This month is the first of two parts on Amtrak from LA to Seattle. This month's focus is on the California portion of the trip. There are also a few shots taken elsewhere. Of course there is also the traditional content including two poems, A Concert and My Cane and I.
Disclaimer: Because most of the shots were taken though a window as the train traveled at 60+ mph, they are not up to my usual standards. You will also notice at times a purple tint due to light refraction through the window. However, I hope you enjoy the flavor of the trip.
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. . ."
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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 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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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
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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 September 29, 2019.
Our home for 36 hours. We paid a bit more to have a roomette to stretch out for the night.
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: This month our pictorial travel takes us on our first Amtrak trip, traveling along the coast from LA to Seattle. Gorgeous scenery and excellent food! I encourage you if you can afford it to upgrade to a roomette, more comfortable and privacy to sleep. This is the first of a two part series, the California portion. The first poem has me reminiscing about my first concert to see Air Supply and the second includes a poetical video entitled My Cane and I. The vignette discusses perceptions.
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 August 25, 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.
A portion view from the air of the Great Salt Lake–headed LA for the start of our Amtrak journey.
LA at night! First time I have flown there at night. Unbelievable, the lights seem to go on forever.
From Santa Barbara for about two hours you travel along the coast. You want to sit on the port side if you can.
Otherwise, you miss the ocean views.
Two Poems this Month
A Concert
Last night, a concert by Air Supply reminded one that life is change, yet it is not.
Two men performed no longer the youths of 45 years ago.
Wrinkles and old age obvious on their faces.
Yet, their voices now mature touched all with the joy that poured from their souls.
The crowd, young and old, moved and swayed to the beat, forgetting the decades that passed.
Graham Russell and Russell Hitchcock were again young, their hearts reaching out to all who would listen.
Yes, life is change, but it is not.
Comments: (See my note under the picture.) The concert was held in a huge auditorium in the small village of Kamas about 15 miles away. I could hardly believe such a venue existed in this small community.
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My Cane and I
Strolling along, my cane and I.
To tell you the truth, it is not as wondrous as walking arm in arm with a long-legged beauty.
Alas, those days have passed.
Yet there is elegance and flow as I swing and thrust performing Yang 24.
Who would have imagined thirty years ago that this symbol of age and fragility would become a dance partner keeping me strong and supple.
I spring forth in brush knee and strike as White Crane Spreads its wings.
Should a villain decide to attack this gentle old man, my cane and I may have a surprise or two.
But my intentions are not of dastardly deeds but to spread the message that a lowly cane can open options beyond one’s wildest dreams.
Comments: (Yang 24 is a popular tai chi form.) The vignette below speaks more on the topic. I recently returned to Ohio for a tai chi cane workshop held by Senior Trainer James O'Brien. Below you see a portion of the cane form performed by Jim along with with the poem narration.
We went to the Air Supply concert in Kamas. The first such concert I have ever attended. What fun and an eye opener! The poem to the left describes the experience.
On a trip back to Ohio my three sisters, brother-in-law, and I spread my mother's ashes. Mom passed at 95 in January. As a family we rejoiced in her life and spoke of our wondrous childhood. One could not of asked for better parents. Yes,we are smiling!
Enjoying the roomette on our train from LA to Seattle.
Comment: Obviously, you can see that this tai chi form is for individuals who do not have mobility issues. HOWEVER, one of the benefits of this form, it can be modified for those who are dependent on a cane. The cane as a weapon evolved in China centuries ago when the emperor banned all weapons. The martial artists of the day turned it into a fighting weapon, sometimes concealing a knife or sword within the hollowed out cane.
In case you have problems opening the the link, here is the YouTube link.
Unless otherwise noted, the pictures were taken as we traveled north through California.
This Month's Vignette
My Cane and I
As mentioned in the poem and comments above, I attended a workshop on learning an original cane form developed by James O'Brien, using similar moves from the world's most popular tai chi form, Yang 24. During my travel back to Ohio for the workshop, I carried my cane on the shuttle from the parking lot to the terminal, aboard the plane, and the return. What an eye opener and education! I never realized how differently you are viewed when others think you need a cane. (Please note, I do not need one. The cane was used as a prop in the form.) I immediately began to notice the change. When I boarded the shuttle bus from the parking lot and on the return, people immediately helped me load my luggage and allowed me to take their seats even though I was simply carrying the cane and not walking, using it. A somewhat humorous incident occurred following arrival at the Columbus airport. I was seated on a chair with my luggage and cane waiting for Jan to join me. As I was pulling off the luggage tags, I had difficulty tearing one off trying to get a better angle. Suddenly, a young woman came over and ripped it off for me. At first I was surprised and then, rather than embarrass her for her kind deed, thanked her.
Bottom line, I appreciated the kindness shown me due to my perceived disability. However, I reexamined how I often viewed individuals who use a cane or wheelchair. I also realized how I hated to be categorized though all had good intentions. I am further happy that there still remains an abundance of kindness from those willing to help.
As a side note, the workshop was spectacular, and I plan to have Jim and his wife Linda visit Utah and offer a cane workshop to my students.
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.
Thai So Good, Park City, UT: If you enjoy Thai food, this is an excellent restaurant to dine. The lunch option is especially wonderful, priced very reasonable with superb options. The fixed price includes a salad, egg roll, rice, and two entree dishes. Definitely, large enough to share.
"Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." - Sr. Teresa of Calcutta
"When we are unable to find tranquility within ourselves, it is useless to seek it elsewhere.” - Francois De La Rochefoucauld
“We don't meditate to get better at meditating, we meditate to get better at life." - Sharon Salzberg
Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Newspaper Ad for a Date
SBF Seeks Male companionship. Age and ethnicity unimportant. I’m a young, svelte good looking girl who LOVES to play. I love long walks in the woods; riding in your pickup truck; hunting, camping, fishing trips. I love cozy winter nights spent lying by the fire. Candlelight dinners will have me eating out of your hand. Rub me the right way and watch me respond. I’ll be at the front door when you get home from work, wearing only what nature gave me. Kiss me, and I’m yours.
Call 555-XXXX and ask for Daisy.
(The phone number was the Humane Society, and Daisy was an eight week old black Labrador Retriever. They received 643 calls in two days. There are questions regarding the authenticity of the ad but still very funny.)
Some of my senior-senior tai chi students at the Abbington Living Center take part in a Japanese
tea ceremony. We enjoyed tea from around the world.
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 I want to buy your books starting with your first and then every month until I have all of them. The price is reasonable and so I thought why not? I enjoy your poetry." - John from Heber City, UT (Ed.: An author is always happy to receive an email such as this. John is also a published writer in his own right.)
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.
