by MarianBeaman | Oct 14, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
Great Aunt Mary Grace would turn 117 this week on October 14 if she were still alive. When I was young, the Longenecker family visited Mary Grace Martin at her cottage at Mt. Gretna, PA. What I remember most about her appearance was her pleasant aura and a gap-toothed...
by MarianBeaman | Oct 7, 2015 | Amish, blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Recipes, Uncategorized
My sister Jan (“Janice,” growing up) is easily the best cook in our family. One of my birthday presents from her last year was a cookbook entitled Amish Cooking. In the head-line this week, I say “A Touch of Amish” because the recipes are quick and easy...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 23, 2015 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Uncategorized
Dollar Discovery! On September 10, 2015 I opened an envelope dated April 30,1962 that Mother sent me in college. I had read her letter then, but did not open the Bossler Mennonite Church bulletin where she had tucked a dollar bill (series date 1957) until now. I...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 16, 2015 | blog, Coming of Age, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
The closest thing I ever came to living in a convent was my year in the dormitory at Lancaster Mennonite School. It was much like living in the dorm at my alma mater, Eastern Mennonite College, now a University, but only more awkward. “Awkward?” you ask. “In what way...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 9, 2015 | blog, Conflict, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
Nuns live in convents. At least that was true in America in the1960s. Strictly speaking I was not an actual nun, a Catholic sister with a habit like Karen Leahy, who left her convent at Mount Maria to pursue a literary life and experience more freedom. (My review of...
by MarianBeaman | Sep 2, 2015 | blog, Education, Literature, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
A toy train and a baby doll. That’s what these brother and sister pairs are exchanging with each other. Trading is fun among friends, no matter what their size. Big or little, old or young – most people like to exchange gifts, conversation, sometimes even big ideas....
