We had a great ride today through the Amish area between, Cuba, Belfast and Friendship. Dick is in need of a new Amish straw hat. His has seen better days and is beginning to fall apart. There is a young Amish housewife that makes them to order, tall or round. Dick couldn't decide so she is making both styles. Fourteen years ago he paid $8.00, only went up to $9.
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| The old hat, Dick varnished it to make it water proof. |
The last stop was to see an Amish guy we have known for 14 years. When we first met Enos Mast he was 24 and had 4 young boys. They are now 17,15,14 and 12. I remember asking Enos what is your little girl's name as she stood on their front porch. He said, "that's a boy". I had to ask him, why does your boy wear a dress? He had a good answer. Amish boys wear dresses until they are potty trained, easier to change the diaper!..Dick would always take a bag of candy to the little ones when taking Enos home at night. We did the same today and gave the 14 year old a bag of salt water taffy. He was all smiles as he dove into the bag. The boy 17 works their other sawmill and the one 15 works putting in hardwood floors and cabinets. This leaves the 14 and 12 year old helping their dad at his sawmill. We stayed over an hour catching up on their family news and what work Enos was doing and for who. He is the one that cut the timbers for the new library being built in Coudersport. He is very proud of the 10"x10"x30' long beams that will be used in the Post and Beam building. Dick told Enos you get good customers because you are honest, skilled and take pride in your work. That he does plus he is such a nice guy! His dad is just as nice a guy that does beautiful woodworking of all kinds. He also repairs antique clocks and antique firearms.
Fourteen years ago Enos brought his portable saw mill to our land and cut the white pine logs into boards and beams of all sizes. Dick would drive to Friendship every morning to pick Enos up and take him home at night. Enos would come up on our deck for lunch which turned out to be a learning experience for all of us. He would ask questions about our boys and the Army and we would ask questions about the Amish life. He was so funny at times and really surprised me when he would make up something and I would gasp. Then he would laugh and say no not really! Enos was well read on World Events and happenings. He loves to read and he really liked our truck radio, he could zip through the channels and find what he wanted. The Amish men in Ulysses have cell phones. I asked Enos today if they use them, NO, not allowed in their area. He said he wouldn't want one it would interrupt his work day. He makes all of his calls from an Amish community phone and if someone wants to get hold of him they can call the number and leave a message but best to drive to his house.
I do wander and jump around from subject to subject. I think I should have liked English more in school and learned how to write in sequence and subject order! Back to the wood Enos milled for us. The wood was left stacked to cure and air dry for one year. The following summer Bart and Beau came home for two weeks and built the 40'x50' barn. Jim, Dick and our Canadian friend Larry all helped. Kinda like the Amish, nonstop from start to finish. The only difference these guys ended the day with a few cold beers which were well deserved. It was a hot humid 2 weeks, lots of water during the day and I always had a big farm breakfast and supper for them. Nothing more pleasing than looking at the barn knowing it was our trees and our family and friend that made it possible. My goal is to wood burn a plaque with the date, names and where the wood came from, it will be done soon.
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| The barn built from our White Pine Trees. |
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| The "all inclusive" Hotel Ritz! Free food, water, treats, unlimited roaming and fresh bedding. |
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| Mama Silky showing the little ones (not so little now) how to go on roost tonight! The kids are growing up ;) |
