by MarianBeaman | Jan 18, 2023 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Lists, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, popular culture, Quotations, Tips, Travel
At Christmas, I got a special gift from my sister Jean: Mennotea, a present guaranteed to warm my heart and recall my Mennonite childhood. Grandma Longenecker’s mint tea in china cups and Mother’s gallon jugs of summertime tea instantly came to mind....
by MarianBeaman | Jan 6, 2021 | blog, Gratitude, Lists, Literature, meditation, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
Beauty, the word I chose for my focus word for 2020, seemed to mock the events that unfolded in early March and following: the pandemic, political strife, urban uproar all contributed to create a topsy-turvy world. Still, nature cycled through seasons, revealing its...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 16, 2020 | blog, book review, Christmas, Lists, Tips
Wendy Jayne Scott, my author friend from New Zealand, offers writing prompts to engage young people in storytelling by firing up their imaginations (ages 6-up) Here are 3 examples from her book of 12 prompts: It’s Christmas Eve, and you’re supposed to be tucked...
by MarianBeaman | May 1, 2019 | blog, book review, Lists, Quotations, Recipes, Tips, Uncategorized
What to Do When You are Sick of Writing (or any other brain-sucking activity) Just ask Caroline Carlson, who wrote The Door at the End of the World, a book I won (by the luck of the draw) for commenting on L. Marie’s website. Woo Hoo! Here is...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 6, 2019 | blog, book review, Lists, meditation, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
“Nana, let’s go for a walk!” Ian was tired of being penned up inside while his older brother worked in our yard. “Of course!” I tell him. Squirrels scamper, cardinals cheer. Even though the sky is misty gray, the earth looks and sounds alive. ...
by MarianBeaman | Jun 27, 2018 | blog, Lists, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
Here’s the true secret of life: We mostly do everything over and over. In the morning, we let the dogs out, make coffee, read the paper, help whoever is around get ready for the day. We do our work. In the afternoon, if we have left, we come home, put down our keys...