My third novel in the Epic Journeys Trilogy will be able in October. Adelyn: An Epic Journey will transport you on a journey like you have never gone before!
My most recent novel, What's Next~An Epic Journey, is available on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore. The book is a sequel to the The End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey. You can purchase now byclicking here. (Scroll to the correct title.) Either book is a fine read for the broad-minded or the spiritual seeker.
To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey is available via Amazon and Kindle. It will grab you from the start and carry you to places you have never been. The book contains many diverse ideas and is a great love story filled with adventure and intrigue.Questions? Email me. To go to Amazon,click here.
Click hereto link to a You Tube radio interview about To the End of Time. (Friend David Riggs produced it for me. To link to his book, click here.)
A number of individuals have sent some wonderful reviews. You can read some ofthem in the Forum Section below.
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 24 states and 12 countries
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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 Poetical Journal will be out on Sunday, September 24, 2017.
Above: Ducks taking in the sun along Silver Lake, UT Below: Wildflower
Opening Comments from Bob
What's Next ~ An Epic Journey and Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journey: Both novels are available on Amazon. What's Next is a sequel to Beyond Time and tackles a topic that impacts us all. Both books are intriguing reads for the spiritual seeker and/or the broad-minded.
This Issue: This month we pictorially spend some time in an area less than 14 miles from where we live. There are two poems this month, 2 Minutes and A Bit of Wisdom. There is also a third poem for those who desire a bit of controversy. The vignette discusses whether you want to write a book. (There is third poem for those who choose to click on it.)
Subscriber Residence:PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end.
Next Month: The next issue comes out on September 24, 2017.
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Silver Lake, UT
Two Poems this Month
2 Minutes
The age of high tech reigns
where cell phones out number people
and backup mirrors and tablets abound.
Ubiquitous video games of every ilk
stimulate the senses.
Yet, on August 21,
all become irrelevant
as eyes peer heavenward
at Nature’s magnificent show–
once viewed as “A shadow of doom”
but now welcomed
as a spectacular spectacle.
Comments: I was lucky enough to be in the air during part of the eclipse. No worry about clouds!
A Bit of Wisdom
Flowers possess beauty
that bewitch the eye.
Rich colors
make it difficult
to glance away.
while fragrances
entice one to abandon
trivial thoughts.
Yet, we often pass by
without a mere notice.
Perhaps the individual
who first said, Take time to smell the roses.
was indeed a wise person.
Comment: None needed.
Click here if you want to read a poem that focuses on today's issues. Otherwise, stick with the two above...:-)
Couple men fishing on Silver Lake.
Ground squirrel striking a pose.
Taking in the view up Snake Creek Road – enjoyed a picnic there
My books and products are purchasable online.
My work currently appears in seven books. Four are offered for sale online. To order any of the four, click here. The newest books, What's Next? (2016) and Beyond Time and Back (2015) are currently available through Amazon.
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Another view of Silver Lake
Vignette this Month: So you want to write a book?
In polite conversation with strangers or individuals I have just formally met, the question often raised is "What do you do?" I mention that I am a tai chi instructor and eventually comment that I am also a writer and poet. They frequently ask, "What type of books do you write?" My current response is that I just completed my seventh book and provide a bit of description. Of course, they have never heard of any of my titles. Invariably, the next comment goes something like this. "I have always wanted to write a book." and then their rationale. Depending on what they say, I sometimes respond, "Why don't you?"
Assuming you have the discipline, time, and dedication to tell your story in written form, bringing your thoughts to print has never been easier. Of course, I am speaking of "self-publishing." This method, often frowned upon, is currently the way to bring your completed book before traditional publishers. However, many prefer sticking with self-publishing versus traditional for a number of reasons. First, to have a traditional publisher bring your finished product to fruition is often a minimum of two years. Unless you are Stephen King, you also still do your own promotion. More importantly, your profit per book is greater. Traditional publishers often only give you $1 to $2 in royalties while self-publishing generates anywhere from $3 - $5 per sale depending on where it is sold.
Many choose to tell their story, not for the money, but to provide a legacy, often for their family. While those stories are of little interest to others, to family members the words are precious. Others desire to see their names in print while others dream of the jackpot. A best seller can make someone instantly rich. For the latter, the competition in today's market is incredible. In one month alone, over 15,000 books are published in the U.S. Hence, when someone says that they have never heard of my books, I smile.
A couple years ago, I started a small company called Journeys Publishing that has helped people tell their story. If you have a story to tell, email me, and we can talk further.
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, I will print 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.
Through the wildflowers on a mountain bike ride
Recommendation
Silver Fork Lodge in Brighton, UT: Enjoying breakfast on a sunny summer day! We love taking a short drive up the mountain to Big Cottonwood Canyon for breakfast or lunch. We always enjoy the food, the views, and the occasional hikes. It is also a neat place to stay overnight.
Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.
View from the picnic area
Looking down Snake Creek Road
Picnic view into the valley
Quotable Quotes
"Death is not the biggest fear we have; our biggest fear is taking the risk to be alive–the risk to be alive and express what we really are." - Don Miguel Ruiz
"I am my best work–a series of road maps, reports, recipes, doodles, and prayers from the front lines." - Audre Lorde
"Nothing can bring you peace but yourself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
"I'm bored is a useless thing to say. I mean, you live in a great, big vast world that you've seen none percent of. Even the inside of your own mind is endless, it goes on forever, inwardly, do you understand? The fact that you're alive is amazing, so you don't get to say I am bored." - Louis C.K.
"Happiness is like a butterfly which, when pursued, is always beyond our grasp, but, if you will sit down quietly, may alight upon you." - Nathaniel Hawthorne
Above: Silver Lake view. Below: All the pictures to follow were taken at Silver Lake
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Who is smarter?
A young boy enters a barber shop and the barber whispers to his customer, "This is the dumbest kid in the world. Watch while I prove it to you."
The barber puts a dollar bill in one hand and two quarters in the other, then calls the boy over and asks, "Which do you want, son?" The boy takes the quarters and leaves.
"What did I tell you?" said the barber. "That kid never learns!"
Later, when the customer leaves, he sees the same young boy coming out of the ice cream store.
"Hey, son! May I ask you a question? Why did you take the quarters instead of the dollar bill?"
The boy licked his cone and replied, "Because the day I take the dollar, the game is over!"
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print everyone, I personally respond to all. (On editing: I often eliminate the paragraphing to save space.)
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"Thanks for another fine issue. And thanks for your tribute to Dan Ritchey. We had not heard of his death and are sorry to learn of the loss of this good man. Galion would be a better place (as would the world) if there were many more just like Dan" - Jim from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: Thank you, Jim. Yes, Dan was quite a fine human being.)
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"Seeing this issue brings back memories of NC - lived there for 15 years. Loved Blowing Rock, Boone, Et Al. . ." - Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Bobbie, I am pleased I helped bring back cherished memories.)
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"our beautiful universe / filled with such fear and hate. / this was not the plan. / we all must work together / to modify our fate. / join with me in hope and care / to ensure it's not too late." - JJG (Ed.: Thank you for your beautiful submission.)
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There were several responses too personal print. However, I am so grateful for them. THANK YOU!
To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey Review taken from Amazon
"The new novel, To the End of Time and Back is a skillful account of two lovers on an 'Epic Journey,' racing through time and history to learn life-changing truths. Their spectral mentor, Arundel, sends them through difficult travels, but their relationship endures and remains strong despite physical, and psychological stress. Powerful emotions such as fear, anger and happiness, combine with lust, pain and sexuality to help them learn. Written in verse form, the story is an epic poem, painted to portray the duality of mankind throughout dimensions of human history that is sometimes cruel and horrific. The reader will come to know and understand what is being described and will certainly enjoy the stimulating elegance of the story and the philosophy. A thoroughly enjoyable read that is certain to make you think." - David from Utah
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Other Reviews (They have been edited for length. Thank so much to each of you.)
"I finished your book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was much easier to follow by having the whole thing in front of me, and reading as much as I wanted at a time. I felt pretty weary after bouncing around in time for many hundreds of years, but I was relieved to know that at least part of the world survived 'Armageddon'. What a feat you have performed." - Jim
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"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your latest book To the End of Time and Back. When I bought the book I had no idea what to expect. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I had fun reading it from A to Z and everything in between." - Art from Park City, UT
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"Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!" - Bobbie from Texas
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"Well, Bob! I am rather blown away by your book. Finished it yesterday, and it only took four days, which means I was intrigued and wanted to know how the book ends. I'm a slow, deep reader and since my profession is writing and editing, I edit continuously as I read. Can't help it! But this book was worth dropping everything for and reading to the end. I admit to cynicism about your claim that it would change me, and I don't know that it has just yet but it won't be leaving my heart and head for a long time, and change could happen. I'm impressed that the book actually lived up to your claims for it. . . . I'm intrigued by this book because it rings so true, and I am therefore tempted to believe you actually were given the gift of this dictation. But if not and this is fiction, you have written one hell of a book, masquerading amazingly as non-fiction ... which is indeed one of the goals of fiction." - Kimberly
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"WOW! WOW! WOW! I read it in one sitting and found so many things you wrote about 'true' for what I know and feel about past lives I've lived. Actually, the chapter about the Holocaust was something I couldn't bear to read–too sad and painful. (I've always felt that way about that period of history.) . . . it was very well done, Bob. Just beautifully done. I'm looking for the movie. . . I'm sure others will feel connected to this book just as I did. AMAZING. Just AMAZING. I couldn't put it down. There was so much anticipation with each chapter it hooked me from the very beginning. . ." - An Ohio Reader
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"I read your book a couple weeks ago. You are lucky we don't live close enough for me to call you to discuss it! It was interesting and easy to read. I liked the format. It reminded me of Many Masters, Many Lives by Brian L. Weiss (which was not that quick to read). Have you read that? . . . Anyway, kudos on the book -- on all your books. . ." - A Reader from Arizona
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"Your newest release takes the reader to places deep within. It makes one ponder all things about life itself. Many authors have written about reincarnation, but yours goes deeper. Through an eternal relationship between two souls, you describe all the human emotions one can feel. The book takes you to historical times and places around the globe, making you feel as if you are part of the beautiful relationship of A~ and Z~. After reading, they will become a part of you." - A Reader
Reader Demographics
States- AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, and WI;
Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;
Countries - Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, U.S., and Venezuela.
........Changes in this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on September 24, 2017.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
PJPolicies 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. ----------------------------- 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.
----------------------------- 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. ---------------------------- Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you. ------------------------------ 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!
------------------------------ 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.)
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