by MarianBeaman | Feb 14, 2024 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Reflection, Romance, Uncategorized
When life speeds up, I want to slow down. As I change the tempo of my life, I notice my breath deepen, my pulse slow, and my gaze narrows its focus. I may fix my eyes for a while on something small that catches my attention: a lizard-y critter scampering along the...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 31, 2024 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Quotations, Travel, Uncategorized
Cold in Florida The weather has been rough this January by Florida standards. Not rough like in Winnepeg, Manitoba or Litchfield, Maine, but rough enough to potentially kill plants. At 31° Fahrenheit, the Beamans have had to cover their tender plants with tarps....
by MarianBeaman | Jan 17, 2024 | blog, Gratitude, meditation, Quotations, Recipes, Uncategorized
Persimmon is IN. Yes, Pantone, that persnickety arbiter of color, has decreed that persimmon is the accent color for 2024. It’s the color of pumpkin, saffron, and orange itself. In a sunny room, persimmon looks sorbet-like, which reminds me of the mushy fruit...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 3, 2024 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, neighborhood, popular culture, Tips, Uncategorized
MARY: “Guess what! My Mom gave me her home organ. I may have it any time we can figure out how to get it moved from her house to where Alexei and I are moving. It’s really heavy!” SARAH: “Cool! Okay, let me check with Joel. Maybe we can help you and...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 13, 2023 | blog, book review, Literature, meditation, Quotations, Uncategorized
Medical Musings and Playing with Words Mercifully, I’ve skated through more than seven decades of life with few aches and pains. Over the years, my sympathy for others has extended to sending get-well cards, making phone calls and hospital visits....
by MarianBeaman | Nov 29, 2023 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, popular culture, Uncategorized
Your thoughts? Curious readers want to know. Lowest Prices of the Year! Click on the titles below to gift these books to a friend. Or, treat yourself this holiday. Mennonite Daughter: The Story of a Plain Girl Educational and thought-provoking ...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 15, 2023 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, meditation, Memory, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
‘Tis the season for roasting turkey. . . carving the bird. . . and expressing gratitude You can find dozens of tips on how to carve a turkey online. I found this one, on a website dubbed Webstaurant, demonstrating in 59 seconds flat a surefire way to...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 8, 2023 | blog, book review, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized
How do you listen to a podcast or Zoom interview? Sit and stare into space? Take a walk? Lounge on your couch? Chop vegetables for soup? Multi-task in some other way? Last month, Barbara Vitelli, also known as blogger Book Club Mom, interviewed me via Zoom. She was...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 25, 2023 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Literature, meditation, Uncategorized
Last week, Cliff and I attended my 60-year-college class reunion at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Harrisonburg, VA is a long way from north Florida, so we took a Delta flight. The distance measured in time: a 14 to16-hour car trip, or a 4-hour flight,...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 18, 2023 | blog, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, neighborhood, Uncategorized
Deuteronomy 28:8 The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you.
