Some of those “old time sayings” you heard as a kid are seldom heard these days.

I remember hearing some of my elementary school classmates used the term “bus left.” When a student missed his bus and was late getting to classes other students would say he or she was “bus left.”

He or she is “slow as lassis” was a term meaning he gets about as slowly as molasses flows. This was especially true for those who were described as lazy. We could use this term in today’s society could we not?

“Dumb as a stump” was often heard in our childhood classrooms. Those who did not pay attention in classes or failed to finish their papers on time fell into this category.

“Closing the barn door after horse escaped” meant had he applied more attention he could have prevented the event from happening.

“As much use as yard of pump water” is a term I heard a few times, but I’m really not sure of its meaning. Perhaps, you could explain this saying.

“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder” means some see this person in different perceptions. She may think she is beautiful, but others may say “ugliness begins with her.” Then again we should look at her heart, not her beauty. This, I believe is a very “hurtful” saying. You should never criticize or make fun of one’s looks.

I know you have heard people judging others as if that person doing the judging were perfect.

I have heard people making statements such as “I know that man is not a Christian.” You see, you never know the heart of a person.

There is a wonderful song with these words.

How About Your Heart, is it right with God?

Friend, how would you feel

If your heart were made with a window on each side?

People often see you as you are outside

Jesus really knows you

For he sees inside

How about your heart?

Is it right with God?

That’s the thing that counts today.

By the way, that was one our most requested songs on our WATM Suppertime Gospel program back in the mid-50s. It was sung by James Blackwood and the Blackwood Brothers Quartet.

Another old time saying is “we ran off our preacher.”

This is also a hurtful old saying. Many good preachers are sometimes forced to leave their congregations because of the wishes of those in control. Little do they realize is that a preacher always has his group of followers who feel betrayed when he is asked to leave? I heard this old saying when I was a young boy. And, you know, we hear it today just like we did back then.

Other sayings are “Bite the dust,” “You bit off more than you can chew,” “Break new ground” ( a term used mostly by farmers),”Caught between a rock and a hard place”(this is even more true today), “Do I look like a turnip that fell off the turnip truck?” and, finally “keep the cows out of the bitter weeds.”

I am sure you can add many more old sayings-some that, perhaps, have special meaning to you.

Well let’s take a look at a couple of current news items. I read where the Creeks are at it again. And, I do not say this in a derogatory manner. They just made a sizeable donation to the north Alabama tornado victims. This unique organization finds so many worthwhile causes to donate funds. They have given to schools, individuals in need and community organizations. And, I hear rumblings where other progressive developments are in their plans. The Creeks and the City will soon have our I-65 exit looking like Airport Boulevard.

Another news story has caught my eye.

Jeff Amy of the Mobile “Press-Register” aired an article on news wires and the Internet Thursday May 5. The headline in his story was “Federal regulators demand change at First National Bank and Trust Atmore.”

Lisa Tindell, Advance reporter, wrote an excellent article last week end with quotes from bank officials as a follow up to that May 5 story. I mention this, not trying to explain what is happening because Lisa did a great job doing this, but I could not help noticing the last paragraph in Amy’s story, which reads “at least nine banks with branches in southwest Alabama have gone under regulatory orders during the recession. Colonial Bank, Woodlands Bank and Superior bank have failed, while six other banks that were ordered to make changes remain in operation.”

Again, because this story was in the news all over the Internet and in local and state newspapers I find it of interest. One of the most vivid things I remember about this bank was the eye-grabbing newspaper ad, “The A Team,” which ran about the same time this TV show was in its heyday.

Here’s hoping the economy improves and the bank will soon be seen in the “prestigious light” it has always enjoyed.

I am preparing a humorous upcoming column that I think will be of interest to all you ladies. I know all you men hear those many expressions from your wives following their weekly visit to the hair salon. I hear these remarks every week from my wife..…I have some news you will hardly believe…..Did you know….. I just found out that…..Can you believe that……It must be so because I heard it from two sources…etc, etc.

More, next week.

Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net