Blog Post

This Week’s Colors

| Amy

So I’ve confessed that I love nail  polish.  You know this about me, right? In getting ready for the conference and book signing (8 days from now!) I went shopping trying to get everything ready. And here’s what I found.

Beautiful huh? The red is Vodka and Caviar and the beige color is Tickle Me France-y. Spot on since I’m so in love with the Eiffel Tower and all things Parisian.

Sigh. I so love nail polish.

I’m not sure the red will make it into my suitcase. It’s a little  flashy for the ACFW (IMHO) but I know the lighter color will be my  staple while  there. I’m not worrying too much about my toes since  I’m wearing my cowboy boots down, around, and back. They are the most comfortable “shoes” I own. And I’m getting a new pair for my birthday. Haven’t see those yet? Stay tuned!

<>< Amy

I suppose I should confess that during the composition of this blog I found another color of nail polish and ordered it. Say hello to French Quarter for Your Thoughts.

Oh. Yeah.

Sushi and the Country Girl

| Amy

If you’re my  friend on Facebook (and I  hope you are), you know that I went to In The Raw to eat sushi this week with a dear friend of mine. See I’ve never had sushi unless you count the bite I spit into my napkin at the Chinese buffet two years ago. But I’m up for something new and I love my friend. Plus we hadn’t gotten to spend any time together this summer since our kids were out of school.

Sushi is…interesting. I was a little put off by the rice (sticky and kind of clumpy) but  I got used to it. I couldn’t use the chopsticks, a  feat I fear I will never learn and for which I will blame the RA. (Hey, if I can’t use a chronic illness to get me  off the hook here, what’s the use in having it?) But I still gave it the old college try and ended up flinging half a bite almost to the next table. Thankfully the restaurant was busy and no  one noticed. After that, my friend caught a passing waitress and asked her to bring me  a fork. And there was no way I could eat the entire piece at one time like my friend.

So here I  am, cutting my sushi in half and scooping the bites up with a fork, while  swilling down diet Pepsi like they were about to stop making it. (Our sushi was HOT.)

And I had the best time I’ve had in a long time. My friend was so concerned that I didn’t like the meal that she bought my lunch. But next time, Kel, the sushi is on me.

It’s good to get out of the box and try something new. And after the first bite and I got used to the texture of the sushi, I did enjoy it.

Now I can’t say it’s my favorite. But like I said, trying new things is good for us. It stretches us, gives us life experiences that are important for us to understand each  other.

After all, I grew up eating deer meat, squirrel, rabbit, and frog legs. I couldn’t let a little crab put me off. No, I didn’t eat the raw kind. But who knows? There’s always next time.

What did you do new this week?

It’s Time For Some Good News

| Amy

Back in November of last year, sixteen Amish men and women were arrested for cutting the beards and hair of their Amish neighbors. The sixteen are members of a break away sect led by Samuel Mullet and have been accused of being a cult. (Click here for more information http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/24/us/7-arrested-in-hair-cutting-attacks-on-amish-in-ohio.html?_r=1&ref=us) They are on trial now.

These members of the Amish church aren’t saying that they are innocent, but that they did it out of compassion for the victims, trying to bring them back into the fold. The sixteen are members of a break away sect led by Samuel Mullet and have been accused of being a cult. But the formal charges include conspiracy, destroying evidence, and hate crimes. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/29/us/lawyers-say-amish-charged-in-beard-cutting-attacks-acted-out-of-compassion.html

I find it incredibly sad that when we hear about the Amish in the news,  it is always bad news. I’m certain that people who live in states with a higher population of Amish residents hear more good than bad. But what about the rest of us–those states with small communities or none at all? Could somebody please report some good news? I  definitely think it’s time. Or maybe that’s why we love Amish fiction so much. Thoughts? Please leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you think.

Countdown to ACFW

| Amy

To tell you that I’m not excited would be *such* a ‘falsehood’ as my English Lit teacher used to say. I am incredibly excited. In just a little over  two weeks, it’ll be time to head to Dallas to the ACFW Conference. For those not familiar, ACFW stands for American Christian Fiction Writers.

Really I’ve got a lot to be excited about. One, it’s my very first conference. I’ve been saying for years that I was going to attend a conference. It’s strange that I’m finally making good on those self-made vows. Two–I’m going as a published author. (God is good.) Three, I’m finally getting to meet some great people who have joined my life in the last couple of years. Like my agent, my editor, and all the great friends I’ve been connecting with online. And fourth, my first book signing. Squeeeeee!!!

9 fabulous authors and ME!

So if you’re going to be around,  please stop by and see us. I’d really appreciate it.

Oh,  and did I mention that the signing is on my birthday? <BIG GRIN> Yep, there’s a lot to be excited about! <><

Ten Things I Love (ahem, Like) About the Electronic Age

| Amy

As promised, I will do a service to the electronic age. Last week I chronicled the things I *didn’t* like about the information-at-the ready time in which we live. It is only fair,  So, let’s do it.

1–would have to be the laptop I am writing on as I watch the opening OU game for the season. (Yeah, I schedule my posts. It keeps me on task. <grin>)

2–Being able to carry 73 books around with me at all times in my Nook.

3 –Social networking. I won’t even cheat and put each of these under its own number. But I do so love Twitter, Facebook, and (sigh) Pinterest.

4–ordering books online.

5–email

6–texting my baby sister quotes from SpongeBob and MegaMind and my older sister jokes of all sorts

7–e-cards. Yes, I’m that paper hoarder who can’t part with any card I’m given. I have BOXES of them.  Go paperless.

8–Paypal

9–Wikipedia. Think I may name my next child Wikipedia (okay, okay, my next cat)

10–Google. No explanation needed

What is it about the electronic age that makes you smile? Leave  me a comment and let me know. I’d love to  hear from you.

<>< Amy

Amish vs English

| Amy

I was poking around the internet as I am prone to do searching out a topic for today’s blog post. I came across a site for the PBS special American Experience: The Amish. I’ve seen the show, found it informative and provoking, but that’s not what I want to talk about today.  (for more check out–http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/amish/)

On the site, I found a blurb about the show mentioning how the Amish are “rooted in the past.” But what really intrigued me was this question: “What does our fascination with the Amish say about deep American values?”

To me it says a lot.

I have a friend who believes that values and behaviors are like a pendulum that swings back and forth with the ages.  Right now we are flying close to one side and it won’t be long before we swing back the other way to a more conservative time. I’d like to think my friend is right and simpler times are coming. The Amish give us hope that we can survive without all the modern conveniences, that we could go back to a simpler time. And that American values are still there, lurking just underneath the surface, waiting for a chance to be re-discovered.

What do you think? Could you go back to a simpler time?

Ten Things I Hate About the Electronic Age*

| Amy

1– reading my Nook until it’s dead (NOW what am I supposed to do?)

2–searching for hours for a book I know I have but still can’t find.

3–KNOWING something is on YouTube but I still can’t find it.

4–My ‘smart’ phone dies more often than Mario.

5–power failure means complete and utter boredom

6–I can never find the charger when I need it

7–leaving my charger odd places–like at work or at a friend’s

8–having to have a charger for everything

9–kaput zip drives which contain very valuable story line ideas and/or irretrievable chapters (I’m still upset about this one <frowny face>)

10–The flashing yellow light on my laptop

And I guess that means it’s time to go (since I don’t know where my charger is this time). What’s your ‘hate’ about the Electronic Age?

*And just so no one thinks I’m being negative, next week let’s talk about what we like about the Electronic Age. ;)

Until then… <>< Amy

Swartzentruber Amish

| Amy

Most people believe that the Amish are the Amish are the Amish. There’s one kind–Amish. But this is not the case. I guess it’s a naive thought at best, but understandable since the Amish do their best to stay among themselves and keep their business private.

But in truth there are many divisions within the Amish church. These divisions happened over the years as members disagreed over one thing or another from shunning to gas powered motors. Because of this, most of the differences boil down to conservatism.

This is a picture of a Swartzentruber Amish farm in Ohio.  To find out more about the Swartzentruber Amish click here

The Amish in Ethridge, Tennessee, are very conservative–very conservative–and are considered Swartzentruber Amish.

Here are some of the determining factors that make up the Swartzentruber Amish:

♦ No indoor plumbing or hot water

♦ They use outhouses

♦ Automobile travel is forbidden unless there is an emergency

♦ A more conservative dress, especially with the women. Darker clothing even on children.

♦ Church services are longer–can last up to 4 hours

♦ Their houses have a rougher appearance and they do not have flower beds like other Amish

♦ They have no DMV safety triangles on the back of their buggies or windshields on the front

Fun Fact: There are 3 distinct, practicing groups of Swartzentruber Amish in Ohio. Swartzentruber Amish are in 13 states and Ontario.

Have you been to visit an Amish community? Do you know where they fall  on the Amish spectrum? Leave me a comment and tell me about your experience. I’d love to hear from you! <>< Amy