Today, we want to highlight and thank another three valuable and highly skilled consultants that bring added credibility and authenticity to their specific episodes. This is a vital part of the Moon Drake vision and purpose, because we are presenting stories that show the children of the world how diverse and glorious Humanity is and all of Creation.

We will never run out people and places to write about in the world. And as we strive to learn and understand each other, we believe the people of the earth will one day come together in an embrace of love. Though the Moon Drake stories are simply written, their truths and characters will open hearts.

Rose (Rosie) Atweng’a, Kenya, Africa – is the startup entrepreneur for a small business in Kenya. She is also involved with youth groups that advocate for self-development and integrity. “Having grown up in extreme poverty I relate so well to Lesadi. Sometimes people in need, can be tempted to get involved in anything to earn a living. So, it takes a strong will to say “no” to both criminal and immoral activities. Living in Nakuru, Kenya, and especially through the writer’s background of the story, the storyline is so vivid. In our youth groups we encourage young people to avoid illegal activities. Therefore, in our next meeting we will be reading this script and point out the vices and virtues the story teaches.“

Rose is the Cultural Consultant for Episode 1.1 – Lesadi & Her Star, (Kenya, Africa, African Continent) – “This story gives me a mix of emotions as the background of the story is very familiar. The cultural wisdom, ‘Be a woman of light’ encourages the spirit of integrity. I love the characters of Lesadi and Jabari showing us that vulnerability shouldn’t lead us to crime, we should be strong-willed. In essence, the poachers are the least in the chain of this crime because we have more powerful people who are in charge of poaching, who are also involved with the authorities. But the story gives us hope that all is not lost since there are still good people in authority who collaborate with Jabari to do the right thing. Though the exact location is not mentioned, it takes me to the area around Lake Elmenteita. The story is not only exciting but also educational and reflects on societal morals.” – Rose Atweng’a

Nadezhda (Nadia) Vulova Nuza, Bulgaria, Europe – is the perfect consultant for the Moon Drake story set in the beautiful country of Bulgaria, for it is her original homeland. In addition, Nadia understands what it takes to create a relevant story in film, as she has worked in the film industry for many years from Production Assistant to Production Manager. She has been a program host and even worked behind the camera. As well, Nadia has an eye for detail through her work as a still photographer. She went to the University of Gibraltar and is the wife of Moon Drake producer and writer, Martin Nuza.

Nadia is the Cultural Consultant for Episode 1.3 – Zhivka & Mitko (Bulgaria, European Continent) “It is my greatest pleasure to be the consultant for this episode because it has the backdrop of a Bulgarian village, a place dear to my heart, and follows the story of a young girl’s heroic struggle to fight an evil and corrupt system. It is her quest, for the sake of saving her mother and neighbors, to keep those she loves from a pending environmental catastrophe. This episode, as with all Moon Drake episodes, is truly a heart-warming story filled with inspiration and hope for a better planet.” – Nadezhda Vulova Nuza

Mark Rickerby, ancestors from Ireland, Europe – As a Moon Drake producer and writer with roots in Ireland, I could see no other person but my late father, John Sidney Rickerby, as the posthumous Cultural Consultant for this episode. He was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1933. After leaving Ireland in 1957 for Canada and later America, he founded the John S. Rickerby Company, which operated for over fifty years. He was interviewed on television and radio and contributed numerous articles about Ireland to the Los Angeles Times, the Belfast Telegraph, and other publications. However, his main claims to fame for those who knew him best were his singing voice and seemingly endless supply of jokes and stories. He passed away in 2014 at the age of 81, but many of his stories can be found in his memoir titled The Other Belfast – An Irish Youth. He was always an inspiration to me in many ways, but particularly singing and writing. Here’s part of a poem his influence inspired.

I was born and raised in the good ol’ U.S. of A.
But my heart also belongs to a place far away,
An enchanted isle of leprechauns and banshees,
Of shining green fields, craggy hills and bent trees.
Where ever-falling sunshowers light up the grass.
Their emerald beauty dazzles the eye as you pass.

The life’s work of John Rickerby is the Cultural Consultant for Episode 1.8 – Eamon & the Last Forest (Ireland, European Continent) “My father’s influence is present in this story in several ways. First, he always used to tell me stories about climbing Cave Hill, which looms over Belfast, and his love of the solitude and nature he found there. Secondly, during World War II, he was sent to the country to live with a relative, as many children were, to be safe from German bombing raids of the city. He spent most days exploring a forest near the cottage he lived in. And lastly, my father instilled a love of nature in me as a child, particularly forests, because he would often take my mom, brother and me to a cabin deep in the forest of Big Bear, California. Much of what Eamon discovers in the forest reflects my own childhood impressions.

“If he were alive today, I’m sure my dad would love this episode because of his deep connection to nature, which was especially strong when he was a child and escaped his sometimes-harsh reality in the alternate world of forests, and because he was a storyteller much like Eamon’s grandfather, always regaling anyone who would listen with wild tales. His imagination was every bit as fertile as Ireland’s ‘40 shades of green’.” – Mark Rickerby

We close this blog post with memories of John, for this Ireland episode will be dedicated to him. Here is his most popular Irish poem:

ULSTER

There are those who say that Ulster is a place of hate and pain,
But many who have left it would still go back again.

The strangers do not see behind the bombs and flames and smoke,
And fail to see the character of the kindly Ulster folk.

But we have memories of the days when we were young and gay,
Of carefree romps through Ormeau Park or over Cave Hill’s Bray.

The Saturdays at Windsor, the Sundays by the sea,
The bathing belles at Pickie, the sands at Donaghadee,

Our best suit pressed and ready and we were Plaza-bound,
But first a stop at Mooney’s and pints bought all around.

The Sunday morning papers, the bacon and dip bread,
Then a dander to the castle where all the scores are read.

Back to work on Monday, the weekend’s tales are told,
While the oldsters smile and chuckle as our youthful tales unfold.

A new girl in the office, she’s a quare wee bit o’ stuff.
Is she going strong, you wonder, as you act so big and tough.

Those were the days, there is no doubt, as my memory wanders back.
That is what we all recall, not the rifle’s crack.

Will it ever be the same, you ask. Will today’s kids ever know
The simple life we all enjoyed a long, long time ago?