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Lunar Datebook

Maine-based short fiction, essays, and interviews. Hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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Now displaying: Page 3

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.

Mar 27, 2017

Episode 83—March 27, 2017

The North Star, Polaris, has been guiding star for travelers for centuries. Host Jennifer Ellsworth offers an overview of this celestial compass point and explains how it won't be there forever. She also shares a poem about Sungold tomatoes from a man who doesn't write poetry anymore; and reads a story about Bets, our favorite waitress, and how she tries to locate a little magic in life. It's called "Playing At Witches."

            '...“Are you really going?”

            I nod. I had emailed a way out this morning: Hello, ladies. Looks like rain. Next weekend?

            The responses came quick with no bites.

            I don’t melt! See you at 6!

            I love rain. Might be ten minutes late.

            Rented movies for the girls already. 6:10 it is.

            “Rugged women,” Steve says.

            I nod again. “How do I look?”...'

 

Moon Astrology: New Milk Moon in Aries: Spring means begin.

Sky clock, a sneaky trap, and a spring blizzard.

Feb 26, 2017

Episode 82—February 26, 2017

Who's your Daddy? Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the science of genes and what happens when energies merge. She also shares an interview with Michelle Moschkau who describes a long distance connection made via a cell phone number; and reads part one of "Baby," a short story about the end of the 23rd chromosome. 

'...“Where are we going?” Kaleb asked.

            “Equinox party—” Julie muttered. She was stuck, with a towel-wrapped Pyrex wedged between her breasts and the steering wheel. She’d charged from the house through the rain, not wanting to wear a hat. She had tried a new part following her shower—sloughing her bangs left, not divided down the middle—and had a moment of such sexy feeling she’d gooped it in place...'

Moon Astrology: New Egg Moon in Pisces: Daydream believer.

Gaia and Kronos, meditation question, and a quiet car. 

Feb 10, 2017

Episode 81—February 10, 2017

The Fire Rooster is this year's Chinese New Year animal, and we cannot ignore his crow. Host Jennifer Ellsworth enumerates his traits that we should adopt to succeed this year. She also profiles a couple that lives the change they wish to see in the world, and reads a short story about a woman following doctor's orders and transforming her life. It's called "Executive Order."

            "...Isn’t this worse?

            I’ll do it because that’s how I am, but imagine if this was the prescription for the whole country? Ignore the media and eat red meat. Oh wait, it is! Is it possible Dr. Liz is one of them? Perhaps her chakra poster peppered walls are a ploy to make me accept her and her advice: ignore the media and eat red meat!..."

Moon Astrology: Full Sap Moon in Leo: Illuminate.

Healthy, happy hens; sugar shack time; and dressed burgers. 

Jan 27, 2017

Episode 80—January 27, 2017

Can dreams tell the future? What happens when we die? Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores some of Life's mysteries with Joe Asciello as he recounts a boating accident he saw coming. She'll also share the outline for a tough talk with her children and a poem about a sweet farewell with her grandmother. It's called "The View of Planet Earth From Room 216."

"...In her delirium Grandma shops at the open market.

'They’ve got sausages drying,' she gestures

to the fluids dripping into her IV..."

Moon Astrology: New Sap Moon in Aquarius: All together now.

Righting itself in the water, a not-fancy fish, and marveling at them all. 

Jan 12, 2017

Episode 79—January 12, 2017

Love abounds as Venus occupies its point of greatest eastern elongation. Host Jennifer Ellsworth offers a planet primer for our solar system sister. She also marries love and food in an essay about what makes a good cook, and a short story about waiting for a table at Neighborhood, Belfast's next best thing. It's called "The Waiting Game."

           “'Twenty minutes?'

            The return pitch of those two words, twenty minutes—the estimated wait for a table at Neighborhood, the new restaurant in town—was designed to equate that time frame with swimming naked in pig swill...."

Moon Astrology: Full Wolf Moon in Cancer: We are family.

Sex, love, beauty, and military victories; beans and rice; and She Talks to Angels.

Dec 29, 2016

Episode 78—December 29, 2016

Today marks the start of the lunar calendar year. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how this Wolf Moon can help us connect with our family after a busy holiday season. She also offers some Lunar Datebook updates and corrections so as to start the year with a clean slate, and concludes the short story "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve." 

"...The house on the address label of the grey envelope tucked under the Deliveryman’s arm was a seasick two-story just off Front Street. It leaned toward its neighbor on wobbly knees, but so far had not accepted the hand of progress that surrounded it..."

Moon Astrology: New Wolf Moon in Capricorn: Get the job done.

People packs, broken heart death, and a bowl of cherries. 

Dec 13, 2016

Episode 77—December 13, 2016

In the season of gift swaps, sometimes showing up is our best present. Host Jennifer Ellsworth shares a first person account from a Dakota Access Pipeline protester, and shares her dreamy experience of missing a plane. She also reads part two of this year's Christmas story, "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve."

"...The Concord Trailways bus was on time, arriving at the Shell Station at 9:15 from South Station. Jessica’s ride was not. She’d received a text: “Ten minutes!!” Double exclamation point, followed by a sad face emogi. Jessica’s mom...."

Moon Astrology: Full Moon of Long Nights in Gemini: Change your mind.

"All actions here are prayer", assured recognition, and a good smoke. 

Nov 29, 2016

Episode 76—November 29, 2016

The darkest portion of the year corresponds with family-intensive holiday celebrations. Host Jennifer Ellsworth recaps her Thanksgiving. She also shares a story from Stella Tirone about a family hike to the Jordan Pond House on Mount Desert Island that went awry, and reads part one of this year's Christmas Story. It's called "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve."

“...'Merry Christmas. Ho Ho Ho. Merry Christmas.'

Criminey it was cold. Too-cold-to-die-here cold. Thank-God-for-nostril-hair cold. Gary called Merry Christmas and HoHoHo out to shoppers because talking reminded his body it was alive..."

Moon Astrology: New Moon of Long Nights in Sagittarius: Resilience in us all.

Winter mode menu, not a bear, and ringing bells on beaches. 

Nov 14, 2016

Episode 75—November 14, 2016

It's yet another Supermoon. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explains why today's full moon really is great, and reflects on that superlative in a eulogy for her husband's gram. She also reads a short story about a less-than-great man and his moment of grace with a gun. It's called Cellar Hole.

"...Hunting in the middle of the day was like jacking off to a kitten calendar—nearly useless—but Arlen needed to get out of the house. Diane had left the turkey in the mudroom, thinking it would be warm enough to thaw there, but it hadn’t. When she retrieved it for stuffing, it remained an igloo brick and set her off cussing..."

Moon Astrology: Full Beaver Moon in Taurus: Work together.

Proxigee full moon, hauling water, and canned peas.

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