by MarianBeaman | Aug 26, 2015 | blog, book review, Coming of Age, Conflict, Education, Literature, Recipes, Uncategorized
I bought this portable meal, a Lunchables, to give to a homeless person. So why is it still sitting in my refrigerator? Last week I planned to give this lunch to the next person I saw holding a “Hungry & Homeless – Will you Help?” sign as I waited in my car for...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 19, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Literature, meditation, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Purple Passage, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized
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...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 12, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, meditation, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Uncategorized
My Mennonite Aunt Ruthie Longenecker is elderly now. She has always loved art and is still producing beautiful things nearing age 97. Like Mary Delany, known for her exquisite scissors art, age is no hindrance to creativity. Note the red and teal crayons in...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 5, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Lists, meditation, Memory, Nostalgia, Quotations, Romance, Tips, Uncategorized
This week Cliff and I celebrate our 48th wedding anniversary. We are not experts on marriage by any means, but we have learned a thing or two about navigating its mysteries and negotiating the best for both We sometimes see through a glass darkly Image captured...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 1, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
When we cleared out Mother’s house last year, we set aside some of her treasures to be passed down to the next generation. This month we are labeling these items with specific names to avoid mix-ups. One of Mom’s prized and most used wedding presents was...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 29, 2015 | blog, Conflict, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Travel, Uncategorized
I knew we were in trouble when the rotary path took us around Buckingham Palace and not directly to the Comfort Inn, Hyde Park, where we were aiming to roost for our stay. Never mind that the steering wheel on our dark blue Vauxhall was set to the right, opposite the...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 25, 2015 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Lists, popular culture, Tips, Uncategorized
Have you heard? Coloring books for adults are all the rage right now. According to Parade magazine (July 12, 2015), apparently hundreds of coloring books are available now to help you “cheer up, chill out, and get your creative juices flowing.” 50 Shades of Happy: The...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 22, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, meditation, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized
This week our family remembers the fourth week of July 2014. Last year Mother observed her 96th birthday on July 23. She died unexpectedly on July 28, five days later. This post will commemorate this milestone in two ways: cards sent to me along with images of...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 18, 2015 | Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Purple Passage, Quotations, Uncategorized
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...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 15, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Uncategorized
Did you grow up country? Can you picture a Dad, brother, or uncle toiling under the torrid July sun in the wheat field? If so, you know that farmers always wore hats with brims. The ruddy-faced farmers I knew in the fifties probably didn’t use Coppertone or any...
