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Lunar Datebook

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

Welcome to Lunar Datebook...

Apr 26, 2017

Episode 84—April 26, 2017

Dandelions are not top of the flower grace scale, yet host Jennifer Ellsworth believes they deserve the May Moon title. She also describes seeing a long lost friend who has not lost his saving grace, humor; and reads part one of a story about the graceless Nickerson sisters: Mary, Melissa, and Mona. It's called "Uncle Remy's Birthday Cake."

"...The man was nearly dead and the last of his generation: Mary’s grandfather’s retarded brother. Uncle Remy in Tall Pines. He liked strawberry cake with rainbow sprinkle frosting. Mary hadn’t seen the man since Bush 2 was in office, but since this was certainly Remy’s last spin around the sun, why not go big?..."

Moon Astrology: New Flower Moon in Taurus: smell earth.

Spring Soup, Spaulding Rehabilitation Center, and Old Sits With Flames.

Aug 2, 2016

Episode 68—August 2, 2016

Today is the Wheel of the Year holiday Lammas. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explains how that means now is the time to plan for the future. She also lets you eavesdrop on her annual pilgrimage to Temple Heights Spiritual Camp in Northport for a psychic reading, and reads a poem about being present at her favorite swim hole. It's called "The Crew Today at Steven's Pond."

My goal is just get wet, be baptized and reborn

then get back to cook supper: quesidillas, beans, fruit salad,

I think, or will once this heat’s extinguished.

Moon Astrology: New Grain Moon in Leo: Be seen.

Sacred grain stories, a spiritual pep-talk, and lounging lions. 

Jul 19, 2016

Episode 67—July 19, 2016

There's a storm brewing. Today host Jennifer Ellsworth explains the science behind July's frequent thunder showers. She also explores how the appeal of lightning extends beyond the single strike into our lives. She tells a true story about a fast-driving friend, and a short story about a dangerous ride taken anyway. It's called "Velocity:"

..."Quickly Pete learned to say he didn’t remember anything. Not the impact. Not standing around after with bleeding ears shouting at Jonah Reynolds, the unfortunate first on the scene, that he hadn’t meant to..."

Moon Astrology: Full Thunder Moon in Capricorn: Slow and steady wins the race.

When particles collide, north of Orono, and a game of Chicken.

May 6, 2016

Episode 62- May 6, 2016

Mainers that want a lesson in self-sufficiency should take a lesson from bulbs. Host Jennifer Ellsworth examines their perfect timing and patience. She also shares a true story from a woman, Michelle Holder, who could not wait to get a tattoo—until she had it—and reads a short story about our favorite nurse, Wanda, and her second day on the job. Discharging patients takes patience.  

"...My first day at Waldo County Hospital everyone stopped what they were doing to learn my name, repeat it like the punch line of a tremendous joke, and marvel over my current life story. 'Wanda. Wanda. You just finished nursing school? And your husband runs a chicken barn?'...”

Moon Astrology: New Flower Moon in Taurus: Run Wild.

First settlers homesteads, the strangest place for a tattoo, and an overnight bag at the ER.

Jan 9, 2016

Episode 54- January 9, 2016

Humans vilify and worship wolves.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how these canines inherited their own moon name.  She also tells a true story about an encounter with a Lone Wolf that wished she had a gun, and reads a poem about how her family falls asleep called "Wolf Stories."

"...Every night it's wolves....Nice friendly ones and bad ones...."

Moon Astrology:  New Wolf Moon in Capricorn:  Don't put off what you can do today.

It takes a village, Icelandic love and no more counting sheep.  

 

Jun 16, 2015

Episode 41- June 16, 2015

The sixth New Moon is the Strawberry Moon, and love is in the air.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores Summer's symbolic berry in an Algonquin legend about the original Man and Wife.  She also shares a true story about a wedding nearly derailed, and reads a fictional tale involving an important wedding gift, called "Tootsie".  

"Sometimes Tootsie had a hard time reconciling that her parents had once been married, given who they were now.  Her father, Thomas Putnam, Mayor of Everything.  He knows people vote the way their cats think, so he leaves Friskies in a bowl by the horse chestnut year round.  Her mother, Hilary Fox, Landsculptor.  She knows Freewill doesn’t exist, so she gardens...."  

Moon Astrology: New Strawberry Moon in Gemini: share.

Vitamin C sucked up like a sponge and strawberries shaped like our hearts.

 

May 17, 2015

Episode 39- May 17, 2015

The appearance of flowers on the landscape is the sign of a trustworthy Spring.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth welcomes the fifth New Moon of the year by exploring its namesake's etymology, from pistil to peduncle.  She also shares a skinny-dipping story and reads a short fiction piece from the Back-of-the-House about two dishwashers and a self-induced dare.  

"The twins were sweating over the sinks, hands darting like coi in a pond, trying to dismember the dirty dish sculpture rising at the front of their station...." 

Moon Astrology:  New Flower Moon in Taurus.  Paw the earth.  

Bisexual flora, Fates at the loom and the bullseye that counts.  

Apr 18, 2015

Episode 37- April 18, 2015

Milk is the original comfort food.  In honor of the year's fourth New Moon, host Jennifer Ellsworth explores milk's importance the world over and reads a story called "White Whale in Free Beer" about a drummer that wants something different. 

"...Josh turned off the ignition on his Forester and exhaled.  He wasn't smoking, he was just imagining he was.  Listening to John Bonham always made him think about smoking..."

Moon Astrology: New Milk Moon in Aries.

The Milk Cure, Heidi was right and a negotiated peace.

Mar 20, 2015

Episode 35- March 20, 2015

Eggs are a univsersal symbol of fertility, hope and life.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores this humble food as we celebrate Spring and the New Egg Moon.  She also reads "Moving Day," a story about a man with million dollar songs and not much to show for it.  

"...Now that the snow was retreating, the dead soldiers were starting to appear.  Probably three dollars in Busch Lite, Old Milwaukie and Schlitz cans, and another 45 cents in whiskey bottles.  They’d been bagged up once, but good intentions only go so far, and the bag never made it to the bed of Brother Dwayne’s pickup, or the back of Nephew Rocy’s Subaru, or out of the plow’s path...." 

Moon Astrology: New Egg Moon is Aries.  Let Spring Begin!

Mankind's first food, fertility magic and a 60,000 year old Ostrich egg.

Feb 18, 2015

Episode 33- February 18, 2015

The second New Moon after the Winter Solstice is the unofficial start of Spring.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth salutes the Sap Moon and the Sheep- this year's Chinese Zodiac Animal that begins its reign today- Chinese New Year.  She also reads a short story about two men that have a funny way of showing their affection.  It's called "A New Mailbox"....

"...It started with the Valentine expected from Sidney LaMontagne.  Though she was incarcerated down in Windham, Dave started bragging about what was on the way.  Dave and Sidney started writing when he'd been in jail...."

Moon Astrology: New Moon in Pisces.  Dare to Dream.

Chinese New Year, Reverse Osmosis, maple scented spa treatments and strong sheep.

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