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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

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Featured susanfarese

We Captured Our Creativity With Haiku!

By

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Eight women attended our 2 hour SJF Communications Haiku workshop ‘Capturing Your Creativity With Haiku’ on January 18th, 2020 at the Poway Community Library.

We began with an interactive 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 of my nature photography and other 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 along with photo prompts and written Haiku from that day! I also contributed a few!

Workshop leader/presenter Susan J. Farese with attendees
(Back Row): Grace, Karen, Karla, Ninon, Laurie and Cheran; (Front Row): Kathy and Xochih.

1. Tahquitz Canyon Waterfall
Photo by Susan J. Farese

Water tumbles down

forest leaves reach for the ground

a cool pool, respite.

-Karen

Waterfall rushing

thundering sound breaks silence

in awe of nature

-Cheran

2. Bench at Santee Lakes
Photo by Susan J. Farese

A bench welcomes me-

have a seat and rest yourself

just breathe in and out

-Cheran

A bench beckons you

verdant grass and flowing

rest and contemplate

-Karen

Our summer is gone

and no one is sitting here

on the lonely bench

And in Japanese:

私たちの夏は去りました

そして誰もここに座っていません

孤独なベンチで

Watashitachi no natsu wa sarimashita soshite dare mo koko ni suwatte imasen kodokuna benchi de

-Grace

3. Moon Rise and Yellow Traffic Light
Photo by Susan J. Farese

A long day has passed

amidst the busy hustle

the bright moon greets me

-Karen

When I’m coming home

showing the same shape as moon

the yellow signal!

And in Japanese

家に帰るとき

月と同じ形を示す

黄色の信号！

Ie ni kaeru toki tsuki to onaji katachi o shimesu kiiro no shingō!

-Grace

All of a sudden

moon rose, traffic light yellow-

serendipity!

-Susan

Little hummer sits

head bent prayerfully drinking-

a blessed moment!

-Cheran

5. Torrey Pines State Beach
Photo by Susan J. Farese

Earth and ocean meet

waves crash and rocks tumble down

the clouds bear witness

-Karen

6. Great White Egret at Santee Lakes
Photo by Susan J. Farese

The water glistened

fanned plumage captivating!

Great White Egret soared!

-Susan

Legs stretched, beak pointed

wings forming mushroom bellows

ready to take flight

-Cheran

Very beautiful

the open wings are such fun

The Great White Egret

And in Japanese:

非常に美しい

開いた翼はとても楽しい

白eg鳥

Hijō ni utsukushī aita tsubasa wa totemo tanoshī shiro eg tori

-Grace

Crimson foliage

flutters from the azure sky

float on silent lakes.

-Karen

Beautiful red leaves

showing us their reflection

on an Autumn lake

And in Japanese:

美しい紅葉

彼らの反射を見せて

秋の湖で

Utsukushī kōyō karera no hansha o misete akinoumi de

-Grace

8. Two Egrets at Torrey Pines State Beach
Photo by Susan J. Farese

Birds stop for a chat

beaks greeting in warm friendship

Oh glorious morn!

9. Trail at Pacific Highlands Ranch, Carmel Valley, San Diego
Photo by Susan J. Farese

Beginning right now

feeling earth beneath my feet

starting my journey

-Karla

10. Sunset Cliffs
Photo by Susan J. Farese

Jagged rocky edge

salty waves roll in and out

cares ride on the waves

-Karla

The waves foaming white

rocks sure of their position

jutting out to sea

-Cheran

The Oceans spirit

awakens my soul and heart-

quiets my deep pain

-Laurie

Rigid and solid

stone is no match for water-

time transforms all things

-Ninon

11. Joshua Tree Flowers
photo by Susan J. Farese

Purple flowers stand

along the desert valley

embracing simple

-Karla

Fields of purple blooms

swaying gently in the breeze

Mother Earth awakes!

-Ninon

Snow, ice and water

winter chill invigorates

the body and soul

-Ninon

13. Coachella Valley Preserve – Thousand Palms Oasis McCallum Pond
Photo by Susan J. Farese

A Spring desert hike

path, date palms, oasis pond

delightful surprise!

-Susan

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!

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SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

Featured susanfarese

San Dieguito River Park – Del Mar

Fun time strolling at the San Dieguito River Park in Del Mar today despite the heat and humidity in the San Diego area! Shorebirds are thriving there and the water was crystal blue. Two Great White Egrets were in a tizzy, I saw a flock of Kildeer hurrying above yapping away (who knows why), a European Starling (I think) and a few gulls too! Panoramic view of the lagoon, Del Mar Fairgrounds, Viewpoint Brewery , the #5, then West towards the ocean.

Here’s a short video. Enjoy !

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Featured susanfarese

A Visit to the Buena Vista Audubon & the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation

We spent an afternoon walking along the trails and exploring bird watching (and more)

at two North County San Diego areas –

the Buena Vista Audubon in Oceanside & the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation in Carlsbad.

Not too many bird sightings but…the beautiful wild flowers and stunning nature captivated us as usual!

My favorite find of the day: The dragonfly !

Here’s a short video.

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Featured susanfarese

Shorebirds at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Trail

Had a great afternoon bird watching with my husband at the mile long, double loop, ADA accessible San Elijo Nature Center Loop Trail (Located off of Interstate #5 a bit West on Manchester Blvd. in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California). There are several benches along the route to sit back, reflect and ‘take it all in’.

Despite the dredging and restoration lately, we saw some incredible shorebirds : The Great White Egret, Great Blue Heron, and Black-Crowned Night Heron as well as Mallards.

There’s a bit of restoration and dredging (thus, disruption of the bird habitats) happening these days, complete with large cranes, so I didn’t spot as many species as usual.

Feel free to read more about the San Elijo Nature Center plus, some info about the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

Here’s a short video….

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Video Featured susanfarese

Look Out! It’s a Bird…or Two…or Three – Bird Watching at Santee Lakes!

Santee Lakes in San Diego County is a great place for bird and waterfowl watching! So many varieties can be spotted throughout the year! Here is a PDF Santee Lakes Birdlist as of 2016.

I’ve made a short video from my brief visit the other day. A Great White Egret was the highlight! Also spotted Wood Ducks, Great Blue Heron, Mallards, Canada Geese, Pied-Billed Grebe, and of course, Coots!