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 | Apr 30, 2025 | Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, meditation, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Tips, Tree surgery, Uncategorized
The story of our sexy sago palm created a lot of buzz. This showy palm, a native of Japan, stretched forth its fruitful fronds for years on our patio. Then, it up and died. Well, almost! What happened: Late last year, I was hoping to report to you the second flowering...
by MarianBeaman | Mar 5, 2025 | blog, book review, Coming of Age, Literature, Memory, Novel writing, Novel writing, Tips, Uncategorized
When I retired from college teaching, my colleagues gifted me with an illustrated Alice in Wonderland. Last week when I pulled this book from the shelf, I flipped through the illustrations, focusing on the characters, especially the March Hare. Why?...
by MarianBeaman | Feb 5, 2025 | blog, Literature, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Quotations, Tips
How well I remember the sensation of the twin rubber rollers on the wringer of Mom’s white enamel washing machine pressing down hard on my young flesh from hand to lower arm—my screams—then Mom’s quick thrust, disengaging my arm from the wringer. When I...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 8, 2025 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, meditation, Tips, Uncategorized
Breakthrough “What a gorgeous day to take a walk,” I exclaimed to Barbara, my walking partner for years as we ambled down the streets of our neighborhood. “Yes, and isn’t it great: 65 degrees in December, and we don’t have to wear jackets” was her reply. We both pride...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 11, 2024 | blog, Coming of Age, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Quotations, Tips, Uncategorized
Welcome to Tea Toast & Trivia Soon you’ll hear Rebecca’ s voice: “I’m your host, Rebecca Budd. I am a Blogger, Photographer, Traveler. Above all, I’m a life-long learner.” But first, an introduction. Rebecca and her husband...