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 60+ years later with our daughter, DeAna. This was taken when we met in August 2022 in Geneva, the start of a mgical three weeks visiting friends and family there. Put “Switzerland” in the post’s search bar and you will learn a lot about that beautiful country where we “HAVE TO” visit regularly!
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 60+ years of marriage.
We have two children, 7 grandchildren, and four 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 2006. 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 regularly. (Used to be daily… but I am not trying to do that now… just when the spirit moves me).
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!
Come back again soon.
Comments on: "About JanBeek" (45)
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
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! <3
Hi Jan I love your blogs!! thank you so much for sharing this beautiful pictures!!we are so lucky to have you and Bob in our life’s!! God Bless you!!❤️🙏💙❣️❣️❣️❣️❣️
I am just seeing this anonymous comment now… How sweet of you, whoever you are, to write such a heartwarming note. Thank you!
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!
Hello! I don’t know how I missed your comment here, Katrubie… but here it is (from 2018 to 2023!) – what a delightful surprise. I need to click on your picture there and see if you still are blogging. This is a sweet Mother’s Day gift to me… to be finding these comments here. How’d I miss ’em??
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.
Thank you. I will look that blog up.
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!
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?
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.
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. <3
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! 🌼🌺
Dear Janet. What an interesting background and positive attitude! Happy to be connected. All the best! Mathias
I am just seeing this comment now… Mother’s Day 2023!! How strange that I clicked “like” back at some point, but didn’t respond! That’s not like me! Thank you for you kind words, Mathias. Are you still blogging?
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
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. <3
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.
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!
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!
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 <3
Oh! I did not know there was a Shenandoah Valley in California! Hope you check ours out. ☺️
I’d love to!
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
How interesting to find this comment here on Mother’s Day, 2023! How did I click “like” and not respond way back then? That’s not like me! Thank you, Nathi, for your kind remarks – and for sharing your new blog link. Are you still at it? I’ll have to check and see! I’m still kickin’ and bloggin’ – just not as high or as often as I used to – hah!
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. 🌸🌸
Thank you so much, Vincent. You made my day with your sweet comment. <3 I will go to your "About" and learn who you are, too. <3 I appreciate your presence. <3
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! 😊😊
You make me smile! <3
Your smile is my inspiration
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}}}. <3
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
Aiming to make people smile is one of my purposes, too, Vincent. I bet my blog today will make you smile big time!! <3
Hello,
Took me awhile to follow up here. A rich history of love and passion. It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Janbeek.
Hi Kenyanito, your comment is appreciated! Thanks for visiting JanBeek. I try to post daily. My aim is to inspire love, joy, peace, unity & Faith. I am blessed and hope to be a blessing to others. That’s my purpose. Just love one another! I hope you’ll come back, visit. – and comment often!
Interesting that my previous response to you has an “Anonymous” logo/tag on it. I wonder why? And I wonder why I have taken so long to notice it? Are you still out there blogging, Kenyaito biko?
Jan,
Thank you so much for the kind note! It made me cry, as I was having a particularly difficult day, as you can imagine. I needed to hear that people were in my corner. I have been actively applying for employment since being released. It isn’t a particularly great time to look for the type of work I do, but I have actually applied out East, casting my net quite a bit wider. As a believer, I do know that God has great plans, as He always eventually reveals, but in the middle of it it is sometimes hard understand. Thank you, again for thinking of me and sending me the written “love”. 🙂
You are in my prayers, Jonnie. I am sure God has great plans for you. Keep the faith!
And you are a gift to us readers. It was heartwarming to read your story, kind of flashed everything within a minute. More so angels have blessed none but you when we get to know about the grandchildren and the great grand children. Accept my wishes Jan. More than happy to be here.
Thank you, Naranya! I appreciate your kind words. It is a sleepless night here for me as images of those 18 ten-year-olds and their teacher, the grandmother, the school guard, all shot and killed by a crazed 18-year-old flash through my mind. My heart hurts for their families. My heart hurts for this world of ours – so filled with sickness, war, hate … what can we do? Lord, help us!! Thank you for your kind wishes. I appreciate your visit. 😍 Share ❤️ love 💕
Enjoying your blog I stumbled upon researching ATV trails. Embrace MT vistas has me intrigued. I may have been on that road photographing wildflowers a few weeks ago. We have friends coming out to MT from WI and are looking for scenic, not too challenging, atv trails. I am wondering if you would share information on this route. Thank you.
Beth Moos
Hello “bethmoos”! I think I responded to this request last year, didn’t I? Interesting that I am just seeing this note here now. Sorry I did not respond here at that time. We are no longer four-wheeling, but we certainly enjoyed that ATV all the years we had it! Are you still lookin for good trails?
I am so glad I came across your posts. Thank you. Regards, Lakshmi Bhat
I’m glad you came to JanBeek, too. Thank you, Lakshimi. God bless you! 🙏🏽❤️
It should say 2006, not 2016 when we moved here … I gotta figure out how to edit this page!!