Monday, August 25, 2008

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.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like your vintage mood. :) These pictures are awesome!!

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Laura ~Peach~ said...

wonderful pictures ... Love the vintage look.

Coloradolady said...

Love the pictures. I have always wanted to go to Amish country. I am sure you had a wonderful day after a morning of cleaning!

Anonymous said...

I love the pictures, I imagine a pleasant sunday where time moves slower, thank you for taking us there.

Unknown said...

The photos are amazing. I want to visit amish country sometime this fall! So beautiful!

Mary said...

Yes, I've been in a vintage mood, too. I have never been to Amish country, even though it's probably only a few hours away... looks like beautiful country, though!

The photos are wonderful!
xoxo,
Mary

Anonymous said...

I loved driving up to the Amish country when I lived in Maryland. It was a favorite thing to do with visitors. Wonderful people - and lots of homey places to visit.

You didn't mention rollerblades. I can't tell you how many Amish teens and preteens I've passed on country roads on rollerblades.

I've taken loads of memorable pictures in the area. I can't stop clicking when I'm there.

Nice visit. Thanks for taking me back!

Ellen said...

Great pictures. I do like that autumnal effect.

Mental P Mama said...

I drove through Amish country this past Spring with my son, and I think it is some of the most beautiful land there is...Love your shots;)

Kelly said...

I really don't know much at all about the Amish, so thanks for explaining some of the differences and diversities that they have. It's so easy to lump everyone into one category, which is apparently what I had done. Wrong again, thanks for a wonderful lesson, which I knew, but must have forgotten!

Anonymous said...

That's interesting about the Mennonite's. In Oregon where we will move, there are lots of Mennonite's and I don't know what to make of them. I guess they are all different.

Rosezilla (Tracie Walker) said...

That is an amazing picture of the barn once you tell how you shot it! Very cool. We had a lot of Amish in Southern Indiana. I love the horses! Sometimes people at a new church think I'm Mennonite because I wear a head covering for prayer, and I dress kinda - I don't know - plain, maybe. I am curious to know how my beliefs would be alike and different from their's, but as you point out, there are many different beliefs among them!

Shimmy Mom said...

Great pictures Kate! I hope that you enjoyed your trip. We lived a couple of hours away from an Amish community when we were in Illinois and I loved shopping in their shops. I have a handmade broom and a beautiful antique painting print in a lovely frame that I got there. I know that there have been a few days that my hubby and I have looked at each other and said, "Do you think the Amish would let us come live with them for a while?" sometimes it seems like a better way of life. Then I look around my house and realize I'm too big a wuss to live that kind of life full time.
Great post.
*hugs*

Egghead said...

There is a Mennonite community close to us and they are very nice people. One woman writes a column for our local paper and has published a couple of books. I love to drive through the Mennonite countryside and am always so in awe of how neat and tidy their farms are. There is also a wonderful bakery owned by a Mennonite woman (in her home) where we are pulled like a magnet each time we are in the area. Great pictures.