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Winter at Schnormeier Gardens
in Gambier, Ohio –The pictures
in this issue were taken there.
Click on the above link to view
the gardens in the spring and
summer.
Be sure to mark your calendars,
the gardens will be open to the
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Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life
VOLUME VIII – ISSUE 1: Sunday, February 22, 2009 (90th issue)
Seventh Anniversary Issue
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob: Starting Year 8
- Poems: Rails of Youth and Britches
- My Latest Book – An Oasis in a Cluttered World is now available.
- Guest Vignette: Assemble This by G.L. Rush
- Guest Vignettes: Responses to the Surprise Contest and the Winners
- Recommendations
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Contest Results
- Pay It Forward 2009
- PJ Forum
- Reminder: If you are filtering...
- PJ Demographics – All 50 states and 71 countries
- PJ Online
- PJ Policies
- Subscription information
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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 issue will come out on Sunday, March 29, 2009.
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Opening Comments from Bob - Starting Year 8
As mentioned in the last issue, I am currently in New Zealand visiting friends and basking in the beauty of that magnificent country. Due to my departure on the 14th, I had to put this issue together in a relatively short time. Despite that fact, this issue's length is one of my longer ones, thanks to the contributions of a number of subscribers.
A Bit of History: Eight years ago, the first issue, a mere two pages, was emailed to a group of friends and acquaintances. (This issue is fourteen pages.) For several months, the PJ came out twice a month. By Issue 3, there was a web version but no pictures. The first pictured issue started with Issue 40, December 24. 2004. Since then, photographs have played a larger and larger role in the publication. I receive far more positive comments on the pictures in the web version than on the poetry, which is fine. Surprisingly, there are still subscribers, the vast majority (over 7,000), who have never visited the web version. One reason may be that some have slower access speed; thus, taking too long to download. However, I know that is not the only reason. Occasionally, out of the blue, a reader will email saying that she never realized that the web version existed and that she was so pleased to have made that discovery. If you are part of that huge number, I encourage you to visit the web version today.
During Year 8, this newsletter and related options will go through far more changes, than all the previous years combined. The face of the newsletter will not change as much as the latter. A little known fact is that the Poetical Journal a few years ago (pre-blog days) had one of the largest list of subscribers in the world for a regularly published poetry newsletter. (Actually, I believe it was the largest but cannot guarantee since I did not search every possible option.) Today, of the total PJ subscribers, 23.2% have been with me 7 years or more (extremely high rate for an internet newsletter) while 97.8% have subscribed for 4 years or more. To each of you, I am deeply grateful. However, for the last four years there has only been an increase of slightly more than 2%. One goal for 2009 is to increase subscriber numbers. I hope to do this through current loyal subscribers. (More later as well as why subscriber numbers are important to me more than you ...:-)
I will end for now as this is becoming rather lengthy. Statistically, according to internet guru analysts, most did not read beyond sentence two or three. But if you did, you are in luck. Any subscriber who sends me an email with the word "Luck" typed in the subject line will be entered into a drawing for a free poet print. The deadline for submission is 12 noon on March 3, 2009. You may enter only once. For every verified new subscriber you generate, your chances will be increased by that number. Enjoy the issue.
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Two Poems this Issue
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The Rails of Youth
Today, planes in their streamlined bodies
...encase the young in narrow seats,
...whisking them to exotic locations.
But for those of five decades or more,
...the rails transported the young
...to adventure and sometimes war.
As a senior, not yet eighteen,
...with whistles resonating and steam hissing,
...Roger and I depart
...for the City on the Cuyahoga,
...taking our tentative steps into adulthood.
There, we meander along unfamiliar streets.
Then, we spot them, displayed in their glory–
...the three-story burleQ pictures
...above the Roxy Theater marquee.
Hormones flow.
At first timidly ogling and then mesmerized
...we are entranced before numbly moving on
...for a chaste night at the unpretentious YMCA.
A few years later, climbing aboard again–
...Philadelphia, the destination.
As a summer camp counselor
...I work with inner city children.
But time permits
...a long weekend at the shore
...and a hitchhiking visit to the World’s Fair.
A secret romance flowers but heartache wilts it,
...being no competition for the lifeguard.
In two more years, the modern diesel whistle blares–
...off to Norman and Oklahoma U.
The study of linguistics for the summer
...consumes my mind.
The sizzling heat and stifling rooms still blaze
...in my memory.
The learning was stimulating, but the state was not.
Only months later, the last rail trip of import,
...I return home from the Windy City,
...having said goodbye
...to the youthful “love of my life.”
The blessings of night travel hide the tears
...on a ride that seems interminable.
Trains and rails engraved indelible memories
...on this man’s journey.
Comments: The Knox County Art League, which is housed in a refurbished train station, held a February event honoring train travel. Members were asked to submit art relating to to that topic. This poem along with appropriate pictures was my contribution. For my two Oklahoma readers, please don't be offended by my one-line in stanza four. I was only twenty-one and not ready for the daily 100+ degree days, especially since I had daily dish washing duties for a hundred plus people. The area was not air conditioned either. (The City on the Cuyahoga River is Cleveland, at that time the largest and most cosmopolitan city in Ohio.)
Britches
...............................I
“Those are pretty sharp britches
....you have on today.”
She giggles, face flushed,
....and offers a snappy reply,
....obviously pleased with the remark
....from her male friend.
..............................II
The fog of tenseness in the boardroom
....is so thick that eyes cannot meet.
From a corner of the room comes a quip
....causing members to erupt in laughter.
Shoulders relax
....and the milky whiteness evaporates.
.............................III
The elder is racked with pain,
....timidly moving, one step at a time.
A momentary stumble and an exclamation,
....“Damn, if there was a string on the floor,
....I would trip over it!”
He chuckles.
The pain ceases, if only for moments.
Laughter, a gift from the gods.
Comments: This poem started in a favorite mom and pop restaurant as I was eating breakfast following a five-mile bike ride. A woman walked by one of the tables and a fellow, who obviously knew her, commented on her apparel. As the poem says, "she giggled," but it does not say what followed–she gave it right back to him. As I thought about this little interlude, I began to think about how laughter is a gift, breaking tension and even relieving pain.
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My Book, An Oasis in a Cluttered World, is HERE!
An Oasis in a Cluttered World is available for easy purchase. If you enjoy the Poetical Journal and this web site, you will enjoy this book. It includes vignettes, poems, recommendations, and guest submissions. (If you order through my web site, you will save a bit, and if you so wish, I will sign the copy.) For more information, go to
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Looking out onto the frozen pond toward Japanese teahouse
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Chinese Cup Garden Area
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Guest Vignette: Assemble This
The below was submitted by Gay Larraine Rush from Maineville, OH. She has submitted vignettes in the past and has become a favorite of readers. Five of G.L.'s submissions appeared in my last book, An Oasis in a Cluttered World. You may email her at g_larraine43@yahoo.com.
The words are boldly printed on the outside of the box: assembles easily with just a screw driver. Right! When I open the box at home I am prepared for war. Here is the 'A' packet of large wood screws, so these tiny nicks in the wood can't be from them. Oh, but they are! Get out the electric drill. Okay, I see packet 'A' and 'C' but where is 'B'? Invisible parts, I guess, because they are not here! I call the the 800 number helpline. After waiting for fifteen minutes to talk to someone, who I believe is in India, he asks what the weather is like in Ohio, as he checks to see if there really is a 'B' packet. There is, and I should receive it by mail in three to five days. Well, that gives me time to go out and buy an electric screwdriver. For after forcing in the screws from packet 'A', I now know they have found a way to make rock look like wood.
A simple thing like putting together some plastic shelving can turn into a frustrating project. What they fail to tell you in the find print is that every time you pound in the opposite end, the previously inserted end pops right back out. Unless you have three arms (which I don't), you will be muttering some very not nice words.
If companies feel the need to tell me not to use my newly purchased hair dryer while showering, then they must think I am totally clueless. So, why make assembling instructions that require a genius IQ? With all this outsourcing is something getting lost in translation, or are they hiring some very sadistic people to write their assembling directions?
If you purchase a desk or wooden bookshelves and choose not to pay the extra fee to have it assembled, grab a bottle of pain meds and clear the kids out of the room. (They probably already know the words, but at least it won't be your fault). It's also wise not to pop a beer, or pour a nice relaxing glass of wine, as alcohol destroys brain cells and you will certainly need all of those you now have!
Guest Vignettes: Responses to Surprise Contest & the Winners
Periodically, I run a special contest geared for those who read the PJ, pretty much in its entirety. This last contest was hidden in the comment section of the poem Quiet Moments. Here were the rules: Surprise contest (Obviously, this one is for the critical readers): The first five to send me a brief description of a favorite quiet moment will be the winner of a "secret" surprise. Be sure to include your mailing address and type "Contest" in the subject line. All entries will be included in a grand prize drawing. Deadline: January 30, 2009, at 11:59 P.M. A number of readers let me know that they were not entering but were aware of the contest. Here are the five (5) winners John from Marion, OH; Bobbie from Pearland, TX; Elinor from Mt. Vernon, OH; Steffanie from Vancouver, BC; and Jeanine from Fredericktown, OH. They won an assortment of prizes.
The grand prize winner is John from Marion, OH who won a poet print valued at $85.
Below are some of my favorite submissions. Some have been edited for length.
- "My favorite quiet moment is on Saturday morning when I get up early and slip into my hot tub and look out into the wooded area and field behind my house. On the best days, I will see a hawk circle the trees and come to rest in the huge dead tree behind my neighbor's house. This has happened several times in the last couple years. I watch the hawk, and he appears to be watching me. I am sure we are both contemplating what the other is doing, resting so early in the morning." – John
- "My favorite quite moment is sitting outside on a warm summer Sunday morning before the traffic starts, just me, a cup of coffee, and the birds singing." – Jeanine
- "Hushing day's noise, any glorious pink-purple-blue-green sunset I've ever tucked away in my mind's eye washes my soul anew, sets my spirit soaring." – Elinor
- I have so many blessed quiet moments, that, I am in quite a quandary as to what one I will write about. (A noisy "quiet" moment...) The route I walk on my way to work is, for the first half of the ten-minute journey, along a major commuter route in Vancouver's Southside. As I take the well-traveled path to my right (north towards both Grouse and Seymour mountains), I am usually very involved in reflecting on my list of things I am grateful for, not aware of the peaceful, quiet neighbourhood I am traversing. Until, birdsong (either chickadee, finch, or robin) bring awareness to my surroundings, and remind me to add 'Thanks!' for that beauty I otherwise would have missed. . ." – Steffanie
- Bob, below is one of my 'lower-case lines' which was the first thing I thought of when you asked for a description of a "quiet moment." I think this shows an awareness of such a moment, since there are obviously some surrounding sounds." – Joseph McLaughlin (Joe is a well-known Ohio poet and writer. You can visit his site at http://www.josephdmclaughlin.com.)
.............time, passing
.............moon
.............rising above
.............vast prairie
.............brown grass,
.............shivering
.............in wind
............cupful of water
............in footprint
............left by buffalo
...........wing bone of eagle
...........carved into flute
...........its song dying in distance
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, printing 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.
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| Recommendations
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- Asian Cuisine at 8008 N High St, Columbus, OH Tel: (614) 433-9000: While I realize many of you will never be in Ohio, I still want to mention this restaurant. (It was also recommended several years ago in another issue as well as my book.) When I want to plan a special celebration, I often choose this fine dining establishment. Most recently, before leaving my job and as a token of thanks for work well-done, I took my directors out for a gourmet lunch at this elegant facility. As always, we received superb service and enjoyed quality food. I encourage you to try out this fine restaurant. Though not on the menu, if you like shrimp, ask for the almond encrusted selection. If you are a steak lover, ask for the special steak dinner. Oh yes, tell them that Poet Bob sent you.
- Enjoy the Norman Rockwell Exhibit at the Ohio Historical Museum in Columbus. Over 200 of my subscribers live in Ohio, thus, I am offering this suggestion to them and those living near Ohio's borders. This display ends in mid March. If you enjoy Norman Rockwell's expansive work, primarily with the Saturday Evening Post, and are interested in related memorabilia, then spend a few hours touring this exhibit. From what I was told, once the exhibit closes, it will go into storage indefinitely. This prolific artist painted a varied picture of 20th C. America.
- The special continues on Poet Prints. They make wonderful holiday gifts.
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At the Norman Rockwell Exhibit
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Looking across pond toward the Chinese bridge
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"Curious things, habits. People themselves never knew they had them." – Agatha Christie (1890 -1976) British mystery and short story writer.
"The foolish reject what they see, not what they think; the wise reject what they think, not what they see." – Huang-Po (9th C. Chinese teacher.)
"Do not follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought." – Basho (1644-1694) Japanese poet.
"Don't look for miracles. You yourself are the miracle." – Henry Miller (1891-1980) American author.
"Truth has no special time of its own. Its hour is now–always." – Albert Schweitzer (1875-1965)
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
Joan, who loved the sun, spent almost all of her vacation sunbathing on the roof of her hotel. She wore a bathing suit the first day. But on the second, she decided that no one could see her way up there so she slipped out of it for an overall tan.
She'd hardly begun when she heard someone running up the stairs. She was lying on her stomach, so she just pulled a towel over her rear.
"Excuse me, miss," said the flustered assistant manager of the hotel, out of breath from running up the stairs. "The Hilton doesn't mind your sunbathing on the roof, but we would very much appreciate your wearing a bathing suit as you did yesterday."
"What difference does it make?" Joan asked rather calmly. "No one can see me up here, and besides, I'm covered with a towel."
"Not exactly," said the embarrassed man. "You're lying on the dining room skylight."
Contest Winners & Pocket Calendars
Winners of the last month's surprise contest are listed in the guest vignette section above.
Lo and behold, I discovered two pocket calendars that have not been distributed. (Sorry, no more wall calendars are available.) If interested, enter the contest. They are really quite a nice pocket calendar book. (Seldom does anyone from other countries enter. I encourage any reader to enter, no matter what country you live in.) Send your entry to bob@poeticaljourneys.com and type "Calendar" in the subject line. Be sure to include your mailing address. Since my internet access will be somewhat limited while traveling, I may be slow in responding. I also won't be able to mail the calendars until I return to the States. Deadline for entering is 12 noon on February 28, 2009.
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.
If you are interested in becoming a premium subscriber for 2009, click here. (More on this subject in future issue.)
Premium Subscriber Results from 2008 are as follows:
- Total Monetary: $3,952
- Total Volunteer Hours: 1025 hours
- Number of Premium Subscribers: 36
To learn more about premium membership and what it entails, click here.
PJ Forum
I regret that I cannot publish all of the comments. However, I personally responded to each one. Below are samplings of comments received this month. If you have comments, recommendations, or suggestions for the PJ, please email them to bob@poeticaljourneys.com.
Enjoy reading Rachel's new poem Cursed.
Our guest poet is a writer who lives in Galion, Ohio.
"Mon ami, have a splendid 2009, and congratulations on a bonza (Aussie word for excellent) first journey for the year. I related to your Duality poem; it reminded me of something a friend said on aging, 'It's a bugger getting old.' But we all do. As usual great photographs and accompanying words, and thanks for your good wishes." – Jerry from Victoria, Australia (Ed.: Without fail, Jerry always sends a response. He only missed once in the last few year, and that was because of his major surgery. His comments are my barometer on his continuing recovery. As always, friend, thank you!)
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"Loved the PJ, especially the comments from G.L. about her two-year-old granddaughter:-) Wasn't Slumdog Millionaire fabulous? I hope more people see it. It deserves some attention. Best movie I've seen in quite some time." – A Reader from Cinci (Ed.: I agree that G.L.'s comments last month about what she was grateful for were wonderful. Sounded like a wonderful family. I totally agree with you on the movie, Slumdog Millionaire.)
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"Pictures in this issue are awesome! Really enjoyed them. . .And your ideas about changes in the Journal should be welcomed by all!" – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: As always, thank you, Bobbie. She is a regular contributor to this section.)
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". . .Thanks again for a beautiful journal. I especially like the travel stories and photos. I'm sure the new pond you've dived into will sustain you in every way." – Joe from Dover (Ed.: Thanks so much! Yes, I am already swimming.)
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"CONGRATS! on your new journey Bob. Really enjoyed this months news. Smiles" – Lisa (Ed.: Thank you, Lisa. I have only just begun to correspond a bit with Lisa. She is one of my newest subscribers. I believe many of you will find her sites of interest. Why not pay her a virtual visit? http://www.LisaAnnBonfiglio.com and http://www.dynamicarthouse.com.
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"Enjoy that well-deserved retirement" – Ryan from Ohio (Ed.: Thanks, Ryan. Though I choose not to use the word 'retirement' but prefer 'moving on,' one of my favorite experiences thus far is that each day is like a weekend where I get to make the choices. I received a number of congrats but chose Ryan's to symbolize the others received. Though not printed here, a BIG thank you to each who sent one to me. I personally responded to each.)
IF YOU ARE FILTERING
Like you, I receive many unwanted e-mails. However, sometimes some e-mails I want to receive are filtered for a variety of reasons. May I suggest that you place the following in your address book or approved senders list: poetjournal@poeticaljourneys.com This process will increase the odds of you receiving your issue.
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, 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.
PJ Online
To read or copy back issues of the PJ, go to.
The next issue will be out Sunday, March 29, 2009.
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.
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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.)
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
Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Fredericktown, OH 43019
bob@poeticaljourneys.com
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