Oh, deer! A couple weeks ago I was driving merrily along to pick up my daughter from gymnastics. Suddenly a large buck leaped in front of my van. I could see the deer from the tip of its nose to its tail. His timing was terrible and the van slammed into him midflight. The “thud” was horrible. With the van hissing, I drove a half-mile home.

I called my sisters to get our nephew to shoot the deer to put it out of its misery. It was lying in the ditch still alive.

My van was totaled but I was not hurt. Now the challenge is to find another van. My mom, Mary Wessinger, has an extra vehicle we can borrow. Thanks, mom!

CHRISTMAS CRAFTS are future keepsakes. I will post a Christmas keepsake craft each week until Christmas. This week’s is a ribbon ornament. Measure a ribbon as tall as your child. Tie the ribbon into a bow on a hand-made paper ornament, that reads, “This ribbon is special indeed because it’s the exact size as me!” Write the date and year and hang it on your tree.

HELLO, CHRISTMAS shopping adventures! On Dec. 5 the Chapin Baptist Church is having a Tinsel Town Market 10-2 pm.

HELPING OTHERS is a blessing. Many donors helped the Chapin We Care center feed over 900 families Thanksgiving meals.

The Chapin Youth Bassmasters and the community filled a boat with 786 pounds of food and raised $322 for those in need. The donation bin will be at Boland’s Ace Hardware until Christmas.

THE HOLIDAY lights at Saluda Shoals are perfect. The price is $20 a car.

Happy Birthday to Rayleen Hollis, Sherri Eargle, Chrystal Riddle Godfrey, Morgan Chevez, Cresta Haygood, and Matt Barber.