MARILYN CORNWELL: Marilyn's Photos - May 23 2026

The New York Times message on a Saturday morning is about personal pursuits rather than global news and American politics. This morning the author writes about "the traditional Japanese calendar's 72 microseasons, each about five days in duration, each charting a tiny event in the natural world. (May 21 - 25: "Silkworms start feasting on mulberry leaves.)"

The article about the 72 microseasons that is referenced by the New York Times author is HERE. It provides a great insight into the seasons compared to ours. I notice right away how short a Japanese winter is. That's because their spring begins in February. So the calendar starts with the Beginning of spring. February 4-8 East wind melts the ice. February 9-13 Bush warblers start singing in the mountains. Their cherry blossoms bloom March 26 - 30. And who would guess there is such a thing as April 15-19 First rainbows. It seems to magical. Wondering when winter might arrive. First in November 22-26 Rainbows hide. Then December 7-11 Cold sets in, winter begins.

Doesn't that seem so calming compared to the Globe and Mail headline that a prestigious short-story contest winner has been accused of using AI writing. If we were to divide our AI future into 72 microseasons, there will be one with the title: The Shakespearean Monkeys arrive. Another would be The Shakespearean Monkeys get to work.

This is a Longwood Azalea. I am astounded by the "trunk."