Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
We have entered the micro-season of “Hibernating Creatures Close Their Doors”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Autumn Equinox. As a way to celebrate this season, we will look at the strategies animals use to survive the winter and then read some haiku by Shiki, Basho, and Issa.
We have entered the micro-season of “Thunder Lowers Its Voice”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of Autumn Equinox. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the conditions needed to create thunder and lightning. Then we will read some thunder and lightning-themed haiku by Basho, Issa, and Kerouac.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Swallows Leave”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of White Dew. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the swallow and its migration patterns. Then we will read haiku by Buson and Issa. This season, we also invite you to write your own migration-inspired haiku and share it with the community.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Rice Ripens”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Limit of Heat. As a way to celebrate this season, we will look at the taxonomy of the rice plant and how it is grown. Then we will read a variety of seasonal rice-themed haiku by Issa and Basho.
The micro-season of “The Cotton Lint Opens” runs from Aug 23 - Aug 27. As a way to honor this season, we will explore the taxonomy of the cotton plant and its processing process. Then we will read haiku by Basho, Gewi, Gorgone, and Wright.
We have entered the micro-season of “Damp Earth Humid Heat”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Major Heat. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the origins of the phrase "Dog Days of Summer" and then read some dog-inspired haiku by Issa, Basho, and Prondzynski.
We are entering the micro-season of "The Crow-dipper Sprouts". To honor we are going to investigate the Crow-dipper plant, review its medicinal uses, and look at its cultural significance. We will also read a few seasonal #haiku from Basho and Issa.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Common Self-Heal Dries”. As a way to celebrate this season, we are going to learn how to identify the common self-heal, discuss its potential medicinal properties, and then read some haiku from Issa, Basho, and others.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Fireflies Rise from the Rotten Grass”. As a way to celebrate this season, we will look into the life cycle of the firefly and read poems by Robert Frost, Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Bashō, and Masaoka Shiki.
We have entered the micro-season of “Bamboo Shoots Appear”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of First Summer. To honor this season, we are learning all about Bamboo and reading haiku by Basho, Issa, and Buson.
Naturalist Weekly 