It’s a fact (yes, a fact) that Texas public schools spend at least half of every school year teaching to the TAKS test (or whatever name du jour they’re baiting and switching with).  The TAKS test is a minimum skills test.

So why, nay, HOW on earth can there possibly be any student who cannot score at least 80% on this test?!?  There is no excuse in the world for a student to not be able to produce 80% or better on a very basic test on which the majority of the school curriculum is based.

And the saddest part … “passing” on the TAKS test is often as low as 50%.  Way to lower the bar.  Can you imagine going to a surgeon who only passed half of his anatomy courses?  Do you accept 50% of a job done when you go get your hair cut or your vehicle repaired? Do you smile and accept half of your venti latte when you go to Starbucks?

No?  Well, why would anyone with a brain (half a brain? LOL!) accept such crap standards for their children?

As I was getting a pack of arsewipe (aka bath tissue), I felt something on my arm.  I looked at it, and there it sat:  a huge, green grasshopper.

I am quite the bug-hater, so I naturally shrieked loudly, frightening a mom and her toddler who were passing me as I twitched, jumped and flailed my arms about.

And we won’t discuss my little problem with stress incontinence.  Nope.