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 “Thick Fog Blankets the Sky”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of First Autumn. As a way to celebrate this season, we will investigate what causes fog and how to classify the different types of fog. Then we will read poetry from Masaoka Shiki, Kobayashi Issa, Matsuo Bashō, Yosa Buson, and Carl Sandburg.
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 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 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 “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.
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.
We have entered the micro-season of “The Earthworms Rise”, which is the second micro-season of the mini-season of First Summer. To honor this season we will be looking at the taxonomy of earthworms and reading poetry for Carl Dennis, Issa, Buson, and Basho.
Naturalist Weekly 