Creative Collection from Recent SJF Communications Haiku Workshops!

The following are Haiku poems from my recent workshops in Lakeside and Casa de Oro, CA. It’s always so rewarding for me to see how creativity develops with attendees! Sometimes, my nature photography prompts (or attendee’s photos) will encourage and spark writing about the actual photos seen, sometimes, a creative spark ignites and words appear that bring the past to light!

Enjoy these Haiku….

A yellow moonrise

Will it being mischief or peace?

We shall wait and see

-Anonymous attendee at library

RESCUE ME

How miraculous

A sister! A family!

Light in the darkness

-Attendee who discovered she had a half-sister a few years ago….

after losing both of her parents.

Thirty-four years gone

It is still hard to believe

I live, love, for you.

-Attendee about the loss of her parent

Incessant drumming

Wet Earth, muddy paws, messy

Where are you sunshine?

Attendee who wrote this reflecting on the noisy (and seemingly endless) rain…

GRATEFUL

Phenomenal me

I have crawled through broken

To a life I love

34 years gone

It is still hard to believe

I live, love, for you.

Attendee wrote about resilience and loss…

FLOWERS

Birds of paradise

Colorful, feathery plumes

Gently swaying tall

-Attendee writing about a favorite flower, at library workshop

Once an awesome Miss

Succumbs to the elements

And passes away…

Time’s a miracle

That so loses its intrigue

The longer it goes.

Was it what you thought?

Are the gates really pearly?

Or was it a myth?

Did you get to hear

the celestial choir hymns?

Was it what you dreamed?

Are you joining in?

Do you feel at home there yet?

Do you know you are gone?

Did you meet Danny?

Is he who you thought he’d be?

Was he grown or not?

Was he as happy

To finally meet Mommy?

He waited so long.

Did you see Jesus?

Was he what you thought he’d be?

Did he know your name?

-Attendee writing about recent loss of her Mother

CEDAR WAXWINGS

This fluttering flock

All swooping down together

Perching on branches

Softly twittering

With jaunty crested heads and

Pale yellow bellies

Searching for berries

AS bright as their red-tipped wings

So hungry in Spring.

Their grumpy faces

Wearing black masquerade masks

Always make me smile

Attendee that enjoys birdwatching and is especially is intrigued by Cedar Waxwings!

HARPER

An all-breed puppy

Soft white fur, muscle and bone

Perpetual smile

She’s ready to play

Joyful and exuberant

Yet happy to work

Busy all the time

She zooms through the garden to

Hunt, chase, dig and bark

I call her to me

She quivers with excitement

To practice our tricks

Looping around me

Weaving with agility

Through my walking legs

When we are both tired

We will snuggle together

Relaxed on the couch.

Attendee who write about her dog Harper!

CAREGIVING

I care, I love, who?

Never in my wildest dreams

My care for elders!

Truly I did so

Wholeheartedly giving all

Nothing left for myself

Now injured, who cares?

Overwhelming pain, depressed

Love, care for ME first!

Tender loving care

Memories of Mom and Dad

Worthiness of life!

Attendee reflecting on the toll and satisfaction that caregiving had for her…

Featured susanfarese

A Visit to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Video, Photos and a Haiku!

We had a lovely day at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park !

Here’s a video snippet…Enjoy!

(Feel free to make the video larger – click on the lower right corner)!

Some Images of the Day!

Haiku

Safari Park Treasures

By Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. Animals galore

Nature as art images

Magnificent views

2. This safari park

One more gem, San Diego!

In Escondido!

3. Creatures large and small

I could watch for days!

Until the next time!

Thanks for stopping by!

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February 11, 2016April 28, 2016 susanfarese

Extraordinary People -Sue Vicory

Making a Powerful Impact

One Person at a Time:

Award-Winning Filmmaker Sue Vicory

by

Susan J. Farese

SJF Communications

Sue Vicory. Photo Credit: Landon Collis

My serendipitous connection with two-time Telly Award winning Filmmaker Sue Vicory began in 2015. It was meant to be! San Diego filmmaker/entrepreneur/educator Jodi Cilley, the President of the Film Consortium San Diego and the founder and producer of the annual San Diego Film Awards (and an equally extraordinary person) recommended that I connect with her film colleague Sue. Jodi was so intuitive in facilitating our connection (which I hope will last a lifetime)!

Sue Vicory with Jodi Cilley (courtesy photo-Jodi Cilley)

A quote about Sue from Jodi:

“Sue Vicory is one of the most inspiring and amazing people I know. She has dedicated her life to helping others and has gone out of her way to help build the film industry in San Diego in a variety of ways. She is a role model and I’m constantly amazed by her efforts to help people from all walks of life.” – Jodi Cilley

After reaching out to Sue via email, my daughter Emmy and I were cast in the short fiction film Downstage for the 2015 San Diego 48 Hour Film Project. Sue’s production company “Heartland Films” produced and Sue directed, along with the writing team of Sariann Monaco, Holly Rone and Talia Pauletti. “Team XX” was a history-making, twenty-five member, all-female team. Downstage is now on the film festival circuit. You can view Sue’s films and videos on Sue Vicory’s YouTube Channel. Read my previous post about Team XX .

Team XX at Filming of Downstage (courtesy photo-Sue Vicory)

Besides working on Downstage Emmy and I have participated in a few of Sue’s community service projects and we continually network. It was because of witnessing Sue’s purpose, passion, vigor and selfless “chill” demeanor that I decided to interview her here as an Extraordinary Person, Sharing her Story!

Sue is currently on an amazing one year trip across the U.S. in her branded van with her “extraordinary” “My Power of One” (MPO1) 12 Acts of Kindness National Tour”. Her recently retired and extremely supportive husband Jay and their amazing (will tell you why later) Golden Retriever Kacy are accompanying her.

Here is the MPO1 Facebook page link and “12 Acts of Kindness National Tour”- Go Fund Me Site. You can order MPO1 t-shirts, hats, stickers, note cards, etc.: http://mypowerofone.com/product-category/t-shirts/ and read Sue’s blog: MPO1: blog: http://mypowerofone.com/blog/

April 19, 2015April 20, 2015 susanfarese

It’s a RUFF life: Ugly Dog Contest…(Not Just for Ugly Dogs) 4/19/15 at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club!

We (my daughter Emmy, her friend Sydney and I), enjoyed a great afternoon on April 19th, 2015 at the 20th Annual “Ugly Dog Contest” at Del Mar Thoroughbred Club! We arrived about 30 minutes after it started, but still caught most of the contest!

The San Diego Coastal Chamber of Commerce and Del Mar Kiwanis were hosts. Sheila McDonnell, who passed away three years ago but was founder of the contest, was recognized and honored. Sheila’s wish was “for the event to continue to take place and to continue raising money for organizations that benefit animals and children”.

There were many 4-legged contestants, their owners/handlers, an MC (Greg Vicino- Associate Curator, San Diego Zoo Global), vendor booths, raffle prizes and snacks, and of course spectators.

According to the program, Judges were Brandi Williams (KUSI), Christy Manry (Elam’s Hallmark), Anna Orlando (Kilroy Properties), Sara Ingrande (Torrey Pines Bank) and Kelly Baldieri (Del Mar Hilton). Vendors were: Camp Run-a-Mutt, Welk Resorts, RDSI Designs, Easy Turf, Real Blue Proerties, The 4 Foundation, CruiseOne Dream Vacations, Keane Studios, Kahoots Pet Store, Total Thermal Imaging of San Diego, Built Green California, The San Diego Humane Society and Reality Changers (which received a portion of the proceeds).Product donations were provided by Vons, Albertsons, Ralphs, Whole Foods, Mary’s Tack & Feed, RDSI, Dirty Dogs, Dexter’s Deli, Keane Studios and the Del Mar Hilton.

The categories were “Cutest puppy/dog”, “Most unusual markings”, “Dog that looks like owner”, “Best trick”, “Best costume Adult & Dog and Child & Dog”, “Cutest Mutt”, “Most beautiful male and female” and finally “THE UGLIEST DOG”! The winner of the UGLY DOG contest: RASCAL!