Hi Gail & I are taking the day off while our Amish friends are having a day of Worship. Its been an eye opening experience for the both of us, Gail and I thought that we could do pretty well living off grid and a self-reliant life. We have found out that although we do pretty well WE DONT HOLD A CANDLE TO THESE FOLKS. We have noticed the phones but the people that we are staying with are without electric of any kind. They don't sell their milk its shared with other Amish family's that in turn share some of what they produce. They also have eggs which they do sell along with Veggies.
They are allowed to USE cars but cant own them, that's how they came to our house to visit, they can USE computers but cant own them so they go to the public library to use theirs, this is how Gail and they met. Its taken a long time to set this up its not like they run to the library to talk everyday.
Gail fits in very well with them, the Gentleman that we are staying with uses the term " English" in referring to us. He said that Gail is one of the most inquisitive English that he's ever ran across, he wants to know why, what, when about EVERYTHING. I asked him if it bothers him and the others I can have a talk with Gail. He said please leave him alone, we are happy that someone of such good nature is that interested in our lifestyle.
The first day Gail was in a body harness roped off to a beam on the barn, I wont even estimate how high it was but he would have been a red blob if he had fallen. He worked on the roof structure with the others raising the beams into place and securing them with dowels. Gail made the dowels from square wood into round pegs with a Draw Knife? They taught Gail the in's and out's of making Mortise & Tenon joints, the beams were very large and I know Gail didn't want to ruin one by not knowing how to do something, he learned to layout the Mortise and Tenon and then someone with experience would do the woodworking part.
The next day went similar to the first except that before Jarrad and Gail went to work on the barn they did chores at his farm. Gail was in heaven when I finished helping Martha (the wife) and went to see what Gail was doing. Jarrad had him on a mule drawn hay cutting machine, I told them that you have found the secret to Gail. Put him with a mule powered machine and a field of hay to cut AND WATCH OUT, the only time Gail got off the machine was to unhitch the mule for a drink of water then back to cutting. By 11AM (lunch time before heading to the barn) Gail had cut 10 acres of hay, Jarrad asked him if he needed a job? Gail said that's not work its a pleasure!! At the barn Gail went back to learning the layout part of the task, at the end of the day I walked through the most beautiful field of Soybean and then corn to get to the building sight. Gail was so happy that he had cut several of the Mortise & Tenon joints without screwing them up.
I have had the opportunity to learn other recipes for bread, pies and other things that are fantastic tasting. Quilting is another thing that I'm picking up on they do some really nice work for not having any sewing machines. We made soap, we did that when they came to our house, I brought them some Lilac and moisturizers for their soap. They liked mine so much, its considered a luxury that cant be afforded on their own, I gave it as a gift they really enjoyed using it.
Gail took me to breakfast today, its the day 38 years ago he purposed to me, he has never missed a day singing me a song. I thought that he had until he walked in with his guitar. He told the restaurant what this was about and sang a song for me. There was a child about 6 years old throwing a tantrum, the parents acted like nothing was wrong. Gail has facial expressions that you can tell EXACTLY WHAT HE'S THINKING without him saying a word. The Mother asked if there was a problem? Gail said no that he had never been upstaged by a Brat before is all. She asked Gail so what should I do? Gail said here's my suggestion and played this song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yESgfK5Lqk
When he was finished the Mother & Father took the child and left, Gail said he wished he could clear a bar out as easy sometimes. The customers asked for more, it doesn't take much coaxing to get Gail to play some more. When he had played quite a few songs the customers came and thanked him and paid for our breakfast, Gail was very moved most said that he had hit the nail on the head with the screaming child. Gail told me later about half way through the song he was wondering if this is the Bible Belt and if so were they tossing a rope over a tree branch outside.
We went to the flea markets, its been a relaxing day. A drive around the country side let us see just how pretty Indiana is lots and lots of Soybean and Corn fields beautiful old farm houses.
That's it Gail just woke up he was napping under a shade tree after devouring half of a Pie and a quart of milk to wash down the lunch. We are heading back to Middlebury, going to pick up the furniture tomorrow, stay a few more days and then head home.
Take Care God Bless
Gail & Penny
Attention: TDR Forum Junkies 
) Its not like some would think, Gail and Mother are the BEST of friends, they enjoy conversation and they missed each other so Gail asked her on a date and to take her Square Dancing, He even asked my Father for his permission. 
