Thank you for visiting my blog today.
Curious about my blog title? The plain part describes my first 24 years as a Mennonite girl in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and the fancy follows as I move south: first to Charlotte, North Carolina, and then to Jacksonville, Florida.
Watch for stories about faith and family knitted together by memory. You have stories too—or responses to what’s happening now. Do comment. I love words. Share some of yours!
Expect me to post Wednesdays weekly. Subscribe now, so you don’t miss a one.
Read the Latest
Read moreOriginally posted by Kathleen Pooler on Monday, July 15: It gives me great pleasure to welcome my good friend and writing colleague Marian Beaman back to Memoir Writer’s Journey with a guest post on how blogging about her family led to writing her memoir. If you follow Marian’s blog, you already know what a treasure trove of…
How Blogging About My Family Led to My Memoir by Marian Beaman — Memoir Writer’s Journey
Originally posted by Kathleen Pooler on Monday, July 15: It gives me great pleasure to welcome my good friend and writing colleague Marian Beaman back to Memoir Writer’s Journey with a guest post on how blogging about her family led to writing her memoir. If you...
read more
Secrets of a Spool of Blue Thread
Among the relics of my sewing days, I found just one blue spool of thread. Otherwise, I have the basics for mending: black, white, and beige. Once an avid sewer, never a full-fledged seamstress, I made dresses, little boy suits, pinch-pleated drapes – even my...
read more
A Plate, a Brick: Tokens of Remembrance
A Plate, a Parade, and a Song Four years ago these words introduced an "ode" to my grandkids. Now, the children (all teenagers, one a pre-teen) may feel embarrassed about posing with a plate of cupcakes and being praised for grade school accomplishments, like picking...
read moreBecome a Subscriber
Get the latest updates on Blog posts, Book News and More!
Purple Passages
My Word, it’s 2016!
Have you started a diet? Renewed your gym membership or decided to walk more? Maybe you have resolved to cut down on Facebook time this year . . . Along with such New Year’s resolutions, some of my friends each year choose a guide word to help navigate the unknown...
read more
Kids, Oaks, and Quotes: Purple Passages for August 2015
A Short Story Once upon a time seven children from three different states came to visit their family in Pennsylvania. Some came from far away in a car, plane or train so they could see each other and get to know their grandparents and great-grandparents, who lived in...
read more
Purple Passages in Rainbow Colors
Calm Thoughts, Relax Here Where we relaxed at the home place, counting cars on a Saturday night, swinging on the porch and eating watermelon! * * * Be grateful for calm skies . . . Forever is composed of nows. (# 690) Emily Dickinson * * * I'm going to enjoy every...
read moreAbout Marian Longenecker Beaman
I publish my blog Plain and Fancy Girl on Wednesdays. Whether you are a commenter or reader only, I appreciate your noticing.
Book Reviews
Secrets of a Spool of Blue Thread
Among the relics of my sewing days, I found just one blue spool of thread. Otherwise, I have the basics for mending: black, white, and beige. Once an avid sewer, never a full-fledged seamstress, I made dresses, little boy suits, pinch-pleated drapes – even my...
read more
7 Tips: Forest Bathing
Forest Bathing: Taking in the natural world through one’s senses How to: Forest-Bathe Savor sights, sounds, follow your nose as you head into the forest or park. Listen to the tap-tap-tap of a beak on wood or the two-tone note of a birdcall. Walk...
read more
Rachel Held Evans and My Brother Mark
Rachel Held Evans died on May 4, 2019 at age 37. She left behind a grieving husband Dan, two small children, and a host of admirers including me. She was the author of four books; I read her first one. Her untimely death ignited a public outcry. The Washington Post...
read moreDrop me a line (or two)
I love hearing from my amazing readers. You can contact me to make a suggestion or offer a comment.