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 | Jun 3, 2026 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Literature, Reflection, Romance, Travel, Uncategorized
Dazzling sights and sounds, succulent cuisine, ringing bells and Adriatic breezes. Those were my recollections from our cruise to the Mediterranean in April 2026. Now, in early June, I’m reflecting on our travel to eastern Europe from a different perspective,...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 17, 2025 | blog, Christmas, Family / Nostalgia, Memory, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Reflection, Uncategorized
Where was I? Sitting on the back of an open truck bed on itchy hay bales in temperatures just above freezing sounds like torture. But it actually didn’t feel that way for me many, many years ago. Teens from our church and young adults used the open, long bed of an...
by MarianBeaman | Jun 11, 2025 | blog, book review, Literature, Neighborhood / Environment, Nostalgia, Quotations, Reflection, Tips, Uncategorized
My home is open today. You are welcome to step inside. Come on in! After breakfast, I move to the blue velvet chair, the one I use for meditation, Bible reading and prayer with names of people I know and care about written on a prayer card. Sort...
by MarianBeaman | Feb 19, 2025 | blog, Lists, meditation, popular culture, Reflection, Uncategorized
In January 2025 I didn’t make New Year’s resolutions. At least not consciously. Last month I thought, “I’ll just do what I have been doing, but maybe try to do it better”—blogging, Pilates, making meals, keeping up with friends and gardening. This year (I’m thinking...
by MarianBeaman | Nov 6, 2024 | blog, Coming of Age, Education, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
It’s disgraceful—displaying a perfectly good violin as an ornament, but there it is—on top of my piano propped on a small brass easel! The thing is, it’s not perfectly good: the G string is missing altogether, a black peg has broken off the neck,...
