Beech Tree News Network

A little I’s and ‘At:

At one time when I was 7 or 8, I considered becoming a Mormon missionary when I ‘got big”. This was because I could ride a Cushman motor scooter. This thought had its inception when a Mormon missionary came by my daddy’s store riding a Cushman motor scooter.

My husband, Garey, had to have a pacemaker inserted last week.  He’s had problems with his heart for about six years now and his cardiologist at Vanderbilt thought he would be a good candidate for the device.  Garey gets his health care through the VA in Nashville, which utilizes the doctor

When Saul saw Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9), among other things, Jesus told Saul that it was hard for him to kick against the goads (pricks, KJV). We might not be familiar with this term since we drive “horseless carriages.” A goad was a pointed instrument strategically placed so that if a horse, ox, or another beast of burden rebelled and kicked, the goad would hurt his hoof or leg and hopefully cause the animal to stop kicking. I have heard the term “goad” or “goading” meaning to urge someone to do something.

You can do anything you set your mind to.  You just need to ask yourself: why not?

Do you have plants blooming now? Some of my outdoor spring plants are nearly ready to bloom, and I have indoor plants that are showing off their pretty flowers. My three peace lilies are in bloom, and my Christmas cactus has bloomed in stages, still having a few blossoms left. However, the three plants that I am most happy about are an orchid, an African violet, and a kalanchoe.

One afternoon, tucked in amongst the loads of mail in my box, there was a promotional brochure for Berea College.  The college is located in the Appalachian region of Kentucky and only admits students from low-income families.  Most of the students come from southern Appalachia.  None of the students are charged tuition, but all the students are required to work while they attend school.

Solomon said, “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Prov. 15:1). In a country whose conversations (political and otherwise) seem to be harsher now than in the past, it is good to remind ourselves that a “soft answer” can get people just as far, if not farther, at times than screaming over someone or demanding to be heard. In another proverb, we learn, “By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone” (Prov. 25:15). R.A.

We began the week by remembering our founding fathers and the noble leaders who helped shape our great nation. On Presidents Day, we salute all U.S. Presidents, past and present, especially Kentucky’s son, Abraham Lincoln. 

I once did a column about packing hacks.  I added in little helpful hints to give you more room in your travel bag such as: roll your t-shirts, socks and underwear into a tight roll like a burrito.  What I’ll cover today is your travel bag.