"On the way home, I used to glance at the gators in small ponds next to Interstate 10 between Paris Road and La. 11.
"I always wanted to stop to get a closer look. One day I did stop and pull over in the grass. I went between a bridge railing and fence down a muddy embankment to the pond.
"When I saw a gator about 3 feet long roughly 25 yards away, I swished a small branch in the water.
"I thought he would just start swimming toward me. No, he literally ran on top of the water toward me!
"I took off up the muddy embankment, falling in the mud, using my hands and feet, clawing my way up as fast as I could go.
"When I reached the top, I was shaking, out of breath, and nervously giggling at myself, realizing how I must have looked. I probably could have won 'funniest video' and 'stupidest video' all in one. I'm done with gators!"
No more pranks!
My anti-snake-story readers should know this isn't a snake story, but a roommate story:
Bo Bienvenu, of Prairieville, says, "When I was a freshman at LSU in 1963 I lived in West Stadium, where we were assigned roommates.
"I found out the hard way that no matter how obnoxious your roommate is, if he is bigger and meaner than you, it is not a good idea to short-sheet him and put a garter snake in the sheets."
Hero in the water
Julius R. Tipton III, of Baton Rouge, says, "Embedded in an article in Friday's Advocate Sports section is a reminder of the importance of teaching and learning swimming skills.
"This sparked a treasured memory of my father. Julius R. Tipton Jr. enlisted in the Navy and served as a swimming instructor for sailors.
"Among the skills he taught was how to stay afloat in the event of a sinking ship.
"After the end of World War II, he received numerous letters from sailors who credited his training for their survival.
"Heroism is measured with different metrics. In my opinion, my father was a true World War II hero."
Special People Dept.
- Nolan "Country" Ruiz, of Plaquemine, celebrates his 100th birthday Wednesday, May 8. He is a World War II veteran and POW. He was the owner/operator of Country's Cafe in Plaquemine for 42 years.
All that glitters …
Quintin Gustin Jr., of Baton Rouge, says, "Recent columns on college mascots reminded me of an interesting factoid:
"The University of Minnesota’s 'Golden Gopher' mascot isn’t a gopher at all, but rather a '13-lined ground squirrel.'
"I think 'Minnesota Golden 13-Lined Ground Squirrels' has a certain ring to it. Geaux Squirrels!"
Write Smiley at smiley@theadvocate.com. He can also be reached by mail at P.O. Box 2304, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.
