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PODCAST · fiction

Lunar Datebook

by Jennifer Ellsworth

Maine Stories and Moon Musing. It's "All Things Considered" for the moon and modern Maine short fiction. Episodes are produced on each New and Full Moon.

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Episodes

  1. Beginnings and Endings

    Episode 103—Autumnal Equinox, 2019 As the yearly wheel spins towards Fall, Lunar Datebook looks at beginnings and endings. Host Jennifer Ellsworth shares an essay about the rite of passage that begins many love affairs, the first kiss; and a memoir about her farming days now ended. Or are they?…

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  2. A Love Letter to Chase's Daily

    Episode 102—Winter 2019 After sixteen years working for the Chase family, host Jennifer Ellsworth is moving on to see what else is out there. But first she offers lessons learned and experiences gained from the restaurant and farm. How to Host, the World's Best Bean Picker, and the Last Saturday...

  3. Moving Blood and "Obedience"

    Episode 101—Autumn 2018 Moving blood. This is the clinical definition of life as we know it—a beating heart, circulating oxygen rich blood through the body. It is also the evolutionary end game. Reproduction. Moving our bloodline forward. And a metaphor for inheritance. These themes converge in...

  4. Eddie Wonders Why—Act 2

    Episode 100—August 11, 2018 Welcome to A Lunar Datebook Production's dramatic finish of Eddie Wonders Why, a radio play based on Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus Rex, where the king who loses everything becomes a mafia lord. Act 2 features Sean Cash, Dr. Liz Yori, Bill Yori, Marsha Coller, Eric...

  5. Eddie Wonders Why—Act 1

    Episode 99—July 12, 2018 Welcome to A Lunar Datebook Production of Eddie Wonders Why, a radio play based on Sophocles' tragedy Oedipus Rex, where the king who loses everything becomes a modern mafia lord. Act 1 cast features Sean Cash, Bill Yori, Erik Perkins, Eric Robotaille, and Liz Yori, N.D....

  6. Old School: interviews with Don Schultz and Danny Lobo

    Episode 98—June 13, 2018 As host Jennifer Ellsworth contemplates sending her firstborn to kindergarten, she interviews two Maine public educators: Don Schultz, one year out of teaching, and Danny Lobo, one year in. Moon Astrology: New Herb Moon in Gemini: twin tales. A big pond with different…

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  7. Gemini Lessons and "Amen"

    Episode 97—May 15, 2018 Gorgeous spring has sprung and with it competing interests. Host Jennifer Ellsworth tells the history of the Gemini constellation, and shares the lessons the twins Castor and Pollux have about time management. She also reads an essay about the two sides of her own...

  8. Spring Soapbox: Star Wars Philosophy and Instant Karma

    Episode 96—April 15, 2018 May the Force be with you.... Host Jennifer Ellsworth waxes philosophical about where Star Wars, science and religion collide. She also shares Sean Cash's two cents on "instant karma," and reads a poem about living in the moment. Moon Astrology: New Grass Moon in Aries:...

  9. High Flight: Remembering Grandpa

    Episode 95—March 17, 2018 "High Flight" is a sonnet written by 19-year-old John Gillespie Magee Jr. before a mid-air crash took his life during World War II. In this episode host Jennifer Ellsworth uses the lines of this poem to remember her family's 19-year-old World War II pilot, her…

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  10. Lunar Datebook 94—Earth Dogs and _Moon Man_

    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...

  11. Taming the Beast and "The Lion and the Unicorn Parable"

    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...

  12. Solstice Pause and Squidge's Story

    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,...

  13. Combating Darkness and "Your Smile Signals the World"

    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...

  14. Trusting the Scorpion and "Morning Smoke"

    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...

  15. Slow Fall and "Noon"

    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...

  16. Higher Powers and "Transcontinental Booty Call"

    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...

  17. Last Universal Lammas and "The Ama Story"

    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...

  18. Dark Matters and "Neighborly"

    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…

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  19. Expecting Forever and "Uncle Remy's Birthday Cake" Part 2

    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...

  20. Gritty Grace and "Uncle Remy's Birthday Cake" Part 1

    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...

  21. Polaris Primer and "Playing At Witches"

    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...

  22. A Nice Pair of Genes and "Baby" Part 1

    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…

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  23. Fire Rooster Calls Change and "Executive Order"

    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...

  24. Unseen Sea and "The View of Planet Earth From Room 216"

    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...

  25. Love Is From Venus and "The Waiting Game"

    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...

  26. Doorway Wolves and "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve" Parts 3 and 4

    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…

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  27. Presence Present and "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve" Part 2

    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...

  28. Thanks With Family and "Special Delivery, Christmas Eve" Part 1

    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...

  29. Great Moons and Gram and "Cellar Hole"

    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...

  30. Samhain's Two Sides and "The Scratch Man"

    Episode 74—October 30, 2016 All Hallow's Eve is here, marking the time of year when it is kosher to connect with ghosts and spirits. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores divination's relationship with intuition through tasseography, tea leaf reading. She also reads a letter to the editor imploring...

  31. Still Trophies and "Measuring Wall"

    Episode 73—October 15, 2016 We are all hunters at heart, tracking desires and dreams. Today host Jennifer Ellsworth explores the trophies of that hunt through the history of taxidermy and its ability to transport us through time and space. She also compares hardcore hunters to yogis, and reads a...

  32. Sky Hunters and "#Blessed-Common Ground Country Fair Folk Arts Tent 2016"

    Episode 72—September 30, 2016 Nearly everyday Earth has a close approach with an asteroid. Today host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how NASA scientists find these Near Earth Objects and what we plan to do with them. She also tells a true story about an ant-hunting dog, and reads a prose poem about...

  33. Night Flight and "Jackson Pond Party Boat" Part 3

    Episode 71—September 16, 2016 As the sun slips into the southern hemisphere, we welcome autumn and longer nights than days. Host Jennifer Ellsworth considers what to pack for this journey toward year's end. She also tells about midnight walks to Lake St. George, and concludes the short story...

  34. Reclaiming "Virginity" and "Jackson Pond Party Boat" Part 2

    Episode 70—September 1, 2016 A woman warrior is not usually the first image that comes to mind when you hear "virgin," but perhaps it should. Host Jennifer Ellsworth dissects the etymology of the word to reveal its ancient and surprising roots. She also interviews Belfast Maskers cofounder Diane...

  35. Aliens Among Us and "Jackson Pond Party Boat" Part One

    Episode 69—August 18, 2016 Is there evidence of aliens? Today host Jennifer Ellsworth investigates stories of out-of-staters, and way-out-of-staters. She hashes out the details of Maine's most famous close encounter, the Allagash Alien Abduction of 1976, visits the Roswell UFO Museum, and reads...

  36. Future Harvest and "The Crew Today at Steven's Pond"

    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…

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  37. Fast, Dangerous Thunder Moon

    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…

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  38. Pickup Revolution and "Ode to My Junky Car"

    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…

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  39. Welcome Summer and "Satiated"

    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…

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  40. Luna Moth's Light and "Morning Glories"

    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...

  41. We're All Wayfinding and "Intact"

    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...

  42. Spring's Sense of Timing and "Wanda's Second Day"

    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...

  43. Lucky Lunar Beltane and "Lucky Day"

    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...

  44. Life-altering Lightning and "Chubby Bunny"

    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...

  45. Everyday Phoenixes and "Good Deeds"

    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...

  46. Diamond Anniversary Club and "Trim Day"

    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...

  47. Put Your Passion to Work and "Jobs, Not Jail"

    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...

  48. Old Habits Die Hard and "Where Rushing Gets You"

    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...

  49. Retrograde Rescue and "Magic Touch"

    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…

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  50. Wolf Stories

    Episode 54- January 9, 2016 Humans vilify and worship wolves. Host Jennifer Ellsworth explores how these canines inherited their own moon name. She also tells a true story about an encounter with a Lone Wolf that wished she had a gun, and reads a poem about how her family falls asleep called…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Maine Stories and Moon Musing. It's "All Things Considered" for the moon and modern Maine short fiction. Episodes are produced on each New and Full Moon.

HOSTED BY

Jennifer Ellsworth

Produced by Jennifer Tibbetts

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Lunar Datebook have?

Lunar Datebook currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Lunar Datebook about?

Maine Stories and Moon Musing. It's "All Things Considered" for the moon and modern Maine short fiction. Episodes are produced on each New and Full Moon.

How often does Lunar Datebook release new episodes?

Lunar Datebook has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Lunar Datebook?

You can listen to Lunar Datebook on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Lunar Datebook?

Lunar Datebook is created and hosted by Jennifer Ellsworth.
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