by MarianBeaman | Oct 14, 2026 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
Sometimes something that comes in the mail triggers memories. In this case, it was a letter from long-time friend Hazel Charles’ “snail mail.” In late September I received a personal note from longtime friend, Hazel (Garber) Charles. Hazel, who was born close to...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 19, 2026 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Memory
Fits and Starts: An Update on My Poetry Collection Progress You have not heard “Boo” from me about progress on my poetry collection since Valentine’s Day, 2026. Here’s the truth: There has been a lag: busy-ness, distraction, less energy,...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 29, 2026 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
My baby book tells the story of my life from birth to age 3. My mother, Ruth Metzler Longenecker, recorded the details of my early life in a cushiony pink volume with dimensions, 6 x 8 inches, popular in mid-century America. Although the pages allowed for more, Mother...
by MarianBeaman | Jul 1, 2026 | blog, book review, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Memory, Novel writing, Reflection, Uncategorized
“I don’t drink coffee,” Alex said. “Then who drinks coffee at your house?” I replied, eying the coffee-themed plaques on her kitchen wall. Her quick answer, “Oh, Andy does, and I liked organizing the coffee display on my...
by MarianBeaman | May 20, 2026 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Tips, Travel, Uncategorized
“The business of life is the acquisition of memories. In the end, that’s all there is.” Carson pontificating to Mrs. Hughes, Downton Abbey Where we traveled in mid-April 2026 The Balkans are the former Yugoslavia, with leaders in its history like Tito...
by MarianBeaman | May 6, 2026 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Travel, Uncategorized
Do you dream? Not just at night, but do you sometimes zone out in a pleasant way during the day? As Robert Olen Butler suggests in his book, From Where Your Dream, there is power in dreaming to create art.” Why? “Only the unconscious can fit together the stuff...
