Memorial Day: In honor of those who have gone before.

In this issue we focus on Zion National Park. This is my 201st issue. This month's vignette discusses a special reunion.

Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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My third novel Adelyn: An Epic Journey in the Epic Journeys Trilogy IS AVAILABLE on Amazon. (Above is a 65 second clip about the book.) It will take you on quite a journey! Though the third book of a trilogy, it is also a standalone novel.

One reader from Ohio wrote: 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.

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My first two books of the trilogy, To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey, and the sequel, What's Next~An Epic Journey can also be purchased through Amazon by clicking here. (Scroll to the correct title.) Your local bookstore can also order them for you. All these books are fine reads for the broad-minded and/or the non-traditional spiritual seeker. What a reading adventure you will have including many diverse ideas, a beautiful love story, adventure, and intrigue. (All three are also available in Kindle version.)
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Questions? Email me.

Click here to link to a YouTube radio interview about To the End of Time and Back. (Friend David Riggs produced it for me. To link to his book, click here.)

A number of individuals have sent wonderful reviews on the first two books. You can read some of them in the Forum Section below.

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There was no new geographical information this month.

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VOLUME XVII – Issue 4: Sunday, May 27, 2018 (201st 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 on Sunday, June 24, 2018.

All the pictures on this page were taken at Zion National Park.

Opening Comments from Bob

Adelyn: An Epic Journey is the third in the series and can also be read as a standalone book. Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journey was the first in the series followed by the second, What's Next ~An Epic Journey. Each tackles topics that impact us all. Any of the three books are great gifts to the open, spiritual seeker and/or the broad-minded. Besides, they are a GOOD read! All three of the novels are available on Amazon.

This Issue: This month, we pictorially visit Zion National park where a very special reunion occurred. The first poem, Not Alone, speaks to a deeply personal experience while the second, Early Morning Observation, is less complicated. The vignette, A Reunion with Angela, is worth a read.

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 June 24, 2018.

To follow me on Facebook, click on Poet Bob, and ask to befriend me.

 

Two Poems this Month

Not Alone

Reading tonight,
    tears well within.
My wife lays quietly asleep,
    oblivious to the emotions
    reverberating through my mind.
Quietly, I rise to write,
    driven by the afterglow,
    wishing to prolong the moment
    with the Universe.
Desiring to share.

Over time,
    I’ve sensed the guides and spirits
    providing clarity
    along with added mystery.
Offering assistance
    along the way.
Yet, long ago,
    I realized that words
    cannot capture these Infinite experiences.

Comments: This poem was originally entitled Alone when the first version was written on 5/1/00. A minor revision occurred on 2/5/14. As I looked for a poem for this month, I chose to rewrite it, taking a different direction, one I quite like.


Early Morning Observation

Again, early to meet the day.
The airport
    is quiet before the sun rises.
Passengers sit with little to say,
    noses in papers, iPhones, or iPads.
One ponders,
    each exists like me
    with hopes and desires–
    wishes, some simple,
    others more complicated.
All traveling to varied destinations
    carrying those with them.

Comment: Another airport poem where I often have time to write. I like to be to the gate early.

 

Angela and I posing during our reunion (See vignette below.)

 

Angela and her family including her mother.

 

Angela and daughter Katie taking in the sun at Zion Inn.

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, Adelyn: An Epic Journey (2017), What's Next? ~ An Epic Journey (2016), and Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journey (2015), are currently available through Amazon.

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

To view the product page of other unique gifts, please click here.

 

 

 

Vignette: A Reunion with Angela

In 1980, I was privileged to be awarded a teaching Fulbright to New Zealand. I was one of two American teachers selected for a year-long exchange to this marvelous country. I was assigned to Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School (PNINS) in Palmerston North on the North Island. (A normal school is like our university schools tied to a nearby college or university.)

As you would expect, the exchange was life-changing. My world views were broadened, and friendships were made that have lasted a lifetime. During the year, I became close with many of my eleven and twelve year old students. Several remained in contact with me for many years. But this vignette is primarily about one, Angela. I remember vividly one day asking this twelve year old about her life goals. Without hesitation, she said, "I plan to become a model." On one occasion, I took a picture of her eating a smore, her first modeling gig. That slide became part of a presentation that I gave to various groups upon my return to Ohio. I always related the story that she planned to become a model.

Fast forward to five years ago. To my surprise, Angela friended me on Facebook. As we messaged back and forth, we agreed to meet should I be Australia or she in the U.S. About a year ago, Angela said she would be spending five-weeks touring the U.S. Thus, we set a time. When she and her family were in Las Vegas, they would drive to Zion National Park, and Jan and I would make the four hour drive south.

Though thirty-eight years had passed, we immediately recognized each other. Along with Angela was husband Barry, her mother Natalie, and youngest daughter Katie. We spent a wondrous day touring the park via the its bus system along with enjoying a reunion lunch at Zion Inn. Yes, Angela became a model and still models part-time in Australia. She recently earned her MBA and currently works at a university..

In the end, I was honored that she wanted to have a reunion and the opportunity to catch up on the life of what was once a twelve year old student. I was pleased that she still remains a beautiful human being and truly enjoyed meeting her family. A teaching career offers many such reward!.


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.

 

 

Recommendations:

Cedar City, UT: This community is a great place to stay and is a jump off for several national parks including Zion, Bryce, and Capitol Reef. There are an abundance of places from which to choose. I highly recommend the Holiday Inn Express for cleanliness, comfort, and friendly service.

Two wonderful restaurants while staying there are upscale Chef Alfredo Ristorante Italiano, ranked as one of best authentic Italian restaurants in Utah, and Sweet Basil Thai, delicious food and very reasonably priced.
                                     

Please take a look at the gift page.

......................................Two different views.

 

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Quotable Quotes

"You look ridiculous if you dance. You look ridiculous if you don't dance. So you might as well dance." - Gertrude Stein

". . . A loving silence often has far more power to heal and to connect than the most well-intentioned words." - Rachel Naomi Remen

"There is no shortage of good days. It is good lives that are hard to come by. . ." - Annie Dillard

"Examine the labels you apply to yourself. Every single label is a boundary or limit of one kind or another." - Wayne Dyer

 

Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Math Exam

Rebecca said to her husband, “Do you know the neighbor’s daughter scored a 99 on her math exam?”

Her husband Tom, sipping his tea, remarked, “Really? What happened to the remaining 1 point?”

Rebecca replied sarcastically, “Your son scored it.”

Compliment of A Joke A Day

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Below are two tai chi events I recently hosted. A great time was had by all! If you are looking for a low stress exercise program that research after research article affirms its health value, find a Tai Chi for Arthritis and Health for Fall Prevention instructor in your area, and sign up. You won't regret it! A recent study indicated its benefit to sufferers of fibromyalgia.

 

 

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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"Bob,  Thanks for the powerful and crucial question, "Will We Ever Learn?"  Wouldn't it be nice if instead of giving a quick "yes" or "no," we would really engage in a discussion of how to put an end to war, since almost everyone says they agree that it is an evil thing?  It makes the discussions between North and South Korea both timely and vitally important." - Jim from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: I appreciated your comments. I believe this poem was one of my best. Jim is quite a writer in his own right.)

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"Love the pics in this issue!  The flowers, trees, everything is so beautiful.  Keep it coming!" - Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Bobbie seldom fails to write. Her comments are always appreciated.)

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"Certainly enjoyed those beautiful shots of Hawaii. I've been receiving Hawaii from another direction this week as my grandson is vacationing there. He too has been taking some fantastic pictures. Either it's the great photographers or great scenery...or both. Enjoyed the journey," - Bev from OH (Ed.: I am pleased that you enjoyed the pictures. From my perspective, it is "both." ...:-)

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Some Book Reviews

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.

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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, June 24, 2018.

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.)



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

bob@poeticaljourneys.com

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