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Enjoy the pictures
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Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life
Anniversary Issue - Starting Year 9
Enjoy the pictures of Maui where I stayed for a month
VOLUME IX – Issue 1: Sunday, February 28, 2010 (102nd issue)
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob: Hard to Believe – Year 9
- Three Poems: A Respite at AKL, Grass and Stone, and Lovai, the Music Man
- My Latest Book -- An Oasis in a Cluttered World is available.
- Vignette: Living Like a Local
- Guest Vignette: Comments on Meditation by Feryerith from Venezuela
- Recommendations
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Calendar Contest 2010
- Contest Winners
- Pay It Forward 2009 – Final Report
- PJ Forum
- Reminder: If you are filtering...
- PJ Demographics – All 50 states and 72 countries
- PJ Online
- PJ Policies
- Subscription information
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Welcome
I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe. If your country is not listed in the demographic section at the end, please let me know so I can update the list.
The next issue starts year nine of the Poetical Journal. It will be out on Sunday, March 28, 2010.
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Opening Comments from Bob – Hard to Believe – Year 9
Aloha from Hawaii: I am writing this anniversary issue from Hawaii where I have spent the entire month of February, sadly missing all the snow storms that hit Ohio. If you haven't followed my NEW blog, you can read about some of my adventures as well as plenty of recommendations should you ever head out this way. If nothing else, you will enjoy the pictures.
Help! Help!: On February 14 I sent out a special edition of the PJ describing my new site. In it I asked for help by completing a survey to assist us with our overall planning for the site (only nine multiple choice questions). I am too embarrassed to tell you how few responded, even with the $25 incentive. Thus, I am making another plea.
Please do not be mislead by the site title, Journeys Publishing. Whether you are a writer or not, there will be opportunities for participation. If you are willing to assist with our overall planning for the site, please go to Journeys Publishing, click on the Survey icon in the left upper corner, and offer your feedback.
By completing the entire survey and submitting your email at the end of it, you will be entered into a drawing to win $25. (However, you do not need to provide an email if you do not want to be in the drawing.) The winner will be announced in the March PJ. Deadline for participation is March 20, 2010.
A Bit of History: Eight years ago, the first issue, a mere two pages, was emailed to a group of friends and acquaintances. (This issue has 11 pages.) For several months, the PJ came out twice a month. By Issue 3, there was a web version but no pictures. The first pictured issue started with Issue 40, December 24. 2004. Since then, photographs have played a larger and larger role in the publication. Surprisingly, there are still subscribers, the vast majority, who never visit the web version. At one time, the PJ had the largest subscribership of any poetry newsletter in the world. Over sixty percent of you have subscribed for six years or more.
Whether you read the text or web version, I THANK you for being a subscriber.
Premium Subscribers: Two years ago, I implemented "a pay it forward" type of membership called "premium subscribers". The first year generated thirty-six members while last year only nine. I realize that almost all of you choose to give to charities and also choose not to have them noted on my site. However, I must say that the nine last year did a yeoman's job with a financial impact of $20,400 and 1020+ charitable hours. Thus, I will give the concept another year. If you would like to be a premium subscriber, then please click on this link, and read more.
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Three Poems this Issue
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A Respite at Ali'i Kula
...............Lavender Garden
Imagine being bathed
....in the perfumes of lavender
....as the breeze carries
....the scents to your senses.
The Maui sun
....warms the neck
....despite the altitude’s crispness.
Sitting on an Adirondack chair
....amidst acres of lavender,
....one peers out to the sea
....miles below
....as songbirds serenade.
Imagine being in paradise.
Comments: When I first visited Ali’i Chang’s Kula Lavender Farm (AKL) slightly over five years ago, I enjoyed the vistas, lack of crowds, and the new knowledge about lavender that I garnered through the visit. Since that time AKL has become a well-known tourist site for those looking for a nontraditional tourist activity. Today, the crowds have increased, because the secret is out, and the manicured grounds have more than doubled. The vistas remain as gorgeous as before. Ali’i has built a reputation as an innovative horticulturist that makes wise use of land and environment. The day I wrote the poem, I found a quiet place and simply savored the moments.
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Grass and Stone
The tall grass waves in the breezes
....barely revealing the cross
....marking a life now passed.
Whose bones lie beneath
....this unattended grave?
The gray stone symbolizes
....someone once loved.
The grass tells a story
....of someone long forgotten
Time fads and grass grows.
Comments: One morning I was walking to a small neighborhood Hawaiian market and passed a small graveyard. Some of the graves were well-tended while others were overgrown. Hence, the poem evolved.
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Lovai, the Music Man
Though we only spoke a few words or two,
....I in admiration of his talent,
....I felt I knew him
....by his music.
He moved and swayed with passion,
....as his voice filled with joy, glorifying his Creator.
His hands were often raised in praise
....in exuberant reverence.
Though I only returned once yearly
....to his place of worship,
....I always was warmed to see his “shining” face
....in the Tongan choir.
By his countenance,
....one realized he walked the Way.
Today, I learned that he now sings
....in the Heavenly Choir,
....with his Savior’s hand upon his shoulder.
I like to believe Lovai
....heard these words upon his arrival
....to the Promised Land,
....“Well-done, my good and faithful servant.
....Eternity will be spent with me.
....Sing, Music Man, sing!”
Comments: I am sharing a poem I wrote about a beautiful man, Lovai, a member of the Lahaina Methodist Church Tongan Men's Choir. Lovai passed away in early February, which I learned about at the February 14th church service. I always enjoyed watching him sing because of his spirit and love of music and his God. I was so moved by his passing that I wrote the above poem about him and shared with his pastor. I was notified later that the poem appeared on the cover of his memorial service bulletin. I am deeply honored.
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The view I saw when writing the poem
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Farther up looking down at the place from where I wrote
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The neglected cross that inspired the poem
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Note the small beach and grass area where I do tai chi daily
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My Books and Products are now purchasable online.
An Oasis in a Cluttered World, Wisdom from the Journey, and The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey can be purchased from me online. Also, there are other products on the page that offer unique gifts for that special someone or for yourself. Enjoy the convenience of shopping online.
If you wish to support the efforts of the Poetical Journal, there is also a donation option.
To view the product page, please click here.
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Kiteboarder and sailboarders at Ho'okipa Point
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Haleakala Crater at 10,000 ft.
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Vignette: Living Like a Local
Over the decades of traveling I have often wondered what it would like to live in the place I was visiting. This year I chose to live for almost five weeks in a location I have visited eighteen times, Hawaii, specifically Maui. Janice and I are staying in a small condo right behind Mamma's Fish House just outside of Paia. Paia is on the quieter side of the island. This small town, a favorite of mine, is filled with an abundance of "characters" who live life "their way." Mixed in are tourists passing through, usually on the way to Hana.
Over the weeks, we have learned where to shop, the location of movie theaters, best times to avoid traffic, and a myriad of other minutiae necessary to acclimate to a new location. We quickly learned that what we knew about Maui was minuscule to what we needed to know to live daily life here. In short, the experience is like moving to a new community.
Even more fun are the people we have met from Lee, the tai chi guru, to Howie in Maui to the woman in the little store down the road who is outspoken, passionate, and running for county office.
What have I learned? I want to return and live here longer in this "Land of Aloha." I really do not want to leave...:-)
Guest Vignette by Feryerith from Venezuela
Feryerith wrote the below comments regarding my poem Meditation I published in last month's issue. I chose to use with her permission an edited version of her comments as a Guest Vignette. Feryerith is a superb writer. I have often told her that I expect to read her works someday when she has received international recognition. While a section of her comments directly refers to my work, she really speaks far beyond my mere words.
Comments on Meditation I
. . .I truly enjoyed Meditation 1. Surely, every reader will interpret it their way, but I wanted to share mine with you. There is a train of thought that often circles my head: that of expectations. We humans are such arrogant, tough-headed creatures! We insist and insist in having things our way. We want to decide when is the time to mourn, the time to laugh, the time to share, the time to leave. Even more amusing, we pretend to choose the time to be touched by our respective Muses. We even sit there, open all doors and windows, and wait for them to walk right in. Well, no. That is not what life is about. I believe the 'times' come when they come. The 'times' don't know about schedules or deadlines. They don't care how busy we are, or how much we would like to alter their courses. There is not much we can do to bring them about, or make them end sooner or last longer once they are here. We can only choose how to react to them, what to learn from them, and how to live through them. One thing I love about your Journal is that you obviously find inspiration everywhere. Actually, it seems like inspiration finds you and not the other way around. Everything, from a bicycle ride to a singing bird, are droplets of beauty, winks from our Creator, caresses from the Muses. Now, that is what life is about.
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If you have a guest vignette you would like to submit, please do so. Not only will I enjoy reading it, but if agreeable with you and space permitting, printing it in a future issue. The vignette should be written in paragraph form and relate a personal story or event. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
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| Looking across the farmland to Haleakala |
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| You get wet on the final hundred yards to the Twin Falls |
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Recommendations
- My Blog: Go to my NEW blog to read the many recommendations.
- MauiGrown Coffee Company Store: What a great discovery, and I don't even drink much coffee. However, after my visit that is going to change. Tom will give you samples of coffee made from the different beans and explain the nuances and subtleties. Fascinating!
- Old Style Potato Chips: Stop by and enjoy crisp, tasty Maui Kitchen Cook'd Potato Chips. They can be purchased at the factory at 295 Lalo Place, Kahului.
- Take a look at the new online book and gift page.
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The company store is located just outside of Lahaina. After
tasting the coffee, take the self-guided tour through the
the coffee fields. The views are spectacular. |
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Surfer getting ready to head out
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Ke'anae Peninsula at MM16 off the Hana Highway.
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Baldwin Beach almost unknown by tourists - a favorite for me
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A view from Baldwin - a bit rough today for swimming
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Iao Valley, filled with tragic Hawaiian history
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"In replacing religion as the final source of knowledge in popular estimation, science begins to look a bit like another religion itself. With this comes a similar danger on the part of some of its adherents of blind faith in its principles and, correspondingly, to intolerance of alternative views." – The Dalai Lama
"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." – Martin Luther King
"Live each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influences of each." – Henry David Thoreau
"If you think you are too small to make a difference, you haven't been in bed with a mosquito." – Dame Anita Roddick (1942-2007) British businesswoman, human rights activist and environmental campaigner.
"Hate is like acid. It can damage the vessel in which it is stored as well as destroy the object on which it is poured." – Ann Landers (Esther Lederer) Nationally known newspaper advice columnist from 1955-2002.
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
An Amused Traffic Officer
A man gets pulled over by the police for speeding. The officer walks up to the car and says to the driver, “Sir, did you know that you were going 60 miles an hour?"
The driver says, "Officer, there is no way I could have been going 60 miles an hour!"
The officer replies, “Really! Why is that?
The driver replies," I could not have been going 60 miles an hour because I've only been out driving for 25 minutes."
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Again, thanks to the Alcove Restaurant.
Contest Winners from the Past
By clicking on this link you can see winners from earlier contests. Anyone who has won a poet print in the past and would like to be pictured on the Grand Winners Page, please send via email a jpg of you holding the print.
Pay It Forward Final Update 2009 and the New 2010
Welcome to our premium subscriber section. Be the first to join the
The final categorical amounts for Premium Subscribers for 2009 are as follows:
2010 Page.
* Total Charitable Donations: $20,400
* Total Charitable Volunteer Hours: 1020+
* Number of Premium Subscribers: 9
PJ Forum
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please email them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print all of the comments, I respond to everyone's.
"You've maintained your high standard of words and associated photos, Bob. I'm looking forward to another decade of Journey's, wee Harry permitting. – Jerry from Victoria, Australia (Ed.: Thank you Jerry. I hope we both are around ...:-)
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"I hope you're having a great time on the beginning of your adventure. Just to let you know, I tried to register on your Journeys Publishing website, and it wouldn't let me. I'm anxious to explore the new things you've done." – Nancy from Carey, OH (Ed.: I really appreciated Nancy letting me know about the problem she was having with registering. My tech guru, Dustin, quickly solved it.)
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"Hi Bob - Just now reading this month's issue. Like the blog and I think the tai chi class would be ideal. From the window of a former office building I used to watch an elderly lady doing tai chi in the grassy and quiet section of our building's lake section. She was so graceful." – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: As always, thank you. Yes, Tai Chi for Health, the form I teach, is a wonderful way to exercise, relax, and move chi throughout the body. It has been especially enjoyable looking at the ocean during this month in Hawaii. Bobbie also sent an email expressing how much she is enjoying Journeys Publishing.)
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"I read the PJ, and it is very nicely done. The pictures are great, and I'm sure everyone will enjoy seeing them. . ." – G.L. from Cinci (Ed.: Thanks G.L. She received an advance copy because her vignette was in the last issue. She pointed out some correction were needed. Very much appreciated! The PJ is proofed, and just not by me, at least five times before being mailed. Yet, errors still slip by. Some are questionable such as comma usage, modern versus traditional while others are more egregious.)
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"Thanks Bob, We can only say thank you for the very poignant but disturbing reality in your vignette. Mary and I also feel the pang and pain with every email notification, as well as signing up for our Homestead Exemption with the county auditor. It must be all about age and the forces of nature. Ah, but then again our age has provided the opportunity for reflection and travel. Your photos of the ice art are truly spellbinding. thanks for sharing them." – Doug from Galion, OH (Ed.: This was Doug's gracious reply to last month's vignette. Doug has been a friend since youth and is the godfather of my son, Craig.)
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"Great issue the ice sculptures are magnificent. Smiles" – Lisa from Colorado Springs, CO (Ed.: Glad you enjoyed and hope life is going well.)
Reader Demographics
Geographically, subscribers reside in all U.S. states. Subscribers also live in Albania, Argentina, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, & Western Australia), Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, & Quebec), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica - W.I., Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad - W.I., Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
PJ Online
To read or copy back issues of the PJ, go to.
The next issue will be out on Sunday, March 28, 2010.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
PJ Policies
Guest Poetry: Often readers send me a poem stating they would like it included in the PJ. Many of the poems are well written. Although I enjoy reading them, at this time I do not include guest poetry as part of this newsletter. Instead, I suggest that they submit them for inclusion in the Guest Poet section of my web site. A number have chosen to do so. However, time limitations and quality govern the number that will be accepted. I currently am not accepting poetry from minors.
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Guest Vignettes: On occasion, I publish guest vignettes submitted by one of my readers. If a guest vignette is submitted and selected, the author understands that there is no remuneration provided; the vignette will be included in the e-mailed and web site versions; and will remain posted until I choose to remove it from the site. In all cases, the guest vignette remains the property of the guest author who has given permission for its usage as described in sentences one and two.
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Privacy: I take it very seriously. Your name will never be sold to a third party nor will we disclose at any time your subscription information.
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Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you.
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Reproduction and Forwarding: While the material is copyrighted, you have permission to forward all or part of this newsletter. You may also quote from it. Out of common courtesy (We will forget all the legal jargon and requirements.), I would appreciate at least a mention or a footnote. -- Much appreciated!
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Recommendations: All recommendations are personal ones offered for your information. I receive no remuneration of any kind from the sources or individuals being recommended – other than when I recommend purchasing my books. Actually, many are never aware of their listing. One may ask, "Why do you provide recommendations for specific establishments or locations, especially since many of your readers are worldwide and may never be able to use the information?" The key word is "may." When I travel, I plan much of the itinerary myself. This planning includes reading and listening to recommendations from professional and personal sources. My wish is that any suggestions provided will assist some readers as they make their plans. (Incidentally, I have already received feedback that readers use them.)
Subscription: To unsubscribe click on your individualized unsubscribe e-mail at the end of this newsletter. (Not appropriate for this web page.) Or send a BLANK e-mail (Be sure not to write anything in the subject or body) to
leave-poetjournal@pro.netatlantic.com
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Fredericktown, OH 43019
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
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