I created Poetical Journeys in 2001. I revised the website in 2010 and 2021.

This is our Anniversary Issue of this newsletter which begins Year 23.

The winter wonderland pictures were all taken in the Midway, UT area.

Poetical Journal ©by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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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.


Please click here to go to the Amazon link to learn about my books.

Questions? Email me.

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VOLUME XXIII – Issue 1: Sunday, February 26, 2023 (258th Issue)

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 March 26, 2023.

A path cut through our backyard

...Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: The February Issue is always a special one as it starts a new year for this newsletter which began in 2001. The traditional vignette provides a brief history of the PJ. The three poems are A Winter Gift, The Snowy Bench, and Fade. The majority of pictures focus on what is on many Utahns' minds, snow.

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 issue comes out on Sunday, March 26, 2023.

To become a friend on Facebook, click on this link.

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PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! Any amount of donation is appreciated. To support, click here.

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This barn has appeared in a number of my Utah shots over the years. Mt. Timpanogos (11,753 feet) in the background.

Three Poems

Comment: This has been the winter of snow in Utah. As you will see from other pictures, the ones
with this poem were taken in early winter.

Comment: An allegory on a snowy bench.

Comment: A bit darker but nevertheless true for all of us.

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Recommendations

You can moan about what you can't control or you can accept and even enjoy it, e.g. endless snow ....:-)

Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.

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Snow-banked sidewalk to the mailboxes.

Bald Eagle (Sadly, I didn't have my high powered lens with me. I could have gotten a better pic.)

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Quotable Quotes

"It's taken me all my life to understand that it is not necessary to understand everything." - Rene Coty

"Don't speak if it doesn't improve the silence." - Modified version of a familiar saying in India

“Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck - The Dalai Lama

"There is no poetry where there are no mistakes." - Joy Harjo

"Not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves." - Henry David Thoreau

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Snow everywhere in Midway, UT (We have far more snow now. These pics were taken in mid January.

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A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul (December Issue)

Coin Cost Test

A statistics major was completely hung over the day of his final exam. It was a True/False test, so he decided to flip a coin for the answers. The stats professor watched the student the entire two hours as he was flipping the coin... writing the answer... flipping the coin... writing the answer.

At the end of the two hours, everyone else had left the final except for the one student. The professor walks up to his desk and interrupts the student, saying: "Listen, I have seen that you did not study for this statistics test, you didn't even open the exam. If you are just flipping a coin for your answer, what is taking you so long?"

The student replies bitterly, as he is still flipping the coin: "Shhh! I am checking my answers!"

Compliment of A Joke A Day

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Celebrating Chinese New Year with family.

 

Vignette: A Bit of PJ History 

(A variation of this vignette is run in each anniversary issue.)   

Twenty-two years have passed since I sent out my first Poetical Journal. This issue begins the twenty-third year. At one time the newsletter had over 22,000 subscribers, one of the largest poetry newsletters in the world. In fact at that time, Bob Casey was number one in a Google search. However, when another Bob Casey became governor of Pennsylvania and later senator, my name was relegated to page 2 or 3. Over the years due to costs and internet rule changes, my subscriber numbers drastically dropped. However, I still have one of the longest running poetry newsletters in the country. Another plus, ninety\ per cent of those who currently subscribed have been with me for over seventeen years.

Over the years, the format has changed. The original biweekly newsletters were two pages with no pictures. If you were to print this issue including the pictures, it would run fourteen pages.

I proudly can say that the newsletter has always come out on time despite open heart and major abdominal surgeries along with two near death experiences.

I have tried to create a newsletter that is upbeat based on the premise that much of our news today is negative and disheartening. However, as a poet, I would be failing my role if I didn't write about the bigger issues facing all of us in life.

Another principle I have held is to never spam or inundate subscribers with unsolicited emails.

One of the great joys has been interacting with subscribers over the decades. Two of my favorite early subscribers were teenagers and have matured into very responsible adults making worthwhile contributions to society. Others have passed on and still others have moved into retirement. Life is change.

For each of you, I am thankful to have you join me each month.

 

 

Outside my front door

Pictured a small corner of the annual Midway Ice Castle

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Tai Chi Corner

Some of my tai chi students celebrating homebound Irene's 93rd birthday.
Irene entered my class in her mid 80s with a walker and within weeks the
walker was gone. Recent health issues has slowed her down. Click here to
locate the name of a tai chi instructor near you, or contact me directly.

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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"It has been such a pleasure over the years to read your touching poetry and see the world through the eyes of your camera. You are an inspiration to many.

Reading your Career Joys brought to mind how pleased I am to have contact with many of my students over the years and see their success. Their kind words are a great reward for years in the classroom.

Continue sending your inspiring PJs" - Bev, Longtime Subscriber (Ed.: Bev's words meant a lot to me. Very much appreciated.)

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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."
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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."
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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."
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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. . ."
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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, March 26, 2023.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob

Subscription: To unsubscribe, click on your individualized unsubscribe e-mail at the end of your original newsletter. (Not appropriate for this web page.)


Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
bob@poeticaljourneys.com

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