This month our pictorial travel takes us to Glacier National Park. The poems are thought provoking, (I hope.) and one includes a poetical video taken on Maui.
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
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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. . ."
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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.)
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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.
Guest Vignette: Following Your North Star by Claudia Cummins and a reading on D-Day by Actor Sam Elliott
Recommendations
Quotable Quotes
Bit of Humor
PJ Forum
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 27 states and 13 countries
PJ Online
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Welcome
I am pleased to have you as a reader. If you enjoy the PJ, please encourage others to subscribe.
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The next Poetical Journal will be out July 28, 2019.
Relaxing along a mountain river on the Cedar Trail, Glacier N.P.
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 finish our visit to Glacier National Park. Since it was only late spring, much of the Going to the Sun Highway was still closed. However, the 18 miles we traveled were beautiful. I hope you agree. The first poem, The Eternal Question, speaks to the "great question" and the second, Thompson Road, takes you via poetical video back to a favorite spot on Maui and includes a touch of tai chi. The vignette is a guest one from a wonderful, nationally known yoga instructor and friend, Claudia Cummins. The vignette is provided via a link. It is well-worth a read. Click here to go to her website. (The link to her vignette, Following Your North Star, appears in the vignette section.) There is also a YouTube video read by Actor Sam Elliott in honor of D-Day. Extremely moving and sobering!
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 July 28, 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.
Series of shots of Lake McDonald, Glacier National Park
Two Poems this Month
The Eternal Question
Do you ever ponder what lies beyond your last breath?
Some say streets and castles of gold for the anointed ones. – a favorite of my mom’s.
Other misguided souls speak of sexual fantasies, something denied them on this earth.
Perhaps the abyss awaits, fading into nothingness as the last brain cells pass into oblivion.
Some dream of reunions with loved ones who have gone before.
Many see a great teacher welcoming with open arms.
Still others envision a refueling point where the soul recharges for its next journey.
On and on the options evolve, limited only by teachings and cultures, as the mind ponders The Eternal Question.
Comments: None needed.
Additional scenes along the road, Glacier N.P.
Comment: Walking Thompson Road is one of my favorite activities on Maui. I hope you enjoy this poetical video.
In case you have problems opening the the link, here is the YouTube link.
Shots of McDonald Creek, a raging mountain stream in the spring
"You stand at a new beginning. Perhaps you are graduating from high school, or choosing a college, or contemplating a career move, or heading toward retirement. Or maybe you have a sense that your life needs a course correction and you are ready to take a leap into something new. Here's what I want you to know: The world is eager to tell you how to live. Our society is filled with voices telling you. . ." Click here to read the full vignette.
Claudia recently published a book Inside Out and Upside Down. It will especially appeal to yoga students but also has a marvelous, universal message of hope, love, and life suggestions. Thus, a book for all!
In Honor of D-Day - June 6, 1944
This YouTube Link has actor Sam Elliott reading from the diary of a soldier who landed on Omaha Beach. An incredible story and very sobering. Here is the link: https://youtu.be/MdzWRdZgan0
(PJ subscriber Ron Costello sent me the link. Thank you, Ron!)
Ekstrom Stage Station, Rock Creek, MT: Thanks to AAA, we discovered a delightful, award winning restaurant for lunch. The trout was exceptional in preparation and flavor. This is the kind of restaurant one has to visit to enjoy the full western experience. It has been in business for decades along with the small cabins available for rental. It provides the meals for fishermen who desire the total Montana fishing experience. The restaurant and facilities are a short drive, about two miles, off of I-90. One could say, it is "in the middle of nowhere." However, if you are in the area, take the risk and enjoy some FINE food.
"Life is only available in the present moment. " - Thich Nhat Hanh
"And what do I risk to tell you this, / which is all I know? / Love yourself. Then forget it. Then / love the world./" - Mary Oliver
"Can you remember who you were, before the world told you who should be?" - Charles Bukowski
"The words you speak become the house you live in." - Hafiz
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
14 Year Courtship
A man is madly in love with a princess and wants to propose, but an evil witch has cast a spell on him and now he can say only one word a year. So he waits 14 agonizing years—accumulating all his words—before approaching his beloved.
Finally, the big day arrives. When he sees her, his heart skips a beat. He gathers his nerve, drops to his knees, and intones, “My darling, I have waited many years to say this... Will you marry me?”
The princess turns around, smiles, and says, “Pardon?”
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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"Lovely newsletter. Congratulations on publishing your books of poetry. Glacier holds fond memories for me... I am sure your vacation was a great one. " - Kathleen from Portland (Ed.: As always, thank you for your comments!. She is also a superb poet.)
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
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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 - 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.
