Introduction: My Two Homes xxi
Prologue: The Bishops xxiii
Beginnings
Chapter 1: Woman of Mystery and Allure 3
Chapter 2: The Newlyweds 7
Chapter 3: The Whipping 15
Chapter 4: Family Dynamics 21
Chapter 5: Black Desk 25
Chapter 6: My Two Mothers 29
Chapter 7: Ruthie, the Cheater 35
Chapter 8: A Lesson in the Woods 37
Chapter 9: Playing Wedding at Grandma’s House 45
Chapter 10: Lipsticks and Other Forbidden Delights 51
Chapter 11: Grandma’s Early Fancy Days 55
Chapter 12: Guns 59
Chapter 13: Halloween Fright 63
Chapter 14: Mom’s Men 67
Turning Points
Chapter 15: A Lesson in Conformity 75
Chapter 16: A Healing Miracle 85
Chapter 17: Tomato Girl Gets a Bike 91
Chapter 18: Music Tames My Dad 99
Chapter 19: Mystery Gift from My Dad 105
Chapter 20: Cinderella at the Ball 109
Chapter 21: Stinky Joe 113
Chapter 22: Relief, Mennonite Style 117
Chapter 23: Dungeon in Hell 121
Chapter 24: Easter and Politics 129
Chapter 25: Great Grandpa Sam: A Hoot and a Holler 135
Chapter 26: Rich Harvest: Grandma’s Bountiful Table 139
Chapter 27: The Rentzels’ TV 143
Chapter 28: A True Baptism 151
Chapter 29: Prayer Veiling Goes Missing 159
Chapter 30: Kazazah and My Church 169
Chapter 31: Circles and Cycles and Tubs 173
Chapter 32: Country Bumpkins Meet the Big Apple 179
Chapter 33: Coming of Age 185
Chapter 34: Pride and My Father 189
Chapter 35: Teaching Calls 195
Chapter 36: Philadelphia 199
A New Path
Chapter 37: My Trip West 205
Chapter 38: Confrontation with the Bishops 209
Chapter 39: Flying the Coop 215
Chapter 40: The Move South 225
Epilogue: 229
Glossary: 231
Recipes: 233
Full Text Article: 239
Notes: 241
References: 245
Acknowledgments: 247
About the Author: 249
Questions for Discussion: 251
Family Gallery: 254