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.

Battling the Gray-Sky Blues

Posted Wednesday, April 29, 2020, at 5:22 PM

Sergeant DaVinci

I have flipped every switch and turned on every lighted appliance in every room. For some reason Mother Nature has taken a hankerin' to a dark shade on her beloved sun lamp. Time to redecorate, Ma'am! And time for ME to signal the troops.

When we have too many cloudy, dreary days in a row, covid-19 or no covid-19, this scout declares war on gray-sky blues. Before the lights settled in on the front lines, I gathered equipment used in dire situations. Among the items in my pack is a full-spectrum daylight bulb that helps, whether scientifically or through the placebo-effect. (Does it matter)? That staved off the enemy while I searched for handy reinforcements.

First, a uniform that might seem to make me a conspicuous target. I donned the brightest boldest tie-dyed tee I own. Motivation booster - imperative in this struggle. There are a lot of us in the boomer-hippie army, so I am sufficiently camouflaged.

Second - the timeless weapon - music. I have to be strategic here. Music too loud might convey I am desperate and vulnerable, which could rally the opponent's troops. Music too soft or too melancholy or too reminiscent of carefree days could lead to retreat. There is a time for retreat to the bunkers, but not today. Instead I will march to tunes upbeat with a classic rock rhythm yet without a steady stream of too-familiar lyrics. (99.1 KQJN - LP provides great backup). Gotta stay on my toes and alert for any movement by the enemy and strike first. Timing matters in this fight.

A third surprise element in this battle is the housecat, at times unnervingly wary and at other times deceitfully calm. This soldier is emulating Sergeant DaVinci. Fake it till I make it, and curl up in the foxhole for a nap when necessary.

This mission relies on my scouting abilities regardless of the weather accompanying the darkened skies. I am prepared. Bring it on, Mother Nature. I will be here when the sun returns.

"Every light in the house is on

Just in case you ever do get tired of being gone

Every light in the house is on..." Lyrics by Kent Robbins, Recorded by Trace Adkins