Opening Comments from Bob
This Page: An anniversary issue is always a special one for me. Each year in the vignette I offer an update on the history of the newsletter. The pictorials are a combination of Utah winter scenes and pictures from my favorite island, Maui. There are two poems, What the World Needs Now . . . and Magical. Both are serious. One is dedicated to my mother. This issue started Year 18.
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This picture along with several that follow were taken in the Midway, UT area. Winter is a gorgeous time!
Above: View from my townhouse parking area. Below: Ranch house half a mile down the road.
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Two Poems this Month
What the World Needs Now . . .
The song goes,
“What the world needs now is love.”
One can hardly argue
with that.
But perhaps there is something
equally as great, “Hope.”
Because of arrogance and avarice,
millions, if not billions,
live lives of destitution
and sorrow beyond belief.
Their main hope remains
an afterlife where their suffering ceases.
Yet, there appear moments
when members of the human species
rise and strike for justice
offering a glimmer of hope
to inspire and mesmerize.
A Ghandi and a King
changed lives and nations.
Would not the world be better
if these epitomized the fallen heroes
we honored?
But perhaps the song may touch on an ultimate truth.
For a world dominated by universal love
would generate the precious jewel of hope
for all.
Comment: None needed.
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Magical
According to ancient lore,
fairies are magical creatures
that can fly and dart about
at will.
My life was privileged
to have known one
for my entire life.
Fairy embraced each of her four children
with love that words
can barely touch upon.
Whether amidst pain or joy
a contagious smile
always lit up her being
accentuating the natural beauty
that turned many a male’s eyes.
Spiritual and dedicated,
she walked the Christian life,
accepting differences without judgment
but true to her Biblical beliefs.
Wherever she wandered
she spread fairy dust on those she touched.
At ninety-five, Fairy, my mother,
stepped into the eternal
and met again her Creator.
Comments: In the January issue I wrote of my mother's passing on January 13. Today, I poetically speak of her life, The Life of Fairy Mae Casey Pendleton. |
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Woman taking in the view at Maui Plantation
Front Sanctuary of the Iao United Church of Christ
Snow on Haleakala, Maui: I have had a number mention that it snowed in Hawaii. Yes, not that unusual on Mt. Haleakala that rises close to 10,000 feet. However, this year the snow came down lower than usual to about 8,000 feet. Fear not though, where we were the weather was a gorgeous, sunny 76 degrees.
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When we can, we invite friends to visit. Pictured are Becky and Butch from Ohio. Becky is also a Master Trainer so we had some great tai chi practice. Next month, you will see more regarding the joint tai chi experience.
Note the cattle on the snow covered field.
Open space for now. However, the area is growing at a rapid rate. Sadly, several years from now this
view will disappear.
Baby Beach, part of Baldwin Beach, a favorite of ours.
Upcountry low clouds on mountainside of the volcano Haleakala - sun peeks through
Working a small portion of the strawberry field in Upcountry, Maui - we visit weekly to purchase organic
strawberries
Miles below the blue Pacific - taken from the strawberry farm. I love the single white cloud upper right.
This Month's Vignette: A Bit of PJ History
Seventeen years ago on February 10, 2002 the first issue of the Poetical Journal was emailed to a small group of friends. It was two pages. From that first mailing about 31 decided to give the fledgling e-zine a try, especially since it was free. For several months, the PJ came out twice a month. By Issue 3, there was a web version but no pictures. The first pictorial issue started with Issue 40, December 24, 2004. Since then, photographs have played a large role in the web publication. In 2012, new format options were offered to subscribers. They could continue to receive the PJ in the traditional format that had been used since its inception or choose a revised version, which allowed readers to click on links that most interested them. The vast majority chose the revised version. In 2015, as part of a financial decision, the traditional format was eliminated and all subscribers simply receive a general announcement and a web link.
During those years, the PJ never missed a deadline (the last Sunday of the month) despite open-heart surgery, two near death experiences, to name just three obstacles. Frankly, I am very proud of that fact.
Of the current subscribers over ninety-two percent have subscribed for fifteen years or more. There were 16 unsubscribes in 2017. Sadly, the newsletter has had negative growth in '17. On average at least 32% of the subscribers open the newsletter monthly, a decrease of 4% from 2017. I have no idea how long they spend reading it. I sense that most do a quick skim. However, some have emailed me that they read it all, something unusual for an online newsletter or blog especially since the average PJ is over ten printed pages. Click here to view one of the first web issues. (Back then putting pictures into a newsletter was very difficult. Besides high-speed internet was just coming into existence.)
At one time the PJ was one of the largest (if not the largest) online poetry newsletters in the world (22,000+ subscribers). Over the decades I have removed thousands from the subscriber list due to the fact that the newsletter was never opened. Also, one year I had difficulties with Yahoo and could not resolve them. Over 3,000 subscribers were eliminated in one month. On the plus side, the reductions in numbers saved me hundreds of dollars in emailing costs. Over the seventeen years, over $20,000 have been spent in its publication at no cost to subscribers. Last year one subscriber offered a donation to support the newsletter. That was appreciated.
The biggest plus is having the opportunity to interact with individuals. Two special subscribers I have watched grow from teenagers to grown adults, both now married. Others have written and shared their poetry. A few of those poems appeared in my book An Oasis in a Cluttered World. Some subscribers have taken me into their confidence when dealing with personal issues. Others on a given moment share their excitement whether it is over birds or the arrival of spring.
As always, thank you for being a subscriber.
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Recommendations
Mill House Restaurant at the Maui Plantation: A bit steep but well-worth the cost. The curry and bratwursts (Yes, you read right) were delicious. Janice is an expert on quality brats as she grew up in the Brats' Capital of Ohio, Bucyrus. After 50+ years of marriage, she finally declared that someone made brats equal to her hometown's. I loved the curry as well. As you can see from the picture, the view is incredible. We had a discussion with the general manager who informed us of the extraordinary lengths they employ to purchase and provide quality food. Oh yes, while there be sure to explore the magnificent grounds of the plantation near Wailuku, Maui. There is no charge to enter.
Please take a look at the gift page.
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