Mike Manes, of New Iberia, tells of a 1973 Baton Rouge traffic snarl unlike our recent one, in that it involved livestock.
He got on my good side right away when he said, “I doubt if you remember this, because I’m sure you weren’t old enough to drive. …”
Mike goes on to tell this tale:
“In 1973, a cattle truck overturned on the ramp to the Mississippi River Bridge.
“Cattle fell to their death in the park below; some survived to be captured, and legend has it that some survived only long enough to meet their demise as they wandered through neighborhoods.
“Many of the escapees also were running free on the interstate.
“Most were making better time than the commuters stuck in traffic.
“I suspect more than one or two drunks driving down I-10 that day (drivers were less responsible in those days) looked out their window to see a cow staring back, had a religious experience, poured their remaining whiskey out on the highway and never drank again.
“Rumor had it business fell off at the Patio Lounge for weeks after this incident.
“This is true — no bull!”
Art Christy adds to our recent seminar on fruit juices of the fermented variety:
“One Saturday night, my Sweet Baboo and I took my son and daughter-in-law to Tony Angelo’s, that wonderful Italian eatery in the Lakeview area of New Orleans.
“We ordered the ‘Feed Us,’ where the waiter brings food until you say ‘Enough!’
“He asked what we’d like to drink, and I replied ‘grape juice.’
“He looked quizzical until I explained, ‘cabernet sauvignon.’
“His smile made 20 years of reading your column worthwhile.”
Carolyn Okervall has a question for us:
“As a daily reader of your column, I have often read of the many memories of collecting S&H Green Stamps.
“This has led to a question being asked of me the other day that I cannot answer, so I am deferring to you and your column of faithful readers for the answer:
“Does anyone remember the yellow Top Value Stamps that Winn-Dixie gave out?
“If anyone remembers, do you also remember where we redeemed them and/or how?
“This is one of those mysteries of days gone by that seems to pop up a lot lately.”
Charlene Wolf also has a mystery to be solved:
“It seems to me that I remember from about 40 or more years ago that cable TV was becoming available and that the consumers would pay for the cable service and then we wouldn’t have to watch commercials anymore.
“What happened? Does anyone else recall hearing that?”
David Floyd says the number of visitors to the Rural Life Museum continues to increase, and many of them are from other countries.
“Volunteers/docents bring alive the way of life of our ancestors while serving as tour guides and supporting the museum’s special events. French-, German- and Italian-speaking volunteers are also needed to assist with tours.”
The next training sessions for volunteers will be held Sept. 8 and Sept. 12.
Call the museum at (225) 765-2437 to learn more and register.
Bob Hartman says Raven’s Outreach, a shelter for homeless veterans, needs the following items: dishwashing liquid, laundry detergent, bleach, deodorant, bar soap, toothpaste, and 13-gallon and 55-gallon garbage bags.
Raven’s Outreach is at 1913 North St. Call (225) 300-8642.
From Marvin Borgmeyer: “With political elections coming up, it is interesting to remember an old saying:
“The average congressman’s idea of government waste is a dollar spent in another congressman’s district!”
Doug Treadway says our discussion of wasps reminds him of this painful event:
“My father told me not to run from wasps, as they can only see you when you’re moving — so stand stock still and they won’t sting you, because they can’t see you.
“My experience with that theory?
“A neighbor lady asked me to get rid of yellowjacket nests in her eaves.
“First one, no problem; the second one I got on fire and knocked loose, but my stick caught on it and let it fall way too close for comfort.
“I froze, holding the stick. A yellow jacket flew toward me, but I stood my ground, barely breathing, still as if sighting my long gun and squeezing the trigger.
“The yellow jacket came closer. I blinked.
“After she hit me, I took off running, none of them chasing me that I knew of.
“I only got the one sting right there on my eyelid, but my face swelled up until I looked like an animated basketball.”
Write Smiley at Smiley@theadvocate.com. He can also be reached by fax at (225) 388-0351 or mail at P.O. Box 588, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
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