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. 

Calling All Friends

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: 

Read that here. 

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

 

Virgin River / Humboldt County

 

I just finished the sixth season of Virgin River on Netflix. 

The series in question is set in a town located in Humboldt County, California, which is nearby. It first gained attention in my local news seven years ago. However, it was later announced that the filming would take place in British Columbia instead of California. The reasons for this decision have been a topic of discussion with the locals. 

The images presented here depict Humboldt County, highlighting its natural beauty and features, rather than representing the fictional town of Virgin River.

Humboldt County

The Far Northern California region has captivated many individuals due to its diverse landscapes. As far back as I can remember, I always sought out movies, books, and television shows that focus on this area, as I find them particularly entertaining. My personal connection enhances the experience of seeing the region depicted in media, as it allows for the recognition of familiar scenery. 

During the series' viewing, various fictional towns are referenced—and then some real towns, including my own town and Hayfork, which is located in Trinity County, along with Hyampon, Willow Creek, and McKinleyville. A significant portion of the scenery resembles that of Trinity County, leading to speculation about whether Virgin River was trying to depict features of the Eel River or Mad River.

Oh what does it matter? 

It's a fictional town anyway!

Eureka is the largest town in the area, with a population of approximately 26,000. In contrast, most of the surrounding towns have significantly smaller populations, ranging between 150 and 1,500 inhabitants. Humboldt never used to be a wealthy area—not until it gained a State University and, of course, the Green Rush of the 1990s. 

Humboldt County has a long history of cannabis cultivation, dating back to the 1960s. During this period, hippies were drawn to the area discovered affordable land and began to establish a vibrant eclectic community.   

The residents invested their resources to establish infrastructure, including clinics, radio stations, fire departments, newspapers, environmental movements, schoolhouses, and community centers. 

Humboldt boasts an ideal microclimate for agriculture, characterized by rolling fogs, fertile soil, and unspoiled watersheds that are particularly well-suited for farming and cannabis cultivation. At that time, cannabis was primarily grown for personal or medicinal use rather than a cash crop, providing a locally sourced alternative to imported cannabis.

Many counties in Northern California, including Shasta, have encountered challenges related to illegal cannabis cultivation. Following the legalization of cannabis, which was supported by California voters, the government implemented regulations and taxes on the industry. These measures disproportionately affected small businesses, allowing larger operations and foreign investors to dominate the market. As a result, cannabis became a highly profitable industry, but the prices of products also increased significantly. When faced with high prices, consumers often seek alternative sources for cannabis, leading to a rise in demand for illegal products.

And that is when the cartels came in - actually, they've been here for a long time, but more came and brazenly started up their illegal businesses. Instead of the State going after these Cartels - they looked the other way - their crimes went unpunished and ignored. 

The state had a problem on its hands. The cartels grow in our state and national parks, using and polluting our waters with pesticides, and there are turf wars. It used to be that you didn't want to drive in these areas at night—or get lost while hiking and backpacking—you could stumble on something that could cost you. 

Where the Redwoods meet the Pacific Ocean! 

Back to Virgin River -

I initially watched the first season of the show but wasn't fully convinced, leading me to stop watching. I felt that it didn't accurately represent the area it was set in.  A couple of months later, I came across the series again and decided to give it another chance while my husband was napping as he had never shown interest in it. I found that while I could tolerate some episodes, there were others that I enjoyed. This prompted me to continue watching an episode daily in the afternoons until I finished the series last week. Now, I find myself looking forward to the release of season seven.

Go Figure.

The portrayal of small towns in media often romanticizes their charm and idyllic lifestyles. However, the reality for many residents in Humboldt County is quite different. Beyond the two key industries of cannabis and fishing, the county faces significant economic challenges and is classified as a poorer area. The decision to film outside of Humboldt County may have been influenced by the strict regulations imposed on the film industry in California. Or there were personal safety concerns. It's the wild wild west in those mountains!  Nonetheless, it would have been beneficial for this picturesque region to receive national recognition, potentially boosting tourism and presenting a more positive narrative to the public.

Do you watch Virgin River? 

Who is your favorite character? 

Until Next time, 

Debby