haiku – Whippet Wisdom – a Highland Journey

A Tribute to Stuart Quine

(1962 – 2020)

new year’s day only the wind comes to my gate
Stuart Quine, Presence 14

a blue and white whippet walking beside a tidal lagoon with a pink ball

as real as any dream cherry blossom
Stuart Quine, Presence 51 (2014)

We were very sad to learn that Stuart Quine, a very gifted English haiku poet, has died of Covid-19. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and all who were close to him.

Stuart was a practitioner of Soto Zen Buddhism and wrote beautiful haiku. I didn’t know him personally, but admired his writings. His one-line-haiku, also known as monoku, especially resonated.

In honour of his life and his work, I am sharing three of his one-line-haiku with you today (previously published in Presence, a British independent haiku journal) that I especially love.

a sandbar and lagoon on the shores of the Moray Firth

alone on the shore finally the peace of nothing left to say
Stuart Quine, Presence 56 (2016)

Please stay safe and well and keep your distance.

With love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4.5 – 1/1600 s – ISO 100.

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #90: Distance

Haiku: Spirit Mountain

two whippets running on a sandbar in the spring sun

far yet near
snow still dazzles on
our spirit mountain

Moray Firth and snow capped peaks across the water

Wishing you all a very happy Monday and hope you are safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4.5 – 1/1600 s – ISO 100.

Lens-Artists Weekly Photo Challenge #90: Distance

Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge #299: Bright & Fight (Dazzle & Spirit)

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Slick

Haiku: Rocks and Stones

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket walking away from the surf towards the dry sand

split rocks
on glittering sands
this abundance

a black whippet in a winter jacket walking across wet tidal sands

We are very grateful for all the amazing work the health service and everyone else who is making a positive difference is currently doing.

Following the example of Spain, France, The Netherlands and India, the UK is organising a #clapforourcarers event tonight (Thursday 26th March) at 8 pm where we can show our appreciation with a massive round of applause.

You can clap your hands on your doorstep, balcony or indoors and share it online through social media.

Hoping you all stay safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/5.6 – 1/1250 s – ISO 200 and f/5.6 – 1/800 s – ISO 200.

Nurturing Thursday

On the Hunt for Joy Challenge: Create Abundance Out of Ordinary Things

Haibun: Strengthening Connections

two whippets in winter jackets on tidal sands beside a rock

A music of wind and waves we would never have known weaves her magic through delicate times. An invisible urge helps us connect at a deeper level, with ourselves, our fellow humans, all living creatures.

slowing down
the earth can breathe again
listen, listen

two whippets in winter jackets sniffing a rock on the beach

Wishing you all a very happy Tuesday,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/4.5 – 1/800 s – ISO 200 and f/4 – 1/1600 s – ISO 200.

Dutch Goes the Photo Tuesday Photo Challenge: Connect

dVerse Poets Quadrille #100: Abracadabra – Where’s My Magic Wand?

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Delicate

Haibun: Along the Firth

close up shot of a black whippet in a winter jacket on tidal sands

It has been a worrying weekend for many of us in the Highlands and other tourist destinations. Beauty spots in England, Wales and Scotland were swamped by visitors at a time when everyone has been asked to refrain from non-urgent travel.

This morning the caravan parks have closed and most people are returning home. They have better medical support there than they would have in remote parts of the country.

We can understand that people want to visit their favourite places. If we all work together to flatten the curve, this will soon be possible again.

along the firth
a flow of give and take
in motion

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket sniffing a large driftwood tree

Update: At 8.30 pm on 23rd March 2020 the UK Government ordered a lockdown in the interest of keeping everyone safe.

We hope you are all safe and well.

Wishing you a peaceful Monday and a beautiful new week,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/5.6 – 1/1000 s – ISO 200, f/5 – 1/160 s – ISO 100 and f/5 – 1/1600 s – ISO 200.

Sunday Stills: The Legacy of Favorite Places

Ronovan’s Weekly Haiku Challenge #298: Bay & Play (Firth & Motion)

Your Daily Word Prompt: Swamped

Haiku: Spring Equinox

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket looking at a lensball

pure light
upending the sphere
spring equinox

a lensball on the beach, reflecting the sky, dunes, sand and driftwood

I have been enjoying fellow photographer Jez Braithwaite’s creative images with his new lensball and decided to have a little play.

Wishing you a blessed Spring Equinox if you’re in the Northern Hemisphere and a happy Autumn Equinox to our friends in the Southern Hemisphere. May you all stay safe and well,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ200, Settings: f/2.8 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100 and f/4 – 1/2000 s – ISO 100.

Nurturing Thursday

Frank J Tassone’s Weekly Haikai Challenge #130: Spring Equinox

Jez Braithwaite’s A Fan of … #59: Lensball

Haibun: Into the Pure Land

Cairngorms National Park

a blue and white whippet in a winter jacket running down a mountain trail

We’re climbing the trail where Winter still lives on the hillside. Snow laces between heather and grass, delightful in simple patterns. Every step brings a deeper awareness. An awareness of what matters most. Companionship, looking after one another, only ever taking what little is needed and giving plenty back. Walking here in the sun, it is love that anchors the way.

into the pure land
an immeasurable light
turning west

mountain trail with snow patches to the left winding down towards a loch

We hope you are all safe and well.

Wishing you a very happy Monday and a wonderful week ahead,

with love from Eivor, Pearl and Xenia xxx

Photographs by Xenia Tran, edited in lr.

Camera: Canon Powershot SX60 HS, Settings: f/6.5 – 1/320 s – ISO 200, f/5.6 – 1/160 s – ISO 200 and f/4.5 – 1/2000 s – ISO 200.

Carpe Diem #1824: Yasaka-ji Temple

Rag Tag Daily Prompt: Delightful

Your Daily Word Prompt: Anchor

dVerse Poets: Open Link Night 262