We have entered the micro-season of “The Tree Peony Flowers”. To honor this season we are investigating the “King of Flowers”, and reading poetry by Qian Qi, Emperor Yang, Buson, Issa, and Basho.
Micro-season: “The First Reeds Grow”
We have entered the micro-season of “The First Reeds Grow”, which is the first micro-season of the mini-season of Grain Rain. To honor this season we are exploring the taxonomy of reeds, traditional Japanese reed instruments, and some haiku by Issa and Basho.
Micro-season: “The First Rainbow Appears”
We have entered the micro-season of “The First Rainbow Appears”. This is the third micro-season of the mini-season of Clear and Bright. In today’s post, we are looking at how rainbows are formed, the types of rainbows, and some poetry by Dickinson, Issa, and Takahama Kyoshi
Micro-season: “Geese Fly North”
We have entered the micro-season of “Geese Fly North”. To honor this season we look at bird migration patterns and read haiku by Basho, Issa, Shiki, and Buson.
Micro-Season: “Thunder Raises Its Voice”
We have entered the micro-season of “Thunder Raises its Voice”. To honor this season, we explore the life stages of a thunderstorm and read poetry by John Hall Wheelock, Kerouac, Issa, and Basho.
Micro-Season: “The Sparrow Builds Her Nest”
The micro-season of “The Sparrow Builds Her Nest” is the first micro-season of the mini season of Spring Equinox. To honor this season, we investigate the taxonomy of the sparrow and read a short poem by Emily Dickinson.
Micro-Season: “Leaf Insects Turn Into Butterflies”
We have entered the micro-season of “Leaf Insects Turn into Butterflies”. This is the last micro-season of the mini season of Awakening of Insects. During this season, we investigate the life cycle of the cabbage white butterfly and the wintering strategies of butterflies.
The Red-Winged Blackbird: An Early Migrator
The red-winged blackbird is one of Vermont’s early migrators. Today, we are investigating the red-winged blackbird, its migration patterns, and reading parts of “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens.
Micro-Season: “Plants Show Their First Buds”
It is the micro-season of “Plants Show Their First Buds''. This is the last micro-season of the mini season of Rain Water. To honor this season we are looking at maple syrup and reading "Evening in the Sugar Orchard" by Robert Frost.
Micro-Season: “The Earth Becomes Damp”
We have entered the micro-season of “The Earth Becomes Damp''. This is the first micro-season of the mini season of Rain Water. To honor this season we investigate ice jams and read poems by Marks, Buson, Basho, and Issa.
About Wild Turkeys
“Your sort of gorgeousness,/Dark and lustrous/And unfathomable/And poopy-glossy/ Is the gorgeousness that evokes my darkest admiration”- D.H. Lawrence. Today we honor the wild turkey with a poem and then an investigation into Benjamin Franklin’s thoughts about this native bird.
About Rabbits and Hares
Snowshoe hares, or Lepus americanus, are frequent visitors to our neighborhood. Finding their tracks in the snow reminds me of how fascinating these animals are and some of the poems they inspire