Category Archives: poetry

High Coo – Oct 15 – BRIDGE DAY?

“Bridge Day isn’t a day to celebrate the architectural beauty of bridges all around the world. Bridge Day is a festival held in Fayetteville, West Virginia in the United States where thousands of adventure lovers either watch or take part in various extreme sports that largely involve jumping off the New River Gorge Bridge….

The bridge was the world’s longest single-span arch bridge for 26 years and is now the fifth-longest. Because of the bridge’s whopping 876 feet height, it was a natural attraction for daredevils around the world. The initial person to jump off the bridge was Cowen’s Burton Ervin, a coal-mine foreman who jumped off the bridge on August 1, 1979, using a conventional parachute….

Why we love Bridge Day – it breaks the monotony of life. Let’s face it — life can get boring. Bridge Day reminds us to get out of the monotony of our regular lives at least once a year and reminds us that life can be exciting.” See https://nationaltoday.com/bridge-day/

When I think of a bridge, three pictures come to mind:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Gate_Bridge

Mackinac Bridge – static.thousandwonders.net

All three immediately above have been very significant in my life. The first two for pleasure and the last is a haunting memory.

Here is today’s haiku: Bridge Day

You threatened to jump

into oncoming traffic –

I miss you brother

High Coo – Oct 12 – National Pet Obesity Day

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October 12 is National Pet Obesity Day. See https://nationaltoday.com/national-pet-obesity-day/

“Many pets become overweight due to poor diet and lack of exercise. Another huge factor is the pet owner literally loving their pet to death. Most pet owners think their pets deserve treats every day and don’t need to go for walks if the pet would rather lie on the couch. This is a mistake the owners are making.

Diet is a major key factor in a pet’s body condition. It all starts with a measuring cup and good quality dog food.

The single most important thing that you can do to increase the lifespan and health of your pet is to maintain a healthy body weight.” See https://www.elkovet.com/services/blog/national-pet-obesity-day

Is your dog overweight? For more information check out this excellent article How to Determine Your Dog’s Healthy Weight and Body Condition at https://www.dailypaws.com/dogs-puppies/dog-nutrition/dog-weight-management/dog-weight-chart

Today’s haiku: National Pet Obesity Day

Don’t forget to play –

your pet needs exercise too –

healthy together

High Coo – Oct 11 – Happy Birthday Thich Nhat Hanh

3 Replies

Zen Master and peace activist, Thich Nhat Hanh, was born on this day in 1926. He died earlier this year, at the age of 95, January 22, 2022. Known mostly for his non-violent peace activism during the American/Vietnam War in the 1960s, he was lauded by such notables as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Father Thomas Merton.

Thich Nhất Hạnh, or Thay’ (which means “teacher” in Vietnamese), “published over 130 books, including more than 100 in English, which as of January 2019 had sold over five million copies worldwide. His books, which cover topics including spiritual guides and Buddhist texts, teachings on mindfulness, poetry, story collections, and scholarly essays on Zen practice, have been translated into more than 40 languages as of January 2022. In 1986 Nhất Hạnh founded Parallax Press, a nonprofit book publisher and part of the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism.” See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thich_Nhat_Hanh

As one of his thousands of students, I have taken comfort especially in his books: Living Buddha, Living Christ, No Death, No Fear and No Mud, No Lotus published in 1995, 2002 and 2014 respectively. See https://www.parallax.org/authors/thich-nhat-hanh/ An inspiring quote from the first book mentioned is “Because you are alive, everything is possible.”

Today’s humble haiku: Happy Birthday Thich Nhat Hanh

Ev’ry moment counts,

relative and ultimate –

let’s pause, breathe and smile

https://thichnhathanhfoundation.org/thich-nhat-hanh

High Coo – Oct 10 – Indigenous People’s Day

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“In 1992, Columbus Day became Indigenous Peoples’ Day as a sign of protest against the massacres that the Native Americans suffered at the hands of the Europeans. …Celebrating Columbus Day and Columbus himself goes against the very essence of indigenous nations as he was the man who began the genocide of the Native Americans.

For the Native Americans, Columbus Day was always hurtful as it glorified the violent past constituting 500 years of colonial torture and oppression by European explorers like Columbus and those who settled in America. Indigenous Peoples’ Day draws attention to the pain, trauma, and broken promises that were erased by the celebration of Columbus Day. Before his arrival, the indigenous folk were successful self-sufficient communities that sustained life for thousands of years.”

Find more information on this day at https://nationaltoday.com/indigenous-peoples-day/, https://www.vox.com/2014/10/13/6957875/christopher-columbus-murderer-tyrant-scoundrel and https://www.revolt.tv/article/2021-10-11/109820/the-truth-about-christopher-columbus-massacre-of-indigenous-caribbean-peoples/

Today’s haiku: INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY

Greed and genocide

cannot erase the beauty

of native peoples

Joy Harjo – https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/first-native-american-poet-laureate/

High Coo – Oct 9 – World Hospice & Palliative Care Day

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“Throughout time, people have suffered life-limiting illnesses but there wasn’t always a system in place to make sure that their last days were comfortable….In 1967 Cicely Saunders influenced the modern concept of Hospice Care. Dr. Saunders directed St. Christopher’s hospice in England and she was a champion in developing the philosophy of end-of-life care and hospice practices that spread globally….The first World Hospice and Palliative Care Day was held in 2005.” For more information see https://nationaltoday.com/world-hospice-and-palliative-care-day/

Dame and Dr. Cicely Saunders (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cicely_Saunders)

“Dr. Saunders developed breast cancer but still continued to work. She died aged 87 in 2005 at St Christopher’s Hospice.” (See Saxon, Wolfgang (31 July 2005). “Cicely Saunders Dies at 87; Reshaped End-of-Life Care”. The New York Times.)

Today’s humble haiku: World Hospice & Palliative Care Day – Thank You Dr. Saunders

it’s true, we all die,

yet our lives can help others –

die with dignity

High Coo – Oct 8 – World Octopus Day

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Octopus: fun facts, marine biology, infographic from Pinterest

“World Octopus Day celebrates one of the most distinctive creatures living on the planet today. Octopuses are worthy of appreciation for a number of reasons:

Fossil records indicate they’ve been around for more than 300 million years (they pre-date dinosaurs)
They’re highly intelligent with a brain in each arm
Visually stunning in a variety of shapes and colors”
See https://spiritoftheholidays.org/world-octopus-day/ and https://eventlas.com/world-octopus-day/

Today’s haiku: World Octopus Day

Three hearts and eight brains –

a diversity starr and

saltwater wonder

And check out this 2013 video ad starring Ringo Starr and an animated version of his song, Octopus’s Garden

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lAeSiM4YTFM

High Coo – Oct 7 – Happy Birthday Desmond Tutu

High Coo – Oct 6 – National Coaches Day

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National Coaches Day began in 1972 with the statement, “”Coaches are highly qualified teachers—in highly specialized fields. But more than that, they are friends and counselors who help instill in their players important attitudes that will serve them all their lives.” See https://nationaltoday.com/national-coaches-day/

Who are your favorite coaches? Who inspired you to be your best in a specific field?

A humble haiku: National Coaches Day

Little things matter,

continuous improvement –

kaizen ev’ry day

For more information on John Wooden’s successful coaching method see Andrew Hill’s book Be Quick – But Don’t Hurry! at https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/796259.Be_Quick_But_Don_t_Hurry

High Coo – Oct 5 – World Teachers’ Day

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Lao Tzu – Author of Tao Te Ching
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2622245.Lao_Tzu

Since 1994, October 5 has been a day for commemorating teachers. Today we focus on “appreciating, assessing and improving the educators of the world.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Teachers’_Day

As the 27th verse of the Tao Te Ching reminds us:

“These are the paths to enlightenment. Those who arrive at their destination teach those who are still on the path, while those still on the path are sources of wisdom for their teachers.” See Tao Te Ching – A New Translation & Commentary by Ralph Alan Dale (c) 2002, p.55

A humble haiku response: World Teachers’ Day

We learn then we teach

consciously or not – our life

is our lesson plan

What My Teachers Taught Me About Teaching – Edutopia

High Coo – Oct 4 – World Animal Day

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“World Animal Day dates as far back as 1925 when Heinrich Zimmermann organized the first celebration in Berlin. Zimmermann, the publisher of a German animal lovers’ magazine, “Man and Dog,” launched the event to raise awareness and improve the welfare of animals. The date of October 4 is also known as the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron Saint of animals.” See https://spiritoftheholidays.org/animal-holidays/world-animal-day/

As highlighted in a 2020 announcement, there are (at least) “seven acts of kindness to animals” we can consider:

Release wild animals into their natural habitat
Place a feeding or water bowl for birds
Make your yard wildlife friendly
Plant a tree
Let them take rest
Help young animals find their mother
Stop making animals fight each other

See https://www.worldanimalday.org.uk/news/view/seven-acts-of-kindness-to-animals for more information.

Today’s humble haiku: World Animal Day

The Golden Rule

applies to all animals –

human and “more than“

Life Matters

CHOOSE LOVE

Category Archives: poetry

High Coo – Oct 15 – BRIDGE DAY?

High Coo – Oct 12 – National Pet Obesity Day

High Coo – Oct 11 – Happy Birthday Thich Nhat Hanh

High Coo – Oct 10 – Indigenous People’s Day

High Coo – Oct 9 – World Hospice & Palliative Care Day

High Coo – Oct 8 – World Octopus Day

High Coo – Oct 7 – Happy Birthday Desmond Tutu

High Coo – Oct 6 – National Coaches Day

High Coo – Oct 5 – World Teachers’ Day

High Coo – Oct 4 – World Animal Day