Janet Laura DeAngeles Beekman was born in the central valley of CA just before the start of WWII, I am the second daughter of a sweet, loving, silent-type, dark & handsome first-generation Italian dad and a strong, opinionated, smart & lively Scots-Irish-English mom who was never at a loss for words.
I grew up in an “Ozzie & Harriet” type of home. My mom was a busy and supportive housewife. My loving, affectionate, diligent daddy went out to work each day. Except, my dad didn’t go to work in a suit, carrying a briefcase. He owned a smelly Tallow Works and wore blue-collar pants & shirt, drove a truck, and picked up dead animals and meat scraps from old-fashioned, saw-dust-on-the-floor butcher shops. And my housewife mom didn’t wear an apron and stay in the kitchen or clean house all day. She was the secretary/bookkeeper for dad’s business and the office was attached to our home. My best friends were Tiofila and Engracia, the little girls next door whose dad worked for mine (I later learned the hard way what it meant that they were “illegals” from Mexico). I’ll write about that someday on my blog.
My hobbies have been many, but top of the list always have involved reading, writing and something musical. I love to sing. I play the accordion and used to play the clarinet. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve going to my music lessons on Saturdays with my mom or attending a week of summer Music Camp at the College of the Pacific about 50 miles from my home. Later I would graduate from COP – College of the Pacific, Stockton, CA (which became UOP – the University of the Pacific – my senior year). I spent a happy career in education – teaching all ages, from K to adult.
Bob, and I were married shortly after my college graduation. Here we are 58+ years later.
With a maiden name of DeAngeles (in Italian it means “of angels”), angels have always been a part of my life and my belief system. Our Boston Terriers are a part of our angel network. They provide such joy and entertainment! TazE, is the 7th Boston we have had in our 58+ years of marriage.
We have two children, 7 grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. I write about them in my blogs from time to time. I have an “Angel Room” above our entryway. I get many of my inspirations for my blogging while I am up there in my “sanctuary” each morning.
Bob & I retired to Ennis, Montana in 2016. It’s a wonderful community with gorgeous vistas and delightful, loving people. You’ll see the sites and meet the people as you visit my blog where I post daily.
That’s last year’s glimpse of JanBeek visitors. As I scrolled down on that “stats” page, I counted more than 80 countries. What a gift to have these readers come to share the joy I have to give. I have been blogging since 2012 here on WordPress. Join me!!
Thanks for visiting me at JanBeek!
Comments on: "About JanBeek" (28)
Hello Jan, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Even though I am new to this blogging community, I am enjoying it and the honest sharing it provides. I find your blog very inspiring and have included you here to help others find you as well. I know we don’t do this to win awards but if you would like to participate and choose to accept the Award, please click here to see the details: http://professionsforpeace.com/2012/05/11/awards-can-help-spread-love/
Warmest Regards, Gina
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Gina, did I ever thank you for this award? Way back in 2012 when I first started, you honored me with it… and I was smart enough then to know how to put it as a widget, or whatever you call it, on the margin of my blog. Thank you so much! I’m glad, 6 years later, to still be blogging and to see you’re back to creating posts, too. Love ya, dear blogging friend! ❤
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Hi Jan. Well…after your kind words on my story about Glory I just HAD to come take a peek at your blog…and here I am! Ta da! I was instantly struck with how glaringly HAPPY your blog page is! WOW! And ZAP! A giant smile appeared on my face! It is a pleasure to meet you!
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Hi Jan. I did not know how to pass this message on to you, so I am hoping you will find it here. You asked me about someone else’s blog that I had found inspiring, well written and used humor to express some of his thoughts… I do not know how to actually get the link to you, so maybe you can look him up: thefilthyfifties.
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Thank you. I will look that blog up.
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Just started following. I am a teacher in CUSD and remember you as a great mentor and a someone I would of lived to work under but never got the chance. I’m getting closer to retirement now and just live reading these blogs. Great work you do!
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Hi Patty, I am just finding this wonderful comment of yours – posted six months ago. Sorry for the delay in responding. I appreciate your kind words. Where are you working in CUSD? How close IS your retirement?
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Jan, this is a delightful about page and lovely to learn so much about you. Your childhood memories are strong and vivid … and I can’t wait to learn more about your time as young. How wonderful to have been married for 55 years + and have such a family … always a blessing. Look forward to reading your posts and many thanks for the visit and comment on my blog today.
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Hello Annika, Sorry about the delay in responding to this comment. I am just now seeing it 4 months later! I have been following your posts – and enjoying your writing. Thank you for visiting JanBeek and leaving your messages. I hope you are enjoying a beautiful end of spring Sunday afternoon. It’s beautiful today here in Ennis, MT. ❤
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No problem at all, Jan and I’ve done the same! So happy you’re enjoying my posts … Spring has been lovely in spite of the very varied weather! 🌼🌺
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Dear Janet. What an interesting background and positive attitude! Happy to be connected. All the best! Mathias
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Hi Jan, You and I are are in the same generation ~ The Silent Generation. I have five sons and eight grandchildren. Nice to be connected to someone who is enjoying each day and grateful to be here.
http://www.meinthemiddlewrites.com
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Well, we may be in the “Silent Generation,” but you and I are anything BUT! We have found our voice and enjoy sharing it. Glad to meet you, too, Mary Lou. ❤
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Hi Janbeek!
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award:
https://authenticjoy.org/2020/01/19/sunshine-blogger-award/
I love reading about your travels and discoveries! Keep sharing the love!
Blessings,
Matik.
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Thank you so much, Matik. I appreciate your affirmation so much! I will not take time to answer the questions and accept the award now. I am busy enjoying one-on-one and face-to-face time with old friends right now. But I enjoyed reading your questions and answers and will revisit this later. Have a great day!
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Greetings! What fun to have found you and your blog. I am a blogger as well. We live on a small farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. My husband (of 41 years) and I are natives. I too blog about our farm, family and our animals that make up the most part of my outdoor life!
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Welcome to JanBeek. I’m glad you checked in and left a comment. I’ll have to go check out your Shenandoah blog. The Shenandoah Valley I am familiar with is in California. Gotta go see Virginia with you ❤
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Oh! I did not know there was a Shenandoah Valley in California! Hope you check ours out. ☺️
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I’d love to!
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Hi JanBeek!
Hope you’re keeping well. I’m not sure whether you remember me, I used to blog at WaywardScribbbles. But recently I’ve launched my new website and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
https://waywardscribbles.com/blog/
Hoping to see you around.
Take Care
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It’s so great to connect with your amazing blog! I’m so happy to read all your posts full of wisdom and experiences. I can’t wait to know more about you and your wonderful blog. 🌸🌸
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Thank you so much, Vincent. You made my day with your sweet comment. ❤ I will go to your "About" and learn who you are, too. ❤ I appreciate your presence. ❤
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Thanks so so much. I’m so happy that I got to make your day. Everything I said is absolutely true, and you are a wonderful person to even talk to! 😊😊
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You make me smile! ❤
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Your smile is my inspiration
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Thank you for checking in with this new friend… JanBeek… and letting me learn more about you. Tell me some of that “stuff” that makes you who you are, {{{Vincent}}}. ❤
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My pleasure.
Sure, I would love to.
First of all, I love to make people smile.
My main purpose is to make people smile.
And methods of achieving my purpose is by writing, speaking, and being there for people.
I’m curious to learn things by nature, and that made me learn digital Marketing.
I’m so happy to know you. But I would love to learn more about you too
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Aiming to make people smile is one of my purposes, too, Vincent. I bet my blog today will make you smile big time!! ❤
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