My most recent novel, What's Next~An Epic Journey, is available on Amazon or can be ordered through your local bookstore. The book is a sequel to the The End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey. You can purchase now byclicking here. (Scroll to the correct title.) Either book is a fine read for the broad-minded or the spiritual seeker.
To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey is available via Amazon and Kindle. It will grab you from the start and carry you to places you have never been. The book contains many diverse ideas and is a great love story filled with adventure and intrigue.Questions? Email me.To go to Amazon, click here.
Click hereto link to a You Tube radio interview about To the End of Time. (Friend David Riggs produced it for me. To link to his book, click here.)
A number of individuals have sent some wonderful reviews. You can read some ofthem in the Forum Section below.
PJ Demographics – Subscribers in 21 states and 12 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 on Sunday, March 26, 2017.
View from Mt. Rainier flying into Seattle to catch our connecting flight to Maui
Opening Comments from Bob
What's Next ~ An Epic Journey and Beyond Time and Back: An Epic Journey: Both novels are available on Amazon. What's Next is a sequel to Beyond Time and tackles a topic that impacts us all. Both books are intriguing reads for the spiritual seeker and/or the broad-minded.
This Anniversary Issue: This month we begin the 16th year of this publication. In the vignette I provide a brief history of the newsletter. We are again in Hawaii (Maui) for a partial winter sojourn. The pictures and poems have a touch of Aloha. There are three poems this month, The Mountaineer, Homeward to Hawai'i and Baby Beach. A BIG Mahalo to each of you for subscribing!
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 March 26, 2017. It will continue our sojourn on Maui.
To follow me on Facebook, click on Poet Bob, and ask to befriend me.
Path to our daily tai chi spot
.Three Poems this Month
The Mountaineer
The intrepid climber experiences many emotions reaching the summits.
Sometimes the pleasure is so intense that the body fills with ecstasy.
A voice of pleasure screams into the vastness of space echoing off canyon walls far below.
Others generate only relief for the climb having been arduous– sometimes even questioning survival.
The bones aches and muscles spent.
The climber can only gaze, gasping for oxygen, looking down on the blizzard whiteout wondering if Providence’s hand had secured the tether preventing the plunge into the abyss never to be seen again.
Sometimes roped to another one crosses an ice bridge praying anchors and belays will prevent a life ending plummet.
Life creates many mountains to be scaled, some low, weathered by time while others, the inevitable Everest, requiring all the mettle that your being possesses.
Climb on mountaineers enjoying your summits, your conquests.
Savor the views for you have earned them.
Comment: No interpretations needed.
Homeward to Hawai'i
Do you ever feel that you belong, that you have returned to your ancestral home?
Every time I arrive on these enchanted islands I feel thus so.
Glorious white cumulous enwrap the peaks– those which first rose from the sea eons ago.
Greens beyond green tease the eyes with disbelief.
Palms tall bent by the trades rhythmically sway.
The fresh breezes, the scent of the sea, waft through the nostrils.
One can almost taste the salty blend.
Peering from the shore, the waves, the sea, as far as one can see.
The unforgettable roar of water meeting land.
My heart sings a song of Aloha, swaying to the beat of the hula and the ukulele
Someday my ashes will return to this sacred land.
My spirit will have returned home.
Comment: No interpretations needed.
Baby Beach
Lava break wall buffers the waves.
Sea green water, temperate, allowing one to sit, meditate, feeling the healing warmth.
Families frolic enjoying the unity that the ocean brings.
Dogs and owners jog the beach occasionally dashing in for a dip.
This place offers an abundance for all.
For me, peace.
Comment: This beach is at the far end of mile long Baldwin Beach which is often too rough to swim in but is great for walking. I love to finish my walk at Baby Beach to soak in the calming water provided by the natural break wall.
Enjoying lunch at Kimo's in Lahaina, gorgeous view
A view of the palms from under the hua tree where we practice tai chi
Some tai chi practice occurs on the beach- doing the shuttles as part of the Sun 73 Form
Seal basking in the sun
Our friends David and Renata visited us for a joyous time. Picture taken on Makena Beach
A small section of Baby Beach on Maui
My books and products are purchasable online.
My work currently appears in seven books. Four are offered for sale online. To order any of the four, click here. The newest books, What's Next? (2016)and Beyond Time and Back (2015) are currently available through Amazon.
A Respite in Time (2012) This 184 page book consists of vignettes, mostly one or two pages in length, which provide thoughtful comments on life. They have appeared in this newsletter over the years. The costs are $15 (PB) and $24 (HB) plus shipping. To order, click here.
Lit Bit (2011) 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. (No longer available.)
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. (No longer available.)
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 stated 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 soft cover. (I have sold out of the hardback version. It still can be ordered through Author House.) To order the soft cover., click here.
Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! To support, click here.
To view the product page of other unique gifts, pleaseclick here.
The Island of Lana'i viewed from the Lahaina shore
Plenty of rainbows occur on the Islands
Vignette this Month: A Bit of PJ History
Fifteen years ago on February 10, 2002 the first issue of the Poetical Journal was emailed to a small group of friends. It was two pages. From that first mailing about 31 decided to give the fledgling e-zine a try, especially since it was free. For several months, the PJ came out twice a month. By Issue 3, there was a web version but no pictures. The first pictorial issue started with Issue 40, December 24, 2004. Since then, photographs have played a large role in the web publication. In 2012, new format options were offered to subscribers. They could continue to receive the PJ in the traditional format that had been used since its inception or choose a revised version, which allowed readers to click on links that most interested them. The vast majority chose the revised version. In 2015, as part of a financial decision, the traditional format was eliminated and all subscribers simply receive a general announcement and a web link.
Of the current subscribers over ninety-three percent have subscribed for thirteen years or more. An unsubscribe is rare with less than 12 in 2016. On average at least 38% of the subscribers open the newsletter. I have no idea how long they spend reading it. I sense that most do a quick skim. However, some have emailed me that they read it all, something unusual for an online newsletter or blog especially since the average PJ is over ten printed pages. Click hereto view one of the first web issues–my how times change. (Back then putting pictures into a newsletter was very difficult. Besides high-speed internet was just coming into existence.)
At one time the PJ was one of the largest online poetry newsletters in the world. Over the decades I have removed thousands from the subscriber list due to the fact that the newsletter was never opened. Also, one year I had difficulties with Yahoo and could not obtain help correcting it. Over 3,000 subscribers were eliminated to take care of that issue. On the plus side, the reductions in numbers saved me hundreds of dollars in emailing costs. Over the fifteen years, over $18,000 has been spent in its publication at no cost to subscribers. Yearly, 1-3 subscribers have offered a donation to support the newsletter. These are always appreciated.
The biggest plus is having the opportunity to interact with individuals. Two special subscribers I have watched grow from teenagers to women, both now married. Others have written and shared their poetry. A few of those poems appeared in my book An Oasis in a Cluttered World. Some subscribers have taken me into their confidence when dealing with personal issues. While others on a given moment share their excitement whether it is over birds or the arrival of spring.
The PJ link is also delivered via Facebook and Twitter. Over 5,000 have the option to open the newsletter.
Thus far, it has been quite a ride! Thank you for joining me.
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.
Same rainbow but a different angle
Recommendations
Maui Recommendations
There are so many that can be made. Several that appear yearly include the Maui Swap Meet which occurs each Saturday in Kahului. There are over a hundred booths of all ilks from clothing to jewelry to farm produce. (Pictured rt: Homemade jellies booth.)
Another annual recommendation is the Kula Farm Stand in Upcountry. We make a weekly trip to purchase island raised vegetable and strawberries. (Pictured middle: Strawberry plants)
Mana Grocery in Paia is world famous. The focus is on organic, local farm raised products. What a wonderful selection of items. The customers are also a fun group to watch. (Pictured bottom/rt: Customer is getting ready to write down a selection from the bulk session)
Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.
Lahaina Shoreline
Above and Below: Pictures of the west coast beyond Lahaina
–..Quotable Quotes
"Raise your words not your voice. It is rain that grows flowers, not thunder." - Rumi (Ed.: 13th C. Persian Sunni Muslim poet, jurist, Islamic scholar, and theologian.)
“Patience is also a form of action.” - Auguste Rodin(Ed.: 19th C. French sculptor.)
"A new day is here. Yesterday is a memory. Tomorrow is unknown. Now is the knowing." - Ajahn Sumedho (Monastery abbot and theologian. )
"To be rooted in life–to learn, to desire, to feel, to think, to act. This is what I want. And nothing less. That is what I must try for." - Katherine Mansfield (20th C. New Zealand modernist short story writer.)
"Whatever is happening is the path to enlightenment." - Pema Chodron (An American Tibetan Buddhist nun.)
"Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more." - Mother Teresa
A few quotes in honor of Valentine's Day:
"A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue but the parent of all other virtues." - Marcus Tullius Cicero
"A joyful heart is the inevitable result of a heart burning with love." - Mother Teresa
"We attract abundance when we ask from a compassionate heart." - Jonathan Lockwood-Huie
Path through Kula Botanical Gardens
Sample pics of flora from Kula Botanical Gardens
Baby Beach (located the end of Baldwin Beach near Paia)
View from Upcountry looking toward the Pacific 4,000 feet below. Taken at Kula Lodge.
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
The Centipede
A single guy decided life would be more fun if he had a pet. So he went to the pet store and told the owner that he wanted to buy an unusual pet. After some discussion, he finally bought a talking centipede, (100-legged bug), which came in a little white box to use for his house.
He took the box back home, found a good spot for the box, and decided he would start off by taking his new pet
to church with him. So he asked the centipede in the box, "Would you like to go to church with me today? We will have a good time."
But there was no answer from his new pet. This bothered him a bit,
but he waited a few minutes and then asked again, "How about going to church with me and receive blessings?"
But again, there was no answer from his new friend and pet. So he waited a few minutes more, thinking about the situation. The guy decided to invite the centipede one last time. This time he put his face up against the centipede's house and shouted, "Hey, in there! Would you like to go to church with me and learn about God?"
This time, a little voice came out of the box, "I heard you the first time! I'm putting my shoes on!"
........Com Compliments of subscriber Janice Marler
Rock Balancer, Lahaina, Maui: I am always amazed at the gentleman lower right who is able to balance rocks on pinnacle points. Seems impossible. None of the images are attached in anyway. Each is carefully balanced and counter balanced. The sea and tides knock them down each day.
Upcountry, Maui: On the final day for the Riggs' visit we took them on another tour. Pictured is a pano of the cloud layer and the blue Pacific. We are at about 5,000 feet. It was taken at the Kula Farm Market where we purchase our weekly fresh strawberries.
The Chinese New Year celebration started on Jan. 28 and ended on Feb. 15. The traditional lion dancers move among the crowd eating the offered dollars in return offering good luck.
PJ Forum
If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please e-mail them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com. While I often cannot print everyone, I personally respond to all. (On editing: I often eliminate the paragraphing to save space.)
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DONATION: Many thanks to G.L. from Cincy for her generous financial support of the PJ.
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"How could you possibly not have California listed?? I'm quite offended! (Not really.) Hi! I'm enjoying the PJ so far. I haven't had the chance to read it all the way through in a few months, unfortunately. Hoping to catch up soon! I was happy to catch a glimpse of your family, and I love your pictures as always! Okay, back to reading..." – Julie from California (Ed.: Julie has subscribed with me for many years. She was a teenager then–I believe about 16–and now married and a mother. Julie is one of the two teenagers I mentioned in my history of the PJ. I always enjoy hearing from her. Sorry about the omission of the great state of California...:-)
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"Your April picture of the Tulip Festival brought a smile to my face. It's everything I enjoy in one picture: the world of nature, a bubbling brook, and colorful flowers. Makes my heart sing. My goal in life would be to exemplify the last stanza of Asking For, but alas I'm human and sometimes want to do something just for myself. I'm so happy that someone long ago suggested I connect with your PJ. Spread a little sunshine" – Bev from Ohio (Ed.: As always, thank you for your support over the years. Bev is one of my earliest subscribers.)
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Email #1: "Hi Bob, Emily and I are heading to Toledo to see http://www.toledomuseum.org/exhibitions/plexus/ and decided to detour to your new favorite Tiffin restaurant. We are enjoying your good taste and recommendation! Thanks! Hope all is well." Email #2: "Wow...quick reply! And yes, the creme brûlée is awesome. We have enjoyed ourselves! Have a great weekend. Again, thanks!" – Marialice from Fredericktown, OH (Ed.: Marialice emailed that they were following up on a recommendation I made in the January issue. I was excited for almost no one ever notifies me they have used one of my recs so I replied immediately. Thanks for helping to make my day.) _______________________________
"Can't believe it's 15 years Bob! Love the photos in this issue - so vibrant and beautiful! Peace. – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Bobbie, is one of my earliest subscribers. Thank you for your ongoing responses over the years. She hardly misses a month in which she does not comment.) _______________________________
"I always love this issue as it displays all your great pictures from the past months, to scroll through and enjoy once again. Nice vignette, and since I am part of this family I did love it! Enjoy Hawaii!" – G.L. from Cincy (Ed.: Thank you dear sis for your comments and support over the years. Longtime subscribers will remember her wonderful vignettes. She also made a generous donation to support the PJ. Most importantly, thank you for being a wonderful sister! - Brother Bob) _______________________________
"Dear Bob, Your Lost in Time poem reminded me of a similar experience I had with my alarm clock that resets itself automatically every night with some kind of atomically-controlled signal from Colorado. I awakened one morning and it was not only 4 hours slow, it was stopped. I pressed the reset button, and it reset to the correct time in just a few minutes. This happened three or four times in the following week, and I began to have to push the reset button more than once. Receiving no profound spiritual message, or even inspiration for a poem, it occurred to me that I should try a new battery. No problems since. One side of my brain says, 'Problem solved!' The other side nags me, 'But maybe you missed out on an important revelation.' Keep up the good work. P.S. Bob, I was fascinated by the lines from Tyson's My Favorite Universe, especially: 'Based on estimations via the Hubble Telescope there are an estimated 50 billion plus galaxies (each containing a a100 billion stars).' That's something that deserves the descriptive term, Awesome! (Which unfortunately has been devalued by constantly applying it to trivialities.)" – Jim from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: I really appreciated your comments. Jim is an excellent poet and writer and frequently offers comments to the PJ.)
To the End of Time and Back: An Epic Journey Review taken from Amazon
"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." - David from Utah
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Other Reviews (They have been edited for length. Thank so much to each of you.)
"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." - Jim
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"I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed your latest book To the End of Time and Back. When I bought the book I had no idea what to expect. Once I started reading it, I didn't want to put it down. I had fun reading it from A to Z and everything in between." - Art from Park City, UT
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"Your book touched places deep within my soul. I could read it over and over again, Bob. Job Well Done!" - Bobbie from Texas
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"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." - Kimberly
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"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. . ." - An Ohio Reader
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"I read your book a couple weeks ago. You are lucky we don't live close enough for me to call you to discuss it! It was interesting and easy to read. I liked the format. It reminded me of Many Masters, Many Lives by Brian L. Weiss (which was not that quick to read). Have you read that? . . . Anyway, kudos on the book -- on all your books. . ." - A Reader from Arizona
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"Your newest release takes the reader to places deep within. It makes one ponder all things about life itself. Many authors have written about reincarnation, but yours goes deeper. Through an eternal relationship between two souls, you describe all the human emotions one can feel. The book takes you to historical times and places around the globe, making you feel as if you are part of the beautiful relationship of A~ and Z~. After reading, they will become a part of you." - A Reader
Reader Demographics
States- AZ, CA, 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.
.....................................................Changes in this section will be updated each month.
If your state, province, or country is not mentioned, please let me know.
To read some of the back issues of the PJ, go to here.
The next issue will go out on March 26, 2017.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
PJPolicies 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.)
Swap Meet which occurs each Saturday in Kahului. There are over a hundred booths of all ilks from clothing to jewelry to farm produce. (Pictured rt: Homemade jellies booth.) 
mendation is the Kula Farm Stand in Upcountry. We make a weekly trip to purchase island raised vegetable and strawberries. (Pictured middle: Strawberry plants)
watch. (Pictured bottom/rt: Customer is getting ready to write down a selection from the bulk session)
