I never realized Ohio was so hilly. The hills and valleys add adventure and eyepopping beauty. With the mild fall weather, the landscape was green and gorgeous. When traveling the country roads, we appreciated the fields of crops raised on pristine Amish farms. We were entranced by the farmers toiling in their fields with the powerful draft horses pulling their vintage equipment. We could have been watching farmers who farmed in the 19th century, but no, it was September 2021 when we visited. The Amish homes featured colorful flowers planted in yards and large vegetable gardens harvested by the children and moms wearing their bonnets, aprons and long dresses.
 | | Amish Brommaker |
*An Amish broom maker. He showed us how he puts the broom together. The sweeper is so thick with broom corn, the craftsman could stand the broom straight up on the floor, and it never fell down! Yes, we bought one. It sits next to my iRobot vacuum. Talk about a contrast in ways to clean floors!  | | 760 lb pumpkin! |
*I wish you could see how huge this pumpkin at Hershberger's Farm really is. The area is populated with Amish grocery stores, produce markets, bakeries, cheese factories, restaurants specializing in fried chicken, mashed potatoes, gravy and noodles. You can stuff yourself so easily. But so tasty!  | | Takin' a ride |
*I fell in love with these pups riding in the cage attached to the back of the buggy. Adorable. No, we did not bring one home with us, but oh so tempting.  | | Conversation |
*This life-like art installation of the old women visiting on the bench was in front of the courthouse in Newark, OH. I just had to join them. Of course, I suggested they begin telling their life stories!!  | | Horse and buggy parking |
*Horse and buggies carrying families are on the roads along with 21st-century vehicles. In the last 2 years, some groups allow traveling on electric bicycles with pedal assist. I think the bikes outnumber the buggies these days.  | | Cutting hay |
*We witnessed the hard-working Amish farmer cutting hay on a warm sunny day.  | | Hardy mums at Harshberger Farms. |
Thanks for touring Amish country with me. I hope you have the opportunity to visit Ohio and enjoy even more of the lifestyle of these industrious people of faith.
Connect online with JQ Rose:  | | Author J.Q. Rose |
J.Q. Rose blog Facebook UPDATE: Last week to get in on the fun at CoffeeTime Romance and More Hocus Pick It. Win a gift card from CTR!
Want to get into the "spirit" of Halloween? Good spirits that is--friendly and fun during the Coffee Time Romance and More Hocus Pick-It Contest. You can win a gift certificate! Join the Scavenger Hunt to read scary excerpts from talented authors. Then vote on the excerpt you like the best. That will enter you in the contest! Enjoy the short excerpts and meeting new authors. My excerpt is from my paranormal, suspenseful novel, Terror on Sunshine Boulevard, but do not read it right before bedtime!!
 Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by J.Q. Rose Paranormal Suspense
Excerpt: Terror on Sunshine Boulevard by JQ Rose
A few nights later, Mr. Tweeble woke up with a start when his dog Jingles began barking loud enough to wake him even if he wasn’t wearing his hearing aids.
“Jingles! Jingles! Hush up, will you? It’s three o’clock in the morning. You’re going to wake the neighborhood with your barking.” He remembered Jingles barking and whining like that when he drove his electric scooter near George McConnell’s house that afternoon. He had to finally pick up the feisty terrier and put him on his lap to join the other curiosity seekers near the house. The dog jumped off and raced the other way until he was brought up short on his leash. He howled until his master turned the cart around and left the area. Jingles’ pitiful yowling broke into Mr. Tweeble’s memory. Fearing his dog was sick, Mr. Tweeble rolled himself out of bed, fumbled putting on his glasses, and shuffled into the kitchen. Using the night light in the hood vent over the old stove to see the dog, he discovered the animal scampering back and forth near the back door. “Jingles, come ‘ere, boy. Are you sick?” Mr. Tweeble picked him up and gently held the dog close to his chest. He switched on the ceiling light and studied the precious face he dearly loved. He checked Jingles’ brown ears and his brown and white furry body for any injuries and then cradled him to his rotund belly. “It’s all right, little guy. Come on. Come on to bed with me. You must want to go out to chase a rabbit, eh?” As he slowly shuffled his way back to his bedroom with the dog, he wondered what was wrong. Mr. Tweeble made a mental note to check behind the couch for an “accident” in the morning.
He lay down on the rumpled bed and enfolded the trembling dog in his arms. Suddenly, Jingles wriggled free and sprang up barking non-stop. He leaped from the bed and raced out of the room. A flash of searing yellow light filled the room blinding Mr. Tweeble. The smell of his own scorched flesh burned his nostrils.
 | Meet Jingles
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