Tuesday, February 11, 2014

ELMER TELLS OF PINECRAFT

When we left Pennsylvania, it was snowing.  Some of us on the bus were a little worried, but we said a prayer which I believed helped guide the bus driver.  We made it to Pinecraft, the next morning, safe and sound. It was just about 80 degrees when we arrived in Florida.

When we got off the bus, Bishop's parents were there to meet us and help get our luggage to the cottage and gave us the keys.  They asked if we would be interested in staying two months as the people that rented for March, had a family emergency come up, and wouldn't be able to come to Pinecraft.  We spoke with Bishop to see if he and his family wanted to come, but he said they couldn't as he had too many things to do.  Anna, John and I discussed it for a couple of days.  John is going to go back, later this month,  as he has jobs to do, but Anna and I are going to stay until March 26th.  This will be the first time Anna and I have been together, alone , in a long, long,  time.  We are looking forward to it.

Anna thought she would have to go grocery shopping, but the Bishop's parents had the refrigerator and cupboards full of food for us.  After we had our naps, Anna and I went to the Benefit Supper. John was still sleeping. Every Tuesday, there is a Benefit Supper here.  This Tuesday it was fried catfish along with a cowboy stew.  There were lots of people.  Lines were long.  It was worth waiting through for.  There is also music there, too.  While we were eating, John joined us.  Even though we had naps, we were still tired, so didn't stay long after we ate.

( The money from these benefits go to upkeep of Pinecraft.  Some went to cover the expenses of Haiti Benefit auction, and other goes to local places like Gator Boys' Camp.)

Next day, John and I got our three bicycles.  It was funny, the two us, with three bicycles, but we got them home.  After breakfast, the three of us road around Pinecraft to see what was going on.  We met some people we knew and chatted a little.  We took it pretty easy that day still trying to get rested up.

We are planning on deep sea fishing in the Gulf of Mexico, one day,  next week. It's nice to go fishing with a pole from a dock, but even more fun fishing on a boat in the Gulf.  As part of our trip, we look forward to it every year. 

Oh, I forgot to mention, when we got here on Tuesday, we went to an early lunch at Yoder's Restaurant.  John had chicken while Anna and I had meat loaf.  You are always served enough food and the deserts are great especially pies.  John had chocolate pie, Anna had lemon and I had apple pie with ice cream on top - they were delicious as were the dinners. 

The places people stay in here are either constructed small houses and some trailers - I guess they call them Mobile Homes now.  It is a really nice community.  Some people like to go to see the buses come in and the buses go out.  Some of the people that live here are here all year round, but most of the people come for just the winter or like us, come stay a month or two and go back north.  When our time comes to retire, Anna and I would like to buy a place to stay down here all year round, but that is a way off. 

I don't know what to say, so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask.

Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer

15 comments:

Vickie said...

How very interesting. Thank you for sharing Elmer. I do have a question. Where is worship held?

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Vickie,
Will pass your message and questions on to Elmer. Sure he will be glad to receive them.

Give Mabel and Henry a hug from us.

Marilyn and Pierre

Countryside Reflections said...

It sounds like a great vacation.

Do you think that you'll get so used to using electricity for two months that it will be hard to go back home and not have any?

Do any of the more strict groups like the Swartzentruber Amish come to Pinecraft? I'm just wondering how the church views the use of things that are not usually allowed.

If you choose to retire in Pinecraft and live there all year round, what does your church have to say about this different lifestyle. I find it a little odd that the church allows the Amish to have different rules, even temporarily while on a vacation. But if you're there permanently it's still okay?

When you're children go with you on a vacation to Pinecraft, like John who I would guess is at a very vulnerable age, will it influence his decision to join the church and stay Amish? Aren't you worried that he might choose a more English life after being exposed to English ways for an extended period of time?

Thank you for sharing this information about Pinecraft. I enjoy hearing about what you do for entertainment and even what foods you eat. It sounds like you're having a fun time.

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Good Morning Doreen,

I will see that Elmer gets your questions. Sure he will appreciate them as he was wondering what he would write about Pinecraaft next.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Noticed some sad news today. Movie star, Shirley Temple passed away. I use to love her movies when she was a little girl, in fact I still do. I grew up with watching her movies. She will be sadly missed.

Marilyn

Christine T said...

Sounds like a place I would like to go. Looking forward to hearing more Elmer. Thanks.

Paula O said...

Can "English" rent a cabin there? Sounds like a place I would love to stay for a couple of weeks during the winter. If they can how does one go about finding out the places available? Thanks and loved the article. Look forward to more.

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Christine T and Paula,
I really don't know if an Englisher can stay there or not. I will see what I can find out. Maybe Elmer will know. The thought of going there, sometime, has crossed my mind, too.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

I must be getting soft. Saw in the paper of someone Old Order Mennonite who passed away and there was a viewing at their house. I got in the car and drove out there today to take pictures from the outside. When I got there, I saw cars, horse and buggies, people coming and going and I just couldn't take the pictures. Drove by four times with the camera in my hand and couldn't do it. All I could think of was David's Grandmother's funeral and I couldn't do it.

Marilyn

Anonymous said...

Dear Marilyn, You are not getting "soft". You exhibited your sensitivity, love, concern toward the family+friends of the deceased-counting their privacy as very important during this very difficult time. Thank you for putting others first. Blessings, Carol

Countryside Reflections said...

I thought you were going to say that you felt the need to attend and view the deceased.

Doreen

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Carol,
Thank you for your compliment. I just felt so touched seeing all those people. It wasn't the time to take the pictures. Thank you for being so understanding.

Blessings,
Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Hi Doreen,

The thought did cross my mind, but I was wearing slacks and wasn't dressed right although I am sure if I went to the door they would have let me in. If I had gone in, I would have left the camera in the car.

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

I was planning on going back tomorrow to take pictures of them going to the church and seeing where the church was, but I don't think I will. I don't think it is the right time..

Marilyn

New York State Of Mind said...

Paula O,
if you see this could you e-mail me at:lincolnlady1121@yahoo.com

Marilyn