 |
If you are reading
this and have not
signed up for
your free
subscription
to the Poetical Journal,
please click here.
|
|
|
|
In this issue
the pictures focus on
Yosemite National Park
|
|
|
|
|
Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
|
|
|
Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life
Welcome to the Yosemite Issue
VOLUME VIII – ISSUE 7: Sunday, August 30, 2009 (96th issue)
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob: Coming VERY Soon
- Poems: The Mountain Meadow and Time So Relative
- My Latest Book – An Oasis in a Cluttered World is available.
- Vignette: The Experiment
- Guest Vignette: Everything Happens for a Reason
- Recommendations
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Contest Winners from the Past
- Pay It Forward 2009
- PJ Forum
- Reminder: If you are filtering...
- PJ Demographics – All 50 states and 72 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 issue will come out on Sunday, September 27, 2009.
|
|
|
|
Beauty growing through the rocks
|
|
|
|
Opening Comments from Bob - Coming VERY Soon
I have been hinting that a new site is on its way. In reality, there are three new ones besides Poetical Journeys that will soon appear and become part of an expanding and diversifying internet outreach. One site will be the business one through which all purchases pass through. It is tied to an LLC. No matter which site a reader places an order, the billing will pass through the business site. Another site will focus on holistic health and life styles. It will assist with marketing my Tai Chi for Health services in the local area as well as assisting other related interested parties. There will also be links on a variety of health topics. The third site, Journeys Publishing, which is by far the most comprehensive and complicated to launch, is an interactive one. Poetry, vignettes, photography, book by chapters, recommendations, and related links will be integrated into it. Subscribers will have the option to submit works and receive feedback. It will eventually become my primary site. Poetical Journeys will continue but reduced in scope. I had planned to unveil this new site in today's PJ, but it still needs some tweaking. I believe you will enjoy the options it will offer.
Hawaii Writers Conference: As you read this, I am probably in the air over the Pacific. Again, I am traveling to attend the annual Hawaii Writers Conference located in Honolulu. As in the past, you will hear more about it in the next issue of the PJ. From August 29 - September 7, my blog will become active with information about the conference and my Hawaiian travels. If you want to follow, click on the blog's RSS feed and register to know when updates occur. Please feel free to provide feedback on the blog content.
Premium Subscribers: Help others by becoming a premium subscriber.
|
|
Two Poems this Issue
|
|
The Mountain Meadow
The fallen tree,
...bleached white
...by the sun, snow, and rain,
...lies peacefully
...in the alpine meadow.
Breezes as fresh
...as the beginning of time
...ripple the grass
...and the water of the mountain pond.
A hiking trail meanders
...toward the distant peak
...where snow still lingers
...into late June.
The melt feeds the cascading falls
...that catch and reflect
...the noontime brilliance.
The moments are there
...for all to seize.
Comments: On the right are the fallen tree and meadow where I sat and wrote the draft of this poem. The meadow is located in the eastern part of Yosemite. The Muses were dancing all over the log.
-------------------------
Time So Relative
Moths flit and flutter,
...dancing to the light.
Only a few days pass
...until the mating dance
...leads to their demise.
Humans enter the world,
...kicking and screaming–
...skin soft and supple–
...soon believing
...in their immortality.
Seventy or eighty years fly by–
...all too soon asking,
...“Where have they gone?”
The skin now wrinkled and creased,
...a canvas of the life lived.
Sequoias germinate
...from minute seeds
...smaller than a flake of oats–
...at eighty, mere toddlers.
By one thousand,
...the gnarled bark
...has been honed by wind and fire.
Another thousand or two may pass
...before the giants fall–
...three hundred years or more
...until returning to the soil.
All in their own time.
Comments: While in Yosemite, we paid a special visit to the Mariposa Grove, one of the 72 stands of Sequoias that still exist. These long lived trees were once found throughout the world. However, now they only exist in the Sierra Nevada Mountains located in California and Nevada. (Sequoias are the second longest lived organism next to the bristlecone pines that can live 5,000 years.) One cannot help but stand in awe of these ancient titans. As I toured the grove, I thought in terms of years and how we measure them. Then I realized how relative time is depending on the circumstances. Hence, the poem above. By the way, one of the favorite poems I have written is entitled The Elder. It is about a bristlecone pine.
|
|
|
| Log where the poem was drafted |
|
|
|
|
|
Trail toward the mountain
|
|
|
|
| Rafting in Yosemite |
|
|
|
| The power of plants |
|
|
|
|
My Books and Products are now purchasable online.
An Oasis in a Cluttered World, Wisdom from the Journey, and The Wanderer: A Poetical Journey can be purchased from me online. Also, there are other products on the page that offer unique gifts for a special someone including yourself. This option to purchase directly online from me is new. I hope you take advantage of it.
If you wish to support the efforts of the Poetical Journal, there is also a donation option.
To view the product page, please click here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just outside Yosemite, a few miles from the East Entrance Gate
|
|
|
|
Into the park a few miles from the East Gate
|
|
Vignette: The Experiment
The major content of this vignette was emailed to me. I do not know the original author though it is based upon a newspaper article. I have rewritten it to fit into my vignette format.
The Scene: A street musician is playing his violin in a Washington, DC, Metro Station on a cold January morning in 2007. While there, he plays six Bach pieces for about 60 minutes. During that time approximately 2,000 people pass through the station, most of them on their way to work. Below is what was observed.
- 3 minute mark: A middle-aged man notices there is a musician playing. He slows his pace and stops for a few seconds and then hurries to meet his schedule.
- 4 minutes: The violinist receives his first dollar; a woman throws the money in the till and without stopping, continues to walk.
- 6 minutes: A young man leans against the wall to listen then looks at his watch and starts to walk again.
- 10 minutes: A three-year old boy stops, but his mother tugs him along hurriedly. Finally, the mother pushes hard, and the child continues to walk, turning his head all the time. This action is repeated by several other children. Every parent, without exception, forces them to move on.
- After 45 minutes: Only 6 people have stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32.
- 1 hour: He finishes playing. No one notices. No one applauds, nor is there any recognition.
This is a real story. The Washington Post, as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and people's priorities, arranged the entire scenario. Playing incognito, no one knew the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the best musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written with a violin worth $3.5 million dollars. Two days prior to this, Joshua Bell sold out a theater in Boston where the tickets averaged $100 per seat.
There are many possible conclusions. Perhaps one reached from this experiment could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world, playing some of the finest music ever written, with one of the most beautiful instruments, how many other things are we missing?
_______________________________________________
Guest Vignette: Everything Happens for a Reason
by Julie Anne Inman
______________________
Background on Surprise Contest Vignettes: In the May Issue I wrote a vignette on the concept "for every gain there is a loss and for every loss there is a gain." At the end of the vignette I sprang a surprise contest asking readers to submit life examples regarding this concept in their own lives. From the entries two winners were selected. In June, we read of Robert L. Hinshaw's gain-loss story. This month we read Julie Anne Inman's entry.
______________________
(Vignette No. 7, 29 May 2009/© All Rights Reserved)
I started college full-time at age 16. One week before the fall semester started, I found out I needed to have emergency surgery; it was believed that my cancer had returned. I had to drop all of my registered classes. I was distraught and felt anxious and overwhelmed. I had wanted so desperately to start school at the end of the month. I even had my binders labeled, and my books purchased. But, life goes on... After my surgery, my doctors informed me that I could return to school. However, my leg was in a hip to ankle brace, so the less I had to walk around–the better. I went to the college website in hopes of planning classes for two days a week on campus and the rest online. I was able to schedule Psychology 101 and English 101 on Tuesdays and Thursdays and registered in three online classes. We later discovered, thankfully, that my cancer hadn't returned. To the untrained eye, this surgery would have been pointless. However, I like to look on the bright side of things. Psychology 101 became my first college class and my favorite. Even though I had to walk around on crutches for the first three weeks of my college career, the changes made were for the better. My professor, Lee Merchant, became my first professor, mentor, friend, and boss. I have been working for her since Spring of 2007 and will be working for her for the next two semesters. If it hadn't been for that unnecessary surgery, I would never have taken her class. We've developed such a close relationship that she even gave me new furniture as a housewarming gift for my first apartment. Through family issues and just school in general, this woman has had the greatest impact on my life. I'm privileged to know her. Everything happens for a reason. Believe it!
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.
|
|
|
|
Yosemite Falls, Upper and Lower
|
|
|
| El Capitan on the left and Bridal Veil Falls on the right |
|
|
|
|
Recommendations
|
Yosemite National Park
I have traveled in every state and seen many magnificent sights. But, I was not ready for the vistas I saw in Yosemite. I have heard about Yosemite for decades, but this was my first, but not, last visit. We arrived before July 4 so the crowds were minimal compared to what they can be. We were able to move about the park with little problem. The National Park Service offers free shuttles which are an added bonus. The west-central part of the park, where many of the most popular sights are located, are in close proximity making usage of the shuttles a wise choice.
- Getting There: If you are coming down from Lake Tahoe, I suggest you take the back route via Rt. 50 to Rt. 395, taking you into Carson City, Nevada and then through high desert country back into California. A few hours later you will arrive at the East Park Entrance. The views are spectacular as you approach and enter the park. The traffic is also less. Since we were staying off park grounds, we used all four entrances/exits at least once. The East Entrance is by far the most scenery spectacular. Please note that you will drive 45+ miles across most of the park in order to arrive at El Capitan and Half Dome, two of the most popular sights. A suggestion, don't stay at the East Entrance, simply enter from that direction.
- Activities: Besides walking the trails, seeing El Capitan and Half Dome, and simply chilling, be sure to add a visit to the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias located at the South Entrance. If you want to drive your car there, be there by 9 a.m. Otherwise, you will have to take the shuttle in since the parking lot fills up quickly. Expect to wait. The tour within the Grove by the Forest Service is worth the expense. Also, be prepared to be in awe.
- Places to Stay: There are a number of places within the park to stay from rugged to plush. We opted to stay off park grounds. The pluses – less expense and broader eating choices; the negative, usually a minimum of 45-60 minute drive to reenter the park. Next time, I will opt for staying in the park. However, if you should choose to stay outside, there is a decent Comfort Inn, nothing fancy but clean with friendly service, in the small town of Mariposa.
- Restaurants: By chance and a bit of research, we ended up at a small restaurant that was so good, we enjoyed two evening meals there. As we talked with staff and read more, we discovered that it was not "undiscovered." It has received reviews in the NYT and other national media. Savoury's Restaurant at 5034 Hwy 140, Mariposa, CA (Ph. 209 - 966 - 7767) is a definite recommendation if you are in the area. A brief synopsis of some of the dishes enjoyed: hard-crusted bread (10/10), candied walnut salad with homemade mango dressing (10/10), shrimp with apricot sauce (10/10), chicken marsala - sauce light, not heavy (9/10), Thai fixed halibut seasoned to request - incredible (10/10), steak salad (10/10), and the delectable lemon mousse dessert (10+ both times). If Bryan is there, ask for him to be your server. While there, also enjoy the tastefully arranged original art.
- Next month, the focus will be on Hawaii.
- Take a look at the new online book and gift page.
|
|
|
|
|
In the Mariposa Grove
|
|
|
|
|
Magnificent Sequoias
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of the tables at Savoury's
|
|
|
|
|
|
Just inside the East Entrance
|
|
|
|
Note the hiker at the top – needed special climbing support to get there
|
|
"To know that you know, and to know that you don't know–that is real wisdom." – Confucius
"Wind moving through the grass so that the grass quivers. This moves me with an emotion that I don't understand." – Katherine Mansfield (1888 – 1923) A New Zealand prominent modernist writer of short fiction.
"The pursuit of truth and beauty is a sphere of activity in which we are permitted to remain children all our lives." – Albert Einstein
"Thou shalt love life more than the meaning of life." – Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821 – 1881) A Russian writer, essayist and philosopher, perhaps most recognized today for his novel Crime and Punishment.
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
A Smart Dean
One night Jack along with his three university friends went out to party till late night, as many college student are prone to do, and didn’t study for their test, which of course, was scheduled for the next day.
In the morning they thought of a plan. They made themselves look as dirty and weird as they could with grease and dirt.
They went up to the dean and explained that they had gone out to a wedding last night and on their return the tire of their car burst. They continued to explain how they had to push the car all the way back and they were in no condition to appear for the test.
The dean, being a compassionate human being, said that they could take the test after 3 days. The students graciously replied that they’d be ready by that time.
On the third day they appeared before the dean. The dean explained that since this was a special test all four were required to sit in separate classrooms for the duration of the exam.
They all agreed as they had prepared well in the last three days. The test consisted of 5 questions with a total of 100 points.
MID SEMESTER COURSE EXAMINATION
INSTRUCTIONS: All questions are required. Any inconsistencies on any of the questions among the four students will result in all the candidates getting a zero mark.
Q.1. Write down your name (2 points).
Q.2. Write the name of the bride and groom at the wedding you attended (30 points).
Q.3. What type of car were you driving (20 points)?
Q.4. Which tire burst (28 points)?
Q.5. Who was driving (20 points)?
-------------------------
(Again, thanks to aquicklaugh.com.)
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.
- Total Monetary: $20,380
- Total Volunteer Hours: 1020+
- Number of Premium Subscribers: 8
There were no new subscribers this month.
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 respond to everyone's.
"You've done it again mon ami, great words and pictures. My best to you and all journey-persons." – Jerry from Victoria, Australia (Ed.: Jerry, thank you. I still receive emails from subscribers wishing you a continual recovery.)
---------------------------------------
"Hi, haven’t been to my computer for several months now, so I have missed relaxing with your poems and pictures. Today I just happened to open up the NZ Issue and was treated to reminders of when we were there a few years ago. Truly, its beauty and tranquility made my day! We stayed overnight at a deer ranch as house guests–fascinating experience. I’ve saved all the past journals and will catch up with them to see what I have missed." – Norma from Arizona (Ed.: I am pleased you enjoyed the NZ Issue. I hope you also saw the follow-up that appeared the next month.)
---------------------------------------
"Great pics from Tahoe! I do use several of them for wallpaper. I enjoyed reading about your 'walk' with your sister. I missed your contest though about losing and gaining. Looking forward to your new web sites." – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Bobbie, thank you as always. I hope you have a chance to visit my sites when they are ready.)
---------------------------------------
"Good issue of P.J.! I especially liked the two versions of your walk/jog with your sister. That was clever indeed." – Jim from Mt. Vernon, OH (Ed.: Glad you enjoyed! As you will see in the next comment, my sister Larraine, who had not read my version of the walk, also had a good laugh.)
---------------------------------------
"Okay, you had me laughing really good with that one! I forgot about the snake story. I'm glad he didn't reappear on our path, as I don't think you would have liked poking it out of our way.....And I was feeling so safe! Let me know when you can come back for the whole three-mile stroll! Take Care," – G.L. a.k.a. my sister Larraine (Ed.: I am pleased that you were able to read my accurate side of the story. I will have to wait a bit to regain my strength before venturing again into the Everest hike.)
--------------------------------------
"I finished reading the PJ. I loved you and your sister's differing accounts of your "stroll by the lake." They were a nice reminder of the different perspectives people have in life. . ." – Jules from Hilmar, CA (Ed.: Glad you enjoyed! These two vignettes have generated the most responses of any written in the past.)
--------------------------------------
"I enjoyed reading your walk in Cincy as well as your sister's. I could just see you as you described the walk. I have enjoyed the parks in Cincinnati. We lived there from 1969-1977. . ." – Mavis from Bellville, OH (Yes, I will remember that walk for quite awhile. As you note above, my sister has challenged me to another one. However, I am choosing LIFE.)
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.
PJ Online
To read or copy back issues of the PJ, go to.
The next issue will be out Sunday, September 27, 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.
-----------------------------
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.) 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
|
|
|
|
If you are reading this and have not signed up for your free subscription
to the Poetical Journal, please click here. |
|
|
 |
| Click on the icon if you entered this site from another and wish to go to my homepage. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
