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 | Oct 25, 2023 | blog, Cliff Beaman artist, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Literature, meditation, Uncategorized
Last week, Cliff and I attended my 60-year-college class reunion at Eastern Mennonite University in Virginia. Harrisonburg, VA is a long way from north Florida, so we took a Delta flight. The distance measured in time: a 14 to16-hour car trip, or a 4-hour flight,...
by MarianBeaman | Jan 18, 2023 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Lists, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, popular culture, Quotations, Tips, Travel
At Christmas, I got a special gift from my sister Jean: Mennotea, a present guaranteed to warm my heart and recall my Mennonite childhood. Grandma Longenecker’s mint tea in china cups and Mother’s gallon jugs of summertime tea instantly came to mind....
by MarianBeaman | Oct 16, 2019 | blog, Family / Nostalgia, Mennonite History, Mennonite Lore, Nostalgia, Uncategorized
“Why is Glenn Longenecker buying so many antiques?” It was June 2017, and I noticed cousin Glenn was outbidding antique dealers at our Aunt Ruthie’s property sale. He was sitting under the sales tent with several items he already bought huddled...
by MarianBeaman | Dec 23, 2015 | blog, Education, Family / Nostalgia, Gratitude, Nostalgia, Recipes, Travel, Uncategorized
“I have always relied on the kindness of strangers,” admits Blanche DuBois, an aging belle in Tennessee Williams’ classic play A Streetcar Named Desire. Blanche has had the props knocked from under her and has nowhere to turn except to her sister Stella, also living...
