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 | Aug 19, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Literature, meditation, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Purple Passage, Quotations, Reflection, Uncategorized
A Short Story Once upon a time seven children from three different states came to visit their family in Pennsylvania. Some came from far away in a car, plane or train so they could see each other and get to know their grandparents and great-grandparents, who lived in...
by MarianBeaman | Aug 1, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
When we cleared out Mother’s house last year, we set aside some of her treasures to be passed down to the next generation. This month we are labeling these items with specific names to avoid mix-ups. One of Mom’s prized and most used wedding presents was...
by MarianBeaman | Jun 20, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Lists, meditation, Memory, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Reflection, Uncategorized
March 1986: Mom and Dad Longenecker visit the families of my sister Janice and me in Jacksonville, Florida. We all enjoy Epcot in Disney World, Dad’s chance to see a faux version of the Switzerland he never actually visited but planned to some day. My...
by MarianBeaman | May 27, 2015 | blog, book review, Conflict, Education, Literature, Quilt, Quotations, Reflection, Travel, Uncategorized
“Heidi, would you mind stopping by 329 East Bay Street before we leave town?” We were on our way out of Charleston during our recent road trip, and my niece Heidi graciously agreed to stop her SUV long enough for me to catch a snapshot of the Grimké House...
by MarianBeaman | May 23, 2015 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, meditation, Memory, Mennonite History, popular culture, Reflection, Uncategorized
Catchy caption needed. Your suggestions please! Just as every issue of The New Yorker features a cartoon in need of a caption, today’s post offers a photo calling for your input. There’s one below to get your wheels turning, but I think there are other...