eBayer was RUNNING AWAY and then got KIDNAPPED!
by Donna Risner (a-ztreasures)
eBay Member

This post by Donna Risner appeared on the eBay Discussion Boards. It was filled with such wisdom and great advice, the Chatter Editorial staff wanted to share this with our readership. Our thanks to Donna for allowing us to reprint this post.

Dear fellow eBayers,

I was going to run away, but got kidnapped before I could! I love my kidnapper! You've got to try this at some point in your life!

We have all come to that point -- worn out...burned out...need a screaming break! Well, Thursday night I decided it was that time and told my best buddy and husband that I was sleeping in Friday and then running away. After all, like most hard-core eBayers - if I'm home, I'm eBaying, so I had to go somewhere to get a break.

As I slowly drug myself up the next morning he had coffee piping and a cup on standby. After a looonnnng time sipping, he said to come on and get in the car. Well, I didn't know which way were going, and I really didn't care.

Now, we're in the northwest corner of Alabama, 45 minutes from Mississippi (I love spelling that state) and 30 minutes from Tennessee. We headed north towards Tennessee. The air was bitter cold and brisk. But the sun was baking in through the car windows and created a warm peaceful atmosphere as we traveled up the mountains, down through the valleys and through Lawrenceburg and then left into Amish country. Now, here is where it really began.

We approached several Amish farms. They are amazing. One family specializes in making lumber. Another family planes the lumber. Yet another creates tongue and groove boards. Clotheslines were brimming with only three colors -- dozens of white, square handkerchiefs, dark grey pants/suspenders, dark grey vest and shirts, light grey dresses and dark grey aprons.

At the end of each driveway were whitewashed wooden signs with words: jelly, jam, quilts, peanut brittle. We would drive up to a farm, get out and be greeted by a 10-14 year old young man. He would lead us to the jellies, jams and slaw. One jar for $2 or buy a case and get one jar free. We couldn't resist. Now we have blackberry, beet, strawberry, plum, muscadine and who knows what else kind of jellies.

Another driveway took us to another young man who guided us toward the candles … every scent imaginable. Couldn't resist there either. A second young man walked out on the porch on crutches. What happened?

"I cut my leg choppin' chickens."

Every farm had stair step kids. From the smallest just learning to walk on up to the big kids. They all couldn't have been more than 9 months & 1 day apart. Each one in their black and grey identical clothes. No buttons, just pins. One tiny little beauty was sitting on a stack of boxes. She couldn't have been more than two-three years old, petite with a heart-stopping smile -- long dress and apron, bonnet, leggin's and tiny leather shoes. With a close glimpse it was obvious those tiny shoes had been worn by several older sisters over the years. What I would have given for my camera!!!

Black buggies drawn by big stout horses clopped down the roads. Young men worked in a field - they shoveled lime, one shovel full at a time, into a horse drawn wagon. Then slowly went across the fields spreading the lime. Stacks of wood were everywhere, high as the house, stack after stack.

Chickens, roosters, goats and cows lounged around the three-story high barns that were filled with hay. Cows, kids, laundry on the lines, men working, buggies, sunshine, green pastures, shy women, jellies, slaws, quilts, and more. It was amazing and the most wonderful day I have had in so long.

Now, I am telling you all this for two reasons. First, take a break. eBayers are notorious for working eight days/nights per week all the time. A break can give you a new perspective and clean the soul. Second, Amish country is amazing. To see the families, how they live and experience a totally different culture is wonderful. Some how, some way, everyone needs to go on a trip that will lead you thru Ethridge, TN. I promise, it will be worth the effort!

Rested, revived and rarin' to go - Donna