Highlights from Haiku Workshop at the Escondido Library

Susan J. Farese of SJF Communications taught her 2 hour “Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” workshop at the Escondido Library on February 27, 2025. Many thanks to Principal Librarian, Adult Services Azar Katouzian for hosting/coordinating the workshop and for her photos.

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

Left to right:
Debbie, Jessica, Susan, Debi, Pamela, Rudy and Oliver
Photos by Azar Katouzian; 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 Susan’s nature photography prompts….

“Capturing Your Creativity with Haiku” Workshop

Escondido Library 2/27/2025

Sunset Cliffs – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Little waves be small

but will always strike truly

As us humans be

by Oliver (age 9)!

~

Mist above white waves

Rumbling sea below the rocks

People, perched above!

by Susan


Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Little hummingbird

Will fly faster peacefully

When the flowers bloom.

by Oliver

~

Master of the flight

Protective of its life space

Drinker of nectar

by Debi


Rocks at Torrey Pines State Beach- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Small pebbles might fall

still they keep their own balance

And strong in sunlight.

by Oliver


Sunset – Photo by Susan J. Farese

The blood-red night sky

Conjured from the depths of hell

Message from Hades

by Debi


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

Captured by the Moon

Saw the signal to slow down

Thank you, universe

by Pamela


Carlsbad Flower Field – Photo by Susan J. Farese

I can find comfort

In a crowd of wild flowers

But not with people

by Pamela

~

Beautiful flowers

Delicate, colored petals

Waving in the breeze

by Debbie


Julian Leaves – Photo by Susan J. Farese

Crispy, rustling leaves

A potpourri of colors

Waiting for a rake

by Debbie


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

Susan (great white egret)

Ivory plunge

Contemplating the nest step

Great white egret soars!


Jacaranda Tree- Photo by Susan J. Farese

Jacaranda trees

Bloom but once annually

Purple hues unite!

by Susan


More Haiku Inspired by the workshop

My hesitant breath

Fear, my mountain Everest

Eyes open I jump.

by Rudy

~

Ruffles, the dog

Morning you are there

Hungry you seek attention

Soft coat ruffles hand.

by Rudy

~

Colors red and blue

Visit me and leave fast

Dreams of flying now.

by Rudy


Heavy

Blanket of darkness

Feels like a heavy blanket

Covering my soul

by Debi

~

Broken

Pieces of my heart

Shattering to the cruel Earth

I lie here, broken.

by Debi

~

Soaring, easy flight

Masters of the ancient sky

Behold, my dragon

by Debi


Writing in silence

Hum of imagination

Words vibrate inside

by Pamela


It’s 80 degrees

Doesn’t feel like wintertime

in Escondido

by Debbie

~

Pickle Ball has rules

Don’t volley in the kitchen

Or you’ll lose the point

by Debbie

~

Montessori School

Wonderful community

Of special people

by Debbie


Waikoloa

Warm sun, gently breaking waves

Me, fully relaxed

by Jessica

~

Sea turtle swimming

In the warm afternoon sun

So oblivious

by Jessica

~

With snorkel and mask

Sea turtles and rainbow fish

Such a sparkling world

by Jessica


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.

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~

Hummingbird – Photo by Susan J. Farese

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.

A Visit to the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, Carlsbad, CA

I thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Ranch in Carlsbad during June, 2020. I heard about it several months ago and couldn’t believe that after 10 years of living in San Diego I had never heard of it.

Leo Carrillo was an entertainer on Broadway, in films and became famous for playing ‘Pancho’ in the 1950’s TV Show ‘The Cisco Kid’.

Much more info at : https://carrillo-ranch.org/

WOW! What a gem! Beautiful grounds, citrus trees and of course the peacocks and peahens preening and chilling about (and vocalizing as well)!

Despite Covid-19, I wore my mask and socially distanced and it was definitely worth the trip.

Here are my photos of the trip.

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SJF Communications – ‘Creative Ideas | Dynamic Results’!

2020 by SJF Communications

A New Year’s Day Visit to the San Elijo Lagoon

Here are a few images from a brisk walk at the San Elijo Lagoon on New Year’s Day!

Some links:

https://www.sanelijo.org/naturecenter

https://www.sanelijo.org/nature-center-trail-head

https://www.sanelijo.org/

All Photos by Susan J. Farese, SJF Communications – 2019

An Anna’s Hummingbird building and guarding her Nest – This was exciting to see!
Thanks to the fellow bird watcher who told us about it!
A pair of American Wigeons exploring in the lagoon

The beauty of the trail at the San Elijo Lagoon

A lone pine cone in the torrey pine tree

Gadwalls at the lagoon

Sweet female Mallard
Things happen in threes, even Mallards!
More of the lovely trail at the San Elijo Lagoon

Mallard pair staring!


Visitors at the San Elijo Lagoon – including Curlew, Godwit, Willet shorebirds



A Willet contemplating at the San Elijo Lagoon

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Lake Poway: Osprey, Snakes, Coots & Haiku…Oh MY!

A quick visit to Lake Poway today yielded a few surprises! Once we arrived it only took a few minutes to see a ‘capture’ of a baby rattlesnake, reported to the ranger by a man fishing along the water’s edge.

Only a few minutes later, someone behind us shouted ‘he’s got a fish’! We looked up to notice just that! Perched high above on a utility pole, an osprey was holding a fish. He soon took off! The photos below show a bit of the dramatic feat!

Here’s a short #haiku (Day #4 of National Poetry Writing Month hashtag: #napowrimo)!

Perched high, above pole

The osprey held on to prey

Then it flew away!

Osprey Perched with Prey – Photo by SJF Communications

Osprey Perched with Prey – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Osprey Perched with Prey – Take Off! Photo by SJF Communications

 

Osprey Perched with Prey – Holding On – Photo by SJF Communications

Wasn’t that osprey cool???

We walked along the water, taking in sights such as the beautiful blue sky and calm water of the Lake Poway. A few people were fishing, a few boating. Just a gorgeous afternoon.

More #Haiku

Crystal blue water

Perfect way to spend the day

Nature enriches

Entrance to Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Cormorants – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Coots and a Mallard – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Coot – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Picnic Area at Lake Poway – Photo by SF Communications

 

Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Mallards – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

 

Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

OH NO!!!!! We suddenly spotted this snake- rattlesnake? (or gopher snake?…it was a few feet long) – just as we walked above (and to the left) of the trail around the lake. That was enough for me! Beware, it’s SPRING and the rattlers are awakening!

Last #Haiku

I ask you…take heed

The rattlesnakes are lurking

Avoid getting bit!

Rattlesnake – Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

Whew, that rattler was scary! At the end of the trip we noticed this woman who caught some trout. She allowed me to snap this photo!

Trout! Lake Poway – Photo by SJF Communications

All in all a wonderful time at Lake Poway!

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A Visit to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala’

 

Some photos from my June 9, 2017 visit to Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala’

Photo credit: SJF Communications

Feel free to click on each photo (arrow key advances), like, comment, & share!