Smiley Anders for July 24, 2012

I know you’re as interested in how I spent my vacation as I am in how you spent yours.

But anyhow.…

After a couple of days at our usual vacation site — Bubba’s Exxon, Motel, Bistro and Bait Shop in Back Brusly — we were invited to join a family vacation in Gulf Shores, Ala.

(Finally, fathering children is beginning to yield some benefits. …)

I figure any vacation where you don’t have to pack socks is a good one. And this one was.

After days of fine dining on cobia, grouper, flounder, scallops and other sea creatures (with a mandatory stop for Krystal burgers), I ceased eating long enough to look around.

And I noticed that vacationers seemed to be wearing only two types of college T-shirts, caps, etc. — promoting either Alabama or LSU.

And my admittedly cursory survey found more Tiger than Tide gear on the beach. (There was a lot of Saints gear also.)

Abita beer and Community Coffee were readily available; one seafood market had a big sign advertising crawfish, and Cajun accents were common among the sun-worshipers.

Which made me proud to wear my tiger-striped thong. …

High on the hog

It’s just not fair …

I was driving to work on Perkins Road one Friday morning and there it was — big red letters on the electronic sign at Po-Boy Express, flashing “BACON, BACON, BACON. …”

Since I’d been on something of a health kick (this was before my vacation pig-out), I figured I had enough willpower to resist the message.

But the next day in Main Street Market I walked by the stand operated by Cutrer’s Meat Market of Kentwood, and the big red letters on a two-pound package jumped out at me: “BACON.”

Can anybody tell me — is a BLT considered a vegetable?

Lonnie’s night

For many years Lonnie Hunter has been an integral part of the brain trust that gives us the Spanish Town Mardi Gras Parade and
Ball.

Lonnie’s battling cancer now, so his cohorts are putting on a benefit in his honor.

Bill Brumfield says it’ll be from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday at the Bald Eagle bar on Main Street, formerly the Thirsty Tiger:

“Gary Brown at the Bald Eagle says he will donate 5 percent of sales to assist Lon in his fight.”

Jim Work says it will be “a gathering of friends to share some quality time with Lonnie.”

It’ll also be a “Spanish Town Photo Swap,” so Jim asks you to “bring any photos or other prizes from any past magic moments, no matter how embarrassing they may be.”

Embarrassing stories about Lonnie are also welcome. … Because, as the saying goes, we only roast the ones we love.

Damp fine birthday

Winston Vass says Haskell Douglas celebrated his 70th birthday July 15 with a rather unique feat:

“To prove he still had it, he swam across False River.

“He figured he could do it in 25 minutes. He did it in 20.”

(Senior Games officials, take note!)

Thank-you notes

Anthony Summers, of Port Allen, who was injured in an accident, thanks those who took part in a blood drive for him July 2-3:

“Although I did benefit from it, the drive was also able to benefit the community at a time when there is a shortage of blood.”

Special People Dept.

• G.W. Richardson, of Gonzales, a World War II veteran, celebrated his 93rd birthday Saturday.
• Mabel Boudreaux Andermann celebrated her 90th birthday July 14.
• On Wednesday Barbara Mosely Voisin celebrated her 90th birthday.
• Don and Millie Broussard, of Lafayette, celebrated their 69th anniversary Friday.
• Nelta and George Dickinson, of Lakeland, celebrated their 64th anniversary Sunday.
• Margaret and Joseph Allen “B.B.” Reine, of Baker, celebrated their 60th anniversary July 15.
• Velma and Earl Mix, of New Roads, celebrated their 58th anniversary Wednesday.

A riotous reading

Janet Burtt says, “My husband Richard is a sports trivia genius.

“On a recent visit to Walk-Ons he noticed a jersey with the nickname inscribed on the back, ‘The riot.’

“It wasn’t until he hit the parking lot that he figured it out — Theriot!

“I told him he’d better tell that story to the family first, as it was too good not to post in your column.”

The best ole boy

Recently Dudley Lehew, of Denham Springs, claimed a “good ole boy” designation by celebrating his 25th anniversary by taking his wife in his pickup to Sam’s Club, where he bought her a membership, gold earrings, pecans, a
melon and some “gourmet turkey lunch meat,” whatever that is.

Mike Eldred, of Tylertown, Miss., tells Dudley: “My friend, you almost achieved ‘good ole boy’ status, but blew it with the gold earrings. They sell deer feeders and barbecue pits, you know.”

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.