11/17/2019, SUNDAY SOLILOQUY

On Tuesday, 11/12/2019, while almost home from the office, my veteran brother called me back and left voice mail, on my cell phone that was hooked, on my belt, next to my right hip. I was almost home. Therefore, after having arrived home and having played in the yard with Molly, our doggy, I called him, from the landline (from which I’d left him voice mail, yesterday, on Veterans Day). My veteran brother is doing well enough, and he understands the “fool” on the hill analogy, or the everlasting perspective, as I thought that he would! (See the 11/11/2019 article, titled “The Fool on the Hill.”)

That Tuesday was also the day, of the “November blizzard” that almost “killed” everyone, in upper East Tennessee, as the weather folks sensationalized it! The low was a balmy 18 degrees Fahrenheit. The high was a “tropical” 28 degrees. We may have had about two inches of snow.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, of course, had a “snow day” off. She didn’t build a “snow doggy,” around which Molly could play. She didn’t make and toss snowballs for Molly. She stayed inside! I would have taken Molly hiking, on House Mountain, busted up, such as I am.

My “favorite” sister-in-law called, in the evening, and I answered. That’s how I found out that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had run a low-grade fever during the day! Thanks, “favorite” sister-in-law, for letting me know! Why didn't my wife mention that she'd had a fever?

On Wednesday, 11/13/2019, I worked a full shift, as usual. My wife had a two-hour “snow” delay. Around here, the snow had already melted.

On Thursday, 11/14/2019, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman left early, from work, to take her father to a medical appointment. She honors her father. I remember taking Dad, to and from his Johnson City appointments, with Dr. Sholes. Back then, I was working either my second shift job or my flexible shift job, whichever one it was at the time.

Friday, 11/15/2019, was a shock! My youngest brother's wife had to have an unplanned outpatient surgery, to repair, as I assume, the incorrectly done first surgery, on her left foot. She has, as far as I know, no additional metal in her foot. I think that the surgeon fixed the metal that was already there. She had to be cut on again, though.

Saturday, 11/16/2019, was a “rich, full” day, for me: haul off trash, haircut, truck wash, Tractor Supply, truck oil change (and cabin air filter replace), and truck gas. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman made the usual IGA trip, for groceries. Afterward, a cable television technician arrived. He replaced the outdated equipment, in the box, on the side of our house. He gave us the new remote that we’ve needed. Good job!

After morning worship, today, Sunday, 11/17/2019, we thought that we might go to my hometown, to see youngest brother and his family, but he had too much going on. Also, darn, if my “bionic” body parts were not “talking” to me today, after all the “fool” on the hill “fun” that I endured last week!

When’s supper dear? Good evening, y’all!

"THE FOOL ON THE HILL" (published 11-11-2019)

Day after day, alone on a hill,
The man with the foolish grin is keeping perfectly still.
But nobody wants to know him;
They can see that he's just a fool.
And he never gives an answer.

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round.

Well on the way, head in a cloud,
The man of a thousand voices talking perfectly loud.
But nobody ever hears him,
Or the sound he appears to make,
And he never seems to notice.

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round.

And nobody seems to like him.
They can tell what he wants to do.
And he never shows his feelings.

But the fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round.

He never listens to them.
He knows that they're the fools.
They don't like him.

The fool on the hill
Sees the sun going down,
And the eyes in his head
See the world spinning 'round.

It’s time to get serious, folks! (I have a serious side. It's my right side. No, it's my left side!) On this Veterans Day, my plan, to go to the homeplace, was forestalled, by the need to see my chiropractor, earlier today. (You don’t want to know the details. Trust me. The right rib is back in place!)

So, as I sit writing, alone, again, as usual, this afternoon, I remember Veterans Day. “The Fool on the Hill,” by the Beatles, is a great song, with a depth of meaning, that one can make his own. I am doing so now.

Imagine (a pun on another song) the veteran, who has seen too much in life. He knows what he knows. He has seen and endured, what he has seen and endured. He has served his country. Those around him, even his closest non-veteran family and friends, do not understand him fully. He understands himself fully. His loud communication, about his self-understanding, to others, receives incomplete and partial understanding, at best. At worst, he receives the standard platitudes that cause him to wonder why he even tried to communicate, with those, who will never be wise enough to understand.

The veteran, if he is wise enough, has taken the Good Lord’s free gift offer. He thinks, with the everlasting mindset. He does not care much, for this space-time continuum. He knows that he is a speck of dust, on a larger speck of dust, in a vast and temporal universe, which is not everlasting.

By the way, I just left voice mail, on my veteran brother’s phone. He might call back. [11/12/2019, next day, update: my brother called back today. He'd been quite busy yesterday. We enjoyed a good, long phone conversation today.]

I did not serve in the military. (I wish that I had done so.) My “fool on the hill” thoughts do not compare, with those of a combat veteran. Still yet, I have my thoughts. They are based on my life, after having acquired “bionic” body parts (left shoulder, right knee, and right foot). I had a life, in a pre-bionic body. I am living an ongoing bionic life now. (To understand my use of “bionic,” please see the 8/26/2016 article, which is the first, under the topic section, “My Bionic Life - since 3/29/2016.”)

The acquisition of bionic joints has deepened my thoughts, on everlastingness. Before, I had assumed that my thoughts were deep. They were, but not as deep as now. (Dig a little deeper in the well, boys!)

The catalyst, behind this article, is twofold. First, on a work day, last Wednesday, a colleague -- working from home and on speaker phone, during the usual Wednesday meeting that wastes our time -- asked, “How is everyone?” My reply was, “I am surviving.” My meaning was that I am enduring a work week, with my three stiff and sore bionic joints, again, as usual. Her response was, “it’s better than being six feet under.” The others -- present physically, in the meeting, as I was -- laughed and agreed. I shook my head in silence. My thought was, “Take me home, Lord! I'm very stiff and sore today! I’d rather have this body six feet under and be, in my soul, with many others and You! I will get this body back, glorified, later!” Of course, I was thinking perfectly loud, while keeping perfectly quiet, as the “fool on the hill.”

The second catalyst was on Saturday, 11/9/2019. I was hauling off trash, as usual. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, by the way, was doing her usual Dollar General Store and IGA shopping, followed by her visit, to her father. While hauling trash, I heard, on my ol' truck’s radio, the Beatles' song, “The Fool on the Hill.” Hey, that was great! Various stations play their standard song rotations, but the station, to which I'd happened to be listening, played a good song, at the right time!

During the song, I thought back to last Wednesday. I thought, in the everlasting perspective. I pitched the trash and the recycling. Then, I mused more to myself, again, as usual.

This “fool on the hill” does not concern himself much, with the here and now. You know. The here and now are the usual: the work policy wonk and psychobabble, the local, national, and international news, the weather alert days, sports news, my hiking, visits with family and friends, my every four-week deep tissue massage, followed by my every four-week chiropractic adjustment, and so forth. It's life, such as it is, going on.

Oh, yes, I am about as tired of it, as you may be, dear reader! I apologize, if the last paragraph made you feel tired.

Despite what I've written, thus far, do not doubt my stubborn, Irish endurance! As a fine Irish lady once said, “You can always live in hope, even if you die in despair!” Always, there will be will, in my spirit, even when my spirit leaves this body. As long as my spirit is in this body, and as long as I have power in my body (busted up, such as I am), then I will endure to the end, of my temporal existence, to be taken Home!

When are you coming back, Lord? When will be my turn, to go Home, if You don’t come before? Silence, again, as usual.

Yesterday was my 161st hike, on House Mountain, on our niece's birthday, as the 11/10/2019 article describes. Afterward, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I placed the outdoor thermometer, on the front porch. I had bought the $5.59, made in China, thermometer, at Ace Hardware, on 4/16/2019. It takes me a few months, about seven, in this example, to get something done now. I’m slowed, by my three bionic joints. Believe it or not, the rigors of hiking actually help those joints.

This “fool on the hill” is signing off now. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman just came home. My veteran brother has not called back yet. Let’s all take up the Lord’s free gift offer, live by it, and go Home!

So, who is brave enough to comment?

11/10/2019, 161st Hike on House Mountain

Howdy, y’all!

As a side note to yesterday's soliloquy, I had hoped to get up to the homeplace to do some work yesterday. However, my “bionic” left shoulder that is ricocheting down into the muscles in my back and, especially, left hip did not agree. So, I let my left shoulder win this time only!

Today, Sunday, is our niece's birthday. If “sister-in-law” is correct, then why don’t we say “niece-in-law?” She is my sister-in-law’s daughter! I digress, of course. Tomorrow is Veterans Day.

Earlier today, for our niece and for all veterans, especially those in the Fearghail clan, I hiked House Mountain for the 161st time, alone, once again, as usual!

The weather, still too warm, was sunny. Any day in the woods is better than not having been there. Please enjoy the two photographs!

The above image was all that was left of me! Why did I wear my short-sleeve hiking shirt? The T-shirt would have been enough. The photograph was taken on the west bluff. It took me 34 minutes to hike up the west trail, touching the rock at the bluff to end the time. Maybe one of these days, I may get back to a 24-minute time. My “bionic” right foot and right knee still don’t allow me to be anything more than a lame mountain goat.

The above photograph was taken on my way back down. The west bluff is above me. There were way too many pine beetles clinging to me on this quite warm day.

I forgot to photograph my 2006 Frontier! Sorry, old truck! Leaving, I was trying to figure out how to get out of the parking spot with all the surrounding vehicles!

Speaking of pine beetles, look for my next article. It will include deeper musings, inspired by The Beatles’ song, “The Fool On The Hill.” You don't want to miss it! Keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there!

Saturday, 11/9/2019, Soliloquy

Well, good evenin’, y’all! Do you think “them thar” Louisiana Tigers will whop “them thar” Alabama Elephants? We will see.

This week involved a technobabble Internet victory!

Monday, 11/4/2019: Singh, from Jaipur, India, established that my Norton protection and computer speed were as good as they could get, until “Microcrap” gets more money out of my back pocket to upgrade to “Winders” 10. I like what I have. Why is “Microcrap” stopping support in January? Oh, yeah, they want even more money!

Wednesday, 11/6/2019: The Yoder’s Store Tonic that I ordered online on 11/1/2019 arrived! I left a good comment on an owner's web page. See WordPress below.

Today, Saturday, 11/9/2019 (hence, the “Soliloquy” title; it rhymes): I got on that “thar” Internet again! I set up online the savings account that Papaw Ferrell started for me when I was a boy, when the bank was under another name, to “talk to” the local bank! Now, I can transfer money from our local bank to the savings account that Papaw Ferrell set up for me without needing to make a deposit in person! That will keep that savings account from going dormant again! For years, even decades, I have had to send a postal letter, telling the banking folks not to send my account to the State of Tennessee as unclaimed property! No more! This is the last part of the 20th century! By the way, later today, I set up a WordPress account to bring in even more readers to this website.

Of course, I should have been born in 1860. If so, I could have been “my own grandpaw!” Do you know the song?

Y’all keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there!

SUNDAY MUSINGS & 10-27-2019 HOUSE MOUNTAIN #160 (published 11-3-2019)

Well, howdy, y’all! On a great weather for hiking weekend, here I “sot,” not having hiked. Why, you ask? Well, read below on House Mountain #160! Wisdom dictates: let the right heel heal more!

The following is the chronological update, since my last entry. I know that my “millions” of readers have been concerned!

10/8/2019, Yom Kippur at sundown: before sundown, after work-a-day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I talked with neighbor to our northeast, in his yard. He’s a fine fellow and family. Neighbor to our west was strolling along, with his grandson in a stroller. These two neighbors don’t get along. We get along with each one. We spoke to strolling along neighbor. Northeast neighbor didn’t. Y’all grow up and make friends! Aren’t y’all old enough to do so?

10/9-13/2019: a good cousin of mine, to communicate with me, texts Mrs. Appalachian Irishman a few times. We, as cousins, talked by phone on 10/13/2019, regarding a family get together that good cousin and family have planned for 10/26/2019. Hey, ‘cuz! Just call ME anytime!

10/10/2019: our mower guy mowed for first time since 9/20/2019. (Why he mowed then is a mystery, during the September drought.) I figure that I owe him money, but I called him, and he said no. Ok, I think that my bookkeeping is better than yours, but if you don’t need to be paid, it’s fine.

10/11/2019, Friday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are both off work. She had the airbag recall (from 2016) on the car fixed finally at no cost. She gave Molly puppy a much-needed bath. I had my annual physical exam. My good doctor bragged, in his words, “again, as usual,” on my great blood work! Maybe I’ll see his wife and him, again, hiking My Mountain. (I saw them on 03/4/2018 hike #146)!

Oh, on the same day, the Comcrap fight started and is still ongoing! Take away TCM and make me pay the same money for one less channel? So far, I’ve won a draw. We have a free set of movie channels that we don’t watch, and we did not get the $20 one-time discount promised. Watch me win!

10/12/2019, Saturday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I visited youngest brother and his family, in my hometown. We picked up/brought lunch from Green Tomato Grill to them/us. That was a fine visit – except for the very rare Georgia Bulldogs loss and Tennessee “Vowels” win. Argh! Oh, on the way home, I bought another bottle of tonic. The last time I bought the tonic had to have been in the summer of 2015, before “pre-metal” days. Here’s the photo of the 2015 purchase and the 10/12/2019 (not 11/12/2019, incorrectly on the note on the label!) purchase. They went up a couple of dollars. An ounce a day does the body whatever it does!

 

11/1/2019, Friday, update: the Amish Yoder’s are gettin’ fancy! They have an “Interweb” site! I ordered me three, count ‘em, three more bottles, on the “Interweb,” with free shipping!

10/14/2019: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman is still off work-a-day, on “fall break.” That means: I had “cat-dog” surprise, when I finished my work-a-day! Oh, well. Also, the County Animal Control Sheriff unit was at fourth new neighbor’s. Hum, what’s up? 9:19 PM, I took a call from west neighbor (the same that was strolling along). He stated: he and grandson in stroller were strolling along as usual, when “white dog” (not “brown dog”) attacked! He had bite marks on his leg. The grandson was not injured, thankfully! Now, we know what happened! Oh, as of this entry, “white dog” and “brown dog” are still alive. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman saw them outside once. Fourth new neighbor must be keeping them inside mostly now. “White dog” should be dead!

10/19/2019, Saturday: it was my usual once every four weeks haircut and Tractor Supply. Hey, they have plenty of pecan logs now!

10/20/2019, Sunday: rain. When will I get hike #160 on “My Mountain?” Read on!

10/26/2019, Saturday: I had my fifth deep tissue, one-hour, massage, at 12 PM. My youngest brother had to work. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had hoped we could attend good cousin’s family get together, in my hometown. We didn’t make it, unfortunately. I voice mailed my good cousin twice, in hope that I could convey my gift of the blarney by phone at least. No reply yet.

10/27/2019, Sunday: finally, I get a hike! It’s my House Mountain hike #160! (That’s eight score, you know?) Even if it was a bit muddy, cloudy, and too warm for this time of year, any day in the woods is better than not! Enjoy the photos! Oh, by the way, the final photo is of my bloody right sock! It seems that the scab on the back of my heal might, after almost three and a half years, be starting to come off all the way! That’s progress! (Don’t look at the sock photo, if you don’t like the sight of blood and a piece of scab!) I tore holes in both socks also! What fun! It was great!

View from west bluff, looking southwest.

View of the valley to the north, on the ridge line.

First view from the middle bluff, looking north toward the valley.

Second view from middle bluff, looking west. The west bluff is visible.

My reliable, new, ol' truck loves to have his photo taken! He reached 169,000 miles, on the dot, a very few tenths of a mile, after we left the parking lot! My House Mountain hike #160. My truck reaches 169,000 miles! Cool!

I told you not to look!

10/29/2019, Tuesday: 3/29/2016 was my I-got-hammered-time (i.e., 25 surgically installed metal pieces in three joints). (Read my 8/26/2016 post, “I’M STILL ALIVE – WHY?”) This was my 3.5-year anniversary of that “fun.” It was also Mrs. Appalachian Irishman’s parents’ wedding anniversary. Of course, my mother-in-law has gone to a better world. (Read my 6/14/2017 post, “5-14-2017: Mother's Day & House Mt. #138.”) We had our every-four-week chiropractic appointment, after work, again, as usual. As usual, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had her adjustment and left, leaving me with the tab. Good job, dear! After arriving home, I took my first Free Cell (mind numbing) loss on this computer, after however many wins in a row. (What was I thinking? It’s easy!) The Free Cell game loss on this day is fitting!

10/30/2019, Wednesday: while on the way to work-a-day, my new ol' truck attained 170,000 miles! I remember the Ailor Gap Road spot!

10/31/2019, Thursday/Halloween: after my usual hot shower/cold rinse/rubbing alcohol rub (i.e., for “bionic” joints), I found a tick on the back of my right shoulder! Now, where had he been all this time, since House Mountain hike #160? I pulled him off, rubbed the red spot in alcohol, and went on to the insanity of work-a-day “whizzbang” silliness! At work, those women had wanted to dress up in a theme, again. I came as “a hiker,” again, as usual! I wore an old pair of jeans, my short sleeve hiking shirt, my hiking ball cap, and my boots. I had my canteen and knife sheath too. Those women need to grow up! Well, it rained all day, with temperature dropping into a more fall like feel! We had once set, in two cars, of about five trick-or-treaters who were brave enough in the weather, to come hunt candy! Molly doggy loved it! It was Molly doggy’s forth birthday anniversary! She had a great time, for a few moments!

11/2-3/2019 weekend: well, we have great hiking weather. Wisdom dictated that I not hike, since the half gone scab on my right heel is still healing! Oh well, maybe; yes certainly, if there is power in my body, I will hike next weekend! I have will in my spirit!

Hey, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, when’s supper?

Y’all keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there, ya hear?

10/6/2019 SUNDAY MUSINGS

Well, “hear I sot,” close to supper time, a ramblin’ on as usual! Howdy, to all my “millions” of readers, who gave up the “Farcebook” scam to join me here!

I do not want to “hit a lick” at work tomorrow. How many of us, honestly, do?

On Tuesday, 10/1/2019, it was the usual after-work monthly chiropractor adjustment. It followed my monthly deep tissue massage on Saturday, 9/28/2019. I may be making s-l-o-w progress. We’ll see.

On Saturday, 10/5/2019, what do you know? I may have forced two Internet banking accounts to talk to each other and to transfer the green stuff, when I tell them to! So far, it’s a win! Also, in Russian, I left my youngest brother voicemails on his landline twice and on his cell phone once. No reply yet. I assume that his family and he were plinking and plunking along okay. (We're just over an hour's drive away, so I don't know.) Oh, how about my “Dawgs?” They beat them “thar” “Vowels” into the ground on their home field! “Dawgs,” you might want to start at full speed, even against a weak opponent, in the future. You’ve started slowly twice now. Get serious! (I have to tell my “Dawgs” a thing or two also!) Lastly, what do you know? We had a bit of thunder and some rain overnight. Is fall coming? We’ll see. Recently, we broke heat records from 1884. Papaw Ferrell was four years old then. I wonder what he did back then to cause “global climate change.” I need cool, fall weather to hike!

Sunday, 10/6/2019: Since yesterday, I’ve tried to impose myself into an upcoming debate, regarding Christ’s second coming. See my 10/5/2019 article. Some people have too much free time on their hands! Come soon, Lord, come soon! I took a good Epsom salts soak this morning just “for fun!” One of these days, maybe, my muscles and various muscle tissues will quit their pulling and tugging and leave me alone! Otherwise, I endure, day by day! Let’s go hike a ridge! It ain’t fun, moving about like a fine-tuned race car but with a busted suspension. I suppose that I will keep doing so until I die or the Lord returns. Return, dear Lord, soon!

Hey, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, I’m gettin’ hungry! When’s the vitals? Y’all keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there, ya hear?

THE COMING OF CHRIST: A DEBATE WON EASILY (published 10-5-2019)

Introduction

Today, Saturday, 10/5/2019, the Appalachian Irishman, very bravely, made a rare venture into his “Farcebook” account. I had to waste time, by ignoring all the reposts of posts, strange third-party reposts, advertisements, marketplace advertisements, and “friend” recommendations.

I happened to see a post by a man, with whom I had attended Tennessee Bible College (fall of 1983 to spring of 1984).

The Upcoming Debate

That man will debate another man on 10/11-12/2019, regarding whether “the second and final coming of Christ took place in the fall of Jerusalem in 70 AD” or “is yet future.” I was interested.

My “Intrusion” into the Debate

This article is my “intrusion” into the upcoming debate. Let me see. I just reread, for who knows how many times, 1 Corinthians chapter 15, the entire chapter.

Of course, many other texts prove that Christ's second coming is in the future, but this chapter is sufficient. The inspired apostle Paul stated, as part of his eloquence, in that chapter:

For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. (1 Corinthians 15:22-26, NIV)

I won!

The second coming of Christ is future, unless y’all have seen:

– that death has been destroyed (from the above quote),
– the visible return of Christ in the clouds (see Rev. 1:7),
– the resurrection of all the dead (see 1 Cor. 15:51-53; 1 Thess. 4:16-17),
– and the “twinkling of an eye” transformation of all still alive at his return, “at the last trumpet” (1 Cor. 15:52)!

By the way, aren’t people still dying every day, unfortunately?

Conclusion

Let’s see. The physical remains of Mom, Dad, both sets of my grandparents, my uncle Bobby, all my aunts and uncles, my mother-in-law, and many, many others remain in their graves.

I’m still standing here. I ain’t breathing hard. Furthermore, I have not been transformed “in the twinkling of an eye.” I certainly would enjoy that transformation, since my “bionic” body parts are “talking to me” today!

Do you see, therefore, how easily I have won this upcoming debate, by my intrusion? Isn't time supposed to end at Christ’s second coming? What time is it now?

Sunday, 9/29/2019, Musings

Let’s keep the title pattern a goin’ a bit. Reckon? Why not?

Last Sunday, 9/22/2019, was the “cat dog” surprise! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman informed me, without my choice, that she was going to get the “cat dog” to stay with us. We would “cat-dog-sit,” until “favorite” sister-in-law finished her afternoon errands. Well, Molly, our “old puppy,” and I survived, once again! “Favorite” sister-in-law came, got the “cat dog,” and rescued Molly and me!

Monday, 9/23/2019: What do you know? At the end of work, we had a puny little pop-up shower! The drought is over! Not!

Wednesday, 9/25/2019: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had a one-year follow-up appointment for one of her several 2018 medical appointments that were “fun.” The 2018 series of medical stuff involved: What happened to you? We don’t know. You may have eaten something that didn't agree with you. You are fine! Come back in a year if you want to. She wanted to, apparently. What do you know? She’s still fine! That’s the way to get out of a day’s work, dear! Proud of you!

I almost forgot! Also on that Wednesday, for some unknown and totally illogical reason, the State of Tennessee bureaucracy, in its infinite ability to be completely incapable, emailed me a rejection for a job application, for which I never applied!

It was state bureaucracy at its finest level! Don’t get me started on federal bureaucracy! The federal “govrmint” folks drone on about nothing on the 24/7 news channels, which I rarely watch. One of these days, we all had better learn to speak Arabic, Spanish, Mandarin, or Russian! But wait! I speak Russian well enough.

Thursday, 9/26/2019: After my work insanity, as usual, I drove home in a good little pop-up rain. The closer I came to home, however, the less rain was falling. I found one or two raindrops in the yard. We are making rain progress here. I need to continue my evening rain dances in the backyard.

Friday, 9/27/2019: While stuck at red three times at the only Gibbs traffic light on my way to TGIF work insanity, I happened to notice that my 2006 Frontier was at 169,000 miles exactly and at 135 miles on my last gasoline fill-up last Saturday. To this Appalachian Irishman, that is noteworthy. I have, therefore, so noted.

Saturday, 9/28/2019: On the way out to haul off trash, get a monthly deep tissue massage, and get gas, I saw two good neighbors, husband and wife, out walking. In a hurry, I spoke with them briefly. Later, I called the man after returning home. That’s how we keep in touch in our good neighborhood.

The monthly deep tissue massage was my fourth. It will be followed by my monthly chiropractic appointment on 10/1/2019. I don’t know, but maybe, just maybe, in a few or several more months or years, the soft tissue damage that is still recovering will recover fully to the way it was before 3/29/2016, when my body had the drastic evil inflicted upon it by the idiot driver. We’ll see.

Y’all keep turnin’ right and goin’ straight out there, ya hear? Until next time, when is it ever going to rain a lot and turn cooler? I need to start my fall hiking season! What was going, decades ago, when it was this hot at the tail end of September, when there was no “global climate change?” Now, that just opened a can of worms!

Saturday, 9/21/2019, Musings

The title of my most recent article was pretty good! Why not stick with the pattern? Greetings, dear reader!

Tuesday, 9/17/2019, a workday and my father's birthday in 1927: My youngest brother and his wife went to Knoxville for a follow-up appointment after her left foot surgery on 9/4/2019. (Papaw Wood was born on 9/4/1901.) Below is a photograph that my brother took at the surgeon's office of his wife’s left foot. Ain’t it a “purty” foot?

My sister-in-law is allowed to place weight on her surgically repaired, “bionic” left foot, but not walk on it yet.

That’s at least better than “fun” in 2016. On 3/29/2016, I didn’t die when an uninsured driver failed to yield to my right of way. I was unaware of what was going on during the surgeries on my left shoulder and right knee. I knew what was happening before my right foot surgery on Wednesday, 4/13/2016. We are making progress here. I wonder if the Good Lord cares in the short term. He cares in the long term.

Thursday, 9/19/2019: It was a workday for me. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman took a day off to take her father to a medical appointment. I remember when I did that for my mother and father. Remember these days, dear! You honor your father, as you did your mother before she passed.

Friday, 9/20/2019: Why did our mower guy mow today? It’s been hot, too dang hot! It has not rained all this month! Why did he mow? Do I need to start mowing myself? I can do it. I have power in my body, such as it is. I would rather take the easier route by paying someone else to mow. We’ll see what happens.

By the way, I suppose that “Algore” (Al Gore) was right about global warming and global climate change, both bovine excrement, as I call them. Why is Greenland called Greenland, when it is not now very green? I could ramble on with proof, but I won’t today!

Today, Saturday, 9/21/2019: For me, it was a usual day--monthly haircut, good truck wash, and Tractor Supply. I treated my 2006 Frontier to a wash last Saturday also. I found and bought almost everything that we needed at the Tractor Supply for Molly, our “old puppy.” Buy the Milkbone “doggies” in the plastic bottle with the red lid while they're in stock!

Thankfully, I also found and bought the last pecan log that the Tractor Supply had in stock! Last month, there were none. I handed the empty box to the clerk and told her! Two months ago, there were none. I informed the clerk. Today, however, I have my monthly Tractor Supply pecan log! The photograph is below.

By the way, how about them “Vowels” today! They got their backsides handed to them, again as usual, by Flor-i-Da! I hope that the Georgia Bulldogs do much better against “them thar” fake Irishmen at 8 PM this evening!

As a brief sidenote on world disasters and USA politics, excrement keeps spilling out. That’s why “this world is not my home; I’m just a passin’ through.” Politics? The word is from poly (many) and tics (ticks). That is many bloodsuckers! That's my brief side note.

Y’all keep turning right and going straight out there, ya hear?

Sunday, 9/15/2019, Musings

Well, howdy, y’all! (I had me another cold shower, as usual, this morning!) I hope that y’all are okay out there—plunking along in life, such as it is!

Sunday, 9/1/2019: The day marked the official (for those who have sense enough to know) first day of autumn, but it’s still too (globally warm) hot, dang hot! I need cooler weather! I need to hike! Well, I digress.

That afternoon, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I got together with three dear friends for a great time, as always! We ate at Chili’s. We got a table upon arrival. We were served our drinks and salads, for those who had ordered salads.

After almost an hour of waiting on our main course orders, I informed the guy who had seated us that we had seen others arrive, be seated, and get their main course orders before us. We were still waiting! What do you know? In quick fashion, we had our food! The “server” (i.e., waitress) did not get a tip! Also, a manager came by, apologized profusely, and offered free desserts (which we declined). I thought, “I’ve seen truly hungry people in India and Russia, to whom 'hungry' people in this country cannot compare. This is nothing.” I said, with no acknowledgment of the apology, “We just want to eat.” Despite that bit of “fun,” we, as always, had a great time together!

Monday, 9/2/2019, Labor Day: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I did not labor!

9/3/2019 Note: Mom and Dad’s wedding was on 9/3/1959. I was born ten months later on 7/17/1960.

9/4/2019 Note: Papaw Wood’s birthday was on 9/4/1901. On that day, my youngest brother’s wife had outpatient surgery on her right foot to repair damage. She now has metal in two toes.

Her outpatient surgery was better than my 36-day hospitalization in 2016 (with 25 pieces of metal in three joints) and better than our good friend’s 12/5/2017 left foot surgery (metal stays in), with a four-day hospitalization. We are making progress!

My youngest brother's wife has a follow-up appointment on 9/17/2019. Dad was born on 9/17/1927. Okay, Lord, we understand your sarcastic humor on this! Isn’t this enough?

Also, on 9/4/2019, our good friend’s aged mother broke her right arm. She’s doing well enough, in a nursing home, for now.

Sunday, 9/8/2019: I ain’t sayin’ nary a "thang" more about the “Evil Empire” beating my Steelers! My Steelers coffee cup, placed strategically in the living room, was not turned correctly. Their loss is my fault! I’m sorry!

Wednesday, 9/11/2019, a workday: Is the date 9/11 enough to write?

 

The above photograph was taken on 9/11/2015 as a tribute. I found it on Successful Culture – A 911 Tribute. Apparently, no colleague remembered. I did.

 

On that day, at the office—during our weekly “parroting session,” waste-of-time meeting that requires 10 or 15 minutes of agony—my colleagues' priority was to plan our too-far-off-to-care annual Christmas eat-out shindig.

Everyone wrote down a dining suggestion on paper. (The above image was mine. Yes, I took the photograph.) I had the dubious honor of selecting the dining location. I had a one-in-eight chance to pick my selection. I did so—McDonald's! That was funny! Of course, I picked another paper for another choice to satisfy the women. By the way, the Christmas shindig is set for Friday, December 13th! This week has a Friday the 13th—in two more days, on 9/13/2019! What could go wrong? I am not triskaidekaphobic.

Friday, 9/13/2019: The full moon occurred just after midnight on 9/14/2019. Whew! We had a break on that at least. I am not triskaidekaphobic.

9/13-14/2019: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was paid on 9/13/2019, for the first time, after her summer vacation, when "School’s Out for the Summer" (YouTube)! I was paid that day also.

On 9/14/2019, what did I find on the kitchen counter? I see her 7/31/2019 Kohl’s card charge receipt for her $100 and change clothing purchase! She’d told me, in the summer, that she’d need to buy some clothes—to replace, as I suppose, the clothes that she’d bagged up to haul to a donation location. I never did see a receipt, so I figured that she hadn't bought clothes.

Also, on the kitchen counter, I found her 9/13/2019 debit card payment receipt to Kohl’s for her 7/31/2019 charge—with no late fee included! Once again, you tricked me, dear! Kohl’s card charge of 7/31/2019 is paid by debit card on 9/13/2019! A man just doesn’t understand! That’s okay, dear. You shop vacuumed the basement alone this weekend. I’ll keep you!

Saturday, 9/14/2019: What do you know? “Them thar" Tennessee “Vowels” won a game finally! It must have been due to Friday the 13th, followed by a full moon the next night! Another bad “Vowels” team has another bad coach. That’s why I’m a Georgia Bulldogs fan! Go Dawgs!

Today, Sunday, 9/15/2019: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman’s youngest sister and our niece (daughter of my wife's middle sister) borrowed my binoculars to take on a Grand Canyon vacation that starts this coming Friday. Okay, y'all have fun with my binoculars! Do not lose them! I’ve had them for decades.

Now, I’ll make a brief comment on politics and the state of morality and idiocy in this country and in the world. This country and the world continue to degenerate to the eventual end. Any questions? I’m ready to go to my heavenly home. Are you?

Oh, by the way, who are the three “trustedinstaller.exe” guys that have been in locations in my “Windows” folder since 7/13/2009 and 11/20/2010? Why do they install stuff? Why should I trust them?

Y’all keep turning right and going straight out there, ya hear?

IT’S COLD SHOWER, NOT GIN, TIME! (published 8-18-2019)

Hey, y’all! I’m just resting my “bionic” body parts and entertaining my fertile mind today. While doing so, look what I found! See “The James Bond Shower: A Shot of Cold Water for Health and Vitality,” on The Art of Manliness, by Brett & Kate McKay, 9/17/2019. (Note that I saw this article today, 8/18/2019, so the article's 9/17/2019 date must be 8/17/2019.)

I’ll give those folks a bit of publicity! Even before my “bionic” body parts days, and especially afterwards, I’ve known, for decades, about the benefits of starting the morning, with a hot shower, followed by a cold rinse. It’s nothing new. Still yet, these folks have it right! I know, especially after my “bionic” body parts were installed. It’s often the first part of how I get through a day. Of course, my stubborn and strong Irish will, while I have power in my body, is the most important factor. One day, I will have will in my spirit, which won’t ever go away, but not power in my body. When that happens, I will be a few steps closer to going home!

Y’all keep turning right and going straight out there, ya hear?

Oh, by the way, “Cold Gin” was a KISS song, back in the day. I found the song, on the following platform: “KISS - Cold Gin - Alive!” on NieelzzZ (YouTube), 9/12/2009. That was a great rock song, by a great band. I don't have to agree with the morality of the song, to like the music. My legal notation: the reference to the song “Cold Gin” does not imply that the author of this article recommends or supports the drinking of gin, cold or not.

In fact, I support the imbibing of the Holy Spirit, into our souls. Still yet, listening to “Cold Gin” today helped my “bionic” body parts. I'm sorry, dear Lord. I know that you forgive me.

FULL MOON UPDATE (published 8-17-2019)

Introduction

For the “millions” of readers who have been “sitting on pins and needles” wanting to know, here is the long-awaited update to my article from two days ago! You can relax now!

Molly

First, Molly, our dear “old puppy,” is doing great! That is both important and good!

My 2006 Nissan Frontier

Second, in the late afternoon on Friday, 8/16/2019, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and my “favorite” sister-in-law changed my established plan. Very “bravely,” my wife drove my truck home, after the computerized part was replaced! They had commuted to and from work in my sister-in-law's car. This was the first time that my wife drove my truck.

My established plan had been to drive our car (a 2008 Honda Civic) from the “Hadean Realm” office to the Nissan dealership, meet my wife and sister-in-law there, get my truck, drive my truck home, and have my wife drive our car home. At least I only needed to drive our car home. Doing so was easier on my three “bionic” joints (left shoulder, right knee, and right foot).

By the way, to Nissan, since the camshaft is working fine, but the camshaft sensor started to blink out, why is there a camshaft sensor in the first place? Nissan has no logical explanation, of course. The unneeded sensor is a way for Nissan to make more money. It was not my truck's fault!

Below is the best online photograph of a 2006 Nissan Frontier camshaft sensor that I could find. It might be about the size of my thumb. The part cost $145.58. I could buy a new computer for not much more than that price!

I wish that I could drive an old straight-shift truck that has plenty of metal and driver protection. That way, I would not be troubled by all these unnecessary and computerized truck parts! It's still not my truck's fault! My truck can't help how Nissan built him! (Yes, my truck is a guy.)

 

Cuz Lois' Birthday

Finally, I “hear tell” that my first cousin Lois turned 79 today! I logged into my “Farcebook” account and found out. Now, I have the date in my own calendar record.

Happy Birthday, Cuz Lois! Hey, I’m 20 years behind you! Do you think I’ll catch up to you? I remember now how I used to remember your birthday. Your birthday is on the exact same day, minus one month, as my father's. Dad was born on 9/17/1927.

Conclusion

Well, y’all have fun out there, ya hear? Don’t forget to turn right and go straight! If so, we’ll all see each other in heaven soon!

Thursday, 8-15-2019, Full Moon (published 8-15-2019)

Introduction

Oops! The Appalachian Irishman has been a little silent lately. I have been enduring the workday routine. I am working toward state retirement in eleven more months, if we can get farther along on paying off the mortgage.

Well, today, on a full moon, I need to update our “life, such as it is,” information. I am sure that “millions” of readers out there are excited!

8/12/2019 in the Context of 8/12/1991 (28 Years Ago)

First, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had to start “hitting a lick” at work on Monday, 8/12/2019, after her summer vacation was over.

That afternoon, my 2006 Frontier flashed the “service engine soon” and “slip” yellow warning lights. Oh, well. I set up an appointment for my truck at a fix-it shop for Thursday, 8/15/2019. My truck drove well enough, despite the yellow warning lights.

Also, and most importantly, on 8/12/1991, my maternal grandmother, Granny Wood (born 6/16/1901), transitioned from temporal to everlasting life. I was honored to conduct Granny’s funeral and graveside services.

Today's Full Moon “Fun”

Today, Thursday, 8/15/2019, is a full moon. My “favorite” sister-in-law came here early in the morning. She picked up my wife, so they could go to work. They commute, each one driving two or three days a week. That way, I could have our car and truck both here, as I will explain.

I burned a day off from my “Hadean Realm” state job. I took Molly, our “old puppy,” for outpatient surgery. She had a bump on her lower left eyelid that would not go away. The same bump on her lower right eyelid did vanish on its own. Molly is now home. I took her to our local veterinarian in my “yellow light warning” truck. Molly's surgery went well! I picked her up in the car, after paying way too much money. All is well in Molly's world! See next as to why I got Molly in our car.

After dropping off Molly and before picking her up, I took my 2006 Frontier to the I-won’t-ever-go-there-again Rusty Wallace Nissan dealership on Clinton Highway for the 1:30 PM fix-him-up appointment. My truck ran okay, despite the yellow warning lights.

The way-too-computerized crankshaft sensor needs to be replaced. It will cost about $500.

Oh, sorry, the dealership said. They had one part in the right box, but it was the wrong part in that right box. That’s all they had. Deal with it!

So, some feller drove me home, as I demanded. Once home, I drove our car to get Molly! The I-will-never-go-back-there Rusty Wallace Nissan dealership promised that they will have the right part in the right box tomorrow to fix my computerized truck. We’ll see. I doubt that the part will be in tomorrow.

Conclusion

More updates are coming! I’m sure that “millions of readers” want to know the rest of the story! Y’all have fun out there, ya hear?

By the way, the full moon is tonight.