Creativity Blossomed at Haiku Workshop at the Potrero Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on November 2, 2024.

Many thanks to Branch Manager Berlyne Arteaga for hosting/coordinating the November 2, 2024 workshop and for her photos of the group.

Thanks as always to all of the participants for attending, interacting and sharing their work!

Left to right:
Phyllis, Susan, Lollie, Jan and June

Photos by Berlyne Arteaga and Susan J. Farese;
Collage by SJF Communications

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

After introductions and a review of her published work, Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared her nature photography as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We all practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. As always, it was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.

Enjoy these Haiku from our Workshop….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Potrero Library 11/2/2024~

Jet roars past my nose

Wings blurring beyond man’s sight

Hummingbird visit

by Jan

Carlsbad Flower Fields – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Rainbow colors bloom

Mother Earth’s message to all

Spring is here again

by Jan

Coyote Chorus

Many voices sing off-key

Winters chill soft breath

Morning light fades dark

Cocooned warmth – feel hot breath

Open eyes – dog nose!

Innocence tumbles

Heart bleeds love lost in one blow

Domestic Abuse

by Jan

Winter

The coldest season

Animals hibernating

Snow on mountain tops

by June

People

People are funny

People run, walk, laugh, cry, talk

Also fat, skinny

by Phyllis

For more information or to book a workshop (Individual or Group) with Susan:
Information LINK: https://sjfcommunications.com/haiku-workshops/
Or, Email info@sjfcommunications.com or sjfcommunications@gmail.com.

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Rose Week Haiku Workshop at the Del Mar Library!

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour SJF Communications “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop during Rose Week on May 10th at the Del Mar Branch of the San Diego County Library System. Many thanks to Polly, Branch Manager and Friends of the Library for hosting the workshop.

We began with an interactive fun ice breaker – getting to know each other.

After introductions and a review of her published work (with Haiku and other forms of poetry), Susan taught her Power Point presentation about writing Haiku and shared nature photography, including several photos of roses and flowers, plus other nature photos as prompts to encourage Haiku writing. We all practiced writing Haiku and had the opportunity to share our work. One woman had to leave early so she didn’t contribute a poem. It was a great discussion and we equally had so much to say about the creative process and the parallels with Haiku poetry and visual arts.

Here is a glimpse of us, along with the photo prompts and written Haiku for the afternoon.

Anna’s Hummingbird Feeding (Photo by Susan J. Farese)

Aroma beckons

Vibrating and fluttering

Delightful humming!

-Marilyn

Bold Flower and Butterfly (Photo by Susan J. Farese)

Vivid fuschia bed

Black and orange butterfly

Rests! Summer respite!

-Susan

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

All of a sudden

Yellow traffic light appears

Inviting moon shine!

-Susan

Julian Leaves – (Photo by Susan J Farese)

Crunchy country sounds

A potpourri of color

Autumn leaves do fall!

-Susan

Elizabeth chose one of her photos on her phone of a beautiful rose, Here is her Haiku:

Spring spiral petals

Fragrant blooms fill twilight mist

Paint to sunset rose!

-Elizabeth

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“Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring” Featured on the Zevely Zone (CBS 8 & The CW San Diego)

Susan J. Farese and Jeff Zevely; Photo by Scott Hall

It’s not every day that you (or your book) are featured in a segment with Jeff Zevely of the Zevely Zone on CBS 8 and the CW San Diego (KFMB)!

That’s right! Many thanks to Feature Reporter Jeff Zevely and Photojournalist Scott Hall. Jeff interviewed me about “Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring” (and the hour flew by)!

We discussed my time (eons ago) as a military nurse, glimpsed at several of my ‘vintage’ photos and I had a chance to read some of my poetry from the book.

Here is the clip:

To purchase Poetic Expressions in Nursing: Sharing the Caring as an eBook, paperback or Audiobook, here are the links:

Link for purchasing the eBook:

Link for purchasing the Paperback:

Link for purchasing the Audiobook:

Also more links here: https://books2read.com/poeticexpressionsinnursing

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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

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SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

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Capturing your Creativity: Haiku Poetry with Susan J. Farese 4/7/18 at San Diego Writers Ink

Please join me at my next SJF Communications Workshop:

‘Capturing your Creativity: Haiku Poetry’

with Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

Saturday, April 7, 2018 – 2:30 – 4:30 pm (All levels welcome)

at San Diego Writers Ink

Arts District Liberty Station

2730 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego 92106

#202-204, Barracks 16, 2nd floor above Women’s Museum

Hope to see you at this engaging, non-traditional, interactive (and hopefully fun) journey “Capturing your Creativity with Haiku”- for the fun and health of it.

$30 (members); $36 (nonmembers)

Here is the link to register!

http://www.sandiegowriters.org/17050-2/

Bio for Susan J. Farese

Bring your open mind, active imagination, sense of humor, zest for life, quest for fun while learning and willingness to participate. Satisfaction? Poetically guaranteed!

We will chat about Haiku as a Japanese poetry form with ease of use, explore the benefits and value of Haiku as a cathartic, therapeutic, stress management tool and actively participate in several creative Haiku opportunities and challenges!

Here’s one for you:

Exploring Haiku…

Like Hummingbirds during Spring

Resurfaced, renewed

Registration Link: http://www.sandiegowriters.org/

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A Quick Visit to the San Diego Zoo

It’s great to enjoy an annual pass at the San Diego Zoo! It’s a quick getaway…since we live in San Diego!

Plus, there’s abundant sunshine, a fun way to walk my steps for fitness, and of course, getting to visit the wonderful animals and appreciate nature at the same time!

This past week, I visited the Hummingbird Aviary House, as well as the Gorilla, Orangutan and Reptile Exhibits (and loved photographing the beautiful hibiscus flowers)!

Hope you all enjoy these snapshots! Go ahead…click on each photo to see it enlarged!

Oh..and feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!

SJF Communications

The Hummingbirds & Other Birds

The Reptiles

The Gorillas

The Orangutans

The Hibiscus Flowers

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Marveling at the San Diego Zoo!

I spent about 2 hours at the San Diego Zoo the other day. Had some time and brought my camera. Join me on this journey to only a few areas (the Hummingbird House, plus Gorillas and Orangutans and a special surprise at the end of my journey). My short visit was jam packed with memorable bursts of images!

Feel free to click on each photo to see more detail.

First, I visited the Hummingbird House or Aviary, which is a great little secret but tucked away and a bit challenging to find! As you enter the Zoo, turn left towards the Discovery Area towards the Sky Ride. Best to ask a guide..It’s to the right after the Reptile House, look for the red railing…More about the Kenton C. Lint Hummingbird Aviary

I snapped away at some very colorful birds as well as hummingbirds which enjoy the lush surroundings with flowers, nectar and feeders.

Violaceous Euphonia

Swallow Tanager

Colorful Bird

Colorful Birds

Hummingbirds

I love hummingbird watching!

One of these days, I’d like to go on a trip to explore the different types!

Hummingbird perched

Hummingbird enjoying nectar

Hummingbird in flight

Gorillas

It was such a special treat to see the baby with Mom!

Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo

Gorillas at the San Diego Zoo

Gorilla at the San Diego Zoo

Orangutans

I also visited the Orangutan habitat. More joy with another young one to watch with Mom and Dad!

Mom and Baby Orangutans

Finally, my big surprise was to spot a peacock near the squawking in the flamingo area, alone in a corner. I waited until he faced front. What beautiful plume feathers! Take a look!

Peacock at the San Diego Zoo

Thanks for taking the time to journey with me! Feel free to subscribe, like, comment and share!

https://www.sjfcommunications.com

July 18, 2016November 6, 2016 susanfarese

More Hummingbirds: Tiny Magnificent Creatures!

I continually marvel at hummingbirds…such tiny magnificent magical creatures!

Their stunning colorful beauty, their speed, their zest for the “hummingbird life”….

It beats watching the news these days. It inspires my creative spirit and hope!

I’ve combined some poetry (Haiku), video footage and photographic images just for you!

Hummingbirds: A Haiku:

Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications

1. Fluttering about

Zooming, oh, so rapidly

Marvelous colors!

2. Hummingbird magic

Unique, beautiful creatures

Don’t fly away, stay!

Here is a short video from today. See these lovely hummingbirds in action as they fly continuously over to the feeders and enjoy nectar, hover, and then dance away!