Interesting, if Not Spooky........

 - Interesting weekend looks like in SE Texas. Rain and freezing temps....I know we actually had blizzard warning in 2025.....But snow is nothing compared to freezing rain and I know it will be a good chance of power being out. 

And the thing is, winter is my favorite season. I think perhaps it is because I've lived the majority of my life here in SE Texas. Summer about 10 months out of the year. If I had lived in say, North Dakota, I am sure I'd have another feeling about winter. 

Grab a little extra stuff, that spam as Donald suggested, water as Mr. Howell said, bread and hunker down for a few days. I'm always a fan of peanut butter and crackers or bread, both of which I keep stocked up on.  

- So far the school seems quiet, or what you can call quiet. And no, I am not optimistic. Too many people either have to be an apologist or just quiet because their paycheck is from the district.  

At this point in time, and I hate to say this for several reasons, if you can afford to do so, homeschool your kids. I don't see private schools as much better. Too many people worried about getting money in education than the actual intended goal which is education. Don't tell me otherwise. I won't believe you. The schools today lean more towards Epicureanism rather than hard work. 

- If  you are not watching. the world is in flames in many spots right now. I know America media doesn't cover it like it should, but watch Asia. Not good. 

- I was asked by 2 different people if the US will have a civil war this summer. 

If I was an odds maker in Las Vegas, I would put odds at about 50%. 

And it won't be a war like you understand, like I have said in the past, look at Northern Ireland in the 1970s.  And it could come close to home. 

- Inflation is going to get worse. Much worse. Get ready. If you need a high ticket item and can afford to buy it, do so now. 

-  Greenland.....I am going to write a blog on it in the future...

It has caused us to postpone a trip to Europe, at least for the foreseeable future.  We may go to the Canadian Rockies, but even there, we have our doubts. We might be glad we went to Europe when we did...

- I don't know, I have nothing really to be optimistic about concerning the future. Perhaps this is just what is coming. 

I am sorry, I don't see much hope in Gen Z or worse Gen Alpha. And they hate older generation like we Boomers and the older folks really do not understand. There is literally a war going on between younger and older generations. 

 Perhaps this was inevitable. Civilizations rise and they fall. We will be 250 years old this summer. About the time most nations start to show major cracks, and right now, we have plenty/ 

- I am in the process of running a purge......Good luck to you!  

 

  

 

 

I Had Not Planned to Write on This Topic...I Write This With Saddness

 I have about 2-3-4 topics in the queue to write on and well, this was not planned and it came to the top.

In the last few days, people I know in one way or another have lost someone they are close to. In both of these cases it was their long time spouse. 

One through an automotive accident, another through a medical incident.  

People, enjoy your loved ones. 

You never know when it is either your or their time.  

Time with them may be long, or it could be short. 

Prepare in any event. 

Have a will. Make one ASAP if you do not have one.

If you have such a thing, know where burial insurance, your life insurance policy has been placed. Other papers.

If you are younger people reading this, I suggest a life insurance policy, and it is not necessarily  for your beneficiary to not work, but to help them survive for a while after your death. Emotionally, they may not be able to find a job. 

But more than anything, have them tell you what they want after their passing. Be it what type of funeral, a burial, a cremation, etc. I know, I have asked to be cremated and dumped someplace in Scotland, if that is even possible. If not, pour the ashes into a river and let them float all over the earth. I do like the travel. No funeral. Maybe have a dinner. I like pork roast, or pinto beans with Beasley sausage and cornbread.  

If anyone speaks, I want humor. Tell stories on me. 

Deb knows this.  

But people love people. 

Tell them, you love them.... 

You never know how long God has planned for you or the people you love. Let them know you love them. 

Again, we love y'all, and thank you for reading.  

 

 

 

 

Again, This Happens.....And I Just Thought I was Doing Good With Buna Schools....There I Go, Thinking Again....

 I received a large number of private messages on Facebook and emails concerning my last blog.....

Most were very positive. 

Many messages were from male reader, long time readers who told me they too were taking some form of prescription medication to help with their "problems."  

Several men told me that if it had not been for their medication, well, there is no telling what their outcome may have been.  

Often they told me they they had not told anyone that they were taking " happy pills" especially their family members..... 

They really didn't want their wives to know. 

And REALLY did not want their kids to know. Especially their adult or teenage kids.  

As one young man told me, and if I taught you, I still consider you as a " young man" and compared to me, you are. 

One guy told me....." My wife and daughters had rather me die on my horse, rather than me fall off of it." 

I know in 2026, it is hard to be a guy for many men. I know many guys have to have that image of  invincibility. 

The old Govteach stopped years ago that.....I have more vulnerabilities, the more I age and I stopped trying to hide them long ago.   

But, I can see my demise closer than my prime years, and in all seriousness, the winter of my life is here, as the doctor told Aunt Bea in the Andy Griffith show, " We're no longer Spring Chickens."  

I think some of the guys were just glad they could tell someone. 

On the other side of the coin......

And there are always people who get upset with certain things you write on......

I had 2 separate people upset that I was taking medication for  "Mental Illness" as they both called it. 

One said I was now taking " Satanic Potions" 

If that is the case, I dare not tell them I stood in the middle of prehistoric megalithic structures similar to Stonehenge all over the UK. 

Stonehenge is just one of many, especially in Scotland. It just happens to be the most famous in the UK. 

Heck, we stayed in a cottage with a small of of these in the backyard. And yes, we stood in the middle of it.   And no, we didn't cast any type of 'spells' on people. 

One even said, that taking the pills was dealing with the ' Supernatural.' 

Well dadgum, I know many of you have never looked at this way, but every morning when I pray for y'all, I am dealing with the supernatural. Jesus, and Lucifer are both the supernatural. We even discussed that in a philosophy course in the seminary. Jesus is supernatural. Christian theology has taught that doctrine for years. 

Shoot, with a Chinese in my family, I will take their traditional medicine. And much of it sounds like the 'Witches Brew' from Macbeth.  Eye of Newt, Toe of Frog........I took dried seahorse spine and crushed locust shell......And it seemed to help. And my daughter in law's dad is trained as a doctor in Western Medicine. He uses both types of medicine. 

- Mr. T., why have you not written of Buna ISD recently?

I have a former student literally " Doing Battle" with Buna Schools. 

And she is doing so much better than I could at this point that while in the future, I plan to go back and write on district, well, she has taken the lead and I am afraid of messing up her points. 

Maybe it was a different time. Maybe the district doesn't understand the game, but in 2026, you sometimes to need to understand the politics involved with schools. And even though you may make other people mad, you have to work with parents. And the politics in different than it was even before 2020.

I have a thought on what is going on. And the district political IQ, well, sometimes school districts just do not understand...Maybe it is because I have worked in actual county-wide and area campaigns.... And the thing is, while I don't always agree with them, there are school board members who understand the political IQ.  ( Don't use Google AI  definition of political IQ, it is wrong, dead wrong) 

This blog may discuss political philosophy in 2026 at some point. And when I do, will try and tone it down, as to not upset too many folks.  

I'm afraid I am going to say some stuff that will make me look 'old fashion' but trust me, modernize it just a little, and work today just as it did 200 years ago..... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    

I Know I Should Not Go Here......But I Try and Be Honest....

 As many of you have noticed, I've not really been my normal self. 

I've not been too normal concerning my blogs. Not really written on the school district. As a matter of fact the district has been part of my problem. It has become as I have written in previous blogs as a " Lost Cause." 

Heck, I'm almost to the conclusion that the school system as we knew it is dead. 

And needs some sort of a drastic overhaul. Call it COVID, call it society, call it social media, call it the political landscape,call it whatever.  Perhaps it was inevitable. 

( On a side note St Debbie just got aggravated at the cat and JUST referred to him as " Fred Garfield Thomas."  )

On an economic note, the math for America, the world ain't mathing. Don't tell me this or that political leader is doing better, it isn't. This is worldwide, here, Europe, Asia, South America.....It is why Iran is in the middle of a revolution.....Inflation is worldwide. 

I am worried about younger folks, Millennials, Gen Z..... What is going to become of them. They may take to the streets at some point. I may go with them...." It's a good day to die." as the Lakota would say....

But what has really pushed me over the edge is people I know, my age passing, that and a former student I taught in Liberty County passing. 

I had to speak at the funerals. 

Ask me to speak and well, I am going to go humorous.  I'm going to tell stories on you. ( If my wife asks you to speak at any memorial she has, do the same, go after me ....hard. It's what I would want.  The Lord knows, I like baloney, picking and teasing, going on.)

The student one, well, I went there and was told by his wife that I did exactly what she wanted concerning him and it is what he would have wanted. But I don't know, I was sick to my stomach the drive home down Hwy 90 back home.  I stopped at the store in Devers and got a 7UP to settle it down. 

Then, there was my best friend in high school passed while we were in Alaska this past May. I don't know, somehow there was no closure there for me. 

I have a 95 year old mother and while she is still okay, you are starting to see decline. Then, I have an uncle not well, I was close to growing up not well at all. 

My nephew who is essentially me, is having a hard go teaching his first year, and while first year teaching is always rough, the world has changed so much, well, I could not teach in 2026.  

I've had 2 major back surgeries in the past 2 years and neither really "fixed" my pain. It just sort of kept it from getting worse and recently, it hasn't even done that.  

In the past, all those pastoral psychology counseling classes taught by actual psychologists and psychiatrists in those days, I took at the seminary were able to, well, " Heal thyself."   

Lately, I've not been right and St. Debbie has noticed. And she has been concerned.  

I finally went to my doctor this week and he prescribed some "happy pills" for me...He said, "you already know the question and answers, sometimes you need other help." 

So, we will see. 

I really don't want my edge taken off, especially when I write the blog.   

So, if I seem " off" for a couple of months, it's all he wants me to take them, and in truth, all I want to take them.

I know TMI, but sometimes you need to be honest and let folks know what is going on.  

 

 

 

I Made a Mess....I Need to Defend......And Be Careful Who You Talk About.....

 I went full William Faulkner this morning. 

We were trying to write a blog on a situation that was taking place in Buna ISD and well, I got too wordy.

In defense of some folks I wound up with 7 lengthy paragraphs taking up for them and well, it was too turgid. And I want to keep in good graces because once I get the vlog running, I want  one of the family members as a regular guest. 

In a couple of spots it looked like I was against them, but in reality, I was not.  

And I am quite fond of them.   

I remember in one of Faulkner's books, he spent about 9 pages to describe a horse.  

All I needed was a grey mustache( I'd have one if I shaved my beard off), an old tattered herringbone tweed jacket, and a pipe.  ( He did like Dunhill pipes.) I've not smoked a pipe since I was an undergrad.  

But I am not Bill Faulkner.  I am too the point, I am writing poetry again. Perhaps I'll publish one I really like one this blog. And, I am not Lord Byron, nor Lord Tennyson. 

So, I made a mess, and will start over , probably in the morning.... 

- I saw some sorry individual bad mouthing Lamar University....

Folks, Lamar grads are just as bright as everyone else. 

When I went to divinity school, I was in there with all these Baylor, and Texas, and A & M grads. All thinking they were hot stuff. It wasn't until I got my first exam back and I had made an "A" and those poor wretches were making "Cs." And it stayed that way.  

Be proud of your Lamar degree. Hell, be proud of your Buna diploma. I can't speak about what's going on now, but when we got through with you, you were ready for whatever. 

-  Be careful when you talk bad about people, especially from Orange County. We are related to so many people in one way or another especially in Northern Orange County. I know a portion of my family was in Orange County since Texas was still a republic. 

Now I know some of them are people of questionable character, but many, are good folks. 

I know, when my child started to attend Little Cypress-Mauriceville I warned him about the possibility he might wind up dating his distant cousin. I think it might be why we have a Chinese daughter in law. He made sure he was far enough away from Orange County not to " go with" a girl not with his DNA. And made sure there was not even any European DNA involved. 

Damn You to Hell Buna ISD......And Other Stuff....

 Here I was, minding my own damn business. Scrolling through the Facebook, looking at posts that many of you made, and then......Then.........Then.......Then dammit, then.....

I see a post from the Buna Independent School District " Reminding" everyone that " Teachers report back to school January 5th....And students, report back January 6th.  "

I had flashbacks...... Come on man, I've been retired for 15 years now. 

My hands started to sweat just a little, and I do not have to go.... 

And really now, did the district have remind everyone  school is about to start back up? How many years did we go without being told, and we all showed up anyway. Reminding is almost like pouring salt into a wound. 

I already spent several days pumping up my nephew to go back to his school  in the Trans-Pecos.  He might be "One and done" out there. I am seriously suggesting law school for him. School ain't what it once was....

As the author of this blog has said time and time again, I could not teach the kids in 2026. I'd be sent home about 10AM on my first day.  

I don't know. February was always the worst month teaching to me. The Seniors are in the starting phase of "Seniorities."  No breaks, UIL Academics was on the horizon, not quite here, and often the month is cloudy,  chilly, rainy. Spring not quite here. 

I seriously wonder what kind of " Fresh Hell" I will be writing on in the coming year.  

Good luck teachers in the Spring Semester. 

- I was wondering what the Venezuelan situation would do to oil market.....Sure enough WTI ( West Texas Intermediate ) is down in price, if not steady.  More oil on the market, well, flood the market and prices go down. Economic " Supply and Demand" and right now demand is pitiful. 

That is not good for the Texas economy.  

Already the oil patch in the Permian Basin is not drilling. The Texas Government has put everything in one basket concerning the oil market. Oil down, they'll have a hard time paying for stuff, like, SCHOOLS. 

Less money to schools? Can you say lay-offs? Already property taxes are high in many areas.  

=The computer all of a sudden decided I needed to listen to STP " Plush." Good choice computer, good choice.... Strong cup of Community, STP, cat asleep on my feet, life is sometimes good. =

- Pay attention to Iran. They perhaps are in the middle of a civil war and the Western media is not covering it like it should. Also, watch what the press is saying, already I have caught the British Broadcasting Corporation( The BBC)  in several falsehoods. 

I know the Times of London is saying Iran's Supreme Leader has escape plans to Moscow.  

 I may need to write an extensive blog on what may happen over there. I don't talk about it, but I follow Iranian politics/economics fairly closely.  Trouble is the last blog on Iran was poorly read, then again, I did not push it very hard.  

- The Russian economy is in more trouble than the Western Media is telling us. They are running a deficit to fight the war in Ukraine.  Trouble is, no one wants to buy Russian bonds to fund the debt. Inflation there is much, much worse than here. 

They are running out of tanks and other armour. They are literally bring back cavalry.  Horses in the battlefield. Who are we fighting? Napoleon? 

- If China launches an invasion of Taiwan, watch the " Three Gorges Dam" in the center of China. Let you imagination think about what I said.  

- I'm still mad about how "Stranger Things ended......I should have stopped watching after Season 2. 

- There were a couple of "kids" I went to school with pass during the holidays. You've got to remember that our time is short. 1/4th of the people I went to high school with are gone. And they are going quickly.   If you've not done so, make a will, try and keep your finances in order, live every day like tomorrow may never come. 

-  And now the computer decided to remind me of my " Hillbilly" roots....Jerry Jeff Walker and " Jaded Lover." " I can see you are an angel, your wings just won't unfold, tune up your harp, polish your halo, yeah, the only kind of man that you ever wanted was the kind that you knew that you'd never hold very long, and you're sitting there crying like I'm the first one to go....." 

They just don't make good music anymore......

- I need to go talk to Jesus. I am behind. As always, you need me to pray for you, let me know. Always room for one more on the prayer list. There is always something comforting about someone praying to the Divine on your behalf. 

As always, please like the blog, less than 3% of readers like, hate, etc.... 

  

 

Well, I Knew it Was Coming....And Still I was Disappointed....

 Quick blog.

Warning- Spoilers 

Just completed Stranger Things 5, the Final. 

It was like watching a slow motion train wreck. 

I literally forced myself to watch. I could have been doing something actually worthwhile......It's like, yeah, the first seasons were pretty good, and then, the last seasons, well, they were awful, just awful....

Didn't care that Will " Came Out. " I know the show was set in the 1980s, but today, I mean, I don't care. It's 2026 and I know so many LGBT people now, that well, it's like, yeah, okay....There was no real " shock" value.  I know in some circles people get all bent out of shape, but from this seat, we got bigger problems in this country than folks trying to live their lives. 

You knew they were going to "Kill" El. And make it look like maybe she lives. 

 How is Steve still alive? 

How did they allow Max to graduate? 

The "kids" looked much older than their actual TV age.  

I did like how Henry dressed. Like a brown tweed. Looks very British. 

Joyce as the " hero." You knew that was also coming.

Ten years, for 5 seasons. 

I think I am going to drop Netflix. I see nothing coming up worth watching.... Shetland started a new series on Britbox yesterday. I still miss Perez. Tosh should have been made lead, (she might be my favorite character now.) That and Sandy as DS. That said, the new season looks interesting....I am still disappointed the seas were so rough we could not travel on a ferry to the Islands off the Northern Coast of Scotland.