Plain Wisdom by Cindy Woodsmall

Author:Cindy Woodsmall [Woodsmall, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-307-45935-0
Publisher: The Doubleday Religious Publishing Group
Published: 2011-03-14T16:00:00+00:00

LAUGHTER IN ODD PLACES

GAMES, PUZZLES, AND PLAYTIME

The Amish are known for being industrious, but they aren’t workaholics. The children are taught to work, but they are also taught to enjoy free time. Without television or electronic games to distract them, the Amish have a healthy respect for leisure time.

Outdoor activities for children and youth include ice-skating, riding scooters, fishing, and playing hide-and-seek, baseball, volleyball, and horseshoes. The adults are free to join those activities whenever it suits them. There are no barriers against moms and dads playing.

I’ve seen older children on horses, racing through the fields. Nothing like a little competitive racing to cause moms’ hearts to pound a little harder while the riders’ laughter echoes off the hills. The Amish don’t encourage competing, but a spirited effort is always good for laughs and good-natured teasing.

Games are popular—checkers, the Game of Life, Candy Land, Booby Trap, Jenga, and dominoes. Although many card games are off limits since their roots are tied to gambling, the Amish enjoy playing Old Maid, Dutch Blitz, Uno, Phase 10, and Go Fish.

They regularly have youth suppers where the adults provide a meeting place and a meal and the youth get together. In the summer, before the meal they might play volleyball, baseball, or horseshoes. In the winter, they stay indoors and play games or cards. If there’s a Ping-Pong table in the house, the youth will put that to good use. After the meal they’ll have a singing.

Some Amish enjoy putting puzzles together. The whole family usually gathers around to help. If neighbors stop in, Englischer or Amish, they are often invited to join in. When the puzzle is done, it may be mounted, framed, and given away or sold.

In the past the Amish didn’t go on vacations and rarely traveled far from home. Today they will typically leave home to help others in times of need, even if they have to hire a driver or take a train or both, and some are beginning to enjoy the American pastime of vacations and sightseeing. Niagara Falls is a particularly popular destination. While traveling, they visit friends of friends along the way.

The Amish have an insatiable desire to enjoy life and each other, whether through work, games, or visiting. Here’s a recipe that’s sure to please any crowd.

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