And they wonder where mom gets gray hair

"Hey, Mom," isn't that always good to hear. "I've done it now," continued the voice at the end of the line late last Friday evening (and also too late to get into Sunday's article. "Uh, oh, now we're in trouble," I answered. Then the laughter began to let me know what's been done can't possibly be all that bad…or was it?

"Mom, I've decorated the entire place for Halloween," said my son, known as Hammer. (Which should tell you something.) "I have tombstones and skeletons hanging in the trees and have even rented a fog machine…" "Uh, huh, I'm listening," while still awaiting the fall of the ax. "Well, I've also got this huge ugly skull, that happens to fit my head nicely," he said. "And my cousin Robbie decided to give a bunch of eleven year olds a hayride way out here to see the house. (Now, he begins to talk very fast.) "I waited until I saw the wagon start up the drive and slipped out to the barn and put the skull on and then…and then, I started a chain saw and stepped out of the barn…

"You should have seen those kids jump from that wagon and run toward the house," he laughed. "So, I slipped the skull back off and ran around the back side of the house; entered the back door, grabbed a bowl of candy and went to the front door to give it out. They kept trying to push their way into the house and I told them it didn't seem they were interested in the candy. "No, sir," they said. "We just want to know where that chain saw dude is!"

"So, mom, I've got a new nickname!" exclaimed this son who has kids half grown of his own. "I'm now the Chain Saw Dude of Purdy Community!," (Purdy is a remote community south of Lindsay, Oklahoma and so remote even the last general store has been closed for years.) "Oh, heaven forbid, son, I'm really worried about your reputation." (And thank God, it wasn't anything worse.) "Did you take any pictures?" "Oh, I'll get you one mom - of the dude!" (Just what I always wanted a picture of my son wearing a skull and wielding a chain saw. Guess I'll frame it anyway.)

Speaking of trouble, during the meeting of the Kilgore Ministerial Alliance

held last week, Pastor Johnny Williams of Victory Road Baptist Church was overheard to say he had really shocked his congregation during their fall fest held on the evening of the 31st. "I dressed for the occasion," he laughed. "And I could tell by their faces it was quite unexpected," he said.

"I can't really explain to you how he was dressed," said Jerome Denmon. " I couldn't get past the long black hair. I can tell you it was our first fall fest and it was very successful. It was a lot of fun!"

Bill, Clare and Chris West recently journeyed to Norman, OK to attend Homecoming Activities at OU. And what a weekend it was, reports the Wests! "Bill is originally from Ponca City and is a 1959 graduate of OU. His was one of the classes honored at the Homecoming Weekend and during the Alumni dinner Medallion Ceremony, he was presented with a gorgeous medallion commemorating his 50 year graduation anniversary," said Clare. We also attended an alumni luncheon and enjoyed hearing OU President David Boren as the luncheon speaker. "The president is the former governor and senator from Oklahoma," added Clare. "Each grad was given an autographed copy of Boren's book and had photos taken with him for each class. Capping off the weekend was the "Boomer Bash" on Saturday and then the football game with a "win" over Kansas. It was a wonderful weather and a wonderful weekend, " she said.

Wonderful was the chili luncheon termed another huge success and the soup and pie luncheon this week at St. Luke's United Methodist Church. With food this good, I'm beginning to feel like Rachel Ray sampling everywhere I turn. Don't forget the Fall Bazaar being held Thursday and Friday, November 13-14. Talk about some home cooking - save me some chicken and dumplings ladies!

Have a good week and be sure to send your stories in to us. We can be reached at 903-984- 2593 or at chitchatlinda@aol.com.

In the meantime, May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout The Week.