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Lunar Datebook

Maine-based short fiction, essays, and interviews. Hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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Now displaying: Page 2

Welcome to Lunar Datebook...

Feb 15, 2018

Episode 94—February 15, 2018

Happy New Year! The second new moon of 2018 welcomes Chinese New Year and the Year of the Brown Earth Dog. Host Jennifer Ellsworth offers an astrological forecast calling for loyalty and diligence to be rewarded. She also shares a true story that exemplifies those traits from Carol Visser, recorded at Lunar Datebook's Disruption! event; and reads a short story about a cosmic connection between two men, called "Moon Man."

"...Three minutes. June 14, 1946 10:54 a.m. and June 14, 1946 10:57 a.m. Three minutes separated their births—Silas in Waterville, Maine; Donald J. Trump in Jamaica, Queens, New York. On a total lunar eclipse. They were Moon Men, baby! Watch out! Of course Silas didn’t believe in astrology, knew it was all crap, but, but, but—..."

Moon Astrology: New Sap Moon in Aquarius: work for the greater good.

Up, around, or through; a crowded honeymoon; and Donald Trump's birth chart.

Jan 17, 2018

Episode 93—January 16, 2018

The upcoming Super Blue Blood Moon on January 31, 2018 sounds amazing, but what does it mean? Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the astrological significance of a Leo moon in opposition to an Aquarian sun. She also reads an essay about the challenges of disciplining children, and explains a Mother Goose nursery rhyme in "The Lion and the Unicorn Parable." 

"...Once upon a time, all the people in the world were warring with each other, distrustful, and greedy. The Lion got sick of it. He came out of the forest and roared, “Enough! I am King now.” Then he went old school, demanded balance, and enforced the law that said “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.” He always took those eyes and teeth himself, never going further, it wasn’t a tooth for a tooth and the tip of your finger; but if you’ve ever had a lion at your door, you will appreciate the incentive that provides to avoid one there again..."

Moon Astrology: New Hunger Moon in Capricorn: Tame as verb.

Tarot card 8, a fire-breathing dragon simmers down, and no one mourns the king. 

   

 

           

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. 

Nov 18, 2017

Episode 91—November 18, 2017

People will go to great lengths to keep darkness at bay, including shifting time. Host Jennifer Ellsworth discusses the history, intent, and limitations of Daylight Saving Time. She also describes the dim after-effects of marijuana use, and reads a short story about a woman who wants to light up her life. It's called "Your Smile Signals the World."

"...Sixty monthly payments of $50 at 0% interest. Doreen’d made three and the world was opening up. She’d been the transfer station attendant for eight years. She was quick about it always, jawing on with Ivan, sure, about who took what from the swap shop, but stepping up to vehicles while they talked and flagging at the cars how much to back up to the dumpsters..."

Moon Astrology: New Snow Moon in Scorpio: self defense

A Benjamin Franklin brainstorm, moon landings, and the sound of silence.  

Oct 19, 2017

Episode 90—October 19, 2017

The Astrological Sign Scorpio may not be warm and fuzzy, but its no-nonsense attitude is necessary in the 11th hour of winter preparations. Host Jennifer Ellsworth celebrates this often-maligned Sign. She also meditates on faithfulness in an essay about marriage and a short story about a man who appreciates options. It's called "Morning Smoke."

...“You sly dog.”

            Frank’s eyelids quivered. “Excuse me?” he said.

            Meghan clucked her tongue.

            “Excuse moi-“ Frank slid a hand under the sheet toward Meghan’s breast. She caught his hand, brought it to her mouth, and bit him.

            “What the hell!” Frank’s eyes shot open.

            “I know you didn’t deserve that, but I feel better.”...

Moon Astrology: New Root Moon in Libra: fill the cellar

Loyalty in low places, stacked wood, and dreams come true.

Sep 20, 2017

Episode 89—September 20, 2017

This week welcomes Autumn, but trees have been showing seasonal changes all month. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explains the science of colorful fall foliage—how it is always there waiting to reveal itself when things slow down. She also describes the forty minute visit with her grandparents that is supposed to teach a lifetime of experience, and reads a short story about a farmer's thirteen minute lunch break called "Noon."

"...Alden shut off the tractor ignition and reached for his lunch sack, bungeed behind the seat. Bologna and mustard. Plus what was left of a potato chip bag. He’d meant to grab a cucumber off the counter this morning, they were just about done, but he’d forgot...."

Moon Astrology: New Hunters' Moon in Virgo: The hidden side says take a break.

Photosynthesis, fresh salsa, and a half million pair of wings rub together. 

 

Aug 21, 2017

Episode 88—August 21, 2017

Happy total solar eclipse! This episode host Jennifer Ellsworth celebrates the awe inspired by this celestial event as we step outside and look up. She also applauds her old chorus director, David Stevenson of Mount View High School, and the magic he cast in his thirty years of service; and reads a short story about love, the most powerful force of all. It's called "Transcontinental Booty Call."

"...Bishop had driven out straight in just over three days, slept stretched out on picnic tables, eaten his cooler of peanut-butter-pickle sandwiches until Nebraska then switched to trail mix to tide him over, his body humming the whole time..."

Moon Astrology: New Moon in Leo: Last summer roar.

The whole Earth responds, patting a bird's head, crab rangoons.

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. 

May 25, 2017

Episode 85—May 25, 2017

The gulf between What Is and What We Would Like is deep. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores these depths in a meditation on expectation. She also shares how a local feud has changed her idea of forever, and reads part two of "Uncle Remy's Birthday Cake."

"...It was 1:02 when Mary scooted into the solarium at Tall Pines, out of breath, but with the birthday cake balanced on her forearm. Her phone had dinged in the car, 1:00 on the nose. Mona with a text message. Such prompt timing from her sister meant she would not be attending the party, so Mary ignored it and attempted to recover a few of the many minutes she had squandered this morning by long striding it across the parking lot..."

Moon Astrology: New Strawberry Moon in Gemini: welcome Summer.

Rotating bodies, hug dreams, and clams on the beach. 

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