Beech Tree News Network

Once upon a time, I did a piece on origins of certain phrases people say all the time.  Most of the time they say these things without even realizing it.  I once asked my dad what that meant or where it came from.  He didn’t know.  That got me wondering what certain sayings mean.  

Spring break for our school children begins soon. Most of those students will be excited for the break. Some will take advantage of the time by resting, some of the older students will work, and some will travel – for a day or for a few days. Many adults also take time off during the spring. And most people’s spring break plans vary from year to year.

My husband, Garey, and I have had our moments when we butted heads.  Occasionally, we still do, although those moments are fewer and farther between.  At the end of the day, however, we still stand together, because we want what’s best for one another.   We are what’s best for one another.

    Often we find folks who justify their sinful behavior by saying, “I am not bothering anyone.” This excuse may sound thoughtful, but it is not. In fact, it is quite selfish to justify sin by saying, “I am not bothering anyone.” When we go to the Bible and study the nature of sin, we learn that when we commit sin, any sin, we “bother” others!

Frankfort resembled the bustle of March Madness and the newness of spring this week as we finalized the 2019 Regular Session. We have now entered into the “veto recess” in which Governor Matt Bevin will have the opportunity to sign and veto bills passed by the Kentucky General Assembly.

MIDDLE OF THE ROAD-When our youngest child was first learning how to operate a motorized vehicle he had a tendency to drive very close to and sometimes partly on, the shoulder of the road.

One of my favorite writers is Eric Hoffer — I guess by now you know that, if you read this corner of the “rag” much.

Eric was fond of saying, “Sure I get some of my writings from books — ideas at least; but mostly from the “book of the world,” in which I live.”  Hoffer was an itinerant California fruit and vegetable picker in his early life.  When he left New York at the age of fifteen, he had regained his eyesight — he was blind ’till then. It was a God-send.  

Life Hacks 2019

There are several things that you learn along the way as you pack for trips, whether overnight or extended stay.  This week, I’ll share my favorites.  These really make a difference.  They free up space and allow you to pack more, whether you need or want to do so.

We welcomed daylight savings time last weekend, and spring flowers are popping up all over the countryside. Is winter about over? Is it spring yet? According to the calendar, the weather and my expectation of seasons, spring is definitely on its way.

In his book, I WILL FIND YOU, Joe Kenda (from the ID channel’s “Homicide Hunter”) gives an account of listening to a CIA agent during a State Department briefing for potential employees.  This incident occurred early on in his life when he was trying to decide which life path he wanted to head down.  Joe gives the following account of that briefing: “The CIA man made my country sound more like a manipulative and exploitive bully.  All he could talk about was overthrowing governments, protecting our sources of oil, and assassinating anyone who stood in the way of our need to dominate the glo