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My books and products are purchasable online. They make great gifts. My work currently appears in five books. They are offered for sale on line. To order any of the five, click here. Lit Bit (2011) is the most recent. It is a small anthology that includes three of my poems and three of my photographs. The cover photo is also mine. The cost is $10 plus shipping. A Slice from the Apple with the Taste of Poetry (2010) is an anthology of poems written by members of the Apple Valley Poets, a very talented group that formed almost eleven years ago. This book contains a wide variety of poetical genres and will appeal to all lovers of poetry. The cost is $10 plus shipping. To order, click here. An Oasis in a Cluttered World (2006) is a book that allows you chapter by chapter to immerse yourself in a quiet refuge as you forget the chaos of the world. Through poems, vignettes, and recommendations it beckons you to let go, relax, and savor life’s many riches. The cost is $11 for paperback and $18 for hardcover. To order, click here. Wisdom from the Journey (2004) As state on the cover leaf, “My wish is that this reading journey will provide you with a bit of respite from everyday life, generate a few laughs, cause good feelings about yourself and humanity, encourage introspection, and at certain times twinge your conscience on critical issues and thoughts. Upon reading the last page, I hope you will smile and say, That felt good!" The cost is $10 for paperback and $17 for hardcover. To order, click here. The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey (2002) is my first book. You join me on my around the world trip that I took in 2001. The cost is $5.50 for paperback and $14 for hardcover. To order, click here. Enjoy the convenience of shopping online. Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here. To view the product page of other unique gifts, please click here.

The Chinese Cup Garden at Schnormeier Gardens (May Issue) Kingwood Center in Mansfield, OH (Jun Issue)

Vignette: My Stays at Riverside Methodist Hospital We as humans often become uneasy in strange, challenging situations. This fact is especially true when suddenly immersed in a health crisis that requires hospitalization. Many thoughts run through your mind. Will you be okay? Will you survive the surgery? What about my family? Will there be much pain? There are a myriad of feelings and imaginary and real fears. As you enter this environment of care where you give up some control of your life to strangers, you can't help but be uneasy and unsure. How the caregivers treat you impacts you greatly. Luckily for me, I chose my surgeon and caregivers wisely. As I entered Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, OH from the point of check-in to my final dismissal I was treated with respect, kindness, and high quality service. Never did I feel like a number nor that I was bothering someone because I needed help. Somehow this welcoming and warm experience eased my stress levels and helped me appreciate how important such quality care is to one's recovery. The nurses and PSAs seemed really concerned about my well-being. My heart surgeon, Dr. Geoffrey Blossom, let you know from the start that he was there to help and time was secondary to addressing my questions. Follow-up care and support were critical. His nurse Linda, and his physician assistant, Danielle, offered ongoing support and patiently soothed my concerns. Nursing is a difficult job and takes its emotional toll. I have had a number of experiences with nurses whose job had worn them down to the extent that empathy for the patient had disappeared. You became a number. During my two six-day stays at Riverside I never met such an individual. I would like to single one out in this vignette, Stephanie. She went to battle for her patients. If certain medications were not delivered in time, she rattled the chains to get them there. If you felt discomfort, she asked what was bothering you and how she could help. She smiled often and carried a conversation on with you even though you knew she was busy and had other patients with which to deal. She is an example of what outstanding nursing is about. Guest Vignette: A New Year's Hope by G.L. Rush G.L. returns with her new vignette. Over the years she has been a frequent contributor including PJ Forum comments, guest vignettes, and poetry on my site. She is a writer, recently having her book A Blueberry Muffin Day published. She is also playwright. ________________________ Maybe the Irish part of me has over taken the German side (I know it always controls my temper.) and that would explain why eating pork and sauerkraut for good luck on New Year's Day isn't working! Last year, after a good helping of this dish on the first day of January, we were brought out of a restful sleep at three o'clock in the morning by what sounded like a freight train squealing through our house. At first I thought it was a nightmare, but no, the noise was real! It's the heat pump my husband told me. We shut down the furnace and searched the basement for our tiny electric heater we had buried on one of the shelves. Warm and toasty we were not! This year I was planning on watching the ball drop and then having a champagne toast with my husband, when we were side-tracked by water dripping from our kitchen ceiling in three different places. Since it wasn't raining (which was rare for Cincinnati this year) and the roof was not leaking, that meant a problem in a bathroom pipe upstairs. We cleaned everything up, causing us to miss the ball and the toast. (Believe me, I could have used that drink!) After shutting down the main water line, we went to bed. The plumber had to saw through the tile and drywall in our master bathroom to fix a coupling. Now I realize there are a lot worst things that could have happened, but still I can't help but hope for a nice uneventful New Year next year, followed by a few peaceful days afterwards. Can anyone tell me what the Irish eat for good luck? Provided it's not mashed potatoes which I am already having with my pork and kraut, I will change my long standing New Year tradition. Of course, if by chance I already have the German and Irish side covered with the present dish .....Well, ancestor.com here I come! 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. Equally important, it should fit the overall tenor of this newsletter. Ideally, it should not exceed twenty lines. Please send to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.

Recommendations See the movie: We Bought a Zoo I highly recommend that you see the movie We Bought a Zoo. First, a disclaimer, I am a big Matt Damon fan so I like almost any movie he is in. But frankly, I went to see the movie with rather low expectations. The content I had seen in the trailer did not grab me. Within the first fifteen minutes that opinion changed. I realized that it was not so much about purchasing a zoo as it was about interpersonal relationships and the challenges we all face. Damon did a fine job as a struggling single dad trying to deal with the tragedy of the recent death of his wife and the impact that it had on the family, especially his rebellious son who acted out his anger due to her loss. Scarlett Johansson, who appears later in the film, does a credible job as the zoo manager and nicely played the low-keyed love interest. The little daughter played by Maggie Elizabeth Jones often steals the scenes she is in. Thomas Hayden Church of Sideway's fame is excellent as the conservative brother whose advice is often ignored. Along with Damon's character's struggle to deal with situations that turned his life upside down, there are also many humorous scenes. Jones and Church are often the catalyst for this clean cut humor. To my surprise, the movie is based upon a true story of the Dartmoor Zoo, owned by the Mee family in England. Go to the movie with the expectation of being entertained as well as feeling good when you leave. This is a movie you can feel comfortable taking your younger family members with you.. Please take a look at the online book and gift page. Leaf covered B & O Bike Trail (At the request of Mary from Ohio) Oct Issue Sunset from the balcony of the St. Regis (Nov Issue)

Taken at Ho'okipa Point, the Windsurfing Capital of the World (Feb Issue) Waimea Canyon (March Issue)

Quotable Quotes

This month's issue features some of my favorite quotes from Ralph Waldo Emerson.

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

"All I have seen teaches me to trust the creator for all I have not seen."

"As we grow old, the beauty steals inward."

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."

"The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall."

Storefronts in downtown Park City, Utah (Jul Issue) Storefronts in downtown Park City, Utah (Jul Issue) Scene from Limahuli Garden (Mar Issue) Scene from Limahuli Garden (Mar Issue) Craig directs backing truck in the tight driveway to unload (Please note that I get to choose the shots. I was never so happy to see him arrive safely at his new home. (Jul Issue) Uncle Harvey and Craig - truck loaded to the hilt (Jul Issue) Tomato Show parade in Fredericktown, OH (Sep Issue) Tomato Show parade in Fredericktown, OH (Sep Issue)

Wailua Falls (Kauai) from the air (Nov Issue)

Knox County road in Ohio (Oct Issue)

One of the many beaches on Kauai (Mar Issue)

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.

"Just to establish some parameters," said the professor, "Mr. Nichols, what is the opposite of joy?"
"Sadness," said the student.
"And the opposite of depression, Ms. Biggs?"
"Elation."
"And you, sir, how about the opposite of woe?"
"I believe that would be giddy up..."

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Contest Winners from the Past

By clicking on this link you can see winners from earlier contests. Anyone who has won a poet print in the past and would like to be pictured on the Grand Winners Page, please send via email a jpg of you holding the print.

Small Congregational church in Hanalei, Kauai (Dec Issue)

Opeaka Falls (Nov Issue)

Sunset looking out toward Catawba Point on Lake Erie, Ohio (Aug Issue)

Free hula show at sunset on Waikiki Beach (Mar Issue)

Sunset in Princeville (Mar Issue)

PJ Forum

If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please email them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print all of the comments, I personally respond to all.

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A special thanks to Ted from Ohio for his generous donation toward the ongoing publishing of the PJ!
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"My computer had decided to stop working once again in the autumn and had to be replaced, resulting in my missing your November issue until today. What a surprise your news was for all your readers I am sure. Mercifully, your December writings have arrived at the same time saying that you are on the road to recovery after having had a exceptionally rough session. Despite this event your problems the poems are still a delight and I, for one, look forward to many more years of pleasurable reading." – Elspeth from Montreal (Ed.: Great to hear from you Elspeth. I appreciate the good wishes and positive comments. May 2012 be a joy to you!)
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"Well, you've certainly walked a long and windy road these past few months, haven't you, my friend! . . .Thank you for all of your friendship, all of your inspiration, and all of your gifts from your heart! (hopefully it is healed without ANY more to-dos!) Happy New Year from windy and drizzly Vancouver!"

and from Facebook

"All the very very best to you and your family this Christmas season! I took the liberty of quoting your Warmth poem stating you as a dear friend, and Poet. Warmth touched many souls today. . ." – Steffanie from Vancouver (Ed.: As always, I appreciate Steffanie's generous comments. I especially appreciate that she found one of my poems healing. Often, I doubt that they are making any kind of impact.)
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"I was working on clearing out my email when I came across your Oct and Nov issues. I either read or reread them and enjoyed the pictures more than I can say. I think they get better all the time, or perhaps I'm becoming more able to be in the moment and immerse myself in them. I do kinda wonder about the monk seals lying close to the beautiful women in bikinis. Really! What were you taking a picture of? :). I'm going to get the Kahlil Gibran book. I checked to see if it was Kindle available, but it wasn't." – Nancy from Carey, OH (Ed.: Great, I believe you will really enjoy the book. On follow-up with Nancy, I discovered she was reading the PJ on the iPad. The pictures are much sharper than on most computer screens. I am amazed. Regarding the monk seals, the spot is on a regular public beach. The young lady just happened to be there...:-)
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"In addition to crisp photos of striking churches, the poems WARMTH and A BLESSING speak gently to the fog of sorrow in some lives just now with fresh words, as I believe poetry should do. The sun shines through." – Elinor from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: Again, thank you for letting me know that the poems said something to you.)
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"The poem and photo of the bike trail are awesome! I know just where you took the picture. Thank you and Merry Christmas!" – Mary from Bellville, OH (Ed.: Thank you Mary. She was submitting a suggestion for the January pictorial issue found on the web.)
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"So sorry that you had dark days! God Bless! And received the Web Picture prize - love it! Get well soon!" – Bobbie from Texas (Ed: Thank you, Bobbie. I am doing much better.)
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"How is someone supposed to pick two favorites out of all those beautiful shots? . . . After checking them out a couple of times, there are two that really appeal to me for some reason:

1. February - Baldwin Beach with driftwood
2. August - Approaching storm at Lakeside

Guess I like water as it always gives me a peaceful feeling! Also really liked the series of flowers from Hawaii." – Bev from Ohio (Ed.: Thanks so much! The pictures are on the web page due to your recommendation.)
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Hi Bob. James _______ here . . . Sharon_______ suggested I get in touch with you because you're a Hawaii expert, and I'm about to go for the first time. I thought we might be able to arrange you writing a guest blog entry on . . . " – James from Seoul, South Korea (Ed.: I was pleased to hear from James and emailed him some suggestions.)

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Reader Demographics

Geographically, subscribers reside in all U.S. states. Subscribers also live in Albania, Argentina, Australia (New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, South Australia, & Western Australia), Austria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bahrain, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada (Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, & Quebec), Chile, Croatia, Denmark, Egypt, England, Estonia, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Jamaica - W.I., Japan, Kenya, Korea, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, Netherlands Antilles, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad - W.I., Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wales, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.

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PJ Online

To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to.

The next issue will be out on February 26, 2012.

Until next time - joy and peace,

Bob

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PJ Policies

Guest Poetry: Often readers send me a poem stating they would like it included in the PJ. Many of the poems are well written. Although I enjoy reading them, at this time I do not include guest poetry as part of this newsletter. Instead, I suggest that they submit them for inclusion in the Guest Poet section of my web site. A number have chosen to do so. However, time limitations and quality govern the number that will be accepted. I currently am not accepting poetry from minors.
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Guest Vignettes: On occasion, I publish guest vignettes submitted by one of my readers. If a guest vignette is submitted and selected, the author understands that there is no remuneration provided; the vignette will be included in the e-mailed and web site versions; and will remain posted until I choose to remove it from the site. In all cases, the guest vignette remains the property of the guest author who has given permission for its usage as described in sentences one and two.
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Privacy: I take it very seriously. Your name will never be sold to a third party nor will we disclose at any time your subscription information.
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Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you.
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Reproduction and Forwarding: While the material is copyrighted, you have permission to forward all or part of this newsletter. You may also quote from it. Out of common courtesy (We will forget all the legal jargon and requirements.), I would appreciate at least a mention or a footnote. -- Much appreciated!
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Recommendations: All recommendations are personal ones offered for your information. I receive no remuneration of any kind from the sources or individuals being recommended – other than when I recommend purchasing my books. Actually, many are never aware of their listing. One may ask, "Why do you provide recommendations for specific establishments or locations, especially since many of your readers are worldwide and may never be able to use the information?" The key word is "may." When I travel, I plan much of the itinerary myself. This planning includes reading and listening to recommendations from professional and personal sources. My wish is that any suggestions provided will assist some readers as they make their plans. (Incidentally, I have already received feedback that readers use them.)

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Subscription: To unsubscribe click on your individualized unsubscribe e-mail at the end of this newsletter. (Not appropriate for this web page.) Or send a BLANK e-mail (Be sure not to write anything in the subject or body) to

leave-poetjournal@pro.netatlantic.com

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Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Fredericktown, OH 43019
bob@poeticaljourneys.com