This bank situation is too complex to explain in this limited space. But like one of those overgrown honeysuckle bushes, the bank’s branches wrapped themselves around all aspects of my business. And , I, metaphorically armed with just a tiny pair of pruners tried to fight off the bank with little success. So last month, with my back against the wall, I decided that rather than lose everything I have worked for, I would reach out to readers with a massive cookbook sale in an effort to once and for all beat back the bank. And over the past four weeks, readers arrived with their with their chainsaws and axes in the form of cookbook orders and now The Amish Cook column is very close to the fresh start I’ve been seeking.

Through my new alliance with Amazon.com, cookbook orders can be filled rapidly and reliably. In the past month, since I explained the situation to readers, these book orders have bulldozed the bank problem, and cut almost cut down this honeysuckle.

I never want to issue such an appeal again in this column, so I need to finish the job. I have some exciting medium and long-range plans for The Amish Cook, but before those can be focused on, this job has to be finished. Readers have hacked away at the unsightly branches and gnarled trunk of this honeysuckle. But walking away from this cookbook blitz now would be like walking away from the honeysuckle with the roots remaining in the ground. Without removing the roots, the bank problem will come back with even greater vengeance and all this will have been for naught. I know there are 100 more people out there who would order cookbook sets and this is the best price they will ever be offered.

Next month I will issue a final statement and “thank you” on this matter and we’ll move on. I am leaving many places out, but I will never ever forget readers in places like Russiaville, Indiana; Oakley, Kansas; Fairfield, Iowa; Hoopeston, Illinois; Mitchell, Indiana; Mayflower, Arkansas; Crawfordsville, Indiana, Tilton, Illinois; Covington, Ohio; Plain City, Ohio; Crestline, Ohio; Paulding, Ohio; Jetmore, Kansas; North Newton, Kansas; Forest, Ohio; Fort Totten, North Dakota; Blue Springs, Missouri; Wilmington, Ohio; Bellbrook, Ohio; Belding, Michigan; Portland, Michigan, Galion, Ohio, and who came through in this column’s darkest hour. Thank you so much for everything. It has been deeply humbling to hear from readers who really appreciate the Amish Cook column and find my life’s work to keep it going worthwhile.

To help “uproot the honeysuckle”, a set of six softcover Amish Cook cookbooks are now available for $79 (plus $6 shipping). The set includes the newly released Best of The Amish Cook, Volume III, which includes a 7 page short fiction story by 13-year-old Susan Eicher. To order these titles DIRECTLY through Amazon.com go www.amishcookonline.com/books .Orders can also be placed by calling . Telephone and online orders will ship same day. Orders accepted by mail by sending checks for $85 to Oasis Newsfeatures, PO BOX 2144, Middletown, Ohio 45042 (allow 4 – 6 weeks for delivery). Additional sets can be ordered for $70. All orders will be placed through and will be filled by Amazon (including backorders). Individual titles are also available for $20, plus $5 shipping. Titles available are:

The Original Amish Cook Cookbook: First published in 1993, this is a classic written by Elizabeth Coblentz and Kevin Williams with recipes, stories and Amish artwork.

The Best of The Amish Cook, Vol 1 : chronological collection of all Amish Cook columns and recipes from 1991 – 1996.

The Best of The Amish Cook, Vol 2 chronological collection of all Amish Cook columns and recipes from 1996 - 2001.

The Best of The Amish Cook, Vol. 3, Vol 2 chronological collection of all Amish Cook columns and recipes from 2002-2007.

The Amish Cook’s Family Favorites & Facts: 2003 by Lovina Eicher and Kevin Williams, collection of recipes, facts about Amish life

The Amish Cook’s Treasury: a book of recipes only from Amish, Mennonite and German Baptist kitchens

The cookbook special will end on Friday, April 9. All snail mail orders must be postmarked by that date.