Connecting to nature through poetry and prose
An apple tree bloomsOn a forgotten road Time has passed us by It is said that New England established its first cultivated apple orchard in 1623. The location of the orchard was Beacon Hill in Massachusetts. The apple that was grown was called The Baldwin. Apple trees soon became a staple of the New England... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Tending the garden Caring for the young flowers Jump back! Happy toad. I am always excited to see the first toads of the season and the Eastern American Toad (Anaxyrus americanus americanus) is the type of toad that I encounter the most. Eastern American Toad These toads are between 2.5 and 3 inches... Continue Reading →
How many, many things They call to mind These cherry blossoms! ~Matsuo Basho Japan-Guide.com In Basho's home country of Japan there are over one hundred varieties of cherry trees. The most popular cherry tree in Japan is known as Somei Yoshino. The Somei Yoshino was heavily cultivated in Tokyo during the Edo Period, which is... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Early morning dewGathers in the unkept grassA snail emerges Snails are classified as gastropod mollusks. What this means that they are part of the larger mollusk phylum which includes snails, slugs, mussels, and octopuses. The more specific class gastropod, or gastropoda, narrows this group to snails and slugs. Gastropods either have a univalve... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: From the distant treesA melodic musicalA winter wren song I had recently heard a friend describe the Winter Wren song as the electric guitar solo of the bird world. I think that is a good description of their cascading, bubbly song that last anywhere between 5 - 10 seconds. Click the link below... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Rain taps the tin roofDroplets reflect the gray skyThe dove pecks the ground As I continue on my journey of nature connection, the sit spot practice remains a constant. Sometimes the red squirrels and the dark-eyed juncos come to visit, sometimes I sit alone. Sometimes there is a lot happening, and sometimes it... Continue Reading →
A collection of crow-inspired poetry by Basho, Issa, Buson, Shiki, Frost, and Dickinson
Wilson "Snowflake" Bentley is the man that took the study of snowflakes to another level. Born in 1865, Bentley lived as a farmer in rural Vermont. Bentley is probably best known for pioneering the photographic process known as photomicrography. Using this process, Bentley captured the tiniest details of the snowflake.
Golden TrumpetsClustered on a stumpTrue nature revealed Xeromphalina campanella, also known as Golden Trumpets, bell Omphalina, or fuzzy foot, is a small fragile mushroom that is found growing on decaying coniferous stumps and logs. One of seven species and Xeromphalina, the Golden Trumpet is the most abundant and widespread in North America. It is said... Continue Reading →
Today's Haiku: Budding red mapleFramed by the silent gray skyWelcome the spring snow Haikus are quickly becoming an integral part of my sit spot practice. I have found this process of putting my experience into the short, concise form of a Haiku beneficial to expanding my awareness to what is happening around me. I usually... Continue Reading →
This week’s sit spot haiku: As the sun risesThe neighborhood comes aliveRejoice in bird song! What is the sit spot? A sit spot is a foundational practice for many people who are looking to develop a deeper connection to the natural world. The sit spot is a place where you can go and be with... Continue Reading →
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