Not quite a native Ripley Countian - she attended only her last year of high school in Doniphan though she taught in the R-1 system for 32 years - Teresa (Pearson) Lee delights in surprising readers and herself with anecdotal observations of life in general. Maybe you can blame her St.Louis roots for a quirky humor and some slightly-askewed opinions, but never doubt she writes from the heart.

Fingers Crossed

Posted Saturday, September 14, 2019, at 3:12 AM

On this day take great care,

Do very little unless you dare

To beat the odds, to push your luck.

Today better to your couch stay stuck.

You know not to open indoors an umbrella

Otherwise the 13th will be far from stellar!

Should you forget and walk under a ladder,

For sure your day will only get badder.

Avoid stepping on a sidewalk crack

'Cause Mom doesn't want a broken back.

Don't let a black cat cross your path

Or you might not take another bath

Secure your future for the next 7 years

By not dropping a mirror and shedding tears.

Uh-oh! Did clumsy you spill the table salt?

Toss over your shoulder so misfortune you'll halt.

On the 13th knock on all the wood you see

To ward off threats to prosperity.

Over spilt milk you won't find ME crying;

I'm not superstitious, or am I lying?