The Wife of My 75-Year-Old First Cousin Has Passed Away (published 10-31-2020)

George Ferrell was an older brother of my father, Earl Ferrell. Dad and Uncle George are now both at their everlasting home. Uncle George and his wife, Aunt Blanche, who is also at heavenly rest, had three sons, my first cousins. Waymon, one of their sons, is 15 years older than me.

Sadly, Waymon's wife, Mary Ruth, left this world on Sunday, 10/11/2020. I haven’t seen my first cousin, Waymon, since 2012, in Johnson City, Tennessee. His elder brother, he, and I met together at the apartment where their mother, Aunt Blanche, was still living. Aunt Blanche enjoyed seeing two of her sons and me at the same time! Aunt Blanche passed on the following year. My two first cousins and I had lunch together after visiting their mother. Since then, I have spoken with Waymon a few times by phone. He lives about a 1.75-hour drive northeast of us in Kingsport, Tennessee.

I left a memorial tribute to his wife on the obituary page of the funeral home’s website. My wife and I couldn’t attend the visitation and funeral service or the graveside service, since they both fell on workdays.

On Sunday, 10/18/2020, I called Waymon. We talked for about 45 minutes. His two brothers live in the area. The sons of his wife and him and their families all live a few hours' drive away from him. Waymon is enduring the grief of losing his wife, whom he loved dearly. I remember how my father endured the grieving process after my mother “went to see Jesus,” as she stated that she wanted to do, before she passed away.

I do not wish to speculate about the future departures from this temporal life for Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and me. The Good Lord knows how and when. It is better that we do not know.

Life is a slow transition from birth to death. From an everlasting perspective, temporal life is a blink of an eye while we live on this speck of dust called Earth. The slow transition continues. Temporal life includes good, bad, and ugly events, with an apology to Clint Eastwood. If we accept the Good Lord’s free gift offer of everlasting salvation through his Son and if we live accordingly by faith, then our everlasting home in heaven awaits us! My first cousin’s wife, like many others, has arrived at that everlasting rest before us, who remain here.

Mary Ruth must be having a wonderful time at her everlasting home. Eventually, it will be my turn, but not today, as far as I know.

House Mountain Hike #172 on Sunday, 10-18-2020 (published 10-31-2020)

Sunday, 10/18/2020, had better hiking weather than last Sunday, the 25th, when I actually started writing this article. Last Sunday started out wet and cloudy from the overnight rain. The sun didn’t appear from behind the clouds until about 3:30 PM. Now, that’s not funny, Lord! The Good Lord has a sense of humor. Over the years, I’ve seen perfectly fine hiking weather during a workweek with rainy weekends. Further, I have also seen a rainy or cloudy sky turn sunny too late for even a late afternoon hike. That’s still not funny, Lord!

This second of three entries on Halloween, Saturday, 10/31/2020, is about my 172nd hike on House Mountain from two Sundays ago.

  

The weather was mostly sunny and too warm for this time of year for my liking. I only hiked up and back down the west trail. When it turns cooler, I am itching to hike across the ridge and down the east trail.

The above photograph at the west bluff looks down from where I had climbed up. The rock bluff is to the left in partial view. Climbing up to that spot is easy enough.

 

After enjoying time at the west bluff, I carefully went back down the same direction that I’d climbed up. The second photograph above is the opposite view, looking back up to the same location as in the first image. The guy in the red shirt was standing about where I had been while taking the first photograph.

My right foot and knee instruct me to be more careful hiking down. I’m still a “lame mountain goat,” but I can tell that I am slowly becoming less “lame.” This 172nd hike also marked my 36th hike on House Mountain with “bionic” joints. After previous “bionic” hikes, my right foot encouraged me to limp noticeably, even into the next day at times, before it returned to “normal.” “Normal” had been taking a step; ouch; take another step. Then, it became take a step; that’s different; take another step. Now, it's take a step; that’s not much different; take another step.

Hey, Lord, could you speed up the “getting better slowly” part to “instant miracle”? No. You don’t work that way, except very rarely anymore? Okay. I understand. I’m here for only a few seconds in temporal life, compared to everlasting life, anyway. I’ll get along well enough until you call me to my everlasting home.

By the way, on my hike down and near the end of the trail, I met an 80-year-old man, Mr. John S., who was hiking up. I told him about meeting the 78-year-old man on 10/4/2020. Mr. John S. lives alone now, not far from us. His wife passed away a few months ago. He is back to hiking again. He had taken time off from hiking while his wife wasn’t well. I had not met Mr. John S. on any previous hike until this one. Mr. John S. is a fine man and brother in Christ. I hope that I see him again. Well, I will in heaven, if not here on earth.

After Mr. John S. and I parted, I met a group of younger folks. One young husband and wife were bringing along their four-month-old daughter. The mother was carrying their daughter in a satchel on her chest. I enjoyed talking with them and telling them about Mr. John S., who was ahead of them a little, going up.

Life is a cycle from birth to death. I saw a baby girl who was early in life. I met a fine man who was later in life. I’m closer in age to Mr. John S. than to the newborn girl. Accepting, at the proper age, the Good Lord’s free gift offer and living accordingly the best that you can offer a good life here. Furthermore, it leads to everlasting life at home in heaven.

Life, Such As It Was: 10/24/2020 Addendum (published 10-31-2020)

Introduction

I was very excited about defeating modern technology in last Saturday’s “Life, Such As It Was,” article. I left out a couple of funny items about that day.

Here they are finally, a week later, on Halloween, Saturday, 10/31/2020! This is an addendum to the first article from last Saturday.

COVID-19-Compliant Humor

Last Saturday, 10/24/2020, my barber gave me another fine haircut. I had called him to arrange the COVID-19-compliant appointment a couple of days before. Do you remember when, as a once-free people in a once-great nation, a man could just walk into his barber's shop to get a haircut? As years go by, younger folks won’t believe that a man used to walk into a barbershop for a haircut without a prearranged, COVID-19-compliant appointment.

Afterward, my 2006 Frontier got another good wash at the place where they wash by hand. The rain from the night before had dried on the roads. The sky looked like rain, but it didn’t rain!

The final point of COVID-19 humor was my visit to the Tractor Supply. I bought the last two 20x25 air filters that they had in stock. They had most of the items in stock that I buy for Molly, our “old puppy.” Of course, the masks were on. Yes, mine was on in the store. After I checked out, I stated to the checkout clerks and several customers waiting to check out, “Remember, similar to the Karate Kid movie, ‘Mask on; mask off!’” As I walked out, I stated loudly, as I’ve done before, “I am once again a free man in a once free and great nation!” Most of the folks who were still checking out behind me laughed! I’m just trying to keep up the COVID-19-compliant humor level, y'all!

By the way, do you remember when stores stocked sufficient quantities of the items that you wanted to buy? We are getting closer to the way it was in the Soviet Union, where socialist stores were open but nothing was in stock, even if you had a few rubles to spend. Wake up, America! We’re getting closer to what the Soviet Union left behind in 1991.

Family Heritage

Last Saturday, I just plain forgot to mention that my youngest brother reached the age of 47 on 10/21/2020. It was a workday for him and me. I called him after work. He said that he’s trying to catch up with me in age. What? Ain’t he even 50 yet?

Further, the youngest daughter of his wife and him turned 11 on 10/14/2020. Yes, her father and she are seven days and a few decades apart. Our niece still hasn’t let Mrs. Appalachian Irishman know what she would like us to give her for a birthday present. Who knows? If this new cold virus insanity (i.e., Corona Myopia) doesn’t stop, we may not see her again until she turns 20.

Conclusion

Well, that's all, folks. At least I published this addendum today!

Remember, “Mask on; mask off. We are still a free people in a once-free-and-great nation!”

House Mountain Hike #171, on Sunday, 10-4-2020 (published 10-24-2020)

This is the second article that I had written, on Sunday, 10/11/2020. It is published today, as I'd written it, excluding this first paragraph.

My hiking season (in the fall, winter, and spring) did not start in September, due to the “whatevers,” especially in my “bionic” left shoulder, that bothered me, from the 13th through the 21st. That’s an excuse. I know. Forgive me.

My most recent hike, the 170th, on House Mountain, was on 5/10/2020, Mother’s Day. I hiked at Norris Dam State Park, on Saturday, 6/21/2020. That was “Father-in-Law” Day and the birthday of my “ex-favorite-sister-in-law.” It had been over three months, since this mountain man had been in the mountains. It was time!

On the afternoon, of Sunday, 10/4/2020, I hiked “My Mountain” (House Mountain) for the 171st time! It was an enjoyable two hours in the woods. The weather was sunny to mostly cloudy. It was too warm for this time of year. The hike, from the parking lot to the west bluff, took 32 minutes. (I had touched the rock, at the bluff, to check my time.) That was not bad! I’m speeding up. My right foot and right knee are not slowing me down as much. Of course, I could have made even better time, but the branches of a downed tree and a couple of hikers, with whom I conversed briefly, slowed me down.

The above photograph is at the west bluff, looking east. You can see the rock that I touch, to check my time. The spot that looks like a seat is where I've sat often.

 

This is the west trail on the way down. (I had been up this way already.) The photograph does not capture the angle that my eyes do. I go down a steep, rocky area. I’ve done it many times, before and now with “bionic joints.” In this area, I met a cordial 78-year-old man and his grandson. They were hiking up, as I was hiking down. His daughter, or granddaughter, has a pet care business in my hometown. I’ve seen her advertisements in The Rogersville Review. My youngest brother may have done business with her. That older man inspired me to keep on hiking “My Mountain!” I’m a “spring chicken,” at age 60. I have no excuse!

This photograph is on my way back out. On my way up, earlier, I had to navigate this branch pile. I saw the large tree that had finally fallen. It had stood many decades. I’d seen that tree standing, during many hikes. It fell, but I still stand! Getting across the downed branches had slowed me on my way up. On my way out, I was smarter. I used my “super powers” to “fly” over the branches. (I have a jet pack.) A Boy Scout troop had placed the marker, a few years ago. It notes the quarter mile point, up the one mile west trail. An old marker had indicated that the west trail was 1.1 miles. The mountain did not shrink by a tenth of a mile! It’s a House Mountain hiker joke. You’d have to understand it. Hike with me, and I'll share the rest of the story!

 

Well, there is my new ol' truck, awaiting my return. The hike, as stated previously, was about two hours. I didn’t go across the ridge this time, since I had started late. My truck had 177277.1 miles on the clock, once I got him back in the “barn” at the house. He's a good truck!

The remnant of the Delta storm had forestalled my hike, on the weekend of October 10th and 11th. I could have hiked, in the muddy and rainy weather, as I have done before, even with “bionic joints.” In my “cowardice,” I decided to write instead. Please forgive me!

Life, Such As It Was: Monday, 9-21-2020, to Saturday, 10-24-2020 (published 10-24-2020)

Introduction

Well, howdy, y’all! “Hit’s” been “ary a while” since I “done writ” here. “Hit’s done been” five weeks since my article from Sunday, 9/20/2020. How have y’all “been a gittin’” along? Okay, I hope.

Well, let’s see here. I’ve been working on two articles today. Since 10/11/2020, I have worked on four draft articles from time to time. This is the first of two articles that are being published today. This entry about “life, such as it was,” is a chronological record of recent events.

Life, Such As It Was

Monday, 9/21/2020: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman still drives bravely to and from her vice principal/teacher job every workday. Her sister, the “coward” that she is, still teaches from home. They used to carpool.

Also on 9/21/2020, I worked from home from 8 to 10:30 AM. Then, a trip to the dentist set up a temporary crown (i.e., corona by word etymology). Historical note: On Monday, 8/10/2020, while working from home, I chipped a tooth. My dentist patched it on Thursday, 8/13/2020, after I worked from home. My dentist doesn't set a crown the same day. I paid the full price for the forthcoming permanent crown. Finally, on Monday, 10/19/2020, the permanent crown was in place.

After the temporary crown was in place, I shopped for a few items at a nearby Food City, with all the mask-wearing fun. After that, my chiropractor adjusted me once again. It was an extra adjustment after the usual monthly adjustment on Monday, 9/14/2020. I think that he set me back into proper alignment finally. The work to recover muscle and soft tissue continues. I’m getting tired of this type of “fun.”

Tuesday-Wednesday, 9/22-23/2020: Our recent deck replacement contractor called on Tuesday. I understood, to some degree, why he took so long to reply to me. His father, at age 80, is not doing very well. My contractor had gone to care for his father in Pennsylvania. His subcontractor came the next day, on Wednesday. He was leaving just as I was returning home from working at the office. We met and talked. He promised. He lied. We still have a few minor details that must be done!

Monday, 9/28/2020: In contrast to the previously mentioned mediocre service, our fine heating and air conditioning serviceman and his son-in-law inspected our HVAC units, as I had arranged. Jerry Roberts (owner of Robert’s Heat & Air) knows how to do business! Our units are fine, but it was good to have them checked.

Saturday, 10/3/2020: “Microcrap,” as I call Microsoft, wanted to update “Winders” (Windows) to the latest version. I let it update. After fighting the desktop computer monitor for days, on Saturday, 10/17/2020, I ordered a new monitor. It arrived two days later. The “Microcrap” technician, by phone, confirmed what I had already concluded. The “Winders” update had not been the problem. Interestingly, the monitor started to go bad after the update.

Monday-Tuesday, 10/5-6/2020: Our deck replacement contractor called on Monday. I have no problems with him. He had a major problem with one of his subcontractors. His now-fired subcontractor arrived unannounced on Tuesday. He saw that he had not done the work that he had promised to do on 9/23/2020. I assume that he surprised himself by seeing that he had not done his promised work. I did not talk with him. He is done. If he comes around here again, he does not represent my contractor, and I will get him off our property. I hope that he takes up the Good Lord’s free gift offer. I have tried to help him toward that end. It’s his choice now.

Thursday, 10/8/2020: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was exposed to a teaching assistant, who was exposed to his daughter, who has the COVID-19 virus (i.e., a new cold virus). The daughter of the teaching assistant had a minor case of the snots. What shall we do? We do nothing, of course. How many times have I been exposed to someone, who had been exposed to someone, who had a cold? It’s been more times than I could ever count. I have moved on from this Corona Myopia Obsession, as I call it! I wish that this once-great nation could do so. By the way, my wife is completely healthy! Neither one of us has been nor will be tested for this new cold virus.

Friday through Sunday, 10/9-11/2020: I hope that the Rogersville Heritage Days weekend in the rainy weather was enjoyable to whoever attended. I hear that Heritage Days isn’t what it used to be. I remember when the occasion was enjoyable. The rain, the “Corona Myopia,” and the festival’s decline did not inspire us to make the trip this year. Will we next year? We shall see.

Saturday, 10/10/2020: I have to toss this one in for fun! In late September, Nielsen, the radio listening survey folks, “hammered” our landline by calling and never leaving messages. I grew tired of it. I made the mistake of calling Nielsen to see what they wanted. Well, I agreed that my wife and I would fill out their survey forms and return them, postage paid. We received the survey forms by mail. For one week, we filled out their survey forms about radio stations, to which we were listening. Nielsen, in two postal letters, sent us a total of three crisp and new dollar bills! That’s the way to get rich! On 10/10/2020, I mailed, postage paid, our improved and computerized survey forms, along with a pithy letter to their “he ain’t from around here” executive. I don’t think Nielsen will ever bother us again.

Monday through Friday, 10/12-16/2020: I was supposed to work from home on Monday and Tuesday and then at the office on Wednesday through Friday. On Monday, my colleague, with whom I share the same insane home-office rotation, became ill (a cold, not the “new cold virus”). I, therefore, “enjoyed” working from home on Monday, but I had to work at the office on Tuesday through Friday. This insanity needs to stop! I can always find a work-from-home job before I retire from this state job.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, still driving alone bravely to and from work daily, had a long weekend. It was her fall break. She was off on Friday and Monday. The time off from work “inspired” her to take up hammer, chisel, and blowtorch to clean out the kitchen oven. Recently, I had opened the oven door to hear it growl at me.

My workweek from Monday through Friday, 10/19-23/2020: To make up for last week, I worked from home on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and at the office on Wednesday. The rationale for doing the same job at home or at the office exists only in the minds of the state bureaucrats! I would rather not drive the 16.4-mile, one-way route to the office and back. I have to drive through the crossroad where I almost died on Tuesday, 3/29/2016.

On 10/19/2020, as I stated previously, my dentist installed my new crown with no extra charge. I told him that, apparently, I need a crown about every 40 years. He knows, if he’s still doing dental work, that I’ll be back at age 100 for my next crown. Afterward, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I visited our chiropractor. The appointment had been set for 10/5/2020, but our chiropractor's daughter had come down with the “new cold virus.” She recovered quickly. Out of “an abundance of caution,” as the media folks turn the phrase, our chiropractor had closed his office for two weeks. Neither his wife nor he was sick. At least my adjustment was the usual “tune-up.” My bones are holding alignment well. I’ve about had it with the Corona Myopia Obsession, as I call it, in this once-great nation. Almost everyone with whom I discuss this agrees. Why can’t the politicians understand?

Today, Saturday, 10/24/2020: I should have been born 200 years before I was. I understand modern technology. I don’t like it much. I had wanted a VGA computer-to-monitor cable. Our desktop computer needed to connect to the new monitor that I had received. My father-in-law bailed me out! Yesterday, I ordered online a VGA male-to-male cable. Afterward, I called my father-in-law, since my wife had forgotten to ask him, to see if he had an extra cable. He and I had a fine 45-minute conversation. (My wife needs to create her own website journal for her side of family history.) Well, today, my father-in-law called to say that he had an extra cable that I needed! I canceled my online order. The cable works! Once again, with help from my father-in-law, I defeated modern technology! Eventually, the desktop and laptop computers will need upgrades, but not today!

Conclusion

Well, that’s the latest “life, such as it was,” update, from Monday, 9/21/2020, to today, Saturday, 10/24/2020. Please read on, dear reader!

I have a few more articles to publish. I’m getting there! I’ll also publish today the article about my 171st hike on House Mountain on 10/4/2020. I plan to publish two others later, as the Good Lord wills.