
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
What It’s Like to be a Bird
Do Birds Smell? Is this the same cardinal that was at my feeder last year? Can robins “hear” worms? Bird expert David Sibley answers frequently asked questions about the birds we see most often in What It’s Like to be a Bird. In a large-format volume displaying...
Celebrating YOU: Blog Anniversary Number 8
Welcome to My Eighth Blogiversary Please have a cupcake! Guest of Honor YOU! You come from all over the globe. If you don't find your country represented, you can call me out in Comments. Here is a sampling from stats earlier this month: Our...
Darn It! A Tale with a Tail
To begin, a riddle from Nursery Rhymes of England *** Socks are not expensive. I could toss this hole-y one and buy another pair, the Reebok brand I prefer. But, you see, I'd have to figure out where I bought this pair, don a mask, go to a store, exposing myself to...
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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...
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...
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...
About 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
What It’s Like to be a Bird
Do Birds Smell? Is this the same cardinal that was at my feeder last year? Can robins “hear” worms? Bird expert David Sibley answers frequently asked questions about the birds we see most often in What It’s Like to be a Bird. In a large-format volume displaying...
Mennonite Man Crafts a Valentine Menu
Mennonite Man, Willard Roth, reared on Iowa farmland, has a long career as Journalist Author Church leader World traveler . . . and always a Cook and Entertainer Mennonite Men Can Cook Too (2015) is a compilation...
Taking the Plunge: Liesbet Travels the Sea
Almost exactly one year ago this week, Liesbet, Mark, and Maya visited our home, via their RV Zesty. I wrote about our 4-hour visit HERE. Liesbet and I spent part of the time discussing her work-in-progress memoir, PLUNGE, here just a manuscript on her Tablet...
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