Big Ridge State Park, 2-21-2023: A Real Hike This Time (published 2-22-2024; article #457)

Introduction

“I had an itch. I had to scratch it.” That's what I'd told Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, when I'd called her, at 4:32 PM, yesterday. We'd need to have baked taters, not mashed taters, with our supper. My truck and I were fixin' to head home, from Big Ridge State Park. Normally, about 4:30 PM, I start peeling taters, for my wife to mash, once she's home.

Tuesday's article -- with the embedded Appalachian Irishman - Podcast (YouTube) episode -- was about my walk down memory lane, last Sunday afternoon, at Big Ridge State Park. I'd picked up a paper copy of the the “Park Map Brochure,” which shows the various trails and the distance, of each trail. That started the itch. I wanted to explore those trails! Yesterday, I scratched that itch! I explored trails!

This article, as the 64th entry, in the “hiking” topic section, encapsulates yesterday's real hike, at Big Ridge State Park! My 2006 Frontier and I took the longer route (Highway 441 north, to Norris, then east, on Highway 61). The last five miles, on Highway 61, in Union County, are curvy. It's far less curvy than the shorter route, mentioned in Tuesday's article. Having left the house, at 12:30 PM, we arrived at the park, at 1:13 PM.

The hike in and up, including four photographs, is followed by the hike out and down, with four photographs. The total time, hiking, was three hours and eight minutes, from 1:20 to 4:28 PM. I hiked at least 7.8 total miles. The weather was mostly sunny, with a light breeze. The temperature rose, from the mid 50's Fahrenheit, to the mid 60s. I'm glad that my upper layers were only a T-shirt and a short-sleeve shirt.

The Hike In & Up, with Four Photographs

After parking my truck, I started hiking in, at 1:20 PM, on the Lake Trail. (It begins, just off a paved road, behind the visitor center, and heads north.) I hiked the first six-tenths of a mile, which led to a foot bridge that spans a lake inlet. That segment was fairly easy, with gentle ups, downs, and curves. Much of the trail offers views of Norris Lake.

Having crossed the foot bridge, I turned left (or west), onto the Dark Hollow Trail West, for a two-mile hike. (From that trail intersection, the Lake Trail continues east, about 1.2 miles, and comes out, near the Group Camp, on a paved road.) The first part of the Dark Hollow Trail West winds northwest, offering views of Norris Lake. I met one couple, about my age, as they were hiking out. We conversed briefly and pleasantly. Later, the main part of the trail turns northeast, just below several ridge lines. The trail is fairly level. I stepped across a few narrow mountain streams.

On October 4, 2008, my wife, our niece (age 20, at the time), our niece's female friend, and I overnight camped, at a backwoods campsite, on the Dark Hollow Trail West. The next two photographs show that campsite. I found it. A foot bridge crosses a creek, just before the campsite.

I took the above photograph, looking northwest, at 2:11 PM. Two minutes later, the next photograph shows the campsite, from the opposite direction.

Back in 2008, we'd pitched two tents, behind that fire pit area. I'd fixed camp stew, as I call it. We ate well, and we enjoyed a wonderful camping experience! I wouldn't mind camping there again.

Shortly after taking the two previous photographs, I met a younger man, who was hiking out. We conversed briefly. I didn't meet any other hikers, during the rest of the hike.

Along the trail, I saw where a few homesteads had stood, a century or more ago. The rock foundations, of houses, were still visible. This trail is long but relatively easy. I enjoyed the few instances, where the uphill climb increased my heart rate a little! I saw some human and canine tracks, in the few muddy areas.

The last section of the trail is steeper, leading north and up the ridge. At 2:45 PM, I took the following photograph.

The two-mile Dark Hollow Trail West was behind and below me. I turned left, or northwest, to continue onto the Big Valley Trail, which is 0.45 miles long, at this segment. The trail is steeper, as it heads up, to the ridgeline. I enjoyed the workout!

Having reached the intersection, I turned left, continuing northwest, onto the Indian Rock Trail. It's a 2.4-mile loop trail. I hiked up the 1.3-mile west section, which turns northeast, to reach the ridge top. At 3:03 PM, I took the following photograph, while on that ridge top.

I enjoyed the view, of Norris Lake, in the background. Due to the time of day, I decided to hike down and out.

The Hike Out & Down, with Four Photographs

I hiked back down (southwest and south), on the same 1.3-mile section, of the Indian Rock Trail, and then the 0.45 segment, of the Big Valley Trail. I stayed on the Big Valley Trail and passed where it intersects, with the Dark Hollow Trail West (up which I'd hiked).

I took the following photograph, at 3:45 PM. I'd already hiked down the first, 0.75-mile segment, of the Big Valley Trail.

At that juncture, the trail intersects, with the 1.25-mile Ghost House Loop Trail. I didn't see or hear any ghosts, in that area! I only saw and stepped around a few muddy spots, on the trail. The smell of the nearby pine trees was pleasant.

Having hiked down the final 0.70 miles, of the Big Valley Trail, I took the following photograph, at 4:04 PM.

A paved park road, which isn't visible, is behind me. I'd returned to modern civilization. During my hike, I'd speculated how folks, who'd lived in the area, a century or so ago, must have lived. I wondered why they'd chosen such remote locations. Old cemeteries mark the passing, of some of those people.

After a brief visit, to an outdoor urinal (behind where a large pine tree had fallen), I took the next photograph, as proof of civilization, at 4:09 PM. The view looks southwest.

The mailbox is for the park ranger's house, which is up that paved driveway. The Norton Gristmill is visible, at the distance, in the left of the image.

Wanting a closer shot of that mill, I trekked the distance. Four minutes, after the previous image, I took the following close up photograph, of the mill.

This is a replica of the Norton Gristmill. As the 2/20/2024 article states, “The original mill was built in 1825 and operated until 1930, three years before TVA started construction, on the nearby Norris Dam.” Before taking the photograph, I asked a man, who had been standing at the entrance, if anyone was inside, selling corn meal. He laughed and said no.

I decided to hike, back to my truck, on the Old Mill Trail, which starts beside the mill. It's a 0.25-mile trail that winds below the paved road. Leaving that trail, I still had to walk past the cabins and the beach area, to reach my truck.

Conclusion

Just after my truck and I had crossed the Anderson County line, back into Knox County, the odometer reached 190,000 miles exactly! Arriving back home, at 5:27 PM, supper was almost ready. The smell of baked taters welcomed me, into the kitchen.

Early into the hike, I felt my “bionic” (surgically repaired) right foot, as it “talked to me.” I think that the left side of that foot, around the ankle, must be undergoing further recovery. Early this morning, once out of bed, standing, with that foot on the floor, was a “wonderful” experience. As the day continued, the repaired right foot step began to return to it's “normal.”

I'm thankful, to the Good Lord, that I am still able to hike. Hiking at least 7.8 miles, on five trails, was a real hike, at Big Ridge State Park!

Today, the clouds and strong wind should bring rain, sometime this evening. Yesterday, I'd noticed the light clouds forming and felt the light to moderate wind. I'd figured that rain was coming, in a day or two.

My feet still need to discover a few other trails, or sections of trails. Who wants to hike Big Ridge State Park, with me, the next time? I'm awaiting at least one reply.

Big Ridge State Park, 2-18-2024: a Walk Down Memory Lane (published 2-20-2024; article #456)

Preface

Greetings, to all national and international readers! To national readers, did you enjoy Presidents' Day, yesterday? George Washington, the first President of the United States, was born, on February 22, 1732. Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President, was born, on February 12, 1809. The celebration of their birthdays, close together, in February, was combined into Presidents' Day, in 1971, by the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, which established more three-day weekends, for American workers.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman didn't have to work, in her teaching profession, but she did work, by helping me, with chores, in the house and garage. She also helped detail our 2012 Sentra, after I'd returned, from a nearby car wash. At 4:30 PM, having endured a 30 minute wait, in the lobby, she had a six-month dental cleaning. The dentist's office doesn't need to overbook patients.

On Presidents' Day, ironically, a door-to-door campaigner visited. She was taking a political survey and advocating for Nikki Haley. She asked which candidate will get my vote, in the upcoming Presidential election. I assured her that the current President will not garner my vote, certainly. The former President, who has too much baggage, will not. Nikki Haley could win my vote, but polls don't seem to indicate that she has a chance, in the primary election, against the former President. I am frustrated, not undecided. I'll vote for myself, if I have to do so. As the article, of 1/26/2024, concluded, “Where is the truly Christian constitutional conservative, who can get my vote, in the next presidential election? Could someone please stand up!”

Don't you wish that a candidate, a true states person, in the tradition of Presidents Washington and Lincoln, would run for office? With apology for these personal and political sidetracks, let's walk down memory lane!

Introduction

On Sunday afternoon, my 2006 Frontier and I went to Big Ridge State Park, in Union County, Tennessee. I didn't take time, for a long hike, but I enjoyed a walk down memory lane, remembering my childhood, in Appalachia. (This article is the 28th entry, under the topic section “Appalachia - Northeast Tennessee,” and the 63rd, under the “hiking” topic section.)

Earlier this month, a young man, Jonah, with whom I've become acquainted recently, had told me that his brother and he planned to participate in an eleven-mile trail race, at the park. The race, hosted by the Knoxville Track Club, started, at 2 PM. I'd told Jonah that I planned to meet his brother and him, to talk a while and to encourage them, before the race started. I'd arrived about 20 minutes early. I looked for Jonah. He wasn't there. I, however, did enjoy watching several runners gather, at the starting line. The signal was given, and off they ran! Jonah and his brother must have changed their plans.

Update, 2/23/2024, Friday: Earlier today, I saw Jonah. His brother and he were there! He was looking for me. They were in the group of runners, who started on a grassy area, near the starting line. Previously, I had walked to that area, but the two men weren't there yet. Jonah told me that his brother and he finished the race. We both regretted that we'd missed each other.

Big Ridge State Park

Big Ridge State Park is a nice park, with magnificent scenery and several good trails. From the house, the shortest route (on Highway 33 north, to a left turn, onto Highway 61) is about 35 minutes. Nearing the park, on Highway 61, the road curves and winds up and down several hills. That's why I don't often hike, at Big Ridge State Park. The road is so curvy, at a couple of turns, that the rear end of my truck met the front end, as we turned! Hiking Big Ridge State Park is encouraged, just be aware of the curvy road that takes you there, if you drive in, from the east! From the house, a longer route, driving Highway 441 north, to Norris, then turning east, onto Highway 61, is less curvy, but it's about an extra 15-minute drive. You reach the park, driving from the west, and avoid the hairpin curves.

Opening and enlarging the “Park Map Brochure,” in a web browser, identifies the Norris Lake area, camping and boating areas, fishing, swimming, the hiking trails, and several other features. About fifteen miles, in eleven trails, which range from easy to rugged, provide good hiking options. Old cemeteries and remnants of old home sites are along some trails. Three, of the 50, campsites are for backwoods camping (with no water or electric hook ups).

A replica of the Norton Gristmill, once used for milling corn, is in the park. The original mill was built in 1825 and operated until 1930, three years before TVA started construction, on the nearby Norris Dam. A photograph of the gristmill, at a distance, is included, in the next section.

A Walk Down Memory Lane

I've been keeping a hiking log, since 4/23/2000. The hike, on Sunday afternoon, was my 244th, in total. It was only my fifth, at Big Ridge State Park. The four previous hikes were on 11/12/2005 (alone), 7/26/2008 (when my wife and our niece, age 20, at the time, joined me), 10/4/2008 (when my wife, our niece, our niece's female friend, and I overnight camped), and 1/5/2012.

I didn't realize, at the time, that I'd not hiked, at Big Ridge State Park, in just over twelve years! During the hike, in January, 2012, I'd found the cabin, which I'd recalled, from my childhood years. I photographed it. I also saw and photographed the deer that were grazing, nearby.

I didn't see any deer, on this hike, but I did find, again, the cabin, in which I'd stayed, back in the late 1960s. I'd taken the photograph, below, at 2:55 PM. The view looks southwest.

The cafetorium, in the distance, is being remodeled. Several cabins are behind me, and several are to the right (north) of and behind the cafetorium. During my grade school years -- in the late 1960s, or possibly in the early 1970s, before 1974 -- a group of us young'uns, boys and girls, from the West View Baptist Church, in Rogersville, Tennessee, attended a church camp, at this location.

I recalled fond memories, of that experience. Several godly adult counselors and the director oversaw our activities, which included meals, devotionals, singing, arts and crafts, skits, sports, and swimming. In an evening devotional, around a camp fire, we sang “Pass It On.” I'd not heard or sung the song before. A choral version is “Pass it On (It Only Takes a Spark), on Frederick Lau (YouTube), 11/12/2018. We sang a capella. The young boy that I was and the older man that I am now were and are inspired, by the deep meaning of the lyrics.

A minute later, I turned around and took the photograph, below. The view looks northeast.

The closest cabin, centered in the image, is the one, in which eight of us boys stayed, back in our grade school days. Several other cabins and a bathhouse are nearby. The cabins are being renovated. I smelled fresh paint. The doors and window screens were not replaced yet.

Shall we walk inside that cabin? Let's do! Walk along with me, as Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube) presents the third episode, under the “Appalachian Heritage” section, titled “Big Ridge State Park, 2-18-2024: a Walk Down Memory Lane (published 2-19-2024; episode 26).” Near the end, of the three-minute and thirty second video, I point out the bunk, where I'd slept. Competition for the cleanest cabin motivated us boys, to pull weeds and sweep grass and dirt, off the entrance steps! I remember it well.

After a fairly brief trek, I took the following two photographs, at 3:17 PM. The first image, facing northwest, shows a walking path sign, with trail directions and distances, the parking area, and my 2006 Frontier.

This was my new, ol' truck's first venture, into the park. He enjoyed the day, despite the hairpin curves.

The next photograph, looking southeast, shows, at a distance, the replica of the Norton Gristmill (mentioned in the previous section). After taking the photograph, I crossed the field, to the mill and walked inside.

I wondered what it was like, when the mill was still in operation, a hundred years ago. I imagined farmers, in their bib overalls, swapping tales, knives, and family stories. Several probably spit tobacco.

Conclusion

My truck and I may decide to take the longer route, to return to Big Ridge State Park! There are still trails to explore! I wonder if Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, our niece, any other family, or any friends will want to join us. An overnight backwoods camping experience would even be nice.

The lyrics, in verse two, of the song “Pass It On,” are:

What a wondrous time is spring,
When all the trees are budding.
The birds begin to sing;
The flowers start their blooming.
That's how it is with God's love,
Once you've experienced it.
You want to sing; it's fresh like spring;
You want to pass it on.

Signs of early spring are noticeable. The freshness of spring is coming. I hope, dear reader, that you know the freshness of God's love! I do. If you don't, then I want to pass it on! Please use the “Contact Form,” to email me, if you would like me to pass it on, to you.

Valentine's Day, Truck Visits Car: My Wife Was Surprised Too! (published 2-14-2024, article #455)

“Truck Visits Car” photograph by M. Fearghail on 2/14/2024 at 12:21 PM

Introduction

Happy Valentine's Day greetings, dear reader! Today's warm and sunny weather was excellent for a day trip! My 2006 Frontier wanted to visit Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's 2012 Sentra. I went along for the ride.

Welcome to the 120th article in the family topic section. Last Saturday's article concluded by stating:

By the way, I heard recently that, if you cook a raw, unpeeled potato with soup beans, the potato draws out what causes gas from eating soup beans. You throw away the potato afterward and by no means eat it. I may have to try that, unless my “long-suffering” wife decides to do so. I know how to cook soup beans.

In the freezer for well over a year have been an unopened bag and a half-empty bag of frozen breaded okra (or okry, as we say around here). In the pantry for about the same duration has been an unopened bag of soup beans (which some folks call pinto beans). I have been deviling my “long-suffering” wife about not fixing fried okry or soup beans in over a year.

Last Sunday for supper my wife made soup beans, mashed taters, and fried okry! Add a few slices of red onions and a glass of buttermilk. That has been my favorite meal since childhood. I was raised on soup beans and mashed taters. By the way, a raw, unpeeled potato cooked with the soup beans does draw out what causes gas!

I had to return the expression of love. My truck also wanted to visit our car.

Truck Visits Car

My truck hadn't been anywhere since last Thursday, when he took me to haul off garbage, give him a good handwashing, shop at the Tractor Supply, and fill his tank with gas. Today, he insisted on getting out of the “barn” (garage)!

My truck really wanted to go all the way to Sevierville, Tennessee, to see our car. He last visited her in Sevierville on 8/24/2023 (as the 8/25/2023 article recounts). More recently, he took my wife and me to that area last Christmas Eve (as mentioned in the 1/5/2024 article), when we had an enjoyable visit with family members who were vacationing in a cabin.

My truck and I left at about 10:40 AM and returned at about 1:30 PM. As the caption above states, I took the photograph at 12:21 PM. My 2006 Frontier had a good visit with our 2012 Sentra. Both vehicles appear to be smiling in the image. Don't you think so?

My Wife Was Surprised Too!

I had already made a stealth phone call to the secretary at the school where my wife teaches. My truck and I arrived at the school building just before noon.

Beforehand, I tried to find the florist shop, where I have ordered delivery flowers to my wife at her job over the years for Valentine's Day and our anniversary, but I never found it. The shop wasn't answering calls. They must have been busy, preparing and delivering several floral arrangements!

A local store offered better and tastier options! As noon was approaching, I bought my dear wife two boxes of SweeTARTS and two Hershey's chocolate bars. She can't eat roses, but she does enjoy those two types of sweets!

Arriving at the school building, I made another stealth phone call to the secretary, who planned to tell my wife that a visitor was awaiting her outside the front door. The new principal, however, met me and invited me into his office. Yes, I went to the principal's office!

He fetched my wife and brought her to me! I wish that I had a camera with me. Her surprised look is etched in my memory!

Conclusion

This article wishes a happy Valentine's Day to every reader. Personally, it's a happy Valentine's Day entry for my dear wife. Happy Valentine's Day, dear! Thanks for finally fixing soup beans and fried okry for supper last Sunday! This Valentine's Day is better than last year!

On Valentine's Day last year, my “long-suffering” wife drove me in our car for my “roto-rooter” appointment. The article from 2/15/2023 is about my Valentine's Day “Roto-Rooter.” The 8/15/2023 article placed that “roto-rooter” in my rearview mirror! Please pardon the pun!

Yesterday, the folks who “roto-rootered” me last year left a voicemail in an attempt to schedule an appointment. I did not and will not call them back. My exhaust system works quite well. No sale this year!

Memories: House Mountain Hike #78, on 2-6-2011, & Target Practice, on 2-7-2015 (published 2-10-2024; article #454)

Introduction

Greetings, dear reader. Thanks for stopping by. I trust that you are well. Around these parts, we are into our second day of rain. Temperatures have been seasonably mild or warm, since January 23rd, when our eight days of winter ended. (The 1/23/2024 article describes those eight days.)

This article remembers a hike, on House Mountain, and target practice, at the homeplace. It's included, under three topic sections: “family” (119th entry), “heritage” (100th entry), and “hiking” (62nd entry).

Visiting the homeplace, on Wednesday, 2/7/2024, inspired me to write. I didn't take any photographs, but I found all to be in sufficient order. The sunny and seasonably warm weather made an enjoyable day trip. I got to wondering what I'd done, without publishing any articles, about it, in Februaries gone by. I recalled at least two memorable experiences, about which I'd not written, before now. Here they are!

House Mountain Hike #78, on 2/6/2011

Thirteen years ago, on 2/6/2011, I was age 50, turning 51, in July. Our niece, the daughter of Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's younger sister, was age 23. On House Mountain, it was her eighth hike with me. It was my 78th hike. I reckon that, before or after the hike, I'd called my lifelong friend, Steve, to wish him a happy 51st birthday.

I wish that I'd published an article, about the hike. (The only article that I published, in February 2011, was "Norris Dam Park 2/26/2011 (published 2-27-2011)". It is about one of my two solo hikes, at the park, that month.) My hiking log indicates that three of us hiked together, on 2/6/2011. We hiked up the west trail, in 28 minutes, to reach the west bluff. We hiked across the ridge, heading east, to the middle bluffs and then to the east bluff. We must have hiked down and out, on the east trail. The weather was sunny. The temperature was about 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

The following photograph, the only one that was taken, shows our niece and me, standing at the lower middle bluff. The view looks north. The sun was setting, to the west, of course.

That's a nice view! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are quite proud of our niece, who is now 36 years young and doing very well. She and I still enjoy exchanging witticisms, to the chagrin of other family members.

You may be thinking, “Who was the third person? He or she must have taken the photograph!” The third person was Dr. Antonov! He and I had met, the month before, on 1/2/2011, while we were both hiking, on House Mountain. Dr. Antonov and I had hiked House Mountain together, on the Sunday afternoon, of 1/30/2011. So, this hike was his second with me (or me with him). Dr. Antonov's home country is Bulgaria. He's a few years older than me. At the time, he was living and working, in the Knoxville, Tennessee, area.

Dr. Antonov, my Bulgarian friend, has doctorate degrees, in both philosophy and nuclear physics. He is brilliantly eccentric. On House Mountain, he and I either hiked together or met each other, while hiking separately, on eleven total occasions.

Dr. Antonov and I last met, while hiking House Mountain, on the Sunday afternoon, of 12/3/2017. That was my 141st hike, on House Mountain, and my fifth hike there, since my near death experience, on 3/29/2016. (The article “I’m Still Alive - Why? (published 8/26/2016)” bemoans that day, which still lives in infamy.)

Dr. Antonov and I had met on the ridge trail. I was heading west, as he was hiking east. I remember the location well. Dr. Antonov hadn't known about the accident that almost killed me. I encapsulated the news. We talked. I agreed, to his request, to examine me. The ridge top examination, by this outstanding doctor of philosophy and nuclear physics, concluded that it would take about ten years, of ongoing recovery, before I wouldn't notice much difference. That examination formed the paradigm, for my ongoing recovery. Various medical doctors had already predicted certain limitations that I would have. By God's grace and my determination, I have overcome their preconceived limitations! This coming March the 29th will mark year eight, of my ongoing recovery. The several muscle groups, around my surgically repaired left shoulder, right knee, and right foot, still need fine tuning. I feel and move about, almost as well as I did, before the accident. I hope that, in another couple of years, I won't be able to notice much difference, especially in my right foot step. I want both feet to feel the same, while walking or hiking!

Sadly, I've lost contact with Dr. Antonov. He may have returned to Bulgaria. I will always be grateful, for his ridgeline examination! More precise that any medical doctor, his prognosis framed the patience that I still need, as I recover. I'll know, in a couple more years, how well that I will have recovered.

Target Practice, at the Homeplace, on 2/7/2015

As the “website archive” shows, I didn't publish any articles, in 2015. I could and should have. Either life, such as it was, was quite hectic, or I'd not been interesting in writing.

Stepping back nine years ago, I was age 54, turning 55 (the double nickel) in July. The date was Saturday, 2/7/2015. My 1995 Nissan pickup and I traveled to the homeplace. My youngest brother and I cleared some brush, and we cleared out, around a cherry tree, which was still standing, at the time. My brother had even climbed up that tree!

After we had cleared the brush, I fired 50 practice rounds, target shooting, with my Ruger .380 handgun. (The information is in my target shooting log, which I'd started, on 12/31/2010.) I don't think that I had my FNP 40-caliber pistol with me. The 4/13/2019 article explains how that Ruger was replaced. The 1/1/2011 article describes the New Year's Eve shooting, which started my target shooting log.

I'd taken the following photograph, at 5:51 PM, as the sun was setting. The location is the southeast corner of the property. The view looks east.

I have a good truck now, the 2006 Frontier. I miss that 1995 Nissan. He died, while saving my life, on 3/29/2016, when the uninsured 18-year-old failed to yield, to my right of way. I'd not yet taken down the target, which is visible, to the right. A fish pond, which is still stocked, is behind my truck, in the image.

My youngest brother left, before I target practiced. Later, I joined his family and him, for supper, at the Golden Dairy. It was a good day of family and heritage.

Conclusion

The Wednesday day trip, to the homeplace, inspired the recollection of a couple of memories, from Februaries gone by. I wish that I'd published timely articles, about both, back then. I've done so now.

As I close, my next to youngest brother, nine years younger than me, was born in February. Earlier today, he and I enjoyed a good, long phone conversation. He's doing as well as he can. My “adoptive brother-in-law,” Mike, passed, in February, seventeen years ago. The short story, of 8/5/2023, and the article, of 10/26/2023, include loving words about and conversation with Mike.

As daylight fades into dust, I'll close. It's almost suppertime. By the way, I heard recently that, if you cook a raw, unpeeled potato, with soup beans, the potato draws out what causes gas, from eating soup beans. You throw away the potato, afterward, and by no means eat it. I may have to try that, unless my “long-suffering” wife decides to do so. I know how to cook soup beans.

How to Stop Illegal Alien Invaders? Here's a Spam Email Analogy (published 1-26-2024; article #453)

“A group of people holding a banner: NoFrontex Demonstration 23. April 2022 Bern, Switzerland,” by Mortaza Shahed, on Unsplash, 4/23/2022. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Welcome to the 68th article in the topic section that I call Poly-Tics (Greek “πολλά,” many, + “ticks,” blood suckers). The previous 67 articles were four in 2006, two in 2009, two in 2013, five in 2020, thirty-two in 2021, seventeen in 2022, and five last year. I don't like writing these types of articles. At times, I feel the need to do so. This is one of those times.

As the above photograph proves, advocacy groups want no nations and no borders. John Lennon's 1971 hit song, “Imagine,” dreams of no countries. Such advocates imagine impractical fantasies, and their agenda promotes the nightmare of a godless, humanistic, and socialistic “utopia.” Their pipe dream worldview is not the biblical worldview. The majority of citizens in every nation, however, want secure borders. A nation, by definition, must have known and secure borders. Look on any world map.

Why is it so hard to stop the illegal invasion at the USA's southern border? I don't know, but I also do know. This article will explain by analogy.

I asked the previous question to the artificial intelligence entity known as Bing. Bing's answer, on 1/25/2024, was ambiguous, to say the least. Anyone with common sense knows the answer. Of course, that excludes the current executive branch of the federal government. The Biden administration lacks common sense, and, even worse, I suspect their pipe dream agenda. The conclusion will explain.

The Illegal Alien Invaders

This section is about two invasions. The first part highlights the well-known illegal alien invasion at the southern border of this once-great nation. The overwhelming invasion is ongoing.

The second part is about the illegal alien spam email invasion into my email software's inbox. That temporary invasion lasted from 10/27/2023 to 12/31/2023. The invasion, while aggravating, was short-lived.

The Ununited Socialist States of America (USSA) Southern Border

What southern border? A border is a boundary that establishes a limit. It is a barrier that blocks, intends to block, or governs entry. If the established requirements are met, a person is granted legal entry. Living in Russia from 1994 to 1999, my wife and I obtained new visas annually to continue our legal alien (expatriate) status in Russia.

This once great nation does not have a southern border. Various media outlets continue the storyline on a daily basis. One of countless sources is “America’s southern border has become a global crossroads,” The Economist, 1/18/2024. The article encapsulates well the invasion at the southern border, and it states, “America’s northern border has proved porous, too.”

Recent news has been focusing on the actions by the federal executive branch to prevent the state of Texas from securing its southern border. By a five-to-four margin, the so-called United States Supreme Court ruled in favor of the executive branch. Sources: Supreme Court of the United States, Docket 23A607, title “Department of Homeland Security, et al., Applicants v. Texas,” 1/22/2024 and “Supreme Court Allows Biden Admin to Remove Texas Border Wire,” The Daily Signal, by Katelynn Richardson, 1/22/2024. The second source states that the Supreme Court decision on 1/22/2024 by a five-to-four margin allowed the Biden administration's Border Patrol to remove the border wire, which Texas had set up to secure its southern border. Two so-called conservative members of the Court (Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Barrett) joined the three so-called liberal members of the Court (Justices Sotomayor, Kagan, and Jackson) to make the 5-4 decision. Justices Thomas, Alito, Gorsuch, and Kavanaugh opposed the decision.

Texas is trying to secure its southern border. The federal government is fighting Texas to keep the southern border open! The asinine absurdity of this astounds me!

Meanwhile, earlier today, I received the weekly email from US Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. The subject is “The Blackburn Report: Ending The VA's Prioritization Of Illegal Immigrants.” The first sentence states, “Over 1 million veterans are waiting for a claim to be processed, while taxpayers are shouldering $94.3 million in medical care for detained migrants.” The online article is “Blackburn To Biden’s VA: Putting Illegal Immigrants Above America’s Veterans Is Unacceptable.” Marsha Blackburn, US Senator, Tennessee, 1/17/2024.

Yes, up is down, and down is up, in this once-great nation! Why not prioritize medical care for illegal aliens while citizen veterans wait their turn? That seems fair and logical, only when pigs fly backwards, north, for the winter!

The overwhelming invasion is ongoing. It will not stop or be stopped soon.

My Email Border

I thought that my email border was secure, since only a few spam emails were trickling in at times. It was easy to block and deport the few.

An illegal alien spam email invasion, however, started on 10/27/2023. Multiple spam emails invaded daily, like illegal aliens invading the USSA (Ununited Socialist States of America) southern border. The daily total of invaders, often from the same domain, varied from none (very rare) to well over fifteen. On some days, over two dozen illegal invaders crossed my email border. The peak was on Sunday, 12/17/2023, when 53 spam invaders crossed the border illegally!

The aggravating email invasion was short-lived. I was determined to stop it and to secure my email border.

A Spam Email Analogy

In contrast to the USSA's southern border, I started building a strong spam email filter! The construction period was from 10/27/2023 to 12/31/2023, just over two months.

During that period, I blocked a total of 332 domains (which included an uncounted number of emails from each domain) and certain specific emails. Also, I reported several spam email domains to the proper online authorities.

Now, the strong spam filter blocks almost all the illegal alien emails from even crossing the border into my inbox. Any illegals that slip through go into the junk email folder, from which I deport them. I add those illegal domains or emails into the spam filter.

My determination to secure my email border continues. My email border is secure again. The spam filter is working. I strengthen it as needed.

Conclusion

So, why is it so hard to stop the illegal invasion at the USA's southern border? I don't know, in that this once-great nation has the personnel and equipment to do so. The border was being secured under the previous federal executive branch.

I do know, in that the current federal executive branch appears to be purposefully hapless. It does not demonstrate the desire to secure the border. It seems to accept and even encourage the human tragedy as collateral damage to advance its nightmare of a godless, humanistic, and socialistic “utopia.” Again, I say that pipe dream worldview is not the biblical worldview.

My spam email analogy explains how easy it could be to secure this once great nation's southern border. The will to do so is all that is needed. For a sampling of my previous public statements on this porous topic, please see the following three articles.

“'If I Were the Devil' – Inspired by Paul Harvey” (7/22/2022): The podcast transcript includes the following:

If I were the devil, I would open the border wider – for all illegals to cross. Bring in all, who yearn for handouts, bus rides, cell phones, and places to live! Bring in terrorists, stalkers, rapists, criminals, murderers!

Illegal Analogy: Recalling My 5-14-2006 Article and Reading It in Today's Podcast (8-5-2022): The article references the original article from 5/14/2006 and links to the 8/5/2022 podcast, in which I spoke my written words from almost 18 years ago now.

“Illegal Border Crossing: Molly is Guilty!” (10/22/2022): The argument by analogy includes the comment, “The socialists think that they are adding more socialist voters. They continue to transform this once-great nation into the Socialist Utopian Oblivion that they desire.”

Let's see if anyone can find out how many illegal aliens vote, illegally, in the next presidential election. Let's see how many mysteriously found and so-called votes appear out of nowhere and just in time to be counted to turn red states blue.

As a point of integrity, I do not support and do not plan to vote for Donald Trump in the next presidential election. He has too much baggage. I am a constitutional conservative with a biblical worldview. That makes me a fiscal conservative also. If such a candidate, as a true Christian, runs for president, he or she will have my vote. I plan, Lord willing, to vote, even if only for myself.

Where is the truly Christian constitutional conservative who can get my vote in the next presidential election? Could someone please stand up!

Eight Days of Winter (1/15-22/2024): Knox County, TN, & Moscow, Russia (published 1-23-2024; article #452)

Introduction

Welcome, dear reader, to a winter wonderland article! It's about our eight days of real winter. The article from Sunday, 1/14/2024, broke the weather alert news about the snow that was forecast the next day (Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day). The conclusion had encouraged calm before the snowstorm. The local weather forecasters were right that time.

This 101st article under the “life (such as it is)” topic section includes four photographs of snow. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's stealthy video clip on Tuesday is highlighted.

This article contrasts eight days of winter (January 15th to the 22nd) in Knox County, Tennessee, to Moscow, Russia. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I served as Christian missionaries in and around Moscow from 1994 to 1999. When northeast Tennessee gets a few days of winter, I remember the long, cold, and snowy Russian winters. To say that there is usually a stark contrast would be an understatement. Our eight days of winter, however, were similar to an entire Russian winter. We sampled a winter, to which Russians are accustomed all winter long.

The contrast is day by day. The Moscow, Russia, weather information is from Monthly Weather: Moscow, Russia, January 2024 (The Weather Channel). The Knox County, Tennessee, weather information is by yours truly. Two accurate thermometers (analog and digital) are located below the front porch ceiling. We still have the yardstick that we were given, when we lived in Charleston, Missouri (1986-1992).

Please remember that snow covers the Russian capital from early November to the end of April. Unpaved ground remains white about six months of the year. Snow drifts bury unused cars. Those cars reappear once the snow starts to melt. Accidentally stepping into a snowdrift can bury you knee-deep in snow. I know. I did so several times.

Monday, 1/15/2024, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Moscow: Morning low -14 degrees Celsius (C), daytime high -2C. That's a morning low of 6.8 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and a daytime high of 28.4F. It snowed on a cloudy day. An unknown depth of snow covered the ground.

Certainly, the main roads, streets, and sidewalks were being kept clear. Secondary roads, streets, and sidewalks crunch as vehicles or pedestrians travel them. I still enjoy hearing fresh snow crunch under my feet. I don't like to hear truck tires crunching through snow.

Here: Morning low 26F (-3.3C), daytime high 31F (-0.6C). On Sunday evening, about 8:30 PM, I was outside with Molly (our age 8 “puppy”). Molly enjoys sniffing and running in our one-acre yard before her bedtime. I'd seen and felt the light snow.

On Monday morning, we awakened to see the snow that had fallen during the night. Heavy snow continued to fall throughout the cloudy and foggy day. I took the two photographs below at 3:35 PM. I was on the landing just outside a basement door. Both views look southwest. The yardstick showed six inches of snow at that moment. Snow continued to fall well into the evening and during the night.

I'd crouched to take the photograph. Those are Molly's tracks. The next photograph shows the snow still coming down. I'd stood up to get a better image.

Molly enjoyed the day on the living room couch. My wife had a work holiday. I started working on this article.

Tuesday, 1/16/2024

Moscow: Morning low -3C (26.6F), daytime high -1C (30.2F). The day was cloudy with more snowfall. It was a seasonably warm day.

Here: Morning low 16F (-8.9C), daytime high 27F (-2.8C). The low and high temperatures here were colder than in Moscow. Morning clouds cleared to a mostly sunny afternoon.

I shoveled snow off the driveway for almost two hours (from 12:51 to 2:49 PM). I'd worn a T-shirt, sweatshirt, and light jacket (three layers) with gloves when I started. Minutes into the work, I took off the light jacket and gloves. I was too warm! Just over an hour into the job, I paused to take the photograph below at 1:55 PM.

The yardstick measured eight inches of snow. I took the next photograph at 3:09 PM, twenty minutes after I finished shoveling snow.

I decided not to shovel snow off the driveway behind our 2012 Nissan Sentra. I knew that my wife would have snow days off work all this week. She did. Our 2006 Nissan Frontier had a cleared path, if needed.

At 2 PM on the dot, my sneaky wife recorded a 59-second video clip of me shoveling snow! On Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube), the episode is "Shoveling Snow, 1-16-2024: Recorded, by Mrs. Appalachian Irishman (published 1-16-2024; episode 25).” Near the end of the clip, I looked, saw, and asked, “Are you recording me?” Answering “yes,” she signed off quickly!

Molly, our couch potato “puppy,” came outside for a while while I was shoveling snow. I need to buy another snow shovel. My wife could help shovel snow!

Wednesday, 1/17/2024

Moscow: The morning low and the daytime high were both -8C (17.6F). The weather was cloudy. Snow fell again.

Here: Morning low -3F (-19.4C), daytime high 32F (0C). The morning low was a bit colder than Moscow. The sky was mostly sunny. I managed to encourage Molly, our “couch potato puppy,” to get outside with me for a while. I wished that the roads to House Mountain were clear enough. In wisdom, I decided not to attempt a drive there for a snow hike.

Thursday, 1/18/2024

I remembered my maternal uncle, Robert (Bobby) Allen Wood (5/14/1939 - 1/18/1941), and my wife's paternal aunt, Mona Beckner (1/18/1922 - 4/18/2022). Uncle Bobby passed on this date in 1941. Aunt Mona was born on this date in 1922.

Moscow: Morning low -15C (5.0F), daytime high -8C (17.6F). The weather was still cloudy and snowy.

Here: Morning low 4F (-15.6C), daytime high 32F (0C). The morning low was slightly colder than Moscow. The sky was cloudy. The local weather forecast was calling for freezing rain or snow to start that evening. About 10 PM, I noticed that a light freezing rain was falling.

After the noon meal, I “hiked” from our house to the county road and back, speaking briefly with four neighbors. The round-trip distance is about eight-tenths of a mile. The subdivision road, slightly curvy and hilly, was solid snow and ice. The few vehicle tracks had compacted snow into ice. Reaching the more curvy and hilly county road, I saw that it was covered with snow, ice, and slush. I saw a few vehicles travel slowly up the road. I didn't see anyone come down it. That county road didn't appear to have any salt or brine treatment. Neighbors, who'd been out, told me that the nearby state road had been treated with salt and brine.

Back home, having taken off my boots, I saw that the hard scab on the heel of my “bionic” right foot had torn loose and bled into my sock. I had wondered why my right heel was hurting slightly every time that I took a step. I cleaned and bandaged the wound.

I think that my 2006 Frontier could have taken me to and from the grocery store. We have sufficient groceries. I didn't want to get slush and salt brine on my truck.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and Molly both enjoyed their mostly couch potato lives. I couldn't get either to walk the subdivision road with me.

Meanwhile, as a political aside, with the USSA (Ununited Socialist States of America) sinking in trillions of dollars of debt, the USSA Congress passed yet another temporary spending bill, funding the federal government until early March, to avoid yet another federal government shutdown. One source is “US Congress passes bill to avert government shutdown, sends it to Biden,” Reuters, by Richard Cowan & Makini Brice, 1/19/2024. When will the government of this once-great nation ever learn to live within its means? Don't hold your breath! Let's see what these borrow-and-spend debt addicts do in early March.

Friday, 1/19/2024

Moscow: Morning low -9C (15.8F), daytime high -4C (24.8F). The weather was cloudy and windy, but snow did not fall. Of course, layers of snow still covered the ground.

Here: The morning low and the daytime high were the same, 33F (0.6C). We awakened to see snow falling. The snow kept falling either lightly or heavily during the day. Thankfully, new accumulations of snow and ice on the shoveled driveway melted. By late afternoon, the clouds started to clear. The temperature started dropping late in the afternoon as usual.

Before taking my morning shower, I removed the bandage from my “bionic” right heel. Tape had stuck to the wound. Removing that caused the scab to bleed quite profusely. I splattered the bathroom floor with blood. Well, sir, that will teach me! I stopped the bleeding, took a shower, and bandaged the wound properly this time!

I didn't put on my boots to venture outside, since I didn't want to reinjure my heel. The postman didn't deliver any mail that day. I daydreamed about a snow hike!

My wife and Molly continued to enjoy their couch potato lives. Come on, y'all! Get out in the snow for a while! Neither my wife nor Molly has a damaged heel!

Meanwhile, on a point of morality, the fifty-first annual March for Life Rally from the National Mall to Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., was this afternoon. See “Celebrating the Sanctity of Human Life in the Nation’s Capital,” Liberty Counsel, 1/17/2024. The upcoming section on Monday, 1/22/2024, will include additional comments.

My youngest brother called. His family and he are coping well enough. He measured up to ten inches of snow.

Saturday, 1/20/2024

Moscow: Morning low -11C (12.2F), daytime high -4C (24.8F). On another cloudy day, an unknown amount of snow added a new layer. When we lived in Russia, I enjoyed new snow, since it covered the dirty snow layer. Snow, made dirty by foot traffic, looks like sand.

Here: Morning low 10F (-12.2C), daytime high 24F (-4.4C). Our morning low and daytime high were slightly colder than Moscow. The weather was sunny and breezy. Outdoors, the wind chill was noticeable.

While my “long-suffering” wife and Molly continued their couch potato lifestyles, my 2006 Frontier took me safely to and from the nearby grocery store. We were out of bread and low on other items. My wife didn't want to try to make homemade bread, using her bread machine. I checked out at 3:12 PM. The state highway was clear and dry. The county road in the shady areas was white. Our subdivision road was compacted snow and ice. Returning home, I had to guide my truck back down the steep bank, where the subdivision road meets the county road, about four times, before enough traction could get us over that bank.

Having unloaded the groceries, I shoveled snow from the walkway that leads to the front porch. I also shoveled some snow from behind where our 2012 Sentra is garaged. A heavier coat and a scarf around my neck were required to keep me warm enough.

My wife paused watching the countless women's college basketball games that were on television to put up the groceries. She also helped with a couple of loads of laundry.

Sunday, 1/21/2024

Most, if not all, churches in our area were closed due to the weather. Many churches, however, offer online services.

I remembered my “adoptive” mother, Ozella McTigue Scott (1/21/1930 - 4/26/2023), who was born on this day in 1930. The 8/5/2023 short story explains the family connection. I called and had a good phone conversation with my “adoptive” sister, Carol Sue. Southeast Missouri has been having a similar week of winter. The area didn't get as much snow, but the temperatures have been colder than here.

Moscow: Morning low -14C (6.8F), daytime high -10C (14.0F). The weather was mostly sunny with no snow! This was the first day in the eight-day period that the sun broke through the clouds.

Here: Morning low 0F (-17.7C), daytime high 31F (-0.5C). Our morning low was slightly colder than Moscow's, but our daytime high was much warmer.

Preparing to shower, I noticed that the scab on my “bionic” right heel had bled again. Yesterday, I bandaged the scab and wore two pair of socks, thinking that I'd protected my heel. Apparently, I didn't. I didn't want to aggravate my heel by putting on my boots and going outside.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and Molly both enjoyed their mostly couch potato lives. My wife focused on the countless women's college basketball games that were televised.

Monday, 1/22/2024

This day marked the 40th anniversary observance of the National Sanctity of Human Life Day, first declared by President Ronald Reagan on 1/22/1984. One source of several is “Sanctity of Human Life Day 2024: What Is It, Which Presidents Endorsed It,” Newsweek, by Kaitlin Lewis, 1/21/2024. As stated previously, the fifty-first annual March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C., was last Friday. The morally infamous 1/22/1973 Roe v. Wade decision by the U.S. “Supreme” Court was overturned, finally and thankfully, by the morally famous 6/24/2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision by the U.S. “Supreme” Court. The complete statement on my pro-life stand is in the article from 6/30/2022.

Moscow: Morning low -12C (10.4F), daytime high -4C (24.8F). The weather was mostly cloudy, but there was no snow.

Here: Morning low 10F (-12.2C), daytime high 45F (+7.2C). Our morning low was barely colder than Moscow's, but our eight days of winter were over.

In the afternoon, with the temperature comfortably above freezing, Molly got off the couch and remembered how to enjoy the cool and sunny weather outside! I shoveled the melting snow from the driveway behind where our car is garaged. My “brave” wife shoveled two scoops of snow. Later, she and I dusted, swept, and vacuumed. Yes, her county school employer called off school today, due to the morning cold and the roads, which were still snow-covered. She found out that she's off work tomorrow also.

Conclusion

Here, the typically warm and rainy winter weather pattern is returning. Today, Tuesday, 1/23/2023, our morning low was 28F (-2.2C). The daytime high reached 46F (+7.7C). The after-midnight low (for tomorrow morning) is predicted to be 37F (+2.7C). The clouds could bring rain most of this week. The 10-Day Weather: Knoxville, TN, as of 1/23/2024, 9:39 AM EST (The Weather Channel), shows the forecast from the remainder of today through Tuesday, 2/6/2024. That's actually 14 complete days. Two morning lows are predicted to be barely below freezing. Daytime highs could range from 44 to 62F (+6.6 to +16.6C). Rain is predicted on eight days. Light breezes are expected.

In Moscow, the typically cold, cloudy, and snowy weather pattern continues. On Tuesday, 1/23/2023, the morning low was -7C (19.4F). The daytime high was below freezing, as usual. Snow fell again. In Moscow, total January snowfall, so far, was 13.18 inches. In the last seven days, 6.09 inches of snow had fallen. The 10-Day Weather: Moscow, Russia, as of 1/23/2024, 5:57 PM MSK (The Weather Channel), actually forecasts 14 complete days from the rest of today through Tuesday, 2/6/2024. All morning lows will be well below freezing. Two daytime highs could reach freezing or just above. Snow is predicted on 12 days. Winds will be light to moderate.

During our years in Russia, I would tell folks, asking about Russian weather, that Moscow, Russia, shares about the same latitude as Juneau, Alaska. That's what a paper map, which I had at the time, showed me. GPS Coordinates show that Moscow's latitude (55.750541) is slightly lower than Juneau's latitude (58.30195). Well, I was about right.

For recent photographs of the current Russian winter, you might enjoy: “In Photos: Russians Grapple With Heating Losses Amid Subzero Temperatures,” The Moscow Times, 1/17/2024. The photographs remind me of Russia.

Do I miss the cold and snowy Russian winters? No, but I do remember them. Properly clothed and walking in certain areas, I saw many winter wonderland scenes. Traveling to and from Klin on an электричка (elektrichka, an electric commuter train) provided breathtaking views of the snowy countryside. The wagons were usually warm enough, as long as I didn't take off my heavy coat.

Did I adapt well to our eight days of Russian winter? Yes, quite well and easily. It brought back memories. The main problem, locally, was that Knox County doesn't have the personnel, equipment, and supplies to clear all the roads. State roads were cleared fairly early. County roads were like snowy ice skating rinks.

Today, I could have gone snow hiking on House Mountain. Instead, my wife, joining me bravely, and I hauled off the trash and recycling, and I filled up my truck with gas. Our eight days of Russian winter were over. Russians continue to enjoy and endure their winter season.