with Dot Patterson
Greetings from Hickory Corner!
It is getting spooky in Hickory Corner just in time for Halloween. Load up the family and drive by the home of Kenneth and Teresa Burkhead. They have spent hours decorating their house and yard. If you are out driving on Halloween night, drive slow and be alert for children darting out from vehicles as they get excited and may not be paying attention. Whatever way you may be celebrating Halloween this year, remember be safe and have fun!
I always loved making up scary stories for my grandchildren when they were young. Their eyes would get big, and they would scoot a little closer to me. I would get all done and they would say, “Tell another one, granny!” I sure do miss those days! In honor of Halloween, I am sharing a short one I often told:
There was a little old lady that lived across the bottom land from us. Her name was Miss Sophie. She never visited anyone, and nobody ever visited her. Pa said she had a mean dog named Tonka and told us we were never to go near Miss Sophie’s house. People told that Miss Sophie sat on her front porch in her rocking chair all day long with an orange scarf wrapped around her neck, even in the hot summer. One day as I was walking through the woods, I decided to walk her way. It was just getting dark, and as I approached the clearing, I could see her house, which looked like it was about ready to fall down. Sure enough, there sat Miss Sophie on the front porch in her rocking chair with an orange scarf wrapped around her neck. As I walked into the yard, I bravely yelled, “Hello, Miss. Sophie.” She didn’t reply and just looked straight ahead like she didn’t know I was there. Bravely, I stepped up on the porch, and at that same time, her big black dog, Tonka, came running out of the old house barking at me. As I turned to run off the porch, I bumped into Miss Sophie. As I started to fall, I reached out to balance myself, and I accidentally grabbed Miss Sophie’s orange scarf, and HER HEAD FELL OFF! I started screaming and jumped off the porch and ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Tonka was right behind me barking all the way. Once I got safely home, Tonka came up to me wagging his tail, and I realized he wasn’t a mean dog at all. He just wanted to be loved. Later, Tonka and I walked back to the old house where we found Miss Sophie’s head laying in the yard. Tonka just barked and barked at it. That was when I realized that what was sitting on the porch wasn’t Miss Sophie at all, but it was a dummy.
Tick Tock Tick Tock…It is time to fall back! Remember to set your clocks back one hour before you go to bed Saturday night.
Last week, our 12 year old lab, Buddy, crossed over the Rainbow Bridge. Buddy had a long life and spent many happy times following James around. Our other dog, Ruger, sure misses Buddy.
Our son Terry and his wife Jo are here visiting with their dog, Cooper. Ruger and Cooper have been having a good time, running around together, so that has been good. I have had a good time, too, with Terry and Jo. We took a picnic to Beech Lake in Lexington, and Jo has cooked several delicious meals for me. Terry has been cleaning my yard up every day as the leaves continue to fall. As always, I love spending time with my kids.
Remember in prayer: Arlan Porter, Walt and Ann Bennett, Richy Butler, Ladelle Clark, Mildred Smith, Mary Alice and Martha Autry, Ann Morrison, Bonice Martin, Peggy Whitman, Jim Ruth, W.T. Roland, Peggy Lard, Earl Clayton, and William Luttrell. If you would like to add or remove a name to our prayer list, please call me.
If you would like to rent the HCC center for your special event, please call Nancy Patterson at 608-1159.
I apologize for not writing any news last week. It is very difficult to write this column without the help of the readers. Perhaps you would like to share how you celebrated a birthday or anniversary, tell us about a recent trip, something your child or grandchild has done or just any tidbit you would like to share with us. Please call me at 989-3315 with your news or tidbits.
Have a great week and make a plan to vote!
