by MarianBeaman | Dec 13, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Quotations
Once upon a time my Grandma Longenecker and Aunt Ruthie welcomed strangers into their home. They hosted Phuong Le from Viet Nam, their first refugee “daughter.” After Grandma died my aunt carried on the tradition opening her door to refugees...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 6, 2017 | Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Nostalgia, Travel, Uncategorized
When our oldest grandsons were nearly 4 we took them on a mystery trip. “You are going someplace special, but we can’t tell you where,” we said. They were completely befuddled. Cartoon bubbles above their heads might have read, “What’s a mystery trip? Is it safe to go...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 29, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Tips, Uncategorized
What is hygge? (pronounced HOO-GA) Think coziness! A soft blanket A book beside a crackling fire A soothing drink A lighted candle A (real!) Danish pastry A stroll alone or with friends According to lifestyle journalist Helen Russell who writes in The Year of...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 22, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Memory
A children’s chorus gathers to wish you Thanksgiving blessings. Click just below to hear this rendition, less than 2 minutes long. Thank you, dear reader, for gathering around our virtual table here every week. I’m so grateful that we have this connection....
by MarianBeaman | Nov 15, 2017 | blog, chalk drawing, Cliff Beaman artist, Quotations, Uncategorized
What mood does this tree convey to you? Does this tree help you recall a special memory? What saying does this tree remind you of? Do you ever dream about trees, or a particular tree? Why do you think the artist drew this? Take a...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 8, 2017 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized
I found Aunt Ruthie’s autograph book at the bottom of this painted chest under a pile of blankets, dolls, and vintage clothing. Her classmates from Elizabethtown High School class of 1935 Wrote in her autograph book. Some sayings were Sweet, Some were silly. Three...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 1, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations
Food network star Guy Fieri admits, “I’ve never been an apron fan; it’s all too cumbersome to me.’ The Longenecker men didn’t wear aprons. To his credit, my dad did dry dishes but only on Sundays, and without an apron. Beaman Men in Three...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 25, 2017 | blog, book review, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Quotations, Uncategorized
Roz Chast knows about funny She uses a feeble font style Her figures have faint lines Sometimes her humor is subtle Other times blatant as a siren A New Yorker cartoonist since 1978, Chast plays her fears for laughs, taming anxiety with humor. Oy...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 18, 2017 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized
Ask any question beginning with Who? What? When? Where? How? Why? Or Offer some answers that I can possibly verify A story may build A tale may be told Why not be bold!
by MarianBeaman | Oct 11, 2017 | blog, Memory, Mennonite History, Tips, Uncategorized
Writing memoir is like drawing a self portrait while looking in the mirror. Sort of. Don’t be surprised if your picture turns out backwards. Which may not be such a bad thing! And so I began . . . Two and one-half years ago after taking an online memoir-writing course...
