The one question I've heard more than any other over the past few months is "Scotty, what's been going on?" Better than half the time, I'd like to have the answer of that question myself.

For the better part of the past 4 months, I've been from one doctor to another, trying to find out if cancer was present in my body in any shape, form, or fashion. I've had everything from a CT w/contrast to an ultrasound of my testicles, and the only thing that has shown up was a bad gallbladder, which was removed on July 23. So, I reckon I'm alright, at least from a physical standpoint.

Next weekend (the weekend of Aug. 15), I embark on a new chapter of my life. This chapter is titled "Moving to Georgia to take care of elderly parents" - not a chapter I am looking forward to a'tall. My folks ain't supposed to be old - they're supposed to remain that powerhouse of a foundation that I've always been able to depend on, to lean on. They aren't knocking at death's door or anything remotely resembling that - they just need help in doing the things that once came with ease for them.

Leisa and the kids are all doing wonderful.

Hannah & David continue to live in my old hometown down in Central Georgia. Hannah finishes her 4-year/bachelor program in May, at which time she'll enter medical school.

Tyler and his little wife Taylor, along with granddaughter Roslynn, live in Sevierville. Tyler is still working for the City of Sevierville's wastewater treatment plant. He's one hard working man who loves and takes care of his growing family.

Casey recently became engaged to a young man from the area, his name is Scotty Waller. They have an October 17th date set for their nuptials. (I CANNOT believe that my baby girl is getting married!)


Caleb will turn 18 in October, and is set to graduate in the coming year. He's set to have surgery this coming Tuesday at East Tennessee Children's Hospital. He's really had a time this year with being in & out of the operating room. We're hopeful that this will be his last procedure, and that he's able to recover and move on with life.

Jacob is 14, and the first of our 7 to go to public high school. He's all excited about being a 9th grader. I'm not sure how excited I am about it, but it is what it is.


Elijah's doing awesome as well. He's 1,000% all-American boy. He's into video games and all things outdoors.


Josiah's equally all boy. He may be the youngest, but he ain't about to let you forget that he's in the house! He's much larger in stature than his next older brother, and often uses his size to his advantage. He's recently decided that he wants to race cars. Not toy cars, not r/c cars, but real cars. And being the insane father that I am, I am going to steer him in that direction.

Leisa has had a rough go of it with this menopause mess. She's been in it now for 8 years, and it doesn't seem to be any better. The past 8 years have been the most difficult of our lives, but I remain very hopeful that a new day's coming. Either way, I'm in it for the long haul. She's my woman, and I love her very much.


I'm fortunate to have a family not just to love, but one who loves in return. They're willing to let me go one state south to care for my parents. They don't "like" it (neither do I), but they're understanding and willing to make the sacrifice.

I reckon that's it from here. It's Sunday. Y'all go find yourselves a church & get plugged in. You'll be glad that you did!

If I am nothing else, I am consistently inconsistent. With that said, I now proceed.

I still have not received the insurance adjuster training, but am still moving in that direction. Always hopeful - without hope, I would be defeated (Or would that be "de-feeted" for me?)

On March 31, our dear friends Randy & Lori Hensley, along with their 6 children, became homeless as the result of an early morning fire that destroyed their mobile home. Since tat time, they have been residing here with us in our home. They are nearing a settlement with their insurance company, but will not have much at all to start over with. Efforts to raise money for them has resulted in very little. People (including "Christians") have so little compassion for their fellow man. And we actually wonder what's wrong with churches in America today!?!?! 

Following 5 months of denials & appeals, I finally received approval for a new prosthetic leg, which I received 3 weeks ago. The socket does not fit correctly, so I return to Knoxville on Tuesday to be casted/fitted for another socket.... That will take 2-3 weeks and who knows how many trips back & forth to Knoxville, but at least the problem is being remedied.

I hope you are all well.

That's it for now.

Out with the old, in with the new

Happy New Year, y'all!

Son Tyler and daughter-in-law Taylor welcomed their firstborn on December 6, 2014. Roslynn Kensleigh Rogers was born at 3:33am, weighed 6.13, and was 19" long. It took me a while to get used to this new "grandpa" routine, but spending time with the new granddaughter has made me forget the trepidation surrounding "growing old".

I will be traveling either to Kentucky or Mississippi later this month to attend a 4-day class. I'm actively and doggedly pursuing employment as an insurance claims adjuster.

2015 is starting out looking like a very promising year for us, with July being the month with the hotbed of activity. We're planning on a 2-3 week excursion to northwest. First stop will be Cuba City, Wisconsin to visit old friends. From there, we'll drive across Montana and cross into South Dakota, stopping to visit Mount Rushmore. From Mount Rushmore, we'll head south to Shannon, SD, where we'll spend a week with members from our church working at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Once we finish there, we'll drive east to Winchester, Va. in order for me to speak on July 21 at the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's biennial celebration. (They're giving me a 90 minute block of time in order to share the story of my hike; my life before it, and my life since then.)

For the new visitors to my site, welcome. Some of you have heard of my 2004-05 Appalachian Trail hike. In the coming weeks/months, I will develop a sidebar so you can navigate and learn more about that aspect of me. I'm also planning on adding an "advice" section for those of you who're differently-abled, handi-capable, or whatever, and you want to hike. I frequently hear from others who're amputees soliciting advice regarding hiking, and I want to make it easy for you to find the advice you're so desperately seeking.

Parting quote: "Everyone dies - but everyone doesn't live." There's a life out there, and it's passing you by. Go out there, do something about it, and LIVE it!

-Scotty "One-Leg" Rogers