by MarianBeaman | Mar 2, 2022 | blog, book review, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Kiev Ukraine, Mennonite History, Quotations, Travel, Ukraine, Uncategorized
I received a copy of Elfrieda Schroeder’s memoir, Ellie’s World, about a month ago. Though eastern Europe was rumbling louder in the news in early February, I had no idea how timely her story would be considering the horrific events of this past week....
by MarianBeaman | Feb 23, 2022 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Coming of Age, Literature, popular culture, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized
The cartoon is right! I have been blogging nigh onto nine years. Also right: My hair is often a mess when I blog. (I don’t see myself at the computer, so I have to trust the artist’s rendering here.) Blogging is fun for me. I don’t hate blogging, as the...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 12, 2022 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized
Like a double-side mirror, reflect is one of those words with a dual meaning. It can either turn in upon itself or look outward. It can cast back light or enlighten the path ahead. The American Heritage Dictionary illuminates further: To give back a likeness, as...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 13, 2021 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Mennonite Lore, Quilt, Tips, Uncategorized
You’ve heard many metaphors for life, images that suggest how daily happenings can throw us into a tailspin: Life is like a roller coaster with lots of ups and downs Life is like a washing machine, churning round and round Life is like bumper cars, hitting one...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 18, 2021 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Travel, Uncategorized
Howard and Faythe Landis don’t operate a bed and breakfast, but they are hospitality hosts extraordinaire nonetheless. We discovered their great hearts and open arms on our recent trip to Springfield, Missouri in mid-July. Before we ever boarded the...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 4, 2021 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Memory, Nostalgia, Quotations, Romance, Tips, Uncategorized
An Anniversary Meditation Under a colorful collage created by Artist Cliff, I’ve stored 3 hatboxes. They sit on the rattan coffee table in our lanai. One is floral, another has a repeating Tuscan scene and the third is transparent, the contents held taut by...