It’s been almost a week since I’ve written about the Amish; this reminds me of how much I have written about the Amish almost daily for months.

There are lots of reasons.

Moise has been traveling, I’ve been swamped with my work and with the Mansion and Bishop Maginn, and I’m knee-deep in preparation for my October 6 foot surgery.

Surgery is not one thing but many things; my calendar is crammed with tests, clearing exams, pre-op meetings, Covid-screenings, etc.

I have been going to the Miller Farm daily except for Sunday. I bring ice cubes so they can keep their food and drinks cool in the summer heat. I’m planning several surprises I can’t divulge here.

I’ve had to turn down three requests for Moises to pick him up or drop him off places, and I finally yielded to reality today and took leave from driving (doctors orders) more than a couple of miles. I think it might be a month or so before life returns to normal foot-wise, but I’m warned it might be longer.

I can continue my daily help-in-exchange for necklaces agreement. And I can stop by daily to bring ice and ice cream. I got two small containers of ice cream, but when I dropped it off, I was bombarded with pleas for cookies n’ cream, the favorite flavor of the young Millers.

The family has family visitors tonight; I could see they were yearning for the Cookies n’ Cream flavor.

(Above) A house is born. The foundation takes shape.

The Amish never ask for anything, but there are some things I know they would love to have. Cookies N’ Cream ice cream is one of them that melts even the sternest Amish elder’s heart.

Barbara was so eager she said she would pay for the cookies n’ cream if I could go and find some. Zinnia was in the car with me, and three of the kids came up to the window to pet her and talk to her. This is a first. I haven’t seen Tina for days.

Being an unabashed squish (I have never been able to resist children yearning for ice cream), I rushed back to the convenience store to get two-quart boxes of cookies N cream, the last two boxes of that flavor in the store.

I got back just in time, and Barbara asked again if she could pay me.

I said I’d get a few necklaces for the Bishop Maginn students, and she said that was okay. She keeps asking me about the school, but I’m not sure I’ve explained it well.

Our deal holds. I don’t get paid in money, but necklaces. It’s working very well. And the Bishop Maginn girls love the necklaces. So far, I’ve passed out 10.

But it will be a while before I can drive anybody to Albany or Glens Falls. They’ll have no trouble finding people.

If there is an Achilles’ Hell in this tight and plain community, it might be their lust for sweet things. Amish men and the woman are missing many teeth; they don’t believe in dentists, but they do believe in processed sugar.

I don’t know, and I don’t want to know, who pulls all these teeth.

I watched Moise’s son-in-law Eli trim some of the horse’s hooves the other day. he was impressive. His work was every bit as good as the farriers we’ve used here on the farm.

I went four rounds of thumb wrestling with the very strong and determined Miller sisters; we went two-for-two. They are getting the hang of it. They have very strong thumbs. And I don’t care what they say about being non-competitive, they sure want to beat me.

On the way out the door, I saw a beautiful sight, one that ached to be photographed but wasn’t. Four Amish sisters were marching towards the temporary house and away from the barn, their heavy blue working aprons splattered with paint.

Even their children, there is great joy in work; it is never a chore, never a bother. They are never happier or more animated than when they are working.

I had to do three more thumb wrestling bouts and won each one. “Hey,” I should, “two more victors for the old man on the hill.” I better enjoy it while I can.

“I know what you’re doing,” I said, “you’ve been painting windows in the barn for the new house and the barn. ”

I wondered why they disappeared the last couple of days. They all laughed and went inside to get washed up. And eat some ice cream.

I drove over to the construction site and went into the barn, once again astonished by what these people could get done while I was feeding the dogs or taking a nap.

There was a giant hole in the ground, and the boards were being put together for concrete pouring.

The girls volunteered to paint the windows themselves, and they are fierce and meticulous workers. I loved the Willa Cather parade of these strong women marching in unison, looking like a socialist poster from the old Soviet Union.

They looked pleased. The big barn upstairs is a primary construction site, window frames, strips, and frames piled up a hundred deep. They will all be painted with primer, then painted red. The windows in the barn and the house will look and be the same.

Still, it is a tremendous job, and I suspect it will be done in a few days or less. Moise is waiting on the country inspector to get a permit.

Moise is returning today from a trip out of town. I hope to spend some time with him in the coming days and before my surgery, but that won’t be easy. He is in the house-building fever, and there is no rest from that until it is done. And even then, there is no rest.

I’ve always understood that this is the way Moise and I can be friends – when it is connected to work or confined to a car. The idea of taking time off to be idle is just alien to someone like Moise unless it involves religion or family.

I accept that on its terms. The work of this remarkable family goes on and on. Moise and I are in a perfect place.

The family and I have found a warm comfort zone with each other. I know how to help them in moderated and reasoned ways. I don’t hang around on my visits. I am busy too.

We have worked out the few issues we had and have found a meaningful cruising speed. I am looking forward to watching and sharing the construction of their home.

I ordered a five-foot bread, muffin, and donut display for them. I want 15-20 necklaces for it. It will be delivered soon. Hush,  it’s a secret.