What Is AppalachianIrishman.com? Copilot Is Mainly Correct (published 7-5-2025, article #532)

2/3/2025 photograph by Saradasish Pradhan on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

 Introduction

What is this website, the Appalachian Irishman?

The masthead states, “This public journal and commentary by M. Fearghail started on 3/6/2006. As a Christian, I affirm the biblical worldview and the good in Appalachian-Irish heritage. Articles are archived chronologically by topic and by year and month. Have a cup of coffee and read for a while! My website is free—always. You're welcome to subscribe, contact me, and comment. My wife and I reside in northeast Tennessee. Under 'Authors,' our names include biographical introductions.”

That, however, is one man's opinion. Of course, that one man is me. On yet another hot and sunny summer day, I decided to ask one of those artificial intelligence (AI) platforms what my website is. By the way, I have heard about only three of the eight AI platforms shown in the above image. As a final aside, the conclusion will explain what the acronym AI actually means!

What Is AppalachianIrishman.com?

I know what my website is and its purpose. This website's purpose has expanded over the years. As an enduring legacy, I hope that this platform keeps my written thoughts alive long after I have gone heavenward. Perhaps a younger generational member of the Fearghail clan will maintain and even add to what I have started.

The Answer from Microsoft Copilot

Not wanting or needing to do anything in the hot and humid heat today, I decided instead to ask Microsoft Copilot, “What is AppalachianIrishman.com?”

The following is the answer that the artificial intelligence robot provided:

AppalachianIrishman.com

Overview

AppalachianIrishman.com is a public journal and commentary site created and maintained by M. Fearghail. Launched on March 6, 2006, it offers commentary rooted in a Christian, biblical worldview and celebrates the author’s Appalachian-Irish heritage. The site is maintained from northeast Tennessee by M. Fearghail and his wife.

Content and Features

• Chronological archives of articles dating back to 2006, organized by topic, year, and month.

• Core themes include Appalachian culture, faith, family, freedom, heritage, hiking, history, humor, mission work, politics, religion, and theology.

• Free to read and always ad-free, with options to subscribe, comment, or contact the author.

• Licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

• An associated YouTube channel hosts “Appalachian Irishman” podcasts, launched in May 2022.

Community & Miscellany

• The blog frequently weaves personal narratives—family events, local hikes, cultural reflections—with broader reflections on current events and worldview.

• Readers are invited to interact through comments, email, and social sharing.

• A mirror of the blog exists on Blogspot for easier access and mobile-friendly viewing.

Whether you’re passionate about Appalachian life, exploring faith-based commentary, or simply enjoying down-home storytelling, AppalachianIrishman.com offers a rich trove of articles and podcasts from the foothills of Tennessee.

     Sources:
     www.appalachianirishman.com/
     https://www.youtube.com/@Appalachian-Irishman-Podcasts/ 
     https://sur.ly/i/appalachianirishman.blogspot.com/

Review of Microsoft Copilot's Answer

I do believe that Copilot, the complex source code created by intelligent humans, answered the question very well and explained my website accurately. I especially like the final sentence above. That's why I emboldened it.

Thanks, Copilot, for saying that my website “… offers a rich trove of articles and podcasts from the foothills of Tennessee.” I couldn't have said it better myself.

Of course, I wouldn't brag on myself in that manner. As my mother used to say, “Self-braggers are half scoundrels.” Have you ever heard that saying?

Conclusion

This 122nd entry in the Humor topic section is winding down. Now, just what does the acronym AI actually mean? Online, I searched Acronym Finder: AI to find 164 meanings that range from “Artificial Intelligence” to “Associated Investigator.”

Appalachian Irishman (AI) was not included in the list. It should be! The acronym AI can also mean Appalachian Irishman!

Going forward, dear reader, when you hear someone talking about AI, you may think about this website instead of artificial intelligence. If someone asks, “What does AI mean?” You may reply, “Appalachian Irishman.” That's what I do.

This website, however, is powered by real, human intellect, a gift and blessing from God, to whom I am everlastingly thankful!

That's all for now. I think that I will go outside into the low 90s degree Fahrenheit heat to see what Molly, our ten-year-old puppy, is doing. Perhaps I can roust her from her basement “condominium.”

My Medicare Started Today: Why Don't I Feel Different? (published 7-1-2025; article #531)

2/25/2025 photograph by Markus Winkler on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

On July 30, 1965, when I was five, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the bill that launched the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Medicare turns 60 later this month. Similarly, and Lord willing, later this month, I will reach the so-called milestone age of 65. Why don't I feel different?

Welcome, dear reader, to the 111th entry in the Life (such as it is) topic section. On this rainy Monday afternoon, let's explore how my Medicare started today and why I don't feel any difference.

My Medicare Started Today.

Yes, it did. I will mention the onslaught of marketing mailings and how I was not confused.

Marketing Mailings

The first of 44 marketing mailings so far arrived last year on November 21st. Ironically, my paternal grandfather, Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880–11/21/1970), passed away on that day in 1970. Papaw Ferrell would have found humor in that coincidence.

The latest mailing arrived on Saturday, April 12, the day when the Jewish Passover began at sundown. I have been saving and clipping together these mailings. I predicted that I would receive at least 50. Unless more arrive, I missed my prediction by six mailings. I am not sad.

A whole bunch of Medicare marketers were after my money! I am sure that they just wanted to help me “make the right choice” of them.

Not Confused

During my employed years, I had no choice. Payments into the socialist Medicare system were deducted from my paychecks, or, as self-employed, I had to make those payments without any employee-matching payments.

Medicare Parts A (hospital coverage) and B (medical coverage) make up original Medicare. Initially, to fill the gaps in Medicare coverage, insurance companies started offering Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans. The federal government started regulating these plans in 1980. Today, there are 10 Medigap options (Plans A-N with no E, H, I, or J). Depending on your age, you may not be eligible for some of them. Why were the letters E, H, I, and J skipped? Only your federal “guvrmint” knows!

In 2003, Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) rolled out. Three years later, Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) came along.

In a nutshell, all the above are the As, Bs, Cs, and Ds of Medicare. Well, don't forget those A-N supplements (excluding E, H, I, and J)!

I was not confused by the socialist spiderweb maze called Medicare! When I was a life-health insurance agent, I genuinely helped seniors enroll in the best Medicare plan for them. After all, I am just an educated country boy.

Why Don't I Feel Different?

Well, I don't. On Thursday, March 20, this year, I received that coveted red, white, and blue Medicare card. Over time, I selected a Medicare Part C plan. That blue and white card arrived on Wednesday, May 21. The major medical insurance that I had ended yesterday.

Today, I have joined thousands of others whose Medicare coverage started today. Next month, the Medicare Part B premium will be deducted from my Social Security income. That's what Uncle Sam took from me during my employed years. He is paying me back now.

So, why don't I feel any different? I just don't. Of course, last evening, I took out my major medical insurance card from my billfold and replaced it with my Medicare Part C card.

My billfold doesn't feel different. I don't either. If the weather weren't so rainy, I would be doing something outdoors.

Conclusion

I am thankful to the Good Lord that I am still as fit as a rutting buck in my 20s. Of course, I eat right and get enough exercise. I am not taking any prescription medicine.

My days, however, are numbered. Job stated to God, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5, NIV). Temporal life is “... a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14, NIV).

Last month, our friends, Jay and Dorothy, lost Dorothy's 90-year-old mother. Our friend, Steve, lost his 82-year-old stepmother. Last Sunday, I found out that my buddy, Bill, lost his 90-year-old mother back in April.

Something will cause my temporal life to transition to everlasting life. I will live forever after I die physically. As such, I do not fear death. I await the transition from physical death to everlasting life in heaven.

Do you, dear reader, have that same assurance? If not, please reach out to me by using the Contact Form on this website. That will start a confidential email exchange.