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Episode Summary

We had a little break from the hot summer last week, a few wonderful cool days. And we got drenched with rain. It seems lately that I’ve been feeling one of those periodic releases of pent up emotions. I’m wondering what we do in this pandemic when we don’t know where to put our grief, or even recognize what it looks like. C.S. Lewis said, “No one ever told me that grief felt so like fear.” I carry it around with me, and then one day it’s too much. Then I let myself feel everything, pick myself up, and begin again. And then, I feel better somehow. This week we have music from my solo album, Bob Mills, Bright Wings Chorus, and Casey Murray and Molly Tucker. Charis Boke reads a poem by Hafiz, and I read a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay and an excerpt from The Prophet. Take care, everyone.

Episode Notes [Read more…] about Episode 15: After the sky weeps

Episode summary

This week we have music from lydia ievins, Alex Sturbaum, Curt Osgood, Peter and Mary Alice Amidon, and Andrew and Noah VanNorstrand. Charis Boke reads a poem by Rumi, and Julie reads a poem by Cale Young Rice and an excerpt from Endymion by John Keats, with piano music from Aaron Marcus. This episode goes out to those who live their lives the way they need to live them, to the continuing spirit of creativity even in difficult times, to the persistence of love and beauty across the centuries, and to things that sustain us. Anyone is welcome to submit music or poetry to the podcast! You can reach out at starsintherafters.com; we would love to hear from you. Take care, everyone.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 14: Irrepressible

Episode summary

At this point in the summer, camps would be in full swing and we’d be dancing together under the stars. Instead, we’re at home, which is definitely the safe place to be. However, there has been an amazing flourishing of online culture. While it’s not the same as being together in person, it does offer new accessibility to people who couldn’t attend events in person for whatever reason. We’re creating amazing tools as a community to stay in touch, and I really hope that we can continue doing many of them to keep our community inclusive. This week we have music from Callithump, Elixir, the Oshima Brothers, Haley Hewitt, and the Bright Wings Chorus. Julie reads a poem by Susan Reid, and Sam Sanders and Aaron Marcus perform a poem by Danny Dover. As always, you can send in music and reach out to us at starsintherafters.com. We’d love to hear from you and add your voice to the podcast. Take care, everyone.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 13: Under the same stars

Episode summary

Summer is here. Ever since mid-May, I’ve been going out to sit in the garden every day, practically willing the plants to grow. Especially in this pandemic, it seems like a meditation on time and place, tuning into the infinitesimally small changes of nature. And maybe it’s because I’ve lived in the northeast for all of my life, but with every bite of tomatoes right off the vine, I also feel just a tiny little bit of paradoxical dread of the winter down the bend, even though it can’t be farther away than it is today, and I savor every bite that much more, as if a year’s worth of sunlight could be concentrated in each tomato. Even so, I remember that winter is always followed by spring and summer again. This week we have music from Pete’s Posse, Windborne, lydia ievins, the Starry Mountain Singers, and Nova. Peter Amidon reads a poem by Walt Whitman. Lissa Schneckenburger reads a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, and I read a recent poem by Susan Reid. Take care, everyone.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 12: The promise of summer

[Read more…] about Episode 11: On the sea

Episode summary

Sometimes to make positive change, we have to take big steps. But also, there is a lot of value in small things, the little but important ways we are kind to each other, the small changes that we make. And when we feel overwhelmed, we can try to focus back in on the small immediate things in our lives that give us joy and sustain us. This week we have music from Jeremiah McLane, Joanne Garton, Tristan Henderson, and Brendan Taaffe. Julie Vallimont reads a poem by John Keats, and Sam Sanders reads a poem by Emily Dickinson, accompanied by Aaron Marcus. As always, anyone is welcome to submit music and poetry. You can reach out to us at starsintherafters.com.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 10: Simple acts and simple beauties

Episode summary

All over the country this week, people have been fighting for justice, with the backdrop of this pandemic still going on. We’re stronger when we work together. As a community we can support each other, strengthen each other, learn from each other, and inspire each other. So this episode celebrates the strength of community and the hope for positive change. We have music from Pete Sutherland, Aaron Marcus, Bright Wings Chorus, and Tim Ball and Sophie Orzechowski. Julie reads a new poem by Susan Reid and a poem by Rumi, and Anna Patton reads a poem by Emily Dickinson.  Anyone is invited to share things with the podcast. You can reach out at www.starsintherafters.com.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 9: Stronger together

Episode summary

Our calendars have mostly been cleared in this pandemic, inviting us to clear space in our lives and in our souls for the things that matter most. Farming is a kind of clearing too, where we’re making space to grow things, and we are blessed to have some wonderful farms in New England. But we have to make sure everyone has a seat at the table. It’s obviously time to also clear out centuries of oppression. We all need to do what we can to fight for justice. And work to build a society where everyone can live in equality, freedom, and safety. This week we have music from lydia ievins, Aaron Marcus, Live Wire, Windborne, and Bob Mills. Sam Sanders reads a poem by Martha Postlethwaite, and Julie reads a passage from The Prophet and a poem by Rumi. As always, you can find out more at starsintherafters.com, and you can reach out to me there. 

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 8: Clearing

Episode summary

The school year is winding to a close, even though it looks a lot different for students, parents, and teachers alike. We’re all being pushed to grow and change in new ways. So this episode goes out to all the kids, to the parents, to new things, to change, and to growing through hard times. We have music from Pete Sutherland, Countercurrent, Anna Patton, and Julie Vallimont. Lissa Schneckenburger reads a poem by Anne Sexton, Nils Fredland reads a poem by Randy Miller, and Randi Berg reads a poem by Maureen Flannery.

Episode notes [Read more…] about Episode 7: Growing and changing

Episode summary

A lot of us are finding that these days our feelings and energy levels come and go, like the dappled clouds passing overhead. So along the theme of sunlight and shadow, this episode features music from Low Lily, Mayfly, Buddy System, Pete’s Posse, and Rachel Panitch. Fynn Crooks reads a poem by Sarah Hirsch, and Julie reads a brand new poem by Susan Reid. As of today, we have had listeners from 17 different states, three provinces of Canada, England, and France. It’s been so wonderful to hear from people! Thank you for writing to us, sending us music and poetry, and for spreading the word about the podcast. You can reach out at www.starsintherafters.com.

Episode notes

[Read more…] about Episode 6: Sunlight and shadow