Happy Memorial Day, everyone!
Homeplace
Mrs. Appalachian Irishman, quite
bravely, ventured into man world with me today! We visited the
homeplace, in Hawkins County. My new, ol' truck took us.
Before arriving at the homeplace, a man
needed to eat, and a woman could “eat a bite.” $13.15, counting
tax, to eat at “Burger Dink”? Really? I knew that you wouldn’t
believe me. Here’s the proof, not counting tax!
Dad used to say, “a dollar ain’t
worth much now-a-days, boys.” I believed him then. I believe him
now. The last time that I ate fast food was 7/6/2020. (I wrote about
it.) That was “Burger Dink” also. Once or twice a year won’t
hurt me!
Bellies fuller and billfold lighter, we
ventured forth.
The above photo is the work that a 77-year-old well driller/repair
man, and his grandson, did, on 5/1/2020 (May Day). Our fine neighbor, across the
road, had done all the work digging, etc. The blue pipe section replaced the
original pipe section that Ferrell’s Well Drilling had installed, in 1974. My Dad,
Earl Ferrell, had drilled his own well (with the casing, pump, well housing,
tank, etc.). Mom and Dad had planted four trees, near the well housing, for us
four boys. Roots finally chipped a spot in a section of the original pipe. Forty-six
years for that original section wasn’t too bad! The rest of the pipe is still
sound. Dad would have been proud!
Our fine neighbor saw us and came by for a visit. His
wife and he are doing well. They have a line from the well also. (Dad and he had
made an agreement.) He figured that he owed me for the nominal cost, for the
above pipe work. I figured that I owed him for all the work that he did! We laughed
and shook hands. We’re even, but I still think that I owe him. He’s a fine
neighbor!
The above photo is from the back yard, looking northeast. The
grapevine still stands, is alive, and is beginning to bear fruit. There’s my
new, ol' truck. (I think that he drove himself up a bit to get into the photo! I
didn’t know that he could do that!)
The grapevine was a cutting from Granny and Papaw Wood’s
grapevine, from their home in Bean Station. After Papaw passed, in 1983, Granny
moved in with us.
The yard had been mowed not many days ago, by T&C Lawn Service.
It looked fine, as always. Behind me, two men, each on a tractor, had just
finished the first hay cutting. The field looked fine, as always.
After Mom passed, in 2000, Dad had said, before he passed,
in 2008, “I’m trying to keep things going here.” So am I, Dad, so am I.
Memorial Day Memories
The “Fearghail” (aka Ferrell) clan had many fine memories,
on Memorial Day, and other festive times, over the years. On Memorial Day, we
always remembered the reason for the day.
As for me and my house, we are thankful to those who kept us
free, by their ultimate sacrifice for freedom. “Hero” is a word that is
utilized far too often today. Those who gave their ultimate sacrifice might not
have called themselves heroes. They probably thought that they were just doing
their jobs.
Let’s get the right job done, America, in tribute to those
who made Memorial Day memorable. We owe them.
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