Translations

Sunday, November 22, 2020

NOVEMBER 21st CHRONOLOGICAL HISTORICAL NOTES: 1970 (PAPAW), 2015 (MOLLY), 2016 (TRUCK), 2020 (HOUSE MT. #174)

 Introduction

11/21/2020, Saturday, 5:23 PM, with a neighbor still mowing his yard, at twilight, I begin to write. I probably will not post this until tomorrow. Yes, I’m hungry. Yes, supper is at 6 PM. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, who has “Corona Myopia Psychosis,” is working on it.

1970 Papaw Ferrell

Papaw Ferrell was born on 4/13/1880. He left this world on 11/21/1970, when I was age ten. I remember him well. I have fine memories of Papaw Ferrell. He enjoyed the outdoors, wilderness world. I don’t think that Granny Ferrell cared much for his extended time in the woods – hunting, trapping, etc. She put up with it – as Mrs. Appalachian Irishman does with me.

His name was and still is Marion Ferrell. He did not have a middle name. My first and, of course, last name is from him. Marion is Merrion, spelled correctly. It means, in Gaelic, “brave man.” Ferrell is Fearghail, from the Irish. It means, in Gaelic, “man of valor.” My middle name, William, was and still is the middle name of Mom’s father, Aby William Wood.

Hey, Papaw Ferrell, House Mountain hike #174 was in your honor. Men like us need, or needed, our time in the woods. It helps me defeat “Corona Myopia Psychosis.” I look forward to enjoying the heavenly wilderness with Papaw Ferrell, eventually. At one point, on my hike, I felt his presence, with me in spirit.

2015 Molly Doggy

On 11/21/2015, Saturday, the anniversary of Papaw Ferrell’s passing, I drove my ’95 Nissan pickup (the one that died, on 3/29/2016, saving my life), to get and bring home our Molly doggy! The weather was perfect – cool enough for a sweatshirt, unlike 11/21/2020.

Molly doggy is a wonderful “old puppy,” as I call her. I’ve known several great doggies over the years. In chronological order, there was Bandit (aka Bandito), Wendy, and Buddy. Those three were connected to my roots in Rogersville.

I might post a latest photo of Molly in time. She has a unique personality. She understands my English well enough. I understand her Doggy language well enough. Molly always stays inside with us a few hours in the evening. Her bedroom is the lower level doggy complex. She is a daytime, outside, doggy! (Well, if it’s rainy or very cold, she has her lower level doggy complex, which is heated and cooled, by means of doggy door access!) Molly, the last two evenings, wanted to go outside about three of four times, to check out the other dogs that were barking around us, etc. I went outside with her each time. She needed to “take a leak.” She wanted me to “take a leak” also. I did. It was dark. No one saw me, except Molly, who granted me a respectful distance. Molly looks at me. I know what she is saying. I wish I could take her hiking with me. Alone, with Molly, I could do fine, on the hike up. The hike down, with Molly, on a leash, might not work out too well still yet. I have to be more of a “lame mountain goat” going down than going up. If Molly smelled something and started pulling the leash, while going down, I might not be able to hold balance and control.

I wonder if Papaw Ferrell, Bandit, Wendy, Buddy, Molly, and I will enjoy everlasting and joyful experiences in the heavenly woods together. I speculate, by faith, that heaven will have that type of opportunities, along with many, many others. There will be no leash in heaven, no leash, no leash up there.

Hey, y’all, why don’t you join us, in heavenly hiking! If I don’t see you here, I will see you there!

2016 New Ol' Truck

On Monday, 11/21/2016 (the anniversary of Papaw Ferrell’s passing), I drove our ’08 Honda Civic to the location where my soon-to-be new, ol' truck was for sale. My “bionic” joints were “talking” to me quite intensely that day. I remember. After the routine test drive, inspection, and dickering, I paid the deposit to hold my ’06 Nissan Frontier, until we could get him.

Mom’s birthday anniversary (1932 born) was Thanksgiving Day that year (11/24/2016). The next day, on Friday, 11/25/2016, I drove our car, with Mrs. Appalachian Irishman riding shotgun. We paid the balance for my new, ol' truck. I drove him back to the “barn” (i.e., garage).

My new, ol' truck still likes to have his photo taken. Read on!

2020 House Mt. #174

What else could I do? My barber can wait. Tractor Supply trip can wait. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had her every-two-month, high dollar, and two-hour “haircut” appointment (9 – 11 AM). The weather was nice enough. It was still too warm, but it was sunny, with a few clouds that indicate rain is coming in a day. House Mountain Hike #174 is in my hiking log and in my memory!

Okay, it’s 6 PM on the dot, 11/21/2020, Saturday. I’ll write more and post later. I’m hungry! Let’s stop to eat!

11/22/2020, Sunday, at 4:57 PM, I now continue writing. The above photo is after I’d hiked up the west trail to the bluff. The photo is looking east, along the north ridgeline. The white marker indicates 0.8 miles. (The distance is 0.9 miles to the west bluff. I know. The mountain didn’t shrink.) Do you see my “selfie” image of my head?

I’m glad that I hiked in a T-shirt only. When will it turn cool?


I enjoyed time alone, or with a few other hikers, but not too many, at the west bluff. My thoughts ran deeply. I unloaded my “Corona Myopia Psychosis” that had been building up. I started hiking back down the same trail I’d hiked up.

The above photo is one location on the trail. Do you see the petrified tree trunk jutting out to the right of my shadow? That is the tree trunk that I call “Defiance.” I’ve seen it, unchanged, for many years. I always touch it. It had grown, from the base of the rock ledge above it, and fallen, years before I started hiking the mountain. The hike down at this spot takes caution, along with at least three other locations farther down.

Who was that shadow, standing to the left of my shadow, with his arms by his side? Was that you, Papaw Ferrell?

Near the end of the hike down and out, I passed a group of three younger folks, hiking up. Two had their hiking masks on. One did not, until he saw me, coming down the trail, hiking maskless. He donned his mask quickly. As I past him, I stated loudly, “I don’t have the Corony!” He said nothing. I hope he learned.

I had to “hike” an extra three tenths of a mile each way, to the off the road location where I had to park my truck. (Yes, the upper parking lot was full.) My new, ol' truck enjoyed our day – remembering Papaw Ferrell, the day Molly came to us, the day I saw him, and today. Oh, I placed my 2021 tag sticker (annual expiration in December) on my truck the same day.

Conclusion

I know you are eager to find out. “What is Corona Myopia Psychosis, you ask?” Well, I’ll tell you.

“Corona Myopia Psychosis” is a state of mind that could include anxiety, frustration, depression, mood swings, anger, the inordinate use of colorful language, talking with one’s self, an abundance of sarcastic humor, and so forth. We all have the psychosis, in varying degrees. Failure to admit it is a symptom. Lack of honesty about it is a symptom. Obsessing with the new cold virus is a symptom. Aren’t you tired of it? I am.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman expresses her psychosis by withdrawing inwardly. I deal with my psychosis by my glib Irish tongue, either verbally or in writing, such as now. My best cure for my own psychosis is my hiking. My sarcastic humor helps on a more daily basis, along with the abundance of talking with myself, which includes my occasional use of colorful language that only the Lord and I hear. (He forgives me.)

This once great nation may never return to its status, before this new cold virus started. Of course, the media agenda that drives the racial tension degrades the nation still. The presidential election (vote early and often) propaganda may just drive this nation to its knees, in time. If our nation can reach the socialist “Utopian” bottom, we might be able to return, after decades of pain and suffering, to a great nation status again. If so, it will be after I’ve already joined Papaw Ferrell, and so many others, at Home.

Hey, Papaw and my doggies (Bandit, Wendy, and Buddy), y’all wait on Molly and me! We’ll be heavenly hiking with y’all in time!

Okay, it’s 11/22/2020, Sunday, 5:58 PM, at the time of this writing. I’ve talked with my two younger brothers by phone. I’m hungry. I’ll post this after supper! Let’s eat!

“WALLY-WORLD FUN,” 11/14/2020, SATURDAY, IN “LIFE, SUCH AS IT IS” CONTEXT (published 11/22/2020)

 “Life, Such As It Is” Context

On 11/22/2020, Sunday, early in the morning, I start to write this article. (The nearby rooster quit crowing finally.) I’ll finish writing in the afternoon. My 11/21/2020 House Mountain #174 hike didn’t cause my right foot to “talk to me” at all! My left shoulder, however, for some reason, is asking me, "what the heck did you do to me yesterday?" Well, I’d take the right foot’s “conversation” any day. I’m used to it, after a hike. The left shoulder is a new “conversation,” unless I jammed another rib. I’ll get past it. Just give me time, or an unscheduled chiropractic appointment.

Last workweek (11/16 – 20/2020), my schedule started out: work at home Monday, Tuesday, and Friday but at office Wednesday and Thursday. Well, at 6:11 AM, on Wednesday – just after I’d done my usual stretches in bed before getting up and then taken my morning “outhouse” water extraction – the office manager called our landline. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, who leaves for her work about 6:30 AM, answered the phone. I was splashing water (from the sink, mind you) on my face. It seems that one or two of the ones, who work from home daily (or one who works from home daily and the other, with whom I alternate in the home or office work ongoing insanity) had internet at home trouble. One or both would be working at office. I could work at home. Well, that was good! (I won one that time, at least.) Later, on the same Wednesday date, I had the offer to work the rest of the week at home. I took up the offer. The difference is: for this Thanksgiving (Monday through Wednesday only) short workweek, I work at office all three days, instead of on Wednesday only, as had been the arrangement. I have to balance my work at home all five days last week, to work at office the three workdays this week, according to the insane schedule, apparently.

I figured that the reading of the above paragraph would make your head spin! It’s the mad, mad, new cold virus, work at home, or office, schedule insanity gone wild!

On Monday, 11/16/2020, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had our usual, every-four-week, chiropractic adjustments. Our chiropractor is the associate partner to the chiropractor, who owns the business location. The owner chiropractor was at work. It was good to see him. (His wife is the office secretary.) He is holding his own, in his known-to-us health challenge. Our ongoing prayers are with him.

Of course, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman still braves the new cold virus world, by driving back and forth to her vice principal/teacher job. My “used to be favorite” sister-in-law still “bravely” teaches on the Interweb at home.

On 11/17/2020, Tuesday, my youngest brother “texterated” me (i.e., sent me a text), regarding their oldest, in high school, daughter. Her high school girls’ basketball first game of the season was at 4:30 PM that day. The next day, my youngest brother “texterated” me, to indicate that the team had won by one point! My articles on 2/9/2020 and 3/15/2020 were about the success of the Bulls Gap Middle School Lady Bulldogs. Our niece was a starter. 2020 started out as a good year. Of course, the Corona Myopia was just getting started at the time. I’m glad that my high school freshman year (1974) was not encapsulated by a new cold virus. I regret that our niece’s is.

Yesterday, 11/21/2020, in the late evening, my wife’s youngest sister drove in from Nashville, to stay with my in-laws, who live three miles away. I speculate that my wife will be granted permission, by the “mask mafia,” to visit her family in person, for a few days at least. I was right! At the 2:57 PM time of this writing, my wife hasn’t been gone that long ago to visit there today! I knew it.

I wonder how many still go to church, physically. Church, for many, is either home church or virtual church. The context, of course, is Corona Myopia. We are in home church mode. Church, on many Sunday afternoons for me, is in the woods.

Wally-World Fun,” 11/14/2020, Saturday

Whew! At least we got past that life context extended introduction. Now, let’s get to the “Wally-World Fun!”

I don’t care for “Wally-World” shopping. Y’all feel free to make my opinion your own. The last time that I went to a “Wally-World” (in Halls) was on 9/9/2017, to buy the stepper that I don’t really need now. (Anyone want a free stepper? Mrs. Appalachian Irishman should but doesn’t use it anymore.)

In 2011, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I acquired new Samsung cell phones, for about $90 each. That was before “semi-intelligent” (or so-called “smart” phones) came along. Mine still works fine and takes good photos. Hers had been giving the “white screen of death,” as I called it. Bravely, therefore, we endured a two-hour “Wally-World” experience, on Saturday, 11/14/2020. The location was the one near the former East Towne Mall, or Knox Center Mall – that will become the new whatever it becomes eventually.

The following is a photo of my phone that still works great.

I had already done the Interweb research and had the phone conversation with the in-store Straight Talk (Verizon) representative, who, by the way, enjoyed my Irish wit. The parking lot and store were packed. I located a safe enough parking spot, about a quarter mile walk from the entrance. I stated my usual, “mask off; mask on, as a no longer free man, in a once free and great nation,” as we entered. Most folks and all employees were mask wearers. A few folks were not. Everyone, including me, was touching and adjusting masks.

The Straight Talk (Verizon) representative in store had delays, trying to get the Straight Talk technician, by phone contact, to set up my wife’s new phone correctly. Needing to get outside, to breath without a mask on, I took a break outside. A mask strap came loose. I stood outside and, using my pocketknife to poke a new hole, I accomplished a country boy improvised strap re-attachment, talking with myself in my best hillbilly all the time. (I hope the folks passing by were amused.)

After almost an hour, the representative had my wife’s new phone set up most of the way. The next photo is her new LG Flip cell phone. (No, it is not a “semi-intelligent” phone. I won’t own one. The “guvrmint” and whomever else likes to track how long it takes you in the bathroom, etc., even if you shut off the tracking feature. I know. I’ve seen TV documentaries and read legitimate articles. Also, I don’t want a bulky, large screen phone!)

The LG phone cost about $30 only. How much did you pay for your latest “semi-intelligent” phone?

With our shopping cart “tank” ready, we next shopped for a few household items and groceries. At 3:06 PM, I used my cell phone to call the “Wally World” number. Nine checkout locations were present. Three were open. I suggested, in my Irish manner, that opening a few more checkouts might help. We checked out and arrived home. Yes, as we left “Wally World,” I stated, “mask on; mask off, as a free man again, in a once free and great nation!

At 5:10 PM, I had managed to set up my wife’s new LG phone the rest of the way. Once again, I won. Modern technology lost.

The weather was warm, but it would have been a good day to hike. I should have hiked in the woods, instead of around “Wally World.” My right foot and knee took the pounding on all that concrete and tile much better than I thought. I was glad to get off all that hard surface area, however, since the right footstep still feels different. Day by day, the footstep gets closer to normal – very slowly.


Sunday, November 15, 2020

DEVIL’S NOSE HIKING RECORD, 2/16/2002 to 11/29/2013, SO FAR (published 11-15-2020)

On 11/12/2020, Thursday, an unnamed here, whom I know, reader emailed me, regarding my various articles about Devi’s Nose hikes. The reader, known to me, seems like a fine man! He inspired me to dedicate this article to my Devil’s Nose hikes, within the context of life.

The following is part of my 11/15/20, Sunday, email reply to this good reader! (Y’all remember that my website protects your privacy far better than “Farcebook!”)

I haven’t been “brave” enough to hike Devil’s Nose, since my last hike “up the Nose,” on 11/29/13, Friday. I don’t have plans to “hike the Nose” this year, unless my plans change. My 8/26/2016 article, “I’m Still Alive – Why?” (https://www.appalachianirishman.com/2016/08/im-still-alive-why.html), has the starting point of the reason I haven’t hiked Devil’s Nose in a while.

Having grown up in Hawkins County, in my elementary school and high school years, my friend, to this day, had an uncle who owned property at the southwest base of Devil’s Nose. My friend, another friend, the younger sibling brothers of two of us, and I hiked Devil’s Nose an uncountable number of times, from the late 1960’s until the late 1970’s. I have many memories of those hikes!

Eventually, I educated myself formally and married. My wife and I lived in Missouri (1986 – 1994) then in Russia (1994 – 1999). We returned to the northeast Tennessee area in late 1999. My website journal has several details of life. (I suggest a subject search on “Mom.”)

I started keeping my hiking log on 4/23/2000. My Devil’s Nose hikes, since 4/23/2000, are ten total (so far):

(1) 02/16/02, Saturday, with two of my three younger brothers and youngest brother’s wife.

(2) 11/30/02, Saturday, with the same as 2/16/02 with me.

(3) 11/26/04, Friday, with my youngest brother and his wife.

(4) 11/25/05, Friday, with my youngest brother only.

(5) 11/24/06, Friday, with my youngest brother, on our mother’s birthday (born in 1932). (Our mother “went to see Jesus” on 12/27/2000.)

(6) 11/23/07, Friday, by myself (no one would hike with me).

My notes from that hike: first time to hike alone. 11 AM - 3:40 PM: 50 min up, 45 min. across, 45 min. at bluff, 45 min. back, 35 min. down; little white & black dog with me; partly cloudy, breezy, mid. 40’s.

(Additional note today: our Dad joined Mom, on 1/25/2008. This was the last hike, on 11/23/07, that Dad was able to see me leave from the homeplace, to hike, and return to the homeplace, after the hike.)

(7) 11/28/09, Saturday, with my youngest brother.

My notes from that hike: 10:45 AM – 4:15 PM; 1 hr. up, 1 hr. across. 1.5 hrs. at bluff. 1 hr. across. 45 min. down; black dog with us; sunny, 60.

(8) 11/27/10, Saturday, with my youngest brother.

My notes from that hike: 10:15 AM – 3:45 PM: 1.5 hrs. up; 1.25 hrs. across; 1.5 hrs. at bluff; 1 hr. across; 45 min. down; sunny then cloudy then sunny; low 40’s.

(9) 11/25/11, Friday, with my youngest brother.

My notes from that hike: 10:15 AM – 4:00 PM: 1.5 hrs. up; 1 hr. across; 1.5 hrs. at bluff; 1 hr. across; 45 min. down. Clear, warm (60’s).

(10) 11/29/13, Friday, with my youngest brother, for 10th hike in my log.

My notes from that hike: 11 AM – 4:30 PM: ~ count time. Clear, ~45 F, snow on north side & ridge. Photos w/bobcat tracks! Saw <cousin’s name deleted>’s ex-son-in-law, granddaughter, etc., on bluff.

Thank you, again, my newly found hiking friend and distant neighbor, for your email. I will post a section of this email, without your name mentioned, on my website. Thank you for inspiring me to write another website article also.

I trust that you have accepted the Good Lord’s salvation offer and are living according to it. This world is training for our everlasting Home. Can you imagine heavenly hiking? I can! Will it not be great? If we don’t meet here, I’ll enjoy a heavenly hike with you eventually!

Kindest regards, in Him,

Marion W. Ferrell

(My website is my penname, Merrion Fearghail. From Gaelic, Merrion is “brave man,” and Fearghail, my ancestral clan from County Longford, is “man of valor.")


Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Election Day, 11/4/2020, in the Context of Veterans Day, 11/11/2020 (published 11/11/2020)

Well, this is the second article, on Veterans Day. The first article, today, was about my hike, on House Mountain, on Sunday, 11/8/2020.

This article combines two topics. The first is about the recent election. The other is about Veterans Day.

Election Day, 11/4/2020

Election Day, 2020 -- in the context of the months, leading up to the day, the day itself, and the ongoing follow up -- is an indication that a once great nation is now a “banana republic.” I used to watch the 24-hour “fair and balanced” station, an hour or so, in the evenings. I don’t follow the details, as some do. My good friend, Jim C., keeps me updated, by his emails.

To my understanding, the “vote early and often” gang must have done well. The puppet string socialist, Biden, has won, apparently. Trump, and his allies, might be able to force a valid recount. The dirty tricksters, however, seem to have won it, for the Puppet. Of course, the Puppet, unless he is enhanced by whatever medicine he’s given, doesn’t know, for what office he ran, in what state he is, and so forth. His vice-president could become president eventually, if the Puppet resigns or is declared unfit for office.

I had a brief phone conversation, with the daughter of my wife’s sister yesterday, on her birthday. One of my remarks was that I’d keep doing my best, in this “mad, mad, new world, in which we live.” It wasn’t my usual sarcastic humor. I was and am serious.

I will continue to stand, as a free man, in a once great and free nation. As Dad said, for many years before he passed, “this country is about gone, boys.” Dad was right. I am right. Dad stood. I stand.

Okay, that’s enough of “poly-tics!” Let fast forward seven days, to today’s date – Veterans Day.

Veterans Day, 11/11/2020

I wish that this once great nation would act right and live up to the sacrifices of so many veterans – many gone and many still living. Veterans love this nation. So many in this nation do not.

In the name of freedom, veterans, I thank you for your service to this nation! You are still proud and tall, in your honor, and by our honor to you, on this day and every day.

It’s just after 5 PM. I have just enough time to call my veteran brother and my veteran friend “Gator,” before supper.

HOUSE MT. #173, on Sunday, 11/8/2020 (published 11/11/2020)

Introduction

Sunday, 11/8/2020, was warm enough, to wear only a T-shirt, during the hike. After hiking, I changed, into another T-shirt, which had stayed in my ol' truck.

I'd smelled my sweaty stink, as I hiked down and out. It’s no wonder that the deer, which I'd heard but didn't see, to the west of me, kept its distance.

Soapbox Sidetrack

The man-made global climate change folks, with their not very well hidden agenda, must have enjoyed making hay, in the heat. But wait! The “guvrmint” (on National Weather Service: Knoxville normals and records for November) tells me that the hottest days, on a four-day record, were as follows:

11/08/2005 81F (11/8/2020 was in the 60’s.)
11/09/2005 81F
11/10/1879 78F
11/11/1879 80F (Veterans Day, 141 years ago.)

The Industrial Revolution started, in or around the year 1880 (the year that Papaw Ferrell was born). By logical reasoning -- without taking time to breakdown each step here, since educated readers can do so -- global climate change happens, based on various natural weather and solar patterns. The logical leap, which is not verified, is the man-made part.

We humans do need to take care of (i.e., conserve) the planet, where God has placed us, as He told us to do. The Creator arranged fossil fuels, so that we could use them. We must use them, in a clean manner, as we appear to be trying to do, fairly well. We need to keep clean the air, land, and water (both above and below ground, as Dad was a water-well driller).

That doesn’t mean, unless folks want to do so, that we stop driving vehicles, using electricity, using central heat and air, and so forth. Of course, if we all decided to go back, to living like folks did around 1880, without the modern trappings of life, then we might keep the world cleaner. I would be glad to live as they did, in the 1880’s or even the 1780’s. Will the global climate change socialists and propagandists join me? I doubt it.

Okay, that’s enough of my soapbox sidetrack. Let’s hike on!

Hike #173 (#37 with “Bionic” Joints)

My ability to gauge the approximate time -- within 15 to 30 minutes of actual, by checking the sun’s position in the sky, without looking at my watch first -- did not factor “guvrmint” time!

I started hiking at 1:33 PM. I took the east trail up. (I take the harder west trail usually.) The above photograph is looking south, down the trail, up which I’d already hiked. This is the final switchback, before the ridgeline. I hunkered down to take the photograph, at about knee level. It looks as if the trail disappears. It doesn’t. The erosion, by too many hikers having cut the switchback over the years, drops the trail, sharply, about 45 degrees. I hope that the switchback is restored eventually. I’d be glad to help.

The above photograph is at the middle bluff. I’m standing, to the east of the rock bluff, part of which is above me, in the left of the image. The tree gave my trusty cell phone camera shade, to photograph the west side of the mountain. The leaves were in fairly good color.

The above photograph is about opposite, of the previous one. You can see more of the tree that gave my phone camera shade. The view looks northeast. My ol’ cell phone camera still takes a good photograph, in my opinion.

By the way, two or three groups of folks were on the bluff. They were good people. One couple spoke English, as a second language. They spoke with me, in English, and with each other, in their native language. It was another international experience, on “My Mountain!”

Leaving the middle bluff, I hiked west, along the ridgeline, to the west bluff. I spent a bit of time there.

Profound Sidetrack

My total time, in the woods, was from 1:33 to 4:28 PM, almost three hours. I met a few folks, hiking or on the middle bluff, but not too many. I had plenty of solitude. I talked to the Good Lord a bit. (He didn’t talk back.) The trappings of modern life unburdened themselves. There was no work (from home or at office) insanity, no political humdrum, or no “new cold virus” obsession. (I did see a group of three, each wearing a mask, in the heat and sun. I don’t know how they could breath.) There was no computer technical or software aggravations. There were no worries (as if I ever have any).

Every day that you spend in the woods adds at least a day or more to your life. That’s my saying. You may cite me, if you wish. Instead, however, I suggest that you take my advice. Let’s hike!

Okay, that’s my profound sidetrack. Let’s hike out now.

Conclusion

I didn’t take any photographs, at the west bluff, or while hiking down the west trail (which I usually hike up). I was too busy hiking, sipping water, from my trusty canteen, and wiping sweat (taking my cap off, wiping my forehead with my left T-shirt sleeve, putting my cap back on, and repeating the process). I wasn’t bothered. I’ve done it often, when I’ve hiked in too warm weather. Give me temperatures in the 20’s or 30’s, for hiking!

The above photograph, taken at 4:28 PM, marks the end of the hike. The signboard, in the foreground, is what I touch, check my time, and start hiking up. The opposite (not visible) side of the information board, to the left, includes one of my winter photographs, with my name on it -- along with other photographs (e.g., of Boy Scouts) Do you see my new ol' truck? He was waiting, in hope that I’d change into my fresh T-shirt, which he’d been guarding, before I got in!

Well, let’s see, on this Veterans Day, if I can write another article or two, before supper!

Monday, November 02, 2020

BLUE MOON HALLOWEEN 10/31/2020 & “GUVRMINT” TIME DONE 11/1/2020

Prequel

First, a short prequel: I should have a full article, eventually, regarding all the details and delays that my mind and various notes recall. It all pertains to the 7/27/2020 start to the -- should have taken a week only -- 10/27/2020 finish of the work. The work included deck repair/replacement, pressure washing of front porch, rear door landings, and siding, and replacement of rotting wood on southeast rear door exterior door frame. It took three months! I will wait, however, until a very dreary weekend to write the article. You should find it entertaining. The contractor, his various subcontractors, and their sub-subcontractors will not.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had obtained vehicle oil changes (car and truck), within minutes of each other, on Saturday, 8/22/2020. (It's mentioned, in the article of 8/23/2020.) Yesterday, on Halloween, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was over 3,000 miles on the ’08 Honda Civic. So, the car had another oil change. My ’06 Nissan Frontier has only about 1,000 miles, since the mutual vehicle oil change, in August. It is the Corona Myopia insanity, of course.

My 10/26 – 30/2020 workweek was work at home on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday but at the office on Wednesday and Thursday – doing the same work that I can do at home. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, as opposed to her teach-at-home sister, drives back and forth to work, daily, without carpooling with her sister. It’s Corona Myopia insanity, of course. At least my ol' truck doesn’t need an oil change yet.

Blue Moon Halloween (10/31/2020)

Dang it! I should have gone hiking Saturday! The weather was almost perfect – still too warm but getting cooler.

10/1/2020, Thursday, and Halloween marked full moons in October. Why is it called a blue moon?

Well, on Halloween, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had the “spooky” oil change, for the car, as I've stated. Then, she spent about “$1,000,000” at the IGA for groceries. I mean, really? Can’t the price of a week's worth of groceries stay at least about $100? It used to be about $60. It climbed slowly. Corona Myopia has driven the cost to $100 a week. Now, the total is punching the $150 range. Stop it!

After hauling trash, I figured that my Georgia Bulldogs would beat the Kentucky “Wildkitties,” as they did. My error was that I didn’t go hiking. Instead, I decided to take about three hours to clean out the garage, front porch area, and so forth, at the house. Well, I got the work done, and Molly had some fun with me. My right foot did not enjoy that much time on the concrete. My right foot would have enjoyed three hours in the woods much better.

By the way, 10/31/2020 was Molly's birthday! She’s an age five “ol' puppy” now! A former work colleague, still a friend, and her husband had found Molly, on Halloween, in 2015. Molly wasn’t too many months old yet. Well, we got Molly later that year – on 11/21/15, which was the month and day that Papaw Ferrell passed, in 1970. Molly had a fine birthday!

We didn’t turn on the front porch light, as usual, for the trick-or-treaters. Only a few come around anyway – in this small, somewhat rural subdivision. I think about three groups got candy, from two neighbors with porch lights on. Halloween ain’t like it used to be! I have a few stories, from childhood! Well, I might write about them eventually.

Guvrmint” Time is Done (11/1/2020)!

Did y’all roll back “them thar” clocks Saturday night? I didn’t. I waited until early Sunday morning – for all “them thar” clocks, timers, and gadgets.

Well, we’re finally done with “guvrmint” time, for another year! Papaw Ferrell never did like the time change. He called it “guvrmint” time. I was age ten when he passed, at age 90. I remember!

I had hoped that the weather forecasting folks would have been wrong. The sky, on Saturday morning, looked like rain, in a day or two. I figured two. The weather folks figured one. They were right, and I was wrong – on a very rare occasion. The overnight to early morning rain ended. A very strong wind continued. I almost hiked Sunday afternoon, knowing that it would be a bit muddy and very windy. (Listen for trees cracking! One might be falling toward you!) As the “lazy bum” that I am, I stayed off the trail that afternoon. I thought that I’d write y’all this here letter instead. I hope that you enjoy it.

Conclusion

What time is supper dear? Let’s see is it 7:15 PM or 6:15 PM? Dang, I don’t know! I’m hungry! I’m coming, to get some beef jerky soon, unless you tell me supper is ready! You’re on 15-minute supper overtime!

Monday, 11/2/2020, update: I had planned to publish this article yesterday. At 6:15 PM, regular time, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman remarked, “it’s ready!” Well, that led me to the eatin’ area fast! Afterward, we enjoyed some indoor time with Molly, before bed. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman hit the hay, about 9 PM (or was it 10 PM). I joined her, about 10 PM (or was it 11 PM)?

Saturday, October 31, 2020

PASSING OF THE WIFE OF MY AGE 75 FIRST COUSIN (published 10-31-2020)

George Ferrell was one of the brothers of my father, Earl Ferrell. Dad and uncle George are both Home now. Uncle George and his wife, aunt Blanche, who is Home also, had three sons. One of their sons, a first cousin, is ahead of me by 15 years.

Sadly, that first cousin’s wife left this world, on Sunday, 10/11/2020. I haven’t seen my first cousin since 2012, in Johnson City, Tennessee. His elder brother and he met me. We had met at the apartment, where their mother, my aunt Blanche, was still living. Aunt Blanche enjoyed seeing two of her sons and me together with her! (She went Home the next year.) He, his elder brother, and I then had lunch together. I’ve talked with my first cousin a few times by phone since then. He lives about a 1.75-hour drive away from us, in Kingsport, Tennessee.

I left a memorial tribute, to my cousin's wife, on the funeral home’s obituary page for her. My wife and I couldn’t attend the visitation and funeral service or the graveside service, since they were both on working days for us.

On Sunday, 10/18/2020, I called my first cousin. We talked about 45 minutes. He has two brothers, who live in the area. The sons of his wife and he are within a few hours drive away. My first cousin is enduring the grief of having lost his wife, whom he loved dearly. I remember how Dad went through the process, after Mom “went to see Jesus,” as she had stated, before her passing.

I will not speculate about the future departures, from this life, of Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and me. The Good Lord knows. It’s better that we don’t know.

Life is a slow transition from birth to death. Well, life is really a blink of an eye on a speck of dust, in the everlasting perspective. Still, the slow transition happens. Life is full of the good, bad, and ugly, with apology to Clint Eastwood. If we take up the Good Lord’s free gift offer, of salvation through his Son, and we live accordingly, the best that we can, then Home awaits us! My first cousin’s wife just beat the rest of us Home.

She must be having a wonderful time at Home. It will be my turn – eventually – but not today, as far as I know.

HOUSE MOUNTAIN #172, on Sunday, 10-18-2020 (published 10-31-2020)

Sunday, 10/18/2020, was better hiking weather than on Sunday, 10/25/2020, when I actually wrote this article. Last Sunday started out wet and cloudy, from the overnight rain. The sun didn’t appear until about 3:30 PM or so. Now, that’s not funny, Lord! The Good Lord has a sense of humor! Over the years, I’ve seen perfectly fine hiking weather during a workweek, with rain on the weekend. I’ve also seen rainy and/or cloudy weather turn to sunshine too late for even a late afternoon hike. That’s not funny, Lord! So, I wrote, instead of hiking.

  

The weather was mostly sunny and too warm for this time of year, for my liking. I just hiked up the west trail and back down again. (When it’s cooler, I’m itching to hike the full ridge and out the east trail.) The above photograph is looking down from where I’d climbed up. The rock bluff is to the left, in partial view. Climbing up is easy enough.

 

After some time at the west bluff, I took it easy back down the same direction that I’d hiked up. The above photograph is the opposite view, looking back to the same location, as in the first photograph. They guy in the red shirt is standing about where I’d taken the first image.

My right foot and knee instruct me to be more careful going down. I’m still a “lame mountain goat,” but I can tell that I’m becoming less “lame,” slowly. This 172nd hike also marked my 36th hike on House Mountain, with “bionic” joints. In earlier “bionic” hiking, my right foot encouraged me to limp noticeably after a hike, into the next day at times, before it returned to “normal.” “Normal” had been take a step; ouch; take a step. Then, it became take a step; that’s different; take a step. Now, it's take a step; that’s not much different; take a step.

Hey, Lord, could you speed up the “getting better slowly” part to “instant miracle?” No. You don’t work that way, except very rarely, anymore? Okay. I understand. I’m here a few seconds in life, compared to everlasting life, anyway. I’ll get along well enough, until You call me Home.

On my way down, near the end of the trail, I met an 80-year-old man, Mr. John S., who was hiking up. (I told him about meeting the 78-year-old man, on 10/4/2020.) Mr. John S. lives alone now, not far from us. His wife passed away a few months ago. He is back to hiking again. (He had taken time off from hiking while his wife wasn’t well.) I had not met Mr. John S. on any previous hike, until this one. Mr. John S. is a fine man and brother in Christ. I hope that I see him again. Well, I will at Home, if not here.

After Mr. John S. and I parted, I met a group of younger folks. One young husband and wife were bringing along their four-month-old daughter. The mother was carrying their daughter in one of those satchels on her chest. I enjoyed talking with them and telling them about Mr. John S., who was ahead of them a little, going up.

Life is a cycle from birth to death. I saw a baby girl who was early in life. I met a fine man who was later in life. I’m closer in age to Mr. John S. than to the newborn girl. Accepting, at the proper age, the Good Lord’s free gift offer and living accordingly, the best that you can, is life here, and it leads to everlasting life at Home.


LIFE, SUCH AS IT IS, 10/24/2020 ADDENDUM (published 10-31-2020)

Introduction

I was very excited about defeating modern technology, in last Saturday’s “life, such as it is” article. I'd left out a couple of funny items, about that day.

Here they are finally, a week later, on Halloween -- Saturday, 10/31/2020! This is an addendum to the first article of last Saturday.

COVID-19 Compliant Humor

On 10/24/2020, my barber gave me another fine haircut. I had called him to set the COVID-19 compliant appointment a couple of days before. Do you remember when, as a once free people, in a once great nation, a man could just walk into his barber's shop, to get a haircut? As the years go by, younger folks won’t believe that a man could once walk into a barber shop, for a haircut, with no pre-arranged, COVID-19 compliant appointment.

Afterward, my new ol' truck got another good wash, at the place where they wash by hand mostly. The rain, from the night before, had dried on the roads. The sky looked like rain, but it didn’t rain!

The final point of COVID-19 humor is my visit to the Tractor Supply. I bought the last two 20 x 25 air filters that they had in stock. They had most of the items in stock that I buy for Molly, our ol' puppy. Of course, the masks were on. Yes, mine was on, in the store. After I’d checked out, I stated, to the checkout clerks and several others, waiting to check out, “remember, similar to the Karate Kid movie, ‘mask on; mask off!’” As I walked out, I stated loudly, as I’ve done before, “I am once again a free man in a once free and great nation!” Most of the folks, who where still checking out behind me, laughed! I’m just trying to keep up the COVID-19 compliant humor level, folks!

By the way, do you remember when stores stocked several of the items that you needed to buy? We are getting closer to the way it was in the Soviet Union, where socialist stores where open but nothing was in stock, even if you had a few rubles to spend. Wake up, America! We’re getting closer to what Russia left behind, in 1991.

Family Heritage

I just plain forgot to mention that my youngest brother attained the grand age of 47, on 10/21/2020. It was a workday for him and me. I called him after work. He said that he’s trying to catch up with me. What? Ain’t he 50 yet?

The youngest daughter of his wife and he had attained the age of 11, on 10/14/2020. Yes, her father and she are seven days and a few years apart. She still hasn’t let Mrs. Appalachian Irishman know what she would like us to give her as a birthday present. Who knows? If this new cold virus insanity (i.e., Corona Myopia) doesn’t stop, we may not see her again, until she’s age 20.

Conclusion

Well, that's all, folks. At least I published this addendum!

Remember, “mask on; mask off. We are still a free people, in a once free and great nation!”

Saturday, October 24, 2020

House Mountain Hike #171, on Sunday, 10-4-2020 (published 10-24-2020)

This is the second article that I had written, on Sunday, 10/11/2020. It is published today, as I'd written it, excluding this first paragraph.

My hiking season (in the fall, winter, and spring) did not start in September, due to the “whatevers,” especially in my “bionic” left shoulder, that bothered me, from the 13th through the 21st. That’s an excuse. I know. Forgive me.

My most recent hike, the 170th, on House Mountain, was on 5/10/2020, Mother’s Day. I hiked at Norris Dam State Park, on Saturday, 6/21/2020. That was “Father-in-Law” Day and the birthday of my “ex-favorite-sister-in-law.” It had been over three months, since this mountain man had been in the mountains. It was time!

On the afternoon, of Sunday, 10/4/2020, I hiked “My Mountain” (House Mountain) for the 171st time! It was an enjoyable two hours in the woods. The weather was sunny to mostly cloudy. It was too warm for this time of year. The hike, from the parking lot to the west bluff, took 32 minutes. (I had touched the rock, at the bluff, to check my time.) That was not bad! I’m speeding up. My right foot and right knee are not slowing me down as much. Of course, I could have made even better time, but the branches of a downed tree and a couple of hikers, with whom I conversed briefly, slowed me down.

The above photograph is at the west bluff, looking east. You can see the rock that I touch, to check my time. The spot that looks like a seat is where I've sat often.


This is the west trail on the way down. (I had been up this way already.) The photograph does not capture the angle that my eyes do. I go down a steep, rocky area. I’ve done it many times, before and now with “bionic joints.” In this area, I met a cordial 78-year-old man and his grandson. They were hiking up, as I was hiking down. His daughter, or granddaughter, has a pet care business in my hometown. I’ve seen her advertisements in The Rogersville Review. My youngest brother may have done business with her. That older man inspired me to keep on hiking “My Mountain!” I’m a “spring chicken,” at age 60. I have no excuse!

This photograph is on my way back out. On my way up, earlier, I had to navigate this branch pile. I saw the large tree that had finally fallen. It had stood many decades. I’d seen that tree standing, during many hikes. It fell, but I still stand! Getting across the downed branches had slowed me on my way up. On my way out, I was smarter. I used my “super powers” to “fly” over the branches. (I have a jet pack.) A Boy Scout troop had placed the marker, a few years ago. It notes the quarter mile point, up the one mile west trail. An old marker had indicated that the west trail was 1.1 miles. The mountain did not shrink by a tenth of a mile! It’s a House Mountain hiker joke. You’d have to understand it. Hike with me, and I'll share the rest of the story!


Well, there is my new ol' truck, awaiting my return. The hike, as stated previously, was about two hours. I didn’t go across the ridge this time, since I had started late. My truck had 177277.1 miles on the clock, once I got him back in the “barn” at the house. He's a good truck!

The remnant of the Delta storm had forestalled my hike, on the weekend of October 10th and 11th. I could have hiked, in the muddy and rainy weather, as I have done before, even with “bionic joints.” In my “cowardice,” I decided to write instead. Please forgive me!

LIFE, SUCH AS IT IS: 9-21-2020, Monday, to 10-24-2020, Saturday (published 10-24-2020)

Introduction

Well, howdy, y’all! “Hit’s” been “ary a while” since I “done writ” here. “Hit’s done been” five weeks, since my article of Sunday, 9/20/2020. How y’all “been a gittin’” along? Okay, I hope.

Well, let’s see here. I’ve been writing more today, on two articles. I've been working on four draft articles, off and on, since 10/11/2020. This article is the first of two that are published today. The theme is “Life, such as it is.” It's a chronological record.

Life, Such As It Was

9/21/2020, Monday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman still drives, bravely, to and from her vice principal/teacher job every workday. My “ex-favorite-sister-in-law,” the “coward” that she is, still does her teaching from home. The carpooling is still not happening.

Also on 9/21/2020, I worked at home from 8 to 10:30 AM. Then, my dentist set a temporary crown (i.e., corona; study the etymology). Historical note: on 8/10/2020, Monday, while working at home, I had chipped a tooth. My dentist patched it, on Thursday, 8/13/2020, when I worked at home. I thought that I’d have a new crown today. Wrong! My dentist doesn't set a crown on the same day. I paid the full price for the crown. Finally, I got the new crown, on Monday, 10/19/2020.

After having the temporary crown installed, I shopped, for a few items, at “Food Crappy,” with all the mask-wearing fun. After that, my chiropractor adjusted me again. It was an extra adjustment, after the usual monthly adjustment, on Monday, 9/14/2020. I think that he set all my bones in place, finally. I’m still working on the muscle and soft tissue recovery. I’m getting tired of this type of “fun.”

9/22-23/2020, Tuesday and Wednesday: Our recent deck replacement contractor called on Tuesday. I understood, to some degree, why he took so long to reply to me. His father, at age 80, is not doing very well. My contractor had gone to care for his father in Pennsylvania. His sub-contractor came the next day, on Wednesday. He was leaving, just as I was returning home from working at the office (for whatever insane reason). I met him. We talked. He promised. He lied. We still have a few minor details that must be done!

9/28/2020, Monday: In contrast to the previous mediocre service, our fine heating and air conditioning service man and his son-in-law inspected our A/C and heat units, as I had arranged. Jerry Roberts (owner, of Robert’s Heat & Air) knows how to do business! Our A/C and heat units are fine, but it was good to have them checked.

10/3/2020, Saturday: “Microcrap” wanted to update “Winders” to the 2004 version. I let it update. After having fought the desktop computer monitor for days, on Saturday, 10/17/2020, I ordered a new monitor (which arrived on Monday, 10/19/2020). The “Microcrap” technician, by phone, confirmed what I had concluded already. The “Winders” 2004 update had not been the problem. Interestingly, the monitor had started to go bad, after the update.

10/5-6/2020, Monday and Tuesday: Our deck replacement contractor called on Monday, 10/5/2020. I have no problems with him. He had a major problem with one of his sub-contractors. His now fired sub-contractor came, unannounced, on 10/6/2020, to see that he had not done the work, which he had promised to do, on 9/23/2020. I assume that he surprised himself, by seeing that he had not done his promised work. I did not talk with him. He is done. If he comes around here again, he does not represent my contractor, and I will get him off our property. I hope that he takes up the Good Lord’s free gift offer. I have tried to help him toward that end. It’s his choice now.

10/8/2020, Thursday: Mrs. Appalachian Irishman has been exposed to her teaching assistant, who has been exposed to his daughter, who has the COVID-19 virus (i.e., a new cold virus). The daughter of the teaching assistant had a bit of the snots. What shall we do? We do nothing, of course. How many times have I been exposed to someone, who had been exposed to someone, who had a cold? It’s been more times than I could ever count. I have moved on from this Corona Myopia Obsession! I wish that this once great nation could do so. By the way, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman is completely health! Neither one of us has been nor will be tested for this new cold virus.

10/9-11/2020, Friday through Sunday: I hope that the Rogersville Heritage Days weekend, in the rainy weather, was enjoyable, to whomever was there. I hear that Heritage Days isn’t what it used to be. I remember when the occasion was enjoyable. The rain, the “Corona Myopia,” and the festival’s decline did not inspire us to make the trip this year. Will we next year? We’ll see.

10/10/2020, Saturday: I have to toss this one in, for fun! In late September, Nielsen, the radio listening survey folks, had been “hammering” (i.e., calling and never leaving voice mail) our landline, for days, until I grew tired of it. I made the mistake of calling Nielsen back, to see what they wanted. Well, I agreed that Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I would fill out their survey forms, to mail back to them, postage paid. We received the survey forms by mail. We completed their one-week survey forms, about radio stations, to which we had listened. Nielsen, in two postal letters, sent us a total of three crisp, new one-dollar bills! (That’s the way to get rich!) On 10/10/2020, I mailed, postage paid, our improved, computerized survey forms – along with a pithy letter to their “he ain’t from around here” executive. I don’t think Nielsen will ever bother us again.

10/12-16/2020, Monday through Friday: I was supposed to have worked at home on Monday and Tuesday then at the office on Wednesday through Friday. My colleague, with whom I share the same insane home-office rotation, became ill on Monday (a cold, not the “new cold virus”). I, therefore, “enjoyed” working at home Monday then at the office Tuesday through Friday. The insanity needs to stop, or I can always find a work-at-home job, before I retire from this state job.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman -- still driving alone, bravely, to and from work daily -- had a long weekend. It was her Fall break. She was off on Friday and Monday. The time off work “inspired” her to take up hammer, chisel, and blowtorch, to clean out the kitchen oven. (Recently, I had opened the oven door to hear it growl at me.)

10/19-23/2020, my work week: to make up for last week, I worked at home on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday – but at the office on Wednesday. The rationale, for doing the same job at home or at the office, exists only in the minds of the bureaucrats! I'd rather not drive the 16.4-mile, one-way route to the office and back. I have to drive through the crossroad, where I almost died, on 3/29/2016.

On 10/19/2020, as I've already stated, my dentist installed my new crown, with no extra charge. I told him that, apparently, I need a crown, about every 40 years. He knows that, if he’s still doing dental work, I’ll be back, at age 100, for my next crown. Afterward, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I visited our chiropractor. The appointment had been set for 10/5/2020, but our chiropractor's daughter had come down with the “new cold virus.” She had recovered quickly. Out of “an abundance of caution,” as the media folks turn the phrase, our chiropractor had closed his office for two weeks. Neither his wife nor he was sick. At least, my adjustment was the usual “tune up.” My bones are holding alignment well. I’ve about had it with the Corona Myopia Obsession in this once great nation. Most everyone, with whom I discuss this, agrees. Why can’t the politicians understand?

10/24/2020, Saturday: I should have been born 200 years before I was. I understand modern technology. I don’t like it much. I had wanted a VGA computer to monitor cable. Our desktop computer needed to connect to the new monitor that I had received. My father-in-law bailed me out! Yesterday, I had ordered online a VGA male-to-male cable. Afterward, I had called my father-in-law, since Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had forgotten to ask him, to see if he had an extra cable. He and I had a fine 45-minute conversation. (Mrs. Appalachian Irishman needs to create her own website journal, for her side of family history.) Well, today, my father-in-law called to say that he had an extra cable that I needed! I canceled my online order. The cable works! Once again, with help from my father-in-law, I defeated modern technology! Eventually, the desktop and laptop computers will need upgrades, but not today!

Conclusion

Well, that’s the latest “life, such as it is,” update, from 9/21/2020, Monday, to 10/24/2020 Saturday. Please read on, dear reader!

I have a few more articles to publish. I’m getting there! I’ll also publish today the article, about my 171st hike on House Mountain, on 10/4/2020. I plan to publish two others later, as the Good Lord wills.