Initial Introduction
On 12/16/2020,
a rainy Wednesday, at 3 PM on the dot, I had begun to write. I will continue to
write topically. Sermons are either topical or textual. I remember. I hope that
you were staying dry and that you will enjoy my topical “life, such as it is”
update.
By the way I
have set up my website, so that you may sign up for e-mail messages, when
I post an article. I will not know who you are. I will not know your
e-mail address. It's completely safe -- better than “Farcebook” on identity
protection. I signed myself up to receive e-mails for my own articles! I can’t
see, on my own website, that I signed myself up! I just get an e-mail (one only
so far, for 12/13/20 post), when I post an article!
Since my
11/22/2020, and within the context of my 12/13/2020, articles, the following
has been “life, such as it is,” to this date. Warm up a cup of coffee, and read
a while!
12/20/20 Introduction Continued
On 12/19/2020,
Saturday, I had continued. On 12/16/20, I had written my initial section,
below, about Mom. On that date, I had been forestalled, by my efforts to repair
our microwave. A technician had arrived. The 2003 microwave is toast (pun
intended). We'll get another microwave. Otherwise, our Sharp “Half Pint"
microwave that we’ve had since the 1980’s is in the kitchen. It had been in the
basement, in protected storage. It still works. We can still “zap" stuff!
On a cloudy
Sunday afternoon, I will finish and post this article, finally. “Life, such as
it is" is interesting at times.
Mom (11/24/1932 – 12/27/2000)
If you search
“Mom," you will find several articles that I've written about Mom. She
would have been 88 years old, on 11/24/2020, if she’d lived. On that Tuesday, I
was working, at the office, instead of at home, in the insanity of my schedule.
I remembered.
On 12/28/1999,
Mom, as we found out later, did not have the flu. The cerebellar hemorrhage --
caused by her arteriovenous malformation, a birth defect -- had leaked, not ruptured
completely, which would have killed her. I’ve written about the details in the
past.
On 12/27/2000,
Mom “went to see Jesus," as she had stated, before she passed. I’ve
written about the details in previous articles. On 12/24/2000, I was with Mom at
Holston Valley Medical Center. I had signed the papers, to bring Mom home to
die, with hospice care. (That was the hardest task in my life.) Before the
ambulance, which I followed, came to transport Mom home, she had stated to me
(on that late Christmas Eve afternoon, as darkness was falling), “You all must
let me go. I want to go see Jesus.”
Last Christmas,
2019, we had the 20-year Christmas tree. I wrote about it, with a photo. This
year, we do not have a Christmas tree.
Mom, I love and
miss you bunches. I’ll see you again, at Home.
Thanksgiving: "Mask Mafia" Compliant
My youngest
brother and his family stayed home. They developed their appetites, by clearing
and burning leaves. That's a chore. I've helped my youngest brother a few times
in the past. Their many trees produce many leaves.
My next to
youngest brother did come here to eat Thanksgiving supper (6 PM) with us. Mrs.
Appalachian Irishman was happy that we had a guest.
Her family,
living three miles away, were “Mask Mafia" compliant. They enforced
compliance on my longsuffering wife. I “enjoyed” listening to them “video
conference” most of the afternoon. I interjected a pithy comment at times. That
was not much fun.
I should have
gone hiking! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman should have gone also!
My youngest
brother and his family drove down from my home town, to visit us, on Saturday,
11/28/2020. The "Mask Mafia" could not stop Ferrells from standing
against Corona Myopia Psychosis, even if we were sitting mostly, while talking
and enjoying seeing each other face-to-face, with no masks (either physical or
otherwise)!
New Desktop Computer
In March 2005,
we got our desktop computer, from the Computer Depot LLC,
my now former "computer guy." The total cost was $1,112.17. They had
been my “computer guy,” as needed, for upgrades and one repair. The desktop has
been a faithful servant. It still works. The 2 GB RAM, however, is too slow for
the demands of Windows 10. I had called, with e-mail follow up, to my former
"computer guy." I had assumed that we'd do business again. I awaited
a call or e-mail reply, with their details. Crickets chirped. I left voice
mail, with my interest in doing business, if I could get an e-mail or phone reply.
Crickets still chirped. I fired my former "computer guy."
Data Tech 11 became my new
"computer guy!" On 11/27/2020, Friday, after the initial phone
conversation and e-mail follow up, I bought and brought home our new desktop
computer, with 16 GB RAM. The total cost was $678.83. The new desktop is great!
The only trouble that I had was fighting "Microcrap," as I transfered
files and programs from our old desktop to our new desktop. I won the
technology war! My computer guy could have done it, but I wanted to.
I recommend
highly Data Tech
11 to anyone who has computer related needs. Check out the
website! They offer other types of services also. On 12/7/2020, Pearl Harbor
Day, I mailed a postal letter to the owner, Michael Jesenick, with my highest
praise and recommendation. I hope that he uses my letter to promote his
business, as I encouraged him to do.
Homeplace
On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, 11/29/2020, I visited the homeplace. I did
my usual tasks. I called our across-the-road neigbors and spoke with them a
while. They were taking it easy indoors. The next two photos are from the
homeplace.
The homeplace
is doing well enough. My new 'ol truck still likes to get into a photo!
Granny Ferrell (11/30/1892 - 6/11/1971)
Molly Gertrude
Archer Ferrell, Granny Ferrell, had a heavenly birthday, on 11/30/2020. I
worked at home that day, in the insanity of my work schedule. I remembered.
Granny, I love
you. I remember. I’ll see you again, at Home.
Bionic Breakthrough?
By the way,
winter began on 12/1/2020. I know. I am right. On 12/4/2020, Friday (a work at
office day, based on the bureaucratic whatever schedule), my "bionic"
right foot step began to feel almost like my normal left foot step! The right
step is not exact yet, but I have been feeling profound improvement, beginning
that day! Since 6/16/2016, when I took my first three steps with the rolling
walker, I have seen gradual improvement. 12/4/2020 was a significant
"step." I amost cried! (As a man, I knew better.) The last time that
I cried was in early 2000, face on the floor, at the apartment, begging God to
restore Mom to good health.
My
"bionic" left shoulder and right knee are showing signs of good
improvement also. Of course, the "crossover reactions," as they are
called, are also "talking" to me. I deal with it all. I am going
forward, slowly, every so slowly, in my ten-year recovery process, which
started on 3/29/2016.
12/12/20 Saturday Chores
I do the usual
chores on Saturdays. 12/12/2020, Saturday, added three extras. My last new cold
virus compliant haircut was on 10/24/2020, seven weeks previously, instead of
the usual four. I needed a haircut. My fine barber (https://www.facebook.com/tonysbestclips/)
gave me another fine haircut. We had a great conversation also.
Next, my new
'ol truck got a handwashing (Halls;
locationhttps://www.synergyautowash.com/locations). The rain held off well
enough. $13.00 is a great price for a hand washed exterior plus tire clean. (I
always give a good tip.)
Finally, he got
an oil change (https://maps.castrol.com/74143)
also. (He was happy.) Since 8/22/2020 oil change, we'd racked up only 1,835
miles, but it had been almost four months since the last oil change. The oil
change location is a mask free zone. No employee or customer has contracted the
new cold virus there. The old oil came out almost as clean as the new oil.
My Sister
My sister, in
Missouri, sent me an e-mail, on 12/14/2020 (a work-at-home day). Her daughter's
birthday was that date. (Why didn't I remember?)
First, I called
my sister. We enjoyed catching up by phone. (Yes, I was wearing a mask, to not
transmit any asymptomatic new cold virus germs that I may have to her.) I
talked with her age 90 mother also.
Then, I called
our niece, her daughter. She's getting a bit of age on her now, but she is
holding up very well! That was another fine conversation. It had been a while!
My Brothers
My next to
youngest brother calls about every other weekend. He had called last weekend.
He's getting along well enough.
I thought that
I'd get House Mountain hike #175 yesterday, 12/19/2020, after hauling trash. My
youngest brother called, just as I was about to take a shower. We had a long
conversation. His family and he are enduring Corona Myopia Psychosis well
enough.
As I was about
to drive off to haul trash, my next-to-eldest brother called. (I'm the eldest.)
He left voice mail. I returned home, after trash hauling, to call him, instead
of going hiking. He has a new caregiver who is from Russia! He passed his phone
to her. We started in Russian. We switched to English. We finished in Russian.
She passed the phone back to my brother. That was fun! He called it his
Christmas gift to me!
Conclusion
Well, it took
me five days to get this article posted (12/16 - 20/2020). "Life, such as
it is" does happen.
The Christmas
gift to the world was the immaculate conception of Jesus. He was born of a
virgin. He became a man. He lived and died as a man. He was resurrected as
Jesus the Christ. The Word had become flesh. He lives, still eternally. He
awaits all who have accepted his free gift, who are living in honor of it.
Our 2019
Christmas tree was the 20-year tree, marking the Christmas tree that Dad and I
got for our apartment, while Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and Mom shopped. There
is no 2020 Christmas tree. Mom became ill, on 12/28/1999. She "went to see
Jesus" on 12/27/2000. We didn't have a Christmas tree in 2000. We will not
this year.
I trust that
you all have accepted the Christmas Gift. If not, send me an e-mail! I'll help
you accept it! My e-mail is in my profile.