Dear Smiley: Your stories about strong women reminded me of a story my paternal grandmother told.
She was descended from the Van Hoosier family that settled in the New York area from the Netherlands. After the Revolutionary War, one of our ancestors moved his family to the mountains of Tennessee.
They were a few days away from the nearest supply store.
As they were running low on salt, and lead to make their bullets, my great (too many greats to count) grandfather took their mule for the long journey.
A couple of nights later, my great (too many to count) grandmother heard a bear outside the door.
She melted the lead, made bullets, opened the door and shot the bear!
By the time her husband came home, she had dressed the bear, butchered it, and used the last of her salt to preserve it.
I tell my daughters and granddaughters, we should all be so brave!
REDEAN PARSONS
St. Francisville
Thanks, Rev
Dear Smiley: In a recent article you referred to a man who said "quenseconses" when he meant "consequences."
This is a spoonerism, named after the Rev. William Archibald Spooner (1844-1930), British clergyman and educator known for using them.
When my son Darryl was a little boy and wanted to show us he didn't need any help doing something, he would say he would do it "all my byself."
SANFORD WOOD
Eunice
Worth an A
Dear Smiley: When I was in college, I put off taking Speech 101 until my senior year, because I was very shy.
My father suggested I choose spoonerisms as the topic for my first speech.
So I gave this example: A very shy usher in a church was faced with a problem. A couple sat in seats reserved for other parishioners.
The nervous usher approached the couple and said to the wife, "Mardon me, padom, but you are occupewing the wrong pie. If you would like I can sew you to another sheet."
I made an A for that speech!
DIANE SABATIER HEBERT
Lafayette
No insult intended
Dear Smiley: When my daughter Vicki was a teenager, she worked at a nearby theater.
One day, her boss asked if she would like to take inventory when the show was closed. She said she would, and she asked her little sister, Julie, to go with her.
As they were taking inventory, Julie asked Vicki, “Why does your boss call you 'Miss Fish Head?'"
Vicki laughed and said, “He’s not calling me Miss Fish Head. He’s saying, 'Miss Efficient.'"
BEVERLY BULLIGAN
Kenner
Welcoming place
Dear Smiley: There is a relatively new Louisiana welcome center on Interstate 10 as one travels from Texas into Louisiana.
It is quite nice, with clean restrooms, lots of literature and free Community Coffee. The building is beautiful, with huge window walls on the rear that look out onto a lake.
Elevated walking paths are along the water’s edge, picnic tables abound, and there is ample parking for trucks and cars.
I recommend a stop for Louisiana natives returning home to stretch their legs, use the restroom and enjoy a free cup of coffee. My fellow citizens would be proud that we have such a welcoming center.
JEAN HAYDEL
River Ridge
One cool mom
Dear Smiley: With Mother's Day approaching, I remembered this definition:
"Sweater: Something you wear when your mother is cold."
I also have a public service announcement:
"Don't forget to pick up a bottle of wine for your mother. After all, you're the reason she drinks."
ALGIE PETRERE
Central