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Russ Stovall

Kurt;   

I was disappointed to the C rating for the RISD, but not to surprised.  My daughter is a elementary teacher in Richardson.  We all know that a lot of the issues start at home.  As far as the school itself it is hard to teach when you have so many different languages to deal with.  My daughter has to use her phone to communicate with to many of her students.  The majority of her class do not speak English.  So much time is spent trying to communicate with the non English speaking students that those that speak and understand English are getting short end of the stick.  She says they do to much standardized testing, which I think most of us already know that.   We need to get back to the basics of education.  Master these Reading, Writing, Arithemtic.

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Russ,

Which languages does your daughter have to deal with, other than English?

Spanish and possibly Farsi or Arabic?  Hindi?

It used to be that special bilingual teachers were hired, but I'm not sure about what happens today.

Are the teachers really expected to communicate with students by using their phones?

That's pitiful, in my opinion.

I think students who come to the US from foreign countries not speaking or knowing English, should have to go to language classes first, until they learn basic English skills, because when they are enrolled in regular public schools knowing no English, they are basically lost for quite a long time, before they learn just a few basic English language concepts.  They usually don't catch up very easily, and year after year, they will probably not succeed to the usual levels of their classmates.  Exceptions DO happen sometimes.

David Cordell

Lance,

No false modesty here. Janalu didn't ask about my "high school summer activities". She asked, "What did you do in the summer right after our high school graduation?"

Lowell Tuttle

After my senior year I took freshman English at North Texas.   Drove up there everyday for a 3 hour course.  It was cool because I got to use my parents' 1968 Chev Chevelle Malibu convertible with the 8 track tape deck.

I also baby sat for a couple of weeks for Tom Brooks, who was going to summer school while his family vacationed.   Their parakeet died while I was in charge.   Haunts me.   Quentin and Sue Brooks lived off Waterview.

I cannot remember much else.   Texas Pop Festival in Lewisville was Labor Day Weekend.   Attended UT's orientation.   Signed up for Rush week, but took of for Houston and visit with Mike West and Dennis Matthews who were attending UH...We did the Freeport/Surfside beach thing.

I am pretty sure I was side hustling AAA memberships all over Dallas that summer...If you sold $300.00 in memberships over the 2 week payperiod, you made 60% commission.   That was a pretty good living.   I visited a lot of homes in S. Dallas, Oak Cliff, East Dallas, and Fair Park to close those sales.   Very part time.  

Evenings at the Burning Bush.   We also frequented pool halls down on lower Greenville.   A couple of evenings at the Cellar.   Kids could go to bars in those days as that was pre liquor by the drink.   Waitresses in black light bikini's was the draw...and maybe some good music.

That's about my memory limit...

Oh, and I think we were entrenched in Risk games at friends' and our house.   Tom Woods, Cedarberg (happy birthday this week,) Rick Davis, Tom Wells, Bob Lotridge...Those games would last unti 2-3 AM.

What a time it was...

I just remembered.   We took a trip to Port Aransas...Tom Wells, myself, and Bob Lotridge.   Stayed at the old hotel downtown, The Tarpon Inn.   got drunk on two beers...got sunburned and switched to Corpus Hotel, as I had a Gulf Oil credit card and they took Holiday Inn...Went to see 2001, Space Odyssey, and the next morning saw them land on the moon.

If we went to Canada, PEI that summer, I can't remember...Don't think so...and probably a few golf rounds at Tenison...

David Cordell

Posters:

Please try to post something -- maybe just the time and date. If it doesn't work, please email me cordelldm@aol.com.

Two people have told me that they are not able to post, and I don't know what the issue is.

Lowell Tuttle

4 28 2025

11:03 am

Just home from the MD.   All good.

Too much T, so he's cutting me back to every two weeks.   I was jivin libido wise with every 10 days.   But, red cell count too high by 1/2 pint and that is a precursor to a stroke...

He is stroke paranoid.

Me too.   My gramma had 5 strokes before she was 75.   That was back in the pre Health care days of Canada...well, most of her history was.   

Russ Stovall

Janalu:

I talked with my daughter this weekend and it was last year she had so many non English speaking students.  This year she only has one.  Not sure what the different languages were. I'm sure they were Spanish, Arabic, Hindi, etc.  This year she has 3 students that are autistic.  She did not say what level they were at. She did say they are adorable kids and loves them, but they can be a challenge.  She is good with them I'm sure, her son  also as Aspergers, which is a form of autism.  He is border line and is highly functionable.  He is a Junior at RHS making straight A's with a pretty heavy class load.  Physics, PreCal. He was in AP Precal but was moving to fast for him.  Also US history, Theatre tech, Principals Architecture , Draw I, Eng 3, Ceramics.  The teachers especailly at the elementary level need more support.  The admin people need to listen to their teachers more.  The pace at Terrace Elementary is not neccessarily going to be a good pace at Heights Elementary.  

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Russ,

Sounds like your daughter is a good teacher doing the best she can.  My daughter says she really likes having aides in her classes, since those aides assist her every day with the tough work load.   With two aides, she enjoys such a blessing, those aides being VERY helpful working with certain students, keeping the students 'on task' to finish their assignments, allowing her to work with the other kids in the classroom at different levels of assignments.  She works with autistic, Aspergers, mentally handicapped, and various other handicap issues.  She has had one or two non-verbal students before as well.

She says her aides are a Godsend, but this year, she was only assigned one aide, which was disappointing for her.  She manages, but says she really hopes next year she will again have two aides.  I think they told her that money issues were a problem this year, so they had to cut expenses wherever they could.   Public schools are often plagued with money issues, as we have been hearing for years.  I guess it is always going to be that way.  Never seems to change, does it?

I think I read that Elon Musk has some Aspergers, so just because a child is diagnosed with that, doesn't mean  the child will have too many problems with success, huh?   Musk is such an amazing guy!  I've read that his main issues from time to time, are some of his social mannerisms or explaining abilities, as they say that he is a little difficult to understand when relating specific remedies to people on occasion; a little awkward at times.  But when I've seen him being interviewed, he answers well, thoroughly, and communicates easily.  His handicap must be rather mild, I would assume.

Best wishes for your daughter's continued success!  Hope she doesn't get the old 'burn-out' syndrome that affects so many teachers over time.  Sometimes if they just switch to another grade, they get renewed energy and satisfaction, saying the change of routine and subject matter helps quite a bit.

David Cordell

Martha and I went to Austin on Thursday for a meeting at UT -- I am on an advisory board for the student union, which means I am a sucker for a donation.

Enjoyed spending a lot of time, including a round of golf, with Eddy Norton. Sounds like his County Line restaurants are doing well.

Got back home today. Good news -- my son didn't demolish the house and Becky the Little Black Dog is still alive. 

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

I'll bet Becky the Little Black Dog, snarled at your son, bearing her teeth & growling under her breath, whenever she noticed him starting to do something messy.  She is probably the heroine of the house patrolling watchdog effort.  She enjoys her tidy living quarters and neat, cushy bed with no dust particles to irritate her delicate nose. She prefers that he just lie on the sofa before the TV, falling asleep, rendering a docile figure, or unobtusive slug/milquetoast-y presence to be seen, but not heard nor smelt.  (Kinda like my son at times.)............just kidding!

David Cordell

A couple of classmates have indicated that they are having trouble posting. I don't know what the problem is, but keep trying. I suspect that it will cure itself.

By the way, Janalu, I fear that you give Little Becky too much credit.

Bob Wainner

TESTING...............TESTING...................TESTING

For some reason I couldn't LOG in............Thanks, David C. for all your efforts to work this out for me!

***Well, Madalyn & I just had "Triplets"..........well, sort of.  We've been feeding stray cats at our Backdoor for a few years now.  One of the Mother Cats had (3) kittens 2 weeks ago......but then the Mother Cat ran off or got lost - we don't know what happened to her.

So, WE decided to bring the (3) Kittens inside and raise them ourselves (we plan to keep them).  We have (3) adult Cats.  (2) of the Kittens are golden.....one is Named "CHLOE"....and the other is Named "MEW" (like the sound a kitten makes). The 3rd Kitten is all black......and we named her "SHEBA". I've never done this before...these Kittens are so cute!

Madalyn & I decided to just HIDE all of the CLOCKS in our Home.....don't need any of them...because these (3) little KITTENS are setting our SCHEDULES for us......LOL.  We're feeding them "kitten milk" by bottle every 4 to 6 hours......and doing our best to find time to EAT, use the RESTROOM and get some SLEEP.......it's a FULL-TIME JOB for sure..........but we're enjoying watching them grow up. Tomorrow is "Kitten Bath Time"....oh, that should be interesting.

So NOW, we have (5) Female Cats & (1) Male Cat........and still feed a couple of stray cats at our Backdoor. 

Think THIS is a LOT of CATS???  Well, during my 3rd Marriage......Jackie & I owned a 2 Story Queen Anne Victorian Home up on the east side of Lake Lewisvillle.....3,000 sq. ft.....and we had (13) CATS. 

I'm thinking when these (3) kittens get to about (6) Weeks Old.....things will be easier. We're getting a "Kitten Play Pen" soon......and then we'll start getting them used to being around our (3) adult CATS.

We just DID feed the (3) Kittens...............I'm taking a NAP!!! *smile*

Bob

Janalu Jeanes (Parchman)

Thanks, Bob and Madalyn, for being so sweet to the kitties!

There are SO many of the precious little characters, and few like to have them around in MY neighborhood, as well as some others I've been in.

There are many in our shelters that often get euthanized, since there are WAY too many of them for adoption.  It's sad to know about.  Most of them are super sweet and affectionate.

I have one elderly Siamese right now, and two little kittens about ready to be brought to me soon.

My daughter got us started on cats years ago, when she was three yrs. old, falling in love with a mama cat's babies right across the street from us.  She picked one out who was very fluffy like a Maine Coon.  He was named Moose, and was one funny guy for my kids' enjoyment for years.

David Cordell

We are dog people in the Cordell household. Martha is allergic to cats.

Just heard a funny commercial but wasn't paying much attention. I think the gist of it was that someone sold naming rights to their newborn child. Let's see... if I had a daughter ....maybe...Mercedes Cordell?? Probably wouldn't go for Waste Management Cordell.

Wayne Gary

Bob W., Janalu

I am a dog person, The difference between dogs and cats:

Dogs have masters

Cats have servants

Lowell Tuttle

hmmm

how am I logged in on Yahoo, but not on Chrome or Edge.   

Classmates is mixing up my log in credentials with the user name I use for Punography.

See if this posts...it's from the yahoo browser...

Jerry May

David, just had issues night before last. I turned my phone on and off and tried again yesterday a.m., and now it  seems to be fine!

These issues with language reminded me of a client about 10 years ago.  He was so frustrated with it, he changed his company's voicemail to say: "For English, press one. Para espanol, Learn English!"

Ron Knight

I very much enjoyed the posts about collective post graduation summer of 69 from you guys! I had an intersesting one with Sam Stevens. As most of you know Sam and I have been best friends basically since grade school. He unfortunately passed of cancer 36 hours before my mom passed in 2012. We worked for about a week or two at Hall Sprinkler immediately from day one after graduation. We just added a little of extra cash savings for the summer long trip we had planned for over a year. Sam had dated Jane Gibson our senior year. After graduation Jane moved to Denver. Sam and I drove to Denver in his new Opel Cadette Sport he got for graduation. I was dating Shari Taylor and she flew to Denver to stay with Jane. When Sam and I arrived in Denver we stayed in the basement of the Gibson's new home. We based ourselves from there and did many day trips, including Estes Park where we ran into Pat Cowlishaw and his brother and dad across the street from us. I yelled to Pat and he waved back. We went to the head waters of the Colorado River while up there. We toured the Coors Brewery. We could drink 3.2 beer at 18 back then. We toured the Denver Mint. AND we saw the moon landing at the Gibson's den. FABULOUS!

Shari flew back to Dallas and Sam and I made our way to Red River, NM.  It was the original destination for our summer trip. A large Texas following of singer/songwriters had made their way to Red River. Ray Wylie Hubbard along with Rick Fowler and Wayne Kidd (aka Three Faces West) opened a music venue called The Outpost in Red River. Sam and I stayed with another fellow Texan named Andy Aaron who lived in a cabin next door to Ray. Ray went into a dive type biker bar just a couple of blocks away from our cabin and was beat up. Not too bad, got his nose broken and some blood on him. He began writing a song about his experience that night. The song became "Up Against The Wall Red Neck Mother". AS some of you know I have been friends with Ray since the Rubaiyat days from 1969, 1970 and 1971 when I played there with Randi Richards ( Boon and Jean's older sister). SO, Sam and I played at The Outpost and at Texas Red's Steakhouse. We only played for tips back then. Everybody seemed to have day jobs. Ray was a jeep tour driver during the day. Sam got a job at the Molly Mine just west of town. I did not get a day job, plus it was about time for me to get back home for Stephen F. Austin Freshman orientation. Sam told me to take his car and he would get a ride back home with Andy Aaron. So I did. VERY awkward when I handed the keys back to Sam's mom back in Richardson. She was furious that Sam was still in Red River!

He finally got back home a couple of weeks later. Sam started school at North Texas. Elby Martin and I went to SFA as roommates. Many other RHS'ers were there. Shari, Karen Kennedy, Bobby Cedarburg, John Evans and many more I can't remember now. 

WHAT a summer that was!!!!

Bob Wainner

Again.......more about cats (and dogs);

Well, over the years, I have had both.....cats & dogs (even at the same time).

I think the biggest "difference" between  cats & dogsis maybe.....Cats are a bit easier to take care of, because they tend to take care of themselves (being very independent)......just leave out water & food for them...and clean their litter boxes 3 times a week. Our Cats (now Kittens too) are all "indoor" Cats...so, we don't have to be concerned with weather issues. With Dogs.....they need to go out doors to do their business & probaly need to be walked.  Very hot or very cold days outdoors are not safe for Dogs.

I've designed many Residential Projects (Landscape Architectural Design Services)....and I always want to know IF the Homeowners have Dogs, outdoor Cats and Children too.....because "some" plants are poisonous for Dogs, Cats & Children. 

Note:  Anyone here seen the Tom Cruise movie:  "Vanilla Sky"?  I've seen it a couple of times....interesting and creative.  Tom stars opposite Penelope Cruz.  In that movie.....Penelope Cruz says to Tom...."I'll tell you another time when we are both cats". Tom answers her back:  "I can't believe you just said that...That's the greatest thing I've ever heard. Tom goes on to say "Ok, yes, let's see each other in another Life when we are both Cats".....and he meows like a Cat. Pretty funny scene actually. Tom's imitation of a cat meowing was funny! 

On Facebook lately, I have seen a lot of ADs for "synthetic grass"...well, yes, it's less maintenance - but it will cost you approx. $25.00 per sq. ft. (installed).....and their IS "some" maintenance with synthetic turf. But, for Dogs...I think they much prefer "real grass" to play on & do their business.....just don't think synthetic turf would be a good idea for your backyard IF you own Dogs.

On the subject of "Grass/Lawns".....on TV lately, I have been seeing many TV ADs for the weed killing product called "RoundUp". Warning.....Never use this product!!!  This product has chemicals in it that will definitely cause you, your family members & your pets to get Cancer!  The makers of RoundUp.....have been caught up in thousands of Lawsuits - I have no idea "why" they are allowed to advertise this product. Also, those TV ADs for "Terminix" are bad news...this product has seriously bad chemicals in it that will cause cancer. 

For your Garden...Lawns...Termites, etc.....look for "Organic" products that are proven to be safe for You, your Family members & all of your Pets. 

Just a sidenote......Why is it that I believe that everything that I see Advertised on TV these days are just bad products or bad services?!!!  The AD for "Auto Maintenance Insurance".....*do not buy it*.....it's a fraud.  The AD that former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee says will help you sleep great at night....don't believe it. 

And now................100 days in President Trump's 2nd Term in The White House.....I think he's doing a great.  I think the tariff issues will come along and the Stock Market will be fine....even go UP.  The man is getting ready to turn 79 Years old in June......He's only 3-1/2 years older than me & I think he only gets about 4 hours of sleep at night.......geeezzz; I need 8 to 10 hours of sleep....thought lately it's been pretty difficult to get that many.....Ha.

Bob

Ron Knight

Bob and all

I too have had both dogs and cats. At the same times as well. I LOVE their interaction. But for me it is only best to get them when they are young to grow up together. Cats are very easy to cope with. Dogs demand attention. For that reason I now only have a cat. She is my shadow. I got Gidi ( Native American - I think Lacota- for kitten/cat ) when she was six weeks old. She is two now. Born on my birthday! She is a Snowshoe Siamese. She is the most spoiled little girl that I have ever had. Indeed my fault. I have had Seal Point Siamese before, Snowshoe's are NOT like normal Siamese. She has to be near me all of the time. She actually gives me a little more quality of life each day. I guess that's the best you can ask for from our furry little four legged babies.

Lowell Tuttle

testing

Lowell Tuttle

Test again. 

Bob Wainner

I received an E-Mail from my Son, Scott.....last night.  Always great hearing from him.....E-mails, phone calls and he does fly to Dallas from time to time as his Mother still lives in the Dallas area.......and even though it's been many years since Scott's Mother & I divorced.....we're still on good terms with each other...after all, WE did create a wonderful young Man! 

Scott has lived & worked in Silicon Valley, California for over 25 years now.  He owns his own Website & has 15 Employees.  Interestingly that in his entire Life....Scott has never worked for anyone but himself.  He's totally self-made. He received his very first Computer at the Age of 6. In High School, he taught himself HOW to write "Computer Language"......and created (2) very successful Websites. Before he turned Age 21, he sold BOTH of those Websites to a New York City IT Company for about $4.0 million.  And when Scott was Age 32, he sold another Website he created for $34.0 million. I keep sort of bugging him by asking him WHY he feels he needs to be in CALIFORNIA (when he could live & work literally anywhere else?).....he just really loves it out there.  We don't talk about "Politics"...as we're not on the "page in that regard".....which is fine with me...because he's my Son and that's all that matters.

I guess I sort of lucked out with regards to not having to pay to send Scott through College. Well, actually, he did attend Texas A&M University for (3) semesters but was having issues with one specific math course. He called me one evening to tell me he was up every night until about 2 AM working on his (2) Websites...and was beginning to wonder IF he should drop out of Texas A&M and pursue his "Website Design Career". I recommended he pursue his "Website Design Career".....that if that didn't work out for him in the next couple of years, he could always go back to College & earn a Degree. Turns out, I think, he definitely made the "correct" decision.

Scott has a "Wikipedia" page....so, I guess that sort of means you have become sucessful in some way, shape or form in your profession. 

When Scott was just barely 15 years old...He approached me to ask me IF I would pay for him to have "Pilot Lessons in a Cessna Aircraft"?  I asked him is that was even legal? He said, he checked it out and that it was legal....so, I agreed. The lessons weren't cheap, but it was a dream of his to be able to may become a U.S. Navy Fighter Pilot...however, he couldn't qualify because he didn't have 20/20 vision.....and you can't even have corrective lenses or eye surgery.  But, before Scott even turned Age 15.....he flew his very first SOLO Flight in a Cessna Aircraft.  His Mom & I were there to watch....and I took a VIDEO of that SOLO Flight (and still have it).  Interestingly enough....Neil Armstrong also flew his 1st SOLO Flight in a Cessna Aircraft when he as 15 years old.  Neil Armstrong got his "Private License on his 16th Birthday".....just like my Son did. And John Glenn earned his "Private Pilot's License" at the Age of 20.  So, I would think Scott's in pretty good company in that regard.

Interesting too, I think, that Scott earned "his 1st $Million" at an earlier age than: Elon Musk, Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos & Mark Zuckleburgh.....but of course, Scott has no where near the amazing wealth that those (4) Billionaires have earned over the years. 

Well.....I KNOW that we are ALL very proud of ALL of our KIDS.  I just think they grow up way too fast! OK, well sorry....I'm just being a "Proud Father". 

Bob

David Cordell

OK. Now I am having troubles logging in.

If you can post, post something. If you can't post, please email me - cordelldm@aol.com.

Kurt Fischer

I can post