Horse Progress Days (a mouse in the corner)

 Have you heard the expression-- I wish I could be a mouse in the corner? Well, I lived that out this past weekend at the Horse Progress Days in Arthur, Illinois.
The Horse Progress Days are organized by the Amish, and most of those attending are from "Plain Mennonite" or Amish groups that vary considerably based on local and group standards. As an "English" person, I feel very welcomed and included. Yet, somehow, it makes me feel sad to be there in my "Worldly clothes." It's not because anyone treats me bad... but instead because they treat me so well. Let me explain. There are plain people at these events from all over the U.S. and even some from Canada. Many groups are represented, and they all have different rules and dress, yet more in common than not. They live and dress by conviction, and if you don't think it makes a difference in the lives of their children, you need to come and see for yourself. The children are incredibly well behaved and polite. This is true even for teens and young adults. I feel sad to be the one representing the world that they have chosen to abstain from. Mainly because I believe they are doing the right thing for their children by living this simple and plain lifestyle. I want to promote it. That is why I write books about their world.

 I sat at my book-signing table and observed this little "Train-ride" that happens to be horse-drawn. They loaded and unloaded children right outside my tent. Talk about cute! These children look adorable in their miniature Amish clothes. They waited patiently in 95degree temps with high humidity without fussing or complaining. Their mothers and dads waited on their little ones with smiles, quietly visiting in Pennslyvania Dutch.

 I don't know how old the boy is that is Roman riding on a team of ponies, but he was amazing. I think he was practicing to display his ponies in front of a crowd, but I happen to pass by and capture this shot with beautiful clouds behind him.

This is my book-signing booth with my bedroom behind it. (a tent)
Many friendly and kind-hearted Amish people stopped and looked at my books. Many bought copies. Yet, I found myself worrying that my books will disappoint or offend in some way. That is totally not my goal, but somehow it feels inevitable. What the average American sees as G rated, Amish view as improper for children. My books deal with some serious topics; that is why I write. So, I don't feel I can make them "Childproof" even though my goals are positive.

 The weather was strange... which is typical this year. The sky did some beautiful things and some terrible things. We had an incredible wind storm that lasted for almost a half-hour. We took on two inches of rain.
During the storm, I was in our huge white tent with around 40 people, most of them from plain backgrounds. We all literally held onto the tarp or structure frame, trying to keep it from blowing over. A friendly teenage Amish young man joined me at my station, holding a center post. We watched a young Amish couple at the next post over, doing their part. They had three totally adorable little blond girls who looked scared but sat quietly in a wagon. When the storm passed, I chatted with the couple and girls. They were all three enjoying suckers that a vendor in our tent gave them. The little blonds with chocolate brown eyes all smiled at me while I talked to their parents. The baby- maybe around 1year-old offered me a taste of her sucker, which I politely declined. Her mama said, "This is her first try at a sucker." Her daddy said, "After visiting with you, I feel we should buy one of your books." You couldn't meet nicer people.

 Once the wind and rain subsided, the event ended for the day while everyone tried to clean up their booths. Visitors with cars, pickups, and vans were almost all stuck in a muddy field. I instinctively knew that meant teams of horses would be pulling them out. I headed to the parking lot and helped a little but mostly observed as around eight teams of horses assisted those in need. It was a fantastic thing to witness, and I'd love to write a book about it. One Amish lady standing near me said what I was thinking, "Watching this was about as much fun as watching the organized events."

I took these pictures of some of the horse-drawn farm equipment on display. It all looks fascinating to other draft horse enthusiasts and me. I think the rest of you will enjoy the photos for the sake of beauty.

The centerpiece of this bottom picture is a horse-drawn hay-baler, hooked to a hitch cart with an engine to power the baler that would typically be driven by a tractor. (Be sure to notice the beautiful Amish farm in the background.)

I wouldn't have missed this event for anything, yet I almost wished I could have hidden like a mouse in the corner. Better yet, I wish I could be one of them, at least during the Horse Progress Days.