Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey _____________________________________________________ Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life ____________________________________________________ VOLUME XV – Issue 11: Saturday, December 24, 2016 (184th Issue) Opening Comments by Bob One Poem: My Christmas Carol Vignette: Celebrate PJ Forum 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 on Sunday, January 29, 2017. Opening Comments from Bob This Issue: As is traditional with the December issue, it is abbreviated with a focus on this special time of year. My poem speaks to a wish that I am afraid is decades away. But there is always hope. The poem was first published on December 24, 2002, the first PJ Christmas issue. Be sure to view the video of the gorgeous light display at Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. This display is a yearly event. Subscriber Residence: PLEASE let me know if your state, providence, or country is not listed in the demographic section at the end. Next Month: The next issue comes out on January 29. It will be our annual pictorial issue. To follow me on Facebook, click on Poet Bob, and ask to befriend me. Snows have arrived in Utah   One Poem this Month My Christmas Carol “Peace on Earth and goodwill toward men…”       proclaims the Christmas Carol. Noble words for times like these       on this Eve of Hope. Let's dream for a moment       of a time when the young       no longer train for war. Instead the very best       fight hunger and poverty. Let's dream of a time       when the greatest battles       are waged against disease       and not each other. Let's dream of a time       when Children of Peace       speak louder than the drums of war. For now these are only dreams. But perhaps some day,       when humankind truly understands,       these mere words of a carol       will be blazon across the planet. Peace on Earth and good will toward men.. Comments: This was the first Christmas poem that was published in the PJ on December 24, 2002. I wrote the following: While the poem speaks of hope, it does not do so in naivety. As long as vast populations of poverty exist, they will serve as feeding grounds for war. Until we understand our interconnectivity, peace will not occur.                   Enjoy the Christmas lights at Temple Square, Salt Lake City –..Quotable Quotes "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God." – Jesus (Matthew 5:9) Vignette: Celebrate The Christmas/Holiday Season has many meanings to different people depending on your spiritual and social views. Some become upset if you don't use the traditional Merry Christmas and instead say, "Happy Holidays." You will note above I chose both greetings. I personally find Happy Holidays to be more inclusive when speaking to a larger audience but use both greetings during this season. But whichever one you choose to use, the real message is what does this particular time mean to you. For me, it is not only a time to examine one's faith but also a time for family and friends to celebrate life and the many gifts our relationships have given us. As many of you know, I teach tai chi. My students are really my friends and provide me with many hours of enjoyment, which I treasure. I long ago discovered that food and dining together builds bonds and relationships. At least twice a year my classes come together to celebrate. Pictured below are some of my students along with a couple guests who joined me in our annual Christmas Chinese Feast. During this special season may your feasts be joyous and filled with love.     PJ Forum If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While sometimes I cannot print everyone, I personally respond to all. _______________________________ ". . .Fall colors in Ohio are absolutely unbelievable Bob!" - Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Thank you, Bobbie. She also appreciated last month's vignette.) _______________________________ "Thanksgiving is a time to take note of the many blessings in our lives, so for all those smiles and laughter, the memories we've had and those we hope to share, and especially for those special moments that remain in our mind long after they are over, I say thanks and wish you a very happy, blessed Thanksgiving!"- G. Larraine from Cincy (Ed. Well-said!) Reader Demographics States- AZ, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, MI, NC, ND, OH, OR, SC, TX, UT, VA, WV, and WI;     Canadian Provinces - BC, ON, and QC;    Countries - Australia, Belgium, Canada, England, Germany, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Turkey, UK, U.S., and Venezuela. If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know. ______________________________________________________________ PJ Online To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here. The next issue will go out on January 29, 2017. Until next time - joy and peace, Bob 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. ----------------------------- 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. ----------------------------- 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. ---------------------------- Unsolicited Mailing: The PJ is never sent unless requested. If you believe you received the PJ unsolicited, please notify me. I will unsubscribe you. ------------------------------ 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! ------------------------------ 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.) 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.