An Unlikely Combination!

I always look forward to going North East and seeing the traditional Amish way of life. My heart pounds at sightings of Amish Wash hanging on the line, buggies pulled by horses clopping down the street, kids on push bikes, girls plowing fields in the fall....these are things I think of when I think of the Amish. Big white barns, cattle waiting to be milked or brought in, manicured flower gardens. Fruit and Veggie stands. Shops with Amish made souvenirs...jams, jellies, baked goods, and of course, Quilts!

But as most North-Easterners know...winters can be cold and harsh, and while the farm lays still for the winter,and carpentry comes to a close...what is to stop an Amish family from coming SOUTH to soak up the beauty and the warmth, perhaps finding some carpentry work to do around Florida? Visiting distant relatives who have relocated? Staying with Mennonite families who open up the extra rooms in their homes for room and board?

Shouldn't all children (both young AND old?)experience the pleasure of sand squishing through toes?

Shouldn't everyone who works so hard through life experience the sun on their face,their legs, their arms before the next season of hard work comes with the spring?

Believe me, after a long hard winter, a bit of sun can do WONDERS as Tonya and I found out...look at us dipping our toes in! The water was cold, the sun was warm, the sand felt wonderful, and we let our inner children come out and play too!