Do Amish or Old Order Mennonite ride bicycles? The Old Order Mennonites in our area are allowed to ride bicycles. Young folks and older folks are allowed to ride. Some Amish groups are allowed to ride bicycles, but not all. In our area, the Amish are allowed to ride bicycles. Mostly the young folks ride them, but some adults do.
Is it customary in most Amish communities for son or daughter to turn their earrings over to their parents until they are 21 or married? Yes. When one of our children started working, Anna and I allowed them to keep part of their pay for their own use. We took the rest of the money and opened a savings account for them. Each child as they worked got their own savings account opened. Of course they didn't know that. They thought we were using the money. Our son, Elmer was the first to marry. The day after he married, Anna and I gave him the book to the savings account. That's when all the other children found out what we were doing with the money they earned.
Not all Amish do this, as I understand. Some parents use the money to pay bills, buy groceries, etc. to support their families. Thanks to the Lord, we were in a position where that was not necessary and we were allowed to put money away for our children.
Of course, once the younger children found out we were doing this, they came up with all sorts of excuses to try to get us to give it to them before they married or were 21. We didn't do it. They all are glad we didn't and are now doing the same thing for their working children. I know that David, Jean's husband is doing the same for their children.
What is the average age that Amish get married? Most get married between 18 and their early 20's. Our son John did not get married until he was almost 25. But, not all people get married at that age, some don't marry until they are older. A very few never marry.
Do Amish accept health insurance if a company they work for offers it? If we have the choice, no we do not accept it. We believe insurance is a way of the world and we do not accept it. Even though we may be paying Social Security at the place we work, we do not accept that either.
Does "frolic" mean a house raising instead of a barn raising? No. Frolic could be a house raising, barn raising, plowing someone's field, etc., etc. Anything where a group of us is together helping someone is a frolic.
We are suppose to have snow tomorrow. Us farmers hope so. We believe the snow helps the soil which gives us better crops. I know some people do not like snow and we don't sometimes, but we sure could use some now.
Trust God's Wisdom,
Elmer
15 comments:
No snow here yet Elmer.
Hi Tom,
It's suppose to be coming.
Marilyn
Very interesting Elmer.
We have plenty of snow here.
Good Morning Vickie,
Will see Elmer gets your message. We don't have any snow yet, but it suppose to be coming.
Marilyn
Good morning, Marilyn. Thank you to Elmer for all the answers.
I have more questions. LOL
Do they think it's odd when someone never marries? Does another family take them in when they are older and unable to work or care for themselves? Do they ever send anyone to a nursing home or will they always keep that person close to family? I know that it is unusual that we are keeping my dad while he's on Hospice and have had many people question if this is appropriate. Sorry, not really their business.
No snow where I am, Central California, but we got some rain. YAY!! Only an inch, but we really need it, so we'll be grateful.
Have a great day.
Good Morning Angela,
Will see Elmer gets your message and questions.
I would rather have rain than snow. You don't have shovel rain.
Marilyn
Good post as always, Elmer-Thank you! Pretty much rained here all day yesterday; then a downpour late afternoon with thunder. I thought there would be ice conditions in the morning as overnight low was to have been 25. Wasn't I surprised to find NO ice this morning! While I'm thankful for NO ICE, we have yet to have snow down and consistently cold temps. Germs and outdoor bugs are not getting killed off at this point. Well, God is in control of the weather, and we need to take one day at a time. Blessings to all, Carol
Thanks, Elmer and Marilyn for this interesting post. Here's a question for a future post, if you like - how do the children learn to drive a buggy? Who teaches them? How old are they? Are the boys taught differently than the girls? It's such a huge responsibility to drive a horse and buggy on the busy roads, I would be quite nervous about it.
Thanks!
Mary
Marilyn: You have my thanks for your blog. Please thank Elmer and ALL the others for their contributions. My husband, Pat, had a stroke Dec 2, was hospitalized for 2+ weeks then to rehab, home Christmas Eve and re-admitted to the hospital Jan 1. Severe dehydration. Back home now. he has really enjoyed the posts, especially Elmer's humor! The posts have been a real blessing to us. Thank God, Pat's mental faculties are good. I guess this goes hand-in-hand w/another poster's question about keeping people at home during a major illness. I refused a nursing home for his recuperation. Thank you again, Carol in SC
Hi Carol,
Will see that Elmer gets your message. Last night we have a lot of wind, thought we might lose our power, but we didn't. We didn't have ice this morning, either. Today was in the 20's but sunny. I just came in from outside and there is a real light snow. You can't see if from the inside looking out, but outside you can see it is a light snow. I don't like snow, but we do need it. True, God is in control of the weather.
Marilyn
Hi Mary,
Glad you liked the post. Will see that Elmer gets your message and questions.
Marilyn
Hi Carol in SC,
Will see that everyone gets your message. So sorry to hear about your husband. Hope he is on the road to recovery. So glad Pat enjoyed the posts especially Elmer's. I will keep Pat in my prayers.
Marilyn
Once again, many thanks to Elmer. Still so much good information from everyone.
Marilyn, you take time to reply to every comment. I'm only speaking for myself now, but I don't expect you to reply to each of my comments. I don't want you to get worn out,/discouraged and not continue this blog!
Hi Anonymous,
Will see that Elmer gets your message.
As for me, I want people to know that I get their messages. Sometimes I answer several all in one post, if several come on at about the same time. Thank you for telling me. I won't feel so bad not answering every comment.
Marilyn
I always enjoy these posts answering questions and thank Elmer for sharing information with us. I just read about some Amish that died in a house fire. Does Elmers' community use smoke alarms in their houses? I hope they do but know some groups don't allow them. The snow has finally caught up to us in MI. Hope you are all safe and warm in NY. Hugs to you and Pierre, Marilyn.
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