So I haven't written in quite a long while. Sorry, I happen to be keeping busy lately and doggone-it, I like it.
I felt inspired to write this random evening because I had an interesting experience while searching for ant-traps at a store today.
As I walked through the store I kept seeing these women dressed in long sleeves and black smocks with white bonnet-like head coverings. My guess was that they were Amish. Not wanting to jump to conclusions but being terribly curious, I decided to introduce myself to one of the ladies who looked about my age and start a conversation.
Let's just say, I'm not very smooth.
Me: "Hi, I'm Joanna."
Her: [Silence]
Me: "So... could I ask you a question?"
Her: [Silence]
Me: "What religion do you claim?"
Her: "What?"
Finally she said something!
Me: "Uh.... why do you wear the..." [Tugging at my own shirt indicating I'm referring to her smock because for the life of me I don't know what to call it.]
Her: "It's just something we do."
Dang it! She doesn't understand what I'm getting at.
Me: "I'm young, I'm stupid, so I'm just gonna ask... Are you Amish?"
Her: "Yes."
Me: "Wow. Where are you from?"
Her: "Somewhere around mid-Southern Maryland."
Me: "Do you use automotive vehicles?"
Her: "We use buggies."
Me: "You drove a horse and buggy here?"
Where the heck did they park?
Her: "No, a driver brought us here."
At this point another similarly dressed woman, older, steps beside the woman I have been chatting with and silently stares at me as if I am melted tar on the sidewalk.
Me: "Oh, ok."
[Awkward pause]
Me: "So you live off your land right?"
Her: "Yes."
Me: "That must be great."
Her: "It is."
Me: "What do you do in the winter when you can't grow fresh produce?"
Her: "We can food in the summer. Makes for a busy summer but it gets us through the winter."
Me: "I guess that makes sense. I wish the rest of society could live so simply."
Her: "It is good."
Me: "Well, thanks for talking with me. Be careful driving home."
I guess I don't have to say much after this... you can tell what a dork I am.
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