by MarianBeaman | Feb 25, 2026 | blog, book review, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, neighborhood, Novel writing, Quotations, Uncategorized
January and February this year have been cold, at least for Florida. Our usual temps alternate from 45 in the morning to 65 or 70 degrees mid-afternoon. This winter has been an exception: 20 days freezing (or below) in January and at least one near-freezing day in...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 28, 2026 | blog, book review, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Mennonite Lore, Novel writing, Novel writing, Quotations, Uncategorized
One Way to Stay Sane The author of Cherry Cola Book Club remarks, “Going to the library to check out my novels has always been my great escape. I get to explore someone else’s mind for a while. It’s a very sane exercise.” 219 Of course, you can find great...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 14, 2026 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
Looking back Seven years ago, in 2019, I wrote my first memoir. One of my goals was to discover the source of my father’s anger, often directed to me. I had a mostly happy childhood because of close ties with my extended family. Yet, over a dozen pages in Mennonite...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 6, 2025 | blog, book review, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Nostalgia, Quotations, Romance, Tips
August 5, 1967: How I Learned What it Means to Obey The summer Cliff and I got married I served as a secretary in the office of Pastor Deane Ballard at Calvary Presbyterian Church. As our wedding day approached, I got to choose the wording of our marriage vows....
by MarianBeaman | Jun 25, 2025 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Memory, Nostalgia, Paska, Travel, Ukraine, Uncategorized
Flowers, a bottle of wine, a box of candy, even a potted plant—these are the gifts guests often choose to present to a gracious host, responding to an invitation. My neighbor Mila offers both gifts when she comes to our house for lunch or supper. Mila...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 22, 2025 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Romance, Uncategorized
From January to June 1967, creating my wedding gown kept me in stitches. Before my August wedding date, I was thrilled to first find a pattern, purchase fabric, and then fashion a white peau de soie dress on a budget. My roommates in the little bungalow on Middleton...
