Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
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 “White Dew on Grass”. As a way to celebrate this season, we will explore how dew is formed and look into dew harvesting. Then, we will read some seasonal haiku by Issa, Basho, Saigyo, and Buson.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Evening Cicada Sings”. This is the first micro-season of the mini-season of First Autumn. As a way to celebrate this season, we will learn about the taxonomy of the cicada and listen to some cicada songs. After that, we will read some seasonal haiku by Basho, Issa, and readers of The Washington Post.
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 have entered the micro-season of “The Young Hawk Learns to Fly ”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Minor Heat. As a way to celebrate this season, we will explore what types of birds are considered hawks, the life cycle of birds, and then read haiku by Basho, Issa, and Shiki.
We have entered the micro-season of “The First Lotus Blossoms ”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Minor Heat. As a way to celebrate this season, we are going to learn about the lotus flower and its connection to Buddhism. Then we will read several haiku by Basho, Issa, Shiki, and Buson.
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 are in the micro-season of "The Plum Turns Yellow". As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate the ume tree, explore some culinary uses for ume, and read ume-inspired haiku by Kobayashi Issa, Yosa Buson, and others.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Time for Wheat”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Grain Full. To honor this season, we investigate wheat as a cereal crop and take a look at Vincent van Gogh's wheat-inspired paintings.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Safflower Blossoms”. This is the second micro-season of the mini-season of Grain Full. To honor this season we are looking at the history and uses of the safflower and then reading poetry from the Man'yōshū, Kokinwakashū, and some haiku by Basho.
Naturalist Weekly 