The December Issue goes out on Christmas Eve and has an abbreviated format.

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 XXII – Issue 11: Sunday, December 25, 2023 (268th 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 January 28, 2024. The last issue of publication for Year 22.

Jan and I wish you a Glorious 2024!

...Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: This Holiday Issue is a bit briefer than the others, but the poems and pictures below say everything I want to say during this season of celebration. As I have stated before in this newsletter, whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, or some other faith or non-faith, my sincere hope is that each of you has a year of good health and inner peace. For the soldiers in my readership, may you return safely to your families.

The four new poems are Memories, In Honor of Traditions, Powder, and Golden Balls.

My fondest best wishes to you and your family throughout 2024.

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 last issue of Year 22 comes out on January 28, 2024.

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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Our tree this year

Four Poems this Month

Comments: The Holidays are a beautiful time to reminisce. May they be pleasant ones.

 

Comments: Though this was written at Thanksgiving, it is fitting anytime during the year. Enjoy your family traditions.

 

Comments: Very appropriate for this time of year in this section of Utah.

 

Comments: My oldest sister, Gay Larraine, gave us the ornaments. G.L., besides being an outstanding sister
is also a contributor to this newsletter.

 

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Recommendations

Make a New Year's Resolution to savor the coming year and to slow down a bit.

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

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Taken at the Museum of Optical Illusions, Denver, CO

Quotable Quotes

"You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." – Jesus: Mathew 5:43-45a.

"It is better to do nothing than to do what is wrong. For whatever you do, you do to yourself. " – Anonymous

"One moment can change a day, one day can change a life, one life can change the world." – Buddha

"When you want to say something, think about it three times before you say it. Speak only if your words will benefit yourself and others. Do not speak if it brings no benefit." – Dogen

"It does not require many words to speak the truth." – Chief Joseph

"For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." – Psalm 36:9

 

Taken at the Museum of Optical Illusions, Denver, CO

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Horsing Around

Cowboy Bob and Cowboy Roger kept each of their horses in the same field. To help tell them apart, Bob tied a red ribbon to his horse's tail, and Roger tied a blue ribbon to his horse's tail. The next morning, when they went to check on their horses, they noticed that the ribbons had fallen off of the horses' tails.

"Now how will we tell our horses apart?" Bob said despairingly.

Roger mused for a moment, then was struck by an idea. "I know... how about if you take the brown one and I take the gray one?"

Compliment of A Joke A Day

I-70 on the road to Denver

 

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Tai Chi Corner

Seasons Greetings from my Tai Chi classes. (Taken at our Halloween Feast)
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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"As always, I greatly enjoy your monthly journal. . .Your move from Ohio and living in the Western Mountains seems like a continuous vacation to me. . .Best wishes on your upcoming moving decisions. I'm certain that you'll pick another winner! . . ." - Ted from Ohio (Ed.: Thank you! Ted is a friend, longtime subscriber and supporter of the PJ. His wife's and his vision created one of the world's garden wonders in Knox County, Ohio. He has made sure they will be cared for and funded in the years to come. Tours of these gardens are made up of people from all over the world.)

"Your piece about the cog railway reminded me of a comment made by one of the cog railway employees years ago.  He spoke about all the safety features built into the system and then said that even if those failed, there are two large springs at the bottom that would absorb the impact of the train.  One is called Manitou Springs and the other is called Colorado Springs. My 23-year Air Force journey took us to Colorado Springs from 1969 until 1974.  We loved the area and always said that we might return there one day but that never happened. . . " - Don from Arkansas (Ed. I really enjoyed hearing from Don. We graduated together and knew each other from our elementary school years. With his email, I took a walk down memory lane. I told Don that the tour guides are still telling the same joke today about the two springs.)

"We rented Keokea Pavilion to fit our family. Saying grace before the " luau"- Priscilla from Maui (Ed. I appreciated Priscilla's update on her Thanksgiving celebration. We always enjoy having at least one lunch with her when visiting Maui.)

"We have so much to be thankful for all year long instead of spending time complaining about things we have no control over. Our goal should be to find things to enjoy every day. Your visit to the Air Force Academy brought to mind a time when I visited there. The sign that caught my attention was : Air Force - When it absolutely, positively has to be destroyed overnight. While I don't like war or fighting, it is good to know we have this strong group on our side." - Bev from Ohio (Ed. Thank you Bev for your excellent feedback. Bev is a longtime subscriber and contributor to the PJ.)

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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, January 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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