10-19-03 Mom Wrote,

Here we are at the end of another summer. Don't forget to change your clocks on Saturday.
September & October are my favorite months:
Sept 1, 1946 - married to Henry, and October 7, 1950 - married to William.

Have you taken time to see the many different shades of yellow, orange, brown and red in the trees? Did you see the beautiful full moon? And the bright blue sky? No longer do I need to think about the work that needs to be done when the leaves have fallen. What fun we had raking leaves into big piles and loading them on the manure spreader.

A few more remembrances of Norman. It was a Sat morning, my 50th birthday. I was hanging up wash outside when one of you came running and calling for help. Norman got under the wheel of the tractor while cleaning the barn. While waiting for the ambulance, we took out blankets to cover him and keep him warm. I don't remember the details or how long he was in the hospital but he was not seriously hurt and recovered quickly. He was a very strong man, could get angry, but was also very kind. David, Ruth, and Bill might remember the Sat morning when he brought a nice new red wagon for you. And always on a Friday night he went out for supper as long as he had a car.

I got to see the new baby, Kaitlyn Anna. I had forgotten how tiny, but precious, a newborn baby is. Darrell and Allison and baby are a happy family in a beautiful new home.

Tuesday, Oct 14 at 5:45am , Anna Fulmer and I left home for a bus tour with the Mennonite Historians of Eastern PA. The bus left promptly at 6:30 from the Heritage Center in Harleysville with 52 people. We arrived in the heart of Mifflin County, Kishacoquilla Valley, the home of many Amish and Mennonite families. There are three different branches of Amish in this beautiful valley, about 30 miles long, between Stone Mountain and Jack's mountain.

At the one end are the "yellow buggy" families. They are the most conservative, not allowed electricity or paint on their barns. So their farms look more shabby then the "white buggy" Amish who live further to the north. There are also "black buggy" families.

Alan's neighbor, Duane Kauffman, a retired history teacher, was our tour guide. He grew up in the Belleville area and told many human interest stories. I was glad we were not tested on what we heard.

Can you translate any or all of these common PA Dutch words? (just for fun) Ach, du lieber; donner wetter; Es Schrichlich; de kutz louft in schnee; schnickelfritz

Enjoy this fall weather!

Mom


Addendum from Ruth :):):):) For those of you who haven't heard, Jen and Jason's son was born Friday, October 17, 2:43pm. Joshua Braden, 7lb, 9oz., 19.75in. long, and lots of dark curly hair. All are doing well!!!!