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Lunar Datebook

Maine-based short fiction, essays, and interviews. Hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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Now displaying: 2015

Welcome to Lunar Datebook...

Dec 25, 2015

Episode 53- December 25, 2015

We all know Christmas marks Jesus' birthday, but that is not the only reason to celebrate.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explains how Christ came to be a Capricorn and remarks about Christmas' other famous fellow- the one in the red suit.  She also reads a short story about a recovering thief who is determined not to be a Grinch despite being broke.  It's called, "The Full Tree."

"...Everyone had said that backwoods landlords didn’t worry about First, Last and a Deposit, but the one with the one bedroom “cottage” in Jackson had. He had not asked Mary and Lawrence a single question. He’d just unlocked the front door and let them have a look...."

Moon Astrology:  Full Moon of Long Nights in Cancer:  Family

Writers gave us Christmas, Santa is an Indian and cranes upon a Christmas tree.  

Dec 11, 2015

Episode 52- December 11, 2015

Year's end approaches.  Yet for many ancient people, the end was the beginning.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how the winter solstice celebrates new life and an unbroken circle.  She also tells a true story about a Charlie Brown induced breakdown, and reads a short story about an unusual Christmas figure called, "The Christmas Buddha of Jackson."

"...When Lesley pulled into Sid’s driveway Christmas Eve, her teeth clacked up and down up and down a half dozen times, like she were trying to loosen up a stick of Wrigley’s gum, an absent-minded habit she picked up when she finally quit smoking two years ago..."

Moon Astrology: New Moon of Long Nights in Sagittarius: Take the long view.  

Yule Variations, a moment in the spotlight, and the Christmas Joint.  

Nov 25, 2015

Episode 51- November 25, 2015

Weather may be the only safe conversation topic in some company.  On Thanksgiving Eve, host Jennifer Ellsworth describes a brief history of American weather forecasting and shares Maine's record breaking snows: perfect tidbits to accompany your giblets.  She also tells about an unusual Thanksgiving spent in a fondly remembered "crackhouse" and reads a short story about a fearless boy and an operatic ogre, called "The Boy and the Ogre."

"...Once upon a time there was a boy who lived with his mother in a house on the edge of the woods.

            Perhaps you saw their house, when it was still there...."

Moon Astrology: Full Snow Moon in Gemini:  Talk it up!

76 degrees on July 4, 1776, Burning Down the House and a Dream Juice mother.

Nov 11, 2015

Episode 50- November 11, 2015

Tonight's New Snow Moon marks the Lunar Samhain, when thresholds of all sorts wear thin.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the bones of being alone in a true story about a dinner for one in recovering Hiroshima, and a fictional story about a World War II veteran who doesn't quite fit with the group.  It's called "After the Meeting."

..."They hadn’t invited Frank at first. It was a PTST group and Frank had never seen combat. But then George Pendleton succumbed to his lung cancer, and just two weeks later John DiLalio died of a stroke. The group was shrinking and besides, Frank was the only WWII vet left shuffling the halls of Togus VA Medical Center not in the group...."

Moon Astrology: New Snow Moon in Scorpio: introspection, please.

Liminal All Hallow's Eve, a twenty-minute meal, and a bowlful of Tootsie Rolls.  

 

Oct 27, 2015

Episode 49- October 27, 2015

Contentment may be among our unalienable rights, but that doesn't make it easy to obtain.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores this desirable headspace and how the Universe may conspire to provide it.  She also tells a true story about happy meatball making and reads a short story about a woman writer whose patience has expired.  It's called "Silence Lies in the Ocean:"

...“Tonight’s writing exercise is another first line prompt,” Steve said.   “I’ve selected a launch pad sentence from the Sufi writer Rumi: Silence lies in the ocean. Let’s take fifteen minutes and see where you go....”

Moon Astrology: Full Hunter's Moon in Taurus: Dig deep before the freeze.

Moonlit nights, perfect parsley, and hands, hands, hands.  

Oct 12, 2015

Episode 48- October 12, 2015

Do you have what it takes to shoot the moon?  The women in today's stories do.  From a Greek Goddess to a good daughter, host Jennifer Ellsworth examines how hunting showcases skill, luck and love.  She tells a true story of the shortest fishing trip ever, and reads a short story about a special daughter's first deer called "Big John's Joy".

"...The deer was dead, of course, when Big John and his best friend, Steve, hauled it to the knoll behind the house. It was understood that this was one of the stupidest things either of them had ever attempted to do, but that it would be done..."

Moon Astrology: New Hunter's Moon in Libra: Study the bullseye.

Artemis and Orion in love, Buzz Lightyear lends a hand, and a night beneath a tree stand.  

Sep 27, 2015

Episode 47- September 27, 2015

Tonight is a Super Moon Total Lunar Eclipse.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth celebrates life in the shadows with stories of darker moments.  She tells a true story about abandoning a distressed stranger, and reads a short story featuring a woman scorned called "Lobster Lake."

"...Sarah loved the straddle seasons best. Days that began in long johns and by noon had you striped to shorts and a tee-shirt. That had been the weather last year when Sarah and David had gone fishing at Lobster Lake...."

Moon Astrology:  Full Harvest Moon in Aries: Rebellion brews.  

Columbus visits the north coast of Jamaica, Clinton Fair Truck Pulls and Trout filets.   

Sep 13, 2015

Episode 46- September 13, 2015

September's Harvest Moon signals summer's end.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth philosophizes about rides we wish did not.  She tells a true story in which she played chaufeur to her tipsy grandparents and reads a short story where a man cannot bare to part with the bike of his youth.  It's called "The Numbers."

"...The bike had sat in the barn for five years.  The old Honda, a home for spiders, a spot holder for the snow blower in winter and the garden tractor in summer..."  

Moon Astrology:  New Harvest Moon in Virgo:  God is in the details.

One more fire in the pit, "Thank you very much," and a $300 dream.

Aug 29, 2015

Episode 45- August 29, 2015

Tonight's Supermoon- the Full Moon at Perigee- brings Earth and her satellite as close as they will be all year.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth celebrates this celestial reunion by imagining the first Supermoon.  She also tells a true story about a letter received at a funeral that unites her past and present, and reads a fictional story about a woman who finds enlightenment opposite an egret.  "Bird Buddah" begins like this:

"...The thunderstorm had brought hail.  Nickle and dime size nuggets that would shear the shoulder off a perfectly ripe tomato, or just nestle into its flesh, and melt, and start rot.  This was where Karen’s mind had gone under the dark clouds..."

Moon Astrology:  Full Corn Moon in Pisces:  imagine.  

4.5 billion-year-old blood brothers, decade-and-a-half-old phone tree and a table set for two. 

Aug 14, 2015

Episode 44- August 14, 2015

Today's New Moon welcomes a humble vegetable with great significance.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth discusses corn's metaphorical and historical value to Maine.  She also tells a true story about a bad boss in a blueberry field and reads a fictional tale about two men debating holy matrimony called "Back on the Chain Gang:"

"....'He's the only one that accepted my dinner invitation so I'm voting for him.'

Charles loved his mother, but this logic made his brain rot.

'Mom, it was a dream,' Charles said, lowering the driver's side visor to impede the glare blaring in over Belfast...."

Moon Astrology:  New Corn Moon in Leo:  Roar.

Slavery ain't for sissies, a $10 million industry, and the best motorcycle ride ever.

 

         

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