What's a Snow Day Without a Sled?

 Marcia Moston

I don’t know the psychology behind the thrill of careening down a hill, snow chips biting your cheeks and eyes, frozen mittened arms and booted legs flailing, but having lived much of my life in Vermont, I’ve done a lot of hurtling myself down hills on anything that slid—inner tubes, runner sleds, toboggans, flying saucers, and garbage bags even—and delighted in every minute of it. 

 

There’s nothing like a report of a coming snowfall, to perk up the spirits of kids (and some adults) everywhere—but especially in places where snowfalls are rare. Here in the South, a one inch covering on any grassy slope, even if it ends in a ditch or comes perilously close to a road, will draw more parka-clad people than Aspen ski trail.  

 

Sledding is simply one of the joys of childhood. That’s why I felt so sad this morning to see the news that in spite of an uncommon snowstorm in DC, kids won’t be allowed to sled on the Capitol lawn this year as in times past—military, security, Covid—oppression, repression, suppression. Depression. Since there aren’t many places for urban kids to go, this restriction represents another moment stolen from the childhoods of so many of our children this year. 

 

I don’t have any answer to offer here, and I hate the politics that are toying with so many lives—especially this generation of kids—but I do want to applaud the parents and teachers who are doing their best to make good memories out of small moments for their children. I know of one mom, who lives in a neighborhood that is super supportive, decks her house out for each of her kid's birthdays--holidays--and the neighbors all join in, drive by and make a big deal out of celebrating each other's kids. 

I don't have young children and am lacking in ideas, but if anyone has some suggestions on ways to encourage parents, teachers or kids, feel free to share. In any case--offer your support and encouragement to the children, their parents, and their teachers in your lives.

Blessings Abundant,

Marcia 

 

Photo credit Photo by Jeremy McKnight on Unsplash

 

 

Book Reviews--Be a star, give star--or four or five

 

Marcia Moston

Do you remember getting a gold foil sticker-star on your work papers in school? Sometimes the stars were in color; sometimes there were even multiple ones. Regardless if they were blue or gold, a star at the top of your paper made you sit a little straighter, feel a little prouder. They gave you confidence that someone else (your teacher) thought highly of your work.

 

That simple five-pointed symbol still carries a lot of weight today. How many of us—whether we’re shopping for a pillow or a Range Rover, a good pizza parlor or a steak house—first look to see how many stars it got for a rating? Then we read the reviews to see what others thought its strengths and or weaknesses were, if it would be a good fit for us.

 

The same goes for books. Because some of you asked, here are some brief tips about writing a book review on Amazon. Star ratings and honest reviews on places like Amazon not only help readers know what they’re getting but can also help an author’s book to become more visible. This is not to say you have to write an inflated review, but so often we are quick to complain or voice our disapproval about something but slow to express our satisfaction. Perhaps we just don’t think of it. 

 

If you’ve read a book and would like to let others know—including the author—what you thought about it, you can leave a review on Amazon. They do have community guidelines you can look up. For instance, you must have an Amazon account, and regardless of how much your Aunt Bea loved your book, Amazon won’t publish personal reviews like hers or your BFF’s. 

 

So keep your comments focused on the book’s strengths, main points, or particular audience appeal—what you enjoyed or didn’t enjoy. If memories of ninth-grade English class give you trembles, remember—you don’t have to write an elaborate book review. A few key words that capture the essence of your thoughts will do. 

 

If you do have negative comments, again, keep them objective and informative—not mean-spirited or personal. Although everyone likes to see those five-star ratings, there’s nothing shabby about fewer stars if that’s what your honest opinion is. 

 

Regardless of any inflated or romanticized ideas we might have of authors—even New York Times bestseller ones—many are introverts, insecure about how their “babies” will fare in the world, and they appreciate hearing from you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Repairing the Broken Pieces with Gold

 Marcia Moston

I don't know how many of you are already familiar with this beautiful practice I've just learned about. It's called Kintsugi, a Japanese art form of rejoining the broken pieces of an object with lacquer made from precious metals like gold or silver. The patched piece is considered even more precious than the original because the flaws are part of the history of the object and make it what it is today--unique among all the other cracked objects.

Think of the lessons we can take from this--especially those of us who have been redeemed and our broken pieces are traced with the blood of God himself. I think also of the Valley of Achor--a place of "troubling" for the Israelites, but later the Lord made it a "door of hope."  

This is such a beautiful way to look at the cracked places of our lives--cracks that could leave us in useless pieces in the hands of the Master Artisan become works of precious art.

Blessings Abundant,

Marcia

P.S. I love to testify about how God can make all things good. You might want to check out my new book about the messes the I got myself into and the God who got me out of them.- Available now on Amazon: Going South--with the God of Jacob's and My Mistakes

Going South--with the God of Jacob's and My Mistakes

 Marcia Moston

I'm starting out the new year by kicking my light (thank God) bout with Covid out the door and kicking off the publication of my latest book, Going South--with the God of Jacob's and Mistakes.

Did you ever notice how one bad decision has a way of birthing five more until you find yourself in a such muddle you can't see your way out? That's what happened when my husband and I decided to move to a place we'd never been to, nor had any connections with. It still might have been a fine idea if I had stuck to our original plan. Here's from the back cover:

When Bob and Marcia Moston told their friends they were moving south, they meant it as a geographical move. They didn’t expect their plans to go south too.

 

Trusting his wife’s previously sound judgment, Bob agrees to have Marcia go ahead of him and pick out a house—an efficient, low-maintenance one. It was a good plan. If only Marcia had stuck to it.

 

But when she veers from the plan, the couple find themselves overwhelmed with the consequences of a seemingly bad decision. Marcia looks for encouragement in the story of Jacob—the patriarchal bad boy, remembered more for the predicaments he got himself into than for his commendable deeds—and the God who is not deterred by our plots, plans, stratagems, and side trips.

 

Written with heart, humor, and biblical insight, Going South—with the God of Jacob’s and My Mistakes offers hope and encouragement to those who find their lives upturned by a geographical move, a chaotic economy, a backfired dream, or just a plain bad choice.

That's the good news--nothing is too hard for God! 

To celebrate, this week I'm having a drawing to give away some free copies (Kindle or print). To enter just leave a brief comment or send me a request in my contact form.

Blessings on this NEW Year,

Marcia