The Moth is a nonprofit story-telling organization that broadcasts a radio program, streams content, and hosts live events. All of this in the service of real stories told by everyday people. Here's how the live events work: Moth organizers announce a theme several weeks before an event. Story tellers then prepare tales that are (A) on theme, (B) true, and (C) do not exceed five minutes in length. Then, at the event, tellers put their names in a hat. If their name is drawn, tellers get onstage and recite their tale. The performance rules are: no notes, no props, no music, not even moving the mic is allowed — tellers simply stand and deliver spoken word. It's terrifying! My first time at the mic was before a sold-out crowd of 365 people.

This corner of Turtle High Banks originally functioned as a work space for the Moth. Here, I posted my tales, read them as I rehearsed, rewrote and hopefully improved them, and shared them with a few friends — whose advice was essential. Now, I'm afraid I'm mostly finished with the Moth. Rehearsals for note-free recitations consumed more time than I could devote to such an indulgent hobby. Also, I was manufacturing aggravation, not joy. After intense preparation, to not be called to tell aggravated me terribly.

What remains, after flirting with the Moth, is writing. Here I find joy. My life stories become fresh and informative to me again when I write them. So, "The Moth" on Turtle High Banks will continue, even if Moth live events do not. I'll write on Moth themes, and my own. I'll write to remember, to seek joy and understanding, and my scribblings will keep hiding here on Turtle High Banks. — Peter

Shout outs to the Woodland Creature, the Cowboy Mistress and my Moon Sister.