Hurricane Isaac is long gone but is still causing a stink over on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. I thought you might be interested even though this has nothing to do with Alvin or any of his relatives. It seems that a couple, ‘Nuthaniel and Nukari Nutria’, started a family recently and it numbered 18,000 off spring, pre hurricane.

Nutria are semi aquatic swamp like rats, also called river rats. They are herbivores, the only member of its Family and an invasive species from South America. When Isaac left Mississippi, he left behind the 18,000 dead nutrias on beaches and floating in the water. Each and every one of them has the same beach address and  ACORN is registering them as democrats in time to vote in November.

When Hurricane Gustav, 2008, blew through it left behind a similar situation and many workers cleaning up the decaying mess got sick. Now the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has hired a contractor to collect the carcasses and dispose of them in a public landfill as garbage.

Nutria are known for their high quality pelts and are referred to as the ‘Guilt Free  Fur’ since the rodent is so despicable. Fine women’s hats and coats are made from the pelts but Tony in El Paso has no use for them. Since they are in rather poor condition, I recommended that the contractor contact the makers of UGG® Shoes and Boots. They are also pretty despicable, too. But that’s just me!

The only reason I put this story in stems from the fact that it gives me a chance to talk a little baseball. You see, the SF Giants are now 5 ½ games ahead, 28 games left, of the dreaded LA Dodgers. Dodger management tried to buy a championship, like the hated Yankees, when they acquired a majority of the Red Sox cast offs recently. Magic Johnson and Phil Mickelson, new owners, have more money than they know what to do with and are trying to show off.

What does this have to do with the river rats? Sacramento’s baseball team is the River Cats! Watch out rats! Actually, I can’t remember if ‘Cats’ are felines or fish. Who cares anyway? Well it seems ‘the dead rats in the middle of the beach’ are in Waveland, MS and the bleachers on the rooftops are across the street from Wrigley Field, on Waveland Avenue in Chicago. That is the home of the,  hexed by a billy goat, Chicago Cubs. Hmmmmm you say! But that’s another story!

Today is September 10 and is the son’s birthday. Last year when Jon turned 40 his wife Caroline put together a big deal party at one of the rooftop establishments. Tons of family, from both sides, and friends  showed up to slap Jon on the back and wish him well. He, by the way, enjoyed and savored it all. You can watch the game from the bleachers or inside on big screen TV’s, you decide. I don’t remember who the Cubbies played or who won, but who cares? But that’s just me!     Happy birthday, Jon!

All the burgers and dogs grilled to specification as you watch, beer or pop you can drink and desserts you can consume are included in the price of admission. Reservations are advised. The kid says the cost is as good as or better than across the street where you buy each thing individually and pay inflated MLB prices.

If you ever get a chance to go to a Cub’s game in Chicago, please consider the rooftop extravaganza; it is fun!!! Usually you can only trust me about as far as you can throw a bull by the tail, but this is the real deal!!! Trust me!!!

Go Giants! Zip boom bah! Buster Posey for President!