According to the emails I receive, you all are LOVING the Saturday Myth Busters. So let’s get right to it.

Myth Buster #3: Mirrors

One of my most faithful facebook friends (Hi, Wilma) had this question:

Do Amish using mirrors? I’ve just read a book that has them in it & I didn’t think they were allowed in their homes.

I wish I had remembered to look! I was pretty busy checking out the kitchen and the bathroom. : ) When I came home and started writing Falling to Pieces, I needed to know – so I wrote some of the people I’d met in Shipshe. I also did some on-line research. Amish Country News is a good source and it explains that LARGE mirrors are discouraged as they would promote vanity.  

I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy Kuderer this summer. She grew up among the Amish in Wisconsin. She took me to visit some of her Amish friends, and I’ll be using those experiences in my Pebble Creek series (Harvest House). Kathy writes in Down a Country Road,

Mirrors are used for the men to shave and for someone to make sure they have all the chocolate wiped off their face … The intent is not, however, to be used to admire one’s self, or to take vanity or pride in appearance.

Makes complete sense! Functional, but not an over-emphasis on appearance. Myth busted! Which reminds me, if you have a question, let me know and I’ll try to answer it.

DISCLAIMER: We’re BUSTING MYTHS to celebrate the upcoming launch of my series set in Shipshewana, Indiana (9-27-11). I certainly had a few preconceived notions about the Amish community before my first visit to this small town, but like most of us … stereotypes don’t always fit! Remember though, my experience may be different from yours or from other books you have read.

V~

p.s. If you’re a member of GoodReads, I’m giving away 10 copies of Falling to Pieces. Details can be found on the GoodReads site.