The Moth ~ For Storytellers (and Writers)


My son knew I would be drawn to this. I am a storyteller, and come from a long line of storytellers, and the older I get, the more I embrace it. 

So, this is a game based on The Moth.

The Moth is a nonprofit organization that celebrates the art and craft of true personal storytelling. 





From the moment I opened the sturdy little box, I felt that jolt of adrenaline, knowing this was going to be fun. We could play it as a game, but none of our adult children felt compelled to share certain stories with Mom at the table. I don't blame them; I wouldn't have either. 

 Instead, my husband suggested using them as writing prompts. 

In the past, I have joined in the writing prompts of Reedsy - excellent for those who want to hone their skills or just to write. I have no intention or desire to write a book (just not talented enough), but I do have a constant urge to write, and I love exploring other avenues. 



If you also have a desire to write and share God's Word, our blog friend and brother in the Lord, Victor, has a new blog and opportunity he would like to share: 






Okay, imagine driving through the rugged and unforgiving landscape of Humboldt County during an illegal marijuana harvest, back in the day. It was a hot, dry day. 

 I had a toddler strapped into his car seat, and my infant nestled in his - peacefully oblivious to the chaos around us. As we navigated the winding roads in my 1971 VW Camper bus (with no air-conditioning), my stomach growled, reminding me that we had run out of cash, were running low on gas, and that this was supposed to be a shortcut back to the Bay Area. 

What were we thinking? Did I mention I was in my early twenties? 





We had one BankAmericard, which no one accepted in these rural areas. 

Just as we reached the summit of a rugged mountain, our brakes started to fail.  There we were, coasting down the steep mountainous dirt road, every twist and turn with the Mad River rushing below. It was terrifying, and I thought for sure we were going to die. 

How did we know we had wandered into an illegal pot grow during harvest? 

 I truly feel there was some compassion shown towards us, influenced by God, even though I had not yet embraced faith. After stopping at a weathered gas station/store/pool hall to find a telephone (that didn't work), we realized we had inadvertently entered yet another restricted area. It seemed to be their main hub, which is why food was unavailable, and the phone lines were down. The locals curiously sized us up. And without any of them speaking a word to us (we just instinctively knew not to say anything to them), a few rough-looking men motioned for us to follow them out and back to the road to lead us to freedom home. 

As we trailed them back to the road, we caught sight of the gun racks in the back window of their trucks, filled with shotguns. 

We dodged a bullet, literally!


The drive down to Garberville was still harrowing - it was dark, and we were not on a highway for hours, and finally we hit 101 - and a gas station, and lo and behold, they took the BankAmericard. 


All in all, the whole ordeal took us nearly 18 hours to get home. 





✅At the time, I didn't think we would make it out of there. 

✅My heart was definitely racing 

✅Absolutely out of my comfort zone





Well, that was fun.  We'll see if I actually get inspired by these prompts for future posts. 

Anyway, don't forget to check out Victor S E Moubarak's post on his blog Time for Reflections. Our blogger friend, Martha, has already posted on the Christian Lounge. Go check it out! 

That's all I have for today. 

May you all enjoy your evening and have a blessed Sunday. 

Debby






 

Comments

  1. Replies
    1. I love to listen to other people's stories, too.

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  2. Wow that was some trip. So glad you made it home and that someone took your card. I am not sure what I would have done in your shoes. Janice

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    1. I was young and very concerned about my babies. I was also extremely mad at my ex, who used to go off the beaten path. I was braver than he was!

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  3. I love the tale of your adventure. I think that this is going to give you lots of enjoyment telling your stories.

    God bless.

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  4. What a story! God was really watching over you!

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    Replies
    1. He knitted me in my mothers womb - so yes He was watching over me.

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  5. That was quite the adventure! One of my friends worked for the forest service on a fire crew in his younger days and he told me that any tiime they came across any pot farms they were to immediately back the heck out of there. Very often trip wires were set up and you could get shot. You were indeed being protected by God that day.

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    Replies
    1. It was the wild wild west back in those days and we were young and dumb!

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  6. Thanks for the shout-out, Debby! I sure hope others will join in with Victor's new Christian blog in the days to come. And the MOTH game is certainly intriguing to me. Your short story truly had me on the edge of my chair. Blessings!

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    1. Ha, think how I felt! It was 7-8 years later I came to Jesus and a lot of wreckless behavior in-between. It still amazes me, that God would ever want a sinner like me. Amazing Grace for sure.

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  7. wow, great job on the story telling and I am so glad you did make it out of there. this prompt, all three of them, I have about 4 stories in my head, all of them true and all of them fit all 3 of the prompts...2 from my childhood life in KY and 1 each Fl and Ga

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    1. I had a few more as well. But only God knows. Us, first generation Christians have many stories to tell but are afraid to open up and share to those,who were always Christian. Most don't understand. We don't relate. My Pastor told me, my harrowing rebellious life are testaments and they should be shared. I can see that.

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  8. That sounds terrifying, indeed! I don't know that I would publicly answer some of these (Moth's) prompts, but all the same I'm intrigued. Fodder, perhaps, for my long-postponed memoirs.

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    1. Definitely blog fodder. Or personal exercise in seeing God's grace in our lives.

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  9. What a trip that was. Glad you're here to tell it. :)

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    1. About 5 years ago, I wanted to go to Mad River - it had totally changed and of course we didn't get lost, we had a full tank of gas and made sure the brakes worked. I almost didn't recognize it. The weathered old gas station was no longer there. But I am! All praise to God.

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  10. What an adventure! Reading about that drive had my heart racing too truly a story that shows courage, trust, and a little divine protection along the way. I love how you connected it to storytelling and God’s guidance.

    I just shared a new post and would be delighted if you stopped by to take a look.

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  11. Thank you for mentioning the new Christian website The Christian Lounge. I hope many of your readers visit and comment:
    https://thechristianlounge4u.blogspot.com/
    God bless.

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    1. I do, too! I believe I have something for you - by the end of the week! 🙏🏻

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  12. Goodness ... what a story!

    All the best Jan

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  13. I enjoyed your story, thank you for sharing. Your life does fascinate me Debby, you have learned a lot and I am happy you are sharing your lessons with us all.

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