Translations

Saturday, July 13, 2019

CORN DOG! (published 7-13-2019)

On 7/8-14/2019, the new, improved, bigger, and better Gibbs Weigel’s is offering FREE corn dogs! We had received a flier in the mail with a coupon!


What else could an Appalachian Irishman do? About 12:30 PM, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, bravely, joined me, in the usual haul trash and get gas routine. However, this was a special day, as I was going to get me a FREE corn dog!
The storm clouds were showing. I hoped that we’d make it home, before the bottom dropped out of the clouds. Well, in typical Irish luck, after getting gas for my new ol' truck, we went inside, to get my FREE corn dog.

While inside, the bottom dropped! Noah would have been proud! It was a typical summer tropical down pour! After a few minutes of waiting, with conversation with a man about my same age or older, I said let’s get to the house!

Well, we both took a second shower for the day. Both of us were soaking wet. The rain cleaned out the inside of the cab, for my new ol' truck! Of course, I wiped out all the water, after I got my truck into the “barn” (i.e., garage)! I must respect my truck!

That was a lot of fun! At least I got a FREE corn dog!


Sunday, July 07, 2019

FERRELL HERITAGE: 1974 PHOTO TO 7-6-2019 PHOTO (published 7-7-2019; updated 11-10-2022)

1974

 

On a date, after June, in the summer of 1974, Mom, probably, took the above photo. The photo includes: Dad (lower left); his two sisters, Aunt Carrie Davis and Aunt Lula Absher (farthest on top right) – the eldest of all eight siblings; and four of his five brothers: Uncle Bill (lower right), Uncle Paul (upper left), Uncle George (center, standing), and Uncle Carson (lower center). Uncle Roy, who, with family, lived in Washington DC, was not present.

The photo is a duplicate of the original. I had duplicates made on 12/17/2002. As I recall, I gave the duplicates to my three brothers and to Dad, as Christmas gifts, on 12/25/2002. (Mom went to see Jesus, on 12/27/2000.)

The year 1974, in our new Caney Creek Road home, was a great life transition, for the Earl and Betty Ferrell family! Also, I started high school that fall. I have many memories at the old Walter Livesay home, just off “dead man’s curve” on old Highway 11W. I have many memories at our Caney Creek Road home, where the above photo was taken.

7/6/2019 (Saturday)

On Saturday, 7/6/2019, two of my three brothers had photos taken, on about the same spot, at the Caney Creek Road homeplace. The “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman took the above photo. I am the eldest of the four sons of Earl and Betty Ferrell. I’m standing on the right, wearing my House Mountain T-shirt! (Let’s hike!) My youngest brother, Doug (aka “Dougly Doright”), is in the middle. Clark (next to oldest, aka Clark “Kent”) is on the left. Arthur could not attend the gathering, due to car difficulties, as he claimed.

During the afternoon, we visited and ate outside on the front porch. A little pop up shower joined us a while. Doug and the youngsters played in the front yard. I picked up and piled branches. Everyone was in and out of the home often. Clark wanted to repeat the same photo location, with us four boys (minus Arthur). That was a grand idea, Clark! We all had a great time!


The above is an extra photo that I took! You can see Clark and Doug, two of my three brothers.

The other family are, from left to right: Shanna (Clark's younger daughter). Shanna enjoyed going through Mom’s recipe books. She found and kept her old letter to Santa. Clark's older daughter, Alisha Barnette, and family, could not attend.

Next is the “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. To my wife's left is Clark’s fourth wife (on Clark's right). On Clark's left is “Uncle” Skylar (Shanna’s son). Stacy – Doug’s wife, with Doug standing behind her – is next. Finally, Doug and Stacy's girls are Lillianna (the younger) then Ariel (first born).

The vehicle is Clark’s Nissan Pathfinder. The camera view is looking northeast. The ones in the photo are looking southwest.

Behind me (the photographer) and not in the image is the grapevine that still lives and produces grapes. The grapevine was a clipping from the grapevine that Granny and Papaw Wood had in their large back yard, at their home in Bean Station.

After Papaw died, in 1983, Granny began living with us. The grapevine continues.

Conclusion

I could write about many other family heritage memories, but it’s close to supper time. I hear Mrs. Appalachian Irishman finishing supper preparations. Let’s eat!

At this 7:03P, 7/7/2019, posting date, we have had supper (such as it was). Molly doggy is in. It's time to get ready to start another work week. Well, I had my one-day vacation this year, on Friday, 7/5/2019!

11/10/2022 Update

Today, 11/10/2022, website analytics showed that this article was viewed in the last 24 hours. Who viewed it? I don't know.

I updated the title and improved my grammar and style a little. By the way, happy birthday, today, Trina (our niece, daughter of “favorite” sister-in-law).


Sunday, June 30, 2019

WEIGEL’S TO “EXXOFF” TO WEIGEL’S, WITHIN LIFE CONTEXT (published 6-30-2019; updated 11-9-2022)

11/9/2022 Introduction

Early this morning, on 11/9/2022, website analytics showed that this article had one view, in the last 24 hours. Who viewed it? I don't know. I re-read what I'd published, on Sunday, 6/30/2019.

Today, I added this introduction. I also improved my grammar and style, in the body of the article. I'd written this article in a hurry. The article is on “life, such as it was” – from March to June of 2019 – written in the context of eleven gas fill-ups.

Ten Fill-Ups, in the Context of Life

On 3/28/2019, Thursday, as had been known a while, the Weigel’s in our “great metropolis” closed – to be destroyed and reborn as the new, improved, and larger Weigel’s – that stands there now, on the same spot. I was driving home from “the Hadean realm,” on an appropriately rainy day, to see the signs.

Well, that meant that the Appalachian Irishman had to get 100% gas – no 10% sugar for my new, ol' truck, just as it was with my dearly departed old, ol' truck – at the “Exxoff,” across the road, where their one 100% gas pump stands alone, on a corner.

You have to go in, state 100% gas fill-up, leave your credit card, fill up, return, pay, and then leave. So, for the following ten times, within the context of life, so noted, I “enjoyed” filling up at the Exxoff. All dates are Saturday, unless otherwise noted. My “bionic” right foot certainly did not like all the extra steps, on the asphalt and concrete.

(1) 3/30/2019, first tank: after my hike alone at Norris Dam State Park, I filled up for the first time. My “bionic” right foot is not bothered as much, on a hike in the woods – on natural soil. Asphalt and concrete are what aggravate my foot so harshly.

(2) 4/06/2019, second tank: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had out-patient, minor surgery, on Tuesday, 4/2/2019, to cut out a “lump of fat” (as I call it). The next day, I took another day off work, to tend to Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, who was doing very well. Also, I got an old tooth patch (from 2/24/2012, lower, left, front) – which had popped off – re-patched. Afterward the dentist, I hiked My Mountain (House Mountain) #158! On 4/6/2019, I got a haircut, went to the Tractor Supply, and got gas.

(3) 4/13/2019, third tank: see my 4/13/2019 post “4-13-2019: PAPAW FERRELL'S BIRTHDAY in 1880 & RUGER REPLACED” for other details. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was with me. Yep, I got gas also.

(4) 4/21/19 fourth tank, on Resurrection Sunday: my 4/21/2019 article, “Good Friday – Passover 4-19-2019,” details our 4/20/2019 visit with my family.

In the afternoon, on 4/21/2019, after visiting with the in-laws, I got gas alone.

A very friendly female employee, about my age, worked the gas purchase. She tried to “up sell” me a corn dog. I declined, politely. I’d told the in-laws, before leaving, that I needed to “hunt me a corn dog,” but I did eat a bite, before I left their house.

Then, the overly friendly female – on Resurrection Sunday, of all days – tried to “up sell” herself to me! She stated, with a smile and blink, “I can give you whatever you want!” That’s the first pass that any woman has given me, since I acquired bionic body parts, in 2016! That was just funny! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, however, was not amused, when I told her!

4/27/2019, note: I got 100% gas in west Morristown, after Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had a fine time with three good friends and the father of one good friend. By the way, that’s the day that I got a CD stuck in the CD player of my new, ol' truck. Anyone know how to get it out? I’ll pay money for actual help! Yes, it’s still stuck!

(5) 5/05/2019, Sunday, fifth tank: it was a rainy day and two days after the birthday anniversary of one of my good friends. I “love” to fill up the tank in the rain.

(6) 5/11/2019, sixth tank: I had conversed by phone with the man, whose son mows the yard at the homeplace. They're in business together. That was a fine conversation!

(7) 5/18/2019, seventh tank: two days before the fill-up, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I celebrated, in the context of routine work days, our thirty-third wedding anniversary at home. Aside from getting gas, on 5/18/2019, we also shop vacuumed the basement and tried to patch a leaking pipe.

(8) 5/25/2019, eighth tank: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was with me, for the fill-up, in hunt of the prior-stated female flirter! The flirter wasn't there. Before the fill-up, we'd seen a good neighbor and friend, in the ICU. We could only see him at a distance.

(9) 6/01/2019, ninth tank: this was the first day of summer! (I don’t care what anyone else says!) Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had a fine visit with our good neighbor and friend and his wife. He was still hospitalized but in a regular room. Several days later, however, he was able to return home, fully recovered!

Then, we got gas, and Mrs. Appalachian Irishman hunted for the flirter! The flirter was there, but Mrs. Appalachian Irishman didn’t spot her. I saw her. I kept my mouth shut! It was just funny!

I still haven’t told Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. I don’t want her to go to jail, for assaulting the flirter! (If she has read this article, she hasn't yet posted a comment!)

Afterward, we went to the IGA. I walked from the IGA to the nearby Dollar General, to get a new beard trimmer. My “bionic” right foot and knee took the pounding but “talked” to me.

(10) 6/09/19 tenth tank: see my 6/9/2019 article – “LIFE CHANGES – HUNT DOWN THE SOB!” – for more details. Today was the eleventh and final “Exxoff” 100% gas fill-up! Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was with me, after we had visited at her folks. The day was cooler, so she stayed in the truck. My flirter was there again! You should have come in the store with me, dear!

Conclusion

My “6/15/2019 GAS UPDATE!” article glorifies my first purchase of 100% gas at the new and improved Weigel's! On 6/29/2019, I filled up at the new store for the third time.

By the way, my flirter doesn’t work at the new Weigel’s!

Here's another point of humor. My desk calendar states that tomorrow (7/1/2019) is “Canada Day.” What the heck it that, and why is it on my “At-A-Glance” calendar?

Also, as a future reference – since only God knows the future, and he keeps the details secret – from 7/4/2019 to 7/7/2019, I have a four-day “retirement” plan. Let’s see what happens!


Saturday, June 29, 2019

JUST FOR FUN (published 6-29-2019)

On this, “it’s hot, it’s dang hot,” late Saturday afternoon, you have my post! Ain’t it great!

Today, I did the usual stuff: trash hauling, haircut (a week early), good truck wash, Tractor Supply, get gas, etc. It’s the “usual mundane whatever.”

In the mundane context, there are three points of humor. First, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I have the dubious “joy” of providing PRN doggy daycare, for daughter of sister-in-law’s “dogcat,” Pepper. She’s a little dog that acts more like a cat. That “dogcat” isn’t sleeping here over night again! The only time she did, on 3/22-23/2019, was far too traumatic for Molly (our fine, good, regular dog) and us!

Second, a good friend in Arkansas finally figured out that he should reply to my reply to his last e-mail. My reply was barely over a year ago. He’s figuring out the details. I won’t wait a year until I reply to him. It’s just funny! A year, as in a life, is just a blink of an eye anyway. No worries, my good friend!

Third, I sent an online message to a local radio show host, whom I do respect as a fellow Christian, regarding the name of his Sunday TV show. The name is “Anything is Possible.” For fun, I quibbled with him that the show should be named “Anything that is Possible is Possible,” since the logically impossible is not possible!

Oh, just do some research into the classic moral argument for the existence of the God of the Bible or into the atheist’s argument from the so-called problem of evil, which can be turned around on an atheist into an argument for the existence of the God of the Bible.

I would go into more theological and logical detail, but it’s about 5 PM. I’m hungry, and sister-in-law just now arrived to pick up “dogcat!”


Thursday, June 27, 2019

THE CHALLENGE STATUS UPDATE (published 6-27-2019)

This is a brief follow up to my 6/23/2019 article that mentioned “the challenge status,” of my interaction with a local atheist group. On 6/26/2019, Wednesday, the atheist show was again on the local TV channel. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, Molly, and I watched. (Molly wasn’t too interested). The usual boring dribble started.

I almost changed the channel. Just in time, a guy called in! He asked, regarding my 6/19/2019 call in to the show and my debate challenge.

The caller questioned the two atheists – the older man, with whom I’d talked on 6/23/2019, and a younger atheist. He wanted to know the status of my debate challenge.

I listened, in glee, as the older atheist squirmed and made various points of reply. It was grand to watch a caller wonder why the older atheist hasn’t taken the next step yet! The caller was my “devil’s advocate!”

Well, as of this article, I have had no further response from the older atheist. I doubt that I’ll receive one! Who knows? If my “bionic” body can endure the asphalt and concrete, I may surprise the atheists at their local, weekly gathering spot that I know.

My purpose will be to help the atheists toward theism, eventually, to bring them to salvation through Jesus, by God’s grace.

Let’s see what happens!


Sunday, June 23, 2019

THE CHALLENGE STATUS & AGE “6” BIRTHDAY SURPRISE! (published 6-23-2019)

The Challenge Status

6/19/2019, Wednesday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are home -- after my “rich, full” workday and after her final day of a two-day unpaid “training,” during her summer vacation from work.

We’re relaxing, with Molly on the couch between us. Channel surfing found the usual local access channel. The atheist show was on live this time!

Knowing me as I do, I had to call in, again. It’d been a few months since my last call in. I cut to the chase. I offered to engage them in a public, formal debate, with details to be of mutual agreement. Off the air, I swapped e-mail and phone numbers with the main atheist. To my surprise, he called about 9 PM, for about a 20-minute conversation. He seemed interested. He stated that he would post feedback requests from his group, on their websites (one on “Farcebook,” the other an actual site).

I expected to receive an e-mail from the man or, at least, to see where he’d posted his feedback requests on the websites. As of this entry, 6/23/2019, in the evening, I have had no further contact from the gentleman, nor have I seen any website postings.

We’ll see what happens!

Age “6” Birthday Surprise!

On 6/21/2019, Friday, the wife of a good friend, who is also a good friend, attained the age of “6.” (That was one day after my oldest sister-in-law attained Sammy Hagar age. Figure out the song!)

Well, today, we joined many others for a surprise age “6” birthday party for her! A fine time was had by all!

A person attains age “6” only once in a lifetime! Celebrate! We did! (Sorry, I didn't take any photographs.)


Sunday, June 16, 2019

HOUSE MOUNTAIN #159 ON GRANNY WOOD’S BIRTHDAY (published 6-16-2019)

On Granny Wood’s birthday anniversary (in 1901) and Father’s Day, I did House Mountain hike #159! (It was hike #23 with “bionic” body parts.) I told you that I would! Enjoy the photos. I didn’t take a photo, as usual, of my new ol' truck. I was distracted, on leaving, by a young man from Alaska. He was using my passenger side truck windows as a mirror, to do whatever he was doing, to get ready to hike. He was a nice young man. Alaska has winter. Russia has winter. I don’t recall, exactly, when we had a winter, a real winter, here!


It’s the usual west bluff photo, with my trusty canteen in the shot. I made the hike up in 33 minutes. Well, before the “bionic” body parts, on a warm day, 25 minutes would be okay. My usual time is about 30 minutes now, with “bionic” body parts. The heat and wiping sweat slowed me down a bit.


This is the middle bluff, looking west/northwest. You’ve seen similar photos before, as I have taken many. I had a good breeze to cool me off. This view is for you, Granny Wood!


I had hiked up the west trail, then across the ridge east, to the middle bluff. I decided to hike the reverse, coming out. The photo above is the same west trail bluff, where you saw my canteen before. I have to take a different route every now and then!


Saturday, June 15, 2019

6/15/2019 GAS UPDATE!

My one brain cell had a concussion, on 3/29/2016. That’s my excuse, at least, for writing this article!

The biggest news today is that the Weigel's Store in our thriving “metropolis” has been open since Wednesday! The old store was demolished, and a new, bigger, better store is now open.

I bought 100% gas for my new ol' truck today, for the first time since the old store closed and was replaced!

The across the way “Exxoff” won’t get anymore purchases of their 100% gas! The pump stands alone and is hard to get to. It’s progress for our little “metropolis!” (I found the photo, from their website, taken on 6/4/2019, while work was still in progress.)

 

6/15/2019 UPDATE - Life, “Such As It Is,” in Family Heritage

6/10/2019, Monday

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman is the eldest of three sisters. On this date, my middle sister-in-law found Sun Drop in 12-ounce cans, in 24-can sleeves, at “Food Crappy!” (They have “value every day” there, according to their too frequent commercials.) The local IGA had been stocking them, but quit, despite my complaint. Okay, so “Food Crappy” is the place to get Sun Drop again! I drink a Sun Drop, about every other week or so! I now have two 24-can sleeves of Sun Drop! That should last me several months!

6/11/2019, Tuesday

My paternal grandmother, Granny Ferrell, passed on to the next life, on this date, in 1971, after her husband, Papaw Ferrell, had passed, on 11/21/1970. I remember.

6/12/2019, Wednesday

The eldest daughter of my youngest brother and his wife became a teenager, at age 13! They, all four, including their younger daughter, celebrated a few days at the beach! Good! They needed some fun family time! (Oh, the SOB is still not found – yet. See my 6/9/2019 article.)

I am the oldest of four brothers. On this same date, my second oldest brother sustained an injury at home. He’s alive. He is, at least at this entry, still in the hospital, but he may get out tomorrow, on Father’s Day. That’s good. I'm glad that it wasn't a more serious injury.

6/16/2019, Sunday, Tomorrow

My maternal grandmother, Granny Wood, was born on 6/16/1901. One could not have had a better grandmother! On 8/12/1991, she joined Papaw Wood, who had preceded her, on 3/14/1983. I conducted Granny Wood's funeral and graveside services. Papaw Wood, was born on 9/4/1901. I remember all the family jokes, about how Papaw married an older woman! (Mom and Dad were married on 9/3/1959, one day before Papaw attained age 58.)

On 6/16/2016, I took my first steps (3 only), on a rolling walker, after having recovered well enough to do so, from the “multi-trauma” injuries that I sustained, on 3/29/2016.

On 6/16/2018, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I purchased mulch and other items, at a nearby mega store. I enjoyed using my slowly recovering right foot, right knee, and left shoulder, to move and carry the mulch!

June 16, 2019, is Father’s Day and the anniversary of Granny Wood's birth. If I have power in my body, you will see what I do tomorrow, with photographs!

Sunday, June 09, 2019

LIFE CHANGES – HUNT DOWN THE SOB! (published 6-9-2019)

BACKLOG UPDATE

I didn’t mention this before. On 5/19/2019, Sunday afternoon, the “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, her two sisters, our niece, and I ate dinner (or lunch, as the Yankees call it) at “O’Chuck’s.” It was for our 33rd wedding anniversary, on 5/16/2019, which was a workday for us.

Just after we had left the house, for our anniversary dinner, a fine neighbor -- male, age 70, and in good shape -- had a major heart attack, with no prior symptoms! He lived, thankfully. He returned home from the hospital, on 6/2/2019, with no surgery or permanent heart damage! He’s still around! Thanks, Lord, for sparing our good neighbor!

On 5/27/2019, Memorial Day, Monday, I called a fine Hawkins County neighbor, also age 70. He’s facing an upcoming, on 6/17/2019, surgery that should correct his problem. May it be so, Good Lord!

Later, on Memorial Day, I called my youngest brother. He was sickly. The next Saturday, 6/1/2019, I called him again. He had, and is still dealing with, double pneumonia! He still had a 101.9 degree fever! He’s endured all the missed work and doctor appointment “fun.” He's getting better. Please help him recover fully, Lord!

HUNT DOWN THE SOB!

 
6/2/2019 photograph, by my sister-in-law, of the white Ford POS, after the SOB hit the blue vehicle, in which my family were riding.

After I'd published the article of 6/2/2019, later that afternoon, my youngest brother’s wife and their two daughters were almost home from an errand. My youngest brother was still recovering at home. A SOB (not a swell ol' boy) -- tall, thin, white, short-haired, male (not a man) -- driving a white Ford POS (piece of stuff) -- was in their northbound lane, at an “S” curve. The SOB hit them head on! Airbags deployed. Thankfully, the three family members sustained only relatively minor airbag injuries. The SOB got out of the Ford POS and took off running, to hide. He’s not been found yet! The highway patrol, hopefully, is still trying to find him. The car that he was driving belonged to someone else.

The Morristown Citizens Tribune newspaper and the WCYB Bristol, Virginia, TV station had articles on their websites. The Rogersville Review, as of this date, has no article yet. Way to go, hometown newspaper!

This article is my online way of getting out the word! Look for the SOB, as described above! If you see him, please call the highway patrol or 911!

The SOB should be in jail! I have no forgiveness. The Good Lord has no forgiveness. The SOB could be forgiven, by all -- if he would man up, turn himself in, ask for forgiveness, pay his fines, and serve his time in jail! He may have gotten away with his “hit and run,” literally running off on foot, if law enforcement can't find him. He will not be able to hide from God, at the final judgment!

Conclusion

Ok, I’m done. Good evening, y'all. Life rolls on, such as it is.

I had to get this off my chest and in writing. Yes, I am righteously indignant. There is no sin in righteous indignation.

God, I'm sorry for using “SOB” and “POS!” Thank you for forgiving me.


Sunday, June 02, 2019

6-2-2019: FROM USA TO RUSSIA TO FIJI

This is another article that I'd written yesterday. I'm publishing it today.

I think the year was 1998. The “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I were in our 5-year (1994 – 1999) mission work in Russia. While in the USA, on our annual Christmas time visit, we had met the new preacher and his family in my hometown. The daughter took an interest in being a mission intern with us. Other college students and she became summer mission interns. A young man and she “dell in fove,” as Archie Campbell would say, during their time with us in Russia. Well, the two married. They did a bit more mission work in Russia, but they ended up as missionaries in Fiji, where they, with their four sons, still serve today.

On 5/18/2019, her husband e-mailed several, including us, that his father-in-law had passed on to a better world. After a few e-mails back and forth, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman called the daughter, whose father had died. I also talked with this now fine adult, wife, mother, and missionary. Just over two decades have passed. Connection, by e-mail, has been in place, on and off, all these years. It was good to connect by phone, while she is still in the USA. She is heading back to Fiji soon.

At some point, may it be soon, Lord, there will be no sorrow, loss, or separation. Won’t that be grand?


Saturday, June 01, 2019

6-1-2019: LIFE, SUCH AS IT IS, UPDATE

Well, 6/1/2019 is the official start of summer; even though, it’s been hot, dang hot, since 5/19/2019. I follow the Russian way of counting summer starting on 6/1/2019.


First photo: 5/5/2019, Stacy – sister-in-law; wife of Doug, my youngest brother, and fourth son of Earl and Betty (Wood) Ferrell – took a photo of new flowers on Mom and Dad’s gravesite. Good!


Second photo: Ariel Ferrell, oldest daughter of my youngest brother, and his wife, is in this photo of a good middle school basketball team! Urah! Great job!


Third photo: this is my bathroom. The Timex travel clock is the black item on the right. I replaced the AAA battery, to keep it running, on 5/28/2019! It had been so long, for a new battery, that I had figured that I “might as well get a new travel clock!” New battery is installed. The clock still works! Timex takes a lickin’ but keeps on tickin’, like me!

Oh, the other stuff are two of three radios. I can switch between news/talk, classic Rock, and supposed to be classic Rock (with dreaded Disco sometimes), while getting cleaned up, in the morning, for the work-a-day world. The other stuff is Mrs. Appalachian Irishman’s beach or candle stuff that I allow in my bathroom.


Final photo, on 5/30/19, Thursday: this is an example of one of many “fly killin’s” that I’ve done over the decades! That fly is a goner! I remember, over a decade ago, having a “fly killin’” contest with my youngest brother, at the homeplace. I killed 22 flies in one day! I think that was the record!

We go through life the best that we can. I’m still here. My permanent, much better, home awaits me. “Git ‘r done!”


Sunday, April 21, 2019

Good Friday – Passover 4-19-2019

Good Friday was on 4/19/2019. As it happens at times, the date was also the first day of Passover. (See my 4/13/2019 article.)

Well, 4/19/2019 was rainy and windy, so, in wisdom, I did not go to the homeplace, to fire live rounds for target shooting.

Instead, yesterday, 4/20/2019, the “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I drove to the home of my youngest brother and family (wife and two daughters), in Rogersville. The four female folk did female folk things.

Doug and I, in his new-to-him Nissan Frontier, went to the homeplace. The weather was cloudy, windy, and off and on rainy, but not as bad as the day before. We stood back upright Granny Wood’s grapevine support that had fallen a few months ago. The grapevine is still living. Doug planted flowers in the flowerbed, near the front porch, in memory of Granny Wood and Mom.

Afterward, as a light rain began to fall, we both did a little target shooting! (That morning, I had predicted that rain would fall as we started to shoot.) I shot my new, replacement Ruger LCP for the first time. We only fired a few rounds, but we shot well. I shot better than I thought that I would, after my over three-year “sabbatical” from target shooting!

Unfortunately, I forget to take any photos. The photos are in my mind. It was a fine day.

I have checked off another goal. I have replaced my Ruger LCP and gone target shooting again! A next goal is to be able to run as I once did, before having the surgically installed metal in my left shoulder, right knee, and right foot. Lord willing, by my shear determination, I WILL do that one day!


Saturday, April 13, 2019

4-13-2019: PAPAW FERRELL'S BIRTHDAY in 1880 & RUGER REPLACED

On 4/13/1880, my paternal grandfather, Marion Ferrell, was born. I wear his first name with honor, knowing the Irish meaning. The Gaelic is Merrion, which means “brave man.”

On 4/13/2019, I – his grandson, first son of his youngest son, my father, Earl Ferrell – purchased a Ruger 380 pocket pistol. (The “long-suffering” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was with me.) The purchase was to replace the Ruger that I had bought on 7/28/2012.

On 3/29/2016, the TN Highway Patrol held that first pistol, for safe keeping, at their Knoxville location – due to the 18-year-old, uninsured female, who failed to yield to my right of way and almost killed me on that date.

The TN Highway Patrol called me a few times, to remind me that my old Ruger LCP 380 was at their Knoxville location – for me to re-acquire at any time that I wished to do so, up to one year. After one year, the TN Highway Patrol stated that they would destroy my old Ruger.

In early March of 2017, a TN Highway Patrol officer had called me and stated that they would be glad to hold my old Ruger, even over a year, if I wished to call them, before 3/29/2017, to make the proper arrangements. I thanked the very kind and understanding officer for her time. I never called to extend the pick up, due to all the “fun” in life. I had assumed that the TN Highway Patrol had destroyed my old Ruger. Later, I learned that my old Ruger may have become a backup weapon for an officer.

The last time that I had “pulled a trigger” was on 3/25/2016, Good Friday. I was at the homeplace. Steve (a lifelong friend), Monnie (neighbor), and I did some target shooting. We had a great day!

Good Friday is on 4/19/2019. What do you think that I plan to do, for the first time, since 3/25/2016?

Enjoy the photo of my purchase today!


Thursday, March 21, 2019

HOUSE MT. #156, Saint Patrick's Day: 7 Humans and 3 Dogs! (published 3-21-2019; updated 7-21-2022)

Introduction

Well, well, my last article was on 6/14/2017. My how life goes by! Here I sit, plunking away again, finally, on 3/21/2019. Earlier today, my “long-suffering” wife had a medical appointment. It was for a minor problem that is resolved, thankfully. Both of us have a day off work. That's good! It gives me time to write.

My 6/14/2017 article was about my 5/14/2017 Mother’s Day hike on House Mountain (hike #138). As of Sunday, March 17, 2019, St. Patrick’s Day, I have hiked House Mountain 156 times. That is 20 hikes, so far, since I acquired my surgically installed “bionics” – metal pins and screws, in left shoulder, right knee, and right foot!

(I had to pause writing for a few minutes. About 3:30 PM, my “long-suffering” wife came back from visiting her folks, who live about 3.5 miles away. I'm back now!)

House Mountain #156

The following two photographs are from House Mountain hike #156, on 3/17/2019, St. Patrick’s Day Sunday! This was the first time that I have had seven humans plus three dogs hiking with me! The seven humans were my youngest brother, his wife, and their two daughters; our niece; and my wife and me. The three dogs were Molly (our doggy), my brother’s dog, and our niece’s dog. Enjoy the photographs!

By the way, life rolls on, day by day!

Dear Lord, let me die soon and easy, to go Home! My “bionic” joints are aggravating me too much!

What, Lord? Not yet?

Okay. Whatever.

I'll continue to endure my ongoing recovery. Hiking helps.

The photograph below is near the west bluff. Five humans and two dogs made it that far! (My wife, our niece, and our niece’s dog turned back at the first of the six switchbacks on the hike up.) By the way, a goat was on the bluff, as we came near it, on the hike up. My youngest brother, in manful form, chased off the “dangerous” goat!

 

The photograph below is at the parking lot – after the complete hike, by five humans plus two dogs! I see two Nissan Frontier trucks! Mine is the 2006, behind Molly and the information sign. My youngest brother’s is the 2017, on the left side, with tailgate showing.

Conclusion

We “rock ‘n roll” through life, by God’s grace, if He cares! Well, He does care. Sadly, God's providence allows bad things to happen to good people.

If the uninsured chicklet had been a few seconds faster or slower, on 3/29/2016, then she would not have hit my 1995 Nissan pickup and me. Providence allowed the event.

I get mad, at times. I think, “God, if you care, why didn't you prevent the uninsured chicklet from killing my truck and almost killing me? A few seconds earlier or later would have helped!”

God allows bad things to happen to good people, in this temporal realm. He knows that the good folks, who are saved by his grace, will have joy, in heaven, our everlasting home. I continue to endure, with that thought in mind. Hiking helps – especially with family, on St. Patrick's Day!