Grabill Save A Lot

By the very fact of his being human, man is asked a question by life: how to overcome the split between himself and the world outside of him in order to arrive at the experience of unity and oneness with his fellow man and with nature. Man has to answer this question every minute of his life. Not only - or even primarily - with thoughts and words, but by his mode of being and acting. -Erich Fromm

I'm writing this, longhand, on a beautiful Groundhog Day in Leo-Cedarville, Indiana. Fine snow is falling softly and time seems suspended in space due to overcast skies. On the road, drivers in warm cars pass Amish families in black clothing riding in black buggies, exposed to the elements.

Locally, there are thousands of these quiet persons who make up a separate ethnic society; farming, doing construction work and going about their busy lives. If you've only seen them from a passing car, stop at the Save A Lot grocery store at 13325 State Street in Grabill for a personal encounter.

The Amish park their horses and buggies under an open, roofed shed, so watch for manure underfoot in the parking lot. The no-frills store has nice cheeses, good cuts of meat and best of all, local Amish, many of them women, shopping and working. You can hear what's for dinner being cooked on the farm and have a non-threatening conversation - note that your acquaintance is bi-lingual, the house language being German, not Spanish.

Fantasize about asking someone a burning question - why don't their buggies have tires with air? How come they can use power tools and cell phones on the job, but there's no electricity in the home? But take one look in the eyes of a little boy in a straw hat and suspenders, and you won't dare. And as The Joker's entourage would say, "no pictures, please." Amish folk do not like to be photographed. Let us not be rude. Go in peace, brother.

Snowy Day in the Fort

An unexpected snowfall hits the Fort and temperatures are bitter. What do you do? One option - stay inside. Watch local grey squirrels collect black walnuts, and if you are in the north Leo-Cedarville or Auburn areas, you may have the privilege of seeing playful black squirrels. I also love the cheeky little fox squirrels that sometimes commandeer tree nest boxes or dash with nuts in teeth across country roads.

Be it where you are with wi-fi, or at a branch of the Allen County Public Library, do an Internet search on a philosopher, such as the German psychologist Erich Fromm, 1900-80. "If I am what I have and if I lose what I have who then am I?" Contemplate materialism. Then decide to have fun without buying something. Go look at the lovely fountain, and then the two-decker carousel at Glenbrook Square Mall, where a handicapped person can take a ride for free. The mounts are spectacular - elephants, a dragon, a hummingbird, a tiger - just beautiful. Buy tokens to ride and be a kid again. Then tour through Spencer's, with their kitchy gifts, or browse through designer clothes and handbags at Macy's. For germs' sake, I carry in my purse a small pack of baby wipes -I don't like hand sanitizers. Good for common surfaces, door handles, etc.