Beech Tree News Network

Recently, my daughter, Natalie, made an appointment with me so she could learn to make salsa.  I have a recipe that Garey developed over the years through trial and error.  I make several jars every year, and I always share with her.  I think she has come to the realization that we won’t always be here, and it’s up to her to carry the torch.  I say this because she also asked that Garey and I write down what we know about gardening.

I've given several talks lately on a Christian approach to politics. If you've read any of my writings or heard me speak, you know that I view current events and politics through the grid of the Bible, which teaches that there's a great spiritual battle behind the headlines. This idea may be foreign to many in our increasingly secular society, but how do you account for the reality of evil which rears its ugly head on a daily basis? How do you account for good and an otherworldly response to such evil?

One of the best-known Bible stories is Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Dan. 6:1-28). It has been a favorite of children for generations, but the story contains some important lessons for grown-ups as well. Daniel had been made a governor; one of three officials set over the administration of the land. But Daniel excelled and the king planned to put him over the whole kingdom, moving Daniel’s rivals to plot against him.

In a text, one of my grandsons recently said, “I’m over summer lol.” Since he works outside as a lineman, I can certainly understand that feeling. Hot temperatures have occurred earlier than normal this year. Some June days were comparable to an August heat wave.

On April 19, 2024, The Biden Administration issued an executive order which unveiled new Title IX regulations in an effort to change the original, noble intent of protecting girls from sex-based discrimination.

There’s a movement afoot to slow down fast fashion.  Fast fashion is the industry that uses cheap, usually man-made textiles, to produce designer knockoffs that are here today, gone tomorrow.  The Slow Fashion Caucus, led by Chellie Pingree, congresswoman from Maine, is a congressional effort to rein in Fast Fashion pollution—textile wastes in landfills.

This week, we’ll be going back under the covers.  First is “Back Door Man”.  I came to know this song as a Doors song.  It’s not a Doors original.  “Back Door Man” is a blues song written by American musician Willie Dixon and recorded by Howlin’ Wolf in 1960.  The song is one of several Dixon-Wolf songs that became popular among rock musicians, including the Doors, who recorded it for their 1967

I’ve learned a lot about picking blackberries during my time on earth.  The first and foremost lesson is I hate picking blackberries…always have, always will.  I do however, love blackberry cobbler and blackberry jelly, so I press on into the patch, braving the briars and the heat and the insects.  

Everyone knows about the British Invasion of the ‘60’s: The Beatles, Dave Clark Five, etc.  You might not know this: there was a second British Invasion.  In the 1980’s, there were loads of British bands on pop radio. The AXS Top 10 show I watch regularly ranked the top 10 on a recent episode.   First up is Tears For Fears.

The 4th of July is one of my favorite days of the year. For decades, family members who are able gather at my house for the evening to eat and watch fireworks. We overflow the house, spilling out to the porches, the yard, and the garage. As one of six children, a mom, and a granny, I look forward to this family gathering.