Smiley and Friends

South Louisiana (New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, etc.) has been called an alternate universe, and it's hard to argue with that characterization. A rowdy port city, a capital city that gets rowdy during legislative sessions, and the gateway to Cajun country, where rowdiness is a way of life: these three cities and the unique land and water around them abound with stories. And for more than 40 years, Smiley Anders, columnist for The Advocate newspapers, has been putting his special spin on life "down there." His daily items columns bring laughter to his devoted readers, with Cajun jokes and assorted "groaners." They can also bring tears -- this collection of column items from 2001-2010 include stories dealing with 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. Welcome to south Louisiana, the world of Smiley and his rowdy friends.