Sunday, July 12, 2020
INDEPENDENCE DAY, SISTER’S CALL, MYOPIC INSANITY, HAIRCUTS (published 7-12-2020)
Friday, July 03, 2020
INDEPENDENCE DAY EVE MUSINGS (published 7/3/2020)
Well, good evening, y’all! Today is Independence Day Eve. Well, we used to have freedom and independence, based on the Constitution, which is derived from a person’s God given rights. I’m not feeling very independent this evening. Are you? Strike that! I AM a free man, in my soul, by the freedom God gave me, as a man created in His image. We all are, male and female. I STAND, therefore, as a free man, in a once free nation.
Today, on Independence Day Eve, the Knox County Board of Health, effective 7/3/2020, REQUIRES face masks. I was one of the violators today, while hauling trash and getting gas. I was in the MAJORITY. In fact, I did NOT see even one person wearing a mask. I saw many at both locations, especially going in and out at the gas station convenience store. To be “fair and balanced,” Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, who did the grocery shopping, stated that the majority wore masks, including her.
I’ll sidetrack a little now. I hear the slippery slope argument in the minds of readers, who do not agree with me. They have rebuttals, such as, “The government requires vehicle child restraints, seat belts, hands free use of phones, speed limits, firearm carry permits, zoning regulations, permits of many types, etc.” I would add, “Etc., etc., ad nauseam.” That’s the slippery slope, as readers who agree with me see. Shall we slide further down the slope? Many Americans are NOT taking care of their health. Many do not exercise much or at all. Many over eat. The slippery slope logic concludes that government, to protect us “poor idiots,” MUST MANDATE exercise and proper diets, with monetary penalty and/or confinement, in a diet and exercise facility, for violators. Why not? Slip down that slope all the way! Many laws and regulations exist, because folks do NOT have enough common sense to do what’s right. (No, the wearing or not wearing of a mask is neither right nor wrong morally. It is a subjective choice. Don’t try that “protect others” argument, to try to bully me. I can rebut it very easily.) Many, in this once great nation, are losing their common sense at an astonishing rate, if they ever had it. Worse yet, many are losing their sense of morality, if they ever had it.
I will NOT debate the so-called science that argues with itself, on the benefit or lack of benefit, regarding wearing a mask in public areas. Yes, medical folks wear masks for many reasons. I’m glad that the skilled surgeon who repaired my three smashed joints wore a mask when he pieced me back together. Science has merged with politics, however. I read so-called scientific “experts,” on both sides of the mask, who “reason from science” that masks benefit or don’t benefit, in the context of this new cold virus.
Even Dr. Fauci has spoken out of both sides of his mouth on the subject. I mentioned this in my article of 5/15/2020. That article references “Tucker Carlson: We Didn't Appoint Fauci Dictator During This Crisis,” on RealClear Politics, by Tim Hains, 5/13/2020. In that audio-video and transcript, Tucker Carlson presented two segments. In the first, Dr. Fauci encouraged mask wearing (at 4:59 into the audio-video). Two months beforehand, Dr. Fauci had discouraged mask wearing (at 5:40 in the audio-video). Of course, the propaganda machine is winning the mask wearing war.
Also, I will NOT comment further on Corona Myopia. I’ve moved on. Most of my articles, from 4/19/2020 to 5/24/2020 were on the topic. I, however, can’t help but take a parting shot! Tennessee total 2020 COVID-19 deaths to this 7/3/2020 entry are 620. Tennessee total 2020 traffic deaths to this same entry date are 507. (Note: the numbers are from TN COVID-19 Dashboard, as of this date.) I know it is apples to oranges, but it still makes a point. Where is the daily obsession by the politicians and in the media on the daily traffic accident numbers, number of traffic accident recoveries, and number of traffic fatalities? I have moved on, as well as I can, from the Corona Myopia Obsession, which is the laser focus of politicians and the media (which includes social media).
Let’s track back to the main point. There are nine Knox County Board of Health Members. The Knox County Board of Health Members are NOT elected officials. The Knox County District Advisory Council (DAC), whatever that is, appoints six members. The Mount Vernon City Council, of which I’ve never heard until today, appoints the other three members. Board members have five-year terms. They have no term limits.
Taxation (i.e., the 7/3/2020 mask wearing law by unelected bureaucrats) without representation (i.e., our ability to elect those bureaucrats) is tyranny. Do you remember any similar history? I will NOT allow bureaucrats, who were NOT elected, to impose their TYRANNY on me! DON’T TREAD ON ME.
It’s suppertime, as per Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. Let’s eat, in a healthy manner, with proper portions! I’ll do my usual stretching and muscle exercises after supper.
Postscript: I had finished this article just before suppertime. My youngest brother, his wife, and their two daughters made a short-notice, surprise visit after supper. Well, that was a pleasant surprise! So, approaching bedtime, I’m posting this article now. Good night, y’all!
Wednesday, June 24, 2020
NORRIS, “FAVORITE” SISTER-IN-LAW, & FATHER’S DAY (published 6-24-2020; updated 9/25/2022)
9/25/2022: updated for style only. My words remain the same.
Introduction
On 6/21/2020, Father’s Day and “favorite” sister-in-law’s birthday, I hiked Norris for the 21st time. This was also my total hike number 221 (since I started my hiking log, on 04/23/2000). So, as I joked, “favorite” sister-in-law was “21” on 6/21/2020!
“A Day on the Lake”
My Father's Day gift to father-in-law and birthday gift to “favorite” sister-in-law was “a day on the lake,” via this photo.
The above photograph is early afternoon, looking west, on the lower River Bluff trail. Norris Dam is to the left or north, behind me. The trail is a 3.2-mile loop. I'd taken the lower, left side loop that goes south to start.
The above photograph is after I'd finished the lower left loop, then hiked up the ridge, and then hiked across, heading north, just under the ridge line. I came out where I went in. The above photo is the start of the loop. Coming into the loop, your choice is left or right. I'd chosen left first and came out right.
Isn’t that like life? We all chose left (i.e., to sin). Then, some chose right (i.e., to accept the Good Lord’s free gift offer, through His Son, our Savior.) Those who chose right, in the end, come out right.
As a side note, coming out, the clouds arrived and the thunder started. The rain arrived at my father-in-law’s house, after I’d been there a while, for “favorite” sister-in-law’s birthday and father-in-law’s day activities. Fleetwood Mac was wrong. Thunder doesn’t only happen when it’s raining. Their song is still great, however!
There he is! My new, ol' truck didn’t get a country boy washing, by the rain that came, until he was in the driveway at my in-laws’ house!
Conclusion
Well, Father’s Day was Sunday. I have a good father-in-law, who is still here. Dad used to ask, “you boys ready to eat?” That was when he was still alive, but Mom was already Home. He was here without her from 12/27/2000 to 1/25/2008. He liked to make dinner and/or supper for us when we were with him, at the homeplace. He turned into a good cook, after Mom went Home!
Supper was fine, on Sunday, Dad! I miss you. I’ll see you again.
AGE 14 JEANS, FLAG DAY, 6-16-2020, GNATS (published 6-24-2020)
Saturday, June 13, 2020
UPDATE: THE NOMINAL, FINAL (12th) MASSAGE, NORRIS #20, AGE 14, CONCLUSION (published 6-13-2020)
Introduction
Well, howdy, to all my readers in “Interweb” land!
I started writing on 6/9/2020 – which was a work-at-home day. For an unknown reason, my employer thinks that it’s reasonable for me to do the EXACT SAME work at home one week, then at the office the next week, in weekly rotation.
On 6/13/2020, Saturday, I’m getting around to finishing what I started. Always finish what you start, if it’s good.
The Nominal (in the Everlasting Perspective)
Since my 5/25/2020, Monday, Memorial Day, post, a few nominal (in the everlasting perspective) events have happened. On 5/26/2020, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and “favorite” sister-in-law drove, in our car, to/from their job (teaching), to do something. The school system has been COVID-19 closed, since March 16, 2020. Both are on summer break, as of 6/1/2020.
Also, on 5/26/2020, our COVID-19 “Stimulus Check,” from “Uncle,” arrived finally. The USA money was borrowed, probably, from China -- the nation that started the COVID-19 insanity.
On 6/1/2020, Monday, summer began! (I’ve told y’all a few times now.) 6/1/2020 was also my drive to/from office week. Apparently, the bureaucratic powers have decided that I will work at office one week and then work at home the next week, in weekly rotation. It’s insanity, of course! It’s easier for me to walk five seconds from the master bedroom to my home office, than to drive 16.4 miles, one way, to do the EXACT SAME job, at the office.
6/3/2020, Wednesday, involved (a) Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had her most recent medical appointment, for a relatively minor health problem. She’ll be fine. No, it’s NOT the new cold virus! (b) “Uncle” Skylar attained the grand age of 12. I called. We talked. He’s a fine young man, who is coming along nicely! I’m proud of you, “Uncle” Skylar! (This “Uncle” Skylar note is NOT nominal! He and this note are IMPORTANT! The placement happened to be here, in the context of my date of writing.)
Oh, by the way, on 6/6/2020 – the 76th anniversary of D-Day – I also got another COVID-19 compliant haircut! I’d called my barber earlier that morning, to set a COVID-19 compliant appointment. My barber can’t yet return to being a free barber, in a free nation, by taking walk-ins, as had been usual. Of course, I had a fine haircut. Afterward, I bought Molly (our doggy) some treats, at the Tractor Supply. I saw one person wearing a mask, amongst the several who where there.
As a final side note, this nation has gone insane again. A white police officer is facing justice for killing a black man, whom he had placed in a very bad type of choke hold that, apparently, killed the black man. The “Interweb” and “Farcebook” are rife with stories and comments. The various TV channels are covered with this now, instead of the new cold virus stuff.
Protests, in a civilized fashion, are valid, by our God-given rights – as affirmed, but not given, in the constitution. Rioting and looting, however, are NOT valid. It will all stop – eventually. The white police officer and the other officers involved are facing judgment. I hope that they, and the black man who was killed, are, or were, ready for everlasting judgment. That’s the BIG PICTURE, y’all!
Final (12th) Massage
On Sunday, 6/7/2020, I had my final (12th) deep tissue massage. That finished my one-year agreement. The massage was good, as usual. I can get along without them. If the massage management has sense, they will agree to my offer to set up eight-week, instead of four-week, massages, where I pay on the massage date and not in advance.
By the way, my every-four-week massages had been on Saturdays usually. I had to set a Sunday appointment, since the one who has done most of the massages wasn’t available the day before, which was the 76th anniversary of D-Day.
Norris #20
I told y’all! Norris Dam State Park hike #20 is in my hiking log! There is a little trail, above the west dam overlook. The trail starts on a county line, so I hiked in two counties in one day! Of course, it’s not much of a trail or much of a hike, but it was too warm and muggy for anything else. The sun was out.
The above photo is looking, roughly, southeast, on the “trail” (or service road), to where I was hiking next.
The above photo is looking, roughly, northwest, on the “trail” (or service road), up which I’d just hiked.
I had taken the above three photos a few moments apart. I was standing on about the same spot, for each photo. The last one (above) is looking, roughly, northwest. Do you see my new, ol' truck? I do! He’s resting on the paved road that leads to the west overlook.
I didn’t get enough sweat or workout on one loop. So, I hiked the little loop twice. I came out twice at the west overlook. The next two photos are from the “more civilized” west overlook, or tourist location, on my final loop.
I wonder who’s in that truck! Both views look northeast. The view was grand. I’ve seen it several times.
Okay, I was ready to get to the house now. Here’s the final photo.
Yes, my new, ol' truck was still there, awaiting my return! Of course, I had to take off my T-shirt that was soaked in sweat, to change into the dry T-shirt that I’d had on when I'd arrived. My truck had waited patiently.
Age 14
Thursday, 6/11/2020, was the anniversary of Granny Ferrell’s passing, in 1971. I have fond memories of my Granny Ferrell. I’ll see her again, at Home, one of these grand days.
On Friday, 6/12/2020, the elder daughter of my youngest brother and his wife attained the grand age of fourteen! That day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman “hunted” her a few birthday gifts, and we talked, by phone, with my youngest brother. His elder daughter was too busy having fun!
In June 1974, the Earl and Betty Ferrell household, which included their four sons, moved from the Livesay home, which Mom and Dad had been renting, to our new homeplace. Mom remembered the exact move in date. I can’t remember it. It was in June. I attained the grand age of fourteen the next month. I started high school that fall.
The elder daughter of my youngest brother and his wife was a member of the Bulls Gap Lady Bulldogs basketball team that finished fourth in the state! I’ve written about it! That fine memory will continue to build her character in the proper manner. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I are proud of you, your younger sister, and your godly parents! We love y’all!
Conclusion
Well, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman is in the early stages of supper preparation. Let’s eat soon, y’all! By the way, Molly (our doggy) is doing very well. We have very interesting conversations at times. I’m still learning to speak doggy. Molly is learning to understand my English and Russian.
My post tomorrow might have a few remarks about the new cold virus (which some folks can’t seem to let go) and the newest racial tension drama (which is driven by hidden agenda manipulation).
Didn’t y’all learn the childhood song? “Red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.” Look for additional words of wisdom on this topic tomorrow, if I can get around to it.
Saturday, June 06, 2020
D-DAY 76th ANNIVERSARY – REMEMBER (published 6-6-2020)
D-Day, June 6th, 1944
Today, Saturday, June 6, 2020, is the 76th anniversary of that profound date in history. I was not born yet. Still, I remember every June 6th.
“Homeplace and Memorial Day Memories,” on Monday, 5/25/2020, Memorial Day, was my last post. It is fitting that my next post is today.
Hike Dedication Plan
3/30/2019, Saturday, was my most recent hike at Norris Dam State Park. I've hiked there 19 times so far (including 5 hikes with “bionic” joints).
I hike Norris in the warm weather, since House Mountain – “My Mountain,” which I've hiked 170 times so far, including 34 hikes with “bionic” joints – has more poison (oak and ivy), ticks, and snakes in warm weather.
Aside from a few (i.e., my ‘cuz Debbie), did ANYONE else remember the anniversary of D-Day today? So far, on “Farcebook” check, only my ‘cuz Debbie and I REMEMBER!
Tomorrow, 6/7/2020, Sunday afternoon, WILL be my Norris Dam State Park hike #20! I WILL do it, if I have power in my body. The hike will be in REMEMBRANCE of D-Day in 1944.
Conclusion
Before my hike tomorrow, however, I must complete my 12th and final every-four-week deep tissue massage routine that I started, on Friday, 7/5/2019. That massage won’t get in my way! I WILL hike Norris!
Y’all eat a good supper this evening. Look for my Norris hike post!