I was marking trees in a 50 acre forest right in the middle of open amish country, and came upon an old sugar shack. I went in and it was clear that it was being used. Closer inspection revealed a a few baggies of weed, two bottles of hard liquor and a jar of mystery clear liquid that smelled of alcohol, a tin full of cigarettes, and a few if those magazines mentioned by bigbob. I just left it all went about my business. Going back to inspect the work at the end of the job on a Sunday afternoon to get a jump on the week, I came upon 3 teenage amish boys in full black and white perfect Sunday duds sneaking towards the shack. I said hello, introducing myself and my purpose there, and asked them what they were doing in this private forest. The oldest one said “nothing”. I asked where they were going - nowhere was the answer. I asked if they were just taking a shortcut to get to the next road over - “no”. Well the. What are doing in this woods? “Nothing”. At this point I gave them an English (thats what amish call non-amish around here) lesson on lying. “Look guys, if you are going to lie let me give you some advice on how to do it. First, have a story. When someone asks what you are doing say ”nothing”. When someone asks if are just taking a shortcut and gives you an easy out TAKE IT AND SAY YES! They just stared blank. Nothing. No amswer no nothing. At this point I needed to get back to work so I said “well guys I have to get back to work in this fine Sunday afternoon, so good luck”. They didn’t even turn around, just started straight for the old sugar shack. Never did check in on them, I really was busy.
