4-22-2024: Passover Begins at Sundown, Earth Day, & Lenin's Birthday (published 4-22-2024, article #466)

10/16/2010 Sunset Photograph on House Mountain, by M. Fearghail, from the article “House Mountain Sunset 10/16/2010 (published 10/24/2010).”

Introduction

My desktop calendar tells me that today, at sundown, is the beginning of Passover. It is also Earth Day. “Daily Calendar for Monday, April 22, 2024” (The Old Farmer’s Almanac) says the same.

This entry, the 19th under the topic section Worldviews in Conflict, reviews Passover, Earth Day, and Lenin's birthday. All three events converge today. The conclusion encourages the unwise to turn to or return to the biblical worldview. The wise are already there.

Passover

Sunset today marks the meaningful beginning of Passover (Hebrew פֶּסַח, Pesach). The annual Jewish observance is a weeklong remembrance of the Exodus, when God delivered the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. On the Jewish calendar, the observance begins, at sundown, on the 14th day of Nisan (Aviv). Passover is derived from the tenth plague, when the Lord passed over the homes of the Israelites. The Old Testament Book of Exodus chronicles the historical event (Ex. 12:1-15:21).

When Jesus came to John, the messenger, who prepared the way for Him, John said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29, NIV). Christians rejoice in the words of the inspired apostle Paul, who wrote, “For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed” (1 Cor. 5:7, NIV). As the apostle Peter stated, we have been redeemed from our empty lifestyle “. . . with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect” (1 Pet. 1:19, NIV).

Praise be to God, whose grace, through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, saves us from our empty and sinful lifestyles! Everlasting life is ours!

The Israel-Hamas conflict began when Hamas attacked Israel on 10/7/2023 -- a day that will live in infamy in Israeli history. The Israel-Iran engagement began when Iran struck Israel with an airborne assault on 4/13/2024.

My written prayer is that all will accept the Prince of Peace. If so, the world will find lasting peace. I pray that antisemitic protesters will realize the error of their ways and turn to the Lord. I wish Jewish friends a happy and peaceful Passover and encourage them to find the Prince of Peace, if they haven't. I have known Jewish Christians, who observe Passover and who know the Passover Lamb as their Savior.

Earth Day

Today is also the lackluster annual occasion of Earth Day. “Our History,” Earthday.org, presents its history and timeline. Earth Day started on 4/22/1970. It led to the Environmental Protection Agency, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act.

A senator and a young college activist started Earth Day. The previously cited source states that they chose April 22, since the weekday was between spring break and final exams. They wanted to ensure that many college students would participate. It is alleged, however, that the day was selected, since it marked the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth.

This article accepts the conservationist aspects of Earth Day. God placed man “. . . in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it” (Gen. 2:15, NIV). From creation, humankind must work on and take care of planet Earth. I reject the environmentalist views about Earth Day.

The political smorgasbord article on 5/2/2021 includes my rather pithy comments about Earth Day. The article verifies that Earth Day started on the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth.

The 3/26/2023 article states my position fully. The conclusion includes the following:

By following the biblical worldview, I am a conservationist. All who share this view, as good stewards, use natural resources in an ethical manner, to better humankind. We, however, care for and manage those resources, to improve them, for future generations.

Environmentalists, in contrast, follow a pantheistic worldview, in that they worship god (the creation), instead of God (the Creator). Deifying nature, they subjugate human needs to protect nature, which has preeminence. They see all humans, including themselves, as parasites and disrupters of nature. They, however, see themselves as “noble parasites,” while looking down on us, as “disrupting parasites.”

I stand by that statement. I still affirm the biblical worldview of conservationists. My prayer is that environmentalists will stop worshiping god (the creation) and worship the Creator.

Lenin's Birthday

At birth, Vladimir Lenin was named Влади́мир Ильи́ч Улья́нов (Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov). He took on the pseudonym “Lenin.” The Marxist revolutionary, founder of the Communist Party, and first Soviet leader was born on 4/22/1870, according to the modern Gregorian calendar. (By the old Julian calendar, he was born on 4/10/1870. The Soviet Union switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, on February 1, 1918.) Lenin died on 1/21/1924. His body is interred in Lenin's Tomb in Moscow on Red Square. Sources: “Vladimir Lenin,” On This Day and “Timeline of V. I. Lenin,” Marxists Internet Archive.

When my wife and I were Christian missionaries in Russia (10/1/1994 - 9/30/1999), we toured inside the Lenin Mausoleum. We saw Lenin's corpse, still lying in state. We were part of a group. No photographs were allowed.

Snopes labels as false the theory that the founders of Earth Day wanted to associate the day with Lenin's birthday. See “Why Is Earth Day on April 22? Since the very first Earth Day, rumors have been floated linking the date to the birthday of Vladimir Ilich Lenin,” Snopes, by David Mikkelson, 4/21/2015. Snopes, however, is not a completely reliable source. Their conclusion could be wrong.

I smell a rat! The first Earth Day, on 4/22/1970, could have happened to fall on the centennial anniversary of Vladimir Lenin's birth (4/22/1870), with no planned association of the days, but I doubt it. Such a coincidence is unlikely. I am not the only skeptic. For example, see “Earth Day's real (Leninist) history,” WorldNetDaily (WND), by Brian Sussman, 4/21/2021. The author states that it “was no accident” that the inaugural Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, happened to be on the centennial of Vladimir Lenin's birth. Of course, accidents can happen. The coincidence seems to have been a planned accident, with built-in deniability.

Conclusion

The unwise need to turn to or return to the biblical worldview. The wise are already there.

The sunset view that I enjoyed over thirteen years ago, on 10/16/2010, is still vivid in my mind. That was my 71st hike on House Mountain.

At sunset this evening, thoughts and prayers will be for peace. May the Passover blessings of Christ, the Passover Lamb, inspire all humankind to adopt a saving biblical worldview.

Recommended Reading: CultureWatch by Bill Muehlenberg (published 4-13-2024; article #465)

3/17/2018 photo by Winggo Tse on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

Geographically, northeast Tennessee, the home of this Appalachian Irishman, is “up and over” from Australia. Australia is “the land down under,” due to its location in the southern hemisphere.

The distance from this area to Melbourne, Australia, is about 9,760 miles. That would be a long hike! Traversing the ocean would be done by taking a step, coming up for air, and taking another step! To set the mood for this article, I found the Australian rock band Men At Work (YouTube) and enjoyed their song “Men At Work - Down Under (Official HD Video).”

This article, the 18th, under the topic section Worldviews in Conflict, recommends the website CultureWatch: Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day. I happened to come across it yesterday. I hope that this article introduces Bill Muehlenberg's website to readers on this platform.

Recommending Bill Muehlenberg

Why do I recommend Bill Muehlenberg's website? About CultureWatch states the following:

We live in an age where we see evidence of cultural decline, the erosion of values, the decline of civility, the denial of truth and the elevation of unreason. Many people are asking, “Where is our culture heading?” This website is devoted to exploring the major cultural, social and political issues of the day. It offers reflection and commentary drawing upon the wealth of wisdom found in the Judeo-Christian tradition. It offers reflective and incisive commentary on a wide range of issues, helping to sort through the maze of competing opinions, worldviews, ideologies and value systems. It will discuss critically and soberly where our culture is heading. Happy reading!

Bill Muehlenberg is one of many, whose voices are as “one calling in the wilderness” (John 1:23, NIV). In a scholarly manner, his website affirms the biblical worldview and critiques the ungodly worldviews that are destroying the everlasting souls of the majority.

Bill Muehlenberg is a prolific and well-established writer. He publishes an article about every day. Over three decades of articles began with his first article on 5/10/1990. His website header includes five topic sections: Christianity, Culture Wars, Ethics, Theology, and Testimonials. Forty-five Categories (from Africa to Worldviews) include 26,818 articles (as of my 4/12/2024 tally).

Unfortunately, the website does not include biographical information about Bill Muehlenberg. A bit of research, however, led to his biographical sketch. The undated biography, “Bill Muehlenberg,” Creation Ministries International (CMI), includes the following:

Bill Muehlenberg is an American-born apologist and ethicist in Melbourne, Australia. He has a BA with honours in philosophy (Wheaton College, Chicago), an MA with highest honours in theology (Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Boston). He is currently completing a PhD in theology. He has his own ministry called CultureWatch, which features Christian commentary on the issues of the day: billmuehlenberg.com. He is a prolific author, and a much sought after media commentator, and has been featured on most television and radio current affairs programs. Bill teaches ethics, apologetics and theology at several Melbourne Bible Colleges. He is the author of Strained Relations: The Challenge of Homosexuality, Freedom Publishing, 2011. Bill is married, with three sons.

His website links to his channel, Bill Muehlenberg (YouTube), which started on 10/8/2011. Yesterday, I watched the following two episodes: “Bill Muehlenberg Testimony,” Bill Muehlenberg (YouTube), 9/10/2017, and “Who is Bill Muehlenberg?” Bill Muehlenberg (YouTube), 9/21/2017. His testimony, which lasts just under 20 minutes, is moving. His self-introduction is just over five minutes.

Since yesterday, I have selected and read several articles. I bookmarked Bill Muehlenberg's website as a favorite. I plan to visit often.

Conclusion

Modern technology is good, in that this Appalachian Irishman does not need to hike about 9,760 miles, to become acquainted with Bill Muehlenberg. He and I look to be in the same generation. This article “shakes his hand,” across the pond, and suggests that readers of this website check out CultureWatch: Bill Muehlenberg's commentary on issues of the day. I'm sure that he won't mind if you drop by.

Worldviews in conflict is an ongoing spiritual battle between good and evil and between solid rock and sinking sand. Jesus concluded his sermon on the mount (Matthew, chapters 5-7), as follows:

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.” (Mt. 7:24-27, NIV)

The world needs to wake up, not “woke” up, before the ultimate acknowledgment of truth arrives. The awake, in Christ, understand. The “woke,” who follow ungodly worldviews, need to understand. Wake up, America! Wake up, world!

This article is also written in honor of my paternal grandfather, Marion Ferrell, who was born on this date, in 1880.

Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday, and Atheist Day (published 4-12-2024; article #464)

7/17/2018 photo by James Coleman on Unsplash. Free to use under the Unsplash License.

Introduction

What do Good Friday and Easter have to do with April Fools' Day? This article -- from the better two weeks late than never backlog -- answers the question. Always finish the good that you start.

Good Friday was on March 29th, followed by Easter Sunday. April Fools' Day was the day after Easter. For decades, I have called April Fools' Day Atheist Day. I prefer Resurrection Sunday over Easter.

Since 1900, Resurrection Sunday has fallen on March 31st seven times -- in 1907, 1918, 1929, 1991, 2002, 2013, and this year. Resurrection Sunday falls on March 31st again in 2086. Also, since 1900, Resurrection Sunday and April Fools' Day have both been on April 1st five times -- in 1923, 1934, 1945, 1956, and 2018. The next convergence will be in 2029. Source: “Easter Dates from 1600 to 2099,” United States Census Bureau, last revision 10/8/2021.

This 103rd entry, under the topic section Life (such as it is), focuses on the recent occasion when Atheist Day followed Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. I hope that you like and are encouraged by this brief entry.

Good Friday

Why is it called Good Friday, when Jesus died? It was and is good news! “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, NIV). God the eternal Word became God the Son, to save humanity from sin and give us everlasting life (John 1:1-5,14).

Gospel (Greek εὐαγγέλιον) means “good news.” The historical record of Jesus' vicarious suffering, crucifixion, and death is found in the Gospel of Mark chapters 14-15, Matthew chapters 26-27, Luke chapters 22-23, and John chapters 13-19. The pericopes begin with the plot against Jesus and conclude with Jesus' burial. To say that reading the inspired and historical record is spiritually and emotionally overwhelming is an understatement. The record both saddens and inspires a believer's spirit! God suffered and died for me! He sacrificed Himself for us all! He died for you too, dear reader.

Sufficient evidence concludes that Jesus was crucified on either Friday, April 7, AD 30, or Friday, April 3, AD 33. It is beyond the scope of this brief article to explain the reasoning. Instead, the following two sources are suggested: “Dating Jesus’ death: April 3, AD 33,” Evidence Unseen, by James M. Rochford, 8/23/2017, and “April 3, AD 33: Why We Believe We Can Know the Exact Date Jesus Died,” First Things, by Andreas J. Kostenberger, 4/3/2014.

Resurrection Sunday (Easter)

This section begins with the historical fact of Jesus' resurrection. It adds a brief commentary about the childish and ungodly worldview of the White House.

The Historical Fact

The historical record of Jesus' resurrection, on Sunday, the first day of the week, is found in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 16, Matthew, chapter 28, Luke, chapter 24, and John, chapters 20-21. The statement “It's Good Friday, but Sunday is coming!” is true. Jesus arose! Indeed, Jesus arose! The Christian's certain hope is in our risen Lord and Savior. All, who are in Christ, will rise from the dead and live with Him everlastingly! (See 1 Corinthians 15:20-26.)

Adequate grounds establish that Jesus rose from the dead on either Sunday, April 9, AD 30, or Sunday, April 5, AD 33. (See the two previously referenced sources.)

Annually, why does Easter (Resurrection Sunday) fall on different Sundays? In AD 325, the Council of Nicaea established that Easter would be observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon that occurred on or after March 21st (the ecclesiastical equinox).

The resurrection of Christ is celebrated annually on Easter, weekly on Sundays, and every day! The apostle Paul's inspired words have always motivated me. He proclaimed, “I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NIV). All that I can say is, “Amen, brother Paul!”

The Ungodly Worldview of the White House

The ungodly worldview of the White House seems childish, in contrast to the historical and inspiring truth of Jesus' resurrection. This subsection comments briefly on childish politics.

According to “Statement from President Joe Biden on Easter,” The White House, 3/31/2024, someone must have written a nice remark for the president; however, the name “Jesus,” the title “Christ,” nor the word “resurrection” appear in any of the following two web pages: “White House Announces Theme and Activities for the 2024 Easter Egg Roll,” The White House, 3/28/2024, and “White House Easter Egg Roll 2024: April 1, 2024,” White House Information. Do the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs trump the resurrection of Christ? “Come on, man! Get real!”

Sadly, the White House proclaimed that Resurrection Sunday (3/31/2024) was “Transgender Day of Visibility,” according to “A Proclamation on Transgender Day of Visibility, 2024,” The White House, 3/29/2024. Initially, I was shocked when I heard the news! I was not the only one. See “Conservatives shell long-standing White House Easter egg contest,” NBC News, by Elyse Perlmutter-Gumbiner & Alexandra Marquez, 3/31/2024. Apparently, “Transgender Day of Visibility” always falls on March 31st, which happened to be Easter Sunday this year. See “Fact Check: Transgender Day of Visibility falls annually on March 31, not always at Easter,” Reuters, by Reuters Fact Check, 3/29/2024. By the way, what is “transgender?” It is a biological impossibility! God created two and only two genders, male and female (Gen. 1:27).

Mr. President, “don't talk the talk, if you can't walk the walk.” Your lip service to the triumphant resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ, does not condone or approve your advocacy of an ungodly worldview. This article prays for your soul's salvation, Mr. President.

Atheist (April Fools') Day

This year, the day after Resurrection Sunday was April Fools' Day. The day has been observed for centuries, but its origin is not known. Source: “April Fools' Day,” Encyclopedia Britannica, by the Editors, last updated 4/1/2024.

The story is told about an atheist. He thought that he knew that God did not exist. To a Christian, he complained that Christians have two holidays, Christmas and Easter, but that atheists have no holiday. Pithily, the believer replied, “You have April Fools’ Day!”

Psalms 14:1 and 53:1 both state, in the NIV, “The fool says in his heart, 'There is no God.'” In the original Hebrew, “fool” refers to the morally deficient. An atheist affirms, in error, that God does not exist. That is his moral deficiency, even if he follows biblical morality. This type of fool is not the same as in Jesus' statement in Matthew 5:22. “Fool,” in the original Greek, is an expression of condemnation. Jesus did not prohibit righteous judgment of someone's foolishness (John 7:24). Rather, He warned that we cannot usurp God's role by condemning someone for his evil deeds.

Apparently, Atheist Day is on March 23rd annually. See “Atheist Day – March 23, 2024,” National Today. Oops! This year, I missed the celebration, on Saturday, 3/23/2024! I wish that I could have crashed a local atheist group's party! I could have helped them.

Conclusion

I am merely one former poor beggar, who found the Bread of Life. I am filled. I try to share the Bread that gives everlasting life.

More complete statements on this topic are found in the articles on 4/2/2021 and on 5/1/2022, under the section “4/1, Friday: National Atheists' Day.”

The ongoing Christian Evidences series answers the question of God's existence, in the following three articles: 11/4/2022 by the moral argument, 11/16/2022 by the teleological argument, and 11/26/2022 by the cosmological argument.

So, what do Good Friday and Easter have to do with April Fools' Day? The wise know. The searching and open-minded are able to know. The unwise cannot know.

If you are searching and open-minded, please use the Contact Form, to email me, if you would like to talk further. I would be glad to share the Bread of Life (John 6:35-40).

The 4-8-2024 Solar Eclipse that Fizzled! (published 4-8-2024; article #463)

Introduction

Turning the page from the previous article today, this is a quick commentary about today's solar eclipse that fizzled.

As I start to write, the time is after 5 PM. The sun just broke through the clouds! It's so ironic!

The Hype

For weeks, practically every media outlet has built up the hype about the partial solar eclipse that happened earlier today. I became tired of it.

As an example, this article references “Watch Live: The Great American Eclipse has started! If you miss it, you're going to have to wait at least two decades to get another chance to see one in the U.S.” WBIR-TV, by Tom Barclay, 4/8/2024. The first two paragraphs are as follows:

Today is the day! A partial solar eclipse will pass over East Tennessee!

If you miss it, you're going to have to wait at least two decades to get another chance to see one in the U.S., because the next total solar eclipse in the contiguous U.S. will be in 2044!

Several school systems let out early, so children could be home, to watch the eclipse. Special glasses, made in China, were being sold or given away. Eclipse-watching venues were held. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman's school system let out early. She arrived home, with two pair of special glasses.

The partial eclipse was supposed to be at its maximum, 88%, about 3:07 PM. The eclipse started at 1:49 PM. It ended at 4:23 PM.

The Fizzle

The clouds fizzled out the hype! The sky was completely cloudy, until just after 5 PM. My “long-suffering” wife took the following photograph at 3 PM, on the dot.

She was facing southwest, looking up. That's a nice view of the power lines! That corner of the gutter doesn't need to be cleaned out, by the way.

I joined my wife. A light drizzle was falling. Molly was resting in her basement condominium. We went back inside, to dust, sweep, and vacuum.

Conclusion

How many folks were disappointed by the media hype that fizzled? I was not one of them. Will there be a new malady, called Eclipse Hype Syndrome (EHS)? Will pharmaceutical companies invent a pill to treat EHS?

Don't buy into media hype, y'all! Don't swallow their pill!

House Mountain Hike #189, 4-7-2024: Where's the Solar Eclipse? (published 4-8-2024; article #462)

Introduction

Where was the solar eclipse? Yesterday afternoon, on Sunday, 4/7/2024, I hiked House Mountain for the 189th time. I expected to see a solar eclipse! Where was it?

What? Was I a day late? I reckon so. The solar eclipse was today. (Source: “2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When,” NASA, last updated 4/6/2024.) Local and national media have been abuzz about the eclipse for days and weeks on end. Today, the weather is cloudy. The sun is being eclipsed by the clouds.

Let's get back to yesterday's hike! Unlike today, the sky was clear, blue, and sunny. The temperature was in the 60s Fahrenheit.

The Hike (including 3 Photographs)

I started hiking up the west trail at 1:59 PM. One of these days, I may buy a trail camera that I can strap to a hiking cap. To record an entire hike would be interesting.

Having hiked up the four lower switchbacks, I started up the six upper switchbacks. I passed one group going up. A couple of groups went by, as they hiked down. After thirty-four minutes, I reached the west bluff. Two groups were already there, so I didn't take any photographs.

Heading east along the ridge trail, I decided to photograph what's left of the old two-seater outhouse. The location is just off the ridge trail and near the Picnic Rock. I took the following photograph at 2:58 PM.

The door was open, but I would not go in there if I were you! The seats are gone, and the holes have been sealed with concrete. The old outhouse is just below and east of where the fire tower once stood.

The fire tower was taken down several decades ago. It was built in 1958, according to the inscription on a concrete foundation.

At 3:07 PM, I took the above photograph. The view looks northeast. One of the five concrete foundations is visible, in the center of the shot. How old is the large tree, which is to the left in the image? The cellphone tower is visible, farther back and centered in the frame. The old outhouse (not visible in the photograph) is down and to the right of the view.

After hiking the short distance east and down, I returned to the ridge trail. The Picnic Rock is just east of where the fire tower once stood.

I took the above photograph at 3:28 PM, just before I recorded the addendum to the podcast episode (in the next section).

That's not my jacket. Someone left it behind. The redbud blooms, in the left of the image, were pleasing to the eye. Several redbud trees were still in bloom.

Years ago, I nicknamed the rock outcropping Picnic Rock. It looks like a giant picnic table. What else would you call it? I am open to suggestions.

The Podcast on “Picnic Rock”

I decided to record an episode of Appalachian Irishman - Podcasts (YouTube). Ad-libbing, I ran off at the mouth for about four and a half minutes. The episode is House Mountain Hike 189, 4-7-2024: Where's the Solar Eclipse? (published 4-8-2024; episode 27).

I acted as though I'd thought that the solar eclipse was that day. I was a day early! The addendum includes serious comments, about the passing of my wife's Aunt Mona, a younger brother's upcoming birthday, and my deceased mother-in-law's birthday.

Conclusion

At 3:30 PM, I left the Picnic Rock, to hike west and down the west trail. I met a few hikers. At 4:34 PM, I touching the sign post, which is near the covered picnic table, to mark the end of my hike. Two hours and thirty-five minutes in the woods is better than not having hiked!

When I arrived, the upper parking lot was full. I'd found a location on the shoulder of Hogskin Road, to park my 2006 Frontier. He asked me to photograph him. I did so, at 4:40 PM.

If you read this article, Carol Sue, I can hear you! “That's not Mike's 'Delta Saloon, Suicide Table' cap!” I know, Sis.! In the 10/26/2023 article, I'd promised to wear it, on each House Mountain hike. By habit, I took my older cap that has on it the stick figure of a hiker being struck by lightning. I didn't want to drive back home, change caps, and return to hike. I'll do better next time!

This article is being published after the solar eclipse, still behind the clouds, was supposed to be at its climax. It was anticlimactic. The sky, already darkened by thick clouds, became a little darker. The next article today will be about the eclipse hype that fizzled.

Knox Horizon Compete Auto Care: Phil Williams Got to Meet Me! (published 4-3-2024; article #461)

Introduction

Greetings to each international, national, and local reader! This article, the 102nd under the “Life (such as it is)” topic section, should be informative and humorous, especially for the local audience.

How many people does it take to replace a dining area light fixture? The conclusion answers the question!

This entry brings to mind the essay on 11/13/2023, which highly recommended Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care. I continue to commend those fine folks!

I'll share the story about how our 2012 Nissan Sentra became ill and how Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care made her well again. (Yes, our car is a she, and our truck is a he.) For further humor, I'll throw in a quick story, about the rental car's outpatient visit, on my father-in-law's 86th birthday.

Our Car's Sickness

On Wednesday, 3/20/2024, while returning from work, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman noticed that the car was ridding roughly at times. After she returned, I test-drove the car for about ten minutes. The ride was smooth, but the RPM (revolutions per minute) increased at slower speeds. I watched the tachometer spin up and heard the engine rev. I was not racing! The yellow “service engine soon” light was on.

I tinkered around the engine. I didn't see, smell, or feel any problems. One of these days, I may purchase a code reader.

On the next day, my wife drove our 2006 Nissan Frontier to and from work. By phone, Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care and I arranged a service appointment for the following Monday. A friendly human always answers your call, at Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care! I had hoped to get the car in sooner, but they have enough business to keep them jumping.

Afterward, on the same day, I arranged a rental car at Enterprise Rent-A-Car. (To reach the helpful local folks, press the star (*) key! You will bypass the robot.) My sister-in-law, who lives nearby with her father, took me to the car rental place. Thank you, “favorite” sister-in-law!

On Friday of that week, my wife drove the rental, a blue 2024 Toyota Corolla, to and from work. The quick story about the rental is in the next section.

The Rental Car's Out-Patient Visit

Arriving home that Friday, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman told me that the rental car's tire pressure warning light was on. After allowing the tires to cool, I checked three tires. Each was overinflated. I reduced the air pressure. I assumed that the fourth tire (left rear) would be overinflated and that the overinflation had triggered the dashboard light. I was wrong! The left rear tire was under 20 PSI (pounds per square inch). Using the air compressor, I inflated the tire to the proper PSI.

The next morning, Saturday, the left rear tire pressure was still correct. Later, however, after my wife visited her folks and bought groceries, the tire pressure was low again. I felt along the tread and the outer sidewall. I felt around the inner sidewall. I didn't feel any foreign objects.

The next day, Palm Sunday, was my father-in-law's 86th birthday. The family gathered early that afternoon. Before joining the festivities, my call to Enterprise Rent-A-Car arranged a trip to Firestone, near the car rental location. I switched from my truck to the rental car at my father-in-law's house. (My wife had arrived in the rental before me.) Before leaving, I greeted everyone and wished my father-in-law a happy birthday.

Quickly, Firestone found the metal, lodged inside the inner sidewall, and replaced the tire. I rejoined the family gathering. My father-in-law enjoyed his birthday, especially the humor that was found inside the rental car's left rear tire!

Our Car's Recovery

Monday

On Monday, 3/25/2024, I managed to drive our car to Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care for the 9:30 AM appointment. The car shook a few times initially, but the RPM didn't rev up. The Interstate ride was smooth. An employee took the following photograph of our car, once she was in the service bay. (The hood latch was popped, but the hood wasn't raised yet.) I was able to download the image and include it in this article.

What was the illness? Our car needed a tune-up! A cylinder was misfiring at times. She also got an oil and filter change. Our car wouldn't be ready until the next day.

I recalled the tune-up mistake that I'd made, over four decades ago, on my 1976 Mustang Cobra II. The car, including two photographs, is mentioned in the 8/14/2022 short story “Cars & Trucks - 'the Significance of the Passage of Time'.”

In the late 1970s and early 1980s, vehicles were not computerized. You could tune up your own vehicle. The price of parts was reasonable. I had replaced the spark plugs and the plug wires. While test driving my Cobra, I felt shaking and had a rough ride. I had not connected two plug wires to the right spark plugs. Correcting that mistake smoothed out the ride, and my Cobra purred again!

A reader asks, “Who is Phil Williams? How did he get to meet you?” Graciously, my “favorite” sister-in-law came to get me and drove me back home. Thanks again, “favorite” sister-in-law!

I was standing near the front entrance door, behind one of the large glass windows, looking for my sister-in-law's arrival. I noticed a man, a few years older than me, get out of a white pickup truck. Once he came inside, I realized that I'd heard him, earlier that morning, on “The Phil Show,” NewsTalk 98.7 | WOKI-FM! That was Phil Williams!

This article nicknames Phil Williams “the Mouth of the South.” His personality and gift of gab are similar to another “the Mouth of the South” -- Jerry Clower (9/28/1926 - 8/24/1998). Phil Williams, I'm glad that you got to meet me! A longer conversation, with cups of strong coffee, would be interesting. Remember, sir, the adage, “Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning!” On that Monday morning, the red sky brought rain the next day.

Would you like to hear Jerry Clower? I enjoyed watching and listening to “A Conversation With; 137; Jerry Clower,” 3/24/1975, Mississippi Public Broadcasting, American Archive of Public Broadcasting (GBH and the Library of Congress). It's just over 29 minutes in length. Jerry Clower affirmed his biblical worldview and Christian lifestyle, as he shared his life and career stories. In the 1970s, Jerry Clower spoke at a Baptist Youth Convention, in Nashville, Tennessee. As a teenager, I laughed at his humor and was moved by his Christian testimony.

A Rainy Tuesday

The next day, Tuesday, our 2012 Nissan Sentra was healthy again. After work, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman arrived home. The rental car took us to get our car, at Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care. She was tuned up and purring again!

Only two-tenths of a mile separate Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care and the Enterprise Rent-A-Car location. I drove the rental that short distance, while my wife followed, driving our car. Having returned the rental, I drove us home in our car.

A reader asks, “After your wife arrived home, why didn't you turn in the rental, walk two tenths of a mile, and get the car? Why did your wife have to help?” That's a good question. It was raining fairly steadily. I don't like to walk with an umbrella over my head. I didn't want to take another shower!

Don't Be Too Nosy!

Another reader asks, “How much did you have to pay, just for the tune-up, in parts and labor?” The answer is, “Well, don't be too nosy!”

As Dad (Earl Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) used to say, “A dollar ain't worth much these days.” Inflation has only worsened.

I found a website called “Official Data.” In 1974, I assume that parts for a tune-up (spark plugs, intake manifold gasket set, and ignition coils) cost about $60. That may be a high estimate. The website calculated that $60 in parts in 1974 would cost $499.73 in 2024. That's an increase of a whopping 732.88%! Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care charged less than the current average cost for tune-up parts. Their labor cost, given the inflationary “a dollar ain't worth much these days” understanding, is reasonable.

Conclusion

As in the 11/13/2023 article, this entry highly recommends Knox Horizon Complete Auto Care! The job will be done right, on time, and at a reasonable cost. Moreover, I just like those fine folks! After all, if they can put up with Phil Williams and me, at the same time, then they have to be good!

So, how many people does it take to replace a dining area light fixture? Three: “favorite" sister-in-law, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, and me. Earlier today, we got the job done in about three hours. Well, my father-in-law offered sage advice and used his electrical circuit tester. The green wire is the ground wire!

To my “favorite” sister-in-law, I'll close by saying, “I'm glad that we replaced the light fixture that hangs above the dining room table! One good turn deserves another! That's family.”

American Legion Post 21, in Historic Rogersville, Tennessee (published 3-18-2024; article #460)

Introduction

Have you ever been inside an M4A3 Sherman tank? This Appalachian Irishman has! I'll explain, in the childhood memories section, farther below.

“You might as well come in and stay a while,” as Appalachian folks often say, when someone drops by. The last two articles focused on areas, within walking distance, on East Main Street, in historic Rogersville, Tennessee. The article, of 3/2/2024, was about Burton's Service Station. The 3/13/2024 article was about Brown's Corner. (Seeking help from others, I'm still trying to learn how the area got its name. Lord willing, I hope to publish an article, if I find out.) This article -- the 31st entry, under the topic section Appalachia - northeast Tennessee -- finishes a trifecta and focuses on a third location, on East Main Street, in my hometown.

The distance -- from the former Burton's Service Station (remodeled and under new ownership now) to the American Legion -- is about three-tenths of a mile, or about a six-minute walk. Let's take a virtual walk, going east, from Burton's Service Station to the American Legion. The roadside park (with the white oak tree and the monument) is along the way.

This article highlights the American Legion Post 21 and the M4A3 Sherman Tank. I'll share childhood memories, about the tank, and the restoration of the tank, in 2006.

American Legion Post 21

The majestic American Legion Post 21 has a commanding and dominant presence. The building rests atop the hill -- east of where the off-ramp, from Highway 11W (the bypass), meets East Main Street (old Highway 11W). Access is on American Legion Road.

American Legion Post 21, Google Maps Street View, Image Capture February 2024, downloaded 3/15/2024, by M. Fearghail.

From “Hawkins County War Memorial,” American Legion, 4/26/2018, we understand that the American Legion Post 21 was chartered in 1921. Two buildings, before the current location, had served the members. The current building was erected, in 1949, especially to honor World War II veterans.

The 2018 article, cited previously, emphasized the need to preserve the building. Post members had sponsored a "Save Our American Legion Post 21 Benefit" fund. The article includes an image of the cornerstone, which reads "Hawkins County War Memorial." Years ago, I saw and touched the cornerstone. I thanked God for the service of countless veterans. Their number includes many from Hawkins County, several of whom were and are my relatives.

All veterans, deceased and living, deserve the respect, admiration, and appreciation of all Americans. This article honors all veterans. Thank you for your service.

The M4A3 Sherman Tank

The M4A3 Sherman tank is visible, in the previous image, to the right (or south) of the American Legion Post 21. Sherman tanks and the soldiers, who manned them, were crucial to victory, during World War II. For further reading, please consider the following two articles:

“M4 Sherman: 'Blunder' or 'Wonder' Weapon? The American-built Sherman medium tank was admittedly inferior to its German opponents. Yet, how did it help win the war in Northwest Europe?” Warfare History Network, Early Fall 2012 (Volume 11, No. 7), by Blaine Taylor

“The Sherman M4A3 Medium Tank.” The Sherman Tank Site: the place for all things Sherman Tank (undated), by Jon T.

As the caption below the next image states, I'd taken the photograph, on 6/24/2006, a Saturday afternoon. Dad (Earl Ferrell, 9/17/1927 - 1/25/2008) was still living and doing fairly well. Other family members and I had visited Dad. I'd found out that an Eagle Scout project had restored the Sherman tank. I had stopped to take the photograph, on my way back home.

Photograph, by M. Fearghail, on Saturday afternoon, 6/24/2006. The American Legion building, in Rogersville, Tennessee, is behind and to the north (left), of the Sherman tank. The turret and gun barrel point to a corner of the building. The name on the tank is “Old Hickory.” The view looks east.

On 9/12/2006, I'd thought about writing a website article, titled “A Good Scout.” I never put down my thoughts into words, until now. An article, if it's worth writing, is better late than never -- even if it is over seventeen years late!

Childhood Memories

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, a lifelong friend and his family lived in a house, in the subdivision that is just south of and behind the American Legion Post 21. My friend and I are the same age. We still keep in touch. His mother and my mother (Betty Lou Wood Ferrell, 11/24/1932 - 12/27/2000) were friends.

Sometimes, during visits with my friend, we would walk the fairly short distance to the American Legion, to explore the Sherman tank. We climbed onto the tank and up to the turret. We eased down the turret hatch, into the crew compartment. Being of grade school age and body size, with youthful flexibility, we soon realized that moving around, in the crew compartment, was not easy!

A five-man crew operated Sherman tanks. The crew included the commander, the gunner, the loader, the driver, and the assistant driver/hull gunner. The crew compartment has two levels. The upper level was for the commander, the gunner, and the loader. The commander sat or stood behind the gun barrel and the gunner. The gunner sat immediately behind the gun barrel. The loader sat to the left of the gunner. The lower level was for the driver, who had the left seat, and the assistant driver/hull gunner, who had the right seat. An excellent video description is seen on “Inside the 'Easy 8' Sherman Tank - Examining the Roles of a Tank Crew,” National Museum of Military Vehicles (YouTube), 2/4/2024. The nineteen-minute episode includes timestamps. The video, from inside the crew compartment, starts at the five-minute, thirty-second mark. It's worth watching.

My friend and I imagined that we, with three invisible crew members, fought tank battles against the Germans! The thick glass -- encased in metal on the outside top of the turret -- was cracked in several places, certainly from enemy fire. The tank exterior had several dings, dents, and marks, surely from enemy fire. That tank had seen its share of combat in World War II.

On several occasions, my friend and I paused our imaginary battles and wondered if any soldiers had died in that tank. Our imaginary battles became somber thoughts, at least for a while.

One visit to the Sherman tank included a real battle! My friend and I had lowered ourselves into the crew compartment. We encountered an angry swarm of waspers! They had nested inside the tank. Bounding out and off the tank quickly, we were not stung too many times! The waspers won that battle. Eventually, we returned, didn't find any waspers, and continued our imaginary battles. The good guys always won those battles.

My friend and his family moved to a nearby town, at the beginning of our freshman year in high school. We still got together and kept in touch, but our visits to the Sherman tank had ended.

The Tank Restored, in 2006

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Sherman tank was holding up well enough, despite the weathering, rust, and slight deterioration. As I've already stated, I'd taken the previous photograph, on 6/24/2006. I'd learned that an Eagle Scout project had restored the Sherman tank. Dad kept issues of The Rogersville Review, for us to read, when we visited. We enjoyed reading the newspapers. For several years, I have had an online and paper delivery subscription, to The Rogersville Review. My wife and I like to keep up with the news from my hometown. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman has family ties to Rogersville. Online editions of the newspaper are available by subscription only.

If you disable private browsing, however, you may be able to read, without the cost of a subscription, “Tank restored thanks to teen,” The Rogersville Review, by Bill Grubb, 6/14/2006. The article was published ten days before I'd photographed the tank.

In summary, the 6/14/2006 article indicates that the M4A3 Sherman tank had been “standing guard,” beside the American Legion Post 21, for fifty-four years. It began its guard duty in 1952. The tank had been on a two-year “leave of absence,” while an Eagle Scout (named in the article) restored the tank, for his Eagle Scout project. The restoration project also honored “a member of the Tennessee National Guard,” who was killed during service in Iraq.

Conclusion

Since we parked our vehicles at the old Burton's Service Station, we might as well walk back there. Before leaving the American Legion and the Sherman tank, we pause, at the "Hawkins County War Memorial" cornerstone, touch it, and lift up silent prayers to God, for the sacrifices of all the soldiers, who have served or are serving this nation.

The roadside park (with the white oak tree and the monument) is along the way. We stop, to relax a while, at the picnic table, under the shade of that oak tree.

Don't you wish that Burton's Service Station was still open? I'd like to walk in and buy a glass-bottled Coke and a snack.

I've enjoyed our virtual walk. On the next visit to my hometown, will I walk from the old Burton's Store to the American Legion? We will see. You may see me, resting near that old oak tree. I'll wave, if you honk at me!

Brown's Corner, in Historic Rogersville, Tennessee (published 3-13-2024; article #459)

Introduction

Why is it called Brown's Corner? Welcome, dear reader, to the 30th article, under the topic section Appalachia - northeast Tennessee. I hope to fill the section, with more articles. The most recent article, on 3/2/2024, was about Burton's Service Station, in my hometown, historic Rogersville, Tennessee. The article remembered and honored Mr. and Mrs. Burton, shared memories, and told a couple of funny stories.

Local folks, for decades, before my birth, and to this day, have called the junction, near the building, which was once Burton's Service Station, Brown's Corner. Writing the most recent article got me wondering how the area got its name.

As far as I know, Brown's Corner includes the small, triangular roadside park, where East Main Street and Highway 70 intersect. The roadside park is within walking distance, of where Burton's Service Station once was. (The building still stands.) Brown's Corner probably encompasses more of the surrounding area. I assume that it is named, after a person or family, with the common last name of Brown.

This article shares what I learned about Brown's Corner. I still can't figure out how it got its name. The conclusion asks for comments, by readers, who know the answer.

Brown's Corner: what I can find out

Well, I didn't find out much, about how Brown's Corner was named. I did find out more, about the roadside park -- especially about the white oak tree and the monument.

The White Oak Tree

The Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC) includes the program “Landmark, Historic, and Heritage Tree Registry.” Scrolling down, to “Landmark and Historic Trees,” then selecting “East TN,” finds (on the top row, third entry, from the left) “The Old Stagecoach Oak” (East TN, Hawkins County, Landmark and Historic Trees). TUFC, Project, Category, East TN shows the date, of that entry (third from the top), as 2/6/2023. There is no mention of the author(s).

The following photograph is included, in the 2/6/2023 entry (“The Old Stagecoach Oak”). The caption (above the photograph) reads, “Historic Tree, 2021 • Nominated by Tom Simpson • Photo by Tom Simpson.”

I'd like to thank Tom Simpson, whom I've never met, for taking that photograph. His photograph looks west. He was standing near East Main Street, near where Highway 70 turns north. The remodeled building, which was once Burton's Service Station, is in the background.

A picnic table is beside the large oak tree. Dad and Mom took us boys on picnics, at that roadside park, back in the 1960s and 1970s. At times, Papaw and Granny Wood, Mom's parents, were with us. We gathered for a few birthday parties. I recall that at least one of them was mine. Back then, the large white oak tree, in the above image, was somewhat smaller. It provided excellent shade, from the hot summer sun.

The 2/6/2023 entry states that the “large white oak is over 15 feet in circumference and 77 feet tall. The confluence of the roads limits its total crown spread to 58 feet; although, foresters have estimated its age as around 240 years.” (Bold font used, for emphasis.)

The tree sprouted, naturally or by being planting, sometime around 1783. If that tree could talk, what stories would it tell?

The Monument

Also, the previously cited 2/6/2023 entry, “The Old Stagecoach Oak,” states that the “granite monument” (visible, to the west, or left, of the white oak tree), “. . . was erected in 1934 by the U.S. Department of Coast and Geological Survey as one of only five Zero Milestones in the United States.” (Bold text used, for emphasis.)

My research could not verify that only five Zero Milestones were built. The cited article may assume only five, incorrectly, since images of five markers are included, in “Auto Trails: Lee Highway,” on Varner Guides: American Roads (undated), under the section “Zero Milestones on the Lee Highway.” One image is the Zero Milestone, at the junction of East Main Street and Highway 70, in Rogersville. The undated Auto Trails article states that this Zero Milestone “. . . is made of local Tennessee marble.” (Bold lettering used, for emphasis.)

Lord willing, my next trip, to my hometown, will include a stop, at that roadside park. I want to see, for myself, if the monument is made of granite or marble! Decades have passed, since I've seen it up close. I don't recall, if the monument is granite or marble.

Additionally, the 2/6/2023 entry states, “The monument . . . also commemorates North Carolina Senator Benjamin Hawkins, for whom Hawkins County was named (upper East TN was part of North Carolina until 1796), and John Carter, one of the area’s first settlers and for whom the valley, Carter Valley, is named.” To correct, in kindness, the unknown author, the area is called Carter's Valley (in the possessive case).

Further, the 2/6/2023 entry, “The Old Stagecoach Oak,” states, “The monument also marks the original route of 'The Old East Tennessee Stagecoach Line' that ran through the county from 1825 until 1855.” The entry indicates that the stagecoach line, of 111 miles, connected Abington, Virginia, to Knoxville, Tennessee. During those 30 years, did my great, great, great paternal grandfather, John Ferrell (born 1780), or any of his immediate family, travel, on that stagecoach line? I wonder.

Lastly, of note, the 2/6/2023 entry, going farther back in time, indicates that buffalo and elk migration started the trail -- which The Old East Tennessee Stagecoach Line and old Highway 11W followed. Surely, native Americans and their settlements followed that initial big game trail. The trail follows what is now known, as the Holston River. The entry indicates that the native American name, for the later named Holston River, is Hogohegee, meaning “water of many islands.”

Following water, animals start trails. In time, humans turn the trails into roads. Life-giving water is the source of the trails.

Conclusion

This article has shared what I could learn about Brown's Corner. I still can't figure out how it got its name. Do you, dear reader, know how Brown's Corner got its name? If you know, then you are welcome to comment, below this article, or email me, using the Contact Form, on the right side of this website. I'd like to know.

Life-giving water brings to mind the Gospel of John, Chapter 7. The pericope is the context of the Festival of Tabernacles, when Jesus taught publicly, at the temple courts. Verses 37 and 38, in the New International Version (NIV), read as follows.

On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”

The inspired apostle John, in the next verse, explains that Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit, which believers would receive, after His glorification. This is a vivid picture of believers, filled with the Holy Spirit, who, as streams of living water, share the love and grace of Jesus with all, who are thirsty!

If you are thirsty, spiritually, dear reader, then please accept Jesus' free offer, to come to Him and drink! If your thirst, dear reader, is quenched, by the Holy Spirit, then I trust that the ”rivers of living water” are flowing, from within you, to all, who are thirsty!