Again, we will take a few moments to escape daily reality and read.


This month, we begin pictures of a river cruise along the Danube that we took awhile back.
There are a few from our Rhine and Mosel rivers cruise..

Be safe, - Bob

Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated!
Any amount of donation is appreciated. To support,
click here.

My newest book #10 just became available on Amazon.
The book consists of poems and vignettes. Cost: Paperback $9.99 Kindle $3.50

To learn more, click on Amazon. Reviews also appear at the end of the newsletter.

Questions? Email me.

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Demographics: No states or countries were added this month. If your resident area is not listed, please let me know.

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VOLUME XIX – Issue 9: Sunday, October 25, 2020 (230th Issue)

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 November 29, 2020.

Downtown Luxemburg City-mid Fall (Trip 1)

Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: Due to the COVID, I have not been going out and taking a lot of pics. Hence, I am using some from the past. All were taken while on river cruises on the Rhine and Mosel (Trip 1) and the Danube (Trip 2) in Europe. This issue includes two poems, Infinity, look at the indefinable, and Haiku 3. The vignette contains a poem I wrote about the Battle of the Bulge.

Subscriber Residences: PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end. There currently are subscribers in 28 states, 3 provinces, and 13 countries. See the complete list near the end of the newsletter.

Next Month: Barring the unforeseen, the next issue comes out on November 29, 2020.

My Facebook account is again open.

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Prague: This pic was taken during a river cruise several years ago. Pictured are the famous red roofs of Prague,
The Czech Republic. It is a city that is easy to navigate via walking or public transport such as the subway..
(Trip 2)

           The long stairway from the Tower into downtown Prague. (Trip 2)

Two Poems this Month

Infinity

Can you peer
......into infinity?
Sense much
......beyond self.
Glance into the sky
......see journeys completed.
Light centuries years old
......greets one.
Some departed
......before the birth of humankind.

Peer in the darkness
......between the stars,
......transporting
......beyond the definable.
Travel light years
......into the blackness
......between the specks,
......stars revealed.
Travel onward
......galaxies after galaxies
......become unveiled.
Planet after planet
......life after life awaits.

One may ask,
......Does infinity
......truly exist?

Comments: Food for thought.

 

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Haiku 2

A water droplet
......becomes a rushing river
Conquers a mountain

 

 

 

Mimes are very popular. Note the person on the right (Trip 2)

Bakeries and cheese shops second to none. (Trip 2)

 

Prague Castle - Cathedral of St Vitus: This Gothic cathedral was founded in 1344. The construction took nearly
600 years and was finally completed in 1929.
(Trip 2)

The Antwerp Cathedral has one of the largest number of Rubens in the world. (Trip 1)

Cesky Krumlov is a city in the South Bohemia region of the Czech Republic.
It is one of the few UNESCO Heritage sites.
(Trip 2)

Vignette this Month

This month's vignette is a poem that was inspired by my visit to the graves of the soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge.

Battle of the Bulge Remembered

A general and the troops
......rest at peace,
......having made the ultimate sacrifice.
The mechanic and the professor
......rest side by side,
......bullets being no respecter
......of status or profession.
One hundred and one crosses
......bear no names.
Those, who are
......known only to the Creator.
Alone nurse sleeps beneath the soil,
......she among those 5,076
......who were once lived.
One mile away rest 10,950 German soldiers
......having made the ultimate sacrifice.
Over 4,800 in a common grave
......where bones commingle
......gradually returning to the dust
......from which they came.
Wild roses bloom above their grave.
A Hitler Youth, merely fourteen,
......and a teacher rest forever,
......bullets being no respecter
......of age or beliefs.
All these soldiers–enemies no longer.


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. 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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               A view along the Danube River (Trip 2)

Recommendations

Stay safe and healthy!

.........Please take a look at the gift page.

The Nijmegen Weighing House, built in 1612, where citizens brought their purchase to make sure they weren't
being cheated. Located in Nijmegen (the oldest city - 5 A.D.), the Netherlands
. (Trip 1)

Not my best picture. The entire country of the Netherlands was cold, rainy, and cloudy. (Trip 1)

Quotable Quotes

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."– Nelson Mandala

""The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." – Walt Disney

"If life were predictable, it would cease to be life and be without flavor." – Eleanor Roosevelt

"Have enough courage to start and enough heart to finish." – Jessica N. S. Yourko

Czech countryside (Trip 2)

Belgium-Battle of the Bulge Memorial: These crosses mark the grave sites of American and German dead. My stepfather fought with General Patton in this battle that helped bring an end to this horrific war.

Although General Patton died following the war, he is buried at the head of the grave sites of his troops. (Trip 1)

Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Thank you for food. . .

A 4 year old boy was asked to give thanks before a big dinner. The family members bowed their heads in expectation. He began his prayer, thanking God for all his friends, naming them one by one. Then he thanked God for Mommy, Daddy, brother, sister, Grandma, Grandpa, and all his aunts and uncles.

Then he began to thank God for the food. He gave thanks for the turkey, the dressing, the fruit salad, the cranberry sauce, the pies, the cakes, even the Cool Whip. Then he paused, and everyone waited--and waited.

After a long silence, the young fellow looked up at his mother and asked, "If I thank God for the broccoli, won't he know that I'm lying?"

Compliments of Joke a Day

I am pleased, we are seeing more open air markets in the U.S. The European markets are wonderful. (Trip 2).

Street musicians are enjoyed in almost every city of any size along the Danube. (Trip 2)

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Tai Chi Corner

Sharing again: I have been teaching classes online including Yang 24 and Sun 73. I have been using Dr. Lam's online lessons
to assist. If you are interested in learning a beginning form, please email me. Improved balance, reduced falls, and
improved cognizant skills are a few of the benefits.

PJ Forum

If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print everyone's, I personally respond to all. (When editing the comments for publication, I often eliminate the paragraphing to save space.)

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No Comments this Month.

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Book Reviews

General: JJG wrote: I've read Bob's "To the End of Time" trilogy twice, each time gaining deep and deeper insights into the human condition. The three small volumes hold their own as good stories but also provide a unique glimpse into a new religious paradigm. Would that it could come to be.

Specific Book: To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey

David from Utah: "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."
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Jim from MT. Vernon: "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."
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Art from Park City, UT: "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."
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Bobbie from Texas: "Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!"
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Kimberly from Ohio: "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."
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An Ohio Reader: "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. . ."
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Reader from Arizona: "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. . ."
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A Reader: "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."

Specific Book: Adelyn: An Epic Journey:

Ohio Reader: "In his book, Adelyn: An Epic Journey, Bob navigates the reader through a challenging journey in the time space continuum while exposing both the weaknesses and strengths of humanity. As Adelyn is exposed to the infinite love of The Source, the reader is challenged to understand how personal beliefs and actions often have more to do with cultural rather than spiritual influences. In a time and world filled with political anger and personal indulgences reading Adelyn offers the open-minded promise. It would make a great book study."

Specific Book: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts

Doug from Ohio: ". . . I was not prepared for page 116 Should have been because of the extremely personal nature of the entire book. Please understand that the unusual length of time to finish your book (especially for a binge reader like me) was because it screamed to be read thoughtfully in increments. For me that was 10-15 pages every weekend, often in quiet . . .Thank you for "putting pen to paper" and sharing your soul. Those of us who have followed Poetical Journeys will recognize much of the content. Those of us who have been fortunate enough to share part of your journey really feel a part of it."

Charles from Park City: "Hi Bob….I just picked up your The Tao of Momentary Thoughts.  It’s wonderful . . I love your book."

Ed from Seattle: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts: "I was smiling all the way through the reading . . .I think I will reread it again during the next week. . ."

Reader Demographics

States - AK, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, NY, OH, OR, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WA, WV, and WI     

Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;   

Countries - Albania, 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.

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PJ Online

To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.

The next issue will go out on Sunday, November 29, 2020.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob


Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049

bob@poeticaljourneys.com

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