Saturday, 6-21-2025: My Sister-in-Law's Birthday, a New Fly-Killing Record, and the USA Bombed Iran (published 6-23-2025; article #530)

6/22/2025, 1:59 PM, photograph by M. Fearghail of our Willert Home Products: Enoz Flyswatter (made in the Philippines)

Introduction

Greetings, dear reader. Last weekend's events were certainly interesting. Do you want to know more? I thought so!

As the 135th entry in the Family topic section, I begin with my wife's sister's birthday party on Saturday. Shifting gears to the 121st entry in the Humor topic section, I share our fly-killing war that started after the party and continued until early this morning. Finally, moving to the 73rd article in the Poly-ticks section, I mention the USA's bombing of Iran that happened late last Saturday evening.

My Wife's Sister's Birthday on Saturday

Last Saturday morning, I awakened at the unusual time of 5 AM, instead of just after 6 AM. Wondering why I was awake an hour early, I knew that my wife's sister's 61st birthday was that day. Before falling back to sleep, I said to myself, “Sabrina must have just now gone to bed.” Retired, she goes to bed about the time that my wife, even on summer break, wakes up. My wife hits the hay about 9 PM.

The birthday celebration started at 2:30 PM last Saturday. Seven family members and three guests, a mother and her two sons, legal immigrants from Guatemala, were in attendance. The boys, about ages five and six, provided ample entertainment. The three household cats found hiding places.

After the delicious home-cooked meal, my sister-in-law blew out seven candles on her choice birthday chocolate and peanut butter pie while we sang happy birthday to her. Seven years old was a stretch of the imagination! My wife's sister is not seven. I wished her a happy 41st birthday. Well, she looks to be about 41 years young. That means that her 37-year-old daughter is about 18.

Now, before I get into trouble, my wife looks to be about a year older than her sister, whose birthday was last Saturday. I hope that last sentence keeps me out of the doghouse!

New Fly-Killing Record!

Our fly-killing war lasted two full days, from last Saturday through yesterday, Sunday. It ended early this morning. The following is a record of each day. On Saturday, I broke my longstanding single-day record of total flies killed!

Saturday, June 21

Twenty-one flies killed in one day had been my record. Until last Saturday, that record stood for about 43 years. I set the record when I was roughly 22 and my youngest brother was around nine. At the homeplace on a warm summer day, we were in a fly-killing competition. I killed 21 flies. Close behind me, my brother killed a total in the upper teens.

Leaving for my sister-in-law's birthday party last Saturday, I saw four or five flies in the kitchen windows. I decided to kill them once I was back home. Arriving home about 30 minutes before my wife, I killed 15 flies! When she got back, my wife killed one. Before night fell, I found and killed 15 more pesky flies! My new record, set on Saturday, June 21, 2025, my sister-in-law's birthday, was 30 flies killed in a single day! That shattered my old record of 21. The total number of flies killed last Saturday was 31.

Sunday, June 22

Sunday, the next day, the fly-killing war continued. It started early in the morning and lasted until sunset, with breaks for worship, phone calls, and such.

As an aside, a dear friend, Dorothy, Jay's wife, turned another year older on Sunday. I won't give out her age, but I do understand that you can “get your kicks at age 66,” with an apology to the legacy of jazz musician Robert William Troup Jr., who composed the Route 66 song in 1946.

Focusing back on the flies, from where these flies come and how they get in, I do not know. Each window is down, sealed, and locked tightly. We quickly open and close entry doors. Recently, I inspected every air vent. On Sunday afternoon, I reinspected the ones in the kitchen, dining room, and entry hall. These flies usually congregate around the kitchen windows. We, however, have found them near the windows in the living room and dining room.

On Sunday, the number of flies killed totaled 50. My “long-suffering” wife killed 22, and I sent 28 to the grave (i.e., the trash can below the kitchen sink). That was a two-day total of 81 flies killed. I missed tying my record, set the previous day, of 30 flies killed in a single day by two flies.

Today, Monday, June 23

Early this morning, about 5:30 AM, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman found and killed two more flies that were hanging out on the television screen. Once I awakened just after 6 AM, she informed me. Until the publication of this article today, we have kept our eyes out for more flies, but we haven't seen any. Our fly-killing war is officially declared to be over! The grand total of flies killed was 83, 25 by my wife and 58 by me.

Our weapon of choice, in the above image, was our Willert Home Products: Enoz Flyswatter (made in the Philippines). The image below shows our handwritten tally of kills by date.

My new one-day record of flies killed does not come close to the online records of fly-killing professionals! Check out the following about a record from 1912: “The Canadian girl who killed over 500,000 flies,” Things That Talk, From the thing, Fly Swatter (undated). It states that in 1912 Beatrice White, a teenager, was Toronto’s champion flyswatter. She swatted and killed over a half-million flies in a citywide contest to stop the spread of disease. Further, a record from 1934 is found at “The Sultan of Swat,” Virginia Living, by Bland Crowder, 722/2009. It states, “Young E.T. Collier didn’t make Guinness [World Records], but he did make the papers in June 1934 when the Virginia Department of Health highlighted his impressive fly-swatting record in a news release designed to warn people about the hazards looming with summer housefly season.” Finally, I found, “There are no flies on her! Chinese pensioner who has spent eight hours a day, seven days a week for the past 14 years swatting bugs... and kills up to 1,000 a day.” Daily Mail, by Lizzie Edmonds, 4/27/2014. It tells about an 80-year-old Chinese woman who swatted and killed flies every day for 14 years.

My new one-day fly-killing record is 30. Can you imagine killing a thousand flies in a day?

As a political aside, a nation, to be a nation, must have secure borders. Otherwise, it is not a nation. Our house is secured against the elements and critters, both crawling and flying. We put down the recent fly invasion. Our house is secured again. Do you understand the political analogy?

The USA Bombed Iran Last Saturday Evening

It was Saturday evening, our time (EDST). In Tehran, Iran, it was after midnight on Sunday. The time zone difference is 7.5 hours. After last Saturday's birthday celebration for my sister-in-law and the fly killings, my worn-out wife sacked out at about 9 PM.

While channel surfing about thirty minutes later, I was surprised to find that President Trump had ordered an airstrike on targets in Iran. I listened to his brief televised statement at 10 PM. One of several sources is “US inserts itself into Israel’s war with Iran, striking 3 Iranian nuclear sites.” The Associated Press (AP), by Sam Mednick, Aamer Madhani, and David Rising, 6/22/2025.

The conclusion to my article last Friday includes the following:

The root to current national disunity and global conflicts is found in the great dragon, Satan. Nationally and globally, if everyone would turn to the Lord and follow the biblical worldview, the great dragon could no longer lead the world astray as he does now.

Then, I had no way of knowing what would happen the next evening. I have heard that a majority of the Iranian people disavow their national leadership. My sympathy extends to those people. I pray for peace between Israel and Iran, for peace in the Middle East, and for worldwide peace through the Prince of Peace.

Conclusion

Last Saturday, was it happenstance that my sister-in-law's birthday coincided with the beginning of our fly-killing war and the USA's bombing of Iran? I reckon so. It will be a birthday to remember.

Last weekend's events were indeed interesting. Thanks, dear reader, for dropping by to read about them.

By the way, as of the publication time today, we have not seen any more flies, except the two that my wife killed early this morning! Well, one fly did get in through the door to the garage when one of us opened it. That, however, counted as a routine fly killing, not part of the fly-killing war that ended early this morning.

The Rest of the Story: I Know How to Train My Dragon! (published 6-20-2025; article #529)

7/3/2024 photograph by Meg von Haartman on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

 Introduction

Inspired by the legendary Paul Harvey, you know the news. Now, it's time for the rest of the story. Welcome, dear reader, to the 134th entry in the Family topic section on the summer solstice.

First, we glimpse at and comment briefly on recent news. Quickly thereafter, we shift our focus to the rest of the story. I know how to train my dragon! I learned last Saturday, June 14th.

The above image looks a little like my dragon. Mine weighs about 60 pounds, has wings, and can fly. Believe it or not!

The News

Last Saturday, the 14th of June, was Flag Day. Also, the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army was celebrated on that day. Further, last Saturday happened to be the 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Finally, organized and so-named “No Kings” protests and marches were held on that Saturday. One was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. Thankfully, we didn't see it.

In other news, arranged and recent protests and riots against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency seem to be winding down. Properly, ICE is arresting, detaining, prosecuting, and deporting illegal aliens. These illegals are known criminals, gang members, sex and drug traffickers, murderers, rapists, and such ilk. Last Friday, a dissent was held in Knoxville, Tennessee. One of my wife's first cousins attended. Why do liberals want to protect and keep these evil illegal aliens in this country? Their mindset makes no sense to anyone with common sense.

In ongoing war news, the Russia-Ukraine war (which started on 2/24/2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine) is continuing at its slow and destructive pace. The Israel-Hamas war (started when Hamas attacked Israel on 10/7/2023) seems to be doing the same. More recently, since last Friday, a missile war has erupted between Israel and Iran. Thankfully, antisemitic protests and riots seem to have died down, at least for a while. Can't Slavic brother nations learn to get along? Why can't Israel defeat Hamas, backed by Iran, and now Iran itself quickly? Total war, not a politically correct war, is the solution.

Further, in tariff news, President Trump seems to enjoy watching the stock market rise and fall, based on his hodgepodge, ever-changing decisions on tariffs. Mr. President, make deals with other nations that eliminate or reduce tariffs on U.S. exports. Incentivize national companies through tax breaks and such to start up production here to reduce imports from other nations. Your “this tariff, no that tariff” game that you are playing makes no sense.

Finally, in federal “money tree” spending news, President Trump's so-called “Big Beautiful Bill” plans to somehow reduce federal spending while raising the national debt. What? I have glanced at what I call the Big Behemoth Bill. Since the executive and legislative branches of the federal government are under Republican control, one would think that these so-called fiscal conservatives would find ways to shrink federal spending and keep it in line with federal income. It takes guts. Will they do it? When pigs fly backward, south for the winter.

That was a glimpse at and my brief commentary on the news. Now, it's time for the rest of the story!

The Rest of the Story

Do you have a dragon? Would you like to know how to train it? If so, the rest of the story is for you, dear reader. We begin with the preliminaries about the movie theater. Afterward, I will explain how I learned to train my dragon.

The Preliminaries

Our financial software record indicates that the last time that my wife and I saw a movie at a theater was on Saturday, July 7, 2012. Our niece, the daughter of my wife's sister, 24 at the time, attended with us. We saw The Amazing Spider-Man, another reboot of that series. As an aside, how many Spider-Man movies have there been? Research indicates three in the late 1970s and eight from 2002 through 2021. That's amazing, with an apology for the pun!

Last Saturday, who could get this Appalachian Irishman and his “long-suffering” wife to go see a movie at an overpriced multiplex theater in deep west Knoxville, especially when the showtime was at nine o'clock in the morning? Their just-turned 19-year-old niece, the eldest daughter of my youngest brother and his wife, could. That's who. Of course, her father, mother, and younger sister were also theatergoers.

Last Saturday morning, the weather seemed like a completely cloudy, very windy, and humid morning at a beach. Rain threatened but never fell. The afternoon became mostly sunny, hot, and still humid.

Bravely, my 2006 Frontier took us into deep west Knoxville, Tennessee. The Regal Pinnacle at Turkey Creek was the location. My youngest brother and family were already there when we arrived at about 8:55 AM. This was not like the now-demolished Roxy Theatre in my hometown! The Regal Pinnacle is a multiplex coliseum for movie connoisseurs. It is overpriced, but we can afford to go see a movie at a theater every ten or so years, if any new movies are worth watching. One ticket cost us only $12.99 plus sales tax. We bought two, of course. The price gouge came later at the concession stand.

Quickly rushing into the auditorium to find our family members, we sat down just in time for the start of How to Train Your Dragon (2025): The Live-Action Remake. The auditorium lights dimmed as we walked up to our seats.

But wait! We did not anticipate thirty minutes of commercials promoting other movies! My wife was thirsty and wanted lemonade, so I walked back down and out to the huge concession area. The congenial young man agreed with my idea that ham biscuits, hash browns, and coffee should be sold for 9 AM showtimes. The small lemonade in a large cup cost us $8.49 plus sales tax! Concession prices are still how movie theaters gouge you. Nothing has changed. By the way, if that was a small cup, a forklift must be needed to bring out a large cup!

How I Trained My Dragon

How to Train Your Dragon (2025) is not animated. Real actors and actresses play real roles. I don't think, however, that the dragons were real.

Believe it or not, my wife and I have a real dragon that can fly! A male, his name is Ralph. Ralph flew into our lives a few weeks ago. Molly, our “old puppy,” and Ralph the dragon like each other. They play together often. Ralph weighs only about 60 pounds, so he can't fly me into the air like the dragons in the movie did for their human riders. Ralph comes and goes as he pleases. We do not own him. At times, we see him flying around other houses in our small subdivision and above nearby wooded areas.

I have been trying to teach Ralph, at my command, how to shake wings (well, my hand with his wing), roll over, sit, stand, and hover in the air before me. Watching How to Train Your Dragon (2025) taught me how!

Training my dragon includes four easy steps. First, you have to feed your dragon ample quantities of fresh fish. (I have been doing quite a lot of fishing lately.) Also, you have to touch your dragon on the nose (like petting). Thirdly, find the scratchy spot just under your dragon's chin and scratch it until his hind legs start to shake. You are well on your way to training your dragon! Finally, sleep under your dragon's wing after he has made a circle in the yard for his bed at night. I did that a night or two. My wife, however, has put her foot down against doing that herself.

So, dear reader, that is your four-step solution for how to train your dragon! It has worked for me. Ralph the dragon, at my command, now shakes wings with me (again, my hand and his wing), rolls over, sits, stands, and hovers in the air in front of me. Neighbors are jealous. They want their own pet dragons to train.

Conclusion

The plot to the movie How to Train Your Dragon (2025) begins with the generational conflict between Vikings and dragons. The chief's son and a dragon, however, befriend each other. Eventually, the Vikings and dragons unite, and in an epic battle, they kill the extremely large and evil queen dragon that was forcing the legion of smaller dragons to attack the Vikings. Once the queen dragon was dead, the Vikings and the dragons lived together in harmony.

Revelation chapter 12 depicts conflict between the woman and the dragon. Without diving into the exegetical depth of the chapter, verses 7-9 unfold the war between Michael, the archangel, and the dragon. The great dragon, Satan, who “leads the whole world astray,” is defeated.

The root to current national disunity and global conflicts is found in the great dragon, Satan. Nationally and globally, if everyone would turn to the Lord and follow the biblical worldview, the great dragon could no longer lead the world astray as he does now.

As in How to Train Your Dragon (2025), once the great dragon is defeated, those who once followed him will be released to live in harmony with those who were never bound by the dragon's fearful control.

Thank you, niece, for inspiring this article! How to Train Your Dragon (2025), despite all the excessive action scenes, has a good and moral theme and outcome.

Belated Happy 17th Birthday, “Uncle” Skyler! (published 6-11-2025; article #528)

Introduction

Believe it or not, at the ripe young age of 64, I have an “uncle” who turned 17 years old last Tuesday. In reality, he is my great-nephew, and I am his great-uncle. Farther below, I explain why I call my great-nephew “uncle.”

Welcome, dear reader, to the 133rd entry in the Family topic section. My “uncle,” Skyler, and his immediate family live about 1.5 hours away. Unable to attend his 17th birthday party, I decided to record an audiovisual birthday present for Skyler. My wife and I last saw my “uncle” and other family members and friends last year on Saturday, June 15. The article from 6/20/2024 is about that enjoyable gathering.

My Birthday Gift to “Uncle” Skyler

Tuesday, 6/3/2025, photograph by Mrs. Appalachian Irishman.

Without further fanfare, Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube) presents Belated Happy 17th Birthday, “Uncle” Skyler! (published 6-11-2025; episode 38)!

The episode, published today, was recorded live on “Uncle” Skyler's 17th birthday last Tuesday. With help from my “long-suffering” wife, I had just finished bracing down a section of deck board that had popped up again recently. While still standing on the stepladder, the thought occurred to me to ask my wife to record a clip. It was shared with my “uncle,” his mother, and other family members up in Kingsport.

Why do I call my great-nephew “uncle?” That burning question is now answered!

The television series Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) includes the second episode in the fourth season, titled Family. It aired originally on Saturday, 9/29/1990, when my wife and I were living in Charleston, Missouri.

In that episode Captain Jean-Luc Picard's young nephew, René Picard, called Jean-Luc his uncle. Captain Picard replied by saying that René must be his nephew. In the episode, René Picard was portrayed as a congenial, well-mannered, and intelligent young man.

Several years ago, I was impressed with my great-nephew's gifts of intellect and congeniality. His mother was and is raising him as a well-mannered young man. That's why I started calling my great-nephew “uncle.” It is my way of complimenting him. Last year, at the previously stated gathering of family and friends, I explained this to my great-nephew, his mother, and grandfather (my brother).

Conclusion

So, once again, happy birthday greetings, “Uncle” Skyler! Your great-uncle and great-aunt, down the road a ways, wish you a wonderful 17th year of life and a life filled with happiness, adventure, and service to the Lord! We love you, and we hope to see you soon.

This article is also published in honor of Granny Ferrell, who passed away on this day in 1971. The following two selected articles include previous tributes to Granny Ferrell: The article from 6/13/2021 also mentions our niece at age 15. Later, the article from 11/30/2022 mentions my mother.

Warning! Pro Source Home Buyers Preys on the Gullible! (published 6-10-2025; article #527)

12/24/2019 photograph by Nelson Ndongala on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

This Appalachian Irishman has gone from being annoyed to becoming aggravated by Pro Source Home Buyers. The barrage of radio commercials by Pat, who wants to buy your house, is annoying. His marketing mailings, however, which include disclaimed (fake) checks for low-ball monetary amounts for our house and property, are aggravating.

This 110th entry in the “life (such as it is)” topic section is a public service announcement (PSA) and warning to readers in Tennessee who live near Knoxville and Chattanooga and to perusers from South Carolina who live around Greenville and Columbia. Venditor caveat! Let the seller beware!

The second definition in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary for prey on/upon is “to hurt, cheat, or steal from (someone).” Further, it defines gullible as “easily duped or cheated.”

Despite their claims, upbeat commercials, endorsements, testimonials, and customer reviews, Pro Source Home Buyers makes money by trying to cheat an uninformed and gullible property owner into selling his or her home and land. The price offered is under the property's fair market value. Even worse, their cash offer can be lower than the appraised value of the property.

This article, a PSA and warning, offers proof. Again, let the seller beware!

Beware of Pro Source Home Buyers!

This section begins with general information. Importantly, it offers proof from my experience to beware of Pro Source Home Buyers.

General Information

Pro Source Home Buyers is just one of a multitude of cash buyer businesses out there. Unlike state-licensed real estate agents, who have a fiduciary responsibility to you and are bound by a code of ethics, cash buyers are not necessarily licensed and are not governed by an independent code of ethics.

Cash buyer businesses that offer quick purchases of properties for cash are also called house flippers. Their business model is to quickly buy properties in any condition at a low price. Houses may or may not be improved, before house flippers sell the property at a higher price.

Sellers who want to sell a property fast without using a real estate agent save time but lose money when selling to a cash buyer. If a seller doesn't mind losing a significant amount of money to save time, he or she may use a house flipper.

For further reading, one of several informative source articles is “Looking to Sell Your Home for Cash? Read This First.” ProPublica, by Byard Duncan and Anjeanette Damon, 5/17/2023.

My Experience with Pro Source Home Buyers

My experience began by being annoyed with the onslaught of radio commercials from Pro Source Home Buyers. They start out, “Hi. I'm Pat, from Pro Source Home Buyers, and I buy houses for cash.” Quickly, I change stations or turn off the radio. I hope advertising managers with local radio stations read this article.

The first marketing mailing from this cash buyer arrived on Monday, February 10. The mailing included a disclaimed (fake) check as an offer to buy our property. Coincidentally, that Monday was the same day that my father-in-law was discharged home from his second hospitalization. The article from 2/13/2025 is about his two hospitalizations.

Knowing both the current market value and the appraised value of our house and land, I quickly calculated that Pat's low-ball offer was 23.95 percent lower than the current market value of our property. His offer was 7.7 percent higher than the appraised value, which is lower than the current market value.

A couple of days later, I decided to speak with this cash buyer and ask him to remove my name and address from his mailing list. I had two phone numbers from the mailing and the website. My call to each number indicated that both lines were not in service. Later that day, I decided to email the company. My email included the following: “As an educated home and property owner, I know that the postal mail offer is lowballing us.... This email, therefore, requests and requires that you remove my contact and property information from your databases and that you stop the marketing mailings. You are only wasting the price of postage and filling up the paper recycling bin.” I did not receive a reply to that email.

The second marketing letter from Pro Source Home Buyers showed up on Thursday, June 5, the day before D-Day. This time, Pat's fake check offered $38,145 less than the amount he offered in February! I was amazed! Again, I quickly calculated that Pat's even lower-ball offer was 34.85 percent less than our property's current market value. Further, his laughable offer was 7.7 percent less than the lower appraised value of our property!

This bottom-feeding house-flipping business is preying on gullible property owners. It is offering cash that is roughly 25 to 35 percent less than fair market value. Shockingly, their cash offer could be less than the lower appraised value.

Conclusion

You may want to sell a property, especially if it needs improvements, fast, knowing that you will receive much less than the current market value or even less than the appraised value. If so, Pro Source Home Buyers is one of many cash buyer options. Similar businesses post fliers on telephone poles and at intersections, which may not be legal.

As an educated home and property owner, I will not be fleeced by Pro Source Home Buyers or by any bottom-feeding cash buyer business. I know the appraised value of our home and property, and I am aware of its higher current market value.

A property owner in Tennessee can find his or her property's appraised value by searching online at Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury: Tennessee Property Assessment Data: Property Search. Property data for 86 of the state's 95 counties are available, with external links to the other nine counties. Remember that the appraised value is for property tax purposes. An appraised value is often much lower than the current market value.

Online, the current market value of a property can be found on various websites. Recently, I have used Bankrate: Real Estate: How much is my house worth? and Chase: Home Value Estimator. Searching multiple sites results in values that are similar but not the same. I determine the current market value of our property by averaging the values that I find online.

Beware of Pro Source Home Buyers and their deceptive marketing. This is private property. Stay off!

Venditor caveat! Let the seller beware!

House Mountain Hike #201, 5-22-2025: Sun, Wind, Water, Mud, and Fun! (published 5-24-2025; article #526)

Introduction

It had been 59 days since my milestone 200th hike on House Mountain. The article from 3/26/2025 was published three days after that hike.

What kept me out of the woods so long? Well, as the 4/9/2025 article recounts, our house got a new roof on “Liberation Day.” Further, my wife's middle sister was taxed with outpatient knee surgery on tax day, 4/15/2025. I enjoyed taking my sister-in-law to seven outpatient physical therapy appointments from April 21 to May 12. Her daughter took her to the other appointments. She had improved well enough to start driving herself on May 14th. Finally, we have had plenty of rain. I would rather not hike in the rain or mud.

Welcome, dear hiking enthusiast, to the 79th entry in the hiking topic section! Three days ago, the weather had finally cooled off and cleared out. The rainy pattern was behind us. I started to feel the hiking itch. Two days ago, I scratched that itch!

Last Thursday, chores around the house delayed my hike until the afternoon. Come hike along with me virtually as we trek up the west trail, spend time at the west bluff, and hike back down the same trail. My embedded audiovisual recording is from the west bluff. It features the refreshing breeze that was blowing from the northwest.

A high-pressure system was bringing cooler weather and that peaceful breeze. The mostly sunny sky was a crisp blue. The temperature was in the upper 70s Fahrenheit. I sweated enough hiking up, but the cool breeze evaporated the sweat.

Hiking Up the West Trail

Only four other vehicles were present, when my 2006 Frontier and I arrived at the main parking lot. Touching the marker near the enclosed picnic area at 2:00 PM on the dot started my hike.

I didn't take any photographs during my hike up the west trail. Just past the trailhead, only one group of three hikers and their dogs passed me on their way out. I enjoyed the solitude of the forest.

The water runoff and mud from last Tuesday's storms were not as bad as I thought they would be in the usual low-lying areas. The stepping stones before the wooden bridge kept my shoes dry. (A photograph of that water runoff area is in the hiking down-and-out section that follows.) I navigated up the four lower switchbacks easily. I noticed a small tree near a rock outcropping that had fallen. It had come in handy to grasp for balance during many previous hikes. Perhaps it will grow back.

At 2:19 PM, slowed only by mud and water runoff, I started up the six upper switchbacks. The spring foliage was certainly thick. Poison oak is plentiful along the trail. Recognize it and don't touch it! (A photograph of a section of poison oak is included farther below.)

Nine minutes later, I reached the final or sixth upper switchback. It took me only twelve more minutes to hike the trail heading west below the ridgeline. I still enjoy the challenge of moving on hands and feet up two steep rock formations and touching the “defiant tree,” which juts out between a rock outcropping.

At 2:40 PM, I touched the rock at the west bluff to mark my time. Again, the wet and muddy areas slowed my ascent by a few minutes. In “pre-bionic” hikes, I could have made the wet and muddy hike up in about thirty minutes, not forty. I still challenge myself to do better!

By the way, don't take chewing gum from your mouth and place it into the change pocket in your blue jeans! It sticks in there, and you will have a hard time pulling and digging it out! (I talk about doing this in the upcoming embedded audiovisual episode.)

At the West Bluff

Hiking up to the west bluff from the southwest, the mountain had blocked the crisp wind from refreshing me. Once I reached the west bluff, the brisk and cool wind from the northwest cooled, calmed, and relieved me of sweat! I enjoyed the moment.

The following photograph, taken at 2:49 PM, faces west and shows the two trail signs. The west bluff is visible in the background.

Where is the sound of the refreshing breeze?

It's on today's installment of Appalachian Irishman – Podcasts (YouTube)! The episode is House Mountain Hike 201, 5-22-2025: Sun, Wind, Water, Mud, and Fun! (pub. 5-24-2025; episode 37). Listen to that wind!

Ah! Didn't the sound of that cool breeze relax and refresh you? It did for me two days ago. By the Lord's grace, live the dream! Just don't stick chewed chewing gum into the change pocket of your blue jeans!

Hiking Down-and-Out the West Trail

A young couple, hiking from east to west across the ridge trail, joined me at the west bluff. We exchanged greetings, and I decided to start hiking back down and out on the same west trail. I chose to give the young couple some time alone. At 2:57 PM, I started hiking down and out.

By 3:21 PM, I had trekked down to the middle or third upper switchback and taken the following photograph.

The view looks down and to the southwest. Can you spot the poison oak? It has five elongated leaves, with the longer three pointing closest to the ground. This poisonous plant is also called the Virginia creeper. Around these parts, however, we call it poison oak.

If I had a dollar for every poison oak plant that I saw along the trail, I would be a millionaire! Just don't touch it, unless you know that you are not allergic to it. My wife's middle sister is so allergic to it that, if she even looks at it, she starts itching!

I photographed the following at 3:29 PM. I had already descended to the low-lying area before the four lower switchbacks.

The image does not show as well the mountain stream runoff that I saw clearly. Stepping along the rocks carefully kept my trusty hiking shoes dry.

Farther down, after the four lower switchbacks, I paused at a mountain stream to soak the soles of my hiking shoes in the clear-flowing water. That removed a lot of trail dust and mud.

Nearing the end of my hike, I photographed the “little lake,” as I call it, at 3:47 PM.

The view looks southeast. Dry ground was to the right of the image. I went that way to avoid the standing water and mud in the foreground. Just beyond the single tree standing in the center of the image, I avoided the rest of the water and mud by stepping across the rocks in the distant left of the image. Balance and careful foot placement kept my shoes dry again. Over the years, I have learned not to step on certain rocks, because they will roll under your step!

Conclusion

At 3:52 PM, I touched the marker near the covered picnic area to mark the end of my hike. I enjoyed an hour and 52 minutes in the woods.

I found a twig, sat on the short wall that surrounds the picnic area, and picked out mud from the soles of my hiking shoes. A man, about my age or younger, was starting his hike. He paused and looked at me, as if wondering what I was doing. I told him that I was picking out mud. Silently, he went on his way.

Eleven other vehicles were in that main parking lot. The following photograph shows my 2006 Frontier and the park sign.

My truck wanted me to photograph him today. He asked me. What? Don't you talk with your vehicle?

By the way, how can a park open and close, when there are no gates to close and lock at the entrance and exit? I have hiked out in the dark, after sunset, a few times over the years. For instance, the article from 10/24/2010 is about my hike on Saturday, 10/16/2010. It includes seven sunset photographs and mentions my hike down and out in the darkness. Of course, I do not recommend hiking before sunrise or after sunset, unless you are an experienced hiker and have a good flashlight.

My 201st hike on House Mountain involved sun, wind, water, mud, and fun! Toss in a sufficient amount of sweat. Flying critters didn't buzz around me too much. Only a few other hikers and I exchanged brief greetings as we passed each other. Mostly, I had the woods to myself. Remember, a day, or a part of a day at least, in the woods is better than not having been there!

Also, don't forget to check for ticks after hiking during tick season! Once home and before peeling 'taters (mentioned in my audiovisual episode above), I checked and found no ticks on me.

Earthquake Rattles the East Tennessee Region on Saturday, 5-10-2025 (published 5-13-2025; article #525)

Doha, Qatar, 8/26/2022, photograph by Murewa Saibu on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

 Introduction

The seismic fissures on the structure in the above image were from a few years ago in Doha, Qatar. Three days ago, however, our house shook but sustained no damage. The earthquake at 9:04 AM on Saturday, May 10, 2025, was one to remember!

Welcome, dear reader, to the 35th article in the Appalachia—Northeast Tennessee topic section. If you live in the region, or even in the Carolinas, Georgia, or Kentucky, you may have felt the tremors. It was a literal seismic shift that lasted a few seconds.

The Earthquake

Three mornings ago, the weather outside was mostly cloudy and seasonably cool. Indoors, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman was sitting on a sofa in the living room, watching a television show that only a woman could enjoy. I was sitting at my home office desk, reading an article online.

The time was 9:04 AM. At first, it sounded and felt like a heavy train coming down the railroad track. The track runs parallel near the back of our property. Trains run infrequently.

That was no train! Looking out my office windows, it seemed as if the ground was vibrating. Our ten-year-old “puppy,” Molly, however, was sitting in the driveway normally, apparently unaware of any movement beneath her. Our house must have been shaking slightly. It was disorienting. Glass cups placed closely together in a kitchen cabinet began to rattle. The rather disturbing sensation lasted only a few seconds.

A few minutes after the shaking stopped, a next-door neighbor called to ask if we had felt an earthquake. My wife, who answered, told him yes. Indoors, he said that he had felt it. He said that his wife, who was in the basement at the time, didn't feel anything. He had already called his father, who lives a couple of miles away. His father, outside at the time, said that he didn't feel anything. I heard about people, driving at the moment the earth shook, who didn't feel the earthquake.

Evidently, to feel the earthquake, you had to have been indoors, not in a basement, outside, or driving.

One of several articles about the earthquake is “A Tennessee earthquake rattles homes as far away as Atlanta with 4.1 magnitude,” Associated Press (AP), by Ben Finley and Bill Cormier, 5/10/2025. The federal government account with plenty of details is at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS): M 4.1 - 21 km SE of Greenback, Tennessee: 2025-05-10 13:04:20 (UTC).

Conclusion

My wife and I lived in Charleston, Missouri, from 1986 to 1992. We remember the earthquake that shook the ground there in the late 1980s or early 1990s. Looking out a window, I saw the front porch metal rail and posts shaking. Coming down a set of stairs at another location, my wife felt the staircase shake. The earthquake last Saturday was also one to remember.

In the New Testament, the inspired record of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount is in Matthew, chapters 5-7. Jesus concluded his sermon in Matthew 7:24-27. The spiritually wise who hear the words of the Lord are like a man who built his house on the rock. Strong rainstorms and wind batter the house, but it will not fall, since its foundation is on the rock.

Last Saturday, our physical house shook but received no damage. Our spiritual house, however, did not shake, for it is built on the Solid Rock, Christ Jesus! See Matthew 7:24-27, 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 (especially verse 4), and 1 Peter 2:1-10 (particularly verses 4-5).

Dear reader, if your spiritual house is shaken by not having its foundation in Christ, and if you would like to communicate privately, please use the “Contact Form” on this website to email me. That will start our confidential dialogue. My purpose is to help those who need to find firm footing on the Solid Rock.

The AD 70 Doctrine Debunked (published 5-7-2025; article #524)

Photograph by Dmitriy Rundaev on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Did we miss Jesus' second coming? Is Jesus not coming again in the future?

Have you heard the notion that the Lord’s second coming occurred in AD 70, 1,955 years ago? Did you know that some believers think that the resurrection of all the dead has already happened? Who knew that some Christians affirm that the end of the world and the final judgment were in the first century?

Welcome, dear reader, to the 39th entry in the Logic-Theology-Deep Stuff topic section. This article summarizes the AD 70 doctrine and debunks it. The doctrine is also called preterism or realized eschatology.

According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, preter means “past: by: preterist” from the Latin “praeter past, by, beyond, from Latin prae before.” A preterist thinks that Jesus' second coming has already happened and that it occurred 1,955 years ago in AD 70. Additionally, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, eschatology is the study of last things or the end of time (i.e., the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, the transformation of the living, the destruction of the earth by fire, the final judgment, and everlasting life or death). Realized eschatology, in essence, affirms that these last things have already taken place.

Background

On Saturday evening, 4/26/2025, why did I check out my Facebook profile page to see what friends had posted recently? I hadn't done so in a few days. I happened to notice that a brother in Christ—with whom I became acquainted while attending Tennessee Bible College in the fall of 1983 and spring of 1984—had reposted earlier that evening his original 2,520-word entry from 5/11/2021 on another Facebook profile page.

The lengthy Facebook treatise by this fellow Christian—H. N., three years older than me—attempted to explain the meaning of the number 666 in Revelation 13:18. In so doing, he seemed to indicate that the second and final coming of Christ was in AD 70, not a future event, when Jerusalem fell to the Roman Empire.

The Roman Empire conquered Judea and destroyed the Second Temple in AD 70. Source: “Siege of Jerusalem: Jewish-Roman war [70 CE],” Encyclopedia Britannica, by Kate Lohnes, 8/29/2018.

The AD 70 (Preterism) Doctrine

Say what? Do some Christians think that Jesus already returned for the second and final time? Yes, a minority of believers think that the Roman conquest of Judea in AD 70 marked the second coming of Christ 1,955 years ago. Aside from my brother in Christ, who lives in Michigan, I do not know any other Christians who think this way. Do you?

I first heard about the AD 70 (preterist) doctrine in the mid-1980s, forty years ago. It was only a minor footnote in my theological studies. Recently, I came across three online sources, two of which may no longer be active, that advocate the preterist notion. I will allow these sources to present their case. First, I found the International Preterist Association (IPA): About: What is the Preterist View? The website by Ed Stevens was current to 2019, six years ago. Further, I also came across PreteristCentral.com: Affirming Christ’s Second Coming Fulfilled by Kurt M. Simmons. The website does not seem to be active. Finally, I discovered the following source that seems to be current: Bible Prophecy: Preterist Research Institute (PRI): About. Don K. Preston, who has an honorary, not earned, doctorate degree, is the founder and president.

Those sources include several entries that attempt to establish the preterist notion. The purpose of this article is not to explain how they present their case. You, however, may visit those websites and read some of their essays, as I have done. I found none that proved their theory.

In brief, preterists twist scripture. Plucking texts out of their immediate and remote contexts, they set up a pretext for their false doctrine. In 2 Peter 3:16, the apostle Peter warned that twisting and distorting scripture leads to destruction. In the first century AD, the apostle Paul warned against false teachers who taught that the resurrection had already taken place (2 Timothy 2:15-18).

Debunking the AD 70 Doctrine

This section begins with my exchange with H. N. on Facebook on 4/26/2025. Afterward, a brief study of selected scriptures in their proper context will debunk the AD 70 doctrine.

Facebook Exchange with H. N. on 4/26/2025

On Saturday evening, 4/26/2025, I commented on H. N.'s Facebook repost as follows: “Why is this relevant for what? The second coming of Christ, the end of the temporal realm, and final judgment are in the future.”

H. N.'s Facebook reply later that evening was (with my emboldening added for emphasis and grammatical correction bracketed in red font), “Sorry, the Second Coming of the Lord took place at the fall of the temple; check Hebrews 10:37 and its relation to Hebrews 9:28. There are no miracles in your future[,] and a future Second Coming requires the greatest miracle the world has ever seen. Miracles were for forty years (Micah 4:1-7:15).”

I decided to consider H. N.'s scripture references in their immediate and remote contexts. First, Hebrews 9:28 (NIV) states, “... so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him.” Hebrews chapter 9 contrasts the Old and New Covenants. The point in verse 28 is that Christ was sacrificed once for our sins. His second appearance (coming) will bring everlasting salvation to believers.

Nothing in the context, immediate or remote, suggests that Christ's second coming occurred in AD 70 when the Roman Empire conquered Jerusalem and destroyed the temple. In fact, the verse indicates a future second coming of Christ!

You see. I am waiting for Christ to come again to bring salvation in its everlasting and heavenly completion! If you are a Christian, dear reader, then are you not also awaiting this second coming?

Next, Hebrews 10:37 (NIV) states, “For, 'In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.'” This verse references Isaiah 26:20 and Habakkuk 2:3. In the pericope, Hebrews 10:19-39, the inspired author encourages Christians to hold onto their faith despite persecution. Patiently doing God's will receives the promised reward of everlasting salvation (verses 35-39). Nothing in the context, immediate or remote, alludes to a second coming of Christ in AD 70.

Finally, in seven chapters, the Book of Micah predicts that Israel would be conquered and restored. The book includes the Messianic prophecy that Christ would be born in Bethlehem (5:2; cf. Matt. 2:6). Nothing in this prophetic book, especially in chapters 4-7, indicates a 40-year period of miracles connected to Christ's second coming. As an aside, it is beyond the scope of this article to prove that the age of miracles ceased when the New Testament canon of scripture was completed, but I can prove this.

Scripture That Debunks the AD 70 Doctrine

This subsection is a brief review of certain scriptures, understood in their immediate and remote contexts, that debunks the AD 70 doctrine. Again, please remember that scripture taken out of context is a pretext for false doctrine.

John 5:27-29

The complete context is John chapter 5. Jesus was in Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. He miraculously healed a man on the Sabbath (verses 1-9). Verses 10-16 explain how the Jewish leaders began persecuting Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath. Jesus answered them in verses 17-47.

In verses 27-29, Jesus presented his authority to judge (verse 27). In verses 28-29 (NIV), Jesus stated, “... a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his [Jesus'] voice and come out—those who have done what is good will rise to live, and those who have done what is evil will rise to be condemned.”

In AD 70, no historical record indicates that all the buried dead at that time heard the voice of Jesus, came out of their graves, and were judged. Further, since graves now hold the remains of the deceased, the time that Jesus mentioned has not yet come. It is coming. Are you ready?

Matthew, chapters 24-25

Preterists and premillennialists misinterpret Matthew chapter 24 (cf. Mark chapter 13 and Luke 21:5-36). In verses 1-2, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Jewish temple. On the Mount of Olives, in verse 3 (NIV), the disciples asked Jesus the following two-part question: “[W]hen will this [temple destruction] happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Part one of the question inquired about the destruction of the temple. The second part asked about Jesus' coming and the end of the age.

In verses 4-35, Jesus answered the first part of the question about the destruction of the temple, which occurred in AD 70. In verse 34 (NIV), he stated, “Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened.” The Jewish temple would be destroyed, as it was in AD 70, within that first-century generation.

Jesus answered the second part of the question about his coming and the end of the age in verses 36-51. Jesus' final coming, known only to God the Father, will not be predicted by signs. It will be as in the days of Noah before the worldwide flood (Genesis 6:5-9:17).

Please notice that Jesus further explained his future coming and the end of the age in Matthew chapter 25. The parable of the ten virgins (verses 1-13) and the parable of the bags of gold (verses 14-30) emphasize watchfulness and stewardship.

The sheep and the goats (verses 31-46) focus on benevolence. Notice verses 31-33. Jesus, the Son of Man, will come in glory with all the angels. In verse 32 (NIV), Jesus stated, “All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” In AD 70, “all the nations” were not gathered before Jesus to be separated.

Jesus concluded in verse 46 (NIV), “Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.” From “all the nations,” the goats on Jesus' left will be sent to “eternal punishment,” and the sheep on his right will have everlasting life. In AD 70, “all the nations” did not receive everlasting punishment or reward. Jesus' future coming will judge “all the nations.” Will you be a sheep or a goat?

Acts 1:11

The complete context is Acts 1:1-11. For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus was with and instructed his apostles. They literally saw with their eyes Jesus ascend toward heaven.

While still gazing upward, two angels (men dressed in white, cf. John 20:12) appeared to the apostles and said, “[W]hy do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven” (verse 11, NIV).

In AD 70, Jesus did not physically return to the earth, nor did any human eyes literally see him return. I hope that I am still alive to see Jesus coming back from heaven!

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

To comfort and encourage the church of the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul explains that, at the future coming of Christ the Lord from heaven, believers who had passed away will rise first. Then, believers still living will join the risen dead to meet the Lord in the air.

Verses 16-17 (NIV) state, “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”

In AD 70, history does not record “the voice of the archangel,” “the trumpet call of God,” or Christians, deceased or still living, rising to meet Jesus in the air and going to be with him forever. That future event is my certain hope!

1 Corinthians, chapter 15

The apostle Paul's inspired eloquence to the church of God at Corinth in 1 Corinthians chapter 15 is a full statement about Jesus' resurrection (verses 1-11), the future resurrection of deceased believers (verses 12-34), the spiritual nature of the resurrected body (verses 35-57), and encouragement that serving the Lord is everlastingly beneficial (verse 58).

Key points found in verses 22-26 refute the AD 70 doctrine. After Christ comes, the end will come. Christ, however, will reign (from heaven) “... until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (verses 25-26, NIV). People, both saved and unsaved, are still dying physically every day. Physical death will end when Christ returns in the future. Obviously, physical death was not destroyed in AD 70.

Further, verses 51-52 (NIV) state, “Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.”

In AD 70, the last trumpet did not sound. Dead believers were not raised imperishable. Living Christians were not transformed into spiritual bodies. Looking forward to that future event inspires me to live my life for Christ!

2 Peter, chapter 3

The apostle Peter warned that in the last days scoffers would question the coming of Christ, since life was continuing as usual (verses 1-4). In verses 5-7, similar to the Genesis flood that destroyed the world (Genesis 7:21-22), the coming “day of judgment” will destroy the world by fire as well as the ungodly. Verses 8-9 explain that the Lord's patience before the coming judgment day is because he does not want “... anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (verse 9, NIV).

Peter warned in verse 10 (NIV), “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare.” Again, in verse 12 (NIV), he states that the “day of God” “... will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.”

The final verses (13-18) conclude the epistle by encouraging Christians to avoid false doctrines and to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (verse 18, NIV).

The coming “day of the Lord” will destroy the temporal realm by fire. The ungodly will suffer everlasting destruction, but the saved will enjoy everlastingly “... a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (verse 13, NIV).

This “day of judgment” certainly did not happen in AD 70. The earth still stands. Judgment Day is coming. Are you ready?

Revelation 1:7-8

Concluding his greetings to the seven churches in the province of Asia, the apostle John wrote in Revelation 1:7-8 (NIV) the following:

“Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him;”
and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

An in-depth review of these profound verses is outside the scope of this brief article. In opposition to the theory that Christ returned in AD 70, however, is the fact that Christ has not yet come with the clouds for every eye to see him, even the Roman soldier who pierced him (John 19:34,37), and “all peoples on earth” have not mourned due to his coming. The Lord God is the one “who is to come.”

Conclusion

This article has summarized the AD 70 doctrine and debunked it. The second coming of Christ did not occur 1,955 years ago in AD 70. I know only one Christian who advocates this false notion. Online, I happened to come across a few others who hold the unproven theory.

Is H. N.—mentioned above, the brother in Christ three years older than me who prompted the writing of this article—as zealous in seeking and saving the lost as he is in promoting the debunked AD 70 theory? I hope so. Otherwise, he needs to shift gears and focus on the reason why Jesus came the first time.

In Luke chapter 19:1-9, we read about Jesus' interaction with Zacchaeus, the tax collector. In verse 10 (NIV), Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Ultimately, the purpose of this article is not only to debunk the AD 70 doctrine. It is also to encourage any unsaved reader to be ready for Christ's second coming and the final judgment.

Are you a sheep or a goat, dear reader? If you would like to converse privately by email, please use the Contact Form on this website to email me. I am one former poor and hungry beggar who found the Bread of Life. I want to share that Bread.