This month we again continue our pictorial tour in sunny, warm Maui. However, there are a few winter shots taken after our return to Utah. There is also the traditional content.
The Tao of Momentary Thoughts, my 8th book, is a compilation of vignettes, poems, and poignant quotes and is available on Amazon at $9.99. If you like the PJ, you will enjoy this book. It makes an excellent gift.
A Poetical Journey, my 9th book, is a compilation of my poems from the PJ and is available on Amazon at $9.99. If you enjoy the PJ, you will like this book. It makes an excellent gift.
Recent Reviews of my newest Books
. . . and more
Doug from Ohio recently submitted the following review for The Tao of Momentary Thoughts: ". . . 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 recently wrote: "Hi Bob….I just picked up your The Tao of Momentary Thoughts. It’s wonderful . . I love your book."
Ed from Seattle regarding 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. . ."
________________________________
My third novel Adelyn: An Epic Journey in the Epic Journeys Trilogy IS AVAILABLEon 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.
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 byclicking here. (Scroll to the correct title.) Your local bookstore can also order them for you. All thesebooks 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.)
________________________________
JJG recently 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.
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 glowing review. You can read some of them in the Forum Section below.
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 27 states and 13 countries
PJ Online
PJ Policies
Subscription information
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 May 26, 2019.
Quiet moments on a small Maui beach
Opening Comments from Bob
My ninth book,A Poetical Journey (all poetry), and the eighth, The Tao of Momentary Thoughts (combination of poetry, vignettes, and quotes),are enjoyable reads. They are available for order from Amazon.
This Issue: We continue our pictorial visit to Maui. The two poems, Perspective. and Magnificent Mystery are serious, speaking to areas you may have also questioned. The vignette, mostly in poetical form this month, speaks in a sense to the mystery of time.
Subscriber Residences: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 May 26, 2019.
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, pleaseclick here.
Above and Below: Cove shots on the Maui western coast.
Two Poems this Month
Perspective.
Me: We miss the sound of the roaring Pacific. .. The beach is a fifteen-minute drive.
Another: No heat! Now 51 degrees in the house. ....... . A blizzard outside. Will I survive?
Me: The screen door sticks. ... Really a poor design!
Another: Thank God, there is a bridge overhead. ....... . At least I am partially dry.
Me: Chicken again! ... Aren’t there other options.
Another: Wow! I found this half eaten chicken leg ....... . in the garbage. ....... . Is it safe to eat? I am so hungry.
Me: Another headache! ... Will they ever stop.
Another: Goodbye, My Love. I can no longer fight ....... . the good fight. ....... . The cancer wins. ....... . I know I will join my Creator tonight. ....... . Oh, to have had more time with you!
We sometimes bemoan ... lacking perspective.
So ethnocentric ... we can be.
We breathe in and out ... sometimes wondering about existence.
Many seldom question ... assuming they have the answers.
But some ask ... while marveling at this majestic gift ... called “Life,”
“Why is I, me?”
“Why do I tear ... when my heart is touched?”
“How do you explain love?”
Or, perhaps should we just live it?
“Where do thoughts start ... and end?”
“What does eternity ... and infinity really mean?”
Surely, there must be an end.
Many questions ... yet to be answered.
For now, ... I simply breathe in and out.
Comments: You interpret.
Enjoying tai chi near the beach
Steps to Honolua Beach
"The silvery hairs, fleshy leaves, and low-growing rosette form of the Haleakala silversword allow it to survive in hot, dry climates of the cinder slopes of the crater. Silverswords live between 3 and 90 years or more. They flower once, sending up a spectacular flowering stalk, and then die soon afterward, scattering drying seeds to the wind."
Above and Below: Two more cove shots
Above and Below: Shots of Fleming Beach
This Month's Vignette: The vignette this month is in poetry form.
Peer into History
Who is this young woman ... dressed in 40s style ... holding a young boy ... barely six-weeks old?
The picture only hints ... of the years to come– ... arrival of three daughters ... still unknown ... and seventy-five years ... yet to unfold. ... with a myriad of stories ... still to be told.
Following my mother's passing, we spent many hours going through old pictures. I came across this one. My mother is twenty, and I am 4 weeks old. As I looked at the picture, I thought of this momentary shot in history, my mother unaware of all that would pass in the seventy-five years to follow before she joined her creator–the arrival of three daughters, many years of happiness with my father who was twenty years her senior and who passed in 1986, and much more. Life is so fascinating!
Above and Below: Haleakala Crater, over 10,000 feet above sea level
Beach at Honolua-Mokuleia Bay
Honolua Bay, a popular surfing area on the west coast
Western coastline on Maui
Recommendations
La Provence: This small French restaurant is in Upcountry near Kula. Though a bit hidden the word is out as you often have to wait. It attracts many locals. This restaurant has limited hours: Breakfast: Wed-Fri 8:30a-11a; Lunch: Wed-Fri 11:30a-2p; Brunch: Sat&Sun 9:00a-2p; and Dinner: Wed-Sun 5:00p-9p. IMPORTANT NOTE: Cash or check only
Wailuku Coffee Company, Wailuku:
Dine among the locals in this health-conscious restaurant on Market Street in this off the beaten tourist track community. Sip and enjoy at a leisurely pace.
Enjoy this less than a mile hike on the way or back from a visit to the Haleakala Crater.
Quotable Quotes
"We must not allow the clock and the calendar to blind us to the fact that each moment of life is a miracle and mystery." - H.G. Wells
"Western laziness . . .consists of cramming our lives with compulsive activity, so that there is no time at all to confront the real issues." - Sogyal Rinpoche
"I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision." - Maya Angelou
"All that is worth cherishing begins in the heart." - Suzanne Chapin
"Begin each day with optimism and end each day with forgiveness. Happiness in life begins and ends within your heart." - Dae Zantamata
A must trip when on Maui. Head up Mt. Haleakala, the major volcano that created the Island of Maui. (Clockwise) The road
up was gorgeous,with the clouds below. At the summit are all the high tech items including communication equipment.
100 miles away you can see the 2 major volcanoes on the Big Island. You can also choose to hike, some of the trails
rather difficult.
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Sleeping Problem
"This guy had a problem of oversleeping. He was always late for work, and his boss was getting mad. So he went to the doctor and got some pills that were supposed to help. That night he slept well and woke up even before the alarm. He had a leisurely breakfast and drove happily to work.
"Boss," he said, "the pill the doctor gave me actually worked!"
"That's fine," said the boss, "but where were you yesterday?"
Looking toward Ka'a Point on a small, uncrowded beach in Wailuku
Kanaha Beach in Wailuku.
-----------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------
BELOW: Views that awaited our return home. Midway, UT area
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.) .
---------------------------------------------
"amazing pictorial teaser!!" – Elsa (Ed.: Thank you, Elsa. You were the only one to comment this month.)
An Ohio reader wrote regarding the novel Adelyn: An Epic Journey:
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.
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
______________________
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
______________________
"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
______________________
"Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!" - Bobbie from Texas
______________________
"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
______________________
"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
______________________
"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
______________________
"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 - 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.
