STRAWBERRY MOON 2023
The Moon never takes sick leave
Dear Lunatics,
The Strawberry Moon reached its peak fullness at 11:42 PM Eastern Standard Time two nights ago. My apologies for the lack of a dispatch. I’ve been battling Covid and have wanted to keep a respectful distance from the full moon, which absolutely refuses to mask up.
But not to worry, my avid moonviewers—the Strawberry Moon is still 98% full tonight, and ripe strawberries are sweeter anyway.
Speaking of strawberries, NASA has spent decades trying—and failing—to grow them in space. So far, the garden in the International Space Station has yielded a nightmarishly bland menu: radish, algae, Chinese cabbage, Russian kale, three types of lettuce, mustard plant, and dwarf wheat.
Yet NASA continues to dole out grants to would-be space gardeners with innovative schemes to cultivate berries in orbit.
The great strawberry push is about more than simply providing an antioxidant-rich treat to astronauts spending long stretches in the confines of an off-world capsule.
The strawberries are really about preventing these astronauts from going completely insane.
I will explain fully, with the aid of an eminent space psychologist, next month…
Stay safe and healthy out there!
—WD
Aaarrgrh. So sorry to hear, Will! Yes, please rest rest rest, and we will all be here to pick up wherever you left off, for however long you need to get back on your feet.
“Speaking of strawberries, NASA has spent decades trying—and failing—to grow them in space.”
Curiously, the existence of this ongoing endeavor - bureaucratic and scientific; mundane and amazing - fills me with great hope for our republic.
Hoping the moonbeams bring you healing and a return to good health.