So, I Almost Shot a Couple Three People

I may need to change my firearms for opening the door here at the Compound....I may need to either put a 15 round semi-auto by the door, or buy that Charter Arms with 7 shots.....

So, the back door knocked.

People just don't come to the Compound, that whole, Monastic, hermitage ideology here.....

So, about 11:45am 3 people came knocking on the "kitchen" door.

I open the door with a revolver in my hand.....

They'd been sent by someone from Buna to get married.

I asked they in and they declined, so, I suggested the back porch and they agreed. After I put them on the porch I slipped into the house for " My Marrying Book" and put on some "adult pants. "

Seriously, might have been a my smoothest wedding ever. I am guessing they either " anteloped" or it was some sort of a shotgun situation. I am guessing 20s for both. Her brother was with them, thus my suspicions.

Normally I mail the license, but they asked if I would fill it out as they were going by the courthouse " As they left town."

And she was in charge. I gathered the entire deal was her idea. She even gave me a C-Note and asked " Is this enough?" I told her, "Plenty."

Please Bunaites and others, if you are sending someone by, let me know so I do not shoot them.....I think I've said this.....

2020....What Next?

So, the US Navy released these videos of Naval pilots watching UFOs. Trouble is, these were taken, at least 5-10 years ago, so it makes you wonder what else is going on now?



Yeah, 2020, might be like 1666 London in which 25% of the city died from the plague. And by that time the plague had been around, 300 years. ( The first time, the 1300s, 2,000,000 of England's 5 million people died.) Got to remember, until there is a vaccine for this Covid-19, not any subsequent generations are immune. Then, after all the deaths, the City of London burned to the ground....

But, I digress-





What the hell else are we going to see, find out, happen this oddest of years?

Schools...How's That Going to Work?

So, I've been watching this big experiment. I am pretty sure that the "Powers that Be" wanted so badly for it to work, but alas, it failed and you knew it would.

This whole educate you kid(s) over the internet.

We won't need many teachers.....

We won't need those building and overhead.

The kid will just learn online.

Nope, didn't work.

If anything it taught many parents how hard teaching it, and many of you only had 2 kids in the " classroom."

I am amazed at how many parents actually " Hate their kids." 

Yep, it is an Old Testament miracle I did not kill 15-16 of you....Perhaps more.

But I made it.

Now the CDC is coming up with rules for what is going to happen when school starts back....

- 6 feet between kids.

- No lunchrooms, they'll bring lunches to the classrooms.

- No field trips.

- So what are they going to do about high school kids changing classes? Have the teacher rotate to rooms like in Asia? How is that going to work for stuff like vocational courses and band?

- How are you going to get kids home on the bus?

- Are we going to have contact sports?

 - Or will we have 4 core subjects and send everyone else to the house after lunch in HS?

- How are they going to keep little kids from touching/hugging their teachers?

- How is this all going to work? Seriously? If kids get sick and die, well, " I glad it wasn't mine."

Man, I am so happy I am retired.  

How'd This Happen?

I could not sleep last night, got to hurting, bad back, bad hips, bad disposition.....And let my mind wonder as you do from time to time....

Got to thinking about my family last night.

Educated out the wazoo.

My mother has that oddball graduate degree between Master's and Doctorate that was all the rage in the 70s.

Wife has about 15 different letters she can put behind her name. She uses 3. " Not looking for work" is her mantra.

I went to frickin' seminary. Member of the religious Order of St. Andrew. The Order strongly suggests you wear the "Roman" or "Anglican" collars. I thought about wearing one to Buna my last year, just to see what they'd say, also considered wearing a teaching gown I acquired a number of years ago....Also to see who I'd piss off.

My child is going to have his second Master's degree here in the next week. He's married to one of China's elite, Her dad is a big shot doctor, her grandad is a retired Chinese Navy Officer, her other Grandad flew guide missions for the Flying Tigers in WW2. She's about to start a grad degree probably at A&M.

My brother has a law degree, is married to a woman with a degree from the second oldest university in America. His oldest child will probably go to Virginia Military Institute when he graduates from HS this coming year.

Hell, ask Debbie and Kerry where they want to go, and Scotland, England, Ireland are at the top of their list.

Yet I am sitting here listening to Ernest Tubb and Cross Canadian Ragweed.

Yesterday before the rain, I decided, while looking at a couple of fryer squirrels in the backyard and decided this weekend they need to go into some actual hog lard with some potatoes.

It's like Downton Abbey meets Deliverance around here...

B*chtin' in Lemonville

Might as well go ahead and bitch here. Everyone else is bitching about something else.

Seriously, like you got someplace to go.

I was to be on an airliner to Israel as I write this. But it was cancelled well, a about 2 months ago, and not shocked. Israel has a quarantine for 14 days once you enter the nation.

We're supposed to go again in the Fall sandwiched between the half dozen wedding I now have in the Fall. Maybe then....Maybe. I wonder about getting in an aluminum tube and going across the Atlantic.Who knows, in Mid- October, maybe things will be different?

I don't know, perhaps it isn't foreordained for us to go to Israel?

It is a damn dessert.

God has a funny preference to worldwide places he likes. Or place to start monotheism. The dessert, a place where anyone in their right mind would not live.

I was told this weekend to look where I would like to go in Britain..... If we ever get to go there again.

We'll see.

The world is a different place than it was a couple of months ago.



 

Where is Fat Boy?

So, long time readers of this and the original 'The Govteach' know I like to keep up with antics of the Dictator of North Korea and what lunacy he has going on.

Well, Kim Jung Un has disappeared. ( AKA Fat Boy.)

Has he died after heart surgery? Is he in a vegetative state? Is he at his beach front home living sealed  to avoid Covid-19 with a personal chef and 25 hookers?Has his massive consumption of cheese caused constipation so bad, he's being "hosed out" at an unnamed location?

 There’s been panic buying in the N. Korean capital, with locals stocking up on everything from laundry detergent and rice to electronics to liquor. They started snapping up all imported products first, but in the last few days there’s been a run on domestically produced items too, like canned fish and cigarettes.

This however is not the first time rumors of the death of a N. Korean dictator were just that, rumors.  is grandfather and father were " killed off" by the Western media before either actually passed away.

But there is no obvious male heir to Kim Jong Un. He’s believed to have one son but he’s still a baby. He has an older brother, who was reportedly passed over for being “effeminate.” And an uncle, his father’s half brother who had been ambassador in Eastern Europe — a sort of cushy exile for almost four decades until he was recently recalled to Pyongyang.

Many are saying his sister might be next in line.  A hateful sourpuss who makes any English teacher you may have had look like Mother Theresa.....But in Confucian teaching a female leader is a no-no.....

So, I wonder......

Maybe they'll tear themselves a part and the youth start to demand Kia's to drive and Playstations?

I don't know. We will have to wait and see if "Fat Boy " is still with us...

Former Students, Please Read- This is Serious

I know we've been knocking and rolling over on Facebook, but this morning this reminded me, we need to sometimes take care of former students.

This morning, and it was a fluke, I found a reference email in my Spam.

I never read my Spam. Maybe once a month. If then.....It was from a school district in Hardin County.

Folks, even if we disagree on the Facebook, I am not going to use it against you ever at job, reference, or otherwise.

Please, let me know it is coming. That way I can sort of be looking for them... I'm always glad to help out.

I guess I need to check my Trash and see if I find any from Orangefield ISD. I'm pretty sure the computer would send those directly to the Trash File....

Oil

I don't know, listening to Alice in Chains' " Down in a Hole" seems right to listen to while writing this blog...In more ways than one.

Who knew, I'd be happy that West Texas Intermediate crude with a June Delivery would be making me happy this morning....

And it's only at $15 a barrel.

Better than the negative number there were a couple of days ago for May delivery.

Trouble is for U.S. producers to make money, actually break even in many cases is between $40-50.

Yesterday the Texas Railroad Commission who is in charge of the oil industry in Texas decided not to do anything about wells that are producing. Part of it is, it would take between $250,000 to 400,000 to bring wells back online, depending on the well. Then, there are not enough crews to bring the wells online at "once." It'd take considerable time. ( Why is the Texas Railroad Commission in charge of the oil industry? Look in your government notes if you still have them....I explained why......Yeah, I know, your notes were burned or taken to the deer camp as butt wipe, but other than write a 6000 word essay why, look in your notes.)

Texas is in trouble at $15 dollar oil.

Bad trouble. The Texas school system for one thing depends on the oil wells out in the Permian Basin to support schools. Hell, the state government in general depends on it.

And you've got to remember this area is a "One Trick Pony" as far as economics is concerned. If people are not buying gasoline and other oil products, we are in trouble.....And if the U.S. opened today, would enough people take advantage of the opening? I know I fall in the 60+ with health problems demographic. I ain't going no place. I've not bought gas in 2 months. How many other people are going to just stay at home? In the demographic or not?

And don't quote the Lt. Gov. of Texas Dan Patrick and tell me I need to get out and risk my life for the economy, all I can say to Dan or whatever his name is this month, " Fuck You and the Clap Dripping Mule You Rode in On."( How in the world can they say this and lose their minds over abortion? Is it because babies become worker bees and older folks are retired and out of the work force? )

Sorry folks, but right now the economy, the world is in a damn conundrum, and in the short term, it is not going to get any better.

What is this B*llSh*t??????

I saw this this morning, and I said, surely not? Surely this is not going to change, especially right now for me, and what I am trying to get done.

It seems the present administration is trying to change the exam for the U.S. Citizenship.

Right now, the book for the test is right at 400 pages. I know, I was the U.S. Citizenship teacher in Beaumont for a few years, and I got people ready to take the test.

As many of you know, I got one, I need to get ready for the test. And the old test is pretty much what you expect.

Questions on the Constitution, politics, the government, voting, etc. What you expect.

I wonder what it will change to?

Will it be like the British Citizenship exam? With questions on culture? I've the Britain several times and I barely passed that exam. ( I took the pre-test, not trying to get British Citizenship.) Literature, music, etc. ( It was a humdinger. If you had to take a US one, I figure about 20% of Americans would pass a IS equivalent.)

What music will be asked? Gangster rap? Country? Classical? Will there be American art? It so, I am sunk and would have to study up before I teach April.

I doubt most of you could pass the present exam. Even if you've taken me in class. It asks some questions you should know, but it's been a while.  

I wonder what I will have to learn in order to teach it? 

I Wonder????????

You I wound up with more questions this weekend than I had answers for....And to be honest, if you are honest with yourself, you don't know the answers either.

- I wonder what the long term effects will be on this nation from this illness?

- I wonder if this might be a time period in which America changes forever?

- I wonder if there will be school this Fall?

- I wonder when there will be enough tests for everyone to be tested for Covid-19?

- I wonder with Buna now being the ' hot spot" with the most Covid-19 illness in Jasper Co. when the graduation might be at the high school? I know Hay Co. ISD, the district my son teaches at has moved their graduation to August. ( Hays Co. ISD has 2-5A high schools and 1-6A high school)

- I wonder if the NBA will complete their season? Will there be Major League Baseball? Will the NFL start before October? Will College Football delay their season? Will all these leagues have shortened seasons? If they play, will they have fans in the stands?

- I wonder when we " open up" how many people will continue to avoid businesses?

- I wonder how many small businesses will go bankrupt?

- I wonder how many major businesses will go bankrupt? 

- I wonder how many people who have been furloughed will have to find a job at another place of business?

- I wonder how long once we do open up for business, how long it will be before the economy comes totally back?

- I wonder if the how bad the protesters wanting to open the economy back up carrying signs about their support of anti-vaccination and ones that say Profit over People look? And a woman carrying a sign, " my body, my choice."  I wonder how many of these people could care less about anyone other than themselves? ( And I know you want to go back to work, but will people show back up for your business?)

- I wonder how the anti-abortion people can argue being pro-life and many of them argue that we may need to have deaths to open to economy?

- I wonder in a year what it will be like?

Really, Really...You're Going to Write Me Upset About This?

And like I have control over any of the situation at hand.

I assume they need someone to "scapegoat" and it might as well be me?

I had an ugly message from 3 people all upset about no school for the rest of the year.

One said " Kids don't get sick with this virus, there butts need to be in class." ( Don't be sure about that. Not all kids are healthy and all their teachers certainly are not. And do you really want little Johnny to bring this mess home?)

Another - " We shouldn't have shut down school or the economy or this. This is all overblown by the media and the government." ( I really don't think the government wants business or the population, their main tax base not open/working. I really don't know what these people want who think the government has overreached? The right to spread the illness like Typhoid Mary? I don't know what people want. If the government had not shut down, they'd be the ones bitching and moaning because there was no shutdown. I wonder what they say when Blacks or Hispanics hold rallies in front of government buildings? Rest assure they don't quote the Freedom of Assembly clause of the First Amendment. )

And Number 3- " These kids are driving me nuts. I can't get them to do no work. There no way I can have them hear until Aug." ( Welcome to our world. I'm glad I am retired. We had to put-up with your child. Maybe you'll appreciate teachers more.)

I am just waiting to see what people say when there are pretty strict limits on what schools can and cannot do for graduations. I have a funny feeling many will be held later in the summer. And I know, there won't be proms, but you know, I went to 34 proms in my life. I can barely remember who I went with and where we ate at. In the scope of life, they're fun at the time, but you know, they're not the birth of your children, your wedding, etc.

Life goes on....And let's try and get though this time period without too many lives being destroyed.

People Telling Your Kids " They're Going to Hell"

I see this from time to time on the Facebook, and hear about it in person from people.

I often wonder in this time of isolation, if this is a fear by religious organizations that they might be "Losing a grip" on people and their lives?

In the first place, it is no one's business what religious beliefs you bring your children up in. It really isn't.

That's between you and your god, your personal belief, or non-belief.

There is a group now suing the Governor and the Attorney General of this state because they think that this "stay at home" business is keeping people from attending church. Never mind, Gov. Abbott has said that the stay at home order did not include religious groups. 

Again, I wonder how much this involves money?

I know we have received letters from church and my mom received one from church and in each envelope was a separate envelope so you can send in your "tithe."  Got that overhead.

I know there are TV preachers who have said, " Even if you've lost your job, you need to keep tithing, Probably they have a payment on that Dassault Falcon 8X Jet, you know the one that can fly from here to Europe without refueling, is due.

For years, the Baptists have used the Book of Micah, 3:10 to justify tithing.

As one of my former pastor friends writes-

 "Tithing was part of the "Old Law" and was ONLY for the Jewish people and their farm products. Some churches say that it is also for today's Christians but they are wrong and they know it. Of the 613 laws that God gave to Moses to give to the Jewish people, why is it that aside from the ten commandments, "tithing" is virtually the ONLY other law that the modern non Jewish Christian churches of today try to retain? They retain it in name only however, since there is nothing similar between Moses’ law of tithing" and "Christian giving. Christian tithing is an extra man made concept and doctrine. Aside from the ten percent it has nothing in common with the tithing law of Moses, and was never practiced by the New Testament Church." 


And he's correct. asking for money when people are down fiscally, well, it just isn't ethical.

Telling people they got to give money to the church when they're out of work, telling them that  their kids are "Going Hell" ....I'm sorry, but you don't know who is going and who is not. And a lot of people are probably not going to make it, people you like, and somehow in your mind, you think because they are "on your side" they are going to make it...

You don't know.....And I don't either.

Leave people alone. Let them teach their kids however they see fit. They're their kids, not yours.

 And often, you need to be paying attention to your kid. They're not all "darlings" like you think they are....

Turn Out The Lights

"Turn out the lights, the party's over. All good things must come to an end...."

Written and recorded originally by Willie Nelson, made famous on Monday Night Football when Don Meredith, announcer, former Dallas Cowboy Quarterback decided the game was over, often at the start of the 4th quarter.

School year is about to be over in Texas.

I know 14 other states have made the call to end the school year, or have the rest of the year online, such as Louisiana.

Today Ft Bend ISD, a district with 11 high schools, has cancelled in person classes for the rest of the year. ( 7 -6A schools and 4- 5A high schools)

They have cancelled senior graduation until July. ( If they can even hold it then. I wonder if the teachers, who are not under contract in summer will be required to attend? Or will there be some sort of exchange for inservice offered?)

Coppell ISD in the Dallas Ft Worth area has decided to hold virtual graduation this year....Might be something to consider.  

Then later this morning, two other smaller districts have said they will not meet again this year. Caldwell, near Bryan-College Station and Paint Rock  near San Angelo)

The real question is this, how long will it be before the dominoes start fall and other districts " Call it a Year" for all practical purposes.

In Ft. Bend alone, they have not heard from 1/3rd of their students since the lock-down has started. I can just about imagine what it would be like to try and get started for 14-18 days with 30 kids on 30 different levels, including 10 of the kids behind 6-8 weeks.

Call it a year, start fresh in the Fall.

Groundhog

I know a lot of you are complaining that it is " Groundhog's Day"....And it seems like we are starting month number 11 of the lockdown, and honestly, while I sort of enjoy being a homebody, I miss the fact it is now sort of an trip of only necessities now and to be honest, we were pretty much set for this type of situation.

I hope there is a time period in the Summer we'll be able to re-stock for hurricane season. Then again, I may need to start having Amazon ship in what I may need.

The life at the Compound has changed. As you know my wife is in a medical field, and while it is not one on the front lines, we still take some precautions.

We try to avoid physical contact, try to stay a distance apart. I've not kissed my wife in I know almost a month.

I have been relegated to the kid's bedroom for now, and to be honest, I am having a difficult time resting. Different mattress, it is actually nicer than the one we have in the master bedroom, but I miss the wife sleeping beside me.

Seriously, I miss the noises, the snoring, the thrashing about like a caged animal trying to escape that I have become accustomed to in the last almost 39 years. To be honest, last night, I missed the body heat, I got cold.

I understand some of you are all upset about there possibly not being graduation ceremonies.

I do not remember graduation being as big a deal back in the 70s as it is today. We did not have an operation graduation, all these photos, I don't even remember my parents making it as big a deal as it is today. I remember my parents reminding me, " You've got to be a work in the morning at 5:30am, don't stay out too late." I remember going to Patrizi's and having grilled flounder with a couple of other people I had gone to school with and was home in bed by 11pm.

Our son is scheduled to graduate from a fairly elite program( <5% acceptance to the program), next month and UT has already said there will be no ceremonies. I had already bought a new suit, shoes, bow-tie for the event, and while we would have loved to have gone, we'll get over it.

We are just hoping he'll be able to find a job sooner rather than later with his degree. Especially in this economy.

Have it later, have it next year, I don't know how you're going to have it without either leaving people out, or exposing people to the virus.

The ceremony is nice, but it isn't the end all. I have done "High-Church" weddings in which I wore a gown and stole. Used the long, drawn out " Rite I" ceremony of the Book of Common Prayer....I have married folks in a driving rainstorm in the parking lot of Tractor Supply, with the couple in the backseat of my SUV. ...Both couples are married according to the state.

These are extraordinary times. Life is not fair. It never has been. Go on with your life. Quit dwelling on one part, one day out of 70-80 years worth of days.....You say "good morning" in truth, it's a good day...

Your Senior Photos

So, it is the thing now for some of you during this quarantine/Covid-19 time period in our lives  for many of you to post your Senior picture.

I thought about posting one of mine......But I will have graduated from high school 45 years ago next month and I think all my old Senior photos are at Mom's, and right now, I am not visiting Mom. Checking to see how she is, if she needs anything yes, but going in the house? No.

And every once in a while, I see someone who has posted one of their pictures from their Senior year at the Buna High School and I ask myself....

"How the hell did I allow the "Pen Angel" let that one walk?  "

Happy Easter!

I know, by tradition this is the time those of us in the Christian world celebrate what we believe is Christ's rising. But in truth, we don't know what the real date actually might be.

I had planned to discuss the Lord's Supper on this past Maundy Thursday, the crucifixion on Good Friday, and the Resurrection today...

But we don't need a preaching at this year.

We really don't.

This might be the oddest year in most of our lives. And we've had some pretty strange ones recently.

Really strange.

Remember, and I know we all want this to be over NOW, and we are in a society of instant gratification, just remember, this will pass. We still have some tough times to go. But we are going to get through it.  Personally, and as a nation.

Take care of yourself. Take your vitamins, eat right, drink more water, less coke, less coffee/tea, less alcohol.

And remember, check on folks, espcially older folks.

Tell your wife/husband that you love them. Your kids, grandkids you love them.

This is a learning period. And many of us don't want to accept that.

And for some, the lesson might be hard.

And for many of us, the lesson is yet to be understood.

We love ya!

No,No,No,No...Round-up...Maybe Something Else?

I don't know, this is a strange blog, heck, every blog I write can turn strange very quickly, and you and I know this.

First- Thanks for you suggestions, and asking.....

I am not going to start a church.

Am I qualified to do so?

Yes

Have I been on church staff before?

Yes

Am I supposed to start a church at this time?

No, and probably will never do so. Not my calling. As I have said for years, I always thought my calling was to be at Buna High School when I was there.

Look, I do not think this area, or any area is ready for what I would do as a minister. I have a theology that is all over the place. I draw my doctrine from the Presbyterians, the Methodists, the Episcopalians, heck, a little bit from the Baptists.  I grew up Baptist attended one of their seminaries, and I don't see a problem with drinking, or dancing, or being gay.

Look we all got problems, Lord knows I got my own. 

I don't know how the community would act the first time we held an Irish Whisky tasting on St. Patrick's....Or a Scotch Whisky tasting on Burn's Night......Or a Bonfire Night complete with tannerite on Nov. 5th.....Heck a BBQ and American domestic brew night in the Summer.

Why? Why not?

Ecclesiastes 9:7 —

“Go, eat your bread with joy, and drink your wine with a merry heart, for God has already approved what you do.”

Meanwhile, you need a minister for weddings, need me to pray for you, whatever, let me know, I get up at 4AM each morning, and pray for a large number of you. 

- I have been offered 3 dogs since my post about the Boxer on Facebook.

Kerry and Debbie don't need a dog. We'll probably be gone on the road 6 weeks to 2 months in the coming year. I don't need to ask someone to watch my animals. 

My neighbors have a Boxer, a Pit Bull, a German Shepherd, a Dachshund, and they all come running when Kerry comes out. Don't need another one in the community. At some point, when my travels have slowed, I will get a dog. The Boxer consideration is just another one to put into the mix.

- Finally, I want to thank everyone for their prayers this past week. 

Also, the folks who just have been checking on me, to see how I am doing and if I need anything. 

Thanks folks, it warms the cockles of the old Govteach's heart.

"I'd Rather Die"

I am probably going to step on some toes,  upset some of your " sacred cows " this morning.

I am minding my own business and I read an article in which a pastor out of Baton Rouge in which he saying that " His parishioners had rather die than not go to church."

Okay, go to church.

But if you get sick, don't take up beds that people are being responsible wind up filling.

He then in reference to churches that are streaming services and are using things such as Zoom..."If it worked then why would America spends billions and billions of dollars on churches."

" Billions and billions of dollars."

I think we may have found the root of why we are holding services.

This church and have to attend church business is scary. People care more about the experience of church, the social aspect, the music, than they actually do the Divine.

You know it is like the local minister who said that " To be in good with Jesus, you have to attend church."

Uh, no.....

And when I read something like that, I have to ask, where do you get your paycheck from? The church?

This whole got to go to church right now reminds me of this- Matthew 4: 5-7: "Then the devil took Jesus up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

I was bored out of my skull this afternoon. I had completed my chores and started to read these.

The works of the 17th Century Cavalier English poets, especially these of Robert Herrick, Cambridge Grad, Minister in the Church of England.

His most famous poem, made famous in Dead Poets Society.

 To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Gather ye Rose-buds while ye may,
    Old Time is still a-flying:
And this same flower that smiles to day,
    To morrow will be dying.
The glorious Lamp of Heaven, the Sun,
    The higher he's a getting;
The sooner will his Race be run,
    And neerer he's to Setting.
That Age is best, which is the first,
    When Youth and Blood are warmer;
But being spent, the worse, and worst
    Times, still succeed the former.
Then be not coy, but use your time;
    And while ye may, go marry:
For having lost but once your prime,
    You may forever tarry

This is a lesson to us all today stuck at home during the virus. Use your time wisely." Carpe Diem". " Seize the day."

Use what time you are given on earth wisely. Enjoy your time here, even stuck at home. You're only get some much time.

Love your wife/husband, love your kids, TELL THEM! Do something you had not planned to do until later in life.

Seize the day!

Paranoid?

So, I sort of keep my hand in that world. I was "in it" for a while.

I have somewhat prepped. I think it was so I could justify those 250,000 rounds of ammo I own. Most of it in oddball rounds for strange firearms I own like the 7.5 French. God help us if the house catches fire.

I "used to" listen to the conspiracy people on the radio until I realized that " these mutherfucker's are nuts...and are making a good living at this."

Fear, is ugly folks.

Fear can make you "overthink stuff."

A lot of you are all afraid of " socialism" coming out of this....

Really? Do even know what socialism is? Have you ever even been to a socialist nation?

In truth, there are no socialist countries that exist. Partial, yes, pure, no.

Look, I've been to countries that call themselves "communist" and they were the most capitalistic nation I've ever been to, not only did they have a job, they would have 2-3 side businesses going.  Your work ethic makes you look like a pussy compared to these people.

There are memes going around about how this virus is going to be used to "control" the American people.

How long do you think a serious "tanks in the streets" soldiers marching would last with people who own 250,000 rounds of ammo?

Come on, this too will pass.

Quit looking for " Commies" under the bed before you go to sleep at night. I have one who often sleeps in my back bedroom, and I love her dearly, but it is hard to change 22 years of indoctrination. ( I've had hours of discussions at my kitchen table discussing Marxism vs Leninism vs Maoism vs Titoism vs Dengism vs Trotskyism vs Prachanda Pathism vs Hoxhaism vs Luxemburgism vs Religious Communism........) And we're working hard on her. And I think we're doing pretty good, but some stuff, you just do not change overnight.

Calm the fuck down people. This is just a really strange time period in history. We're all going through it. Stop overthinking it.

When you see me start advertising on here for " Sons of Liberty" meetings, then you need to worry.

Perhaps I Should Not Care?

I have been looking hard at something I really do not need and in the Covid-19 lock-down, I do not need it.

Anyway, I found a pair of second-hard aristocratic shoes. Massive lacing involved, my size, a color I like. A sort of Oxblood/Burgundy.

The shoes were popular in late 1890s, but especially during the Edwardian Age 1901 to 1911.

( Damn history major)

The trouble is, in the 1990s, the shoes were very popular in a niche gay community.

Man, I do not need these shoes.

In the Corona-virus day and age, where would I wear them?

Seriously.  Where?

And I already have people who think I am a closeted homosexual. But at 62 years old, I could care less.

I have a pair of red shoes I have not even unboxed yet. They sit in Reid's room.

Maybe I need to just layoff.

But man, these are cool shoes.

Maybe I can wear them to your 20-25th reunion? 

Buna ISD Film

So, the Buna ISD has put out a PR film for showing just how much teachers/administrators miss their kids.

If you care to see it, here is the link. Most are holding signs.

https://www.facebook.com/buna.isd/videos/650309122415625

Could you imagine what my sign might say?

" Best Spring Semester EVER!"

" Stay the Hell Away!"

" Remember the Rules on Page 1, You Turn in Work, You Fail."

" Yeah, I Miss Ya, You Believe That I have Some Mountain Land in Louisiana to Sell You."

" Hang in There, Maybe We Won't Come Back."

" No Prom? No Senior Group Grad Photos? No Senior Picnic?  No Graduation? Trust Me, You Ain't Missed Nuthin'."

" I'll Mail Ya Your Diploma."

" Call the Damn Governor's Office, Tell Him Call it a Year."

" Let's Get This Shit Over With."

Confession Time

I started to do this as a Facebook deal, but I figured most people wouldn't admit to stuff, or we might learn stuff we don't want to hear.

And I feel like it might need to be a " Lighten Up Friday Morning" before I go after someone else's "Sacred Cow."

Little known fact. And I would guess 99.999999% do not know this and in truth, I've never really told anyone before.

I spent a year at Everman ISD ( Near Ft. Worth) teaching 5th grade. ( I did not have a certificate for elementary, and in those days, they let stuff slide for a year.)

And in truth, it was a lot of fun...........BUT, I knew I had to get the hell back to high school, or I'd be stuck. So, the next year I was in Dayton, at the high school, crafting to become the Mr. Thomas you knew at Buna.

And it was a pretty long process to become the Freshman hating "Thomas" you got at Buna..... And in truth, I could barely stand the Seniors. ;)

Anything you'd care to confess? 

I'll give you absolution- 

Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat; et ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis (suspensionis) et interdicti in quantum possum et tu indiges. Deinde, ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, + et Spiritus Sancti. Amen

Even More News From Buna ISD

I know I visited this just a couple of days ago, but I wonder. This is even more reason Gov. Abbott needs to call it a year for schools. Somehow they're thinking someone is actually learning something at this point. Want to write the governor and tell him "call it?" Here is the contact link. https://gov.texas.gov/contact

After the teachers, especially the elementary teachers put in all sorts of work to come up with a bunch of paper packets to send home for each of their kids, the " Powers That Be" have decided they are going to have online google classroom.

Do they not understand there is a pretty good section of Jasper County that doesn't have internet service?

And they want them to use cell phones...How many people have that many minutes? And what about folks who don't have that sort of access?

Well, they are setting up access in the parking lot at the high school.

How many parents are going to be able to take their kids to sit in the high school parking lot. How many will? I know some will. But right now, well, it's a strange time.

Again, endearing themselves to the community. I know they're cussing the school.....And the teachers will get the flak for some decision made " across the street on Hwy 62."

I wonder if the board secretly really hates their teachers? Why bring in a person who is always on the lookout for their next position?

We need a re-boot for 2020. School just needs to start fresh in the Fall. Maybe the schools can hold graduation one night for the Class of '20?

Truth

I guess I knew it was going to go there. Or at least I had to go there.

I'll probably upset some folks this morning, but you know....

Let me remind you while I have this opportunity that if you don't like what I say on here, go away. Unfriend me. I'm going to step on toes. I stepped on someone's last week and it was minor, and they lost their damn mind.

First, let me remind you that stores, refineries, schools, hospitals etc. are full of people who are there because they are given a paycheck. Yeah, I liked working in Buna, but if they didn't given me a paycheck on the 20th of each month, I wouldn't have shown up.

Businesses are in the "bidness" of making money. They didn't make "Frosted Flakes" because they love children, they make it so you'd buy it.

That is always something to remember when you buy something.

Remember, businesses will throw you under the bus and let you go in a heartbeat. It's a job. 

Then, some of you are all giddy because the governor played to his base and overrode local officials and said that it was " Okay for people to go to church on Sunday."

Do you know really want this mess to spread even more than it's going to do so?  The White House Press Conference yesterday said 100,000 to 240,000 people were going to die from the Covid-19.....We act a fool and "social mix" and this mess is going to go up the study are saying 1.5+ million plus.

Stay home, trust me, Jesus understands. Have church at the house. It's what they did the first 300 years of Christianity. Stream a service online.

Finally, be prepared. Some you know, perhaps well might not make it through this time period.
Pray folks, pray.....