I
loved my Cobra II! He had a four-speed shifter, on the floor. He had
a “cherry bomb” muffler that split to dual pipes. My car rumbled
– not too loudly – when I up or down shifted! My first Cobra II
and I had a lot of fun together! We went to and from WSCC. I often
car pooled with two or three friends. Those friends rode with us,
when it was my turn to drive. My Cobra II got me to gathering
locations with friends. I dated three young ladies – not at the
same time – taking them various places in my Cobra II. I kept my
Cobra II well maintained, washed, and clean. I even washed him in
winter – when the rinse water would turn to ice!
I
graduated from WSCC, with an associates degree, just after I had
already started my first full-time job, at Dodge-Reliance Electric
Company, in my hometown. I worked 1 PM to 9:30 PM, as a computer
programmer and operator.
The
third young lady, whom I dated, very seriously, decided that she was
no longer interested in me, as a potential husband. We were never
engaged, but I'd given her a promise ring. She went her own way and
married another man. The memories of all our dates, in my first Cobra
II, were heartbreaking. I decided to trade. Looking back, I wish that
I had kept my first Cobra II.
Dating
that young lady, however, influenced by conversion to Christ, on June
21, 1981. I thought that I'd been saved, as a teenager, but I hadn't
been.
#3:
1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II
In
the latter part of 1982, I found my 1978 Ford Mustang Cobra II, at a
car dealership, in Morristown, Tennessee. I traded even, not counting
tax and title.
I
think that I took the above photograph in the fall of 1983, just
outside of my apartment, in Cookeville, Tennessee. My second Cobra II
was an automatic, with no pipes and no rumbling sounds. It was a good
car, for a maturing young man. The black paint, however, was a very
sweaty ride, in hot weather! Air conditioning was rolling down the
windows and opening the rear vent windows!
I
was still working at Dodge-Reliance Electric Company, for a while. I
started dating the boss' elder daughter! We had several dates, in my
second Cobra II. She and I became, and still are, very good friends.
We keep in touch. I don't think that she ever married. I still value
the depth of her Christian faith and spirituality.
As
far as I know, I was the last office employee to be laid off, in the
1982 recession. I'd earned enough money, so I decided to study for a
bachelors degree, at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), in
Johnson City, Tennessee. That fall, Dad helped me move into the small
apartment that I rented, just off campus.
Papaw
Wood passed, on March 14th, 1983. (I've written about Papaw Wood
several times.) That summer – while I was living with Mom, Dad,
Granny Wood, and my two younger brothers, at the homeplace – I
remember a voice saying, “You can do more than program computers
the rest of your life.” I consider that to have been my “call to
preach.” I preached a few sermons, at the Bean Station Church of
Christ. I'd found my calling.
I
worked on temporary contract, for Dodge-Reliance Electric Company, in
the summer of 1983. That income, plus savings that I had, gave me the
opportunity to attend Tennessee Bible College, in Cookeville,
Tennessee, that fall. I had a small apartment there. On Sundays, I
earned income, by preaching for a small church, in Livingston,
Tennessee.
I
sat at the feet of several biblical scholars, who taught me well.
Unfortunately, three of those scholars were not planning to continue
teaching, after the 1983 - 1984 school year. I returned home, in the
summer of 1984.
(2)
Just Before & With Mrs. Appalachian Irishman
This
section includes two cars, in “the significance of the passage of
time.” I met Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, graduated college, and
started preaching full-time. Early mission work started.
#4:
1978 Toyota Corolla
In
late 1983, I traded my 1978 Cobra II for a 1978 Toyota Corolla. I was
still attending my only year at Tennessee Bible College, in
Cookeville, Tennessee.
My
1978 Cobra II, apparently, was “too flashy,” for a “preacher
boy” – according to some wagging tongues, who bellowed their
opinions. I felt the “negative peer pressure,” so I traded,
almost even. I had to make one or two payments, after the trade.
To
this day, I regret that I didn't stand up to the wagging tongue
“negative peer pressure!” Only another short year or so was
required, until I formulated my current, for decades now, attitude: I
speak my mind. If I'm wrong, I will apologize. If I am right, I will
stand my ground. Don't try to intimidate or pressure me! I will not
back down, when I know that I am right! I have lived and learned, to
stand solidly, when right, and to laugh at “negative peer
pressure!” It's the stubborn Irish spirit in me!
Image
from “History of the Toyota Corolla: Looking back at five decades'
worth of the best-selling car of all time,” on MotorTrend, by
Toyota - Photographer; Aaron Bonk - Writer, Apr 11, 2016
I
couldn't find any photographs that I'd taken of my 1978 Corolla, but
it looked like the above image. It was black and had a four-speed,
manual transmission, on the floor. It was a good car – not as
“flashy.” I went on one “blind date,” in that car.
The
Church of Christ, in my hometown, was between full-time preachers. I
earned income, by preaching for them, in the summer of 1984. That's
when I met Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and her family! Her paternal
grandfather had passed. The family had come up from Etowah,
Tennessee, for the visitation and funeral. I met my future wife,
during the Saturday evening funeral visitation.
I
have joked for decades – at youth gatherings, at church youth
camps, and in general: “How do you find a wife?” (Various answers
are generated.) “No, not at school, at church, at youth rallies, at
sporting events, and so on.” “Find your wife at the funeral home
– just check her pulse first!” In various settings, my joke
started my sermon or conversation about dating and marriage.
In
the fall of 1984, I was transferring as a senior and my future wife
was returning as a senior – to Freed-Hardeman College (FHU, now a
university), in Henderson, Tennessee (near Jackson, in west
Tennessee). We had our first, of several, dates in my 1978 Corolla.
That car got us to and from FHU, in west Tennessee, several times.
I
was a “poor preacher boy” and college student. Some churches in
the East Tennessee area had given me monetary support, to attend FHU.
I took out a student loan, which I paid, in time. I also earned a
little income, by preaching for a small church, near FHU.
My
future wife graduated in the spring of 1985. I had proposed to her
earlier that spring, and she had agreed. I had to return to FHU, in
the fall of 1985, to graduate in December.
In
the summer of 1985, I earned income by preaching for the Mount Olivet
Church of Christ, in Greene County, Tennessee. I enjoyed the rural
location, not far from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The
folks had good, old fashioned, Appalachian values – based on the
Bible. I was accustomed to driving on narrow, curvy roads.
One
morning, I was driving east, on a narrow road that curved sharply, at
a one-lane bridge that crossed a creek. As always, I slowed to a
crawl and looked, as carefully as I could, to see if a vehicle was
coming the other way. The driver of the dump truck had done the same.
We saw each other about the same time – but too late. The growth of
trees and brush hindered our views of each other. We almost missed
each other. My left front bumper caught his left back tire. The dump
truck was not injured. The bumper damage to my car was minor, but the
slow speed impact warped the frame. The cost to realign the frame was
almost more than my car was worth.
#5:
1984 Chevy Chevette
I
was still in Greene County for the summer of 1985. I'd stay at Mom
and Dad's from Friday afternoon through Saturday evening. I stayed
alone, in the “parsonage,” Saturday evening to Friday afternoon.
One weekend, I saw my 1984 Chevy Chevette, at a dealership in my
hometown. I'd saved enough to pay the full amount. The trade in of my
damaged 1978 Corolla helped.
My
Chevette got me to and from FHU, for my final semester. I graduated
in December of 1985 – in the cold and snow – while sickly. I had
taken more than the usual full-time schedule of classes – to
graduate in December. I had about worn myself out.
Shorty
after graduation, I “tried out” for the full-time preaching
position at the Charleston Church of Christ, in Charleston, Missouri.
They wanted a married man, with some full-time preaching experience.
They settled for me – even if my lingering illness caused me to
throw up on a wall, in the Palmer's home! Don't worry! I recovered
quickly. The Palmers, and their clan, became family!
In
January of 1986, I drove the rental moving van, with my Chevette on
the trailer behind, to Charleston – from the homeplace. Mom was
sad, as she watched me drive away. She realized that I would visit
often but never live at home anymore. I learned much quickly, in my
first full-time preaching role. A special family group in that church
became family to me – to this day – even though some have already
gone Home.
Mrs.
Appalachian Irishman and I were married, on the Friday evening of
5/16/1986, at her hometown church in Etowah, Tennessee. Before we
married and went on our honeymoon, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina,
I'd arranged to have air conditioning installed on my Chevette. That
was the first time that I'd had an air conditioned car!
I
took the above photograph of my Chevette, in February of 1993, at our
home, in Dexter, Missouri. I have other photographs. My Chevette was
our only car, at first, while we lived in Charleston, Missouri.
In
1987, my wife and I experienced mission work for the first time –
in Santa Cruz, Jamaica, for two weeks. (Bob Barker was on our flight
to Jamaica. I'd never flown before.) I found film photographs from
that trip. I may include them, in a future short story. We went with
a good group. One couple (and their children) became missionaries in
Sosnogorsk, in the Komi Republic, of northern Russia. They were
there, during our five years in Moscow and Klin, Russia, when we
visited them, and they visited us.
In
1989 and 1991, I had two mission trips to the East Godavari District,
in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India. Each trip was for a month or a
little more. Both trips were in and around the cities of Rajahmundry,
Kakinada, Peddapuram, and others – including several “tribal
areas.” In 1989, I traveled with a man, who had made one trip
before. In 1991, I went alone – just after Granny Wood had passed,
on 8/12/1991 – 31 years ago. (I've written about Granny Wood
several times.) I found several film photographs, of my trips to
India, which I may include in a future short story.
The
Charleston Church of Christ agreed that I could begin graduate
studies at Harding School of Theology, in Memphis. The drive was
about 2.5 hours, one way. I drove back and forth one day a week –
sometimes staying overnight in a dorm room. My Chevette was reliable
transportation.
Mrs.
Appalachian Irishman had started teaching, so we needed a second car.
She started teaching at a Christian school kindergarten, in Sikeston,
Missouri. Later, she enrolled and earned her teaching degree, at
Southeast State University, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
I
gave my 1984 Chevy Chevette, to my youngest brother, in 1994, before
my wife and I moved to Russia.
(3)
With Mrs. Appalachian Irishman
This
final section includes seven vehicles in “the significance of the
passage of time.” My wife and I journeyed from Charleston to nearby
Dexter, Missouri, to Russia, then back to Tennessee.
This
section contains many memories. I have written many articles, about
this section of life. (My inaugural article was on 3/6/2006.) Our
journey, into the undiscovered country, continues, day by day.
#6:
1986 Ford Tempo
About
1987 or 1988, when we still lived in Charleston, Missouri, we bought
a second car, for my wife to drive mostly, and for visits to family
in Tennessee. We bought our 1986 white Ford Tempo, at a dealership in
Dexter, Missouri. The car had some fancy gadgets, like power windows
and such! I was amazed!
Image
from R36 Coach, on Flickr, 1986 Ford Tempo, photograph taken on
4/3/2010
I
couldn't find a photograph of our Tempo, so I used the free image
above. In the spring of 1991, my wife, with my begrudged blessing,
drove alone, to FHU, to attend an annual “Makin' Music” event. It
was a weekend trip that included her trip from Henderson to
Nashville, to visit her youngest sister. I had to stay home, to
preach and minister. I had a premonition that something bad might
happen. It did.
While
near Nashville, on the interstate, a red vehicle swerved into our
Tempo. Our car hit a guard rail. My wife had relatively minor
injuries, which required recovery at home. Our niece (the daughter of
my wife's next to youngest sister) was not injured. Mrs. Appalachian
Irishman was treated in and released from an Emergency Room. My
Chevette took me to get my wife and bring her back to Charleston. The
red vehicle was a hit and run – never to be found. The vehicle was
red, since our white Tempo had red paint streaks on the left front
quarter panel. Our automobile insurance paid the value of our totaled
Tempo.
#7:
1988 Nissan Stanza
Later,
in 1991, just after that wreck, we acquired our 1988 Nissan Stanza,
from a dealership in Cape Girardeau! I nicknamed our Stanza “Baby.”
She was a fine car! She had a five-speed, manual, transmission, on
the floor, and a retractable sunroof! I loved that car!
I
took the above photograph, probably in January of 1996. In September
of 1992, we moved the short distance from Charleston to Dexter,
Missouri. I became the associate minister, for the much larger church
(about 385 attended at the time). My role involved preaching often,
teaching the high school youth classes, starting and serving the
youth ministry, and preparing for mission work in Russia. Mrs.
Appalachian Irishman worked as a substitute teacher. Yes, we were
very busy!
We
moved from Dexter to Moscow, Russia, on 10/1/1994 – to join two
other families who were already there. The Dexter Church of Christ
was our “sponsoring” church. I had raised additional support,
from 15 other churches (in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, South
Carolina, and Mississippi) and from one corporate trust fund (in
Texas). I have many film photographs of our five-year mission work in
Russia. I could write an entire book, with photographs included,
about our work there. I may do so, eventually.
Each
Christmas (except 1994), Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I had a four
to six week furlough in the States. We had to get new Russian visas,
visit family and friends, and report to each supporting congregation
(in five states). We visited FHU, to recruit future missionaries. Our
Stanza got us where we needed to travel, very faithfully!
While
we were in Russia, our Stanza rested in the full basement (garage
included) at the homeplace. My youngest brother would take her out
about once a week for a drive – to keep her limber.
The
January 1996 photograph (above) is not the most beautiful image of
our Stanza! We were staying, during a furlough, with our Palmer
family, in Charleston, Missouri. The area had experienced snow and
ice. Our Stanza was tough! She took it!
We
moved back to Tennessee, from Russia, on 9/30/1999. Mom became ill,
unexpectedly, on 12/28/1999. My “Topic Sections” includes
nineteen articles on "Light at the End of the Tunnel." The
first article, in the section, is “Happy
Birthday, Mom,” published on November 24, 2009. I would not
change one word today. Our Stanza took us to and from the hospitals,
during Mom's 110 days in two Kingsport hospitals. (I've written
several articles about Mom and Dad.)
We
kept our Stanza, in the garage of our current, “Corrytonvegas”
home, for some time, after we bought our 2000 Camry (#9, below).
Eventually, we gave our Stanza to one of my first cousins. We didn't
drive our Stanza often, after the air conditioning system went out,
and she began to suffer from lack of driving. The exterior and
interior of our Stanza were in mint condition, when we gave her to my
cousin. Her mechanical parts were deteriorating.
#8:
1995 Nissan Hardbody Pickup
In
August of 2000, when Mom was recovering at home, I had started my
job, of five years, at DeRoyal Industries, as a second shift computer
operator. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman had worked, briefly, at the mall
– within walking distance, downhill and uphill, from our little
Knoxville apartment. She was starting her current job, as a teacher
(vice principal/teacher now), so we needed a second vehicle. Our
Stanza couldn't take us both to and from work, on the same day!
On
March 22, 2001, we bought our (my) 1995 Nissan Pickup! He had 83,978
miles on him, when we paid cash for him. I nicknamed him “Brother.”
His first owner was a local professor at the University of Tennessee,
as I was told. He had a five-speed, manual transmission, on the
floor. I loved my ol' truck! I have a number of photographs of my ol'
truck (which I could count and cross reference) on this website.
Aside from usual “wear” maintenance, my ol' truck kept on running
like a top! I never had to replace the muffler or the exhaust system.
My
1995 Nissan truck and I (with Mrs. Appalachian Irishman many times)
had many adventures, which involved “the good, bad, and ugly” of
life. He took me to most of my House Mountain hikes.
From
September of 2005 until 3/29/2016 (the day that lives in infamy), my
ol' truck was instrumental in my job bouncing – from DeRoyal to
insurance sales, to salaried jobs at two non-profit provider
agencies, back to insurance sales, and finally to the State of
Tennessee job – until 3/29/2016. (I retired from my State job, on
Friday, May the 13th, 2022 – three months ago.)
I
took the above photograph of my (our) 1995 Nissan Pickup, on
3/5/2016. He helped me clear and haul brush, at the homeplace. We had
a lot of fun together!
On
3/26/2016, I filled up my ol' truck for the last time – unknown to
me at that moment. He had 319,759.3 miles on him, at the fill up. My
ol' truck and I traveled over 235,781 miles together!
On
Tuesday, 3/29/2016, my (our) 1995 Nissan Pickup died, trying to save
my life. The eighteen-year-old, uninsured, female – who had nothing
and did nothing for a living – failed to yield to our right of way.
The impact killed my ol' truck – and almost killed me. If
interested, you may begin reading about “My 'Bionic' Life -
3/29/2016+” at I’M
STILL ALIVE – WHY? (Published 8/26/2016). It's old news. My
life has moved on.
#9:
2000 Toyota Camry
On
June 7, 2003, Mrs. Appalachian Irishman and I moved, from our little
“Knoxvegas” apartment, into our newly constructed and current
home, in “Corrytonvegas.” I was still working at DeRoyal. She was
still teaching.
In
August of 2003, we had arranged a week's vacation at Myrtle Beach,
South Carolina. The complete air conditioning system, on our 1988
Nissan Stanza, had gone out. A supposedly reputable repair shop,
which I've never used again, replaced the system. The replacement did
not work. Some, but not all, of the money we paid was reimbursed to
us.
On
my birthday, in July 2003, we bought, on the “airport motor mile,”
our 2000 Toyota Camry – which took us to the beach the next month!
We paid just over half the cost up front and financed the balance
until our 6/19/2006 final loan payment. Our Camry was my wife's car
mostly. I drove it several times. Mrs. Appalachian Irishman loved
that car!
I
took the above photograph, on 10/28/2007. We were at Clingman's Dome
(supposedly to be renamed Kuwahi;
see my
7/14/2022 article).
That was during one of our weekend vacations, in the Gatlinburg area.
On January 25,
2008, Dad joined Mom, at Home. (I've written several articles about
Mom and Dad.)
Life rolled on,
“such as it was,” at the time – until the 4/6/2011 “Camry
crunch.” I thought about including one of the photographs that I'd
taken, after the crunch, but I decided not to do so.
Mrs. Appalachian
Irishman had been on her way home, from a nearby store. At a
crossroads, which we pass often, an insured driver failed to yield to
my wife's right of way – hitting our Camry on the left front
quarter panel. The airbags deployed, saving my wife from severe
injury. She had only minor injuries that healed well. Our Camry was a
total loss, since the airbags deployed.
#10:
2008 Honda Civic
The
three-day car search concluded, on 4/9/2011 (the birthday anniversary
of one of my brothers), when we paid cash for our 2008 Honda Civic!
The insurance, for the at fault driver, paid a proper value for our
Camry, which helped us pay for our Civic. The salesman took the
photograph, below, after the sale was completed!
Posts
