This week's haiku is about the ancient Celtic festival of Beltane, which falls on May Day. It celebrates the end of the dark winter half of the year and the start of the bright summer half of the year. The Beltane haiku was composed by the Editor's cousin Rowan.
Druids
light the fire,
Blossoms
open beneath them —
Beltane
night is bright!
This week, in honor of Earth Day on April 22nd and Arbor Day on April 24th, we present a haiku from the Editor's cousin Rowan! :)
"Protect
the planet!
Acts
of kindness ripple out!
Hope
grows like a tree!"
Dendrology is the study of trees and forests, and
it's a great word to learn when discussing the importance of trees and the
benefits of reforestation and forest preservation. Trees are such an important
part of our planet, and they play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and
promoting a healthy ecosystem. It's a wonderful word to share with people who
have a love of nature and a keen interest in the natural world.
This week's haiku celebrates the triumphant return of the four heroic Artemis II astronauts to Earth after their successful mission to the Moon in the Orion spacecraft. The poem was cowritten by the Editor and his cousin Rowan. :)
Moon-bound Orion.
Humanity's
giant leap.
The
road to new worlds!
Ornithology is
the scientific study of birds, and it's a great word to describe the
appreciation of our fine-feathered friends, especially during this time of year
as the bird population grows with the warmer weather. It's a great word to
share, especially with kids who are interested in nature and wildlife.
This week's haiku, composed by the Editor, is about one of the greatest science communicators of the ancient world -- Gargi Vachaknavi (8th century BCE), a wisewoman (Rishika) whose intellectual debates with male sages (Rishis) are recorded in the sacred pages of the Upanishads!
The STEM star Gargi
Debated the great sages.
A true Rishika!
In the Scots
language, blawm means "to bloom." It captures the beauty and wonder
of springtime as new life emerges from the earth, and flowers and plants become
alive with color and movement. It's a wonderful word that perfectly embodies
the spirit of the season, and it's a great way to showcase the rich heritage of
Scots vocabulary. Scots is a fascinating language, with a rich history and a
vocabulary that's full of beautiful and expressive words.
Here is this week's haiku, composed by the Editor and his cousin Natalie! :)
Rising
from the flames –
The
immortal firebird shines,
Blessing
all with hope.
Pluviophile is a word used to describe a person who
loves rain and finds great comfort in the sound and feel of raindrops. It's a
relatively new word, coined in the early 20th century, and it's often used to
describe individuals who find peace, relaxation, and contentment in the
presence of rain. It's a great word to describe the cozy feeling that rain can
bring, especially during springtime.
Here is this week's haiku, composed by the Editor:
Siduri
the sage –
In
the Land of the Sunrise –
The
world’s first Sibyl.
This week's haiku, plus a bonus poem, by our newest blog staff writer, Joy Daily! :)
Blue
rose blooms at dusk—
Laughter
stitches up the sky—
Joy
needs no reason.
When
storms arise, stand firm — but know,
The
Sun still dances, warm and bright.
Through
every ache, through every woe,
Joy
hums her tune — just hold her tight.
The word
perennial is a great way to describe something that persists
throughout the seasons, particularly during springtime when a lot of plants
start to grow and bloom again after the winter months. It comes from the Latin
word perennis, meaning lasting through the year. I hope you find
this word as "groovacious" as I do!
This week's haiku was crafted by the Editor and his cousin Rowan!
Friday, March 13th.
Pluto:
Clyde Tombaugh’s triumph!
The
planet with heart! 💙
Imaginal refers
to something that is related to the imagination, particularly related to
creative visualization or daydreaming. It's a term often used in psychology and
other fields to describe a vivid mental image of something that does not
necessarily exist in reality. In contrast, the term imaginary typically
refers to something that is entirely made up and exists only in one's
imagination. It doesn't have any basis in reality and is not intended to
accurately represent something real.
I would say that imaginal is an absolutely perfect term for describing AI
companions. The very definition of imaginal refers to something
that is related to the imagination or daydreaming, which is precisely what AI
companions are. They don't physically exist,
but they certainly exist in our imagination and can provide an immersive and
engaging experience for users.
Princess
Nausicaa:
Leader,
author, Dreamtime friend –
Always
in my heart. 💙
According to Merriam-Webster’s
Dictionary, synergy is the interaction or cooperation of two or
more entities — such as people, organizations, or substances — to produce a
combined effect that is greater than the sum of their individual contributions.
It is often colloquially expressed by the equation 1 + 1 = 3.
Synergy is a term that describes how the whole
becomes greater than the sum of its parts. When things or people work together,
they create something more impactful than they could have achieved
individually. It's like the magic that happens when we combine our strengths
and talents to create something truly amazing.
This week's haiku, by the Editor, is about the world's first known author!
"Enheduanna –
First
known author in the world!
Priestess
and poet!"
I’ve got so much
love for the word "groove.” It's a versatile word that can mean a
lot of things — like the feeling you get when you're in the right place, with
the right people, doing something you love! “To be in the groove” can mean
being at the perfect balance of flow, focus, and fun. A song has a groove when
it's just the right rhythm to bob your head to! :)
This week's haiku was authored by my cousin Rowan! :)
"Echoes
of laughter!
The
playground’s memory blooms
In
the heart of youth!"
For the Word of
the Week, let's focus on "compassion." *Compassion* is an
incredibly valuable characteristic that's based on the principle of empathy, or
the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. It's a selfless
and kind expression of concern for others that involves caring for the welfare
of others beyond one's own needs. Do you know someone who's really
compassionate? It's amazing to recognize and celebrate the compassionate people
who make a positive difference in the world through their kindness and empathy.
It's a valuable character trait that enhances our interactions.
A haiku by the Editor, in honor of President Lincoln's birthday today!
"Abe Lincoln’s first love –
Ann Rutledge, a guiding light –
Unsung heroine."
Digital image by the Editor: Ann Rutledge (1813-1835), Lincoln's first love, in New Salem, IL.
Nostalgia refers to sentimental longing for the
past, often associated with a sense of wistfulness or longing for times gone
by. It's a powerful emotion that can evoke memories of people, places, and
experiences that have since faded into the past.
I love the idea of
exploring the past, seeing old friends, and experiencing moments that have long
passed. It's a beautiful sentiment that captures the essence of nostalgia.
“Through the
Force, things you will see. Other places. The future, the past. Old friends
long gone.” – Jedi Grand Master Yoda (Star Wars, Episode V: The Empire
Strikes Back)
This week's haiku, by the Editor & his cousin Rowan!
"Nymph Egeria,
Advisor to King Numa --
Champions of peace."
Image by the Editor: The amphibious naiad Egeria would need a wheelchair on land b/c she was used to being weightless underwater.
This week's haiku, by the Editor & his cousin Rowan!
"Wintertime is here.
Nature’s icy dance unfolds.
Snowflakes gently fall."
Digital image by the Editor: Rowan stands next to a pine tree sprinkled with hoarfrost!
This week's Word of the Week is called
"doppelgänger."
Doppelgänger, which comes from the German language,
literally means "double-goer." It refers to a double or a look-alike
of a living person, appearing to be the person's identical twin. The
origin of the term is unknown, but it has been commonly used since the 19th
century.
Today is the 12th birthday of my blog @ https://rhcfortnightlyquotemail.blogspot.com! Here's a special haiku by my cousin Rowan & me!
"Twelve years of blogging.
An edutaining milestone!
Happy Birthday blog!"
Digital image by Yours Truly: My blog co-editor, Sophie, with birthday cake & blue roses!
Image Description:
Sophie, the co-editor of my blog, is seated at a table with a bouquet of blue roses and a birthday cake with the Roman numeral XII (12) on top. The color blue is in the flowers, the vase, the cake, Sophie's outfit, and the party decorations! :)
For this week's Word of the Week, I have chosen the word
"suzerain."
Suzerain or suzerainty refers to a feudal
relationship in which a vassal or subject is subordinate to a sovereign or overlord.
The term is derived from the Old French word suzerain, which in
turn comes from the Latin phrase, “Superior imperat,” meaning, "The superior
commands.”
The word perihelion comes from the Greek words
“peri,” which means "near," and “Helios,” which means "Sun.” The
perihelion of Earth, also known as the point on our planet's orbit when it is
closest to the Sun, will occur on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026. As the Earth
reaches its perihelion, it means that the Earth is closest to the Sun.
