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Lunar Datebook

Maine-based short fiction, essays, and interviews. Hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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Now displaying: Category: Interview

Welcome to Lunar Datebook...

Oct 11, 2018

Episode 101—Autumn 2018

Moving blood. This is the clinical definition of life as we know it—a beating heart, circulating oxygen rich blood through the body. It is also the evolutionary end game. Reproduction. Moving our bloodline forward. And a metaphor for inheritance. These themes converge in this season's episode. Host Jennifer Ellsworth interviews dancer Shana Bloomstein, founder of Women's Works, about a piece she created with her daughter. And we read a short story about a gift passed down, called “Obedience.”

"...Obedience was only 12 years old, yet it had aged well, already taking on the gnarled bark of a much older specimen. A middle-aged bonsai achievement in a short span. This was why Jacob’s father won prizes. He aged his plants well..."

Essential form in bonsai and life and holding our babies again.

 

Jun 13, 2018

Episode 98—June 13, 2018

As host Jennifer Ellsworth contemplates sending her firstborn to kindergarten, she interviews two Maine public educators: Don Schultz, one year out of teaching, and Danny Lobo, one year in. 

Moon Astrology: New Herb Moon in Gemini: twin tales. 

A big pond with different fish, a snort for emphasis, and one question you can't Google. 

Apr 15, 2018

Episode 96—April 15, 2018

May the Force be with you.... Host Jennifer Ellsworth waxes philosophical about where Star Wars, science and religion collide. She also shares Sean Cash's two cents on "instant karma," and reads a poem about living in the moment. 

Moon Astrology: New Grass Moon in Aries: Nothing is not nothing. 

The Gospel of George Lucas, the Cult of Einstein, and Richard Pryor rules the Dark Side....

Dec 18, 2017

Episode 92—December 18, 2017

The Winter Solstice marks the true New Year. In this episode host Jennifer Ellsworth pauses to reflect on events and people from the past year, including a Remembrance Service at Riposta Funeral Home. She also shares a segment from Disruption! featuring Squidge Davis, and her story about how she came to help a junkie. 

Moon Astrology: New Moon of Long Nights in Sagittarius: end of a journey.

Living the Serenity Prayer, a shared blanket, and a good place to stop. 

Jul 23, 2017

Episode 87—July 23, 2017

Concern for our food's origins has become common. In honor of Lammas, the seed gathering holiday, host Jennifer Ellsworth considers the ultimate seed source: LUCA, our Last Universal Common Ancestor. She also shares examples of metaphoric seeds we exchange. This episode features work by singer songwriter Sara Trunzo from her album Thanks Birdie and "The Ama Story," a bedtime tale that may become planted in your mind, too.

"...When Ama was younger she lived overseas with Grandpa George. I can’t remember if it was in Thailand, or Singapore, or the Philippines. When she was there she volunteered at an Army base where soldiers went to recover from being in the Vietnam War...."

Moon Astrology: New Moon in Leo: roars and whispers.

Hydrothermal vent home, living a country song, and feeling human again. 

 

Jun 23, 2017

Episode 86—June 23, 2017

The summer solstice brings the most light of the year, yet there are still things we cannot see. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the invisible 95% of the universe, Dark Matter. She also delves into Downtown Tattoo in New Orleans, Louisiana to hear about the secret history of a very public tattoo; and reads a short story called "Neighborly" where a young man runs into the rough past that he doesn't want to see. 

"...Lawrence saw the old fucker immediately, standing alone at the end of the buffet table eating a hotdog. More grey, stooped in his shoulders and favoring his left knee, but still wearing green Dickies top and bottom, and that fool belt buckle, wide as a metal plaque outside a cemetery, engraved thus: Wanna see my lucky charms?..."

Moon Astrology: New Hay Moon in Cancer: Family ties bind.

Infinite energy out, the good son, and a starburst on the grill. 

Feb 26, 2017

Episode 82—February 26, 2017

Who's your Daddy? Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the science of genes and what happens when energies merge. She also shares an interview with Michelle Moschkau who describes a long distance connection made via a cell phone number; and reads part one of "Baby," a short story about the end of the 23rd chromosome. 

'...“Where are we going?” Kaleb asked.

            “Equinox party—” Julie muttered. She was stuck, with a towel-wrapped Pyrex wedged between her breasts and the steering wheel. She’d charged from the house through the rain, not wanting to wear a hat. She had tried a new part following her shower—sloughing her bangs left, not divided down the middle—and had a moment of such sexy feeling she’d gooped it in place...'

Moon Astrology: New Egg Moon in Pisces: Daydream believer.

Gaia and Kronos, meditation question, and a quiet car. 

Sep 1, 2016

Episode 70—September 1, 2016

A woman warrior is not usually the first image that comes to mind when you hear "virgin," but perhaps it should. Host Jennifer Ellsworth dissects the etymology of the word to reveal its ancient and surprising roots. She also interviews Belfast Maskers cofounder Diane Coller Wilson as she prepares to reclaim the stage in the Midcoast Actors Studio production of George Bernard Shaw's Arms and the Man, and reads part two of "Jackson Pond Party Boat," where Melissa and the two brothers write one another's obituaries.

...Melissa had brought a thirty pack of PBR, packed in ice. The first one she cracked open and set beside Ivan, who nodded and said, “Hmm.” She then handed beers to the brothers, and took one for herself. “Cheers, men,” she said. “Thanks for coming.”

Moon Astrology—New Harvest Moon in Virgo—the Universe provides.

"A kind of man," a forty-minute Medea, and a single-white-female.

Jun 20, 2016

Episode 65-June 20, 2016

It is officially summer! To mark the solstice, host Jennifer Ellsworth takes a beach read approach to today's episode. She shares entertaining trivia from the first moon landing, visits Josh Ard of Permanent Expressions Tattoo Studio in Belfast to hear about the silhouette tattooed on his back, and reads a story about our favorite waitress, Bets, from Bottoms Up, as she hosts a barbecue. It's called "Satiated."

"...How many is that?”

            Josh just shakes his head. He is knuckle-deep in his labradoodle’s coat searching for ticks. We warned him that Liberty was tick Mecca. My husband Steve and I have been coming out of the shower with our arms up since March to perform the tick check..."

Moon Astrology: Full Strawberry Moon in Sagittarius: Take your vacation.

Moon Communion, a hundred dollar tattoo, and Endurance.

Feb 22, 2016

Episode 57- February 22, 2016

Welcome to the Red Fire Monkey year!  Host Jennifer Ellsworth introduces Chinese astrology basics and explains how this is the year to risk it all on what you love.  She also interviews Josh Ard of Permanent Expressions tattoo studio in Belfast, Maine about how passion influences his work, and reads a short story about a hitchhiking high school girl hot on the trail of her heartthrob.  It's called "Jobs, Not Jail."

"...Getting rides is always a bitch in winter. You’d think drivers would see some poor bum walking the sliver of white line exposed between snow bank and main drag and pull off to offer a ride out of the slush, but it’s just the opposite...."

Moon Astrology:  Full Sap Moon in Virgo:  Be particular.

1896 and the birth of bought elections, sleep on a short couch, and Bowen's burgers.   

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