BILL TUNE bctune@gmail.com I was raised in the panhandle of west Texas, son of a Methodist preacher. Music and academics came easily to me in school, and after graduating from high school in Andrews, Texas, I headed to UT to save the world through engineering, while also playing in the Longhorn Band. After 2 ½ years in engineering, I switched majors to music education. This allowed me to cram my four years of college into six. I taught band in small schools (Thrall and Caldwell) for 12 years before burning out and leaving the profession forever. “Forever” turned out to be one year. With a rediscovered interest in mathematics, I took the necessary courses at Texas A&M to become math certified and took a job at Somerville ISD. In my 12 years at Somerville my high school math position evolved into full-time technology coordinator, and librarian John Pinkerton and I collaborated on many cutting-edge projects within the school district---many of them successful! In 2000, my wife Beverly graduated from Perkins Seminary at SMU, and after 20 years as a classroom teacher, she began her career as a United Methodist minister. Her career change took us from Somerville to Palestine, Conroe, Baytown, and Groves. In July 2014 we moved to Emory, Texas, just east of Dallas. My last 5 years in education were as a high school math teacher in Conroe HS. I retired in 2008 and spend my time doing yard work, volunteering around the church, working with church music, writing essays for my friend John, and watching birds from my breakfast table. Beverly and I have one son, Thomas, born in 1979, who is a graduate of Somerville HS and UT. He lives in Austin with his partner Hunter. I enjoy creative writing, and John’s website has given me both an excuse and the motivation to express myself through essay. enough MY ESSAYS 1 Dreams of a Frustrated Gardener 2 Facebook--Good or Evil? 3 Backyard Beauties and Beast 4 I-Heart I-Phone 5 To Be (a recycler) or Not To Be 6 Guy with a Heart (Condition) 7 Blank Stares of the Young 8 Confessions of an Accidental Band Director 9 Outside Dog 10 The Best Medicine 11 Church Camp 12 The Pastor’s Spouse 13 Just the Facts, Ma’am 14 The Possum 15 Watch for Ice on Bridge 16 Balance 17 Good Bye, Old Friend 18 I Love Sitcoms! 19 Same-Sects Marriage 20 Memoirs of an Alleged Educator 21 The Most Interesting Man/Email in the World (or A Cautionary Tale) 22 Camp - Year Four Report 23 Family Reunions 24 Of Possums and People 25 Bophidius 26 Dogged Daze 27 I Coulda Been a Contender 28 Kids Say the Darndest Things 29 I Can See Clearly Now 30 People Are Weird 31 Vacation Transportation 32 A Very Moving Experience 33 Twas a Month After Moving (poetry) 34 Life with VD 35 Nod Once for “No” 36 What Are You Waiting For? 37 You’re Not Funny 38 My Cold, Sticky Fingers 39 Backyard Beauties and Beast, Revisited 40 The Gospel According to Bill 41 Hook ‘Em, History 42 The Reluctant Chef 43 Extreme Politics 44 Transitions 45 Trump Is My President 46 Trumped 47 Wishful Thinking 48 Don’t Lose Your Balance

BILL TUNE

I was raised in the panhandle of west Texas, son of a Methodist preacher. Music and academics came easily to me in school, and after graduating from high school in Andrews, Texas, I headed to UT to save the world through engineering, while also playing in the Longhorn Band. After 2 ½ years in engineering, I switched majors to music education. This allowed me to cram my four years of college into six.

I taught band in small schools (Thrall and Caldwell) for 12 years before burning out and leaving the profession forever. “Forever” turned out to be one year. With a rediscovered interest in mathematics, I took the necessary courses at Texas A&M to become math certified and took a job at Somerville ISD. In my 12 years at Somerville my high school math position evolved into full-time technology coordinator, and librarian John Pinkerton and I collaborated on many cutting-edge projects within the school district---many of them successful!

In 2000, my wife Beverly graduated from Perkins Seminary at SMU, and after 20 years as a classroom teacher, she began her career as a United Methodist minister. Her career change took us from Somerville to Palestine, Conroe, Baytown, and Groves. In July 2014 we moved to Emory, Texas, just east of Dallas. My last 5 years in education were as a high school math teacher in Conroe HS.

I retired in 2008 and spend my time doing yard work, volunteering around the church, working with church music, writing essays for my friend John, and watching birds from my breakfast table.

Beverly and I have one son, Thomas, born in 1979, who is a graduate of Somerville HS and UT. He lives in Austin with his partner Hunter.

I enjoy creative writing, and John’s website has given me both an excuse and the motivation to express myself through essay.

enough

MY ESSAYS

1 Dreams of a Frustrated Gardener

2 Facebook--Good or Evil?

3 Backyard Beauties and Beast

4 I-Heart I-Phone

5 To Be (a recycler) or Not To Be

6 Guy with a Heart (Condition)

7 Blank Stares of the Young

8 Confessions of an Accidental Band Director