My column this week contains some excerpts from columns I wrote four years ago.

Many of my 30 years working disaster insurance claims were spent in the state of Louisiana. And, over that period of time I made friends with several of those fine Cajun residents.

One particular Cajun family has asked me several times to come back at Christmas time. They want me to come and enjoy with them their traditional Cajun Christmas parades. Now, their parades are not like those we have here. They decorate their small boats, which they call pereauxs, with beautiful multi-colored lights and they join in with dozens of others floating up and down the narrow bayous and canals in their community. People from all over attend these unique parades. I keep saying I am going back one more time, but I find myself not traveling like I did in my younger years.

My friends have sent me pictures of their parades and I must say they, indeed, celebrate a most unique Christmas.

I remember working there in the early 1980s and meeting an elderly grandmother of a Cajun family who had a repertoire of unique “remedies for whatever ailed you.” One remedy thwarted sinus problems. It was basically spicy water with a dab of Louisiana peppers that you simply sniffed up your nose to induce sneezing. She said the constant sneezing and warm water opens up the sinus passages bringing instant relief. Of course, you certainly don’t want to do this because of what I write, but always consult your doctor before trying remedies or new medications.

She also gave me a remedy for sore throat. She said take honey and a dab of that salty mix with water and sip lightly until the throat feels better.

In addition, she had a remedy for “fish hook snags.” Many of those folks made their living from fishing and it was not uncommon for those fishermen to hook themselves while angling. She would take a leaf from a plant growing in her yard and soak it in warm salty water. She would then tape and wrap the leaf around the area where the fishhook tore into the skin. After a couple of days she said the skin tear would be completely healed. I don’t know the name of that plant, but if I ever do go back I’m going to find out what it is.

Sadly, I learned a few years ago that kind old lady had passed away. She, those Christmas parades and Cajun hospitality will always remain with me.

In 2008, I wrote about some people and events from 1961 and 1962.

In 1961, Southland telephone Company changed over to the dial system. For years, operators would “punch in” the number you wanted to call. I bet you remember that changeover because we had to refer to our new telephone books to find all those new numbers. It was a contrast to our picking up the phone and hearing those pleasant sounding lady operators say “number please.”

Do you suppose those ladies ever listened in on those conversations? I don’t think so because my wife, who was one of the operators back then, never gave me any indication of “knowing any secrets.” You must understand, I am only jesting. Those were fine, upstanding ladies. And a few of them are still living.

What a wonderful era of all those “number please” operators.

In 1962, Atmore residents pitched in to help tornado victims in Milton, Fla. following a deadly disaster in that Santa Rosa town. A.R Holmes resigned as head coaching position at ECHS and took a similar position in Georgia.

The nation’s No. 1 steam locomotive, “The General,” made an overnight stop here. The train, consisting of an engine, fire car and one coach was said to have been stolen from the South by “Yankees” during the Civil War and used in an attempt to destroy Southern tracks.

In some current happenings, Willie Nelson was charged for pot possession in Texas according to a Yahoo news Web site last Friday.

Did you read about those flying snakes found in Asia? An Internet video shows a snake slithering on the ground then sailing in mid air for about 800 feet. It’s a most unusual discovery, indeed. That video can be found at washingtonpost.com dated Nov. 23.

And, what about all those riots by shoppers trying to stay in line on “Black Friday” shopping. Reports came from several states where arrests were made because some shoppers became unruly. Some were also found with guns in their possession.

A writer for foxsports.com continues to hound Auburn’s prize quarterback Cam Newton. He says Newton, who ran away from reporters following the Tigers amazing, come-from-behind Iron bowl win over Alabama, will be suspended from the program because of apparent misdoings by his father Cecil Newton. I don’t know his source for this report because no other wire services have printed any solid facts to back it up. That writer, who also seems to be down on Auburn too, should write more about Auburn’s tremendous season. Perhaps he just doesn’t like us down here. Most articles written about the Tigers have been very favorable. I’ll certainly be pulling for them to go all way and capture the National Championship. Wouldn’t that be icing on the cake for the state of Alabama to garner back-to-back national champion football teams?

I apologize if these “old columns” are becoming too repetitious. Perhaps in the future we will have to train a younger writer to step in, someone who can write in a more contemporary vein than I do. What’s that saying, You can’t go on forever? I suppose my biggest problem is writing too much about my personal sentimental interests rather than writing about things you are interested in.

More next week.

“….yes it always whispers to me…..those days of long ago…..

Lowell McGill is a historical columnist for The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at exam@frontiernet.net