Kliebert's Alligator Farm

We checked off one more thing on our "Louisiana To Do" list today when we went to the Kliebert's Alligator Farm in Hammond. We joined a tour in progress, because we didn't want to wait for another hour for the next one. The first pond we passed was full of turtles--about 500 of them--but all you could see were little black heads popping out of the water. It wasn't a great picture so it didn't make the blog.

As we were passing the pond we smelled probably the #1 worst stench we've experienced since arriving in LA. It's was a dead alligator's rotting carcass in the next pond, and it makes me gag just thinking about it. I certainly wasn't going to stand in that nauseatingly repulsive spot long enough to take a picture!

You'll notice that every pond is a lovely shade of green. (It reminded me of when we picked Ryan up from his mission in Mexico. One of his favorite families took us on a picnic, and when we arrived I thought, "what a beautiful lawn." Oops! It was the pond--complete with it's own cocodrilo. No bueno!) It's called duckweed and covered every bit of water on the whole property. So, here's the point I'm getting to. Big Easy, the alligator below, came from the back of the pond all the way to the front, without so much as a ripple, to get a chicken snack. There wasn't a sound or movement, and he was so slow that you couldn't even tell he was moving.

Big Easy--the stealthy 57 year old alligator

Our tour guide--I don't know if the hand is a result of working at an alligator farm, but it would certainly make a good story:)

"Say Ahh!"

Notice the back of his throat is completely closed off by the palatal valve which closes to keep water out of his throat, stomach and lungs when .he's submerged. This is part of the rather unique "air tight" system of a gator. Also they can stay underwater for lengthy periods of time. One of the longest the guide knew of was 24 hours.

Big Easy is one of the 250 eggs that hatched here in 1957. All 250 gators are still living there, but we certainly didn't see them.

Just another relaxing day in paradise

So, a gator will  catch it's food but then has to turn it's head sideways to swallow. I'm pretty sure there was no chewing going on in the process.

I must say, this was a great shot of gator X swallowing his chicken. 

The gator on the right is Crush, who is very territorial. He has his own "space" and doesn't allow other males in his private neighborhood. However, he does allow up to 5 or 6  females to enter.

Part of Crush's domain

This is what becomes of male intruders who enter Crush's territory--seriously! This WAS a 13' gator.

The capture

Eyes, Ears, Mouth and Nose--all parts of the same airtight system.
Alligators have 2 sets of eyelids. The outer ones are like human eyelids and close top to bottom. The inner lids are clear and close from back to front. While gators are kicking back or swimming the inner eyelids protect their eyes and still allow them to see underwater. 

Flaps close off the ears and nostrils from water

Yep! That's where you need to aim your .22 if you want gator steaks and a new  wallet, belt and handbag. If you use a larger caliber it will probably ricochet of his or her very armor-like skull.

Gumbo the Crocodile--notice the pointy snout, unlike the rounded one of an alligator

"The better to eat you with, my dear!" Serious teeth.

The Yellow Alligator which I know nothing about nor could find anything except folklore. I was still taking pictures of the crocodile and missed whatever was said about this guy:(

The last "to-do" on my Louisiana Bucket List. Supposedly he weighs about 50 lbs. I never picked up 50 lbs. that easily, so my guess is more like 30.

Rearranging Some Elders

There were some changes in the mission, literally, from the northwest corner to almost the southeast corner.Nice they could come into Baton Rouge to make part of the switch.

Elder Barney, Elder Schaffer, Elder White and Elder Murhula

These geese go to be as early as I do!

We've driven down Sherwood Forest many times, but I never remember to ask Marc to turn into the business driveway in time, and you certainly can't just stop on that nightmare street just because you want a picture of the Canada Geese. (Yes, Michael, I remembered they're Canada, not Canadian, Geese!)  Today, probably because of the massive, slowly moving traffic, there was enough warning to make the turn without someone running into our back side. Just a week or two ago the 2 little goslings were about half the size they were today. And there were a lot more. Maybe there are gators in the pond. I think there are gators in every body of water in Louisiana that's larger than a bathtub.

Spanish Exchange

The Office Elders helped the Spanish Elders move a lady today. She cooked gumbo for them so Elder Drollinger and Elder Page brought some for the OE's lunch. Elder D and Elder P are on exchanges, and they both go home next month. Our Spanish elders are really taking a hit.

I had a really fun phone call today from Carol Olsen. She and her husband, Brent, were the previous office couple and our trainers. They're on vacation in Kauai with the Wall's and were able to see Katherine Stennett and her family last night. She said they were thinking about us and that our mission is coming to an end soon so just called to say "Hi!"

Office Visitors

Elder Lauper and I were reminiscing yesterday about our first day in the MTC. It wasn't just a random thought but came about because the new office couple entered the MTC yesterday. We laughed at how exhausted we were while we were there. On the first full day of classes (Tuesday) we were fed spiritually and physically, but by the time we finished dinner, which was probably 5:30 or 6, we thought we were going to die from exhaustion. I'm sure we were asleep by 8:30. Wow, have things changed! We did receive an email from the MTC yesterday asking us which programs we use here so the Lawes will be specifically trained in those areas. That is such a relief since we'll only have about 2 weeks with them.

It's always fun to have exchanges and see what new faces, or ones we don't see very often, come into the office.

Elder Mills, one of the Zone Leaders in New Orleans, was on exchanges with Elder White, the Senior AP. The other AP, Elder Murhula, stayed in New Orleans with Elder Mill's companion, Elder Jean Louis,.

Sister Ochs, one of the Baton Rouge Sister Trainers, will be in Plaquemine with Sister King. Sister O's grandma is the California Redlands Mission Secretary, but she's living at home and doing a service mission. 

We're always happy to have our Baton Rouge Spanish Sisters, Sister Jewett and Sister Roberts, stop by.  They'll both be released in July. 

"Stop It!"

We had an excellent Sacrament Meeting this morning, but I especially enjoyed hearing from our Branch President, Pres. Hebert. He talked about need to not gossip and used some quotes that I just want to mention.

"The scriptures warn us against gossiping. The Psalmist said it simply: Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. (Psalms 34:13)"

Elder Spencer W. Kimball wrote: "Lies and gossip which harm reputations are scattered about by the four winds like the seeds of a ripe dandelion help aloft by a child. Neither the seeds nor the gossip can ever be gathered in. The degree and extent of the harm done by the gossip is inestimable. (The Miracle of Forgiveness, 54)"

"President Gordon B. Hinckley has said, the snide remark, the racial slur, hateful epithets, malicious gossip, and mean and vicious rumor-mongering should have no place among us."

By avoiding gossip, stopping it when it starts, and turning the other cheek when someone gossips about us, we set an example for others. These actions also help us as a society to be of "one heart and one mind" (Moses 7:18) and as individuals to be worthy to return to live with our Heavenly Father.

And, of course, who can forget President Uchtdorf's 2 word sermon (which he expounded on)?
"STOP IT!"

These are great words to remember.

New Cookies!

Today I made a "new" cookie recipe. This is entirely too long, but I call them the "use up everything you can't take home" cookies. There weren't enough chocolate chips, so they also have heath chips, and chocolate covered raisins. The next round will be oatmeal raisin with raisins, golden raisins and dried cranberries.

No, we aren't eating them all! The office elders got a bunch when they came to figure out why the scanner wasn't working. The rest of the dough will be frozen in rolls to bake for whoever needs them in the next few weeks.

Las Hermanas

Las Hermanas Bailey and McClendon were in Baton Rouge today and stopped at our apartment for a quick visit before driving back to Houma. They're a long way from home but say that the drive is very scenic and beautiful. Too bad they have to go back in the dark.

Hma. M goes home to AZ next transfer, and Hma. B leaves 2 transfers later. I remember when they first arrived, and it doesn't seem like that long ago. Time flies! We're losing so many of our Spanish speaking missionaries. The hermana numbers should be okay, but we aren't getting very many Spanish elders coming in. No Bueno!