Tag Archives: haiku

High Coo – July 20 – National Moon Day

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Neal Armstrong takes the first step on the moon July 20, 1969

Fifty-three years ago, the first moon landing took place. I saw it on television.

Apollo 11 astronauts, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, were the first humans to walk on the moon. The United States had won this leg of the space race and nations have been competing ever since to explore the cosmos.

Here is today’s haiku:

National Moon Day

Earthling spacemen land

and collect precious moon dust.

“Look Mom, we did it!”

For more information on this national holiday see: https://nationaltoday.com/national-moon-day/

life24into7.com

High Coo – July 19 – Chaos Theory & Murphy’s Law

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Sciencecodex.com

Edward Lorenz, meteorologist, accidentally discovered an interest in chaos theory, when he noticed “that small changes in initial conditions produced large changes in long-term outcome.” Or, in other words, you can never fully predict the weather (or anything else for that matter) because of all the variables involved. (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chaos_theory)

And then there’s Murphy’s Law which says, “Anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” (See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murphy’s_law)

For example, the James Webb space telescope mirror appears to have suffered more damage than originally thought when it was hit by asteroids in late May. (See https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/big-setback-for-nasa-james-webb-space-telescope-badly-damaged-by-asteroid/ar-AAZJfgx)

So how might we respond to the theory, the law, the news of the day? Here is today’s haiku:

Enjoy the Show

Be thankful for flaws,

we are here to discover

our imperfections.

boldomatic.com

High Coo – July 18 – Yes! It’s OK to Be Happy

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This is a beautiful day, a happy day. Why, well because I choose to be happy today. I know I am responsible for my own happiness and I know if I am happy it will contribute to others happiness. Also, today is my first child’s birthday. Ah, what a lucky man I am.

Today’s haiku is inspired by this wonderful day AND by a wonderful talk by Jonathan Foust.

May We Be Happy

Of all the choices

we have in ev’ry moment,

please choose happiness

For access to Jonathan Foust talk see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFdPPrXNgcU&t=118s

For more information about Jonathan Foust see his website: https://www.jonathanfoust.com/weekly-talk/oktobehappy

Jonathan Foust with his spouse Tara Brach

High Coo – July 17 – Thank You Tara for RAIN

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Yesterday we reached 104 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is not unusual for this geography for this time of year. Still, it’s hot.

I woke up this morning to a gentle rain and at 6am it’s only 78 degrees. We are projected to reach a high of 84. Ah, blessed relief.

All of this reminds me of RAIN and the guidance provided by American psychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher Tara Brach. She teaches radical self-compassion for dealing with challenging feelings. While Tara didn’t invent the acronym, she has gone on to provide much comfort to many with her teachings.

Here’s today’s haiku:

RAIN

Recognize, allow,

investigate and nurture.

Smile to your relief.

For more information on Tara Brach’s teachings see: https://www.tarabrach.com/rain/

For more information about Tara Brach see: https://www.tarabrach.com/about/

High Coo – July 16 – Ida B. Wells

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Ida B. Wells born July 16, 1862

Former slave, investigative journalist, early civil rights leader and Pulitzer Prize honoree, Ida B. Wells is a role model for all of us. Two of her many famous quotes are:

“The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them.”

“Virtue knows no color line.”

Today’s haiku: In Honor of Ida B. Wells

Step up, speak out, do

what must be done, for justice

requires persistence

For more information about her heroic accomplishments see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ida_B._Wells

High Coo – July 15 – Give Something Away Day

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We all have something we can give. While clothing, money and food are the most common donations, we can simply give a smile, a word of encouragement or a dedicated moment of undivided attention and appreciation.

As the Dalai Lama reminds us, “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”

Today’s haiku:

Why Give

How might we practice

generosity today?

It’s good for our health.

For more information on the health benefits of giving see: https://www.rush.edu/news/health-benefits-giving#:~:text=Why%20giving%20feels%20good%201%20Greater%20self-esteem%20and,giving%20your%20time%20may%20have%20protective%20benefits.%20

High Coo – July 14 – Woody Guthrie

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“I hate a song that makes you think you are not any good.”

Born on July 14th, Woody Guthrie was an American Folk Music singer-songwriter and social activist. He inspired many musicians, most notably Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen.

Woody wrote hundreds of songs and regrettably died far too young at the age of 55 in 1967. Here is today’s haiku:

Woody Had Hope

No dust bowl could stop

his hillbilly musical

social justice march

Find more information about his influential life here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Woody_Guthrie

Check out his daughter and granddaughter’s website homage here: https://www.woodyguthrie.org/

Finally, here’s another great Woody Guthrie quote: “Life’s pretty tough ….. you’re lucky if you live through it.”

High (& Low) Coo – July 13 – Barbershop Music Appreciation Day

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“There is no bad day that can’t be overcome by listening to a barbershop quartet. This is just truth, plain and simple.” ~ Aldous Huxley

Today’s haiku:

Vocal Smorgasbord

A cappella joy –

base, baritone, tenor and

soprano delight

Check out this year’s top 5 international quartets here: https://www.barbershop.org/

For more information on this holiday see: https://nationaldaycalendar.com/national-barbershop-music-appreciation-day-july-13/

High Coo – July 12 – National Simplicity Day

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Henry David Thoreau born on July 12, 1817

Today is National Simplicity Day which celebrates the life and philosophy of American author and philosopher Henry David Thoreau. One of his oft-repeated quotes is “Our life is frittered away by detail. Simplify, simplify.”

Whether your interest is Minimalism, Nature or Transcendentalism, Thoreau is worth reading (again). Here is today’s haiku:

Simple Enjoyment

Following one’s breath

or focusing on an ant,

enjoy solitude.

For more information on this holiday see: https://nationaltoday.com/national-simplicity-day/

For more information on Henry David Thoreau see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_David_Thoreau

High Coo – July 11 – To Kill a Mockingbird

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First published on July 11, 1960

American author, Harper Lee, published her first book based loosely on her own family’s experience in Monroeville, Alabama in 1936. Addressing rape and racial injustice, the book was an instant success and received the Pulitzer Prize 1961.

The book was made into a movie in 1962 starring Gregory Peck. The movie was a hit and won three Oscars including Best Actor for its star.

(Nelle) Harper Lee did not publish another book until 2015. She died in 2016. Here is today’s haiku:

Dear Nelle

Once can be enough

when you share your inner truth

for the world to see

For more information on Harper Lee see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harper_Lee

For more information on the book see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/To_Kill_a_Mockingbird

Harper Lee’s portrait from the first edition of her book