Well, good Sunday afternoon, y’all! I hope you are still
turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there!
Niece Passed on My
Age ‘6’ Birthday
Since my last (7/12/20) post, the profound shock was the
unexpected passing of my age-36 niece. She was the oldest daughter of my
brother, who is three years younger than me. (I had attained age ‘6’ on Friday,
7/17/2020. I had taken a day off, from work-at-office week, that day.) My
brother called. He, in passing, wished me a happy birthday. His main reason to
call was to tell me that his oldest daughter (he has two) died, unexpectedly,
in her sleep -- in the early hours, approximately 2 AM to 4 AM, on my birthday.
At least I’d taken the day off work.
My niece had been healthy. She had no known health trouble.
We still don’t know why she died. We may find out more, eventually.
Her husband, his young adult daughter, and their three
teenage daughters (ages 13, 15, 17) must endure the reality of my niece’s
passing. I pray that they will do so, very closely to each other and even more
closely to the Lord.
After various days and phone calls, on 7/23/20, Thursday,
Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I were present for the funeral home gathering and
then for the graveside service. I was one of the pallbearers. My youngest
brother was one of the two ministers. The early part of the storm, which had
been coming, started, as the graveside ended and as all the people were
starting to leave.
The Lord knows the date and time, for each of us, when we
leave this world, to move to everlastingness. We don’t. My niece left this
world too early, according to the usual passing of life. Of course, we all know
that people can pass early in life.
The main point is: be ready to go Home! I’m ready. Are you?
If not, please post a comment on this article! That will begin the process of
helping you get ready!
Life Goes on Details
The following are chronological notes, about life going on
(such as it is), within the context of the passing of my niece – since my last,
7/12/20, article.
7/16/20, Thursday: I took a work-at-office-week
one-hour leave, to get a much needed COVID-19 compliant haircut. My good barber
has a second line of income. He is focused on that now, since his haircutting
income line has been taking a COVID-19 compliant “clipping” (pun intended). He
works on Thursday only, by appointment, for now. I had a fine haircut, as
usual.
7/17/20, Friday: see my previous remarks. Also, I
started the process that will result in a refinance of our home mortgage. Mrs.
Appalachian Irishman and I are close enough to owning our home. The refinance
will speed up the payoff. By the way, the loan officer, a fine man, has a
birthday on mine! He’s twelve years younger than me. Maybe, one of these days,
he will try to keep up with me, when we both hike “My Mountain” together. We’ll
see.
Also, on that day, we received a letter from our current
president. It seems that he values our opinions greatly. He wants us to make
comments on his survey. He, by the way, needs our campaign contribution to him
– at least $15, to cover the cost of his letter to us. Hum. I’ll have a bit of
fun with my reply to him, in a few days.
7/18/20, Saturday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman attained
the age of a ’57 Chevy. (Oops!) Her not-a-semi-intelligent phone had the white
screen of death. After some effort, on 7/25/20, Saturday, with help from Cindy,
at Straight Talk Wireless, I remembered how to reboot her phone! It works! I
have a MS Word document now, to help me remember, lest I forget, what I
remembered finally! (Several years ago, in my pre-bionic body parts days, her
phone, or mine, had the same problem. I’d forgotten how to fix the white screen
of death. My excuse: on 3/29/2016, my one brain cell took a significant concussion!)
7/20/20, Monday: this was my work-at-home week, but
for some, unknown, reason, I drove to/from office today ONLY. (It’s work
insanity.) I received my Tennessee “Real ID!” It has the little yellow star on
it. That makes it “real.” On 7/7/20, Tuesday, during my work-at-home week, I
took 8 AM to 9 AM off work, to go to the Knox County Clerk office (Halls
location). I was the first in line, about 7:40 AM. Yes, I had the required
mask. After several others had formed in line behind me, at 8 AM on the dot, I
walked (as I’ve been able to walk, since 6/16/16) in. I went through the hoops
and paid the money to get me one of them thar new fangled “Real IDs!” I got a
paper, temporary one that day. On 7/20/20, I got my plastic “Real ID,” by mail!
URAH!
Question: if my driver’s license -- which I’ve had, since
age 15, for Tennessee, Missouri, then Tennessee again -- has not been a “real
ID” all these years, how have I been getting along? Was it a fake ID? Well, I
have me a “Real ID” now! It’s just a way for ‘govrmint’ to scam more money from
us, folks! Oh, well, at least I did NOT pay extra, for my “Real ID!” It was the
normal cost of renewing my previous, apparently fake, ID!
Note: the County Clerk’s office was “allowed,” by COVID-19
regulations, to open again, on 7/6/20. I’d known that for several weeks. I
waited. I’m patient. I beat the bureaucracy, by paying the SAME price, to renew
my “fake” driver’s license, for a “Real ID!” I won!
7/22/20, Wednesday: our contractor and his associate
arrived here, after my work-a-day-at-home was done. Both are fine men, about my
age, a little younger. We talked about various details. My contractor and I
signed, on the tailgate (down) of my new ‘ol truck, our agreement, which we had
verbally and eye-to-eye before, as men. His work and eventual full payment from
us starts on 7/27/20, Monday. His crew and he will do a fine job, on our deck,
etc. (I might post a few photos once the job is done.) After they left, the
storm hit! Well, we’ve had storms or rain every day, until today, 7/26/20,
Sunday. We had needed the rain.
Our contractor is the only one of four contractors, whom I’d
contacted, that seems to want to make some money! It’s his win and their loss!
Conclusion
Hey! It’s 5:15 PM, at the writing of this sentence! I’ll
finish and post this article, even before Mrs. Appalachian Irishman comes into
my home office, to tell me that supper is ready!
My age 36 niece left this space time continuum, boot camp,
world far too early in life, on my 7/17/2020 age ‘6’ birthday anniversary. I
hope she was ready to meet her Maker. Life, such as it is, has gone, and
continues to go, on. We endure, by His grace.
I’m still standing here. I ain’t breathin’ hard (from a
“Rocky” movie). I’ve taken up the Good Lord’s free gift offer. I’ve tried to
life in appreciation of His free gift. I’ve been a fulltime evangelist and
missionary. I’m still a missionary, under the maxim “you’re either a missionary
or a mission area.” I just don’t, unfortunately, have the option to be paid for
fulltime work in the field.
So, for my “millions” of readers out there, IF you have NOT
taken up the Good Lord’s free gift offer, PLEASE comment on this article. This
will start our process of direct communication! I WILL do the best that I can
to help you toward His offer, by salvation through his Son!
Otherwise, to my readers who have already taken up His free
gift offer, y’all keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there – in
appreciation of His gift!
At 5:52 PM, now, I’m hungry! When’s supper dear? I beat you
this time! Ha! (I did a few things, and I proof read my article, from 5:15 PM
to now.)