One of the pleasures of reading Linda's work is the absolute authenticity she brings to her description of life in and around an Amish farming community. Today, she tells us how she earned that authenticity.
My love affair with Ohio’s Amish
Country began about ten years ago on a cold January afternoon. There
was four inches of snow on the ground and the mercury hovered around
the twenty degree mark. I was travelling with my sister, Debbie, and
my brother in law, Jack. We arrived in Fredericktown in northeastern
Ohio and drove directly to the farm where Jack grew up. “The
Farm,” as it is affectionately known, consists of a two
hundred-year-old house on a hundred acres of farmland. We toured the
charming old house, which was originally built without indoor
plumbing or electricity, and over coffee, we talked about the history
of the place. Eventually conversation turned to the Amish and the
barn-raising next door, the Amish teenagers that got into trouble for
drinking alcohol, racing their buggies through town (and something
about buying or selling cigarettes) all during their “rumspringa”
or “running around” period, which takes place before they are
baptized. I learned the Amish are good businessmen, excellent
farmers and generally make for some very good neighbors.
Later, we went outside to see the rest
of the farm. I was marveling at the quiet loveliness of the snowy
countryside when in the distance I discerned the unmistakable sound
of shod hooves on asphalt. I looked down the road to see an Amish
buggy approaching. The driver was clad in traditional Amish garb:
black coat, black trousers, flat-brimmed hat and a full beard.
Watching him, I felt as if I’d been transported a hundred years
back in time, and in that moment the full impact of the contrasts
between the Amish and “English” way of life struck me. I
realized this much-overlooked and fascinating place had a story to
tell, and I wanted to tell it.
When I arrived home in Texas, I began
researching and writing the first book in my Kate Burkholder thriller
series, SWORN TO SILENCE.
In the Spring of 2009, I travelled to
Ohio again for the pre-launch tour of the book. After a whirlwind
trip that took me from Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati to Dayton
I had two glorious days left so I headed to Holmes County—the heart
of Amish Country and home to the largest population of Amish in the
world.
I arrived in Millersburg at dusk and
went directly to the bed and breakfast where I was staying. The old
house was built in circa 1885 and had been lovingly remodeled with
much attention to detail. The proprietor told me much of the
renovation had been done by the Amish.
The next morning, I woke to gourmet
coffee and the best French toast I’d ever tasted. After chatting
with the owner (and petting his very cute dachshund!) I was off on my
adventure. The first thing I noticed about Amish Country was the
beauty of the place—tall trees, manicured farms and green, lush
fields. The roads are narrow, hilly and wind like a river through a
picturesque countryside. Most of the Amish farms are set back from
the road and are neat and well-kept. Many post signs at the end of
their lane, advertising cheese, eggs or crafts for sale.
I spent an hour or so familiarizing
myself with Millersburg. The small downtown area is chock full of
antique shops, quaint buildings, well-kept homes and several cafes.
I stopped a man walking his dog for directions and found him to be
helpful and friendly. He recommended a renowned local cheese shop.
Knowing I couldn’t return to Texas without sampling some of the
local fare, I was on my way.
Heini’s Cheese Chalet has been in
business since 1935 and sells over seventy varieties of cheese. One
of the things that differentiates their cheese from other cheeses is
that the milk comes from local Amish farms. It’s brought in daily
in old-fashioned milk cans and manufactured on site by a master
cheese maker. I sampled the baby Swiss and the goat milk cheese and
found both to be absolutely marvelous.
Next, I swung by the local Wal-Mart for
some bottled water. I was delighted to find covered parking for the
Amish buggies and horses. Inside, I discovered many Amish families
shop at Wal-Mart.
Back in my rental car, I headed out of
town to explore the rural countryside. U.S. 62 is a narrow and
winding two-lane highway. A few miles out of town, I came upon an
Amish man and woman traveling in a buggy. Naturally, I slowed down
and followed at a safe distance. I could plainly see that the Amish
man was pushing the horse to trot faster, as if knowing the “English”
drivers behind him would become impatient. To my dismay, he was
right. The driver in the little red car behind me gunned the engine,
making a rude gesture as he sped past us. I was appalled and
embarrassed by the man’s behavior, and I realized the cultural
differences between the Amish and the English can sometimes cause
conflict.
While there, I took a few photographs
of the countryside, of old farmhouses and other places of interest.
I had wanted photos of the Amish as well, but I couldn’t bring
myself to photograph them. In the course of my research, I had
discovered many don’t like having their photos taken. Various
reasons are given for this aversion. Some believe any kind of
portrait demonstrates vanity or a lack of humility. Others feel that
personal likenesses violate the Second Commandment regarding “graven
images.” Whatever the case, I felt as if snapping a photo would be
an invasion of their privacy, and so I didn’t.
On my way to the airport in Dayton, I
drove past an Amish man and his large family traveling in a buggy.
The highway was busy with a speed limit of 55 miles per hour. I
watched as the cars lined up behind the buggy, passing only when the
oncoming flow of traffic allowed. It seemed dangerous. As I passed,
I glanced over at the man, and I saw the stress in his face. I
wondered how often he had to travel this busy highway. I wondered if
he ever felt as if he were in danger. I smiled and waved as I slowly
drove past. The man and his two little boys returned my smile and
waved back. That exchange, however small, felt very genuine and
right.
The Amish way of life has remained
virtually unchanged for two hundred years. About eighty percent of
Amish children choose to join the church when they turn eighteen.
They choose the Amish ways over all of the things the “English”
way of life has to offer. That fact alone speaks volumes about the
enduring spirit of the Amish. I believe the culture will continue on
for another two hundred years, unchanged and, for the most part,
unaffected by the rest of the world.
What do you think, dear readers? Could you embrace the Amish lifestyle? Or do you prefer to get your exposure through marathoning Amish Mafia on the Discover Channel? And what do you think of Linda's unique take on the police procedural? Do you like her genre-blending? Let us know, and one lucky commenter will get a copy of the most recent Kate Burkholder mystery, HER LAST BREATH!
Linda Castillo's Kate Burkholder series has been called "absolutely stunning" "chilling" and "masterful." You can find out more about Linda and her books, including the most recent, HER LAST BREATH, at her website. You can friend Linda on Facebook and follow her on Twitter as @LindaCastillo11.
