Sunshine and open buggies: perfect together

On Saturday, after he worked all morning, my husband came home and asked if I was ready to go shopping. I was not as I had just spent the entire morning cleaning the house, which was now gleaming, but I cheerfully said, "yeah, sure! I'll go shopping with you." He might remember me saying it differently, but I recall being tired and wanting to relax for a bit and the last thing I wanted to do was to go shopping. But then he told me where we were going and we'd be heading west, into Amish country, so I grabbed the camera with the zoom lens and off we went.

These photos aren't the best because all of them were taken through the window of the car, but there's a little trick I've learned, so bear with me, ok?

Because September is coming, I'm in a vintage sort-of mood. I've been taking a lot of pictures and working in Photoshop (if you want to call it work, that is) with PW's vintage action and then doubling it with her fresh and colorful on top of it. I think it turns the pictures into an autumnal version. The vintage action is great to use if you've got pictures that aren't the sharpest. And when you're shooting through a car window, and one that's not that clean to boot, your shots aren't going to be great. So my trick is to turn them vintage.

The sun was shining and the buggies were out in full force on Saturday. I would never drive by and force my camera face-on to the Amish; it's just rude, you know. That's why all these are from the rear.

I used to live much closer to Amish country when I ran a little local newspaper in Morgantown, PA. This was light years ago, back in the the late 70's-early 80's. I worked with Mennonites, too. In fact, my boss was black-bumper Mennonite. So I met Amish, knew Amish, hung out with some and went out clubbing with them, too. Totally not on those last two; I just wanted to make sure you were still with me. But I did know Amish and found out many interesting things about them.

While we were out on Saturday, we shopped at our favorite grocery store in East Earl, PA. Then we visited the store next to it, but my husband's search there for a new Carhart jacket was in vain. So we travelled north, further into Lancaster County and ended up in Fivepointville at one of the best stores to buy homespun, and farm-related products. And ding-dang-diddly, did they have one huge selection of Carhart jackets and pants! My husband was happy and found exactly what he wanted at Weaver's Store.

And I got to say ding-dang-diddly.

This barn surprised me. I mean, the picture actually turning decently out surprised me. We had driven by on the way to the store, and it was so fast, that I didn't have time to take off my lens cap. So I timed it on the way back, shooting this from the passenger seat through the driver's side window. My husband didn't even slow down because I didn't tell him what I was up to. I was really happy that it turned out this well! I was trying to shoot all the tobacco we saw growing, too, but everything came out blurry.

We stopped for a late lunch at a great little Mennonite-owned deli where the food is excellent and the service is really friendly. I know I sound like an advertisement, but it really is that good. Then we began the ride back home.

Did you know that a favorite mode of Amish transportation is the scooter? Everybody has a scooter in their garage. It's much quicker than walking and easy on the budget. Hope you enjoyed the pictures.

To see the top photo in a Watercolor/Paint Daub look, visit my daily photo blog, A Picture A Day.

Oh, and before I go, let me explain the black bumper thing: There are many different sects in the Mennonite religion. My boss was Automobile Old Order. They could have cars, but they were required to be black. Even the bumpers. Chrome was showy and showy equals vanity. On the opposite extreme, I also worked with a Mennonite girl who dressed exactly like me, was living with her boyfriend in an apartment, and was on the pill. So, you see, big difference in the different sects.

Until tomorrow, my friends.