Peaceful Evening In Lancaster County

It is harvest time.

The fields are quietly sharing the bounty

of the Summer's growth.

When I say quietly it is in the sense that many

of the fields around us are tended to by 

Amish families.

Families who work together to plant,

maintain and harvest.

In the Springtime it is not uncommon to 

see children as young as five or six

working alongside their parents and
older siblings

in the fields.
The toddlers do what they do best..
they toddle, playing in the field
while the others work.

Tobacco is planted with the 

help of an interesting machine that must

have the plants hand placed in slots

which then in turn positions them

in the ground.

It is a sight that is beautiful to behold.

And nearly silent

other than the chatter of the workers

and the gentle creaking of the harnesses

and machinery.

Now, of course, we have English farmers

who work with tractors and large harvesters.

I have nothing against them.

It is with glee once per year that I hear the 

Mennonite farmers across the street from us working

late into the night to bring in the corn.

The sound of the harvester is unmistakable and it 

means that crisp air and turning leaves are just around

the corner.

The photo at the top of this post is of a 

fellow I followed down the road 

as we returned from the Lampeter Fair.

So, not only is it harvest time in Lancaster County,

it is Fair time, as well.

A time for community.

To celebrate the best of our year's work

both in baking and canning 

as well as the arts.

4-H students say good-bye to their
pet projects and pick up a check
to put toward higher education...
or perhaps a car.

It is a place where high school and civics groups

recharge their bank accounts while feeding 

the hungry attendees.

A place where the young and the old mingle

and take the time to sit a spell and 

chat about things that so often get lost

in our busy days.

I love Autumn.

It takes the best of all of the seasons

and puts a bow on it.