Several years ago, my husband, Roy, and I served as volunteers for a month at Cape Lookout. Our specific assignment was to run the Keeper’s Quarters Museum. The museum occupied the first floor of the structure built in 1873, while our living space was on the second.

Our duties were simply to greet visitors and answer any questions they might have. Unless there was inclement weather, we generally sat on the front patio which faced the lighthouse approximately 50 yards away. There were long benches so visitors could rest up after hiking, chow down on bag lunches, or simply wait for family members to return from their lighthouse climb.

One particular day there were easily two dozen visitors on the patio with us. One gentleman several feet away loudly asked, “How often do they repaint the lighthouse?”

Well, let me tell you, I had actually been waiting for this question. I was absolutely thrilled! But I contained my excitement, and without missing a beat, quickly answered the query. “Actually, that is one of the duties that my husband and I are tasked with. We painted it just last week.”

This prompted no less than 6 people to gaze upon me with unabashed admiration. I could have basked in the limelight or even fabricated lies regarding the painting specifics, but I just couldn’t do it. Anyway, my husband is famous for beating me to the punchline, so I thought I’d better get on with it.

I told the visitor who was still looking on in amazement, “I was joking.” Everybody had a good laugh.