Most of the pictures are of a small Zen garden in the back of our townhouse.

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 on the link and scroll down
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Epic Journeys: Paperback $13.99 Kindle $3.50 and the Blast Series: $12 per book
To learn more, go to Amazon.

During the pandemic, I wrote two additional novels under the pen name Leon Pashi. Both are romantic and erotic. I especially like the second one, Zahin and Anoop. I believe it's my best. Regarding that book, here is a portion of a great review from M.L. of Kansas, "What a beautiful, eloquently written love story! . . . a welcomed diversion and bright spot during this time of isolation during the pandemic. The plot kept me interested and excitedly turning the pages to the end. . . hot, passionate intimacy with incredibly warm tenderness which validated sacredness. . ."

Janice M. regarding Blast Book Four ". . . I loved the book.  There were so many ideas floating around in my head from your writings, and I understood everything you wrote about.  I saw the visions while traveling through the pages.   Thank you for your inspiration. . . ."

 

Please click here to go to the Amazon link to learn more about my books.
Books 1 - 6 of the Blast Series are also available.

Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here. (Scroll down to the donate button.)

For Unique Poetical Gifts click here!

Questions? Email me.

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VOLUME XX – Issue 7: Sunday, August 25, 2021 (240th 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 September 26, 2021.

Back fence to Jan's Zen Garden

Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: The pictorial section has changed focus twice during this month. Originally, you were to view pictures taken on our trip to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. That trip was canceled. Then I decided I would feature pictures taken in Arches and Canyonland National Parks. That trip was canceled. Why? Smoke. In fact, it was so bad we were encouraged for several days not to be outdoors. Perhaps some other time those pictures will grace this newsletter. Left in a quandary, I decided to be creative. Though the pictures are not as awesome as planned, I decided to share with you scenes from the Zen garden my wife created in a small plot behind our townhouse. The poems are deeper ones, Power Within and Cycle. The vignette discusses QUILLS.

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 27 states, 3 provinces, and 13 countries. See complete list near at the newsletter.

Next Month: The next issue comes out on September 29, 2021.

To become a friend on Facebook, click on this link.

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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.

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Unless otherwise noted, all the pictures are of the Garden my wife Janice created.

Two Poems this Month

Power Within

What power
   longs to escape
   from the seedling
   though ignored by all?
Even varmints,
   looking for a quick snack,
   remain blind to its presence
   as the wind playfully
  tumbles it over and over.
Decades ago,
   a distance relative
   fell into a small crevice.
It too was ignored.
Days turned into weeks
   and weeks into years
   as a tree slowly emerged,
   no longer oblivious
   to the now split mountain granite.
Tonight, the offspring,
   like whirling dervishes,
   search for new homes.

Comments: Pictured to the right is the results of a once ignored seedling. It reminds me of the Biblical quote regarding the "faith of a mustard seed."

 


 

Cycle

The hawk flies high above
   searching for its pray.
The chipmunk far below
   oblivious to the impending doom
Life moves on.
Life ends.
Nature’s way.
All the prayers in the world
   cannot end the cycle.

 

 

I am always amazed to see a tree growing from a rock.

Utah Poet Laureate Paisley Rekdal speaking at a writers conference I attended.

Some of Utah's wildlife displayed in the small museum at the edge of our town

 

 

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Vignette this Month: QUILLS

What? QUILLS is the official name of the League of Utah's ( (LUW) annual writers conference which I had the privilege to attend on August 13-15. When I was younger, I participated in such conferences regularly. Though I have been a member of LUW for the majority of the eight years I have lived in Utah, this is the first writers event I have attended. It was well-organized and intellectually stimulating. I learned a great deal and was exposed to a number of new marketing concepts. Listening to Utah Poet Laureate Paisley Rekdal's presentation was as they say, "worth the price of admission." (Paisley is pictured in the poetry section.) I won't bore you with details from the many workshops though you will unknowingly be experiencing them in this and future issues. Based on my observations, the future of writing in this state is in excellent hands. I will also add that at the next conference my name will appear as "Grandpa Bob" or perhaps "Great Grandpa Bob."

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Recommendation

Take time savor Nature's beauty.

Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.

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Quotable Quotes

"The butterfly counts not months but moments, and has time enough.” – Rabindranathe Tagore

"The morning glory blooms for an hour. Yet it differs not at heart from the giant pine which lives a thousand years.” – Zenrin Kushu

“Only that day dawns to which we are awake.” – Henry David Thoreau

“Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson

 

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

A rancher was minding his own business when an FBI agent came up up to him and said, "We got a tip that you may be growing illegal drugs on the premises. Do you mind if I take a look around?"

The old rancher replied, "That's fine, you shouldn't go over there though." As he pointed at one of his fields.

The FBI agent snapped at him, "I'm am a federal agent! I can go wherever I want!" With that he pulled out his badge and shoved it into the ranchers face.

The rancher shrugged this off and continued with his daily chores. About 15 minutes later he heard a loud scream from the field he had pointed out earlier. All of a sudden he could see the FBI agent sprinting towards him with a large bull on his heels.

The rancher rushed to the fence and yelled, "Your badge! Show your badge to the bull!"

Compliment of A Joke A Day

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Tai Chi Corner

Take some time to learn tai chi. Contact Bob for a name of an
instructor near you.

PJ Forum

If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. I personally respond to all. (When editing the comments for publication, I eliminate very personal comments and edit for spacing.

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" . . . The Schnormeier Gardens are one of those beautiful spots that I have enjoyed a couple of times and took many pictures while I was there. I have a picture of the Chinese Red Bridge on my computer desk and actually won a People's Choice Award at a photo show with a picture of the water lilies. Thanks for bringing back memories of my visit there. . ." - Bev from Ohio (Ed: I am pleased that I helped foster a flashback to a wonderful experience.)

"You outdid yourself . . ." - Ted from Ohio (Ed.: Many thanks!)

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Reader Demographics

States - 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 to this section will be updated each month.

If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.

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Book Reviews

Blast Series: Review by Janice M. regarding Blast Book Four: . . . I loved the book.  There were so many ideas floating around in my head from your writings, and I understood everything you wrote about.  I saw the visions while traveling through the pages. Thank you for your inspiration. . . ."

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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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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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."

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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, September 29, 2021.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob

 


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

bob@poeticaljourneys.com

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