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Opening Comments from Bob
This Issue: Despite the drought, we had a gorgeous fall in Utah. The three passes mentioned in the photoshoots are very close to Midway where we live. To capture the Empire and Guardsman photos, we traveled only 37 miles round-trip. We also took a toured through East Canyon, another visual extravaganza. The first poem, The Mariner, speaks about playing it safe, not taking a risk. But the symbolism of a sailboat as the safe haven is excellent because it is just the opposite. All sailors understand, that a sailboat is subject to the whims of the weather and the water around it. Qigong is a fairly recent study I have begun. Some would argue that tai chi is one form of qigong. More information appears in the vignette.Subscriber Residences: PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end. There currently are subscribers in 27 states, 3 provinces, and 13 countries. See complete list near at the newsletter.
Next Month: The next issue comes out on November 28, 2021.
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PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! Any amount of donation is appreciated.
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All pictures in this issue were taken on a fall drive up and down Empire and Guardsman passes.
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View from downtown Midway Fall flowers along the roadside |
Bonus Poem Section: On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I have been running a daily series of my older poems accompanied with an appropriate picture. I will show a favorite in this section each month. This poem first appeared in Volume VII – ISSUE 11: Wednesday, December 24, 2008 of the PJ.
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Vignette this Month: A Bit about Qigong
Qigong is closely related to tai chi. Some state that it is a form of qigong. Its roots are in Chinese medicine, philosophy, and yes, martial arts. It focuses on balancing life energy (qi) within the body and the energy around you. Illness is the result of ill balance. Where tai chi requires a larger space to practice a form or pattern, qigong can be done within a space less than the size of a yoga mat. Many, especially with mobility and balance issues, practice seated.
Wikipedia succinctly states, "Qigong practice typically involves moving meditation, coordinating slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and a calm meditative state of mind. People practice qigong throughout China and worldwide for recreation, exercise, relaxation, preventive medicine, self-healing, alternative medicine, meditation, self-cultivation, and training for martial arts." Interestingly, the same comment could be made about tai chi.
Some state that there are over 10,000 forms of qigong. Most serious practitioners focus on one or two masters.
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Recommendations
One place we never tire of visiting for breakfast or lunch is the Silver Fork Lodge in Brighton, UT. It is in the mountains near Brighton Ski Area. The food and staff are great! It is also an inn with nicely appointed, rustic rooms. We have returned many times over the 26 years since we first ate there.
During Spring, Summer, and Fall we enjoy the outdoors dining.
Even in the Winter, heaters allow some outdoor dining. Of course
the huge fireplace in the main dining area keeps you toasty when
you prefer indoors.Bingham's Custom Meats - 371 East 300 North Morgan, UT 84050 | 801-829-3016: This was quite a discovery. We originally headed to the area to eat lunch at a well-known restaurant. It was closed. Based on a local recommendation, we decided to eat lunch at Bingham's. The sandwiches were huge and incredible tasting. The best hoagie I have ever eaten! The service by Monie and Reggie (pictured below) was friendly and efficient. Monie was able to answer many questions Janice had regarding the large variety of products. I highly recommend this business if you enjoy quality meat.
Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.
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Quotable Quotes
“You are only as free as you think you are and freedom will always be as real as you believe it to be.”- Robert M. Drake
“Every saint has a past, and every sinner has a future.” - Oscar Wilde
“Life is not a problem to be solved, but a reality to be experienced.” - Soren Kierkegaard
“Together we can face any challenges as deep as the ocean and as high as the sky.” - Sonia Gandhi
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Magic
A magician was working on a Caribbean cruise ship. The audience was different each week, so the magician allowed himself to do the same tricks over and over again.
There was only one problem: The captain's parrot saw the show every week and began to understand what the magician did in every trick. Once he understood, he started shouting in the middle of the show:
"Look, it's not the same hat!"
"Look, he's hiding the flowers under the table!"
"Hey, why are all the cards the Ace of Spades?"
The magician was furious but couldn't do anything; it was the captain's parrot after all. One day the ship had an accident and sank. The magician found himself on a piece of wood, in the middle of the ocean, and of course the parrot was by his side. They stared at each other with hate, but did not utter a word.
This went on for several days. After a week the parrot finally said: "Okay, I give up. What did you do with the boat?"
Compliment of A Joke A Day
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Tai Chi Corner
I recently helped with training some new tai chi instructors. (Picture
deliberately blurred.) Contact Bob for a name of an instructor near you.
PJ Forum
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. I personally respond to all. (When editing the comments for publication, I eliminate very personal comments and edit for spacing.
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I had several personal emails that I am not publishing but thanks to them. One of my favorite contributors also wrote. Sadly, his email disappeared into cyberspace.
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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 to this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
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Book Reviews
Blast Series: Review by Janice M. regarding Blast Book Four: . . . I loved the book. There were so many ideas floating around in my head from your writings, and I understood everything you wrote about. I saw the visions while traveling through the pages. Thank you for your inspiration. . . ."
General: JJG 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.
Specific Book: To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey
David from Utah: "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."
______________________Jim from Mt. Vernon: "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."
______________________Kimberly from Ohio: "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."
______________________An Ohio Reader: "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. . ."
______________________Specific Book: Adelyn: An Epic Journey:
Ohio Reader: "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."
Specific Book: The Tao of Momentary Thoughts
Doug from Ohio: ". . . 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: "Hi Bob….I just picked up your The Tao of Momentary Thoughts. It’s wonderful . . I love your book."
Ed from Seattle: 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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PJ Online
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on Sunday, November 28, 2021.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
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Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
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