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.

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021!

Posted Tuesday, December 29, 2020, at 2:07 PM

The year 2020 is finally at end

With none of us feeling sorrow.

We’ve many fears to settle, lives and hearts to mend,

Hope for a brighter tomorrow.

* * * * *

We welcomed the decade with pomp and circumstance,

Expecting fun and health and wealth,

Hailing a past century with costumes and dance,

Pandemic approaching with stealth.

* * * * *

Ripley County was grateful for post-flood progress -

Roads, bridges, business rebounded -

“Pandemic proportions” aptly described our mess.

Optimistic plans abounded.

* * * * *

The luck of the Irish didn’t quite protect us,

After St. Patrick’s Day in March

Life became unpredictable and horrendous.

By COVID-19 we were starched.

* * * * *

We quarantined in mystery and confusion,

Worried and masked and sanitized.

Our shortages a convoluted allusion?

Alone, who could be energized?

* * * * *

Sickness and death, countless affected by COVID.

2021? New, improved

To ease sad memories haunting and myriad.

New perspectives, vaccines approved,

* * * * *

Dedicated local leaders, we say ‘Thank you!”

To essential workers - the same!

With hope we look forward to a year that’s brand new,

2020’s out of the game!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!