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How to Teach a Piano Lesson

by MarianBeaman | Mar 2, 2016 | blog, Conflict, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, meditation, Memory, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized

“Joel, I’m going to the Christian Light Press in E-Town for some birthday cards, do you want to go along?” “Okay, Mommy, do you think they have lollipops?” queried my mischievous son. “I don’t think bookstores have lollipops at the counter like doctor’s offices do,...

Are You Ready for Spring?

by MarianBeaman | Feb 29, 2016 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, meditation, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized

Today marks the end of February. In less than a month spring will have sprung, Still, you may be ready for spring now, not in three weeks. Here are the thoughts of Jane Kenyon, once New Hampshire’s poet laureate, anticipating the blooms of spring in her...
Are You Too Big for Your Pot?

Are You Too Big for Your Pot?

by MarianBeaman | Feb 24, 2016 | blog, Conflict, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Neighborhood / Environment, Nostalgia, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized

I didn’t hear a Bang. I didn’t see the pot Fall. But when I looked from the upstairs bedroom window, I saw shiny red chards of pottery on the patio floor. I really liked that red pot and now it was in pieces.     How did that happen? There was no wind. I was...

My Day of CHANGE @ a Middle School

by MarianBeaman | Feb 17, 2016 | Coming of Age, Education, neighborhood, Tips, Uncategorized

“Mom, would you like to volunteer for Challenge Day at Mandarin Middle School in a few weeks?” Joel asked. “I probably would but I would need to know more about it,” I answered. Then my son proceeded to tell me about an initiative at the school he helps sponsor,...

Comparison Shopper Finds a Wife

by MarianBeaman | Feb 10, 2016 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, popular culture, Romance, Uncategorized

Gump-a-bump-a-rump-a! (Repeat – repeat) No driver wants to hear this coming from under her car hood, even if it is my aging Infiniti. When I reported these scary noises to my husband Cliff, he immediately went into Investigator Mode. His problem-solving scenario...

Hoorah, 300th Blog Post with an Oops and an Aah!

by MarianBeaman | Feb 3, 2016 | blog, Christmas, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Nostalgia, Recipes, Southern lady friends, Uncategorized

Oops! An apple cake with half the recipe batter left out . . . the baked remainders landing on the floor. Double dumb mistakes. That’s not the way I envisioned marking my 300th blog post. The Plan To mark this milestone, grandson Curtis and I planned to make an apple...
5 Memoir Lessons Learned from a Special Birthday Cake

5 Memoir Lessons Learned from a Special Birthday Cake

by MarianBeaman | Jan 27, 2016 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Tips, Uncategorized

Earlier in January I baked an apple cake for my husband Cliff’s birthday celebration. All agreed it was scrumptious. However, it was my second attempt at the same recipe for reasons to be divulged in my next blog post. As they say, practice makes perfect! Matilda...

Sastruga, Snowy Winter Blankets

by MarianBeaman | Jan 20, 2016 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Reflection

A long, wavelike ridge of snow . . . formed by the wind: Sastruga, a word of Russian origin. A snowdrift is a beautiful thing if it doesn’t lie across the path you’ll have to shovel or block the road that leads to your destination. Prehistoric Humps James...

Moments of Discovery # 9: Keys to the Riddle

by MarianBeaman | Jan 13, 2016 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized

A Riddle I have no head, and a tail I lack, But oft have arms, and legs, and a back; I inhabit the palace, the tavern, the cot- ‘Tis a beggarly residence where I am not. If a monarch were present (I tell you no fable), I still should be placed at the head of the...

Donated Inspiration

by MarianBeaman | Jan 9, 2016 | Uncategorized

I will bet no one else has picked this guide word for 2016. Read about Marylin Warner’s fantastic choice here.
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