Marbles

Marbles of clay or stone had been around for ages, but they didn't become hugely popular until a German glassblower came up with a way to make them in 1846. Then, in Akron Ohio, S. C. Dyke developed a method of producing several at one time in the early 1890's. Around the turn of the century, a number of American companies were manufacturing them.

There are many games that can be played with marbles, but I only remember playing two. In the common one, a circle is drawn in the dirt, and everyone antes up one or more marbles, which are placed in the center. The players take turns shooting from outside the circle, and they keep any they knock out. If some are hit but not knocked out, they're left where they land. If the shooter doesn't make it out, it stays there, too, and its owner must produce another marble to shoot with. Many use a larger marble for the shooter. I wasn't the best marble player, but I never lost many of my marbles and usually walked away with a few more than I came with.

The second game I only vaguely remember, because I rarely played this one. It involved throwing a marble to hit an opponent's marble and didn't have a circle drawn. I can remember I didn't like to play it as well, but I don't remember the rules.

In Uprooted by War, the third manuscript in my Appalachian Roots Series, Patrick gets some marbles for a Christmas present one year. They were certainly available around the time of the Civil War. Children played with them for years. However, with video games, I'm not sure these games will ever be really popular again.

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The Single Brothers' House

The Moravians were a group of Protestants whose religion originated in Germany and the Czech Republic. Quite a few, especially the Germans, immigrated to the colonies to have more freedom of worship. Many settled in Pennsylvania, but some also came to North Carolina.

In early Moravian communities, single men often lived, learned, and worked together. You can see an example of this in historic Old Salem in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The Single Brothers' House is one of my favorite places there. Originally there was also a Single Sisters' House in Salem.

The building for the single brothers was first constructed in 1769, and an addition was added in 1786. It housed the group (called a "choir") of Moravian single men. They worshipped, lived, and some rented space for their workshops there. They also raised a garden and had a bakery. Today you can see where they worshipped and tour the craftsmen at work in the shops. It is truly a step back to the past.

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Murfreesboro

Located in the Inner Banks Region of Eastern North Carolina in Hertford County, Murfreesboro is a small town with big charm. History enthusiasts, like me, will love the place. 

Of course, the first residents here were Native Americans from groups such as the Meherrins, Chowanokes, and Nottoways. John White's expedition was the first Europeans to visit the area in the 1600's. The first land grant in the area was given to Henry Wheeler in 1714 and included what would become

Robert-Vaughan House - Now the Historical Association &
Chamber of Commerce

Murfreesboro. In 1754, the General Assembly gave Murfree's Landing the status of being a King's landing, where imports and exports would be inspected by an official from the court. Although the area had grown earlier, the town was founded in 1787.

Flanagan House Bed & Breakfast

Today, the town consists of around 2,000 permanent residents. Many of the houses and buildings show it's history. It's also home to Chowan University established in 1848. (See my former blog on it.) Because of it's love of history and quaint charm, Murfreesboro also has retirees moving into the area. In my opinion, it's a town worth exploring.

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Summer Dog Sledding

With popular dog sled races like the Iditarod and the Yukon Quest, the sport has garnered more and more interest through the years. In fact, some years it has even appeared in the Winter Olympics as a demonstration sport but has yet to become an official event. It's especially followed in countries with an arctic region, such as the United States, Canada, Russia, and several European countries.

Training for such an event is grueling and often done year-round. Of course, in the summer months, training on snow is not always convenient. Therefore, there are summer training camps, where the dogs pull special sleds on dry land without snow. My husband and I were privileged to visit such a camp two summers ago.

The dogs at the camps came from various breeds and mixes. They also raised puppies there. The staff encouraged visitors to handle the puppies to get them used to people early, so they wouldn't be too distracted or anxious in a race. I must say, handling the cute critters was one of my favorite parts of the day. I'm a dog lover, so it almost made me want to take one home. Almost. Pets can prove a problem for avid travelers who move around a lot or have too many stretches away from home. I appreciated the care this center seemed to give their dogs, however.

Riding on the dog sled was fun, too, and it made me long to do it on snow. However the Alaskan day was cold enough as it was, and we bundled up from the cold drizzle and chilling breeze. Is this really June?

I've had many thrilling adventures as I've traveled the world. But the day at the summer dog sled training camp stands out as part of my journey to Alaska. If you ever get the chance, be sure to check it out.

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No Complaints

I often think about how easier life would be if we didn't make things more difficult for each other. You'd think that, at least in the church, everyone would follow God and work together, but that's not always the case. Sometimes the church seems to have almost as much strife as the rest of society. There's bickering, gossiping, animosity, and churches splitting apart. This is not what God intended!

Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.... And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil to any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men (1 Thessalonians 5:11-15).

God wants us to watch our tongues, because ill spoken words can cut deep, and they delight the devil. We shouldn't get in a habit of complaining or condemning. If we have Christ in our lives, what do we have to complain about? Instead we should work to build up and encourage. It's all too easy to become selfish and worry about personal needs being met. This is what breaks up many churches and many marriages.

By turning to God and trying to follow His Word and His will, we can avoid all this. In the process, we will find more satisfaction and joy than we ever thought possible. This is truly a peace that passes all understanding, because it's not contingent on any circumstances.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understand, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).

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Leaving Book Reviews

Looking at book reviews from an author's perspective, I'm amazed by how hard it is to get readers to leave one. I always leave a review on Amazon for every book I read. I've found that's a good way for me to keep up with them. However, with Cleared for Planting, getting reviews is harder than trying to thread a needle in the dark.

Most readers, me included, don't take the first dozen reviews too seriously when deciding whether or not to read a book. Often those first reviews are from family and friends and can be biased. Therefore, a book needs at least twenty-some reviews, and the more, the better. I even check Amazon ratings for library books or books I don't plan to buy there. The reviews don't need to be lengthy. They just need to be honest and give a few details.

So this is my plea to you. If you have read Cleared for Planting, please leave a review at some of the online places, like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, etc. Please also encourage your friends and family to do the same. In fact, I think it would be a great idea to get in the habit of leaving a review for every book you read. You'd make your favorite authors very happy.

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V-E Day

May 8, 1945, is the day that great numbers of Germans began laying down their weapons in surrender to the Allies. It's the day most countries celebrate as the Victory in Europe Day. Because not all troops got the message and some fighting continued, especially among the Russian troops, Russia celebrates victory on May 9. However, Germans did sign an unconditional surrender in Berlin on May 8th.

Several events happened just prior to this to lead to surrender. The main one was when Adolf Hitler reportedly committed suicide on April 30, during the Battle of Berlin, when it became apparent Germany would lose the war. His successor, Karl Donitz signed the surrender in Reims, France, on May 7 and in Berlin on May 8. Of course, the war would continue in the Pacific, but Europe had been set free.

At the news, celebrations immediately erupted throughout the world. In London, crowds jammed the streets. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth joined Prime Minister Churchill on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to wave at the crowds. Princess Elizabeth, who would become Queen Elizabeth II, and Princess Margaret were allowed to wander through the crowds incognito to take part in the jubilation. It was truly a day for the history books and occurred 70 years ago on this day.

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