They even had an amish school house. I think i'm right in they were amish. We also have mennonites who drive to our store to buy our eggs. I have also there are black stockings
and I have many amish aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.) they really have most of the conveniences we do barring television, computer, radio. They just use propane or natural gas to run their appliances and pump water instead of electricity. Yes , they do take vacations, just like us. They go by train , or hire a van. In some states where horses are outlawed on the road ( like florida ) many also drive with the bishops approval. Amish with businesses will have a phone at the business or at the barn. Amish dairy farmers will have electricity in their barn to cool the milk as required by law so they can sell it as well in other businesses but not in the house. In areas where I live where there are many amish ,you will see a phone booth out in the middle of a country road, for the amish. Weirdest thing to see a phone booth surrounded by farm fields , I tell you what. They do get a chance to experience the life of us " english " when they turn 16. They are allowed to drive , live with electricity , and run wild as they want until they decide they want to join the church , usually when they marry. This is called " rumspringa ". Some never do join the church after they get a taste of living like us but most do . They aren't required to marry, there are bachelor amish. My one amish aunt recently died in her 80s , never married. The amish people are the kindest , most helpful folks around. They will be the first to show up with tools after a house fire or tornado does damage , even at an " English " neighbours. They are also a great source of learning if you need a self suffiency teacher ! I love living in a community with Amish neighbours and that my kids attend school with Amish children. I'm grateful I was raised by my sweet daddy with his Amish values. There is almost nothing I wasn't taught to do by my Dad (neutering a sheep , canning , raising animals, building a fence , cutting firewood , and on and on !) While there are some aspects of their religion I disagree with , they are wonderful folks. We should all be so kind , honest and hard working ! The world be an amazing place !
Oh yes we get those stupid questions! Even had someone turn us into Child Services for not having running water in the house. Child services couldn't touch us because we have water in the house, just not in the pipesBeekissed said:Quail....do you get the silly questions like, "How do you take a bath?"...usually with a little snerl to the lip? I got that all the time growing up! I always told them, " Just like you, with soap and water!"
Really, if one is used to doing it and has a routine, its not as hard as it sounds. Laundry is about the hardest thing....I would miss the washing machine now that I have become accustomed to it.
and my kids are CLEAN. When we don't feel like heating enough for the tub I will heat enough and sponge bath kids and wash hair in the bathroom sink. No, we do not have a well. My father in law lives 500 feet up the road from us with an outdoor handle on his well. We fill up there. I catch rain water, too.
Yes, I am proud of that LOLOL We also recycle our milk jugs to hold water. Trust me, I can store ALOT of water right now 
That is an excellent idea!! Thank you I will share that with my husband! Oh thank you thank you!!miss_thenorth said:
I have just adjusted out of necessity!
