The Amish of today are not the Amish of yesteryear. Yes, they are better off independence wise than 98% of the English but they still get their medicine at the same pharmacy, shop at the same grocery store, buy kerosene, diesel and gasoline to heat and run engines.Welcome to the Tug Hill!
Most of them are gone, but there's still a few people that have homes and live very close to this way...Today they're called "Amish".
Different State, but my Grandparents pretty much lived this way, except they had electricity and indoor plumbing.
The Leaders (Elders_ of Families decide how "English" they'll permit themselves to modernize...Some are great People, other use the reputation to be dirt-chickens...Personally I like things such as running hot water, a heated house, refrigerated food, a climate controlled vehicle that will dependably arrive us in a timely manner...they say that if the Power Grid goes down, that 90% of Americans will die in the first year, and that's very believable as many will want to die, but cannot (Revelation)The irony of the Amish is incredible. Modern technology is too "worldly" unless it benefits them. In a grid down situation, they will be way better off than most, but in now way would they continue as they are. I see buggies at the grocery store and Lowe's on a regular basis. It isn't 1830 any more and the supply chain and product availability is nothing like it was then. There are no more general stores, local blacksmiths, non- engine powered saw mills, etc. As far as I've seen, they still get basic necessities just like the rest of us. In fact, I'm willing to bet a good chunk of their old knowledge is gone, just as it is with the rest of us English folk.
I know a few Amish carpenters, all are younger than 35. I will ask if they can build a timberframe since all they have ever done is stick built or truss roof.. In fact, I'm willing to bet a good chunk of their old knowledge is gone, just as it is with the rest of us English folk.
Being prepared is a big step in surviving.... In a society where everyone at least owns a bicycle ... and there is a repair shop in town goes a long way towards maintaining a functional society ... for an example. You also have a society where people fix things ... A majority of people in our society have not a clue as we live in a throw away system. . The next thing is a structure within a community. .. It is there folks. One does not build a barn in a day or two .. Large ones at that .. Hundreds of people working in unison .. We are lucky to get 10 people to agree on a project and how to proceed. (Think of all the Karens out there .. } Could you get 10 families to agree on a community garden .. Send their 12 year old kids to weed it every day... Hell no. My uncle had a Mennonite family as neighbors.... He had health problems in the last few years of his life ... Was on oxygen due to an accident ... That family just about adopted him and his wife... He always had like a 2 acre garden .. Black raspberries , Strawberries included ... The kids came down and worked that garden , Mowed the lawn ,wife canned the food , and on occasion made them supper. .. I for one cannot say enough about these people compassion wise .. They did it because a neighbor was in need .... It was not a one time thing... Several years for all summer. and fall. .. Would not take any money. Plow the garden, Harvest and can the produce. ...The Leaders (Elders_ of Families decide how "English" they'll permit themselves to modernize...Some are great People, other use the reputation to be dirt-chickens...Personally I like things such as running hot water, a heated house, refrigerated food, a climate controlled vehicle that will dependably arrive us in a timely manner...they say that if the Power Grid goes down, that 90% of Americans will die in the first year, and that's very believable as many will want to die, but cannot (Revelation)
The irony of the Amish is incredible. Modern technology is too "worldly" unless it benefits them. In a grid down situation, they will be way better off than most, but in now way would they continue as they are. I see buggies at the grocery store and Lowe's on a regular basis. It isn't 1830 any more and the supply chain and product availability is nothing like it was then. There are no more general stores, local blacksmiths, non- engine powered saw mills, etc. As far as I've seen, they still get basic necessities just like the rest of us. In fact, I'm willing to bet a good chunk of their old knowledge is gone, just as it is with the rest of us English folk.
We are all deplorable'sI must live in northern Appalachia.
Robin Hatfield