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Lunar Datebook

Maine-based short fiction, essays, and interviews. Hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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Now displaying: Page 5

Welcome to Lunar Datebook...

Jun 4, 2016

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.

May 21, 2016

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.

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.

Apr 22, 2016

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.

 

Apr 7, 2016

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.  

Mar 23, 2016

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.

Mar 8, 2016

Episode 58- March 8, 2016

Love ain't easy- not even for celestial bodies.  Host Jennifer Ellsworth shares myths of marital strife between the sun and the moon from around the world.  She also offers her grandparents' secrets to surviving sixty years of marriage, and reads a short story about a nursing home romance called, "Trim Day."

"...For their diamond anniversary, Roseanne and Junior had gone to McDonald’s. 'We like it there,' Roseanne told her daughter, Rachel. 'It’s tradition.' Darby’s was nicer- certainly more expensive- but McDonald’s was where Junior had taken Rose of Sharon for their first date..."

Moon Astrology- New Egg Moon in Pisces- Sometimes empathy is everything.

Children for breakfast, bookends of the day, and a sun drenched couch.

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.   

Feb 8, 2016

Episode 56- February 8, 2016

There are good habits and bad habits, but do we cultivate them, or do they control us?  Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how habits helped shape Saint Bridget on Imbolc.  She also reflects on how nursing is a two-way street, and reads a short story in which a Yoga instructor, usually stuck in her ways, signs up for a cosmic reset.  It's called, "Where Rushing Gets You."

"...Cheryl had been late all morning, but decided to turn around anyway. She’d forgotten her tea on the counter. She could’ve stopped and bought tea at Chase’s Daily or Bell the Cat – or McDonald’s for that matter- but then she would be seen carrying a paper cup with a plastic lid..."

Moon Astrology: New Sap Moon in Aquarius: Gather together.

A blacksmith bends earth, we all wean sometimes, and it isn't stealing if it's a gift.  

Jan 23, 2016

Episode 55- January 23, 2016

With two more days of Mercury in Retrograde, host Jennifer Ellsworth explains this astrological phenomena, and why you may be suffering a communication breakdown.  She also tells a true story about how she was lost in translation as an Italian exchange student, and reads a short story about a massage that affects the recipient in unanticipated ways.  It's called "Magic Touch."

"...If we’re going to tell the story, let’s be honest. Richard was fat. Of the had-not-seen-his-penis-in-years variety. Of the only-one-position-works-for-sex variety.   Of that, there had been very little- one week stretch, twenty years ago when he had fallen in with a distant cousin..."

Moon Astrology:  Full Wolf Moon in Leo:  Howl your heart out.

Planets as passing cars, La Piazza della Repubblica, and nighttime in the desert.

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