Smiley Anders for July 13, 2012

Gerald Wray, of Pride, says, “Sunday afternoon my wife and I visited her parents, Delmas and Barbara Forbes, in Denham Springs.

“My wife’s brother Randy was telling us the story of how the whole family’s cellphones were cut off because he forgot to put a stamp on the envelope (when he was mailing in the payment).

“He told of the commotion it caused when they cut the phones off at 10:30 p.m.

“His son Drew, who is 19, exclaimed, ‘He sent us back into the Stone Age!’

“Who knew the New Stone Age started in the 1990s, before everyone had a cellphone?”

Good examples

Darleen Wade says, “My nephew was talking with college classmates about their favorite television dad.

“They agreed on Sheriff Andy Taylor (played by the late Andy Griffith).

“My nephew, Pat Wade, wrote a letter to his dad, Doug Wade, about this discussion, and about the integrity and character he had learned from him.

“He also mentioned hearing his grandpa, Jack Wade, say that a man must always keep his word.

“We never know what the next generation is hearing, but I am glad in this case it is integrity and character.”

Music critic

Fred Thomas, of Abbeville, says, “The mention of bagpipers in your column reminds me of why pipers frequently stroll or march while playing:

“They are trying to get away from all of that noise.”

Idle hands

Robert Day says our mention of the saying about “lying down next to work” reminds him of this Spanish proverb:

“How lovely it is to do nothing, and afterwards to rest.”

Grumpy and Andy

After we discussed the word “curmudgeon” as applied to a contributor, Dalekaren added this comment:

“I fell in love with the word ‘curmudgeon’ in high school and loved to use it, though it usually caused upraised eyebrows.

“I would explain it as Grumpy in the Seven Dwarfs — because curmudgeon also implies someone who is lovable despite being irascible.

“The consummate curmudgeon was Andy Rooney.”

Flat nice people

Bob and Grace Craig thank Mr. Knepp and his son, Caleb, for changing their tire when they had a blowout on Perkins Road:

“We crept into a paint store’s parking lot, and their truck turned in beside us.

“We got out to check damage and the young boy came over and told us his father would be right out to help us.

“True to his word, Mr. Knepp got right to work, explaining to Caleb what he was doing every step of the way.

“Within minutes the tire was mounted.

“They refused payment, saying that if they accepted, it wouldn’t be a good deed, so we should ‘Just pass it along.’ ”

Memory lane

Roger says, “As an octogenarian, I was wondering if any old folks out there remember Adams Funeral Home?

“I think it was located on Main or North Street by the tracks.

“No one seems to remember this place. I remember going there when I was a child.”

A check of old city directories found Adams Funeral Home, owned by Iva E. Adams, at 830 Main in 1937.

By the 1946 directory it was owned by Homer C. Adams, and located at 1297 Main.

Since it wasn’t listed in the 1952 directory, it can be assumed it went out of business between 1946 and 1952.

Duffers’ delight

Benny “Piano Man” Fruge announces the 22nd annual Babin Golf Tournament Saturday.

The tourney involves Babins, people kin to Babins and people who just enjoy the company of Babins.

It’s at Copper Mill Golf Club in Zachary, and Benny says this year’s event is dedicated to the memory of Louis and Morris Babin, two long-time participants.

He also says the Babin Boogie Band, fresh off its national tour, will perform.

Special People Dept.

• Irene Morris, of Kentwood, celebrates her 95th birthday Saturday. She writes the “Local Lore and Legends” column for The Kentwood Ledger.
• Agnes All celebrates her 90th birthday Friday.

The fast lane

Dudley Lehew, of Denham Springs, tells of the special treat he had for his wife to mark their 25th anniversary:

“I celebrated by loading her in my pickup truck, driving her over to the new Sam’s Club, giving her a membership, buying her a pair of gold earrings, some gourmet turkey lunch meat, some pecans and a melon and getting her back home in time to watch ‘The Young and the Restless.’

“Am I a good ole boy or what?”

Spoiled rotten

Doug Treadway says, “I saw a bumper sticker that said ‘I want it all and I want it now!’ and told a friend about it.

“She said the rest of the message is ‘I want it free with a lifetime guarantee.’”

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.