Smiley Anders for May 2, 2012

Bill Noonan often asks my advice about maintaining a successful relationship (I’ve used the trial and error method over the years and gained much valuable experience):

“My wife, Adele, after awakening one morning, said she was ‘happy as a lark’ because she ‘slept like a log.’

“I had to be happy for her, but I told her that there is no research that larks are even happy, and that logs are not always immovable.

“Smiley, what is your answer to how this dilemma may be addressed?”

(Happy to help, Bill. The next time she says something like that, your proper response should be, ”Yes, dear. …”)

Life goes on

Jim Carruth, of Lafayette, says, “I called a friend in Erath last weekend and asked how his week had been.

“He said, ‘I just got home from burying two of my dearest friends. I just popped open a bottle of $30 wine, and I am sitting here in my garden and looking at my very first cucumber of the season as the sun is setting over Erath.’

“Folks, if you know someone more Cajun than that, please let me know.”

Me and Heloise

I was surprised the other day when I got a phone call from Heloise, of the “Hints from Heloise” column that runs in The Advocate and many other papers.

She and her husband were traveling through Baton Rouge and had noticed my column on a day I wrote about chicken fried steaks and white gravy, plus other down-home delicacies.

Being from Texas, she is something of an expert on white gravy, and we discussed the virtues of this dish.

We also talked about my mom’s salad — frozen cream cheese and fruit cocktail on a lettuce leaf — and she said she would have to try it.

We had a nice chat, but I realized later I should have made a deal with her while I had her on the line.

I would promise not to run any helpful household hints if she promised not to run any Boudreaux and Thibodeaux stories. …

As the Spirits move

Tom Boone, of Gonzales, joins our search for a new name for the New Orleans Hornets:

“I originally suggested this name for the still non-existent New Orleans professional baseball team.

“The Hornets should become the New Orleans Spirit with a ghost for a mascot.

“Also, the name could be plural — the New Orleans Spirits — with dual mascots, a ghost and a bottle of booze.

“Yeah, that’s the ticket. …”

Highway heroes

Karen Loden says, “I was driving on Airline Highway on my way to Woman’s Hospital for some tests when my car stopped at Cedarcrest and Airline.

“There were a couple of cars behind me, and both drivers got out and helped push my car out of the way.

“I don’t recall the man’s name, but the woman who helped was Shonda, with her mother, Florence, who lives in Donaldsonville.

“She also was going to Woman’s Hospital for tests, and drove me there so I was on time.

“I am very grateful I live in a community with such caring people — these are just a few of the very special people in our town.”

Shoot to Heal

That’s the name of a unique photo shoot by Touch of Class photography along with Fealing Good Productions.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, area photographers will gather at the Alaska Street Gym, 3014 Alaska St., to shoot photos for $10 each with proceeds donated to the family of Trayvon Martin, the Florida teenager recently shot and killed.

Participants are asked to wear hoodies, and a collage of the photos will be sent to the family.

There will be performances by local and regional artists, vendors etc.

Call Shelia Simmons at [phone] or Kerwin Fealing at [e-mail].

Yearbooks don’t lie

Dale J. Landry has another reunion mishap story:

“For years now I have been receiving newsletters, invitations, salutations and congratulations about my ‘graduation’ from Redemptorist High.

“Even after my wife explained to the school that I’m from New Orleans and went to Archbishop Rummel, they said it has to be true — because I’m in the yearbook.”

Thought for the Day

From Marvin Borgmeyer: “It’s bad to act like a fool, but it’s worse if you are not acting!”

Inquiring Minds Dept.

Our Health Question of the Week comes from Joe Guilbeau, of Plaquemine:

“If a jelly doughnut has fruit in it, does that make it healthy?”

Aging process

Ernie Gremillion says, “You know you’re getting old when you get an invitation to a retirement party for the person who replaced you when you retired.”

Write Smiley at [e-mail]. He can also be reached by fax at [phone] or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.