Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Amish Schools
Doughty Run (Creek) runs through a valley near our home. Doughty is an Amish (Pennsylvania Dutch) term for "Elder". Children raised in an Amish home learn to speak Pennsylvania Dutch as their only language. Amish children start school in first grade (no pre-school or kindergarten) and go through eighth grade. They are normally taught by an Amish lady who also only has an 8th grade education. It is at school that they learn to speak English as a second languge. So if you try to talk to a 3-5 year old Amish child they won't have a clue as to what you are saying. After completing the 8th grade boys either begin to take over the farm chores - milking, plowing, harvesting, etc. or entering the workforce where woodworking is a common business started by their fathers. The girls will help with house work or learn to sew head coverings for the ladies and shirts for the men which they will then sell at a local Amish bulk food store. Also,the girls will enter the workforce as waitresses, clerks, etc. We have had an Amish lady come to our house on a regular basis for the past two years to help with the cleaning. The first one we had was married in November, 2007 therefore, she gave up the job so she could help her husband on the farm. We now have a second lady who is married with no children. Her husband works at building houses and does not farm, so she is available to take jobs outside the home. The following pictures were taken in April, '08 while school was still in sesion. The schools are Doughty View School and Doughty Vallley School.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Doughty Valley School
Some of the children are enjoying a walk in the sun while others have a game of baseball underway.
Recess Time - A Game Of Baseball
Baseball is one of the favorite recess activities at the Amish schools where girls and boys love to compete.
A Cool Drink Of Water After A Hot Game
Maybe the two cups on the pump are one for the girls and one for the boys. The third one on the cement must be for the teacher.
"For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Mark 9:41
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Babes of Spring
Spring arrives in Holmes County with the birth of a number of farm animals. The following pictures were all taken within a day or two as we drove some of the back roads in southern Holmes County.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Paint Mare and Foal
These horses didn't want their pictures taken and walked away from us. The foal stayed real close to her dam.
A Belgian Nursery
These Belgian mares gave birth to their foals within the week. Foals are estimated to weigh 10% of their dam's weight or about 200 pounds at birth.
Katahdin Sheep
A flock of Katahdin sheep. These hair sheep are raised for their meat and do not require shearing and thus are low maintenance. These sheep were developed in Maine starting in 1957.
Early Blossoms In The Spring
"For, lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth"- Song of Solomon 2:11-12. The next several photographs illustrate the beauty of Spring.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Sled Dogs
The Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race held in Northern Alaska has had an Ohio contestant the past two years. Tom Roig who lives just over the border separating Holmes and Wayne Counties has entered the race with his 16-dog team, albeit, unable to finish the race either time. He trains in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan for nearly 3 months before heading to Alaska in time for the race. You can read his journal by going to Valley Road Outfitters.com and learn of the excitement and hardships he endured this year.
The Trailer Used for the Alaska Trip
You will have to read Tom Roig's journal to learn about the adventure he had with the trailer on the trip to Alaska.
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