A "language barrier" story from Gwen Briggs, of Abita Springs:
"Last year, my family went to Greece and Italy for our 50th anniversary and our daughter's 40th birthday.
"I have a hard enough time mastering the English language, so I really have given up on other languages.
"Every morning the locals would say, 'Kalamera,' which is 'Good morning' in Greek. My response was always 'Calamari.' Hey, close enough, right?
"The Greeks are such lovely and gracious people. They would nod and smile. I wonder if they knew I was saying 'squid' or just had a really bad accent.
"My daughter thought it was so hilarious she had me a mug engraved with: 'Calamari=squid' on one side and 'Kalamera=good morning' on the other. She will not let it go."
Baseball business
I'm not sure about the financial agreements, but I assume LSU baseball gets a few bucks for allowing businesses to claim to be the Tigers' "official" brand.
Alex "Sonny" Chapman, of Ville Platte, says some of these partnerships are quite unexpected:
"A few weeks ago, while listening to an LSU baseball game on the radio, I heard there was an official hospice sponsor.
"I was a little taken aback, even though I have tremendous respect for hospice services.
"I just heard on a more recent radio broadcast that there is also an official LSU baseball tequila. Cheers!"
Surviving youth
We've devoted considerable space lately to tales of dangerous activities of kids in earlier years — from games with BB guns, slingshots, knives, etc.
Mariano Hinojosa, of Baton Rouge, sums up our "hazardous games" stories:
"During a recent visit, my 45-year-old son asked me how I became so wise. I told him I got to be old and wise because God protected me when I was young and stupid."
Defending Mom
Jackie Carnes says, "Our whole extended family, all 12 of us, were out to dinner. The server asked if we'd saved room for dessert.
"My younger son, then 6, said, 'Mom, you better not eat dessert; you'll get fat!'
"My younger daughter, then age 4, came to my defense with an indignant gasp, and said, 'My mommy's not fat; just old!'
"I laughed so hard I almost choked, and it became a family legend. Just over 20 years later, that line still makes me laugh."
Special People Dept.
- Paul Henry Demouy and Trudy Demouy, of Gonzales, celebrate 50 years of marriage Saturday, May 18. She is the former Trudy Balden, of Baton Rouge. He has been a carrier of The Advocate for 45 years.
- Camille and John Martin, of Thibodaux, celebrate their 50th anniversary Saturday, May 18. They met when he was an LSU freshman in 1971. She was a senior at Slidell High. She is a retired special education teacher; he retired in sales from Lance Inc.
- Rufus and Karen Savoie, of Belle Rose, celebrate 50 years of marriage Saturday, May 18.
Nurses rule!
"My wife Gayle picked up 4-year-old grandson Tucker and his little sister Millie from day care," says J.B. Castagnos, of Donaldsonville.
"Tucker said one of his teachers fell off a ladder while working on a banner.
"Gayle asked if she had to see the doctor.
"He said, 'Worse — she had to see the nurse!'
"His mother and both grandmothers are nurses."
Fowl bawl
From Earl Newman, of Baton Rouge: "I have a friend who has never been visited by the bluebird of happiness, but has been frequently visited by the chicken of depression."