On the first Saturday in October 2024, what did the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers have in common? (published 10-6-2024; article #493)

Photograph by M. Fearghail, 10/1/2023, 2:00 PM. Included in the 10/2/2023 article.

Introduction

Yesterday, the first Saturday in October, what did the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers have in common? This sixteenth entry in the Sports topic section answers the question! The conclusion explains why the above photograph is included in this article.

On my mind are the recent ravages of Hurricane Helene, the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tomorrow's first anniversary of Hamas' attack on Israel, and the ad nauseam politics of the current presidential election cycle. Draft articles on each topic are in the works. I hope to finish and publish them in a few days. Sports distracts us from those other profound and frequently frustrating topics.

Alabama Lost by Five Points to Unranked Vanderbilt

Yesterday afternoon, the #1 AP-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide was shocked by the unranked Vanderbilt Commodores in Nashville! The televised game started at 4:15 PM eastern time. My wife and I watched the Georgia-Auburn game, which started at 3:30 PM. We did, however, catch some of the Alabama-Vanderbilt game. I was amazed to learn that the halftime score was Vanderbilt 23, Alabama 14!

At times, I switched channels to check the score. I thought, “Surely, Alabama will find a way to beat hapless Vanderbilt.” After all, on Saturday, September 28, the then #4 AP-ranked Crimson Tide beat the then #2 AP-ranked Georgia Bulldogs in Tuscaloosa by seven points. That loss frustrated me. Georgia needs to stop sleeping through the first half and awakening in the second half.

Yesterday, in the second half, Alabama scored 21 points, but Vanderbilt scored 17. Vanderbilt beat Alabama by five points! The final score was Vanderbilt 40, Alabama 35.

A good summary of the game is found at “No. 1/2 Alabama Football Falls 40-35 at Vanderbilt,” Roll Tide, 10/5/2024. I enjoyed watching Vandy fans swarm the field and begin to tear down the goal posts. Vanderbilt was not hapless that day.

Tennessee Lost by Five Points to Unranked Arkansas

Last evening in Fayetteville, the unranked home team Arkansas Razorback upset the #4 AP-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. The televised game started at 7:30 PM. My wife, Molly (our ol' puppy), and I watched the game, until Molly's bedtime (about 8:30 PM) and my wife's bedtime (about 9 PM). I stayed up to about 11:30 PM, watching the rest of the game.

The halftime score was Arkansas three and Tennessee zero. In the third quarter, the Volunteers (Vols) scored two touchdowns to the Razorback's one, making the score Tennessee 14, Arkansas 10. I thought that Tennessee could hold on to win. I was wrong!

In the fourth quarter, the Vols could not score. The Razorbacks scored a field goal and a touchdown. (The two-point attempt failed.) The final score was Arkansas 19, Tennessee 14. Tennessee lost by five points.

The game is summarized at "#4 Vols Come Up Short in 19-14 Loss at Arkansas," UT Sports, 10/5/2024. I wish that Tennessee had been able to win the game. Instead of sadness, I had to smile and laugh to myself a little, as I watched Razorback fans cover the field and begin tearing down goal posts. Tennessee just did not play well enough to win.

For some reason early this morning, I remembered, when I was 11, that my parents, brothers, and I visited with Granny and Papaw Wood. Uncle John and Aunt Mae Livesay (Granny's sister), who lived within walking distance, had family visiting as well. It must have been around Thanksgiving in 1971. That December, Tennessee faced Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis. I remember talking with the adults about the upcoming game. One of them said, “Tennessee better watch out for those Razorbacks. Those hogs can be pretty mean.” Why do I still remember that? Was I worried? On Monday, December 20, 1971, Tennessee defeated Arkansas in the Liberty Bowl in Memphis by one point. The final score was Tennessee 14, Arkansas 13. Source: Sports Reference: Tennessee Volunteers Bowls.

Conclusion

Yesterday, Alabama and Tennessee, top-five ranked Southeastern Conference (SEC) teams, were each defeated by five points by unranked conference teams! Have two SEC teams, ranked in the top five, ever lost before to unranked conference opponents on the same day? Never before. According to “Chaos hits AP Top 25 with 4 teams ranked in the top 11 losing to unranked opponents,” Associated Press (AP), by Josh Dubow, 10/6/2024, “This marked the first time that two SEC teams ranked in the top five lost to unranked conference opponents on the same day. . . .”

Why is the photograph of my Georgia Bulldogs yard flag included in this article? Yesterday, the #5 AP-ranked Georgia Bulldogs defeated the unranked Auburn Tigers, 31-13. At halftime, Georgia was ahead 14-3. It was a better start. Both teams scored touchdowns in the third quarter. In the 4th quarter, Auburn got a field goal, but Georgia scored a touchdown and a field goal. Georgia's offense and defense are not as good as they were last year. The team is still a work in progress. Still yet, it was a solid win at home for homecoming. Yesterday, top-five-ranked Georgia beat its unranked conference opponent. Top-five-ranked Alabama and Tennessee lost to their unranked conference matchups.

Our good neighbors across the road have up their Tennessee yard flag. I may change our yard flag, from Appalachian Irishman to Georgia Bulldogs. Chuck is another good neighbor. He's a polite Alabama fan. On one of our front porch rocking chairs sits one of Molly's toys, a small red elephant with blue ears. Georgia could face Alabama again in a championship playoff game.

Go Dawgs! Go Vols! Tennessee is my second favorite college football team, behind Georgia. I dislike Alabama. I like Chuck.

Could Smokin' in an Outhouse Cause a Fire? (published 9-27-2024; article #492)

The dilapidated two-seater outhouse is still on House Mountain, near where the fire tower once was. Photograph by M. Fearghail on 12/31/2013, during his 100th hike on House Mountain. The hike and the photograph are included in the 1/1/2014 article.

Introduction

Why do inspirations for new articles often come to me while showering? This article is one example.

Early last Sunday morning, while taking a shower, one of the three radios in my bathroom played Mötley Crüe's cover of the original Brownsville Station song, “Smokin' in the Boys' Room.” Brownsville Station debuted the song in 1973, “Smokin' in the Boys' Room,” Brownsville Station—Topic (YouTube), 3/6/2015. In 1985, Mötley Crüe covered the song, “Mötley Crüe—Smokin' In The Boys' Room,” Mötley Crüe (YouTube), 11/12/2010. I like both versions. Back in high school (1974–1978), a visit to the boys' room frequently brought the aroma of cigarette smoke to my nostrils. Smokers typically tossed cigarette butts out the glazed windows. The grass below the windows could look like a light dusting of snow had fallen.

Singing along in the shower, I started to improvise a parody, “Smokin' in the Outhouse.” The complete parody is still a work in progress. I began to wonder. Has anyone ever set fire to an outhouse by smoking, while “sittin' thar thinkin'” on a wooden toilet seat?

This 116th article in the humor topic section finds the answer to that question. Switching genre, not gender, the article becomes the 72nd entry in the poly-ticks topic section. The conclusion flushes the false notion of gender fluidity down the toilet.

Smokin' in an Outhouse Could Cause a Fire!

Have you, dear reader, heard that someone caught an outhouse on fire by smoking in it? Please comment if you have! I haven't caught wind of it happening in northeast Tennessee.

Searching online, I found a couple of news items, which confirm that it has happened! Smoking in an outhouse could catch it on fire! The first news story is “No smoking in the outhouse, please,” United Press International (UPI), 7/14/2004.

As the article states, just over 20 years ago, a man in Blacksville, Monongalia County, West Virginia, lit up a smoke while “sittin' thar thinkin'” in an outhouse. With no pun intended, that sparked an explosion of methane gas.

Singed with only minor injuries, the “em-barr-assed” (slight pun intended) man was treated at a local clinic, and then treated and released from a local hospital. The article probably states Blacksburg, Tennessee, in error, since there is no town with that name in Tennessee.

The other news is from “Outhouse Catches on Fire,” Capper’s Farmer, by Staff, 3/27/2013. The setting could have been several decades ago. This apparently true story was about someone's father. He knocked smoldering tobacco ashes from his pipe down the outhouse toilet hole. The outhouse caught fire and burned to the ground! Thankfully, the pipe smoker wasn't inside. He had already finished his business and gone to the barn.

The lyrics to the parody “Smokin' in the Outhouse” are still in the works. Please comment if you would like to suggest wording! The parody could catch fire!

Outhouse Inspection: You Must Be Joking?

While searching online for stories about smoking in an outhouse causing a fire, I happened to find the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) in Boulder, Colorado. Their undated column, “Outhouse Inspection,” InterNACHI, by Nick Gromicko, CMI, explains what an inspector does when inspecting an outhouse! Tips for outhouse owners are also provided.

Unfortunately, the column does not explain when and how to use a Sears and Roebuck catalog or a corncob in the outhouse. As a child in the 1960s, I recall that Granny and Papaw Ferrell kept a few corncobs and a Sears and Roebuck catalog in their outhouse. Several pages were always missing. Thankfully, a few rolls of toilet paper were also readily available. I had a few movements in their two-seater outhouse.

The lyrics to the parody “Smokin' in the Outhouse” are moving along. What wording do you suggest?

What about “Smokin' in the Unisex Room” and Other Parody Titles?

In 1973, when the song debuted, and even in 1985, when the song was covered, politically correct feathers were not ruffled. Why has some politically correct group not protested to ban “Smokin' in the Boys' Room” from playing on classic rock radio stations? “Boys' room” is not inclusive. I hope that this article doesn't give such a group the idea! This once great nation does need any more socialist-fronted protest groups.

In jest, this article proposes that anyone brainwashed by politically correct propaganda should start a protest to change “Smokin' in the Boys' Room” to some other title with matching (pun intended) lyrics. For example, what about the following suggestions: “Smokin' in the Cisgender Room,” “Smokin' in the Gender-Fluid Room,” “Smokin' in the Transgendered Room,” or “Smokin' in the Transsexual Room”?

Folks with terminal degrees after their names do not intimidate me. I admire and respect those, who were educated properly. Others, however, whose terminal degrees influence them to promote unbiblical concepts, are like gnats that should be swatted out an outhouse door!

For example, a doctor of medicine (MD) wrote the following article, and another MD reviewed it: “What Are the 72 Other Genders?” MedicineNet, by Shaziya Allarakha, MD, reviewed by Pallavi Suyog Uttekar, MD, medically reviewed on 2/9/2024. These two “learned” doctors, of course, are mistaken. There are not 72 other genders! Only two, male and female, exist.

Another well-known medical website describes 68 gender identities. The following article was written by a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) and another person: “68 Terms That Describe Gender Identity and Expression,” Healthline, by Mere Abrams, LCSW, and Sian Ferguson, reviewed by Francis Kuehnle, MSN, RN-BC, updated 1/26/2024. The reviewer has a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and is a Registered Nurse, Board Certified (RN-BC). There are only two genders, not 72 other genders; therefore, there cannot be 68 gender identities.

I happened to find a website that propagates unbiblical notions. It includes the following article: “How Many Genders Are There? 2024 Gender Identity List,” sexualdiversity.org, published 12/7/2022, updated 4/10/2024. Shockingly, the article claims that, in 2024, there are “107 gender identities,” which are “subject to change at any time.” I had to laugh at the illogic of it all!

News media like to cite so-called and often unnamed experts, as in “experts say. . . .” Media often do this without stating the criteria that validate their sources as experts. Parroting falsehoods by citing so-called experts should be ignored. Experts regularly (slight pun intended) disagree.

The work-in-progress lyrics to the parody “Smokin' in the Outhouse” won't face threats from the politically correct crowd. The title replaces “Boys' Room” with “Outhouse.”

Conclusion

I don't know why inspirations for new articles occasionally pop into my head while showering. They just do. Shampooing my hair may stimulate thought.

Smoking in an outhouse could set the outhouse on fire. I found at least two stories about it happening.

I hope that, years or decades from now, fresh or refreshed minds will reflect on this time, when the false notion that there are more than two genders is propagandized, and realize the utter silliness of this time. The clearly false notion of gender fluidity is flushed down the toilet.

Disclaimer: This article should not be interpreted to mean that I accept or promote smoking cigarettes, tobacco, or any substance. This article does not encourage juvenile delinquency. Furthermore, this article should not be construed as so-called “hate speech” against anyone who accepts the false notion that more than two genders exist. In loving kindness, this article promotes the biblical worldview, which affirms only two genders.

On 9-18-2024, was Clingman's Dome renamed Kuwohi or Kuwahi? (published 9-23-2024; article #491)

Sunday afternoon photograph, on 10/28/2007, by M. Fearghail, of the observation tower on Clingman's Dome (as it was named at the time). Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was standing centered, looking toward the setting sun, wearing a light blue sweatshirt.

Introduction

Is the new name for Clingman's Dome, in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, spelled with an “o” or an “a”? How is Kuwohi or Kuwahi pronounced? This thirty-forth entry in the Appalachia - Upper East Tennessee topic section wants to know! The conclusion has the answer and shares how the new name is pronounced.

Foremost, it was named Clingman's Dome, not Clingmans Dome. The apostrophe was required to show the possessive case. This website's article from 7/14/2022 explains that the location had been named after Thomas Clingman, and it tells who he was.

Kuwohi: the Official Spelling

The official name change from Clingman's Dome to Kuwohi was on Wednesday, September 18. A local television news station informed us. One online source (with my grammatical corrections added in brackets) is “Clingman[']s Dome name change proposal approved[;] Kuwohi name restored to Smokies mountain[.]” WATE, by Hannah Moore and Melanie Vásquez Russell, 9/18/2024. The article includes the following (with my bracketed corrections added):

On September 18, the U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted in favor of the request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to change the name of Clingman[']s Dome to Kuwohi.

Kuwohi means “mulberry place[,]” and the National Park Service shared [that] the Cherokee syllabary for the name is ᎫᏬᎯ. Kuwohi holds a significant meaning to the EBCI, whose leaders today say the place of mulberries is a sacred summit that also served as a refuge for past Cherokee people avoiding forced relocation to Oklahoma, or the Trail of Tears.

Kuwohi is the highest point in Tennessee[,] and the observation tower offers visitors to the summit 360° views of the Smokies. It was renamed after Confederate General Thomas Clingman, who was said to be the first person to accurately measure the peak’s elevation.

The following federal website article confirms Kuwohi as the officially correct spelling: “Kuwohi name restored to the highest peak in the Smokies: U.S. Board of Geographic Names approves Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians name change request,” National Park Service: Great Smoky Mountains National Park, by Katie Liming, 9/18/2024. The first paragraph includes the following (with my bracketed correction for Clingman's added):

The U.S. Board of Geographic Names voted today in favor of the formal request submitted by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) to change the name of Clingman[']s Dome (FID #1326387) to Kuwohi (pronounced koo-WHOA-hee). Kuwohi is the Cherokee name for the mountain and translates to “mulberry place.” In Cherokee syllabary, the name is ᎫᏬᎯ.

Other recent online news sources that I saw also spelled the new name for Clingman's Dome as Kuwohi. As an aside, most of those sources misspelled Clingman's without the apostrophe.

Kuwahi: an Alternate Spelling

Two years ago, online articles indicated that Clingman's Dome was to be renamed Kuwahi, with an “a,” not an “o.” For example, my 7/14/2022 article (The Solid Rock: Clingman's Dome, Kuwahi, or Christ?) cites a 7/8/2022 local news article, which mentioned that Kuwahi would be the new name.

Several other articles from 2022 indicate the proposed name change to Kuwahi. For example, with my bracketed corrections added, see “Clingman[']s Dome name change to be discussed by Cherokee Tribal Council,” WATE, by Melanie Vásquez Russell, 7/8/2022. The first paragraph states (including my bracketed correction):

The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Tribal Council is slated to discuss a resolution that, if passed, will begin the tribe’s process of petitioning the federal government to restore the name, “Kuwahi” to the mountain currently known as Clingman[']s Dome in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Conclusion

In 2022, the spelling Kuwahi was preferred. Earlier this month, Kuwohi became the officially correct spelling.

Research indicates that the new name may be spelled either way. I found Siyo Cherokee Language Engine: Cingingman’s Dome, Mulberry Place. (“Cingingman's” is probably a typographical error for “Clingman's.”) The website states that the eastern Cherokee dialect syllabary is “ᎫᏩᎯ” for “Kuwahi,” which means “mulberry place” in English. Further, Siyo Cherokee Language Engine: Mulberry shows “guwa” or “kuwa,” both ending in an “a,” to be the Cherokee word for mulberry. Museum of the Cherokee People: Photo Record: Object ID: NMAI - P15137, however, describes the postcard image as a view of “Clingman's Dome (Kuwahi or Kuwohi; 'mulberry place').”

How is Kuwohi pronounced? It seems to have two options. In the first option, the accent is on the final vowel (the “i”). The second vowel (the “o”) is a soft “a” sound, as in “wash.” I found two online examples. First, please listen to “How To Pronounce Kuwahi,” How To Say (YouTube), 7/13/2022. As an aside, it must be correct, since they pronounce “Appalachian” correctly: “How To Pronounce Appalachian,” How To Say (YouTube), 6/23/2020! A direct Cherokee source is Cherokee Nation: Language Department: Word List. Searching for “mulberry place” finds nothing. A search by “mulberry,” however, finds the phonetic “gu-wa,” the Cherokee “ᎫᏩ,” and the sound recording. The phonetic first syllable “gu” is pronounced like the letter “k.”

The second option places the accent on the “o,” making a strong “o” sound as in “whoa,” such as when you tell a horse, “Whoa!” The following video from late 2022 records Lavita Hill, a Cherokee, pronouncing the word: “The importance of Kuwohi to the Cherokee,” Knoxville News Sentinel (YouTube), 11/9/2022.

Either way, this Appalachian Irishman is pleased to call the former Clingman's Dome Kuwohi. As my 7/14/2022 article suggested, Knox County, Tennessee, needs to be renamed. The article confirms that Knoxville and Knox County were named after Henry Knox. In his role as Secretary of War under President Washington, Knox oversaw a government policy to remove native people, including the Creek and Cherokee, from their ancestral lands.

Russia-Ukraine War: Sharing a Sister in Christ's Personal and Tragic Story (published 9-15-2024; article #490)

1/11/2024 photograph by Dmytro Tolokonov on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License. The caption reads, “January 2, 2024. Ukraine, Kyiv. A powerful attack on a Ukrainian city with Russian missiles. A residential building was destroyed. Rescuers and firefighters are providing assistance to civilians and extinguishing the fire.”

Introduction

The unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine began on Thursday, February 24, 2022. The war, ongoing now for over two and a half years, grinds along at a stalemate-like pace. Horrible waste, destruction, displacement, injury, and death continue, as illustrated by the above photograph. Being numb to the frequent and tragic media reports is understandable. Early in the war, on a daily basis, I read online articles on The Moscow Times: Ukraine War. Eventually, not being able to do much more than pray that the war would end peacefully, I began to review that section less often, maybe about twice a month.

Now and then, however, a story shocks away the numbness. This article, the seventh in the 2022 Slavic War topic section, shares a shocking story that awakened my numbness. This is the true story of a young sister in Christ. Her story is personal and tragic.

A Sister in Christ's Personal and Tragic Story

Anya is a young Christian lady and Russian, still living in that country. We have not met in person. Several years ago, however, through mutual online connections with a Christian brother and former missionary to Russia, Anya and I became acquainted on a social media platform. By infrequent online communications, I have been encouraging Anya to continue her walk with Christ, despite the political climate in Russia. She seems to be doing so, despite numerous hardships.

Last month, on Tuesday, August 27, Anya posted on her social media profile a link to the following: “Russian woman's killer released for second time to fight in Ukraine,” BBC News, by Will Vernon, 8/27/2024. As of today, that BBC News article still appears in the “On the ground” section of BBC News: War in Ukraine. It is the fifth article from the left. You are encouraged to read it. The article includes photographs of Anya's grandmother and of Anya with her grandmother.

In the previously cited BBC News article, beneath the photograph of Anya and her grandmother, is the following link: “Russian convicts released to fight with Wagner accused of crimes” (actual source: “Russian convicts released to fight with Wagner accused of crimes - BBC News,” BBC News (YouTube), August 23, 2023). At the forty-second mark, the video (of three minutes and fifty seconds) includes an interview with Anya, who talked about the murder of her 85-year-old grandmother, Yulia Byuskikh. The video continues with a story about another convicted murderer, who was released from prison to fight for Russia against Ukraine. I hope that you watch the entire video.

Tragically, early last year, Anya's 85-year-old grandmother was raped and murdered by a Russian male in his twenties. This was not his first act of murder. He had been serving time in prison for a previous murder conviction.

In 2022, however, after Russia invaded Ukraine, Russian officials released this convicted murderer from prison, where he was serving time for his first murder, so that he could fight for Russia against Ukraine. After six months of military service, Russian officials allowed the man to return home. Early last year, once home, he raped and murdered Anya's grandmother. This was his second murder.

In April this year, the man was found guilty of his second murder, when he raped and killed Anya's grandmother. For his second murder conviction, he was sentenced to serve 23 years in a high-security prison. He started serving prison time early last month.

On August 19, however, one week after the start of his second imprisonment for his second murder conviction, Russian officials released the murderer again. This was the second time that he was released from a prison sentence for murder. Anya and her relatives were shocked! Like his first release, the murderer was released a second time to serve in the Russian military in its ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The assumption is that this twice-convicted and twice-released murderer is a Russian soldier on a battlefield somewhere in Ukraine. His whereabouts, however, are unknown to Anya and her relatives. They live in fear of his return to find and harm or murder them.

Conclusion

Anya's personal and tragic story is appalling. Sadly, it is only one example. Needing men for the front lines, Russian officials are releasing thousands of convicted rapists, murderers, and other egregious criminals to fight in its aggressive war against Ukraine. Ukraine also releases prisoners to fight in defense of their country, but convicted murderers and sexual offenders are not eligible.

Russia even pays recruits, who volunteer to fight, more than 1.5 million rubles (or over 16,000 US dollars). Did the twice-convicted and twice-released murderer, who most recently raped and murdered Anya's 85-year-old grandmother, receive payment to serve in the Russian military?

The Russian expression “Боже мой!” (“My God!”) is an interjection that expresses intense emotion, not necessarily in vulgarity. For example, in Matthew 27:46 (NIV), before Jesus' vicarious death on the cross, he cried out, “'Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?' (which means 'My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?').” Quoting from Psalm 22:1a, Jesus fulfilled the Messianic prophecy in that Psalm.

My God! Please protect Anya and her relatives from the twice-convicted and twice-released murderer, who raped and killed her aged grandmother! In your providential will, please end the Russian-Ukraine war in peace. In Jesus' name, amen.

Our Week Without Air Conditioning: Tough Sweat (published 8-29-2024; article #489)

Introduction

The humorous article from 7/25/2021 began with a sidetrack about the dog days of summer, which are from July 3rd to August 11th. The most recent article, from 8/22/2024, honored my first cousin, Lois, who had passed on recently. On Sunday, August 11, the last dog day of summer, our 21-year-old air conditioner stopped cooling. We started sweating.

Greetings, dear reader, and welcome to the 106th article in the life (such as it is) topic section! Using your imagination, join Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and me. We endured one week without air conditioning. Don't worry! Our tough sweat became cool comfort.

Tough Sweat

Research indicates that modern air conditioning was invented in 1902. By the 1960s, most newly constructed homes in the United States were equipped with central air conditioning.

Growing Up

Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, the houses, in which we lived, were air-conditioned only by cool morning and evening breezes that blew through screened-in doors and windows. The homes of a few friends had window-mounted air conditioners.

The old Livesay farmhouse, which my parents rented from Walter Livesay, certainly did not have modern air conditioning. The 8/2/2022 article, about the barn, hornets, and bull, describes the Livesay farmhouse.

My parents' design for our 1974-constructed new home did not include air conditioning. Window and floor electric fans helped. Thankfully, my parents had an attic fan installed in the hallway! It ran loudly, but it pulled into the house cooler morning and evening air through slightly opened windows and sucked hot air into the roof. After a little while, the indoor air felt so cool and comfortable that we had to turn off the attic fan. Once the outside air temperature rose into the upper 70s Fahrenheit, however, the attic fan didn't help. We couldn't use it.

Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was raised in town. Eventually, she knew the comfort of a living room window air conditioner. Some of her childhood years, however, were lived without air conditioning.

August 11-17, 2024

Let's perspire further into our tough but tolerable full week in August without air conditioning. Eleven screened-in windows stayed up all week. Five ceiling fans ran almost constantly. Window blinds blocked the morning and evening sun. The week demanded an ample use of deodorant! Cold showers each morning helped. Indoors, wearing short pants, thin T-shirts, and no shoes were required. At times, I didn't wear a shirt. We drank a lot of cool water. I wiped gallons of sweat from my forehead, beard, and the back of my neck. We endured tough sweat. We survived. I remembered growing up without air conditioning. Those were the good and not so good old days.

Day 1, Sunday 8/11: As stated previously, on the last dog day of summer, our 21-year-old air conditioner gave up the ghost. Installed in 2003, the Goodman unit had been a “good man.” It served us well for many years with minimal maintenance costs. In 2003, Jerry Roberts, owner of Roberts Heating and Air Conditioning (Facebook), installed the system. In late July last year, our Goodman unit needed minor repair. Jerry Roberts, whom I had called, suggested that I call his young associate, Travis Oglesby. Travis replaced the capacitor that day at a minimal cost.

Today, I left Travis Oglesby a voicemail, asking him to call me tomorrow. The sunny day reached a daytime high of about 85 degrees Fahrenheit with muggy humidity.

Day 2, Monday, 8/12: My maternal grandmother, Granny Wood, passed away on this day in 1991. My 6/26/2021 article is one of several that mention Granny Wood. I remembered.

Travis Oglesby returned my voicemail. Being rather busy, he arranged for his friend and associate, Wyatt Humphries, to stop by on his way home from work. Wyatt's father owns Humphries Heating and Air in Corryton. Wyatt arrived just after supper. He verified what I had assumed. We needed to replace the air conditioner. He recommended a “RunTru” model, manufactured by Trane. (“Nothing stops a Trane,” as the commercials claim.) Wyatt and Travis, both heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians, were busier than bees. They might be able to replace our old unit on a workday evening this week. The job may need to wait until Saturday morning. Not wanting to rush them, I assured Wyatt that we could endure a week without air conditioning. Saturday morning would be fine.

During the day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman enjoyed the air-conditioned school building where she teaches. After work, she acclimated to the “hot house.” The weather was sunny and humid. The daytime high reached about 85 degrees. What did I do? I cleaned out and around eleven window frames, and I stuffed cotton into all the window frame drain slots. That should keep ladybugs from building nests at the base of the window frames. It was a lot of fun.

Day 3, Tuesday, 8/13: The weather was sunny, and the daytime high was about 88 degrees. I installed two “kick-down” door stops, one on the door between the kitchen and utility room and the other on the hall bathroom door. I had to lie flat on my stomach to do this. Being left-handed, I leaned into my left “bionic” shoulder. Don't shove your left elbow against the lower left side of your rib cage! That was my mistake. The result was a bone bruise on my lower left rib cage. It is healing quickly. I learned my lesson. I won't do that again! Later, to enjoy the “cooler” outdoor temperature, I cut and trimmed several low branches from the trees that are near the back fence line. Wyatt Humphries and I spoke by phone. The plan is still to replace the old unit by Saturday morning, if not sooner.

During the day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman enjoyed the air-conditioned school building where she teaches. After work, she acclimated to the “hot house.” (Didn't I just write that?)

Day 4, Wednesday, 8/14: The weather was still sunny and humid. The daytime high climbed to about 90 degrees. Using metal files, I shaved off metal from the two strike plates for the front door locks. I was trying to expand the openings, so the locks could slide through them. The bottom lock and the top deadbolt lock have only been inserting into the wooden slots. Years ago, I had to remove the metal strike plates, since the locks would no longer slide through them into the wooden slots. The house must have settled. My work was not successful. The door does lock, and we live in a safe neighborhood.

During the day, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman enjoyed the air-conditioned school building where she teaches. After work, she acclimated to the “hot house.” (Did I just write that a third time?)

Day 5, Thursday, 8/15: Three years ago today, the American flag was lowered at the U.S. Embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan. The article from 8/16/2021 shared my thoughts. I remembered that sad day.

The weather was mostly sunny to sunny. The daytime high reached about 94 degrees. The humidity continued to draw out sweat, even when not exerting oneself. At 10:30 AM, Tony, owner of Tony's Best Clips (Facebook), gave me a much-needed haircut. His shop is air-conditioned. Back home, I tinkered more, still without success, on those front door strike plates. By late afternoon and early evening, the temperature inside the house reached a humid 87 degrees. All eleven screen windows have been up since Sunday. All four ceiling fans have been running.

We managed, especially me. During the day, my wife still enjoyed the air-conditioned school building. I was raised with no air conditioning! Living with air conditioning had softened me. I was returning to my previous and tougher, non-air-conditioned endurance.

Day 6, Friday, 8/16: The weather was mostly sunny and windy. The late afternoon high was about 95 degrees. The humid morning air smelled like rain was coming. Light rain settled in about 3:45 PM. It continued, off and on, through the evening. Thankfully, the rain fell straight down. We didn't need to close any windows.

In the morning, I secured to the exterior basement wall the covered electrical outlet that is behind the air conditioner. It had always been loose. A few squirts from a tube of concrete filler secured it. Also, I swept away grass clippings and spiderwebs around the basement exterior windows. Finally, I shop vacuumed the basement. The basement was cooler than upstairs, since hot air rises.

My “long-suffering” wife enjoyed working in an air-conditioned school building. She left early. Once home, I drove her, in my 2006 Frontier, to her nearby medical appointment at 4 PM.

Wyatt Humphries and I spoke by phone. Travis Oglesby and he planned to arrive between 8:30 and 9 AM the next morning.

Just after 8:30 PM that evening, Molly, our ol' puppy, and I went outside, for our usual “romp and stomp” in our one-acre yard. It's our evening ritual, before Molly beds down for the night.

Was that a rabbit? No! It was a skunk! Twilight was turning to darkness. It looked like a rabbit, as I stood about 20 yards away. Molly attacked the skunk! The skunk sprayed her and ran to the safety of the nearby cedar trees. I've never seen a dog “deskunkify” itself, until that evening. Molly rolled around in the grass, often diving in, nose first. She ran in circles, dove into the grass, and rolled around more. By the time that she was done, Molly only had a faint smell of skunk on her. That was an aggravatingly funny experience!

Cool Comfort

Previous phone conversations with Travis and Wyatt speculated that the complete work (old unit removed, new unit installed, and clean up) could take about four hours. If they could have started on a workday evening, they thought that the job would be done by about 10 PM. My wife and I were glad that the work was postponed until Saturday, the 17th, since it took longer than anticipated.

On Saturday, the weather was mostly sunny to sunny. The daytime high reached 92 degrees. About 8:45 AM, Wyatt Humphries arrived to start working. Travis Oglesby, who was picking up parts and supplies, arrived somewhat later. Both young men are cordial, efficient, and know what they are doing. I helped as needed, spoke with them at times, and stayed out of their way. We swapped some stories and shared a few jokes.

At 8:59 AM, I photographed, below, our 21-year-old Goodman outside unit (the condenser). The sun was behind me.

A minute later, I photographed, below, the original Goodman inside unit (the furnace).

Just over seven hours later, about 4 PM, the complete work was done. The new air conditioner started working hard to cool and dehumidify the indoor air. The humid indoor air temperature had reached about 86 degrees. It cooled quickly to a comfortable 78 degrees with lower humidity.

At 4:25 PM, I photographed, below, the new “RunTru” by Trane condenser. The fan runs much quieter than the one on the old Goodman condenser.

A minute later, I photographed, below, the new “RunTru” by Trane furnace.

Wyatt Humphries and Travis Oglesby are two outstanding young men. Their work, as HVAC technicians, was done perfectly. If you live locally and need heating and air conditioning work, this article suggests that you contact Humphries Heating and Air, in Corryton, at 865-765-4586.

Conclusion

What did Molly, our ol' puppy, think about our week without air conditioning? Aside from wondering why the house was so warm in the evenings, when she was indoors with us, Molly didn't notice anything unusual until Saturday. Molly liked Travis and Wyatt! She stayed out of their way, well, mostly.

Someone asks, “What was the total cost to replace the air conditioner?” The original Goodman unit lasted 21 years. Setting aside about $320 a year, for 21 years, would pay the total cost. Further, using the Official Data Foundation's CPI Inflation Calculator, I plugged in our cost to replace the air conditioning unit, used 2024 as the start year, and used 1974 as the end year. The result showed that, in 1974, my parents could have spent just over $1,000 to install central air conditioning. Fifty years ago, that was a lot of money that my parents didn't have. A wood or coal-burning stove in the basement and an upstairs space heater warmed the house sufficiently in winter. In this current inflationary cycle, “a dollar ain't worth much nowadays.”

Thanks, Travis Oglesby and Wyatt Humphries! Our tough sweat became cool comfort! I actually enjoyed the sweaty walk down memory lane, remembering growing up without air conditioning. I know how to toughen up. Cool air conditioning, however, is much more comfortable! Just ask my wife.

Tribute to Cousin Lois: Visitation & Funeral on 8-10-2024 (published 8-22-2024; article #488)

Introduction

The descendants of Marion and Molly Gertrude (Archer) Ferrell have lost another relative. Mary Lois Ferrell Purkey, my first cousin, born on August 17, 1940, passed on to her heavenly home on August 1, 2024.

This article, the 128th in the family and 105th in the heritage topic sections, remembers and honors Cousin Lois. Also, archived articles are referenced that mention Cousin Lois and her family. Further, memories from Cousin Lois' visitation and funeral service are recalled. The conclusion focuses on our visit to the homeplace after the memorial service, and it asks a question about the timing of our home air conditioning problem.

Cousin Lois enjoyed humor. I believe that she would find humor in the timing of her funeral service, our home air conditioning system replacement, and what would have been her 84th birthday. Meaning no disrespect, I hope that the concluding humor helps family members well remember Cousin Lois and enjoy a laugh. I'm sure that Cousin Lois will enjoy the humor, once I join her and tell her in heaven.

Remembering and Honoring Cousin Lois

Cousin Lois was nineteen years and eleven months older than me. She always seemed closer to my age. Lois “aged young,” in that she retained her youthful energy, activity, and mental sharpness as she aged. Her husband, Jack Purkey, J.D. (1/29/1936 – 5/7/2021), did as well. I hope that I am doing likewise.

Family reunions and occasional visits were how I got to know Cousin Lois and her family. Her husband and she were grade school and high school teachers. As educators, they were well-versed and interested in several topics. They educated themselves and others. Cousin Lois' inquisitive mind asked interesting questions and guided conversations along intriguing topics. Her knowledge of family heritage will be missed. I hope that someone, or she, wrote down what she remembered.

Over the decades, I regret that I allowed time, travel, location, and distance to preclude more frequent face-to-face visits with Cousin Lois and her family. Since my early retirement in May 2022, I have had more time.

As the eldest child of her parents, James William “Bill” Ferrell (8/20/1914 – 6/21/1999) and Bobbie (Ward) Ferrell (10/4/1915 – 9/28/2006), Cousin Lois outlived her three younger siblings. They were Dorothy Florence Ferrell Moore (3/12/1942 – 2/15/1992), Larry Denver Ferrell (4/19/1948 – 10/7/2006), and Retha Anne Ferrell (9/7/1959 – 4/27/2017).

A few years ago, I started calling Cousin Lois on her birthday and, occasionally, around holidays. We would talk a good while about current life, family, family heritage, and similar topics. Often, Cousin Lois would need to end the call, because a family member, friend, or neighbor had come by to see her.

On Sunday, June 9, I learned that Cousin Lois had contracted a terminal illness and was expected to live only a few more months. (I published the June 9 article before I found out.) Being stunned describes well my reaction to the news. Cousin Lois had been enjoying good health.

The next day, I called and spoke with Cousin Lois. In her matter-of-fact manner, she shared how the illness had come upon her and the prognosis. Cousin Lois said that, at 83, she had lived a good life and that she was ready to go. She could still manage well enough at home and travel, if someone drove her. Cousin Lois hoped to be able to attend the impromptu reunion on Saturday, June 15, that a niece and I had planned. (The 6/20/2024 article is about that reunion. The conclusion mentions Cousin Lois, not by name, and offers a written prayer for her family and her.)

Cousin Lois and I spoke until she started to become tired. Near the end of the conversation, she said that, as a Christian, she was looking forward to meeting her Savior. Ending the conversation, we exchanged our love for each other.

Archived Articles that Mention Cousin Lois and Her Family

At least five previous articles mention Cousin Lois and her family. They are as follows:

The 6/14/2017 article is about my Mother's Day hike on House Mountain. I dedicated the hike to my mother, my uncle Bobby, my mother-in-law, and my first cousin, Retha, who had recently passed away. The next day, Cousin Lois commented on the article. It was her first comment on any article on this website. I replied the same day.

The 7/7/2019 article includes a photograph of my father, four of his five brothers, and his two sisters. Uncle Bill is mentioned. Later that evening, Cousin Lois entered a complimentary comment about the article. Seven days later, I replied to her comment, interjecting some humor.

The 8/17/2019 article includes a section about Cousin Lois turning 79 that day. I remember calling her later that day and wishing her a happy birthday.

The 5/8/2021 article, “Tribute to a Cousin's Husband,” is about Cousin Lois' husband, Jack, who had passed away the day before. His tribute is in the section “The Bad Swallowed Up in Victory.”

The 11/21/2021 article, while predominately political, mentions positively Cousin Lois' father, my uncle, Bill Ferrell. Uncle Bill's political interests and achievements inspired Cousin Lois' service in the Hawkins County Republican Party.

Visitation and Funeral on 8/10/2024

Cousin Lois' obituary is “Mary Lois Purkey (August 17, 1940 - August 1, 2024),” Christian-Sells Funeral Home. The tribute video, just under eight minutes long, includes several good photographs. On Saturday, August 10, visitation was from 12 to 2 PM. The memorial service started at 2 PM.

My wife and I arrived at the funeral home about 1:30 PM. Family reunions should not occur only at funerals. We enjoyed, however, seeing Denise—the daughter of cousin Lois and husband, Jack—and her family. We saw my older first cousin, Lester. Furthermore, we conversed quite a while with my first cousin, Debbie, her husband, and their oldest daughter. It was good to see my third cousin, Rhonda, whom I don't recall seeing since high school. We met other and younger family members. Numerous family friends were in attendance.

The memorial service honored Cousin Lois and her family. The theme focused on the life and legacy of a fine Christian lady. The everlasting assurance was that Cousin Lois had passed on to her heavenly home, where she was reunited with many family members, who also knew the Lord as Savior.

Conclusion

After the funeral service and conversations with family were ended, my wife and I drove to the homeplace, to change clothes and check on the house and property.

I took the following photograph at 3:48 PM. The view looks east. The grapevine, mentioned in the first article from June 8, is still alive. I still need to build a new trellis and clip off the dead branches. That, Lord willing, is my plan for this fall.

I took the following photograph a few seconds later. The view looks northeast.

That's my “long-suffering” wife, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, standing beside my 2006 Frontier. The house, yard, and property looked about the same. Aside from the grapevine, this fall, I plan, Lord willing, to do quite a bit more tree trimming and bush clipping.

So, how are Cousin Lois' memorial service, our home air conditioning problem, and what would have been her 84th birthday connected? I'm glad that you asked. I look forward to sharing this story with Cousin Lois, once I join her in heaven.

On Saturday, August 10, I had set our home air conditioner up, not to cool as much, while we were attending Cousin Lois' visitation and funeral. Once back home, I set it back to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. It took longer to cool, but it did. The next day, the unit would not cool at all. Warm outdoor air blew through the vents.

My wife and I “enjoyed” a week without air conditioning. She had returned to work, after summer break, on August 5. Through the day, she enjoyed the air-conditioned school building. Eleven screened windows were open, and four ceiling fans were running. Daytime highs were in the upper 80s to mid 90s. The indoor temperature was fine each morning, until about 10:30 AM. By late afternoon and into the evening, indoor temperatures reached into the mid to upper 80s. I recalled growing up without air conditioning. The experience was a warm and sweaty reminder of my youth. Being accustomed to air conditioning makes you soft. I had to and did toughen up! My “long-suffering” wife endured the heat without too much complaint.

Being understandably very busy, the service technicians were able to install a new air conditioning unit on Saturday, August 17. That would have been Cousin Lois' 84th birthday.

Cousin Lois enjoyed good humor. Dear Cousin Lois, our home air conditioning unit expired the day after your visitation and memorial service, and the new unit was installed on your birthday! What an amazing coincidence! From your heavenly home, did you have something to do with the planning of that coincidence? I'm just kidding, 'cuz! I love you, and I look forward to seeing you again, once I join you at our everlasting home!

Kilimanjaro Missions: The Stafford Family Visits Corryton! (published 8-5-2024; article #487)

Introduction

The 9/8/2022 article, "Kilimanjaro Missions: The Stafford Family, in Moshi, Tanzania," introduced Noel and Jessica Stafford and their children, Lorelai, Claude, Arabella, and Juliette. In June 2022, the family began their five-year, cross-cultural evangelistic ministry in the African nation of Tanzania. In late May, they took their first furlough to the States. They will be stateside until the middle of this month, after which they return to their home in Moshi, Tanzania. Their online newsletters are available at Kilimanjaro Missions.

This 14th article in the Mission Work topic section celebrates the Stafford family and their visit, on Friday, August 2, to our home in Corryton, Tennessee! Claude and Juliette were absent. They were staying with their grandparents. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I look forward to meeting them in the future.

Missionary Furloughs

A note on missionary furloughs is in order. My wife and I were full-time missionaries in Russia from 10/1/1994 through 9/30/1999. We were a part of a three-family team called Mission Moscow. Our work focused on the cities of Moscow and Klin.

Our annual four-to-six-week furloughs were from late December to late January or early February. Furloughs included visiting family and friends, obtaining new one-year Russian visas, and getting some rest and relaxation. Mainly, however, furloughs involved traveling and reporting to supporting churches. As memory serves, my wife and I were supported by 14 churches in seven states and by one trust fund in Texas. Our supporting churches were in Tennessee, Missouri, Mississippi, Kentucky, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Visiting supporting churches is vital to long-term foreign mission work. Supporting churches that send good Christian helpers, for short-term mission experience, is a blessing to the work.

The Staffords understand why I say that reporting to stateside supporting churches involves “frequent driver miles!” They are supported by over 20 churches in several states. Last Friday, they traveled by automobile from Clifton, Tennessee, to our home, an approximate 313-mile drive in over five hours (including stops and traffic delays). That night, they overnighted in Knoxville, to continue the next-day leg of their journey into Virginia, where they visited a supporting church yesterday (Sunday).

On Wednesday evening, 7/3/2024, the Staffords visited and reported to a supporting church in Mississippi. Noel's audio-video presentation is online at “KILIMANJARO MISSIONS - 07.03.2024,” Kensington Woods church of Christ (YouTube), streamed live on July 3, 2024. The Kensington church is located in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. The video is just over 40 minutes in length. Brother Noel begins speaking at the 2:38 mark. (He had to change microphones about the 21:16 mark.) Please pause to watch and listen to his presentation.

Noel's presentation mentions life in Tanzania and provides an amazing record of conversions, church growth, and ministry in the area. The images shown are much better than the old slide projector images that I showed, while making similar presentations to churches in the 1990s.

Missionary furloughs are like a whirlwind. You whirl from one location to another, resting when you can. Visiting family, friends, and churches is enjoyable, relaxing, and beneficial. All the “frequent driver miles,” however, do wear you out.

The Stafford's Visit

Delayed by Interstate I-40 traffic problems, the Stafford family arrived at our home at 7:15 PM last Friday evening! My wife was finalizing supper preparations, while I was sitting in a front porch rocking chair.

Aside from being 25 years older, Jessica (Bryant) Stafford looked about the same as she did, when my wife and I last saw her in 1999. Her husband, Noel, and she met during a mission trip to Tanzania. They are blessed with four outstanding children. Jessica, your sweet, lively, and spirited personality, which my wife and I remember from 25 years ago, has not changed!

My wife came outside to meet Noel, Jessica, Lorelai, and Arabella. The six of us hugged and talked for quite a while outside. Molly, our “ol' puppy,” entertained and was entertained by the Staffords.

Settling indoors before supper, conversations flowed naturally, like fresh water flowing from a clear mountain stream. Noel's father, who has passed on to be with the Lord, was a trailblazer in Tanzanian mission work among the churches of Christ. Noel, as a next-generation missionary, continues his father's work. Jessica continues the missionary focus of her parents. The Bryant family was a part of the Mission Moscow team. The 8/5/2023 short story highlights Joe Paul and Lynn, in the section “Mission Moscow Reunion (7/14/2023).”

As an aside, last Friday morning, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, my “long-suffering” wife, had a “high dollar paint and cut” hair salon appointment. The 3/22/2023 article jokes about her “paint and cut” shop.

After getting “gussied up,” my wife returned home to start preparing supper vittles. The six of us dined on my wife's good southern home cooking! Thanks, dear! That was a fine supper. Noel led the prayer before we ate. Thank you, brother Noel.

After supper, fine conversations continued along several lines. Lorelai and Arabella did a remarkable job washing and putting away supper dishes! Thank you! Noel and I talked about the practical aspects of mission work. Having met for the first time, we talked as if we had known each other for years. Jessica, my wife, and I talked about life in Moscow back in the 1990s. What was Camp Rainbow? Which of Jessica's brothers accidentally stuck a fork in their youngest brother's head? Well, ask Jessica or my wife! On the back deck, as darkness approached, Lorelai and Arabella relaxed and entertained Molly.

Where did the time go? We could have talked all night! As 10 o'clock approached, the Staffords were needing to leave, to overnight at a nearby motel. They had already reserved a room, before my wife and I asked them to stay the night with us. The reservation couldn't be canceled without cost.

Before leaving, I gathered the Staffords, who were somewhat perplexed, in the master bedroom bathroom (my bathroom). I had to show off my “bathroom library” and share the story of my “redneck toilet handle!” (See the 8/4/2022 article, if you are curious.)

Back in the living room, I think that Noel took the following photograph of Jessica, my wife, and me.

Twenty-five years ago, my wife and Jessica looked about the same, except for the very few facial wrinkles they have now. I, on the other hand, have aged with “graceful, gray-haired dignity!” The painting on the wall behind us was a gift from the church of Christ in Moscow to my wife and me, on 9/26/1999, our final Sunday in Moscow.

Later, at 10:01 PM, I took the following photograph of the four Staffords, standing on the front porch. 

From left to right are Jessica, Lorelai, Noel, and Arabella. Lorelai begins her freshman year at Freed-Hardeman University (FHU) this fall. My wife and I wish her well in her studies and life at a fine Christian university. Her family will miss her in Tanzania, and she will miss being with them there. Other family members, who live under a two-hour drive from FHU, will be nearby.

Conclusion

The Stafford's Facebook page is Kilimanjaro Missions. The page includes almost daily posts, photographs, or video updates on their work. At times, humorous posts include photographs or videos of strangely-titled food or of motorcyclists hauling seemingly impossible loads on their motorcycles.

The Hoover Church of Christ in Hoover, Alabama, is a primary supporting church for the mission work in Tanzania and the main supporting church for the Stafford family. The church's Ministries: Foreign Mission Works web page includes Tanzania. A secure link, “Give to Tanzania Work,” opens to welcome online donations to mission work in Tanzania.

My wife and I were uplifted by last Friday evening's visit to our home by Noel, Jessica, Lorelai, and Arabella Stafford! (We hope to meet Claude and Juliette sometime.) Our prayer to God is that He continue to bless, guide, honor, and protect the Staffords, as they advance His kingdom in Tanzania!

As a closing and humorous note, just before the Staffords left, I handed Jessica a can of Sun Drop soda, to give to her father. Joe Paul, that can of soda is for looking at and remembering only! Don't drink it! Do you remember the first can of Sun Drop soda that you gave me, shortly after my wife and I arrived in Moscow? I do. That story, folks, could become a future article in itself.