Zooming For Our Haiku Workshop

We had a wonderful virtual 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ via Zoom on August 29th.

Best part of it…these were my two friends, Ann Stowe and Karen De Arana, that decided to give Haiku a try! Wow, they really delivered!

We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and poetry as well as a short ice-breaker.

Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Besides the photo prompts, we had a choice to also write either about our experiences dealing with the isolation and angst of the Covid-19 pandemic or the ‘best’ or ‘worst’ day in our lives.

Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with two fabulous ladies. They wrote some amazing Haiku!

Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts we chose that day!

Joshua Tree Flowers – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Lying in the grass

Wind coaxing flowers to dance

Gazing at the sky!

~ Karen


Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Roaring waves crashing

Thundering across the cliffs

Loudly pounding shore!

~ Ann


Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

All of a sudden

Moon rose at the yellow light

Serendipity!

~ Susan


Julian Leaves – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Autumn is now here

A kaleidoscope palette

Welcomes the season!

~Ann


Summer stirs the trees

Leaves fall as darkness chills air

Look! Vibrant colors!

~Karen


Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Hike in the canyon

Flowers, scents and landscapes too

Look – A waterfall!

~ Susan


Great White Egret at Santee Lakes

Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Waited patiently

Water serene, time just right-

The egret took fight!

~ Susan


Thoughts on Covid-19 & the Coronavirus Pandemic

(Stock Photo)

Consumed with media

Newsflash! People are dying!

Covid sucks big time.

~ Ann


Depression and angst

Weight gain and isolation

When will it all cease?

~ Karen


We celebrated with a high five!

And ended on a happy workshop note!

And when it as nearly over, I read my poems ‘Ann’s Zest Ends’ and my Haiku ‘Crisis & Hope’ aloud. I really miss doing live presentations and readings..

Come on Covid-19. Lets get this pandemic under control so we can truly be social again!

I look forward to teaching many more workshops in the future – virtual or in person!

What a terrific time!

Connecting, creating and sharing!

The next virtual workshop is:

September 5, 2020 via Zoom.

Here is the info and registration link: https://sjfcommunications.com/upcoming-haiku-workshops/

Upcoming Haiku Workshops

To schedule a Haiku Workshop, please contact SJF Communications at:

408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com

DONATE TO OUR HAIKU WORKSHOPS!

DONATION INFORMATION:

https://fundraising.fracturedatlas.org/capturing-your-creativity-with-haiku Donate now at Fractured Atlas!

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We ‘Zoomed’ and Captured our Creativity with Haiku!

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A recap of our workshop w/connection, creativity and sharing!

Our 4/5/2020 Zoom class:
‘Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku’
Top – Left to Right: Bonnie, Susan, Millie
Bottom – Left to Right: Janice, Mary Jean, Lori

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Five lovely women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop, ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ through San Diego Writer’s, Ink via Zoom on April 5th 2020. Once I figured out the system (video, sound, muting, unmuting, locking, etc.), it was a blast!

It was my first time teaching with Zoom and now I am hooked! In fact, I am planning another virtual Haiku workshop via San Diego Writer’s, Ink tentatively on June 7th from 10-12 noon. Stay tuned for details TBA.

We began with a review of my professional history and experience with Haiku and Poetry. After that, we did an interactive interesting and most of all fun ‘ice-breaker’ – getting to know each other a bit more.

Next, after introductions and a review of my work with poetry, I taught my Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared several (16) of my nature (and other) photography photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. Everyone practiced writing Haiku and finally we had the opportunity to share our work. It was a delightful time with such a lovely group of creative empowered women!

Here’s a glimpse of our enlightened attendees written Haiku along with photo prompts they chose that day!

Anna’s Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A simple creature

Delving into his sweetness

Bringing joy to all

– Lori

~

Hummingbird hornets

This Spring when hope hides from us

Kids drink from sippies

– Millie

Snowy Egret “Bad Hair Day” – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

A morning outlook

Wind ruffling my feathers

What to do today

-Lori

~

Eager and ready

Able with wings to take flight

Planted feet instead

-Mary Jean

~

White feathers ruffle

Lake reflections wrinkles

The visible wind

-Bonnie

Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

New discovery

A promise of refreshment

Flies! They found this too

-Mary Jean

Waterfall at Tahquitz Canyon Trail – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Water falls steady

From granite to constant lake

Upstaged by frailty

-Mary Jean

Joshua Tree Flowers – Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Lupine violet

Rises above dusty green

Poking the still air

-Millie

Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Palm trees like bear hugs

Only my hairless arms wrap

Tomorrow your gaze clears

-Millie

Sunset Cliffs, Point Loma
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Whirling eternal surf

Salty water splashes ashore

No virus in sea

-Janice

Moon Rise & Yellow Traffic Light
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Stop full moon overhead

Secrets hide the dusky light

Car horn, now mundane

-Janice

Julian Leaves
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Crunchy leaves crackle

Sun comfort through bare branches

Seasons change, do I?

-Janice

Tahquitz Canyon Overlooking Palm Springs
Photo by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Puffy clouds hover

Gentle wind rustles leaves on trees

City sleeps, no danger.

-Janice

Plus, Lori and Mary Jean wrote some additional Haiku without photo prompts! Way to go!

To be deep in love

Pandemic keeps us apart

Makes me love you more

-Lori

~

Peeling the orange

Ripping the layers of flesh

Ahh! A squirt of scent

-Mary Jean

~

What a terrific time!

Connecting, creating and sharing!

Upcoming Haiku Workshops

To schedule a Haiku Workshop, please contact SJF Communications at:

408-398-5940

sjfcommunications@gmail.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to subscribe, like, comment & share!

Like this post?

Contact SJF Communications for your PR/Marketing/Writing

Social Media/Photography, or Coaching Needs!

SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

Creative Coronavirus Coping Concepts and Ideas – 10 Tips

As we are all probably aware, the recent situation and news is all about preventing and dealing with the devastating effects of the novel Coronavirus and Covid-19 and positive thoughts and concern for the front line health care workers working with infected patients.

How are we all doing? Staying healthy? Are we helping to ‘flatten the curve’? Washing hands more frequently? Being cognizant of and seriously practicing ‘social distancing’ or ‘physical distancing’? Shaking our heads every once in awhile when we hear the news reports and numbers of positive coronavirus tests, Covid-19 cases and unfortunately sad accounts of death numbers rising?

I’m thinking about you!

Is this truly a paradigm shift for us?

If you’re parents of young, middle grade, high school or college-aged kids…how are you coping with things? You know, lesson plans, zoom learning, kids and young adults struggling to be non-social despite their affinity to others? Us too? Come on, be truthful. I’m thinking about you!

If you’re a creative (visual, performing, literary artist), how is it going for you? Any new ideas percolating? Do you have online presence? Have you been tweaking your website or social media or branding campaigns? Are you actively promoting or selling your work? Are you watching shows or movies while isolating? Working with an online coach or mentor?

What about those of you who usually work in an office or other outside establshment? How are you coping?

Has the financial change of late affected you? Have you taken steps to notify billing (household payments, utilities, assocations, healthcare etc.)?

Is anyone actually thriving? I hope so! Let’s try together. We can get through this.

For me, since I’ve worked from home for many years, it hasn’t been too bad of an adjustment. Well, it comes and goes..Truthfully, I miss my FREEDOM to come and go as I pleased. (Gee, I took that for granted)! But ‘staying put’ with social distancing, avoidng crowds, etc. is hopefully going to be worth it in the long run…right?

Here’s a list of my 10 things I have been doing to ‘survive’ the ‘self-isolation’ ‘shelter in place’ etc. Send me your ideas as well!

  1. Spring cleaning – have cleaned out several bathroom, bedroom, office and ‘junk’ drawers and have discovered a few great finds!
  2. Taking walks (and deep breaths) in the neighborhood and in nature (as rules allow) – getting those steps! Noticing that Spring upon us despite the gloom of this pandemic.
  3. Cooking more (and eating a bit healthier)! For the past few years, I’ll admit I wasn’t cooking as much. It’s actually been fun and sort of a puzzle to plan meals lately depending on how the stores stocked (or as we now it…unstocked).
  4. Online learning: Have taken several courses online for my obtaining continuing education credits. Have you thought of online courses?
  5. Reading manuscripts and books of my client authors and other new books.
  6. Calling/Connecting with important family members or others in your life via calls, emails, texts, social media, etc. (you wouldn’t believe how gratifying it is to reconnect with friends from the past or to stay in touch with family across the miles)!
  7. Cherishing family (near or far) and our time together… Maintaining physical distancing while cherishing our families!
  8. Adoring pets…we love our cat (you wouldn’t believe how calming it is to spend time with our 21 year old lovable, tuxedocat – such a social comforting feline)!
  9. Writing! I have been submitting my poetry online, adding some blog posts, interacting online, looking for podcast and blog interviews for clients as well as for SJF Communications.
  10. Reflecting and making choices for being: more grateful..kinder…and patient.

How about you? What are your ‘go-to’s’? Let’s hang in there and check in with each other. We’re all worth it!

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SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

2020 by SJF Communications

A Glorious Day at Lake Hodges (Video)

What a spectacular day hiking at Lake Hodges in Escondido, CA! Beautiful scenery, wildflowers blooming, birds enjoying the plentiful rain that we’ve had lately, magnificent rainbows (did we mention the larger than life rattlesnake)? Take a look at ‘art in nature’ and ‘nature as art’!

Music: If We Knew All the Laws of Nature’ by Robert Farmer.

Photos/Video by SJF Communications ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’ sjfcommunications.com

Thanks for stopping by!

Feel free to subscribe, like, comment & share!

Like this post?

Contact SJF Communications for your PR/Publicity/Writing

Social Media/Photography, or Coaching Needs!

SJF Communications: ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’