I created Poetical Journeys in 2001. I revised the website in 2010. To see the newly designed homepage, click here. This is Issue 12 of my 20th year of publication. It contains some of my favorite content from the past year. Poetical Journal ©by Bob Casey _____________________________________________________ Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life ____________________________________________________ PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! Any amount of donation is appreciated. To support, click on the link and scroll down. click here. My trilogy is now available on Audible.com and iTunes. It was released in December! Please click here to go to the Amazon link to learn more about my books. Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here. (Scroll down to the donate button.) For Unique Poetical Gifts click here! Questions? Email me. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ VOLUME XX – Issue 12: Sunday, January 30, 2022 (245th Issue) Welcome & Online Version Opening Comments from Bob Two Poems: Power Within and Solitude Bonus Poem Section: A New Year's Prayer Vignette: Janice Marler Please support my efforts for this publication by donating or purchasing merchandise. Recommendations Quotable Quotes Bits of Humor PJ Forum 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 February 27, 2021. Ice skating rink, downtown Midway (February Issue) ...Opening Comments from Bob This Issue: For the last seven years, the January Issue contains some of my favorite sections from the newsletters of the previous year, this one being Year 20. Click here to go to the list of previous PJs for the last year. 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 February 27, 2022. It is the 21st Anniversary Issue. To become a friend on Facebook, click on this link. ------------------------------------------------------------ PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! Any amount of donation is appreciated. To support, click here. -----------------------------------------   Midway, UT (February Issue)   Two Poems this Month + Bonus Power Within What power    longs to escape    from the seedling    though ignored by all? Even varmints,    looking for a quick snack,    remain blind to its presence    as the wind playfully   tumbles it over and over. Decades ago,    a distance relative    fell into a small crevice. It too was ignored. Days turned into weeks    and weeks into years    as a tree slowly emerged,    no longer oblivious    to the now split mountain granite. Tonight, the offspring,    like whirling dervishes,    search for new homes. Comments: Pictured to the right is the results of a once ignored seedling. It reminds me of the Biblical quote regarding the "faith of a mustard seed." (August Issue)   One of the no longer seedlings mentioned in poem.(August Issue) Solitude Meandering the mountain glades     high above the endless cacophony     becomes a passage     to a fabled place. The sounds of the chickadees and finches     the occasional rat-ta-tat-tat     of nature’s carpenters     comfort the ears. Far off, a fox     slinks behind boulders     angered by human intrusion. Yet, two deer gaze     merely yards away. Fragrances of lilies     soothes the mind. Mother Earth     again bestows her     seldom appreciated gifts. This respite     restores sanity     from the insanity     far below. Comment: May Issue   Albion Meadows, Alta, UT (May Issue) Bonus Poem: 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 XI: Issue 12: Sunday, January 27, 2013.   April Issue Cascades Spring (November Issue) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Vignette this Month: Janice Marler   I currently operate three small businesses, two websites focus on my writing, one on publishing, and the fourth with instructing Tai Chi and Qigong. One of the most enjoyable portions of my recent visit to Ohio was to meet with Janice Marler, her daughter Sandy, Janice's pastor, and a friend. Janice and I have emailed back and forth for several years and spoken on the phone many times. She is also a PJ subscriber. I recently published her first book, Grandma's Wisdom Or Not. I will soon be publishing her second one. (Ed.: The book Say Whaat? is now published.) While the original purpose of the visit was business related, it soon turned into sharing friendship. She even had small gift bags for us. My wife Janice and I were treated with the upmost graciousness. Pictured: Janice is to my immediate left. (June Issue)   Butchart Gardens, Brentwood Bay, British Columbia (May Issue)   November Issue Perry Memorial viewed from downtown Put 'n Bay Harbor, Ohio (June Issue) Perry's Victory and International Peace Memorial commemorates the Battle of Lake Erie that took place near South Bass Island, in which Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry led a fleet to victory in one of the most decisive naval battles to occur in the War of 1812. The memorial also celebrates the lasting peace between Britain, Canada, and the United States that followed the war. -------------------------------------------------------------------- Recommendations (Both from October Issue) 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. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Schnormeier Gardens: The red Chinese arch bridge is visible from many sections of the garden. You will often see it in the background of my photos. It actually connects the larger property to the very small Swan Island (July Issue) Taken of the Zen Garden in our townhouse back fenced in area (August Issue) Quotable Quotes "The present never ages. Each moment is like a snowflake, unique, unspoiled, unrepeatable, and can be appreciated in its surprisingness." - Gail Sheehy (February Issue) "Listen with the ear of your heart." - Rule of St. Benedict (March Issue) "If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. That is very serious." - Thich Nhat Hanh (April Issue) "There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true." - Soren Kierkegaard (May Issue) “Security is mostly a superstition. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” – Helen Keller (July Issue)   Provo River near Midway, Utah (September Issue) A Bit of Humor A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul A rancher was minding his own business when an FBI agent came up up to him and said, "We got a tip that you may be growing illegal drugs on the premises. Do you mind if I take a look around?" The old rancher replied, "That's fine, you shouldn't go over there though." As he pointed at one of his fields. The FBI agent snapped at him, "I'm am a federal agent! I can go wherever I want!" With that he pulled out his badge and shoved it into the rancher's face. The rancher shrugged this off and continued with his daily chores. About 15 minutes later he heard a loud scream from the field he had pointed out earlier. All of a sudden he could see the FBI agent sprinting towards him with a large bull on his heels. The rancher rushed to the fence and yelled, "Your badge! Show your badge to the bull!" (August Issue) Compliment of A Joke A Day ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Aspens, Empire Pass, Utah (October Issue) Tai Chi Corner Some of my class practicing. 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. --------------------------------------------- "I truly hope this Christmas brings you and your family great joy, love and peace! Thank you for all the inspiration and enjoyment that your Journeys have graced us with! All the best wishes for a blessed Christmas and New Year, Bob." - Steffanie from Vancouver, BC (Ed.: As always, many thanks for your friendship over the years.) " Merry Christmas to you and yours! God bless you all! Wishing you all the best for 2022!" - Freda from Ontario, Canada (Ed: Many thanks! Freda had been a subscriber for over twelve years.) ====================================================================================== 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. ______________________________________________ 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." ______________________________________________________________ PJ Online To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here. The next issue will go out on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Until next time - joy and peace, Bob   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 If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription to the Poetical Journal, please click here. Top Click on the icon to go to the homepage.