What was in the Photograph that I Took on 7-20-2021? (published 7-25-2021)

Introduction

Howdy, y'all! This website is viewed on average about 200 to 300 times a day, which is not bad. I see total views by nation and date. I can't see specific viewers. Viewer confidentiality is secured here, far better than on a social media platform! I hope that articles here encourage, entertain, and help those who drop by. Recently, daily views have dropped a little into the 100 to 200 range. That's due to my laziness! Since January this year, I've been writing nine to twelve articles a month. Before this article, I had written only two this month. I'll try to do better!

Sidetrack: the Dog Days of Summer

I hope y'all are enjoying the dog days of summer! (I'm sorry, Molly, our ol' puppy!) I am talking primarily to regional readers. As the wise man said, “It's hot! It's d-hot!”

The “dog days of summer” occur when the sun matches the location of Sirius (Greek “Σειριος,” meaning "scorcher"). Sirius is the brightest star visible from Earth. It is part of the constellation Canis Major (meaning “big dog” in Latin). That's why folks call Sirius the Dog Star. Sirius aligns with the sun annually from July 3rd to August 11th. That's why July 3rd to August 11th are called the “dog days of summer.” I learned this decades ago. The Farmers' Almanac is my source. Remember, Sirius is the star. SiriusXM is a way to listen to the radio. That's a big difference!

As we, in northeast Tennessee, are enduring the “dog days of summer,” we also see smoke in the air. The smoke is coming from the fires in the western part of the country. Local television news media have been talking about the smoke and the “air quality index” since last Thursday. Here's one and another local news story. I saw the smoke earlier than three days ago. I can predict the weather, by being outside, looking, feeling, and smelling, often better than the local weather folks.

Yesterday, by my check, the outside temperature at the house at about 5 PM was 91 degrees Fahrenheit (F) or 33 degrees Celsius (C). The humidity was high. The grass and trees are showing signs of needing rain. The wind may bring in a little rain. For international readers, the temperature yesterday in Moscow, Russia (where we lived from 1994 to 1999) at about 5 PM was 58 degrees F or 15 degrees C. The source is here. English readers will need to translate the Russian on that website. I just read the Russian.

Yesterday, I would have rather been in Moscow, Russia, enjoying 58-degree weather than here, enduring 91 degrees with smoke and humidity! Either way, I can take it. I ain't breathing hard! I prefer cooler weather. I tolerate well enough hot weather.

Please excuse my sidetrack in this section. I had to blow off a little Irish blarney! Let's move on to the main topic!

7-20-2021 Post-It Notes

Last Tuesday at 5:51 PM, I posted a social media tease for this article! Responses were interesting. I read comments by friends as they tried to figure out what the Post-it Notes had written on them. For those friends on social media and in real life, here is the answer to what I wrote on those Post-it Notes!

I took the above photograph, using my trusty Samsung (not “semi-intelligent”) cell phone camera on Monday, 7/12/2021, at about 5:20 PM. I was in our spare bedroom, where Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's furniture is. It was her bedroom furniture, before she became Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. Several weeks ago, she had placed the sewing kit, three spools of thread, and two stacks of clothes on her old bed. My clothing, to the left, had been in her closet for over a year.

The Post-it Note on my clothing to the left reads, “7/12/2021, Monday, 5:23 PM: Please stitch up our holes! We have been waiting for over a year!” Those items, asking to be stitched, are two sweatshirts that I have had for decades and a short-sleeve shirt that I have owned for many years. If they can be fixed, I don't give up on old clothes!

The Post-it Note on my long-sleeve shirt to the right reads, ”Monday, 7/12/2021, 5:24 PM: Please give me away to a larger-sized man!” Christmas of 2020 was “virtual” for Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's side of the family. “Favorite sister-in-law” had given me a large-sized long-sleeve shirt for Christmas. It has been in a box since last Christmas. I forgot about it. I thought it was a doggy present that Molly might have liked.

Several days ago, having opened the box, I remembered the large-sized shirt. I have never worn a large-sized shirt! My long sleeve shirt measurement is 32 inches, as I have long arms. That is a size medium or even small. A large is way too big for me! I ain't that hefty! I hope that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman gives away that large shirt to Goodwill or to someone! I tried it on. It's a nice shirt. I like the colors. It's just way too big for me!

Hey, “favorite sister-in-law,” you saw me on “YackTube” or “Zoomy” computerized video “conferences” from 7/19/2020 through 5/30/2021. You saw me in person on 7/18/2020, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's birthday, and on 5/31/2021, Memorial Day. Did you think I had become hefty, seeing me on those “conference” videos? The camera can add 10 or so pounds, as folks claim. I'm still the same size! I'm just “devilin'” you, “favorite sister-in-law!” I love all of my in-laws, including my “favorite sister-in-law!”

Conclusion

This little article took two days on and off to write. Since 3/28/2021, I have six working documents (3/28/2021, 5/29/2021, 6/12/2021, 6/19/2021, 7/17/2021, and 7/24/2021) on various topics! I need to get around to publishing at least a couple of articles or so from those documents! I may get to a couple more, depending on how this work week goes before this month is gone.

I'm still working from home on Monday through Wednesday and at the office on Thursday and Friday. It is an insane schedule that I have endured since February. To quote a female colleague, “It could be worse.” My reply to her over the years has been, “It could be better. It could be worse. This is the reality!” My replies always drive speculation to the hard surface of work reality!

I may submit my retirement notice tomorrow. If I do, then the details will become bureaucratic insanity gone wild. If that goes on, then I can find another full-time job, working from home full-time and doing something that I actually enjoy or, at least, can tolerate better! We will see.

I'll start working on another article from my working documents stack now. Y'all take care out there! Thanks for stopping by to read for a while!