Paw Gordon Passed from Temporal to Everlasting Life (published 2-13-2026; article #543)

Rose Mortuary: Obituary: Jimmie E. Gordon (3/24/1938–1/23/2026): family photograph

Introduction

This 137th entry in the Family topic section is a tribute to my late father-in-law, Jimmie Gordon (3/24/1938-1/23/2026, age 87). His middle name was Eugene, but he did not prefer it. I called him Paw Gordon.

Saddened by his passing, we rejoice that Paw Gordon has transitioned from temporal to everlasting life. We will miss him, but we will see him again. As Christians, that is our certain hope in Christ.

My Father-In-Law's Transition

The article from 1/9/2026 (about my 205th House Mountain hike on the previous Sunday afternoon) included the news about Paw Gordon's hospitalization from Monday, 12/22/2025, to Sunday, 12/28/2025. Once home, he was weak but getting along fairly well for twelve days. Looking back as a family, however, we realized that my father-in-law's slow transition from temporal to everlasting life had started before Thanksgiving. Back then, Paw Gordon started sleeping more during the day and not wanting much to eat or drink. The new cold virus—which he contracted during his time at home between the two hospitalizations—was not a contributing cause of his passing.

Due to his increasingly languished condition, on Saturday, 1/10/2026, an ambulance returned my father-in-law to the University of Tennessee Medical Center. Over the course of thirteen days, my wife, her two sisters, our niece, and I took turns sitting with Paw Gordon. The medical doctors and staff provided compassionate and excellent care. They did all that they could to help my father-in-law recover and regain his strength.

Temporal life, however, must end, so the soul can transition to everlasting life. With eight family members surrounding his bedside, my father-in-law made the transition on Friday, January 23, 2026, at 6:12 PM. Waves of emotion, from intense sorrow to joyful happiness, flowed among us. Paw Gordon, a mild-mannered and godly man, had gone heavenward to be with the Lord.

The Visitation and Funeral Service

Paw Gordon's complete obituary is at Rose Mortuary: Obituary: Jimmie E. Gordon (March 24, 1938–January 23, 2026). The next Monday, family members made the arrangements at the funeral home. Three days later, on Thursday, my father-in-law's body was ready for the family to view. Sorrow mixed with joy as we contemplated that he was no longer suffering but was experiencing everlasting bliss.

The visitation was from 5 to 7 PM, and the funeral service took place at 7 PM, both at Rose Mortuary on Friday, January 30, 2026. Light snow started falling in the late afternoon and became heavy throughout the evening. During the visitation, snow began to collect on grassy areas and vehicles. Family members and friends of the family found comfort in each other. The photographic display of my father-in-law from childhood to old age, including beloved family members, brought back memories and prompted conversations.

I was honored to conduct the eulogy for my father-in-law. My remarks focused on Paw Gordon's faith, devotion to family, and service in the military and church. Paw Gordon's Christian faith brought saving faith to those around him who listened. The faith of his Christian wife (Phyllis Ann House Gordon, 4/10/1941-4/30/2017), daughters, and granddaughter evidences the influence of his faith.

Further, my father-in-law was a devoted family man, providing both financial and spiritual support and guidance. Paw Gordon was a source of calm stability for his family during difficult and pleasant times.

Finally, my father-in-law served his country, his family, and God. His service in the United States Air Force was honored by the flag that draped his casket. As a husband and father, Paw Gordon led his family in Christ spiritually and was a good provider for their physical needs. Most importantly, Paw Gordon served God. As one of two shepherds, he shepherded the flock in Etowah for many years. When my wife and I served as Christian missionaries in Russia, the Etowah Church of Christ was one of our financial supporters. In that sense, brother Gordon carried the gospel to Russia. God, through our evangelism, brought several, including atheists, to Christ.

During the eulogy, I also read the two-page tribute that my wife wrote to honor her father. After the service, she placed her neatly folded tribute in the breast pocket of her father's burial suit.

As a point of levity just before I ended the eulogy in prayer, the cell phone of my wife's youngest sister started ringing! Embarrassed, she quickly silenced it. I said, “Now, that was funny! Paw Gordon would be laughing now if he were here. Thank you for providing a touch of humor.” It was a fitting moment of humor, bringing laughter to the solemn occasion.

The Graveside Service

The interment service at Greenwood Cemetery had been scheduled for the next day, Saturday, at 11 AM. The snow, however, that began to fall heavily on Friday evening continued overnight and throughout the day on Saturday. Back roads were unsafe for travel. In the afternoon, I measured six inches of snow with it still falling. The morning low of 18 degrees Fahrenheit climbed only to 22 degrees for the afternoon high.

The practical decision was to postpone the graveside until Monday, 2/2/2026, at 1 PM, when the back roads would be safer to drive. As an aside, the groundhog did not see his shadow on that cloudy day.

On Monday, the early morning low of six degrees Fahrenheit warmed under a cloudy sky to a balmy 34 degrees by the late afternoon. At the graveside, the temperature was around 28 degrees with a brisk northern wind blowing.

Immediate family members arrived early, so the interment service started at about ten minutes to 1 PM. I was honored to deliver the graveside eulogy. To begin as a humorous point, I asked my youngest sister-in-law if her cell phone was off. With family laughing, she said, “It is in the car.”

Being brief due to the temperature and cold breeze, I read comforting thoughts from scripture with concise comments. Passages that I selected were John 14:1-6, I Corinthians chapter 15 (the great resurrection chapter) verses 50-58 with a reference to 2 Corinthians 5:8, and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Due to the weather, the Tri-County Veterans Honor Guard was unable to attend to present military honors at the graveside. Without disappointment, the family understood, and we expressed thankfulness to the aged veterans who serve in the honor guard.

Conclusion

Several years ago, my father-in-law wanted to build a wooden bridge with rails to span the narrow creek behind the house. He wanted to be able to drive his riding mower across the bridge to mow on the other side of the creek. Over the course of days, Paw Gordon and I built the bridge. For me, the bridge, still standing and in good condition, serves as a memory of Paw crossing the spiritual bridge from temporal to eternal life.

During the funeral service, closing thoughts came from 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 (NIV). Quoting Isaiah 64:4, the apostle Paul wrote:

However, as it is written:
  “What no eye has seen,
  what no ear has heard,
  and what no human mind has conceived”—
  the things God has prepared for those who love him—
     these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.
The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

Everlasting life in heaven is what we in the temporal realm have not yet seen or heard. Mentally, we cannot quite fathom it. Everlasting joy, however, is what God has prepared for those who love him. Brother Gordon loved God. In spirit, he now sees and hears what we will one day if we join him.

The ultimate purpose of life is to love and serve God as a Christian and to be with Jesus, along with all our saved loved ones who have already crossed the bridge and reached the everlasting other side. My father-in-law has crossed over. Are you ready to cross over?

If you are not ready, please reach out to me using the Contact Form on the right side of this website's main page. I am a former poor beggar who found the Bread of Life. I would like to share that Bread with you.

House Mountain Hike #205, 1-4-2026: Clearing the Dark Clouds (published 1-9-2026; article #542)

Introduction

Can hiking clear dark clouds from your mind? Yes, it can, and it did for this Appalachian Irishman last Sunday afternoon, 1/4/2026!

Welcome, dear reader, to the 83rd entry in the Hiking topic section. Also, as the 136th entry in the Family topic section, I will first explain the dark clouds. Why haven't I been out in the woods hiking since Saturday, 11/29/2025 (as described in my 12/1/2025 article)? Weather conditions, more pressing needs, dark clouds, and other activities delayed my call to the mountains. The mountains, by the way, are always calling.

The Dark Clouds

The first dark cloud arose before last Thanksgiving. My 87-year-old father-in-law had not been feeling well. His health was of special concern last month. (The 2/13/2025 article was about his hospitalizations early last year.)

An appointment with his specialist on Monday, 12/22/2025, led to Paw Gordon's subsequent emergency room (ER) visit that evening. After over 12 hours in the ER, which was ridiculous, he was admitted to the hospital the next morning. Thankfully, my wife's two-week Christmas break started on that Monday. In shifts, family members stayed with my father-in-law around the clock. Hospitalized through Christmas, he was discharged to home on Sunday, 12/28/2025. The family postponed the Christmas celebration until last Saturday.

Thankfully, my father-in-law's hospitalization was due to prolonged dehydration, nothing worse. Dehydration, however, is serious. Paw Gordon's symptoms, including an extremely fast pulse, were due to being dehydrated for so long. For further information, please read “Dehydration: Signs, Symptoms, and Effects,” WebMD, reviewed by Minesh Khatri, MD, 8/5/2025. In short, you can lead a person to water, but you can't make him drink. My father-in-law has set before him the goal to drink eight eight-ounce glasses of water a day.

The second dark cloud appeared on the day that the hospital discharged my father-in-law to return home. My wife came home, back from sitting with her father at the hospital, and felt under the weather. I took her to a nearby medical clinic on Tuesday, the eve of New Year's Eve. Thankfully, it was only a nasty virus, which she must have picked up at the hospital. Recovering at home, she was well enough to return to teaching this last Monday. My “long-suffering” wife, however, did not enjoy her two-week Christmas break!

Clearing the Dark Clouds by Hiking House Mountain

Last Sunday afternoon, 1/4/2026, I finally scratched the itch to hike! Even though it was too warm for this time of year, the clear blue sky called me to take my 205th hike on House Mountain State Natural Area.

With an additional desire to visit with my wife and her family at her father's house, I only hiked up and back down the west trail. The hike up took from 2:12 to 2:47 PM, 35 minutes. (This must be my slower normal, since the at-fault driver failed to yield to my right-of-way on Tuesday, 3/29/2016. My surgically repaired right foot and knee still slow me down.) As a bit of “crowing,” near the first of the six upper switchbacks, I passed a group of three young hikers, a male and two females. They looked to be in their 20s. Also, hiking up the west bluff, I thought, “Surely, they will catch up to and pass me.” Instead, they arrived a few minutes after I had reached the west bluff. I nodded to the young man. He grinned and nodded back. Unspoken and to his understanding, I was saying, “This 65-year-young man just out-hiked you!”

I photographed the following northeastern view from the west bluff at 2:51 PM. The rock outcropping was behind me. The ridge trail, which I didn't explore, begins along the right side of the image. The large rock, which I touch to check my time, is in the foreground.

After only seven minutes at the west bluff, I started hiking down and out along the west trail, up which I had hiked. Now below the ridge with the west bluff just behind and above me, I photographed the following at 3:01 PM. The view looks toward the southeast.

I was standing on a narrow rock outcropping. The trail continues to the left and down in the image. Not very much farther down are two rock formations that require me to scoot down on all fours. Before my left shoulder, right kneecap, and right heel were surgically reconstructed, I could walk down those steep areas on two feet.

Having hiked down the six upper switchbacks and the four lower switchbacks, I trekked through the final section, crossed the wooden bridge, and finished the trail at 3:50 PM. An hour and 38 minutes in the woods was better than not having been there!

Conclusion

After the hike, I joined my wife at her father's house. Her sister, who also lives there, and her youngest sister, who was in from Nashville, were also there. I told them that I had cleared from my mind the dark clouds of my father-in-law's hospitalization and my wife's subsequent illness by hiking House Mountain for the 205th time. I hope that I encouraged them to likewise clear away those clouds from their minds.

Of course, wouldn't you know it? The next day, when my wife returned from Christmas break to her teaching job, her sister, who lives with their father, came down with that new cold virus (COVID-19)! Two days later, my father-in-law tested positive for it. Well, we are clearing these new dark clouds. Our niece, the daughter of my wife's next-to-youngest sister, has been working remotely from my father's house and helping care for her sick Papaw and mother. Nearby, I have helped as needed. Thankfully, both are recovering from that pesky new cold virus.

Until next time, dear reader, please ensure that you are hydrating yourself properly and keeping your immune system strong. I look forward to another trek into the woods soon! Of course, today, we are getting much-needed rain.

Saturday, 6-21-2025: My Sister-in-Law's Birthday, a New Fly-Killing Record, and the USA Bombed Iran (published 6-23-2025; article #530)

6/22/2025, 1:59 PM, photograph by M. Fearghail of our Willert Home Products: Enoz Flyswatter (made in the Philippines)

Introduction

Greetings, dear reader. Last weekend's events were certainly interesting. Do you want to know more? I thought so!

As the 135th entry in the Family topic section, I begin with my wife's sister's birthday party on Saturday. Shifting gears to the 121st entry in the Humor topic section, I share our fly-killing war that started after the party and continued until early this morning. Finally, moving to the 73rd article in the Poly-ticks section, I mention the USA's bombing of Iran that happened late last Saturday evening.

My Wife's Sister's Birthday on Saturday

Last Saturday morning, I awakened at the unusual time of 5 AM, instead of just after 6 AM. Wondering why I was awake an hour early, I knew that my wife's sister's 61st birthday was that day. Before falling back to sleep, I said to myself, “Sabrina must have just now gone to bed.” Retired, she goes to bed about the time that my wife, even on summer break, wakes up. My wife hits the hay about 9 PM.

The birthday celebration started at 2:30 PM last Saturday. Seven family members and three guests, a mother and her two sons, legal immigrants from Guatemala, were in attendance. The boys, about ages five and six, provided ample entertainment. The three household cats found hiding places.

After the delicious home-cooked meal, my sister-in-law blew out seven candles on her choice birthday chocolate and peanut butter pie while we sang happy birthday to her. Seven years old was a stretch of the imagination! My wife's sister is not seven. I wished her a happy 41st birthday. Well, she looks to be about 41 years young. That means that her 37-year-old daughter is about 18.

Now, before I get into trouble, my wife looks to be about a year older than her sister, whose birthday was last Saturday. I hope that last sentence keeps me out of the doghouse!

New Fly-Killing Record!

Our fly-killing war lasted two full days, from last Saturday through yesterday, Sunday. It ended early this morning. The following is a record of each day. On Saturday, I broke my longstanding single-day record of total flies killed!

Saturday, June 21

Twenty-one flies killed in one day had been my record. Until last Saturday, that record stood for about 43 years. I set the record when I was roughly 22 and my youngest brother was around nine. At the homeplace on a warm summer day, we were in a fly-killing competition. I killed 21 flies. Close behind me, my brother killed a total in the upper teens.

Leaving for my sister-in-law's birthday party last Saturday, I saw four or five flies in the kitchen windows. I decided to kill them once I was back home. Arriving home about 30 minutes before my wife, I killed 15 flies! When she got back, my wife killed one. Before night fell, I found and killed 15 more pesky flies! My new record, set on Saturday, June 21, 2025, my sister-in-law's birthday, was 30 flies killed in a single day! That shattered my old record of 21. The total number of flies killed last Saturday was 31.

Sunday, June 22

Sunday, the next day, the fly-killing war continued. It started early in the morning and lasted until sunset, with breaks for worship, phone calls, and such.

As an aside, a dear friend, Dorothy, Jay's wife, turned another year older on Sunday. I won't give out her age, but I do understand that you can “get your kicks at age 66,” with an apology to the legacy of jazz musician Robert William Troup Jr., who composed the Route 66 song in 1946.

Focusing back on the flies, from where these flies come and how they get in, I do not know. Each window is down, sealed, and locked tightly. We quickly open and close entry doors. Recently, I inspected every air vent. On Sunday afternoon, I reinspected the ones in the kitchen, dining room, and entry hall. These flies usually congregate around the kitchen windows. We, however, have found them near the windows in the living room and dining room.

On Sunday, the number of flies killed totaled 50. My “long-suffering” wife killed 22, and I sent 28 to the grave (i.e., the trash can below the kitchen sink). That was a two-day total of 81 flies killed. I missed tying my record, set the previous day, of 30 flies killed in a single day by two flies.

Today, Monday, June 23

Early this morning, about 5:30 AM, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman found and killed two more flies that were hanging out on the television screen. Once I awakened just after 6 AM, she informed me. Until the publication of this article today, we have kept our eyes out for more flies, but we haven't seen any. Our fly-killing war is officially declared to be over! The grand total of flies killed was 83, 25 by my wife and 58 by me.

Our weapon of choice, in the above image, was our Willert Home Products: Enoz Flyswatter (made in the Philippines). The image below shows our handwritten tally of kills by date.

My new one-day record of flies killed does not come close to the online records of fly-killing professionals! Check out the following about a record from 1912: “The Canadian girl who killed over 500,000 flies,” Things That Talk, From the thing, Fly Swatter (undated). It states that in 1912 Beatrice White, a teenager, was Toronto’s champion flyswatter. She swatted and killed over a half-million flies in a citywide contest to stop the spread of disease. Further, a record from 1934 is found at “The Sultan of Swat,” Virginia Living, by Bland Crowder, 722/2009. It states, “Young E.T. Collier didn’t make Guinness [World Records], but he did make the papers in June 1934 when the Virginia Department of Health highlighted his impressive fly-swatting record in a news release designed to warn people about the hazards looming with summer housefly season.” Finally, I found, “There are no flies on her! Chinese pensioner who has spent eight hours a day, seven days a week for the past 14 years swatting bugs... and kills up to 1,000 a day.” Daily Mail, by Lizzie Edmonds, 4/27/2014. It tells about an 80-year-old Chinese woman who swatted and killed flies every day for 14 years.

My new one-day fly-killing record is 30. Can you imagine killing a thousand flies in a day?

As a political aside, a nation, to be a nation, must have secure borders. Otherwise, it is not a nation. Our house is secured against the elements and critters, both crawling and flying. We put down the recent fly invasion. Our house is secured again. Do you understand the political analogy?

The USA Bombed Iran Last Saturday Evening

It was Saturday evening, our time (EDST). In Tehran, Iran, it was after midnight on Sunday. The time zone difference is 7.5 hours. After last Saturday's birthday celebration for my sister-in-law and the fly killings, my worn-out wife sacked out at about 9 PM.

While channel surfing about thirty minutes later, I was surprised to find that President Trump had ordered an airstrike on targets in Iran. I listened to his brief televised statement at 10 PM. One of several sources is “US inserts itself into Israel’s war with Iran, striking 3 Iranian nuclear sites.” The Associated Press (AP), by Sam Mednick, Aamer Madhani, and David Rising, 6/22/2025.

The conclusion to my article last Friday includes the following:

The root to current national disunity and global conflicts is found in the great dragon, Satan. Nationally and globally, if everyone would turn to the Lord and follow the biblical worldview, the great dragon could no longer lead the world astray as he does now.

Then, I had no way of knowing what would happen the next evening. I have heard that a majority of the Iranian people disavow their national leadership. My sympathy extends to those people. I pray for peace between Israel and Iran, for peace in the Middle East, and for worldwide peace through the Prince of Peace.

Conclusion

Last Saturday, was it happenstance that my sister-in-law's birthday coincided with the beginning of our fly-killing war and the USA's bombing of Iran? I reckon so. It will be a birthday to remember.

Last weekend's events were indeed interesting. Thanks, dear reader, for dropping by to read about them.

By the way, as of the publication time today, we have not seen any more flies, except the two that my wife killed early this morning! Well, one fly did get in through the door to the garage when one of us opened it. That, however, counted as a routine fly killing, not part of the fly-killing war that ended early this morning.

The Rest of the Story: I Know How to Train My Dragon! (published 6-20-2025; article #529)

7/3/2024 photograph by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

 Introduction

Inspired by the legendary Paul Harvey, you know the news. Now, it's time for the rest of the story. Welcome, dear reader, to the 134th entry in the Family topic section on the summer solstice.

First, we glimpse at and comment briefly on recent news. Quickly thereafter, we shift our focus to the rest of the story. I know how to train my dragon! I learned last Saturday, June 14th.

The above image looks a little like my dragon. Mine weighs about 60 pounds, has wings, and can fly. Believe it or not!

The News

Last Saturday, the 14th of June, was Flag Day. Also, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army was celebrated on that day. Further, last Saturday happened to be the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Finally, organized and so-named “No Kings” protests and marches were held on that Saturday. One was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. Thankfully, we didn't see it.

In other news, arranged and recent protests and riots against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency seem to be winding down. Properly, ICE is arresting, detaining, prosecuting, and deporting illegal aliens. These illegals are known criminals, gang members, sex and drug traffickers, murderers, rapists, and such ilk. Last Friday, a dissent was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of my wife's first cousins attended. Why do liberals want to protect and keep these evil illegal aliens in this country? Their mindset makes no sense to anyone with common sense.

In ongoing war news, the Russia-Ukraine war (which started on 2/24/2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine) is continuing at its slow and destructive pace. The Israel-Hamas war (started when Hamas attacked Israel on 10/7/2023) seems to be doing the same. More recently, since last Friday, a missile war has erupted between Israel and Iran. Thankfully, antisemitic protests and riots seem to have died down, at least for a while. Can't Slavic brother nations learn to get along? Why can't Israel defeat Hamas, backed by Iran, and now Iran itself quickly? Total war, not a politically correct war, is the solution.

Further, in tariff news, President Trump seems to enjoy watching the stock market rise and fall, based on his hodgepodge, ever-changing decisions on tariffs. Mr. President, make deals with other nations that eliminate or reduce tariffs on U.S. exports. Incentivize national companies through tax breaks and such to start up production here to reduce imports from other nations. Your “this tariff, no that tariff” game that you are playing makes no sense.

Finally, in federal “money tree” spending news, President Trump's so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” plans to somehow reduce federal spending while raising the national debt. What? I have glanced at what I call the Big Behemoth Bill. Since the executive and legislative branches of the federal government are under Republican control, one would think that these so-called fiscal conservatives would find ways to shrink federal spending and keep it in line with federal income. It takes guts. Will they do it? When pigs fly backward, south for the winter.

That was a glimpse at and my brief commentary on the news. Now, it's time for the rest of the story!

The Rest of the Story

Do you have a dragon? Would you like to know how to train it? If so, the rest of the story is for you, dear reader. We begin with the preliminaries about the movie theater. Afterward, I will explain how I learned to train my dragon.

The Preliminaries

Our financial software record indicates that the last time that my wife and I saw a movie at a theater was on Saturday, July 7, 2012. Our niece, the daughter of my wife's sister, 24 at the time, attended with us. We saw The Amazing Spider-Man, another reboot of that series. As an aside, how many Spider-Man movies have there been? Research indicates three in the late 1970s and eight from 2002 through 2021. That's amazing, with an apology for the pun!

Last Saturday, who could get this Appalachian Irishman and his “long-suffering” wife to go see a movie at an overpriced multiplex theater in deep west Knoxville, especially when the showtime was at nine o'clock in the morning? Their just-turned 19-year-old niece, the eldest daughter of my youngest brother and his wife, could. That's who. Of course, her father, mother, and younger sister were also theatergoers.

Last Saturday morning, the weather seemed like a completely cloudy, very windy, and humid morning at a beach. Rain threatened but never fell. The afternoon became mostly sunny, hot, and still humid.

Bravely, my 2006 Frontier took us into deep west Knoxville, Tennessee. The Regal Pinnacle at Turkey Creek was the location. My youngest brother and family were already there when we arrived at about 8:55 AM. This was not like the now-demolished Roxy Theatre in my hometown! The Regal Pinnacle is a multiplex coliseum for movie connoisseurs. It is overpriced, but we can afford to go see a movie at a theater every ten or so years, if any new movies are worth watching. One ticket cost us only $12.99 plus sales tax. We bought two, of course. The price gouge came later at the concession stand.

Quickly rushing into the auditorium to find our family members, we sat down just in time for the start of How to Train Your Dragon (2025): The Live-Action Remake. The auditorium lights dimmed as we walked up to our seats.

But wait! We did not anticipate thirty minutes of commercials promoting other movies! My wife was thirsty and wanted lemonade, so I walked back down and out to the huge concession area. The congenial young man agreed with my idea that ham biscuits, hash browns, and coffee should be sold for 9 AM showtimes. The small lemonade in a large cup cost us $8.49 plus sales tax! Concession prices are still how movie theaters gouge you. Nothing has changed. By the way, if that was a small cup, a forklift must be needed to bring out a large cup!

How I Trained My Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is not animated. Real actors and actresses play real roles. I don't think, however, that the dragons were real.

Believe it or not, my wife and I have a real dragon that can fly! A male, his name is Ralph. Ralph flew into our lives a few weeks ago. Molly, our “old puppy,” and Ralph the dragon like each other. They play together often. Ralph weighs only about 60 pounds, so he can't fly me into the air like the dragons in the movie did for their human riders. Ralph comes and goes as he pleases. We do not own him. At times, we see him flying around other houses in our small subdivision and above nearby wooded areas.

I have been trying to teach Ralph, at my command, how to shake wings (well, my hand with his wing), roll over, sit, stand, and hover in the air before me. Watching How to Train Your Dragon (2025) taught me how!

Training my dragon includes four easy steps. First, you have to feed your dragon ample quantities of fresh fish. (I have been doing quite a lot of fishing lately.) Also, you have to touch your dragon on the nose (like petting). Thirdly, find the scratchy spot just under your dragon's chin and scratch it until his hind legs start to shake. You are well on your way to training your dragon! Finally, sleep under your dragon's wing after he has made a circle in the yard for his bed at night. I did that a night or two. My wife, however, has put her foot down against doing that herself.

So, dear reader, that is your four-step solution for how to train your dragon! It has worked for me. Ralph the dragon, at my command, now shakes wings with me (again, my hand and his wing), rolls over, sits, stands, and hovers in the air in front of me. Neighbors are jealous. They want their own pet dragons to train.

Conclusion

The plot to the movie How to Train Your Dragon (2025) begins with the generational conflict between Vikings and dragons. The chief's son and a dragon, however, befriend each other. Eventually, the Vikings and dragons unite, and in an epic battle, they kill the extremely large and evil queen dragon that was forcing the legion of smaller dragons to attack the Vikings. Once the queen dragon was dead, the Vikings and the dragons lived together in harmony.

Revelation chapter 12 depicts conflict between the woman and the dragon. Without diving into the exegetical depth of the chapter, verses 7-9 unfold the war between Michael, the archangel, and the dragon. The great dragon, Satan, who “leads the whole world astray,” is defeated.

The root to current national disunity and global conflicts is found in the great dragon, Satan. Nationally and globally, if everyone would turn to the Lord and follow the biblical worldview, the great dragon could no longer lead the world astray as he does now.

As in How to Train Your Dragon (2025), once the great dragon is defeated, those who once followed him will be released to live in harmony with those who were never bound by the dragon's fearful control.

Thank you, niece, for inspiring this article! How to Train Your Dragon (2025), despite all the excessive action scenes, has a good and moral theme and outcome.

Belated Happy 17th Birthday, “Uncle” Skyler! (published 6-11-2025; article #528)

Introduction

Believe it or not, at the ripe young age of 64, I have an “uncle” who turned 17 years old last Tuesday. In reality, he is my great-nephew, and I am his great-uncle. Farther below, I explain why I call my great-nephew “uncle.”

Welcome, dear reader, to the 133rd entry in the Family topic section. My “uncle,” Skyler, and his immediate family live about 1.5 hours away. Unable to attend his 17th birthday party, I decided to record an audiovisual birthday present for Skyler. My wife and I last saw my “uncle” and other family members and friends last year on Saturday, June 15. The article from 6/20/2024 is about that enjoyable gathering.

My Birthday Gift to “Uncle” Skyler

Tuesday, 6/3/2025, photograph by Mrs. Appalachian Irishman.

Without further fanfare, Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube) presents Belated Happy 17th Birthday, “Uncle” Skyler! (published 6-11-2025; episode 38)!

The episode, published today, was recorded live on “Uncle” Skyler's 17th birthday last Tuesday. With help from my “long-suffering” wife, I had just finished bracing down a section of deck board that had popped up again recently. While still standing on the stepladder, the thought occurred to me to ask my wife to record a clip. It was shared with my “uncle,” his mother, and other family members up in Kingsport.

Why do I call my great-nephew “uncle?” That burning question is now answered!

The television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) includes the second episode in the fourth season, titled Family. It aired originally on Saturday, 9/29/1990, when my wife and I were living in Charleston, Missouri.

In that episode Captain Jean-Luc Picard's young nephew, René Picard, called Jean-Luc his uncle. Captain Picard replied by saying that René must be his nephew. In the episode, René Picard was portrayed as a congenial, well-mannered, and intelligent young man.

Several years ago, I was impressed with my great-nephew's gifts of intellect and congeniality. His mother was and is raising him as a well-mannered young man. That's why I started calling my great-nephew “uncle.” It is my way of complimenting him. Last year, at the previously stated gathering of family and friends, I explained this to my great-nephew, his mother, and grandfather (my brother).

Conclusion

So, once again, happy birthday greetings, “Uncle” Skyler! Your great-uncle and great-aunt, down the road a ways, wish you a wonderful 17th year of life and a life filled with happiness, adventure, and service to the Lord! We love you, and we hope to see you soon.

This article is also published in honor of Granny Ferrell, who passed away on this day in 1971. The following two selected articles include previous tributes to Granny Ferrell: The article from 6/13/2021 also mentions our niece at age 15. Later, the article from 11/30/2022 mentions my mother.

House Mountain Hike #200, 3-23-2025: Milestone Hike with and for Family! (published 3-26-2025; article #521)

Introduction

A milestone is a significant point. It denotes a meaningful achievement. A milestone is memorable. Last Sunday afternoon was a hiking milestone.

Almost 25 years ago, starting on Sunday afternoon, April 23, 2000, the House Mountain State Natural Area in east Knox County, Tennessee, has been calling me, and I have gone. Before last Sunday afternoon, my hiking record indicates that others (family, friends, former coworkers, and dogs) had accompanied me on House Mountain hikes 38 times. Thus, I had hiked “my mountain” alone 161 times.

Last Sunday afternoon, for my 200th milestone hike on House Mountain, my youngest brother, his wife, and their two daughters ventured with me along every trail and saw the views from all four bluffs! Alone, I still have hiked House Mountain 161 times, but I have now been accompanied 39 times!

Welcome, dear hiking enthusiast, to the 78th entry in the hiking topic section! This article is also included as the 132nd entry in the family topic section. Are you ready to read about my 200th hike on House Mountain? Four photographs from the hike are included. Further, I recorded a brief audiovisual episode at the upper-middle bluff. You are welcome to tune in and watch it. The conclusion includes a personal invitation to hike with me, if you would like to do so!

Preparing for the Hike

Shortly after morning worship, my youngest brother and his family arrived at our house. They came in his Nissan Frontier. Church-going clothes were changed into comfortable hiking attire. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, who was invited to hike but declined, helped prepare a light noon meal for the six of us.

My trusty canteen was already filled with water. I filled another of my canteens and one of my wife's canteens with water for my brother and his family. Hiking shoes on, we were ready for the seven-mile drive to House Mountain!

Interestingly, as I was backing my 2006 Frontier down the driveway, I saw a hawk circling about 20 feet above my brother's truck! His family and he were already inside and preparing to follow me. My wife and Molly, our mature puppy, who was also disinterested in hiking, were near the front porch. Once my brother started backing his truck down the driveway, the hawk flew away. What did that hawk want? That was the closest to the ground that I have ever seen a hawk circle above our house.

Hiking Up the East Trail

The temperature was in the 70s Fahrenheit. The variable wind, strong at times, indicated the coming rain that arrived later overnight. The sky was mostly sunny, but clouds were forming to the north. Arriving at the upper parking lot, we were fortunate to find two open spots.

At 1:16 PM, I touched the marker near the enclosed picnic area to begin our hike. Just before the bridge, smooth rocks were stepping stones across the mountain stream, still full of runoff from recent rain.

Just beyond the bridge, where the trail forks west or east, my sister-in-law and nieces decided to take the east trail up to the ridge. Three noticeable rock outcroppings are along the lower part of the trail. My nieces had to climb up onto the first outcropping! Their mother photographed them. I wish that I had.

Hiking on up, we talked, paused for sips of water, greeted other hikers, and enjoyed the views. The upper switchbacks challenged and invigorated us. My brother, feeling his oats, ran up a part of one section! The final and highest switchback is somewhat treacherous. Cutouts, caused by careless hikers, have eroded the area, making it more steep and difficult.

Once carefully above that switchback, the ridge was not much farther up. Several yards away from the bench and sign at the ridge, I noticed the time on my watch. I had 40 seconds to touch the sign! I ran as fast as my “bionic” right foot and knee would allow! I tapped the sign at 2:16 PM! My brother and his family were right behind me.

We had hiked up the east trail in exactly one hour! I'm glad that I looked at my watch when I did.

Years ago, before acquiring 25 pieces of surgically implanted steel in my left shoulder, right knee, and right foot, I could hike up the east trail in about 30 to 40 minutes, according to my hiking record.

As an interesting point of brotherly competition, nine years ago on Sunday afternoon, 3/20/2016, Molly, about a year old at the time, my next-to-youngest brother, and I hiked up the east trail in 65 minutes. Last Sunday, we hiked up the same trail five minutes faster!

Of course, nine years ago, I almost died on Tuesday, 3/29/2016, when an uninsured female failed to yield to my right of way. March 20, 2016, was my next-to-last House Mountain hike in my “pre-bionic” life. Two now-former coworkers and I hiked the mountain on Saturday, 3/26/2016, three days before I was almost killed. My first “bionic” hike on House Mountain, the loop trails only, was on Thursday, 12/22/2016.

The Upper-Middle Bluff

Enough reminiscing about the upcoming ninth anniversary of my near-death experience! I am still alive and not breathing hard! Let's continue hiking!

After catching our breaths and sipping water, we continued the short hike east along the ridge trail to the upper-middle bluff. Before reaching the bluff, we heard and spotted a woodpecker, pecking away at a nearby tree!

Standing on the largest rock outcropping at the bluff, we gazed at the panoramic views of the valley below us and the mountains farther from us. The mostly sunny sky included clouds blowing in from the north. I wanted to see at least one hawk circling nearby. Over the years, I have seen several. I even recall seeing a bald eagle at least once. Unfortunately, no birds were flying around us.

At 2:43 PM, I photographed my youngest brother and his family. They are a good-looking foursome. That's my opinion. Feel free to make it yours!

The view looks north. The clouds in the background indicated the coming rain.

Last fall, our older niece, in her freshman year, made the President's List at Walters State Community College (WSCC)! When I attended WSCC (1978 - 1981), I focused on my studies well enough to make passing grades, but I also paid attention to my part-time job, dating, and especially to having fun with friends! Our niece, also working part-time, is more mature than I was at that age! Our younger niece, in her freshman year at Cherokee High School, is also excelling in her studies. She is a member of the ladies basketball team. Go Chiefs! Needless to say, my wife and I are proud of these two Christian young ladies and their parents!

Warning my relatives beforehand, I recorded an episode of Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube) at the bluff. The episode, published the next day, is House Mountain Hike 200, 3-23-2025: a Family Hiking Milestone! (published 3-24-2025; episode 35).

During the almost two-and-a-half-minute presentation, I honored my father-in-law, whose 87th birthday was the next day. On his birthday, my wife, sister-in-law, her daughter, and I surprised Paw, as I call him, with a birthday supper and party! My sister-in-law is a good cook.

In the episode, I also honored my “adopted” brother-in-law and sister, Mike and Carol Sue. They were married the day after Mike, or Michael, as Carol Sue prefers to call him, turned 18! Carol Sue, I know that you miss your beloved husband. We will see him again in heaven, where he awaits us. The two of you will be even closer than husband and wife.

Hiking to the East Bluff

The short hike from the upper-middle bluff to the east bluff takes only about eight minutes. That section of the ridge trail reminds me of sections along the ridgeline on Devil's Nose mountain in Hawkins County, Tennessee. The topic section Devil's Nose includes six articles.

At 3:07 PM, I photographed the following view from the east bluff. The view looks northeast.

The remnants of Hurricane Helene, which brought flooding and damaging winds to this area late last September, must have toppled the trees. The article from 10/19/2024, part two of my 192nd hike on House Mountain ten days before, focused on fallen trees caused by Helene and includes 20 photographs.

My two nieces like to pick on each other in a playful manner. While at the east bluff, they picked pine cones up off the ground and started throwing them at each other! If it were permissible, the east bluff would be an excellent overnight camping spot.

Hiking toward the West Bluff

Leaving the east bluff, we started hiking west back toward the upper-middle bluff, the lower-middle bluff, and the west bluff.

At 3:20 PM, I photographed the following scene behind the lower-middle bluff. The view looks northwest.

The American flag is on the bluff, the rock outcropping not visible in the image. It is below the higher rock ledge that is in the shot. I hadn't seen that flag before. The no trespassing sign, on the tree to the right of the image, prohibits access to the bluff. Over the years, I have spoken a few times by phone with the owner of the section of land below and up to the bluff. He said that unruly hikers were building fires on the bluff and throwing garbage onto his property below. He put up the no trespassing sign to stop them.

Continuing west along the ridge trail, we saw the “picnic rock,” as I call it. Farther along, I pointed out the water cistern, which is near where the fire tower used to stand. The two-seater outhouse, leaning but still standing, is still visible. Holes are signs of shotgun blasts from the past.

I forgot to point out the “dinosaur rock,” as I call it, but I did pause briefly at the location where, on Sunday afternoon, 12/3/2017, Dr. Antonov examined me and predicted a ten-year recovery. That was during my 141st hike on House Mountain. Dr. Antonov is mentioned kindly in at least the following four articles: 3/29/2021, 8/15/2021, 3/31/2023, and 2/10/2024.

Hiking Down and Out the West Trail

We did not tarry long at the west bluff. My youngest brother and his family wanted to return home before suppertime. At 3:52 PM, however, I took the following stealth photograph, capturing all but my youngest niece, as they began to hike down.

They had started down the marked trail. I joined them by taking my usual route down the steep section beside and below the rock formation to the left in the image. The view looks west.

I caught up with my family members just above the “defiant tree,” as I call it. The seemingly petrified trunk still juts out between two rock outcroppings. Recent photographs of that tree are in the articles from 5/5/2023 and 12/30/2024.

Hiking across the rugged trail below the ridge brought up conversation about the cutouts, caused by careless hikers. Years ago, the trail was pristine and not eroded. The original trail is still visible. I still take it.

The three ladies, moving quicker than my brother and me, were ahead of us, hiking down the six upper switchbacks. They waited for us, before we started down the four lower switchbacks. I asked my nieces to help me find a proper rock to take home as a souvenir of my 200th hike. I had been looking for rocks while hiking down.

The New Year's Day 2021 article includes a photograph of the rocks from House Mountain hikes 125 (10/18/2015), 150 (4/29/2018), and 175 (12/30/2020). It mentions the plaque for my 100th hike (12/31/2013).

Close to the marker near the covered picnic table, my older niece gave me two rocks that she had selected. Thanking her, I asked her to pick her favorite one. She did. I happened to find two rocks also. I came home with four souvenir rocks for my 200th hike!

Taken from my home office earlier today, the following photograph shows, from left to right, the plaque for my 100th hike, the rocks from hikes 125, 150, and 175, and the four rocks from my 200th hike. My nieces' favorite is in the upper left in that grouping of four. Mine are the lower two in that grouping.

As an aside, the 100th hike plaque should read “Tuesday, 12/31/2013, 100th hike,” not “Wednesday” and “100th mile.” In 2015, when I finally decided to place the order, I instructed verbally and in writing the aged owner to engrave “Tuesday, 12/31/2013, 100th hike, House Mountain.” Paying only 15 dollars for the plaque on 2/4/2015, I didn't have the heart to point out his mistakes.

Conclusion

Touching the marker at 4:42 PM ended our milestone hike with and for family on House Mountain. This 200th hike was definitely meaningful and memorable! With heartfelt gratitude, I thanked my brother and his family for hiking with me. My brother replied, “We did it for you!”

Three hours and 25 minutes in the woods with and for family was better than watching “March Madness” basketball games on television! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman chose to do the latter, of course, with her father and sister. It was their family time together. During her grade school years, my wife played on the school's ladies basketball team. Also, her father and she enjoyed attending Lady Vols basketball games, when Pat Summitt was the head coach.

Is House Mountain calling you, dear reader? Would you like to answer that call by hiking with me? If so, you are invited to email me, using the Contact Form on my website's main page. I need to reach my next goal, 225 hikes on House Mountain! I enjoy hiking alone. Hiking with others is better.

The University of Tennessee Medical Center: Paw's Recent Hospitalizations (published 2-13-2025; article #517)

Photograph of UT Medical Center from the top level of a parking garage by M. Fearghail, 2/10/2025, 2:12 PM. The view looks northeast.

Introduction

When will The University of Tennessee Medical Center take down the artificial Christmas tree, still perched atop the building in the photograph? Someone needs to remind them that the tree is still up there.

Welcome, dear reader, to the 131st article in the family topic section. I affectionately call my father-in-law Paw. This is a story about Paw's two recent hospitalizations, thirteen days apart, at UT Medical Center. Thanks to God, my 86-year-old father-in-law is now back to normal at home.

In a complex hospital maze, have you ever taken a left turn, when you should have turned right to get back to your truck in a parking garage? The conclusion explains and adds a humorous conclusion to the stress of Paw's recent hospitalizations. The occasional twitch below my left eye is about to stop.

January 25-29

My father, Earl Ferrell, born on Saturday, September 17, 1927, passed away at home on Friday, January 25, 2008. I remembered silently. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman didn't say if she remembered. The coincidence of the following was not funny.

Last month, on Saturday, January 25, my aged father-in-law was admitted to the UT Medical Center. At about 2:20 PM, other family members and I watched as an ambulance took him to the emergency room. He was admitted that evening. The conclusion to the first article this month mentioned hospital stays last month by my brother and father-in-law.

Just over six weeks prior, on Monday, December 9, 2024, at about 6:30 PM, Paw was taken by ambulance to the emergency room at the UT Medical Center. He was released, not admitted, about 2 AM the next morning. An infection was treated further by a follow-up visit to his primary care physician. His hospital admission on January 25 was due to a similar infection.

My wife, sister-in-law, our niece, and I took turns sitting with my father-in-law in his hospital room. His interior room offered no windows to see the outside world. I pulled one night shift, sleeping only about an hour. Paw, well enough, was discharged to home on Wednesday, January 29. A follow-up with his primary care physician was arranged.

February 7-10

Paw was getting along about as usual at home. On Friday, February 7, however, laboratory results from his primary care appointment earlier that week indicated another infection. His primary care doctor wanted him to be taken to the emergency room. My sister-in-law drove him there in her car. Later that evening, he was admitted again at UT Medical Center. Weekend plans changed. At least this exterior room had a window and offered an outside view.

Once again, the same four family members as late last month took shifts to stay with my father-in-law at the hospital. Hospital beds must be designed to be uncomfortable. The two plastic-covered chairs were not ergonomically designed for human comfort. With no thermostat to control the room temperature, the centralized heating and cooling system constantly blew too cool air into the room. I covered the long vent, below the window, with anything handy to restrict the frigidly cool airflow.

Properly treated with intravenous antibiotics, my father-in-law was discharged again to home on Monday, February 10. A ten-day regimen of oral antibiotics and follow-up at his urologist's office next Wednesday afternoon should permanently resolve the problem. That is our hope and prayer as a family. Dear Lord, thank you for your grace through Christ Jesus. Please allow next Wednesday's office visit to fully resolve my father-in-law's recent difficulties. In Christ's name, Amen.

A kidney stone was the culprit all this time. Thankfully, it was nothing more serious. A kidney stone that causes an infection, three trips to the emergency room, and two hospitalizations is serious enough.

How would you like to be hospitalized twice, thirteen days apart? May no one reading this article ever have to endure that ordeal. Paw did.

My Review of the UT Medical Center

The doctors and staff at the UT Medical Center did right by my father-in-law, for which we are thankful. That is the main point. Before his most recent discharge on Monday, Paw and I conversed at length with one physician in the room. That arranged a call that I received from Paw's primary specialist. In his hospital room that day, one doctor was in the room, while I conversed by phone with the primary specialist. We do not want my father-in-law, in a few days, to have to come back to the hospital for a third stay. Two admissions thirteen days apart were enough.

Hospitals, however, are not fun. Monitoring devices beep and chirp. Hospital odors linger on clothing. Bright and cheery rooms are not a top priority. Why do hospitals prefer dark shades of wall paint in patient rooms? Wouldn't white or light blue wall paint be better?

From home, the one-way drive to the UT Medical Center is about 20 miles. Along the way, stretches of Alcoa Highway need to be repaved. The highway is rife with potholes. The entrance and exit ramps to and from the hospital are rugged and should be repaved. These critiques, however, are toward the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT).

As for the hospital facility, a primary parking garage, where we parked, is six levels high. The two-way lanes are narrow and lit only by the sun during the day. Turning at least nine corners leads to the top level, where I often parked my 2006 Frontier. Driving the distance from the top level down to the entrance is about seven tenths of a mile. Circling at least nine tight corners while facing oncoming traffic, with sunlight and headlights providing the only light, is frustrating. It could make a driver dizzy. At least we didn't have to pay for that type of parking experience. The garage is lit at night. Why can't the lights stay on during the day?

The UT Medical Center itself is a maze of buildings. To find a patient's room, you must know which elevator takes you to the correct floor in the right building. Finding the right elevator is somewhat challenging.

At least the cafeteria food offers variety at a reasonable price. I suggest, however, that buttermilk be added to the beverage offerings. I like a good glass of buttermilk at supper.

Surgeries Today and in April

Today, my youngest sister-in-law, who lives alone in Nashville, underwent surgery. My other sister-in-law, who lives with her father, drove out to stay with her younger sister. Thankfully, the surgery for my youngest sister-in-law went well. She should recover quickly and completely. Her discharge to home should be later today or tomorrow.

In April, my sister-in-law, the middle sister, will undergo surgery to replace her bum right knee with a sparkling new “bionic” knee. As far as we know, no hospital stays or surgeries are in the works for next month. Of course, a person never knows.

Conclusion

What about the humorous conclusion to the stress of Paw's two hospitalizations thirteen days apart? I will confess it now.

Outdoors, especially in the woods, I find directions without a compass. The position of the sun, even behind clouds, points the compass. I often simply sense which direction is north. At night, observing the right stars, if visible, finds north.

Last Sunday, I stayed the second shift with my father-in-law. My local sister-in-law relieved me. Darkness fell before I left. Clouds hid the stars. If it were a clear night, light pollution from various light poles and buildings would have filtered out starlight.

Exiting the south elevator, I turned a second left instead of right. Outside in the darkness, I turned left again, not right as I should have. Meandering around various buildings and parking lots, I finally waved at a passing vehicle. With egg on my face, I asked the kind lady if she knew which direction led to the main parking garage. She pointed in the exactly opposite direction that I had taken. Thanking her, my surgically repaired and “bionic” right foot pounded the same asphalt and concrete back to where I started.

Back inside, near the same elevator, I turned properly to the right. Weaving correctly through the building maze, I came out near the correct parking garage, where my truck awaited me. My truck laughed when I shared my story with him. At home, my wife was somewhat amused.

I hope that you also laughed a little. Just remember to turn right and go straight from the south elevator at UT Medical Center and in life. You will come out right!

Dear Lord, thank you again for blessing us with everlasting life through your Son. I do believe that my wife's side of the family has experienced enough hospitalizations recently. Please bless us all with good health, if it is your will. In Christ's name, amen.