Hurricane Earl, the Amish and Pumpkin Custard

So Hurricane Earl was a bit of a disappointment. I was expecting at least one gust of wind, but alas, perhaps it is a good thing that crisis was averted.  I've always said I wouldn't mind being in a natural distaster, just as long as A) no one got hurt and B) my property doesn't get damaged. Other than that let'er rip.

So, as the rain tinkled down - and in some cases downpoured - I sat in the kitchen writing in my journal.  Kiddo had fussed away today, and around 6pm we just had to give him a nap. In that time I began cooking in the kitchen.  I had the cooking bug to bake with pumpkin.

Found an Amish pumpkin custard pie online, and voila! I had the ingredients on me. 
Didn't have a crust, but I thought the custard might be well enough if it turned out all right.

Amish Pumpkin Custard Pie

• 1 (9 inch) pie shell .... (I didn't have one so I just made the custard instead)
• 1 C pumpkin puree
• 3 eggs
• 1 Tb all purpose flour
• 1/4 C packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 C white sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/3 ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 C milk
• Optional: 2 Tb pumpkin Spices (add this, it's yummy)

Mix together all the ingredients and beat until smooth. Bake at 375 (or lower depending on stove, etc) for 50 minutes or until center has set.


So as I was listening to the rain outside and smelling the aromas of the pumpkin cooking, I wondered about the Amish and their lifestyle.  They fascinate me.  No electricity, living off the land, being self sufficient.  Occasionally they sell their goods so that they can have currency to buy the things they need and those things are never frivolous.  Women dress like women, men have those crazy ZZ Top beards and sideburns. They rise with the early morning sun, they rest when the night falls. They care little about the crap world (speculation) of politics, businesses and all the rat race mentality that seems to be woven into the fabric of modern day life.

I wondered what it would be like, to be Amish. No computers, no luxuries.  No Warcraft (and at this point I wouldn't mind it going *poof*).  The idea of taking the craziness out of life and focusing on survival, family and god seem ... strangely overwhelmingly appealing. I mean, shouldn't we be connecting to a higher power now that modern day ammenities pretty much give us all the time in the world, and shouldn't we be wanting to use that time more wisely? Spiritually? How many people have plans to actually pray and contemplate as if it's on the to-do list. "Hey Fred, what are you doing later?" I've rarely met someone who's answered, "I'll be meditating tonight. Then praying." or whatever. Point is, praying etc., doesn't seem like it's part of the fabric of society anymore. People look at you funny as if you're a fanatic if you do. 
(BTW, I haven't done either, praying or meditating, I'm just rambling on about it. That's what I do)

Being sick, as I've told people, has brought me closer to my beliefs.  Sure, I still have nagging  theoretical arguements that I will never bring myself to believe, but the core of it all, I know that there is a comfort in just believing. The basic belief without an explanation of what it is you actually believe.  It's the unspoken word, the feeling, the grace and the hope that yes, we are all connected ... connected to everything.

Maybe not having the distractions us modern day people hold are just that- it's pulling us away from something more important. I dunno, but being so tapped into the whole computer age thing, I'm not sure I could unplug. The yin and yang argue about this all time: real life vs someone's version of life.

Boy do I ramble on when I'm tired. Really need to catch up on some sleep. Maybe dream about being Amish.  I do love a horse and buggy.