Chapter 22

The last chapter! The Brende’s are back in Boston until someone tells Brende that they still use rickshaws in Charleston, South Carolina. So, they pack up their bags and move. Brende continues to use a bicycle taxi as his main source of income. They also say that they are still somewhat minimalist in their ways. Such as no television, they home school the kids, and use a push mower. I am disappointed in the end. I wish they stayed in the Amish community. I know that they could’ve done it and been successful. Maybe when they are retired and their kids are grown they will go back and try it again.

Chapter 21

Chapter 21 starts out with the realization that Mary is allergic to horses and then ends up with the Brende’s saying their goodbyes and packing up their stuff. I am completely shocked that they decided to leave and return to Boston. I thought that they were getting the hang of living without technology. I also think that the people in the community were probably disappointed that they took time out to teach the Brende’s all these new things and then at the end of the eighteen months they decided to leave. I think that the people in the community thought that they would end up staying and adding value to their neighborhood.

Chapter 20

In Chapter 20 the Brende’s finally get rid of their car! They buy a horse and a buggy and still have $400 left over. They also buy a house in the community. It seems really nice and I’m glad that they are thinking about staying. Also in this chapter Brende sees Bill riding a bicycle from his job in the city. When he goes to talk to Bill’s Dad, Edward they argue but then make up in the end when they realize each other had good intentions. It must be so hard to get places without a car. I couldn’t imagine it. Also, when you have to get somewhere a buggy will not protect you very well from the weather.

Chapter 19

By Chapter 19 I’ve come to the realization that this book is getting less and less deep. In this chapter Brende talks about how much he does around the house and instead of both pitching in the Brende’s new answer is, “It’s not my job”. They decide to go on a weekend getaway and Brende attends a class on the Amish where women’s roles are discussed. I thought it was really weird that they went to Kmart – right across from their farm to get baby stuff? Anyone else? As I was reading this book I kind of thought that they were out in the middle of nowhere Pennsylvania. I also think that should have used baby thing that were made by hand and not resorted to Kmart.

Chapter 18

In Chapter 18 Hans is born! I wouldn’t have picked that name but, he sounds like a cool baby. Brende was excited and nervous all at once but all new Dads are. The only hitch in the entire thing was their car breaking down when Brende went to the Millers to get Naomi. Otherwise the birth at home went extremely smooth. You have to give Mary credit for giving birth with no drugs in her own bed that must have been the toughest thing she’s ever done. It was funny how she can’t remember the pain now. I’m pretty sure that is the only way women agree to give birth again and again; it’s the complete memory loss of the experience.

Chapter 17

Chapter 17 has a bunch of different things happening. Brende ends up selling the rest of his molasses at wholesale price. Something I don’t think he should’ve done. I felt like he kind of gave up. Also in this chapter it seems like he is making more enemies than friends. The Miller boy is mad at him because Brende made him wait and was not being all that helpful. Also, someone stole the deer meat off of their front porch and they invited themselves over to someone’s house to play bridge. At last in the end of the chapter he is getting along with Caleb. I think it is pretty gross that they can’t tell the difference between their canned chicken and their canned pork. Also, I think it was pretty unnecessary to go into gory details about killing a chicken and plucking its feathers.

Chapter 16

In this chapter the Brende’s have a moment of panic when they realize that their pumpkins are ready to be picked way too early. They work together and get most of the pumpkins inside. They also get their molasses ready to be sold. The pumpkins make it to October and they gain around $1,000. They are pretty bored with no work to do on the farm although this gives them time to work on their Lamaze, because I have a feeling this baby is coming in about two chapters! I am wondering is $1,000 is all they need to get them through the whole year. It seems like an awfully small amount of money to support a family.