Beech Tree News Network

Where did all these old phrases come from? All my life I’ve heard the phrase “cat got your tongue?” but what does it mean? The origin of the idiom 'cat got your tongue' is an intriguing one. Although many believe the “cat” in question is of the feline variety, it’s actually the cat o’ nine tails, a whip commonly used to flog sailors who misbehaved. On English sailing ships, anyone entrusted with a secret by a higher officer would be threatened with “the cat” for telling; thus, the saying 'has the cat got your tongue?' became slang for 'are you afraid to tell?

The remaining lazy summer days for children are numbered. The Butler County School calendar lists “First Day for Students” as August 6 – only three weeks away. Although I love summer, I realize – unlike some of my grandchildren – that it’s time to prepare for the coming school year.

Years ago—twenty, to be exact—our family set off for Key Largo, Florida.  Located on Key Largo, was an operation called Dolphins Plus.  It was an organization that allowed handicapped children and young adults an opportunity to interact with wild dolphins.  The Dolphins Plus grounds were equipped with gates between standing pools of water and the open ocean.  The dolphins could come and go as they pleased.  The programs offered to the handicapped guests were free.  The costs were covered by an additional program in which paying guests would have an opportunity to swim with the dolphins, as

Humans are quite forgetful! What once we thought would be forever etched in our memories has now faded away. I am sure we’re all familiar with the old joke which goes: “I was always told that when you get old, the first thing to go is your memory. And, the second thing to go is … is … is …”.

Dr. Benjamin Rush:Benjamin Rush was not only a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but he was a physician, writer, and educator. He was born on December 24, 1745, in Byberry, Pennsylvania. Rush’s father passed away when he was six, and his mother put him in the care of his uncle, Dr. Finley, who was Rush’s teacher and adviser for many years. In 1759, Benjamin Rush attended the College of Philadelphia, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his education by crossing the Atlantic to get an M.D. from Edinburgh, Scotland. After graduating, Dr.

Jimmy, Tommy, the mule, and the bucket of banana pudding:
Back yonder farmers carried a jug of water to the field to work.  If they were working a good piece from home, usually the wife would send on of the kids to the field with the husband’s dinner.

I was listening to Sirius XM’s 60’s on 6 on the way to Owensboro the other day-bet you never thought you’d read that sentence from me.  Pat St. John was the DJ at this particular hour.  He played a song by one of my favorite ‘60’s groups Blood, Sweat and Tears.  In the lead-in, he said something that sparked a column idea.  I actually had learned this previously but it’s still an interesting bit of trivia.  Blood, Sweat & Tears’ new lead singer is none other than past American Idol winner Bo Bice.

I have recently enjoyed some really good food. Since I like fresh fruits and vegetables, many of the dishes I’ve enjoyed in the past couple of weeks have contained fresh produce. I have friends who are great cooks and are willing to share their recipes. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have!

I’ve been lucky enough to get to travel quite a bit throughout my life.  I have experiences I wouldn’t trade anything for.  I have logged all of the beauty of those sites in a special compartment of my brain that I hope I will always be able to tap into.  Right next to that compartment is an equally important compartment I have labeled Comic Relief. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ rules over us today. Sadly, this is a fact that is ignored by many. After His resurrection and ascension, Christ sat down at the right hand of God to reign over us (Dan. 7:13-14; Acts 1:9-11). The apostle Paul said that Christ is reigning now, and “must reign til he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death” (I Cor. 15:25-26).