11/20/2021, SATURDAY: “LIFE, SUCH AS IT IS”

 Introduction

Howdy, y'all! I hope y'all are doing well enough -- in this USSA “Socialist Utopia” that was once the free, brave, and proud USA. Don't fret! My next article will be on “Poly-tics.” “Poly-tics” is from “many” (Latin) plus “ticks” (blood suckers). I've told y'all this many times, over these 15 or so years! Wait for my “Poly-tics” article!

This article is a “life, such as it is,” update. I hope y'all keep your journals. My website, here, is one way that I record the journal for Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and me.

1978 High School Senior Year

I attained the grand age of 18, just after my high school graduation, in 1978 – 43 years ago. How times does go by!

I have learned, recently that a fellow 1978 high school graduate and classmate retired from the Tennessee National Guard, as a Brigadier General, early this year. I honor him, for his service in the Tennessee National Guard. I had wondered, in passing thoughts, over the last few decades, what had become of him – along with many other classmates. As I understand, his family and he are doing well enough. In high school, he had his click. I had mine. He was part of the “in” crowd. I was not. It doesn't matter now. He was not my high school friend, but he seemed to be a good guy. I liked him well enough. I assume that he liked me well enough. I hope that he is ready to go Home – if he has taken up the Good Lord's free gift offer – as I assume that he has. I doubt that he has done fulltime ministry or mission work, as I have. He, as I assume, has ministered, according to his calling, as I continue to do.

Sadly, a few days after I learned how my 1978 high school graduate classmate was doing, I learned that his mother-in-law, who was my high school senior year English teacher, passed away, on 11/17/2021, Wednesday, at age 94. In 8th grade, Mrs. Trent taught my classmates and me how to diagram sentences, in English, of course. Mrs. Trent taught me how to use proper grammar and style, in sentence structure. My high school senior year English teacher, who passed, on 11/17/2021, continued Mrs. Trent's fine training. Mrs. Trent was my best English teacher.

As high school seniors, in college preparation English class, we were required to write a paper, which required research. I had been working diligently on my paper. I had spend hours of research, in the library. I had lost my research. I told my teacher (who passed, on 11/17/2021). She was “gracious,” in that she “allowed” me to submit my paper late, to receive a 64 F grade, instead of a 0 F grade. I did my research again, as I had done before. I wrote my paper. I submitted it late. I may still have a hard-copy of my paper somewhere. I got a 64 F, for late submission, instead of a 0 F, for no submission at all. I still passed my senior year high school English class, with a grade of B, as I recall. I could have had an A grade. My Mom (Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, 11/24/1932 - 12/27/2000) wanted to confront my high school senior year English teacher, to defend me. It was not my fault that, somehow, my first research had gone missing. I still wonder if someone took it from my locker, where I had kept it. Mom and I “took one on the chin.”

Forty-three years later, as I reflect, my 1978 high school classmate and his deceased mother-in-law are placed into the everlasting perspective. Let's move on, shall we?

11/20/2021, Saturday

The weather was cool and sunny. The red sky this morning will bring rain, in a day or two. I arrived, for my 10 AM haircut appointment, at Tony's Best Clips, at 9:59:57 AM. I had hauled trash and recycling beforehand. Six weeks had gone by, since my last (10/9/2021) haircut. (I wrote about it.) I'm glad to know Tony and his folks are doing well. I needed that “best clips” haircut!

My '06 Nissan Frontier had his second good truck wash this month (11/6/21 and today). He got a fuel fill up. I saw our (Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's) '08 Honda Civic, at the Dollar General Store. I almost snuck up on her, in the store! She caught me, out the the corner of her eye. She didn't hear me walking, even with my “bionic” right foot!

Beforehand, I had stopped at the Hammers store and at the Rural King store (both in the Halls area, not far from my barber). I am in “desperate” need of two blue sweatshirts! I have two, with a few decades of age on them. Both have holes in them. I have asked Mrs. Appalachian Irishman to stitch the holes, since 7/12/2021. She has been too busy, apparently. I may have to take needle and thread, to stitch the holes myself. I can do it. I would like to retire those sweatshirts, to a place of memorial, in my closet.

The Dollar General Store did not have sweatshirts either. I did checkout with Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. The checkout clerk and I regaled each other, on how a dollar ain't worth much these days. Do you remember Cupp's grocery store, in Rogersville, Tennessee? I do. I could spend 25 cents, to buy a Coke and a candy bar. After Dad drove us all home, I watched football, on that black and white TV, ate my candy bar, and drank my Coke. Those were great Sunday afternoons, after church, in my grade school years!

The older man behind us, in the checkout line, had his Vietnam War ballcap on. He and I conversed briefly. I shook his hand. I thanked him for his service (to this once free and great nation). He and I both understood the reality of the USSA Socialist Utopian dream – that will force an awakening into the nightmare that is coming. I hope this Vietnam War veteran does well. I hope that I see him again.

Conclusion

At 5:42 PM, the time as of this typing, it's dark. I'm glad we are off “government” time finally – as of 11/7/2021, Sunday! Molly doggy is ready to come inside. Supper is almost ready.

I may not get my “Poly-tics” article published today. I'll get around to it. Wait for it!