interno di un gruppo di anabattisti* Mennoniti svizzeri e alsaziani guidati da Jakob Ammann, un sarto che divenne predicatore e poi vescovo e che proclamava la separazione dalle cose del mondo, l'etica del lavoro, la semplicità, l'obbedienza e l'umiltà al fine di guadagnare la Salvezza.

Gli Amish si rifanno alla Confessione di Fede di Dordrecht del 1632 e da alcuni studiosi di religioni vengono considerati come Protestanti Conservatori mentre altri li considerano appartenenti all'ampia famiglia delle chiese libere insieme con i Mennoniti, i Fratelli Quaccheri e altre, poiché con queste hanno numerosi punti dottrinali in comune.







Con l'inizio del XVIII secolo, molti Amish e Mennoniti emigrarono negli Stati Uniti - le più vaste comunità sono ancor oggi quelle appartenenti agli stati dell'Ohio, della Pennsylvania e dell'Indiana anche se ve ne sono alcuni in altri 19 stati - per poter godere di una maggiore libertà religiosa. Oggi i discendenti più tradizionali degli Amish continuano a parlare il Pennsylvania German, noto anche come "Pennsylvania Dutch", ed un dialetto tedesco-svizzero è quello che viene parlato dagli Old Order Amish nella contea di Adams, nell'Indiana. Si sa che nel 2000 più di 165.000 Old Order Amish vivevano negli Stati Uniti e circa 1.500 vivevano in Canada. mentre studi più recenti ci indicano cifre di crescita demografica pari al 120 %  (basti pensare che la maggior parte degli Amish continuano ad avere 6-7 bambini per famiglia).



Le loro regole di vita sono principalmente dettate dall'ORDNUNG - ORDINE, un insieme di regole stabilite oralmente che talora variano da comunità a comunità nei piccoli dettagli, ma che nella sostanza sono in accordo con le Sacre Scritture cui gli Amish aderiscono a partire dai sedici anni di età e prevedono che si eviti l'utilizzo di ciò che possa in qualche modo danneggiare il Creato, (da ciò il rifiuto per i macchinari e l'elettricità), che si abbiglino in modo semplice ed essenziale - gli uomini portano il cappello e vesti scure dal taglio semplice senza cerniere lampo e in parte anche senza bottoni. I calzoni hanno fondo largo e orlo alto, per motivi di praticità e per motivi di modestia e da quando si sposano portano la barba, come richiede la Bibbia ma non i baffi, che associano con la vita militare e i suoi disvalori di violenza mentre le donne hanno abiti semplici medio-lunghi spesso con grembiuli e vestono cuffiette bianche se sposate, nere se sono nubili ed hanno capelli lunghissimi che non possono tagliare - proibisce la guida di veicoli che non siano il log cabin o buggy trainato da un cavallo che costituisce il simbolo della loro appartenenza a questa comunità quando si trovano a praticare le strade comuni, prescrive il Rumspringa, ossia una sorta di periodo sabbatico durante il quale i giovani di età compresa tra i 16 ed i 21 anni possono lasciare temporaneamente la comunità per sperimentare come si vive nel mondo odierno e quindi tornare con la coscienza di volere appartenere alla comunità (ed allora viene loro impartito il battesimo) oppure di abbandonarla per sempre.
Solo così l'appartenenza alla comunità e l'adesione ai valori che la governano diviene pienamente consapevole e voluta.









In sostanza l'etica e l'aspetto di queste comunità sono rimasti quelli popolari tardo settecenteschi, il tempo loro lo hanno fermato davvero in nome dei valori più importanti che dovrebbero fare parte della vita di ciascuno di noi ... gli Amish non hanno bisogno di accumulare denaro, di crearsi assicurazioni, fondi pensionistici e quant'altro perché la solidarietà e la collaborazione che governa coloro che ne fanno parte rende tutto ciò superfluo, loro vivono davvero l'uno per l'altro e sono tutti necessari ed indispensabili alla comunità di cui fanno parte.... mi sembra di scrivere di un mondo filosoficamente ideale, retto dagli ideali Russeauiani, ma è questo il mondo in cui loro hanno ancora la fortuna di vivere.



Nella speranza di avervi fatto cosa gradita trattando questo argomento, 
vi abbraccio con il cuore,


a presto 💕











BIBLIOGRAFIA:

Brad Igou, The Amish in Their Own Words, Herald Press, 1999;

Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006;

Steven M. Nolt,  A History of the Amish, Good Books, 2004; 

Stephen Scott & Kenneth Pellman, Living Without Electricity, Good Books, 1990;

Ira Wagler, Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Tyndale House, 2011;

Erik Wesner, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, Jossey-Bass, 2010.










Ancient, indeed, far ancient, are the cultural origins that still govern these communities of the past surviving progress by refusing it and choosing to carry on living according to the methods we have used for centuries: in their villages, still exclusively at agricultural economy, there is no technological machinery, there is no electricity, telephone, central heating, there are no tools that can make everyday work quicker and easier ....
The Amish are not in a hurry, they still live the time beaten by the clock of the simplicity, in the middle of their days they put their beliefs and work, they do not know some of the most well-known pathologies in our day and totally absent is the rate of autism amongst the infant population.




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Those of the Amish are real self-sufficient communities, small villages where you can find the emporium, the blacksmith, the carpentry, the school, villages where the money has no value, at least what it has for us today ...




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They're dating so much back in time the origins of this culture for which I feel a great deal of respect for the rules it dictates, for the faith and the family values that govern it and from which I believe we could all learn something: the story of the Amish Church begins in fact in 1693, the year in which it took place a schism in Switzerland within a group of Swiss and Alsatian Mennonites Anabaptists led by Jakob Ammann, a tailor who became preacher and then bishop, who proclaimed the separation from worldly things, the ethics of labor, simplicity, obedience, and humility in order to earn Salvation.

The Amish relate to the Confession of Faith of Dordrecht in 1632 and from some scholars of religions they are considered Protestant Conservatives while others consider them belonging to the large family of free churches along with the Mennonites, the Quackers Brothers and others since they have several doctrinal points in common.



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By the early 18th century, many Amish and Mennonites emigrated to the United States - the largest communities still belong to the states of Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, although there are some of them in 19 other states - to enjoy a greater religious freedom. Today, the most traditional Amish descendants continue to speak Pennsylvania German, also known as "Pennsylvania Dutch", and a German-Swiss dialect is that talked by the Old Order Amish in Adams County, Indiana. It is known that in 2000 more than 165,000 Old Order Amish lived in the United States and about 1,500 lived in Canada, while recent studies point to 120% their demographic growth (just think that most Amish families have 6-7 children).




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Their rules of life are mainly dictated by the ORDNUNG - ORDER, a set of orally defined rules that sometimes vary from community to community in small details but which essentially conform to the Sacred Scriptures to which every Amish adhere from the age of 16 and forbid the use of everything might in some way damage the Creation (hence the refusal for machinery and electricity), impose them to be dressed in a simple and essential way - men wear hat and simple dresses in dark colours with no zippers and partly without buttons. Their trousers have wide bottom and high heels, for convenience and modesty reasons, and since they marry they let their beard grow, as the Bible requires, but not the mustache given they are associated with military life and its disvalue linked to violence while women have simple half-length dresses often with aprons and wear caps which are white if they are married, black if they are nubile and have long hair that they may not cut - it prohibits driving vehicles that are not the log cabin or buggy towed by a horse that constitutes the symbol of their belonging to this community when they drive on common roads, prescribes the Rumspringa, a sort of sabbatical period during which young people between the ages of 16 and 21 can temporarily leave the community to experience how they live in the ordinary world and then they may return with the consciousness of wanting to belong to the community (and then they are going to be Christened) or grow the decision to abandon it forever
Only thus the membership to the community and the acceptance of the rules ​​that govern it becomes fully conscious and wanted.




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In essence, the ethics and appearance of these communities has remained the popular ones of the late XVIIIth century, they really stopped the time in the name of the most important values that should be part of the lives of each of us ... Amish people do not need to accumulate money, to create insurances, pension funds, and so on, because the solidarity and cooperation that govern those who are part of it makes it superfluous, they really live for each other and are all necessary and indispensable to the community which they belong to ... I seem to write about a philosophically ideal world, governed by Russian ideals, but this is the world which they are still fortunate to live in.



In the hope of having done what you like by dealing with this topic,
I embrace you with my all my heart,


see you soon 💕










BIBLIOGRAPHIC SOURCES:

Brad Igou, The Amish in Their Own Words, Herald Press, 1999;

Karen M. Johnson-Weiner, Train Up a Child: Old Order Amish and Mennonite Schools, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2006;

Steven M. Nolt,  A History of the Amish, Good Books, 2004; 

Stephen Scott & Kenneth Pellman, Living Without Electricity, Good Books, 1990;

Ira Wagler, Growing Up Amish: A Memoir, Tyndale House, 2011;

Erik Wesner, Success Made Simple: An Inside Look at Why Amish Businesses Thrive, Jossey-Bass, 2010.

106 commenti:

  1. Interesting... We have Mennonite around here. They dress old-fashioned and drive three wheel tricycles, but they are more modern than Amish.

    xoxo Su

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Su
      thank you for gracing my blog today, Dearie !

      Amongst the Old Churches Culture Amish are the most old-fashioned in absolute, they're those who have remained most faithful to the values and ways of living of the late XVIIIth century; for us it's almost untinkable to live in such ways, the thing is that they've never watched at the progress, so nothing has changed for them during the last centuries ... they go on being self-sufficient !

      Wishing you a most lovely day, today,
      and a joy-filled Sunday, sweetest friend of mine,
      with sincere gratitude ❥

      Elimina
  2. I so loved scrolling down these beautiful photos, Dany. So many sweet ones with happy children. Interesting post too. The Amish are such a community minded people. Just imagine, no need for insurances, pension funds etc........! I don't think I could live without electricity; nor might I add, lace and pretty things. :)

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Kim
      ... and they couldn't live as we do nowadays, I think that they would grow insane ... we do really belong to two different worlds, but I do admire the values which are so essential for them, for most of us they have no importance at all, anymore, alas !

      Sending blessings on your weekend, dear, darling friend,
      ༺❀༻ thinking of you with so much love ༺❀༻

      Elimina
  3. Una cultura affascinante, mi sono sempre piaciute le storie ed i films sugli Amish. Li guardo con rispetto ed ammiro il loro dar valore al tempo ed alla semplicità. Ma come per tutte le cose "lontane" da noi, non sarei assolutamente in grado di rinunciare a tutto ciò che ormai fa parte della nostra vita quotidiana. Caotica, stressante, comoda ma...sarà poi vero? Rifuggo però dai fanatismi e dalle esasperazioni; proprio non riesco a comprendere bene tutto ciò che emerge dalla loro scelta di vita. Probabilmente una fede solida ed indiscussa consente di farlo.
    Grazie Dany, un abbraccio e buon fine settimana
    Susanna

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Susanna
      carissima, non credo che la loro sia mai stata ciò che possiamo definire come una scelta di vita, loro semplicemente non si sono posti il problema di aderire al progresso, non hanno seguito il flusso che ha coinvolto la massa dopo l'industrializzazione post-vittoriana, si sono chiusi nella loro autenticità e continuano a vivere meglio di noi, credimi, più sani nel corpo e nella mente - non so se hai letto che non conoscono l'autismo e tu sai bene di cosa parlo, il contatto con la natura e gli animali, la vita in famiglie numerose che noi non potremmo mantenere nella nostra società non consente loro di conoscere questa patologia psichica e comportamentale davvero grave ... per me non è dir poco ... che noi ormai non si possa più tornare indietro questo è indiscutibile !

      Ti abbraccio forte forte ringraziandoti come sempre
      ed augurandoti un sereno weekend di primavera,
      mia dolce, preziosa amica ♥♡♥

      Elimina
  4. Cara Daniela come sempre un articolo curioso interessante e accurato Lo stile di vita degli Amish mi ha sempre attratto non sono credente ma cerco di vivere la vita quotidiana con semplicità facendo a meno di tante cose che oramai sembrano indispensabili.Fortunatamente vivo in campagna dove i profumi e i suoni sono quelli di una volta...quasi.Maggio è il mese del gelsomino e aspetto con ansia di sentire il suo profumo mentre leggo un libro.Questa per me è la felicità.Un bacio e un grazie.Baby

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Baby
      non sarai credente, carissima amica mia, ma hai comunque un modo religioso di vivere le tue giornate, hai una tua filosofia di vita che ti guida verso le piccole cose di cui fare tesoro e per cui gioire, verso la semplicità di cuore, verso la genuinità ... non è forse questa la religione dell'Amore, quello con la 'A' maiuscola ?!?

      Avevo da tempo compreso di avere in te un'amica tanto preziosa, proprio per questo !

      Mia dolce, devi sapere che l'uomo più religioso che abbia mai conosciuto e che tanta parte ha avuto nella mia educazione e formazione era il mio povero nonno: lui era ateo, ma era la persona più umile, generosa, buona, talentuosa, rispettosa e paziente del mondo, c'era tutto da imparare da lui .... purtroppo l'ho perso troppo presto !

      Ti invio un abbraccio forte di affetto e di gratitudine,
      che ti accompagni per questo piovoso weekend di maggio,
      buona serata tesoro ⊰✽*✽⊱

      Elimina
  5. In questo nostro mondo che va di corsa, è cos' bello cullarsi in questo tuo post che ci porta in un tempo lento e naturale!Mi convinco sempre più di aver sbagliato posto qui nel mondo!Ma il destino mi ha collocato qui!Un abbraccio cara amica che ci fai segnare e porti dolcezza in questi giorni che vanno troppo di fretta!Rosetta

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Rosetta
      le tue parole mi hanno commossa tanta è la loro bellezza, grazie, grazie dal profondo del cuore !!!

      Ti auguro una bellissima serata,
      preziosa amica mia,
      ringraziandoti come sempre per la dolcezza che porti con te ♡ஐ♡

      Elimina
  6. Good morning, Dany. Thanks for another very interesting post. I've been doing my family genealogy research and learned that I come from a very long line of Mennonites who started in Switzerland where they faced a great deal of religious persecution. So, I have been doing a bit of research into that early period to better understand. Like those you mentioned here, my ancestors came over to Pennsylvania, then to Ohio and Michigan, while others emigrated from Pennsylvania to Canada. It is a fascinating journey. I'd love to know more about the period in Switzerland when things were so very bad. What is a bit exciting is that I never knew about any of this history before. I do have a Mennonite quilt bought decades ago on a trip to Canada and we do see Amish in Michigan but I had no idea of my personal connection. While there are differences in the two faiths, they are also very similar. Thanks for this one.

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Jeanie
      I'm feeling so fascinated by your ancient roots, I so love genealogy researches !
      Thank you once again for your always enthralling and captivating comments and for your precious presence here, you always grace my blog, darling friend !

      Sending blessings of joy on the end of your week
      with sincere gratitude ღ❀ღ

      Elimina
  7. Gli amish mi hanno sempre affascinato. Ammiro la loro capacità di aver detto a no a tanti agi e comodità che ha portato l'industrializzazione. Adoro i loro abiti!
    Bacioni Alessandra

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Alessandra
      anche io li ammiro molto, soprattutto per i valori che hanno saputo conservare e che noi abbiamo perso tempo fa, purtroppo !

      Ti invio un bacione grande ed un forte abbraccio,
      trascorri una bellissima serata,
      romantica amica mia *•♥♥•*

      Elimina
  8. Beautiful post, Dany. The images alone tell a lovely story ...reminders of the beauty of simplicity. How our world needs this more and more each day.
    Thank you for sharing with us.
    <3

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Marcia
      dearest frend of mine, your words of appreciation bless this evening of mine, I'm sincerely grateful to you both for your delightful presence here and for your so beautiful words !!!

      Wishing you a most wonderful weekend,
      with utmost thankfulness ✿*✿

      Elimina
  9. When I was in Indiana I visited Amish Country. Most delightful people. The old ways work for them. Lovely people.

    Have a fabulous day, Dany. ♥♥♥

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Sandee
      I think that theirs still remains the most serene and peaceful way for living life...!

      With much gratitude
      I'm sending blessings on your Sunday,
      may it be filled with joy and wonder ❥

      Elimina
  10. olá Daniela:

    muito , muito interessante como sempre seus posts.
    Aqui no sul do Brasil existe também comunidades menonitas.
    Na cidade de Curitiba onde moro, tem igrejas menonitas, da qual a família do meu marido pertence.
    A família de meu marido , veio da Rússia , na imigração do começo do século passado e são menonitas, por parte do pai dele.
    NO Brasil a diversidade cultural é muito grande e aprendemos muito uns com os outros.
    Também somos italianos por aqui, acho maravilhosa esta mistura !!
    Os primeiros imigrantes italianos começaram a chegar ao Brasil na década de 1870. Porém, foi entre as décadas de 1880 e 1910 que houve o maior fluxo de italianos para o território brasileiro, principalmente, para as regiões sul e sudeste do país.
    E também temos a nação com mais italianos no mundo depois da Itália.
    são em torno de 40 milhões de brasileiros descendentes de italianos.

    Os italianos que vieram viver no Brasil trouxeram na bagagem muitas características culturais que foram incorporadas à cultura brasileira, estando presentes até os dias de hoje. Muitas palavras italianas foram, com o tempo, fazendo parte do vocabulário português do Brasil. No campo da culinária esta influência foi marcante, principalmente, nas massas (macarronada, nhoque, canelone, ravióli, etc.), molhos e pizzas. Os italianos também ajudaram a fortalecer o catolicismo no país.
    então Tchau....
    grande abraço e um excelente fim de semana..
    :o)
    Eliane

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Eliane
      I didn't know that so many Mennonites are living in Brasil !
      As for our history, so many people I do know had relatives who in the past left here everything to reach Brasil or Argentina, even my great-grand-mother on my mother side had a little stay in Brasile together with her family to work in the tobacco plantations and earn a few money !

      Wishing you a terrific remainder of your weekend, Dearie,
      thank you for such a wonderful and so interesting comment ༺♡❀♡༻

      Elimina
  11. So beautiful and calming, dear Daniela! Lovely to see the animals and lovely outfits of this period. Thank you so much for sharing simpler times, I love this!

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Linda
      and I so love to have you here, dear, dearest friend of mine, you always put me in such high spirits and bless my heart !

      Sending much love to you,
      with the deepest gratitude ever ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  12. Hello, I love all this information. I'll be back another day to read more. I live in PA. I don't know if any of our family was Amish but I do know I had ancestors who spoke the same language. They didn't teach us unfortunately. Thanks for sharing.

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Linda M.
      you're so heartily welcome, come back whenever you want,
      sweet friend, I'm sincerely glad to have read your words of appreciation !

      ⊰♥⊱ Wishing you a lovely rest of your Sunday ⊰♥⊱

      Elimina
  13. Dear Dany, such a lovely post sharing the life of the Amish. Your photos are beautiful and show the details of how it really is. We lived in Indiana and Ohio and near many Amish and came to really appreciate the talents of the local neighbors who were Amish. Last January we also visited in Ohio and went to an Amish town. We enjoyed shopping their many beautiful wares and having dinner in an Amish restaurant. In the 80's we stayed in an Amish hotel and it was outstanding. Many still dress the same today and use horse and buggy for transportation. When we were on the road, we followed behind many buggies. It was peaceful. Let's one know, we are in too big a hurry most days. Blessings to you dear friend. xo

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Celestina Marie
      dear, oh, I'd love to make such an experince like yours, I'm sure I'd be delighted by knowing them in a town of theirs and keep in touch with them for real !

      Thanking you so, so much for telling your experience,
      I'm sending hugs and ever much love to you
      may your day be blessed with joy ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  14. I did learn a few things through your post... we use to live in New Jersey, not to far from the Pennsylvania Amish, of course since I was heavily into quilting back then I use to go to their quilt shops. At times I think their way of life would be good, but I think I would really miss my electricity and all it gives me.
    Wishing you a blessed Sunday :)

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Conniecrafter
      we today couldn't leave our society to join an Amish community, that's sure, as much as it's sure that they wouldn't live our lives, they sare still living as we did more than a century ago without knowing any industrial development, they don't feel deprived of anything, we for sure would :) !

      Wishing you a most lovely new week,
      precious friend of mine,
      sending blessings across the many miles ♡ஐ♡

      Elimina
  15. What surprised me most here is the absence of autism. I wonder what other problems and illnesses they manage to avoid as a result of their lifestyle?
    I've often contemplated the way of a simpler life and sometimes find myself going in that direction and more and more it has accumulated in my life. But, it is difficult to defend without having that type of community around you.
    It is so very unfortunate that people often mistake simplicity for stupidity. It is awful to be judged in this way, and I commend the Amish for upholding their strong values in an increasingly difficult world.
    Thank-you so much for sharing this post Dany, I so thoroughly enjoyed the inspired thought.
    Have a lovely week my beautiful friend,
    Much Love,
    Andrea

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Andrea
      dear, darling friend, thank you for gracing my blog today both with your so precious presence here and with your so kind words of appreciation, you've fully understood what I mean ... what I feel for them is a deep admiration, I believed that they could hardly survive in a world so much different from theirs, but they don't only survive, they go on increasing the number of their villages' population, that's why I think that if they have some typical desease, for sure it's less fatal than those we know in our ordinary world and life.

      As for autism, it's a typical pathology belonging to our century, to the alienation that childhood is living today !

      Sending you all my love
      with so, so much thankfulness,
      ✿•• blessed be ••✿

      Elimina
  16. Carissima , ho stampato il tuo post e l'ho messo nel mio raccoglitore,il mio "Daily Journal" del cuore : è detto tutto!
    Ti auguro una lieta settimana con tutto il mio affetto,
    Franca

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Franca
      sono onoratissima da questa tua decisione, da ciò comprendo di aver dato vita ad un articolo che ti ha realmente coinvolta, grazie, grazie di cuore !

      Ti abbraccio forte forte contraccambiando il tuo augurio per la settimana appena cominciata, possa essere prodiga di letizia anche per te,
      carissima amica mia ♥¸.•*´¨`*•.♥

      Elimina
  17. Thanks for sharing this lovely and interesting post about the Amish communities, Dany !
    Hope you're having a wonderful Sunday and new week, sweet friend !
    Hugs,
    Sylvia

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Sylvia
      I heartily thank you for your so kind words of appreciation,
      beautiful friend of mine, you always put me in such high spirits with your visits here !

      Thinking of you with so much love and gratitude,
      I'm wishing you the most pleasant of weeks ⊰✽*✽⊱

      Elimina
  18. What a nice post! I have always been interested in Amish culture. Lovely pictures too :) Thanks!

    RispondiElimina
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    1. @ Alicia
      your words of enthusiasm and respect fill my heart and bless my day, I thank you wholeheartedly !

      Have yourself a wonderful joy-filled day ∗⊱༺♡❀♡༻⊰∗

      Elimina
  19. The images you chose really tell a story, Dany. How wonderfully simple (though hard work!) their lives seem. I almost envy them! I did not know about the "Rumspringa" and find it very interesting. I wonder what % choose not to return, not many, I would guess. Thank you for this, my friend! Wishing you a blessed week ahead!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ June
      after the RUMSPRINGA most of them come back, they don't like our reality, the world outside their villages, especially in the great cities ... if you think there ìs such a difference between the two realities, a difference which is growing more and more and so, so fast !

      Always so grateful for your presence here, cherished friend,
      I'm sending blessings on your week just begun,
      may the Lord grant you peaceful days ♥∗✿∗♥

      Elimina
  20. The photos are beautiful and amazing. :)

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Gentle joy
      I heartily thank you, sweet friend !

      Have a fabulous day ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  21. There is a part of me that would want to live this way, but i would have trouble leaving my internet friends, and also trouble with a couple of their doctrines of faith.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ messymimi
      truth is that we don't belong to that world, I simply envy and admire the strenght with which they've preserved their ancient values !

      I thank you from the bottom of my heart, dear friend,
      and I hope your new week holds much joy ❥

      Elimina
  22. I have long admired the Amish for their simple lifestyle. Thank you for linking to Blue Monday!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Magical Mystical Teacher
      dearest friend, it's my pleasure, indeed, it is I who thank you for taking the time to comment and for your so kind words of appreciation, you're truly a lovely hostess !

      ♥♡♥ Sending much love to you ♥♡♥

      Elimina
  23. You've summarized the history very well Dani. We learned much of this when we spent several weeks In Berlin County Ohio, staying in an RV Park owned by a Mennonite family. We visited with Amish families, bought produce at their farms, and toured the area and visitor centers. It was a most interesting experience. The pictures you've chosen illustrate the history very well.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sallie
      I'm sincerely grateful to you for telling you own experience and for writing it together with such beautiful words of estimation putting a bright smile on my face, be blessed !

      May your Monday and your days to come be as Beautiful as you,
      you're such a treasure, Sweetie ✻ღღ✻

      Elimina
  24. Risposte
    1. Kathe W.
      you said it, blessed simplicity !!!

      I'm sending a big thank you from the bottom of my heart,
      may it reach you despite the many miles, Dearie *•¸♥♥¸•*

      Elimina
  25. dany che bello che dai risalto a questa realtà ancora così attuale in certe praterie americane...
    ammirabile il loro credo, il loro stile di vita semplice e genuino..
    bellissime le foto di repertorio complimenti!
    ti auguro un buon lunedi all insegna del sole (che qui ancora tarda ad arrivare purtroppo...)
    daniela

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ daniela
      anche qui il sole non sembra ancora deciso, un po' si mostra ed un po' piove ... beh, sono gli scherzi tipici della nostra primavera !

      Grazie infinite per le parole di apprezzamento per questo mio post e soprattutto per questa gente che ancora fonda la propria vita su valori autentici, anche io li ammiro con tutta me stessa !

      Ti abbraccio forte come non mai per augurarti una serata all'insegna della letizia più profonda,
      grazie ancora e sempre, mia dolce •♥•*Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ*•♥•

      Elimina
  26. I absolutely love the Amish culture. Last year, late summer, my husband and I stayed with a Beachy Amish family who rented out what used to be an apartment for their aged parents. It was one of the loveliest vacations I had every had. Our hostess would come out and sit with my husband and I every day and there we would just fellowship. I learned much about the Amish culture. Their home was surrounded by Old Order Amish. In fact, they would drive them around.

    But the highlight of our trip was being invited to attend a Beachy Amish/Mennonite Sunday morning service. As I walked in I gazed upon a sea of sheer head coverings and beautiful colored dresses on one side, and crisp white shirts and black trousers on the right, I was taken by the simplicity of it all. They were singing It is Well with My Soul acapella and I thought, this is what Heaven will be like.

    Thanks so much for sharing here and brining back wonderful memories for me.

    Blessings,

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Karen Del Tatto
      First of all I'm so, so grateful to you for gracing my blog, dear friend !

      To read your comment touched me in the deep and moved me, my eyes are shiny with tears, ... I really think that they, with their simplicity, are much more near to the Lord than us ...!

      And thanks most sincerely also for sharing what I understand to be your treasured memories, I'm so glad to have recalled such cherished moments to your mind ... you're truly a loving Lady, it is I who have to thank you, believe me !

      Sending blessings to you too,
      with utmost gratitude ✿*✿

      Elimina
  27. They seem to live with serenity and love ~ Your photos of the children are my favorite ~ all photos are very lovely ~ thanks,

    Happy Week to you ~ ^_^

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ carol l mckenna
      I'm sincerely thankful to you, you're such a sweet-hearted Lady and I'm truly honored to have you as a friend, you're a ray of sun on this little corner on the web of mine !

      Wishing you too a Happy Week
      sending hugs and much love to you ❥

      Elimina
  28. You have a lovely blog.I enjoy visiting you

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Princes Nadle
      you're so heartily welcome, your words both of appreciation and of enjoyment bless my day, I heartily thank you (I'm a follwer of yours, now, you too have such lovely blogs, new friend of mine !) !

      Wishing you a joy-filled day ♥¸.•*´¨`*•.♥

      Elimina
  29. Beautiful post, great photographs, very interesting and respectful commentary.
    Here in Oklahoma we have several groups of Amish and they are different from group to group. One family I talked to had a dairy and they also sold bread and other baked goods. They had propane lights but used electricity in the dairy to comply with state laws. They also had an electric cash register. They said that such things are discussed extensively in their community before they they are allowed or not. A big thing in the decisions is community and how the technology would affect.
    I find them fascinating.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte


    1. @ Yogi
      I think that their shops are something like a link with us, with our society, aren't they, so they have to use electricity for sure, but I'm far sure that in their homes they don't use it all !

      With deep gratitude for having written your own experience and having thus enriched this post of mine,
      I'm sending blessings on your coming days,
      trusting your week is off to a lovely start ⊰✽*✽⊱

      Elimina
  30. Risposte
    1. @Lady Fi
      I welcome you with such a joy-filled hug, thank you !

      Wishing you a most beautiful day, today,
      and a pleasant remainder of your week ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  31. Risposte
    1. @ annie
      lovable Lady, I heartily thank you for your so nice words of appreciation and enjoyment, you truly fill my heart !

      May your days to come be filled with gladness and smiles ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  32. I loved this post, Dany.
    We have a few Amish communities nearby, and I just love to observe them.
    As much as I love and am grateful for my life, I have to wonder if a much simpler way of life is "better."
    Thank you so much for sharing here, sweet friend.
    Sending you hugs from across the ocean.
    xo.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Lisa
      cherished friend !
      I'm so, so glad you loved it and appreciate these people living in such a different world than ours in the name of simplicity !

      Sending blessings of joy across the many miles,
      with so much, sincere love and gratitude ⊰✽*✽⊱

      Elimina
  33. Dear Daniela,

    Interesting post you shared of the Amish people and I like how they seem to live a peaceful and lovely life. The children are beautiful. There is a lot to be said for living a simple life where now days life is so busy and people are connected to their phones and computer.
    Hope you are having a lovely week
    hugs
    Carolyn

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Carolyn
      thanks for commenting, Dearie, I'm so glad you enjoyed this post of mine !

      Hope you're having a lovely week so far,
      I'm sending hugs and my dearest love to you ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  34. I've spent time in Holmes County, Ohio and Kalona, Iowa in the U.S.. Both considered "Amish Country" here. Very interesting places to visit. They have amazing cafes and restaurants with down home cooking. Thanks for the post, Dany. xo

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ A Joyful Cottage
      it is I who thank you for your comment, darling Nancy, since with your own experience you've added something interesting and of real life to my post, with your own words you've confirmed the Beauty of this world of theirs !

      Trusting you're enjoying a nice week,
      I'm sending blessings on your coming days,
      with sincere gratitude ♡ஐ♡

      Elimina
  35. Interesting post dear Dany. Google told there are about 240.000 amishes left. I love simple life, but really don't know what to think about amishes....

    The photos are gorgeous. Here in Finland the cows and calves get out for the first time after winter - and they nearly explode out of happiness :) Have a lovely day!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ riitta k
      actually they're not left, their population is growing much faster than the American one, just think that every family has normally 6-7 children !

      Enjoy your Spring with gladness,
      dearest friend,
      sending my warmest hug to you ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  36. DAniela, grazie per il tuo interessantissimo articolo e le belle, uniche foto. Posso solo dirti che, nonostante viva immersa nella tecnologia e modernita', nel mio piccolo, in fondo al mio cuore, mi sento molto vicino agli amish. Un esempio? Sono 25 anni che non guardo la tv, l'ho semplicemente elimininata dalla mia vita, a casa mia non la possedevo, ora vivo con mio padre e ogni tanto, di sfuggita, guardo un tg. Limito al minimo indispensabile l'utilizzo del cellulare. Piccole cose ma queste piccole cose mi hanno regalato piu' tempo per me stessa, per leggere, per vivere. Li ammiro perche' sono rimasti fedeli a se stessi e comunque danno la possibilita' di scegliere a una certa eta'. Ti auguro una serena giornata DAny, a presto.
    Anna Maria

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Anna Maria
      ho letto con immenso piacere le tue parole ed ho scoperto che le tue scelte di vita sono molto simili alle mie, anzi, alle nostre, a quelle di tutta la mia famiglia !

      Come vedi uso il pc, ma per comunicare con amici altrimenti irraggiungibili,... sì, anche questa è tecnologia, ma vivo lontana da certi eccessi ed esasperazioni, questo te lo garantisco (ignoro cosa sia un 'reality', non vedo da anni un tg pur essendo comunque informata su ciò che accade nel mondo, ovviamente) e ne vado fiera !

      Ti invio un caloroso abbraccio colmo di affetto, stima e gratitudine sincera, trascorri una lieta serata,
      dolcissima amica mia *•♥♥•*

      Elimina
  37. Beautiful post. When we visited USA we could see a group of Amish people. It was wonderful to see them as i have read about them and have watched the Harrison Ford movie 'Witness'to see little bit based on their community living. They are soft and quiet people to lead a simple life. You have shared beautiful pictures. Every time when i visit your blog i feel like stepping into a theater to see a medieval or period movie. Very well maintained blog with interesting subjects. Thank you for all your lovely comments. Hope you are having your share of fun in the lovely weather. Lots of love to you Daniela. Sujatha.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Sujatha
      it's always such a delight to welcome you here, precious friend of mine !

      I feel so glad after reading your words of interest for this article, and after reading those of esteem about ~ My little old world ~ well, I feel, so, so touched in the deep, my eyes are shiny with tears, you cannot immagine how big is the joy you're giving to me !

      May your day be filled with all the love you deserve,
      darling friend,
      I'm thinking of you with much gratitude ❥

      Elimina
  38. Hello Daniela,
    Your blogsite is very beautiful ~ qué bonita! What I am seeing is written in Latin?? Brazilian?? Portugués? Yo pienso que está bien que puedo leer y escribir {terrible, yo sé} en Español ~ puedo leer la mayoría de sus escritos.

    I have enjoyed reading what I could. Fun that your site is multi-lingual! I know the Amish speak a dialect of German and after reading others' comments above, I am surprised yet not surprised that so many Amish are all over the world. Ich spreche neur ein biBchen Deutsch; die hast zu fiel lange zeit nicht zu sprechen. {Is that even close?! :)} We moved to Texas last fall from California and I hope to visit more of the Texas Hill Country here where there are Texas Amish descendants, I believe. Hope you get to visit here in the Texas Hill Country around Fredericksburg one day.

    Thank you for a lovely time here! The music is wonderful, the art in your sidebar is delightful. I'll add you to my sidebar for others to come and visit, thank you. What a wonderful treat!

    Blessings to you,
    Barb :)
    www.frenchethereal.net

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Barb
      I'm so overjoyed by having you here, your enthusiasm is filling this afternoon of mine !

      First of all let me express all the joy it gives to me to have you as a new follower of mine, I'm truly honored, believe me !

      As for the first language you've found written it's Italian, my mother tongue, but if you scrolled down the page you could find the English version: sometimes I put it as first, sometimes I put it as second, according to the topics I deal with; this time I thought that this matter was more interesting for Italians, but I was wrong and, truth is, I'm followed first of all by American friends, that is English speaking friends in general.

      Sincerely feeling over the moon happy by your graceful presence here,
      I'm sending blessing to you too, new friend of mine,
      may the remainder of your week be as Beautiful as you ༺♡❀♡༻

      Elimina
  39. stavolta mi hanno affascinata le foto!
    Buona giornata, Luisa

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Luisa
      grazie mia cara,
      auguro anche a te un buon prosieguo di giornata !

      Ti abbraccio con il cuore ⊰✽*♥*✽⊱

      Elimina
  40. Risposte
    1. @ Regine Karpel
      you're so heartily welcome, thanks most sincerely !

      Sending blessings on your way ✿*✿

      Elimina
  41. I truly enjoyed this whole web site. Thank you for taking the time to post such fantastic info. I would very much like to be a member of this web site please. thank you.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ sandy@geary.ca
      I welcome you with such a big hug, new friend of mine !

      If you have a Google + profile - and I'm sure you have - you may add yourself to the others followers of ~ My little old world ~ so very easily, you just have to push 'follow' under the followers gadget, but I cannot do anything instead of you, alas, I'm sorry but it is you who have to do it with your account !

      Hope you'll succeed, I'd love to have you following my blog !

      Wishing you a most joy-filled day,
      wherever you are,
      sweet friend ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  42. Oh, how wonderful it would be to live such a life of simplicity. We are bombarded with so many modern conveniences that we... I....let get in the way of the things that really matter. I long for the days before microwaves and smart phones. Thank you so much for sharing these awesome fotos. I especially love the ones with the little ones! Happy Mother's Day,sweet Lady. 💜

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Debbie Huffaker
      I'm so grateful to you for gracing my blog today, Dearie, both with you so lovely and precious presence here and with your always beautiful words filling my heart with joy !

      Actually we all do associate the idea of a simpler life with that of a more gladness-filled days, so far from us ...

      Wishing you too a most lovely Mother's Day weekend,
      I'm sending blessings across the many miles ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  43. Your photos are beautiful and I enjoyed reading about the Amish culture. I think it would be so much simpler to live life as they do, but it sounds like hard work. I wonder about things such as their land. Is it inherited? Are their taxes lower because not too many improvements? I guess they have an income from selling furniture and produce?

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Nonnie
      I welcome you with a big, big hug, sweet friend !
      Yes, I suppose they've an income by their activities and services, they've B&B, little restaurants and shops where they sell their manufacts.

      Thanks most sincerely for taking the time to visit and to comment with appreciation,
      wishing you a most joyful Mother's Day ✿⊱╮

      Elimina
  44. I enjoyed reading this Dany and have always been interested in their simple way of life. I had always traced them back to Menno Simmons from the reformation but it looks like they took a different road in the 1600's per your article. Thank you for the informative read and peaceful pictures my friend!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ JES
      you're always such a bright and warm ray of sun, precious friend of mine, thank you for gracing my blog today !

      So glad to have entertained you pleasantly,
      I'm sending blessings on your Sunday and new week ahead,
      with sincere gratitude ⊰✽*Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ*✽⊱

      Elimina
  45. I love the photos! Thank you for sharing!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Anne Inthekitchen
      it is I who thank you, wholeheartedly, my friend !

      Wishing you a beautiful Sunday,
      filled with joy and love *•♥♥•*

      Elimina
  46. Such sweet photos Dany! I find the Amish culture so interesting and love visiting Amish country!! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Jann
      it's my pleasure, believe me, dearest friend !

      Wishing you a most beautiful Mother's Day, sweet Lady,
      with heartfelt thankfulness ღ❀ღ

      Elimina
  47. Dany, the history you've recounted is beautifully done and the images you've shared are quite touching. it is always such a pleasure to visit your "little old world." wishing you love and light in your new week. xoxo Michele

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Michele
      I welcome you with my heart filled with joy to overflowing, you're such a delightful friend !

      Sending blessings of peace and love on your Mother's Day
      thinking of you with sincere gratitude ♡❤♡

      Elimina
  48. Thank you for this lovely post. I love it.
    My daughter is in your country this week. She like the culture!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Aritha
      I'm feeling overjoyed by your words of appreciation, I'm sincerely glad to read that you loved it !

      Italian culture and history are so interesting and useful to understand the roots of civilisation, it's a pity that we don't take care of preserving the treasures the previous centuries have left us as they do deserve, alas !

      I hope you're having a joy-filled day
      I'm sending hugs and love to you,
      may your daughter enjoy a beautiful holiday here ♥∗✿∗♥

      Elimina
  49. Ciao Daniela, interessante quello che hai condiviso circa l'Amish. Davvero ammirare il loro stile di vita sia contro il progresso e la tecnologia. Grazie per la condivisione !, Qui starò a leggere il tuo blog e godere, un abbraccio! Roes M.

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Rose M.
      quanta dolcezza nelle tue parole, è una tale gioia per me averti qui, mia cara !

      Contraccambio il tuo abbraccio dal profondo del cuore,
      che ti accompagni per tutta la giornata, mia dolce,
      grazie per la tua deliziosa e preziosa presenza ❥

      Elimina
  50. Hello Dany, what an Interesting post on the Amish people. They may live a simple life but it also seems to a hard life. I was away and I am still running a little behind visiting my critter links! Thanks so much for linking up, have a great new week ahead!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. eileeninmd
      please, don't be worried, this post is here and you don't have to be in a hurry, our life's has the precedence on everything, even on the time we'd live to spend on the web, indeed, thank you for being always so supportive, Dearie !

      Wishing you a most lovely week
      I'm sending blessings across the many miles ❀≼♥≽❀

      Elimina
  51. Wow, I really learned a lot from this post! I grew up in Pennsylvania not far from an Amish area. Many Pennsylvania Dutch traditions were commonplace back then. Your pictures are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing at Vintage Charm! xo Kathleen|Our Hopeful Home

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Kathleen
      it's my pleasure and delight, sweetest friend of mine, both to welcome you here and to share my post at your so lovely weekly link-up party, you're such a good-hearted Lady, blessed be !

      May your day be filled with joy and smiles,
      sending my dearest love to you ♥¸.•*´¨`*•.♥

      Elimina
  52. Your shots are each a work of art and make this sort of life look so beautiful and idyllic. Gorgeous! Always love seeing your blog and enjoying the music

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. @ Jeanne
      you're always far generous with me, dearest friend, your lovely comments are like bright rays of cheerful sunshine, I heartily thank you !

      Always delighted to welcome you here,
      I'm wishing you a most beautiful remainder of your weekend,
      sending hugs and ever much love to you ಌ•❤•ಌ

      Elimina
  53. In the past few years, Amish have settled here in Maine, USA. I love all that they bring to our community!

    RispondiElimina
    Risposte
    1. Michele Morin
      I have to admit that I do admire them so much since they've kept alive some important moral and religious value most of us have forgotten, alas!
      Thank you, dear friend, for your precious words, you're such a bright light enriching ~ My little old world ~ ...be blessed!
      Have a most Beautiful day to come ༺❀༻

      Elimina

I THANK YOU WHOLEHEARTEDLY FOR YOUR THOUGHTS AND WORDS, SO PRECIOUS TO ME.