by MarianBeaman | May 15, 2019 | blog, book review, Gratitude, Literature, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Recipes, Tips
My Grandma liked to cook and she liked to eat. She has a starring role in my memoir, spotlighted in two chapters: Grandma’s Bountiful Table and Easter & Politics. Everyone had a seat at her table. I treasure time I spent preparing meals with her and having her...
by MarianBeaman | May 8, 2019 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
I have written about my mother often here. You have seen photos of her, read stories about her. Intentionally, I have paid tribute to her on Mother’s Days past. Here is a sampling: Bedtime Stories and Wooden Blocks and Beads Mother’s Quilts Mother’s Other...
by MarianBeaman | May 1, 2019 | blog, book review, Lists, Quotations, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized
What to Do When You are Sick of Writing (or any other brain-sucking activity) Just ask Caroline Carlson, who wrote The Door at the End of the World, a book I won (by the luck of the draw) for commenting on L. Marie’s website. Woo Hoo! Here is...
by MarianBeaman | Apr 24, 2019 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized
Pear Tree Blossoms Blossoms on our pear tree beside the lake peek out A few at a time Then more . . . and, finally, the pear tree standing in a dress of white blossoms. Book writing, too, starts small . . . My memoir began as a Kinko-bound...
by MarianBeaman | Apr 17, 2019 | Easter, meditation, Memory, Paska, Reflection, Uncategorized
A Mom Moment * * * On Good Friday, my mother, busy in the house and garden, would cease her labors from noon to 3:00 p.m, and sit with an open Bible for a quiet time of reflection. She probably read these words from Luke 23:44-46...
by MarianBeaman | Apr 10, 2019 | blog, Easter, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
What outfits for special occasions do you remember? *** Open for suggestions: What other topic(s) would you like to see on this blog? Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
by MarianBeaman | Mar 27, 2019 | blog, Education, meditation, Nostalgia, Quotations
The saying You’re Only Young Once gives youth license to enjoy themselves, implying that as you age, you will enjoy life less and less. FUN is OVER for you forever! I’m guessing that you don’t accept that idea. * * * Did you know Dr. Seuss published his book,...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 20, 2019 | blog, meditation, Neighborhood / Environment, Quotations, Tips, Tree surgery
Marie Kondo must have waved her magic wand over our live oak trees last week. The Tidying Up maven Marie specializes in tidy tricks indoors. Still, I think she would approve of outdoor maintenance, which happened on our property last Tuesday. A weak sun peers through...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 13, 2019 | blog, Gratitude, Memory, neighborhood, popular culture, Reflection, Uncategorized
The Damage Mouth agape, wide-eyed and stunned at the WaWa station – I beheld a tee-shirted man holding a frosty drink and belly laughing at me. In the bay just ahead, this guy observed what I failed to see: two traffic cones smashed under...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 6, 2019 | blog, book review, Lists, meditation, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
“Nana, let’s go for a walk!” Ian was tired of being penned up inside while his older brother worked in our yard. “Of course!” I tell him. Squirrels scamper, cardinals cheer. Even though the sky is misty gray, the earth looks and sounds alive. ...
