Pictorially, this month we will visit Oregon and the Forest Grove and later the Cannon Beach area.

Poetical Journal ©by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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VOLUME XXIII – Issue 5: Sunday, June 30, 2024 (274th Issue)

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, 2024.

One of the high-end plazas available in Cannon Beach, Oregon.

...Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: Over the last 16 years in early June, almost yearly except for the pandemic ones, I have attended Dr. Paul Lam's annual U.S. tai chi conferences. These are always exciting times to visit friends made over the years, to improve my tai chi skills, and to learn a new form or improve on a previous one. This year I studied the Yang 37 Sword Form. I believe for the 4th time, the conference was held in Forest Grove, Oregon. At the end of the conference Jan and I headed to Cannon Beach and the coastline. There are three poems. The first, The Tai Chi Sword Form, is based on a tai chi form I recently learned. It also speaks to larger issues as well. The second and one of my favorites, Another Day, touches on life in general. The third, Fear, discusses a plague that is sweeping the country.

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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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Haystack, a well-known rock formation in Cannon Beach. The picture was taken near sunset.

Three Poems

Comments: I recently attended a week long tai chi workshop in Forest Grove, OR.
My focus was on learning the Yang 32 Sword Form taught by Master Trainer Marianne
Walch. As you can interpret from the poem, I found the workshop to be challenging and
enriching.

Comments: One of my former students who has become quite a photographer allowed me to use one of
her pictures as the background to the poem. You interpret. This poem is one of my favorites along with the
message it offers.

Comments: So many allow their lives to be govern by FEAR. In fact, many want to play it safe
rather than take the risks that would enhance their lives. Obviously, this poem speaks to some of those
fears. To begin to deal with this issue, I have found that giving up the evening world news has become uplifting.

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No Vignette this Month

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Recommendation

If you have never had the opportunity to visit the Oregon coast, I encourage you to do so. Quite gorgeous and delicious seafood!

Cannon Beach Hardware: Believe it or not, a hardware store that
is also a restaurant (only in Oregon). The best onion rings I have ever eaten.

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

 

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Another view of Haystack and the massive beach

The famous Rt. 101 runs along the picturesque Oregon coast.

Quotable Quotes

“It is the job of poetry to clean up our word-clogged reality by creating silences around things.” – Stephane Mallarme

"Seek the wisdom that will untie your knot. Seek the path that demands your whole being." – Rumi

"When you've it, there's no place for it but a poem." – Wu Pen

"If you want to take care of tomorrow, take better care of today . . . We always live now. All we have to do is entrust ourselves to the life we now live." – Dainin Katagiri

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Willamette Valley surrounding Forest Grove contains over 20 wineries. David Hill is considered one of the most
picturesque ones. Some of the vines are over 100 years old. The region is especially well-known for its pinot noirs.

On Wednesdays during the summer and early Fall, Forest Groves's farmers market attract people from all over the area.
As you can see from the pictures there are many activities beyond a traditional farmers market.

I loved the ghostly effect of people walking Cannon Beach. (Yes, the Oregon coast has a lot of early
morning fog.

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Elderly Joke

Three elderly ladies sit in a diner, discussing their health. One lady says, "You know, I'm getting really forgetful. This morning, I was standing at the top of the stairs, and I couldn't remember whether I had just come up or was about to go down."

The second lady says, "You think that's bad? The other day, I was sitting on the edge of my bed, and I couldn't remember whether I was going to sleep or had just woken up!"

The third lady smiles smugly. "Well, my memory is just as good as it's always been, knock on wood," she says as she raps on the table. Then with a startled look on her face, she asks, "Who's there?"

Compliment of A Joke A Day

While Pacific University has a fine academic reputation, it is also known for its fauna and flora. When buildings are added or remodeled, the construction is done around the trees rather than cutting them down. The sequoia, bottom right, is over 100 years old and over 100 feet tall and still growing.

Pictured are some of the members of my sword class. Master Trainer and Instructor Marianne Walch is pictured
lower right.

Above and below, two more Oregon coastline pictures.

 

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Tai Chi Corner

Master Trainer Marianne Walch demonstrating the Yang 32 Sword
(Tai Chi) Form. 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.

". . . I still have hopes for things I want to accomplish in the future. Often I think of my teacher at the one-room school and how she would be amazed at the world today and the things I have gotten myself into. Take one day at a time" - Bev (Ed.: Bev, sent me a birthday wish and commented on life. Thanks much!)

"Hello, Bob. . . .I just read your journal and want to wish you a happy birthday!! 80 is quite a milestone, bigger than the previous ones. It seems unreachable when we’re young, but time passes quickly. . ." - Nancy from Ohio (Ed.: Thank you! It was great hearing from Nancy and getting caught up on what was happening in hers and her husband's lives.

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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     

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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.

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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, July 28, 2024.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob

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

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