Sweet Maple Syrup

I’ve just returned from a great weekend at the Mohican State Park Resort. It was their Maple Syrup Making Weekend that included a day at Malabar Farm…Ohio’s only historical working farm. Ohio is almost at the end of its maple syrup harvest, but we were able to watch as they tapped trees and processed the sap. Do you know it takes almost 40 gallons of sap to make just one gallon of syrup?

Harvesting and making maple syrup is very labor-intensive. No wonder it is so expensive. But it sure is good.

The slow process of making maple syrup reminds me of how long it can take to write one good chapter in a book. It takes a while for the ideas to “drip” onto the page and it has to be “boiled” and “filtered” until its just the right “consistency”. Sometimes the ideas flow very fast like a Sugar Maple tree on a warm, sunny day and there are times when the ideas are sluggish…when it’s cloudy and only 48 degrees. But the final product is worth the effort and time.

Hope everyone is having a great start to their spring. May God’s light shine on you.

Hugs,
Beth

Growing and Growing

Have you ever had spiritually dry spells followed by the wonderful rain of getting close to God? Right now, I feel like I’m growing in my walk with Jesus…..almost like a growth spurt. I’m studying Colossians and learning so much.

I just finished reading the book, “23 Minutes in Hell” by Bill Wiese and found it to be very thought-provoking. His story appeared to line up with the Bible and gave me great cause to renew my efforts to share what God has done for me with others. There have been similiar books on the market, but they don’t always agree with the Bible—the yard stick by which I have to measure everything. If you haven’t read Wiese’s book, it’s worth your while.

On to other things: I’ve finished my taxes and survived using a tax software program. Yeah!! Now, I can get back to writing again. My current manuscript is still coming along and I’m seriously considering a writer’s conference for the fall where I can pitch my book.

Until next time, may God’s light shine on you.

Beth

Deep Freeze

Okay, I’m ready to move to Florida. If you’ve been a regular reader of my blogs, you already know I’m a warm-weather type of person. This Midwest deep freeze has me running for cover–or covers.

This year promises to be a good year, because God’s blessings are renewed each morning. If I based the year on the economy, politics or happenings around the world, there wouldn’t be much hope. I’m glad God is running the show. That gives me hope.

I was so sorry to hear that Heartsong is dicontinuing its new cozy mystery line. Those are great books. I’m sad to see it leave and hope it might return when the economy begins to recover.

I’m actually writing more this month and it makes me feel so good to hit the keys again. The story is evolving along and I’m always excited to see which direction God eventually takes the book.

Stay warm and pray for an early spring.

Hugs,
Beth