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.
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.
Episode 66—July 4, 2016
Want to learn America's fortune? Today host Jennifer Ellsworth examines the star chart for the United States—or tries to. She also tells about the last time she rode in the Brooks Fourth of July parade, intent on changing the world, and reads a poem about being stranded then saved. It's called "Ode to My Junky Car."
After I’ve cursed my blue streak
and safely found the shoulder
it’s easy to diagnose: Dead.
Moon Astrology: New Thunder Moon in Cancer: Families gather together and roar.
Ebenezer Sibley, tossed salad, and a friendly F-150.
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.
Episode 64- June 4, 2016
Luna Moths are short-lived, single-minded insects. Host Jennifer Ellsworth describes their life cycle, and how we sometimes emulate them. She also tells a true story of a close encounter with one of these beautiful creatures, and reads a short story about a woman whose pursuit of a perfect garden leaves her lonely. It's called "Morning Glories."
"...Sandra submitted the application for the Belfast Garden Tour last year. It was only after she’d hit send that she realized how much she wanted it, and worried she should have said more in the answer spaces...."
Moon Astrology: New Strawberry Moon in Gemini: 'tis the season for manic multitasking.
Let's get it on, a treasure transported by spoon tip, and a 400 pound wake-up call.
Episode 63- May 21, 2016
Navigating the seas without a map, a compass, or a sextant and nautical almanac would mean death for most of us. Today host Jennifer Ellsworth introduces the ancient art of Wayfinding, and explains how celestial navigation negates that fate. She also tells a true story about a group of hayfield partiers finding their way to the next vision, and reads a short story about a soldier and his wife staying connected. It's called "Intact."
"...“Can you hear me?”
She could. Abby was sitting at the kitchen table. Though it was 5:45 a.m. she was dressed in a pink blazer, her hair braided like a tiara above her bangs, her eyelids dusty purple. This was the advice of the VA—treat skyping like a date...."
Moon Astrology: Full Flower Moon in Scorpio: Weed.
Nainoa Thompson's philosophy, a ground compass, and needing to call a guy.
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.
Episode 61- April 22, 2016
May Day celebrates spring's conception of summer. In this episode, host Jennifer Ellsworth examines the long odds it took for each and every one of us to be conceived, and how getting lucky really is. She also finds gratitude for her lot in life and reads a short story where we revisit Ivan, a Jackson neighbor, whose numbers have come in.
"...Bear was the one that woke Ivan in time to see his numbers trail across the bottom of the television set and discover he’d won the jackpot...."
Moon Astrology: Full Milk Moon in Scorpio: go whole hog.
One out of two hundred million, Gomer Pyle's lucky scarf and top shelf whiskey.
Episode 60- April 7, 2016
Metaphorical lightning strikes illuminate who we are. Today host Jennifer Ellsworth illuminates how to properly name a moon phase- each precise moment and the many in between. She also shares an interview with Babette Cohen-Solal, who explains how she decided it was time to learn to read, and reads a short story about a boy who gives up sugar for his health, despite the sweetness shared with his mother. It's called "Chubby Bunny."
"...It wasn’t a girl’s look, or a boy’s for that matter, that transformed CJ. It was a web seminar in Health Class. He left in the morning, Mountain Dew in hand, and came home talking about Glycolysis as he opened and dumped down the sink the remainder of his twelve pack, like an alcoholic gone cold turkey..."
Moon Astrology: New Milk Moon in Aries: Spark your enthusiasm.
The Balsamic Moon, strained eyeballs, and Barbara's baby.
Episode 59- March 23, 2016
Spring brings ascension! In this episode, host Jennifer Ellsworth enumerates world myths that celebrate rebirth come spring. She also tells a true story about a Tokyo train serenade that goes sour, and reads a short story about an on-duty cop and his cargo. It's called "Good Deeds."
"...The call comes in at 8:53. Right in the middle of the Sean Hannity Show. He’s gotten a bit too religious these past few years, praying as much as he politics, but I’ve got good filters...."
Moon Astrology: Full Egg Moon in Libra: tip the scales toward light.
Chippewa Robin Boy, "Sweet Caroline" embrace, and a porch Snuggly.