Translations

Sunday, March 13, 2022

HOW TO WRITE AN ESSAY (published 3-13-2022; article #302)

 Introduction

Good Sunday afternoon, y'all! To East Tennessee readers, the blizzard of March 2022 is behind us. The weather is sunny and a balmy fortyish degrees!

The purpose of this essay is to help readers, who want to know how to write an essay. An essay is a concise article. I have 302 essays, on this website.

I have been writing, since grade school. I wrote poems at first. I have my poetic writings, saved in a notebook. This website journal started on 3/6/2006. I have an almost complete, but not yet published, book, “Light at the End of the Tunnel.” I write in English, but I have written in Russian – when Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I lived in Moscow (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999).

The Three-Step Process
(or Three-Legged Stool)

A three-legged stool will hold weight. Your essay needs to be weighty!

Step One – Topic: a plethora of thoughts inspire a writer. The fullness of the writer's mind is the start. I had to write my article yesterday! The humor of spring snow on spring forward day had to be published!

Engage your mind! What interests you? Think about a topic. Your life experiences help. Research and study. A writer is a learner. Use sound and valid reasoning. (Well, some folks don't know what that is, as you know, if you keep up with “poly-tics!”)

Do you have your topic selected? Have you thought about it? Have you done your research (as needed)? Good! My topic today is on how to write an essay. I didn't need to research! I've been doing this a few decades!

Step Two – Proposition: narrow your focus. Many creeks flow to one river. The river is the topic. Unless you are writing a book, you must pick a creek, for an essay. The creek that you pick is your proposition. Organize your thoughts and research. Determine what you want to say.

Yesterday, my topic was weather. My proposition was the humor of spring snow on spring forward day! In logic, a proposition has an “if then” factor. For example, if the temperature drops enough, then the rain will turn to snow – on spring forward day!

Step Three – Body: not the human body! (I heard one or two make a joke!) Your essay needs an introduction, main point (or points), and conclusion. This essay is an example. Are you still reading? I thought so! We've been in the body section of this essay a while. (No jokes, please!)

The introduction catches the reader's attention and states the purpose of your essay. The reader is motivated to read further!

The main point (or points) contain what you want to say. Write about the creek you are on. Write as you speak (without those ugly words)! Be natural. Be yourself. Organizing your thoughts into words takes time. Don't rush! The words will flow, when they are ready in your mind. This “The Three-Step Process (or Three-Legged Stool)” section is the body of this essay.

The conclusion is your “wrap up” section. A conclusion can be a final summary of your main point(s). It can be a “call to action,” based on your main point(s). It confirms your introduction.

Conclusion

I hope this essay helped my readers learn how to write an essay! If so, then I am pleased.

For additional essay writing help, I suggest Scribbr (https://www.scribbr.com/). “The Beginner's Guide to Writing an Essay | Steps & Examples” has good information. This essay demonstrates paragraph structure, style, punctuation, and grammar. I had outstanding English teachers, in grade school and high school. They helped me develop my God-given talent, in public speaking and writing.

Do not look for essay writing services! I did a “Gaggle” search on that. If you pay folks, they will help you write, or write for you, your essays. That's lazy. An inspired writer does not want a essay writing service to “ghost write.”

A wise college professor told us “preacher boys:” ”reading makes an educated person, speaking makes a ready person, and writing makes an exact person.”

Write inspired and exacting essays out there, y'all! I hope that I have helped!


Saturday, March 12, 2022

THE BLIZZARD OF MARCH 2022 (published 3-12-2022; article #301)

 Introduction

As I begin to write, at 4:17 PM, on Saturday, March 12, 2022, the sun is bright, in a clear blue sky. Do folks in east Tennessee have enough milk and bread? I hope so!

The weather prognosticators were correct – this time. The weather signs, of the last few days, had been indicating that rain, at least, was coming.

The rain started late last evening. I went to bed as a skeptic. The temperature was near 60F. I woke up this morning as a believer. The falling temperature changed the rain to snow – a real snow this time.

The Blizzard of March 12, 2022

A video says a thousand words. Just before Mrs. Appalachian Irishman recorded the video (below), Molly (our ol' puppy), very bravely, had explored the back yard. She made a “lollipop” design – going out, circling, and returning to her basement condominium the same way she'd started. Molly enjoyed her brief romp in the snow! I wish that I'd had my semi-intelligent phone handy – to photograph or video Molly!

The original video, below, is a minute and 59 seconds long. I had to “trim” it for publishing.

 I hope that you enjoy it. I apologize for not having had a shower yet! I hope that you can't smell me!

 

 

Seven and a half inches of snow! That's what this Appalachian Irishman calls a real snow!

There were four “dinky” snows in January – 1/3/2022, 1/6/2022, 1/17/2022, and 1/29/2022. I wrote about the 1/17/2022 snow, in my first article of that date. My first article, of 1/9/2022, wrote about the two snows in one week.

February recorded no snow here. On Saturday, 2/26/2022, however, my '06 Frontier and I hauled trash – as the rain and hail mixture was coming down. The hail changed to all rain, later in the day.

Historical Blizzards

History.com (© 2022, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved) has an article, updated 12/15/2020, titled “The Biggest Snow Storms in US History - We trudge back in time to revisit some of the worst blizzards in U.S. History” by History.com Staff; updated Dec. 15, 2020; original Mar. 14, 2017.

I wasn't around yet, for the blizzard of March 1888. Papaw Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880 - 11/21/1970) was a boy. His wife, Molly Gertrude Archer (11/30/1892 - 6/11/1971), wasn't born yet.

During the blizzard of January 1922, Granny Wood (Lula Frank Amos, 6/16/1901 - 8/12/1991) and Papaw Aby William Wood (9/4/1901 - 3/14/1983) were young adults.

I remember the blizzard of February 1978! The snow fell every Wednesday, as I recall. High school graduation had to be delayed until late June, as I remember.

During the blizzard of March 1993, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I lived in Dexter, Missouri. I was the associate minister, at the church. We were well into our preparation to move to Moscow, Russia – on 10/1/1994. I shoveled mounds of snow! My 1984 Chevy Chevette hit ice and snow, and we spun full circle – staying on the road, thankfully!

During the January 1996 blizzard, in this once great nation, we were still in our five-year mission work in Russia (to 9/30/1999). Blizzard? What blizzard! Snow covers the ground, in the Moscow area, from about November to about April!

Well, the History.com article mentions two blizzards, in 2010. You can read about those, as you wish to do so.

The photograph, below, is from my January 10, 2010 article, “House Mountain Snow!“

Yes, I marketed my website, on the snow, on the rock. That rock is just east of the west bluff, on House Mountain. That is my left shoe print.

Spring Forward

By the way, don't forget to “spring forward,” before going to bed tonight. “Government time” (daylight savings time) starts at 2 AM! How does it save daylight? It will be darker longer, in the mornings. It will be lighter longer, in the evenings. It does not “save daylight.” It just moves it forward an hour! That's “government time,” lying to you!

Papaw Ferrell called it “guvrmint” time. I do also.

Conclusion

I'd better wind this down. I hear Mrs. Appalachian Irishman working on supper! Y'all enjoy this early spring snow, on “spring forward” day. Meteorological spring started on March 1st.

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


Tuesday, March 08, 2022

2022 SLAVIC WAR: THE RUSSIAN INVASION OF THE UKRAINE (published 3-8-2022; article #300)

 Introduction

As I began to write, about 5 PM, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was arriving home from her job. I had worked from home today.

I paused, to see if she had a good International Women's Day (March 8th annually). This morning, I had forgotten to wish her a good Women's Day. The celebration hasn't caught on much, in this once great nation. It is celebrated like Valentine's Day in several nations, including Russia. We remember those celebrations well.

While we lived in Russia, they had started to celebrate Valentine's Day (February 14th) every year. My wife and I remember.

Men joked that women get two annual days (February 14th and March 8th), while men get only one day (February 23rd) – about which I write next.

Defender of the Fatherland Day (2/23/2022)

Annually, on February 23, Russians (and other nations) celebrate Defender of the Fatherland Day (День защитника Отечества). We remember the annual celebrations, when we lived in Moscow, Russia (10/1/1994 to 9/30/1999).

Generally, the day is when women give gifts to men – whether or not they served in the military. The day is commonly called Men's Day (День мужчин). Russians celebrated Men's Day, on 2/23/2022, Wednesday. I made a passing comment to my wife that day.

Russia Invades the Ukraine (2/24/2022)

The next day, on Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine -- by land, air, and sea. The invasion has been described as the largest military attack by one nation against another, in Europe, since the Second World War.

We still keep in touch with some of our church family, in Moscow and in Klin (not too many kilometers north of Moscow). We keep in touch with other missionaries, who had served in Russia and in the Ukraine. We see information on the media sources that are still available, in Russia and the Ukraine.

Russians and Ukrainians (as well as other nations in that region) are Slavs. They are related, by the Slavic race that binds them together. Many Russians do not like what Russian President Vladimir Putin and his minions are doing. Putin is shutting down all forms of internal opposition to his invasion of the Ukraine.

Many news sources have many sad details. We see, read, and hear about it almost constantly. I recommend The Moscow Times, as an independent news source from Russia. It is not silenced – yet. You can subscribe, with no cost, to receive weekly email updates from The Moscow Times. That website is still up. I check it daily.

Conclusion

I write briefly today. I will probably write more, in a few days. My written prayer, now, is: “Dear Lord, by your provident grace, stop Vladimir Putin and the soldiers that are under his direction. Some of those soldiers do not want to do what they are doing, in the Ukraine. Some do. Bring peace, by your grace, to the Ukraine. I have the will but not the power. You, Dear Lord, have the power. Please use your providential will. Through Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.”

Grace and peace to all the innocent folks in both Russia and the Ukraine. The hearts of many are sad. We hope for wisdom and peace.


Monday, February 21, 2022

FEARGHAIL NIECES - PRIDE IN BASKETBALL AND LIFE (published 2/21/2022; article #299)

Introduction

Howdy, y'all! Thanks for stopping by to read a while.

My latest article on the entitled topic was on 1/30/2022. I called my youngest brother yesterday, His wife, their two daughters, and he were at a tennis court. His wife and their daughters were trying to figure out how to play tennis! My brother was resting on the sideline. Who knows? Tennis may be the next topic of pride!

The Rogersville Review Article

The elder daughter of my youngest brother and his wife had a photograph included, in The Rogersville Review, 2/2/2022, Wednesday, Midweek Edition, page 3B. The article is “Lady Chiefs Drop Pair to Cocke County, West Greene,” by Randy Ball, Review Contributor. Remember, you must have a paid subscription to read the article!

The photograph, below, is from the link, above. It is one of ten photographs in the article. Randy Ball takes great photographs, and he writes well.

2021 - 2022 Basketball Season

I can't find, on The Rogersville Review, WRGS Radio, the Cherokee High School, or the Bulls Gap Middle School websites, the 2021 - 2022 Cherokee High School Ladies Basketball season scores or the Bulls Gap Middle School Ladies Basketball scores. The administrators of those websites need to do better!

On The Rogersville Review, 2/16/2022, Midweek Edition, page 4B, by Jim Beller, Sports Editor, I did, however, see that the Cherokee Lady Chiefs basketball team were 11 - 18 overall and 1 - 7 in conference. The Cherokee Chiefs (boys) basketball team, unfortunately, were 0 - 26 overall and 0 - 8 in conference. (Remember, you must have a subscription to read the article.)

Well, the Cherokee Lady Chiefs did much better than the Cherokee Chiefs (boys) team! That's the way to show those boys, ladies!

Up Next?

The speculation is that the next sports adventure, by the two daughters of my youngest brother and his wife, may be tennis! That's great!

I played bench, mostly, on the church basketball league, when I was in grade school. I hadn't hit my growing spurt yet! I did play in a game or two.

I was an outstanding pitcher, on the church softball league, when I was in grade school. Just ask “Guru!” No one thought that they could strike him out! I did!

Well, that was back in West View Baptist Church days. Those were great days! I remember. I may write more later.

I took a course in tennis, when I attended ETSU (East Tennessee State University), in 1982 to 1983. I played many fierce and competitive tennis games, with friends, back in the day. I think that my “bionic” body could still play tennis well enough. I recall when the surgeon, who repaired my damaged left shoulder, right knee, and right foot, told me that I may never swing a tennis racket over my head again. I've been able to do that for about five years now!

Conclusion

Well, on 2/1/2022 and again a few minutes ago, I tested negative, on a made in China test, to test me for the China virus. I was just having some fun with it!

I am not a negative person! I have positive and evidence-based faith hope – in the everlasting! Do you understand? Would you like my help? If so, use my “Contact Form,” to email me. We can sip and drink coffee a while, as we discuss deeply spiritual topics.


Sunday, February 20, 2022

Life, “Such As It Was,” Update (2/13 - 19/2022): “Supper Bowl,” Valentine's Day, Birthday Call, Sessions Court Judge Candidate (published 2-20-2022; article #298)

Introduction

Dad (Earl Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) use to say, about meals he'd prepared for us -- after Mom (Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, 11/24/1932 - 12/27/2000) went to see Jesus – “it's ready, such as it is.” Dad became a good cook. We enjoyed the meals he prepared for us, usually on Sunday afternoons, when family would visit together, at the homeplace.

That's why I title articles, “life, such as it is” or “as it was.” I'm “trying to keep it going, Dad” – well at least the basic theme. I'm not much of a cook.

Supper Bowl”

“Supper Bowl” Sunday was on 2/13/2022. I like a good supper bowl.

  

The above image is a free download from Pixabay.com (Berlin, Germany). The image is by Louise Tsaraph.

Well, I like the good food that's in any supper bowl (if the bowl is large enough). I've never eaten anything colored blue, in a supper bowl before.

The NFL Super Bowl was on 2/13/2022. The TV was on Gunsmoke and the other usual Sunday evening choices. Neither the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers, nor the Carolina Panthers were in it – my three teams, in order. The Kansas City Chiefs, my fourth team, was not in it.

My Sunday, August 8, 2021 article remarked on my 7/19/2021 e-mail to Roger Goodell. He has never replied. I don't follow the NFL much – especially if my Steelers aren't doing very well. By the way, I wish “Big Ben,” Ben Roethlisberger, a good retirement! His 18 seasons with my Steelers were usually very good or great.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day was last Monday. I joke about calling Valentine's Day “VD Day.” I created the following card, for Mrs. Appalachian Irishman. I worked at home that day, so I could wash towels, at lunch.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's gift to me will be my third “bionic” tooth! On 2/3/2022, just after I'd arrived at the “Hadean Realm” office, not at home, I chipped an upper right tooth. The culprit was a filling, about 40 years old, that could not take the punishment of the chewing gum that I'd just started to chew! On 2/11/2022, working part of the day from home, my dentist patched my tooth with a temporary filling. On 3/4/2022, Friday, I plan to work from home, part of the day. My dentist plans to fit my tooth for the crown. Later in March, I'll get that third “bionic” tooth! Thanks, dear, for your Valentine's Day gift!

My Sunday, August 16, 2020 article mentioned my second “bionic” tooth. I hope that my other 40-year old fillings hold!

Birthday Call

I am the eldest of the four sons of Earl and Betty Ferrell. The youngest daughter of my brother, who is next to eldest, attained age 36, on 2/16/2022, Wednesday. After my “work-at-home-a-day,” I called her.

We had a very good conversation of almost an hour. The last time we saw each other was on 7/3/2021 (Saturday). My Monday, July 5, 2021 article wrote about the details. We both hope that the Earl and Betty “Fearghail” clan can get together, in person, one of these days soon.

Washington County, TN, Sessions Court Judge Candidate

I have a lifelong friend. His mother and my mother were friends. I have always known my friend. (By the way, his birthday was on 2/6/2022. After having played phone tag, we talked, finally, on 2/8/2022 – the birthday of my next to youngest brother. Yes, that brother and I played phone tag on 2/8/2022. He and I talked by phone on 2/9/2022.)

My friend is the eldest of three siblings. His sister (via good ol' “Farcebook”) informed folks that their youngest sibling is a candidate for Washington County, Tennessee, Sessions Court Judge!

I encourage my Washington County, Tennessee, readers to vote for Todd Hull. His website is https://toddhullforjudge.com/ (copyright © 2022 Todd Hull for Sessions Court Judge - All Rights Reserved.)

On his “Farcebook” page, I wrote the following comments earlier today: “I have known him as long as he's been alive! He was raised right. He turned out right. He will move in the right direction. I encourage folks in Washington County, TN, to vote for him.”

I can still remember playing backyard football – among many other good memories! True friends stay connected through the years.

Conclusion

Well, Dad, this is my “life, such as it was” update. Once I join Mom, you, and so many others, we will pass everlastingness, in part, by talking about our various life stories, when we were on this temporal plain.

Until then, Dad, I will remember this story. I look forward to telling it to you!