The Winnowing Season (42 page)

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Authors: Cindy Woodsmall

BOOK: The Winnowing Season

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guck
—look

gut
—good

hallo
—hello

Kapp
—a prayer covering or cap

Kinner
—children

kumm
—come

Mamm
—mom or mother

nee
—no

Ordnung
—means “order,” and it was once the written and unwritten rules the Amish live by. The Ordnung is now often considered the unwritten rules.

Pennsylvania Dutch
—Pennsylvania German. Dutch in this phrase has nothing to do with the Netherlands. The original word was Deutsch, which means “German.” The Amish speak some High German (used in church services) and Pennsylvania German (Pennsylvania Dutch), and after a certain age, they are taught English.

Plain
—refers to the Amish and certain sects of Mennonites

rumschpringe
—running around. The true purpose of the rumschpringe is threefold: to give freedom for an Amish young person to find an Amish mate; to give extra freedoms during the young adult years so each person can decide whether to join the faith; to provide a bridge between childhood and adulthood.

ya
—yes

Pennsylvania Dutch phrases used in
The Winnowing Season

Bischt allrecht?
—Are you all right?

draus in da Welt
—out in the world

Frehlich Grischtdaag
—Merry Christmas

Gern gschehne
.—You’re welcome.

Ich see. Du hab Bobbeli
.—I see. You have a baby.

* Glossary taken from Eugene S. Stine,
Pennsylvania German Dictionary
(Birdsboro, PA: Pennsylvania German Society, 1996), and the usage confirmed by an instructor of the Pennsylvania Dutch language.

∼ THANK YOU ∼

To my untiring, devoted, and lovable family! Were it not for you, the challenges that faced me while writing this book would have kept me from finishing it on time, even by hook or by crook.

To my kind and gentle husband who spends time each day

serving and helping me along life’s way.

To Justin and Shweta, my eldest son and his wife,

who filled in richly for this absentee Mom and Mimi without an “outside” life.

To my son Adam, who juggled an internship and work to proof, edit, and plot

so I could get done what I ought.

To his wife, Erin, and their daughter, little Lu,

for without your love I wouldn’t know what to do.

To my son Tyler, who moved to Manhattan to learn to write in different ways than I know how.

I thought your leaving the nest would work differently somehow.

Who knew Mother Nature—by way of Hurricane Sandy—would use that time to say I’m no dish of candy!

∼ And THANK YOU ∼

To my Amish friends who shared their personal stories

in order to make Rhoda’s journey carry honest faults and glory.

To those who truly know apple orchards and herbs,

you nurtured me just as fully so I’d have the right words.

To everyone at WaterBrook Press who worked with diligence and care,

you made yourself an answer to prayer.

A very grateful, special thank-you to my editors Shannon Marchese and Carol Bartley—

I must add that each of you make me look smart-ly.

About the Author

C
INDY
W
OODSMALL
is a
New York Times
and CBA best-selling author of twelve works of fiction and one work of nonfiction whose connection with the Amish community has been featured widely in national media and throughout Christian news outlets. She lives outside Atlanta with her family.

If you’d like to learn more about the Amish, snag some delicious Amish recipes, or participate in giveaways, be sure to visit Cindy’s website:
www.cindywoodsmall.com
.