And I Spent 3 Hours and 4 Minutes on the Cell With This Bunaite, Bunatonian, Buna Person......And I am Upset With One of You

Yeah, I know, I am not getting the demonym quite correct. 

Only family will I speak that long on the phone.....I am a little upset with the person who gave out my phone number. 

I do not think I ever talked to Deb that long on the phone, even when we were dating. ( Part of the trouble was, in the 1970s, a phone call from Vidor to Port Neches was a "long distance charge" and well, if I wanted to talk to her that long, I would drive down to see her. It was cheaper....)

The only person I speak to today that long on the phone is my nephew when he is out in Fort Stockton.  

No, talked to someone about their running for school board. They called just to ask questions AND... 

Wanted my endorsement as a candidate for that office.  

And they knew that I was not working in anyone's campaign.  Again, unless you are family, or you really want to listen to what I say about running, and as I told you in a previous blog, if we are doing this, we are going all Donald Segretti, Lee Atwater on the process......And again, I am trying to stay out of Hell here....

And I am not going to endorse people. I may want you to win, pray to Jesus that you win, but I just cannot openly support people running. 

Again, what happens if you win and then, you are nothing like what you promised when campaigning. 

What if you help a family member get a job at the district?   

It is one thing to do that in private business, but when the public's tax money is involved, I am sorry, I have a problem here....Yes, I am going to gripe about this as long as it is being done. There are now certificates in educational disciplines that places like Lamar University are churning out like " cord wood." 

I mean, Lamar University now has graduation ceremonies in which there are more M Ed's in Education Administration, Education Leadership than all other degrees( bachelors, masters, doctorate) combined.  ( It is a money maker for the university. Do not tell me otherwise.)

And do not tell they're doing it to make more money. It take 10-13 years of teaching, to recoup your investment. Buna paid me more to be UIL Academic Director than having a graduate degree.  ( Not going to lie, being Academic Director was a strain, but I loved doing it.) Buna could care less about Academic Contests. And we had kids go to state in a couple of contests, and no one knew, nor cared. The school board didn't even recognize one of the kids at a board meeting. Don't get me started about the sorry so and so who was Supt. of Schools at the time....And I got yelled at by the kid's father, and in truth, I do not blame them. When I met with the Superintendent to try and get the kid on the agenda for the next board his attitude was, " I do not care, why are you bothering me?"

I think part of it was, the kid was not in the "clique."

Trying not to cuss here.   

But I digress.  

No, sorry, I can't endorse you. Wish I could, just cannot.  

Okay, I Am Going to Do This ONLY for Ex-Buna, Ex- Dayton Students.......

 I could not tell you the last time I met or would even recognize a former student from Magnolia ISD.....And even there, many of them are getting " Long in the tooth." Heck, I know a few of Magnolia "kids" I taught have now retired.......( Yeah, ole Kerry Don is getting old.) One young lady I taught finished Sam Houston in 3 1/2 years, went to the rich folks elementary in the Magnolia ISD in The Woodlands and taught 1st grade for years.  She got her Master's at Prairie View( Everyone in Magnolia, Tomball got their Master's at Prairie View, white, black, Latino from PVAM. Look at the map. There is a highway runs right from Magnolia and comes out at the entrance to PVAM and Prairie View actively recruited teachers from that area. Shortly after I left both the school district and the university got some sort of a grant program and their master's for local teachers were basically free. Wish I would have stayed. ) She retired 5 years ago. 

-But as always, I digress. 

Here is the deal on this blog......

Unless you are family, or I have taught you, please, do not ask me to perform a wedding......

In the last few months I performed a marriage that lasted all of 3 months. And the bride sent out a group text telling everyone to " save the decorations" for her " next wedding." As they had already filed for divorce. 

This wedding was a favor for a person from Jasper County I had taught. The couple marrying were from Angelina County and spent , well, spent family's money, of around, $18,000...I did it because they wanted the clergy to wear a gown, and my denomination is trying to get us to wear one for formal events.  I have the Geneva Gown and stoles of several different colors.....White of course for weddings.....And as a favor for the Buna person. 

Spent that kind of money, was a complicated wedding, long rehearsal,  long drive, spent all that money, and the minister didn't even get a thank you. 

And for Buna people, I am glad to do it for gratis.  I still believe in the institution of marriage. I think people should marry, and I won't preach a sermon, but I feel it is Biblical. We won't talk about someone near and dear to my heart who used a " Pampers Theory" on relationships....

Then, I was asked by a non-Southern Jasper County couple to perform a " Commitment Ceremony."  

Seems, they were Polygamous, and wanted to " add" another female to the relationship. Bisexual so she would be with both the original bride and the husband. 

Nope.....Nope......Nope.....

I am trying to stay out of Hell now. 

And yes, I believe there is a Heaven and a Hell. 

And I was offered $1000 for a short ceremony....That still gets a plane ticket to England. 

Nope......

By the way, I am not ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA).....They are the bunch that are having to tell their clergy not to be in poly relationships.......Have to tell clergy NOT   What the???........Again, that is not my denomination. And we may talk about the Southern Baptists and women clergy at another point.....And why the SBC runs from sexual abuse by clergy....But that is for another day....You must remember I am an alumni of a SBC seminary and still have an interest in what the Baptists are doing. 

So, if you ask me to " do a wedding" for you, I am going to ask questions, and if this is marriage number 5-6 it is going to be a no, if it is a second one, well, we all make mistakes. And some people marry folks, well, their spouse can't keep their pants up around other people. And do not know that until it is too late....

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday......And I am Still Disappointed....And a Brief Buna Story

 The longer I have Fred, the more I think everyone needs an orange cat. I swear last night and now every night he sleeps looking out guarding. Head up, eyes, still half open. Escorted me to the bathroom last night and watched the door. I guess he is really my cat. 

-Long time Historian Gordon S. Woods was killed by a car in a grocery store parking lot last night. Woods was an expert on the American Revolution. You live to age 92 only to get killed in a store parking lot getting a jug of milk, a bag of cookies, and a loaf of bread.  Live every day like it might be your last. 

-The 250th Anniversary of the U.S. is in less than a month, the latest poll numbers has most Americans not caring. I remember the 200th Anniversary as being a big event. I doubt I watch any of the festivities.....

I am just not past a UFC fight on the South Lawn of the White House. " Bread and Circuses." Take our mind off the economy, the Iran War. And we the taxpayers are paying for most of the event, and yet, you have to pay to watch. 

I may have seen maybe a couple MMA fight events in my life. I hit am new low the other day and watched a bare-knuckle fight from Manchester, England, and as expected, bare fists lead to lot of blood. 

Again, gladiator sports to keep our minds off how bad the world really is right now.....and it is going to grow much worse this summer. 

-I have been following the economic numbers and the U.S. heck, the world economic systems are going to be horrid this summer.   

Going to make a prediction. Capitalism as an economic system is about to collapse. Don't say it cannot happen. It is not going to occur all at once, but, there is going to be an economic change. Why not? all other economic systems in the past have collapsed.  The one right now is evolving so much that a majority of people are being left out and cannot figure a way to take advantage of the system and the government the elite are changing it for their favor. 

I need to discuss changes coming and most of you are stuck thinking about things that are no long so. 

- They judge shopped in Lubbock County and found a judge to allow a player who made 9000 bets including bets on his own team to continue playing. 

I have a real problem with betting. I have seen families ruined because dad was hooked on betting. All the sports now are being sponsored by some betting organization. I can see scandal happening and games being thrown to the point it ruins sports. Heck, there are legal bets now on the outcome of elections. Don't think at some point they are not going to be rigged. 

If we are going to allow a guy who made 9000 college bets keep playing college ball, why are we keeping Pete Rose out of the Hall of Fame?

- The Pentagon decided that certain religions were not officially recognized religions by the military, including Deism, Unitarianism, Latter Day Saints( Mormons) Shintoism, you know, the last time I read the First Amendment, it was pretty clear about religion and no state church....

We even had US Presidents who worshiped in some of the religions omitted by the Pentagon..... 

John Adams was a Unitarian 

John Quincy Adams was an Unitarian.

Thomas Jefferson was a Deist

Millard Fillmore Unitarian

William Howard Taft Unitarian

And we really do not know about Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Johnson, and several others....

They have since included the LDS Church,  but what were they originally thinking? How can they not include the Mormons as a denomination?

- I am so aggravated and disappointed in the Buna Schools, I have had to step away from looking at what is going on, including an alleged event involving a former Buna employee making a supposed obscene gestures at patrons of the community in town. 

Patrons in the community,  you have got to take control. There is just so much I can do. You have got to get brave and stand up for what is right. If not, things are going to get worse, much worse. 

 

 

 

 

Jasper Co, Buna ISD....Where is the Money Going?

 I know a number of you in the county to my North received your property tax appraisal. 

And apparently a number of you were just appalled at the numbers the county decided your place was now worth....Trouble is, in 6 months when the recession/depression sets in, what can you actually sell your home for?  ( I am sorry folks, we are going to have a recession, well, it is not going to be good.) 

1 in 3 males in this country already are not working. Many 20+ in that NEET category.( Not in Education, Employed, Training for a vocation.)....At some point that is going to come back on all of us... 

I know many of you are planning to appeal the numbers, and if you do it, make sure you do it in person. Follow the instructions......Cross every "t"....Dot every "i."  

Again, I am just shocked how much money you are spending in property taxes....

And for what? 

At one time I recommended Buna ISD for for their children to attend. 

And it was even for about 5-7 years after I retired I told people, "they know what they are doing...."

No longer, and especially in the last few years.  

And it isn't that the teachers are all bad, or they forgot how to teach. 

Everything revolves around that damn STAAR exam. 

I know when I was there, and there were tests, and there was no senior exam, I tried to teach you stuff you needed to learn, but missed because the teachers had to try and get you ready for the state abomination....AKA, state tests....

And last year, well, the scores were ugly......I know they are hoping and praying for better for the exams just taken. 

There are patrons in the community afraid of a state take-over, others saying that, well, maybe the state needs to " clean house." 

In the last couple of months, I have heard from people looking at homes in the Buna ISD and well, the taxes have changed their minds. Long term, and both families look  taxes and saw that Buna was paying more than Lumberton, ISD and well, is Lumberton, might be a better district in the end for their kids? 

Or LCM.....Or Bridge City.....The kids actually getting a serious education, still means something to more parents than you know.  

And then, the district had right at $2.5 million in surplus last year......And still no tax relief for the patrons....

And I have a couple of blogs coming next week, on y'all's favorite topic I write on....One I blew up on when I read -

 

 

Let Me Remind Buna ISD Teachers.....

 And this actually goes for all teachers, irrespective of what Independent School District you are teaching in at the present. 

I say Buna Schools because, well, it is where I retired from, but I know there are other ex-students far-flung across Texas, heck, the US teaching school.  

I generally look at  teaching positions that have opened this time of year, and while there are many, they are not as available in rural areas, heck even our area, as they were say this past summer. And economics in playing a role in fewer openings. I know many recent college grads are looking at teaching, just to pay the bills. Which means, when the economy of the state improves, many will seek employment elsewhere.  

That said, this is what the blog is about today....

If you are looking at leaving your teaching position for another position in education, or if you are just waiting until the last minute to resign and sell insurance, start a business, etc., don't let your time get away from you. 

The summer break flies by. The longer I taught, the shorter it seemed.  

There are jobs out there, if you look, trouble is, do you want to move?

I know I made 4 changes in ISDs looking for a job I really wanted. ( And I literally loved Dayton High. I got to teach some oddball history classes. Especially that AP European History...If we'd found a house in Nome/Devers, I'd still be there. Well, retired from there. I was driving 55 miles one way from Beaumont to Dayton. And we just couldn't stay in Beaumont.  ) However, I wound up at BHS. Then again, all I ever want to do was teach seniors. (I am still convinced it was one of those foreordained deals....Ephesians 2:10)

So, why are you actually talking about this Kerry, Mr. T, Mr. Thomas, Govteach?

The way the economics look in coming years, and it going to take 3-5-7-12 years for the economic world to start looking normal, possibly longer, jobs may be hard to find.  And people who have no business in the classroom will be competing for those education positions. ( Sorry, been watching the Londinium Chronicles on Substack with classicists Michael Vlahos and John Batchelor discussing and comparing Rome to the Western World of the 21st Century....And we are right at the " Bread and Circus" point to keep the peasantry from rioting. I can see this late 2026 to 2027.)  

Now might be the best time to try and find that new job. Or steel yourself for the long haul at the position you presently hold.  

Remember, it is generally 45 days to resign before the first class day.  

 And always remember that it is a job. They will replace you in a heartbeat. 

A Different Life....Made Fun of My Caps....And Who is Going to Do This?

 I still am not used to having a cat. As of today, Fred has been here for 8 months. 

I cannot figure out if he wants to get in my lap and "bunt" heads with me, or if he has a long term plan to kill everyone in the house.  I will give him a slow blink across the room, and he will do it back, but still....

We are not used to having an animal in the house. We let Fred in when it was cold, cold back in January, and well, he just moved in like a squatter.  

It is a far cry from having a Border Collie in which the dog would act like, " What do you want me to do next?"  

I also am not used to being watched when I go into the bathroom. Lately, he gets into the bathtub and stick his head out from under the shower curtains, just to watch.... 

At one time we had squirrels in the Compound Campus. No longer he has run them all off. 

And the thing is, I am now quite fond of my cat. I never would have thought that.... 

- Had a former student, female, write and make fun of my flat caps.....Then I saw a YouTube video in which the host question, " When is the last time you saw someone in public wear a hat like this?" 

This is one of the people who called me " Gay."  

They don't know me very well. Been wearing flat caps since the 1970s. Which reminds me, I need to winterize the wool ones today to keep moths from eating them up. Cedar for my wool clothes......

To both of you... 

Don't care......Don't care.....Don't care.......I could wear a baseball cap like everyone else in East Texas, or I could dress with a little class. Straw hats, and this summer, an ivory colored flat cap, I plan to wear later this week to an event. 

The flat cap, which is somewhat "preppy" in the US, was, and still is a working class cap in the UK/Ireland.  It is what farmers wear over there. It is the cap that most coal miners wore. You don't see bankers and stock brokers in the City of London wearing them. 

Sorry, that you young lady would not recognize " cool" if you saw it......And if I remember correctly, the "Pen Angel " more than once saved your skin.  I might want to shut my damn mouth and be thankful for what I got. 

- Finally, the advertisements on YouTube have been filled with the State of Texas trying to recruit people to teach school, mostly how to get a teacher's certificate. 

It made me check and if I was still certified to teach school. 

I am still valid as the State of Texas calls us.....

The economic situation is going to help draw some people into teaching, even though they probably shouldn't be teaching. 

I noticed in the Buna ISD job site, that there was an opening for a high school, English III job. The website calls it English 3. And this is such a minor complaint, I should say anything.....I am old school and it needs to be classed up a little and changed to the Roman numerical III.....I know, just semantics. 

I halfhearted teased the nephew of mine, who is basically myself in another body to apply. He did teach English III in Ft. Stockton ISD....But I do not think he is quite ready, nor do I think he would dream of working in East Texas. ( Like Buna would hire him.)

And he already is thinking about buying nothing but Peter Millar and Ralph Lauren to teach in.......Yeah, Peter Millar polo shirts, $140....They have a gorgeous sage sports jacket......Single, school housing in Ft Stockton....Yeah, I probably spend on clothes too. 

But, Buna ain't ready for basically me teaching Junior English.   

  

 

 

Ugly Messages.....GQ/Esquire....Hoodlums.... Yeah, I Hate Teachers Too....So, I am Gay?

 The app on the computer decided we needed to listen to Manchester hoodlums this morning. Oasis, The Verve......I don't know, Manchester is not one of my favor British cities. I need to click on the app and list what I want to listen to this morning....And all of a sudden it plays " Blue Oyster Cult." 

No, I was somewhat surprised at the numbers the blog received on yesterday's blog.  Normally the first few weeks after school lets out for summer, readership on the blog is " Dead Time" not many hits, but yesterday proved otherwise. It is somewhat surprising....

I got a couple of ugly messages from Buna ISD apologists yesterday. Making all sort of excusing for the hiring practices of the school district.  Trouble is they are on the teat of the district. I would defend as the Chinese would say, " My Rice Bowl" too. 

Again, I receive so much mail, especially lately, I have a hard time answering like I should. 

Some folks just write to vent, and that is okay. I read what you say and understand. I get aggravated too.  

-I received a message a couple of days ago from a ex-student upset about how she was treated subbing at  school..... How mean the teachers were....

Come on, school is just like any other workplace. 

Most of these people you don't want to see during the Summer Break, or any other time. There are dynamics in a school that most of you don't or won't understand unless you are actually employed by a school district. 

Yeah, you like the kids, and it is SUPPOSED to be why you are there, but still, it is a job. A way to pay the mortgage.  And psychologically you have to treat it that way. 

I have a theory on teachers, and I will not disclose it for fear of insulting about 3/4th of my readers. Maybe one day. 

 - I went down the rabbit hole of GQ and Esquire magazines, both published by the same company. At one time I subscribed to both.....And this morning, I read both the American and the UK versions.

Other than a story of the " Full English Breakfast" it was nothing but slop.  ( Full English- fried egg, bacon, sausage, potato patties( hash brown) mushrooms, tomatoes, baked beans, Black Pudding, some form of bread....In Scotland, haggis, in Northern Ireland White Pudding( No fooling, White Pudding and haggis done right are almost religious experiences.).....In the UK I have one for breakfast, every morning. Get that bad cholesterol level up.)

No suits described in the American version, and barely discussed in the British version.....It is mostly was watches, and how to dress sloppy like the celebrities. One article was on " How to Wear a Baseball Cap." Do, I need to be told how to wear a ball-cap?   I've been wearing one for 68 years. 

- Finally,two different people  unhappy with me wrote and called me " Gay." 

Yes, I have gay friends, but I am not gay.  

That said, I saw the latest Sperry Topsider boat shoes video ad...I swear the male in the commercial was wearing rouge. 

I've been rocking Sperry's since I was in seminary. So 45+ years.  

I don't know, I get called all sort of things in a backlash to the blog.  

Just another day of writing the blog....

-Thanks for reading, and as always, all information is read and researched. As always. it will remain confidential.