On the recommendation of one of my sisters, who lent me her copy of Carrying Albert Home: The Somewhat True Story of a Man, his Wife, and her Alligator, written by Homer Hickman. She told me she and her husband enjoyed it.
While reading the book, I reflected on two childhood books, written by Bernard Waber, The House on 88th Street, published in 1962, and his second book, Lyle Lyle Crocodile, published 1965. Albeit, alligators, not crocodiles, were a part of my childhood; they were in the lake we lived on and swam in. These Florida reptiles start out little and become quite large, having one as a pet, maybe a little far-fetched in real life, but it doesn’t mean it’s not possible, as in the story of Carrying Albert Home.
Albert the alligator was a wedding gift to Elsie, given to her by an old beau. Her new husband, Homer, was threatened by Albert more than once. Plus, he was growing and would soon grow out of his bathtub. Elsie loved Albert and Albert loved Elsie, however, Albert did not love Homer. Homer was not too crazy about Albert, but Homer loved Elsie.
Homer knew coal mines of West Virginia were no place to raise an alligator, therefore, Homer and Elsie decided they should take Albert home to Florida, where he came from.
Elsie, a dreamer and adventurer, traveling south was just what she needed, being married to a coal miner and living in a coal mining town made her unhappy. Homer took a leave of absence devoted to making his wife happy. The trip may solve his alligator problem, but he doubted it would resolve his marriage, because he knew Elsie felt he was unsuitable for her. She wanted a different life.
Homer made Albert a traveling bathtub, and they set out with little savings, picnic food, in their Buick, and a pet rooster without a name. This quirky story is about love, acceptance, loss, and humor, with plenty of action in between, including encounters with pirates. The Florida scenes and experiences were particularly nostalgic, given the time frame (post Great Depression) and described places I was familiar with, evoking a sense of sentimentality.
It is a “Somewhat True Story” of a memoir and stories past down in the author’s life about his parents, but I found it to be a convincing story. After all, alligators lived in our bathtub growing up! Didn’t you?
Maybe your family has a story that has been passed down through generations. What is your 'somewhat true story '? Or perhaps you had an unusual pet? I'd love to hear your stories and share in the joy of your unique experiences.
