by MarianBeaman | Jan 13, 2021 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, popular culture, Uncategorized
The surge of the Covid-19 virus and the ensuing lockdown launched nearly a year of frantic baking and a run on flour and sugar in the grocery aisles. What first had become a coping mechanism during the pandemic has perhaps evolved into a new pastime (or passion) as...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 6, 2021 | blog, Gratitude, Lists, Literature, meditation, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
Beauty, the word I chose for my focus word for 2020, seemed to mock the events that unfolded in early March and following: the pandemic, political strife, urban uproar all contributed to create a topsy-turvy world. Still, nature cycled through seasons, revealing its...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 16, 2020 | blog, book review, Christmas, Lists, Tips
Wendy Jayne Scott, my author friend from New Zealand, offers writing prompts to engage young people in storytelling by firing up their imaginations (ages 6-up) Here are 3 examples from her book of 12 prompts: It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re supposed to be tucked...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 9, 2020 | blog, Coming of Age, Gratitude, popular culture, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
As Groucho Marx once said, “Anyone can get old — all you have to do is to live long enough. 🙂 But living long enough is not enough, apparently. It’s a good idea to savor life, one well lived. This from an article published recently by Brian Kozlowksi...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 2, 2020 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized
Books Make Great Gifts Here’s a Gift to Share! Discover the charms of living in rural PA in the 1940s-60s Follow the author in her path toward forgiveness American Link Canadian Link Amazon Universal Link Thank ...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 25, 2020 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, popular culture, Uncategorized
The Silly Detail, enlarged The Secular The Sacred Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name. ~ Psalm 100:3 KJV As you approach Thanksgiving...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 18, 2020 | blog, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Quotations
“Where have you been hiding?” I asked myself as I discovered a tiny, green volume under three other, larger diaries. Over three years ago, my sisters and I cleared out our Aunt Ruthie’s house. They agreed to my placing her diaries and journals in my suitcase, flying...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 11, 2020 | blog, book review, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Uncategorized
Sarah Klassen is a Canadian poet novelist storyteller with Mennonite roots Sarah is 88 years old. Recently Sarah has published her second poetry collection, The Tree of Life, a gem of a book, glowing with color like sunlight filtered through stained glass. ...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 4, 2020 | blog, Coming of Age, Education, Quotations
Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes is Young Glamorous An accomplished author and speaker Dr. Katherine Hutchinson-Hayes wants to live in a world where lattes are free, lines are short, and people are judged by what’s inside instead of outside. So do I! *** I met...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 28, 2020 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Literature, Quotations, Romance, Tips, Uncategorized
Fun House Halloween was a big deal at our two-room school. Every October, the students in my teacher/aunt Miss Longenecker’s lower grades and Mrs. Kilhelfner’s upper-grades skipped class for Halloween amusement in the fun house that transformed the basement of Rheems...