Amish Increasingly Accepting of Solar Power, But Still Shun iPods
Known for a living in a culture that typically disapproves of modern technology, some members of Amish communities are now bucking their traditional ways by increasingly turning to solar power to meet their energy needs.
Philly.com highlighted this transition among the Amish in an interesting article that was published on their website this weekend. What is most surprising to me is that the Amish have fewer doubts about using solar power for purposes that relate to work, than they do for use inside their homes.
Several years ago, I was working on a baby quilt from a book of designs inspired by Amish quilts. The pattern I was using included an applique border which I was going to skip because my hand stitches look awful. I was intrigued by a note that the author had included, though, about how traditional Amish quilts rarely include applique. The technique of applique was believed to be wasteful of fabric.
Tractors… no. Buttons…. no. 
Here in central NY, we have a fair amount of Amish who have taken to living life in a more simple fashion. Horse-drawn buggies, hand sewn clothing, no telephones, etc. It's actually refreshing to see a mode of transportation that relies on true horsepower. 
