The second building we toured was the living quarters of the Brothers, Sisters and Elders.
Everything was segregated by sex…. even the stairways were separate.
Everyone was busy, and everyone had a job.
The women sewed clothing.
The men made shoes.
The women grew herbs and mixed their own medicines….
As well as ran a simple hospital.
The men made traditional boxes…
And furniture.
I’m pretty sure everyone did this:
The beds didn’t look very comfortable…
And there was a lot of praying.
Probably for a queen size Serta pillow soft, but that might just have been me.
It’s hard for me to believe 300 people in the prime of their lives lived and worked together without ever being more than Friends.
But I could sure use a Shaker woman or two to come clean my house.
I certainly don’t have all that pent up energy to waste.
River's world..... 
Once upon a time… I lived one town over from Shaker Villiage (in New Hampshire). A group of nice people, set in their ways.
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After touring the village, I have a huge appreciation for their ingenuity and work ethic.
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The whole celibacy has me wondering too 🤔. Like did it really go down like that or was there some sneaky hanky-panky going on??!! Questions, so many questions.
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There had to be. Maybe that’s the reason the women were so good with herbal medicine…
😉
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Oh, ye of little faith! 😆
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😂 I’m sure it is! 😉
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Some curtains over the windows and some pictures on the wall would be nice.
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If it wasn’t functional, they didn’t have it. Boring…. but less to clean.
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Mmmmm—okay, they grew their own herbs and spices but didn’t they eat? I don’t see any food!! (Yes, yes, I have a 1 track mind–heck no sex you have to eat!)
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We ate at their cafe when we arrived…. be patient!
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Patience is a virtue and I have never been accused of being virtuous!!
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True enough…. but not every post will contain food. Good things come to those who wait. So wait!!
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I doubt any hanky panky would have been going on in those slabs…. er, beds. Ouch, ouch, ouch….
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I know, right? Not much cushion for the pushin’.
🤣
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Thank God for Fred huh?
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