The more I learn about the Amish, the more I learn I don’t know. I suppose that’s true with any new friend–and I do consider the Amish my friends.

Recently I learned that there is an Amish community in Stephenville, TX. How cool is that? Stephenville is only 86 miles from me! I don’t think I’ll be ordering a buggy in UT orange, as most of my family graduated from TX A&M or Sam Houston, but I found this article pretty interesting. And I think it speaks to the hardy spirit of the Amish folk.

I also have found two Amish stores in Texas where I’ve scheduled a time to sign books.  The first is at the Amish Market in Fredericksburg, TX. If you’ve never been to Fredericksburg, it’s a wonderful German town in the heart of the Texas hill country. I found out about this store through some friends, Cindy and Toot Barkley. (BTW, Toot recently had a bit part, riding his horse in the remake of True Grit. I can’t wait to see it!) I’ll be at the Amish Market on November 7th (11-2), and hope you all come to see me.

The second place is at the Amish Barn in Spring, Texas. My BFF Vicki lives in Spring. She’s actually my child’s godmother–or so I call her. She took care of Cody whenever I needed HELP when he was young, and now he’s 22. You don’t get friends any better than that. If you haven’t been to Old Town Spring, you’re in for a real treat. It’s located north of Houston, and I’ll be there during the Down Home Christmas weekend on November 27th (1-3) at the Amish Barn.

It seems like when you make a new friend, you start to see that person everywhere you go. For me, it’s been that way with the Amish. Now that I count the Amish community among my friends (my teens would say they’re “my peeps”) . . . it seems that I do notice them much more often, see signs of their lifestyle almost everywhere I go. And that’s rather cool.

V~

VannettaChapman@gmail.com