I hadn't realized that the Shakers had embraced a name that they had originally been called by derogatorily. That's interesting. I know that the community of Shakers has apparently completely come to an end, and that surprises me. The pictures you've posted today make me feel that was a vibrant community—and I guess it was, once! I like best that last lithograph of dancing in a tight, circular bunch. Of the six pieces of recorded music, I liked best "Celestial Choir" by The Boston Camerata and "Give Good Gifts" by The Rose Ensemble. Thank you, Bill.
It is premature to say that that the Shakers have come to an end. As of June there were still two members: Brother Arnold Hadd who is 67 years old and Sister June Carpenter who is 85. I made a donation to their barn restoration project while researching this and received a very gracious thank-you letter signed by Brother Arnold. But their Shaker community survives with considerable support from their non-Shaker neighbours.
For that reason it was sometimes rather awkward writing my essay. Sometimes it made more sense to refer to the Shakers in the past tense, but other times it was more respectful to use the present tense.
Your reverting to lengthy commentary made me smile this morning. Thanks! I'm all for people doing what feels right. I had a personal brush with Shakers - living in their buildings in New Lebanon, and I suppose, absorbing their atmosphere over the year I was there. I'll be glad to read as much as you've written.
The Abode of the Message is where I lived, a Sufi community on the site of the Shaker settlement. The Abode is open to visitors, and you can also stay overnight, including meals. At least, it was 20 years ago when I lived there. The property is 400 acres including a small mountain. The birds and the springtime are marvelous, and the winter skating on the pond was lovely.
I hadn't realized that the Shakers had embraced a name that they had originally been called by derogatorily. That's interesting. I know that the community of Shakers has apparently completely come to an end, and that surprises me. The pictures you've posted today make me feel that was a vibrant community—and I guess it was, once! I like best that last lithograph of dancing in a tight, circular bunch. Of the six pieces of recorded music, I liked best "Celestial Choir" by The Boston Camerata and "Give Good Gifts" by The Rose Ensemble. Thank you, Bill.
It is premature to say that that the Shakers have come to an end. As of June there were still two members: Brother Arnold Hadd who is 67 years old and Sister June Carpenter who is 85. I made a donation to their barn restoration project while researching this and received a very gracious thank-you letter signed by Brother Arnold. But their Shaker community survives with considerable support from their non-Shaker neighbours.
For that reason it was sometimes rather awkward writing my essay. Sometimes it made more sense to refer to the Shakers in the past tense, but other times it was more respectful to use the present tense.
Your reverting to lengthy commentary made me smile this morning. Thanks! I'm all for people doing what feels right. I had a personal brush with Shakers - living in their buildings in New Lebanon, and I suppose, absorbing their atmosphere over the year I was there. I'll be glad to read as much as you've written.
The Abode of the Message is where I lived, a Sufi community on the site of the Shaker settlement. The Abode is open to visitors, and you can also stay overnight, including meals. At least, it was 20 years ago when I lived there. The property is 400 acres including a small mountain. The birds and the springtime are marvelous, and the winter skating on the pond was lovely.
Cheers, Aziza