Beech Tree News Network

We find a very interesting writing located on almost every headstone in every cemetery we visit. On every headstone, between the dates of a person’s birth and death is a dash. This short line represents the time one has lived upon this earth. Yet, more than this, the dash represents our actions, words, spouse, children, grandchildren, goodness, love, mistakes, sins, missed opportunities, successes, failures, etc. The impact I have made upon my little corner of the world in those few years is represented in this “dash.” Yes, a great deal of meaning is associated with this “dash”.

This week I continue my county series.  I will dip my toes into Bath County, KY.  Bath County was founded in 1811.  As of 2014, Bath County population was 12,206.  The county has an area of 284 square miles. 

As I may have mentioned, the Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Although most of my time is spent with family and friends that day, I appreciate the Catfish Festival and those who make it possible. It is an amazing effort for a small town. My favorite things about the festival are the catfish plates, the children’s games, and the fireworks.

The ordeal of CHANGE.
    It is said we can never be really prepared for that which is new..  “it needs inordinate self-confidence to face drastic change, without some measure of fear.” 
We are afraid of the new- we don’t like it.  My daddy, Luther talk of the time when his grandfather, Charlie Locke- whom I remember quite well- saw his first automobile.
They were sitting on the front porch visiting, when a model-T Ford came down the road.

My father had an eighth-grade education, so did my stepmom.  My dad was proud of that fact.  My stepmom was embarrassed about it.  My father was proud of his lack of education because of everything he accomplished in spite of that fact.  My stepmom was embarrassed about her lack of education, because that lack got her very little in life. 

Almost everyone these days knows what Google is. Google is a search engine (and more) where someone can learn about almost anything on earth. In fact, to “google” something has become a part of our vernacular. We “google” things when we want to learn about them, don’t we? Thanks to search engines like Google, encyclopedias are almost unnecessary.

The Fourth of July gives us all a chance to reflect on our country and to take pride in our nation's enduring principles. It is the day on which the Declaration of Independence was ratified by exemplary visionaries who dared to create a new form of government and new laws for a new people. For the first time it was decided that every person is born with certain God-given rights and that government should have no powers of its own other than those granted to it by the people.

NOT A MISTAKE: Last week I mentioned the fact that I have often felt out of place in this world, all the way up to the point of wondering if I really belong in it at all, or if I might have slipped through the cracks as some kind of cosmic mistake, just biding my time, with no real purpose. Some of that feeling probably comes from living with the results of some poor choices and downright stupid decisions on my part.

This week I will continue my Kentucky county origins series.  Today, I will look at Anderson, Ballard and Barren counties. 
Anderson County was formed in 1827.  As of 2010, the population was 21,421.  Its county seat is Lawrenceburg.  The county is named for Richard Clough Anderson, a Kentucky Legislator, U.S. Congressman and minister to Colombia. 

Many of my Butler County neighbors have vacationed this month, and others have vacation plans for later in the year. The most popular vacation months seem to be June through October. Some people plan their vacation around a specific location while others plan to spend their time with family and/or friends. Regardless, taking a break is a good idea.