Raindrops keep falling on my head
CHITCHAT CORNER
LINDA K. BALLARD

"FORGET the raindrops, she's got squirrels falling on her head and she is in a frantic," exclaimed the voice at the end of the phone. "I'm heading over there right now," he said.

Wednesday afternoon Janie Finney innocently steps out her door and heads to her laundry room that is located in a separate building from the house. Just as she starts to step into the room, she felt something hit her head. Needless to say, the basket of clothes went up in the air and Janie began to slap at her head to remove what she first thought had to have been a snake off the arbor. But, when she shook it loose, she discovered it was a baby squirrel and about the time it hit the pavement, her dog grabs it up and runs with it. Janie takes flight trying to prevent the squirrel any further harm, but to no avail, so she gets back to the laundry room and in a state of what she calls a "nervous wreck," attempts to pick up the clothes and pull herself together over the incident, when another squirrel lands on her head.

At this point, Alfred Hitchcock's "The Birds" surely comes to mind and she reaches for the phone to call the one person she knew of to handle the situation properly - Ronnie Spradlin.

Ronnie (who has raised squirrels) arrives on the scene to calm her down and gather up the other little squirrel. He checks the trees and the surroundings and found nothing else, and after assuring Janie all critters were gone, he starts down the driveway to have been stopped abruptly by a sound they both now recognized as the third squirrel!

And you guessed it! Sure enough another one landed and the scramble began again and Ronnie left with more than one to feed.

"Janie was planning on attending the film festival to see 'Man on the Wire,' said Ronnie. "But, after that, she was too wired to go anywhere!"

Janie has since received some invaluable advice about venturing outside, but she claims she won't go anywhere without an umbrella and a beekeeper's hat. Who could blame her…

It may have taken Grace Baptist 30 years to accomplish this, but this last weekend, Pastor Donnie Beebe actually cut his sermon short in order to acknowledge those present who have been beneficial to the growth of Grace Baptist Temple..

"The anniversary celebration went wonderfully," said Jennifer Johnson. A special presentation was given by Pastor Andy Plunk from Grace Gilmer Church. Three skydivers from the Gladewater Municipal Airport helped to make this anniversary date special by landing in the field near the church as the congregation was celebrating with a balloon release. Bodacious BBQ catered the event and Mike Pyle, Leroy Chanek, Jerry Smith Family Hardage Family, Player Family and the Neufeld Family held special singing.

Eugene Davis, director of the Kilgore Community Crisis Center, is putting his plea out early. He needs bail! He is going to be locked up on Oct. 24 for Jerry's Kids and MDA. He is counting on you for release. Before jail time, he can be reached at 903-984-3019.

May His Love and Laughter Fill Your Hearts and Your Homes Throughout the Week. In the meantime, I may be reached at 903-984- 2593 or by e-mail at chitchatlinda@aol.com.