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In this issue
the pictures focus on
Switzerland.
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Poetical Journal © by Bob Casey
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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life
This is the first of two issues regarding cruising Europe.
This issue will focus on Switzerland.
VOLUME VIII – ISSUE 9: Saturday, October 31, 2009 (98th Issue)
CONTENT
- Welcome & Online Version
- Opening Comments from Bob: Two Great Rivers
- Poems: Lake Lucerne and Life's Trail
- My Latest Book – An Oasis in a Cluttered World is available.
- Vignette: Part I: Thoughts on Travel and Europe
- Recommendations
- Quotable Quotes
- A Bit of Humor
- Contest Winners
- 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
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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 be out on Sunday, November 29, 2009. It will focus on the second portion of cruising the Rhine & Mosel.
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Hummingbird Moth enjoying the final
blooms along Lake Lucerne
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Opening Comments from Bob – Two Great Rivers
Earlier this week I returned home after spending three weeks in Europe, primarily cruising the Rhine and Mosel rivers on a 300 plus foot riverboat named the M.S. River Rhapsody. This issue will focus primarily on some of those experiences including poetry and observations generated from them. I am dividing the discussion into two issues. This issue will focus on the pre-trip to Lucerne, Switzerland and the initial river trip portions in Basal, Switzerland. The November Issue will focus on the river portions in France, Germany, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and Belgium. You can read more details regarding this adventure in my blog. blog.
Premium Subscribers: Help others by becoming a premium subscriber.
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Two Poems this Issue
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Lake Lucerne
Ripples appear here and there
....on otherwise placid water.
Earlier downpours have dissipated
....as the sun sinks
....brushing hues of yellow
....against deep greens
....and turning leaves.
Summer flowers offer
....their last brilliance of color
....while distant chiseled peaks
....turn gray in the dimming light.
An alpine day comes to a close.
Comments: No great thoughts here, only a word portrait of a magical scene.
Life's Trail
I can only enjoy the moments given me
....for the future is unforeseen.
I only know what is behind me,
....both the pleasant and obscene.
As I ride along the trail,
....the sun is bright,
....the breezes light,
....just enough to cool the skin.
But somewhere in the distance
....the rumble of a storm
....is heard.
I race for my humble shelter,
....to seek protection
....from the torrential rains.
Later, along the way, I pass others
....nodding greetings and farewells
....occasionally stopping to tell a tale
....or two.
Ahead, the trail climbs,
....more rocky than before,
....winding through forests
....I have yet to explore.
I now walk,
....the days of riding in the past.
Despite infirmities and sorrows,
....the moments are more precious than the last.
Comments: This poem speaks to another form of travel, the journey we each are on. Interpret from there.
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| Historic home along Lake Lucerne |
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Typical view from the lake
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| Traditional Swiss home |
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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.
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Typical scene while cruising Lake Lucerne
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Peering across the lake and the "chiseled" peaks
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Vignette: Part I: Thoughts on Travel and Europe
Traveling from the Swiss Alps to the Low Countries provides magnificent memories and spectacular scenery. Following three days in the storybook city of Lucerne, Switzerland, we head to Basal to board River Rhapsody, home for the next fourteen days. Though our cabin is only 154 square feet, the designers were able to create a roomy feel. We never felt crowded. Besides, there are a balcony and sliding door that offer an expansive view of the Mosel and Rhine rivers and the picturesque villages and cities that line their shores.
Places I have barely heard of become part of my vocabulary, Strasbourg, Speyer, Boppard, Bernkastel, Trier, Njimegen, and Kinderdijk to name a few. Mile after mile of some of the world’s steepest vineyards, turning golden for harvest, rise from the shoreline. Eating pastries that taste as good as they look, sipping coffee dark and bold or hot chocolate so rich that your toes curl, taking the first bite of Bavarian chocolate cake filled with cream and cherries, savoring a true Belgian waffle covered with strawberries and fresh whipped cream, and sitting at café tables as long as you want with no subtle hints to move on are part of gastronomic joys that still bring smiles to my lips.
But traveling Europe is more than these. It is the immersion into history, where two or three hundred years does not an antique make. Stories of invasion and conquest permeate every street and village. All have experienced conquerors coming and leaving. As everywhere, history has shaped the people from the Dutch who are hardy and frank from years of battling the ever-encroaching sea to the French who have taken a daily sustenance, the simple baguette, and turned it almost into an art form. Everywhere we travel, citizens treat us kindly, if sometimes only with smiles at the behavior of these strange Americans. In Luxembourg, because of the critical role that U.S. troops played during two world wars in saving the country, we were especially welcomed. Just outside the city, peering out over the grave markers of 5,000+ American soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge and traveling a mere mile and looking out onto a field of 10,000+ German graves–all enemies no longer–makes you aware of the ongoing tragedy of war.
Sometimes some ask me, “Why do you travel outside the country? There is so much to see here.” While the latter comment is true, for me travel is more than vacationing, it is about gaining perspective on the world. That happens by going beyond our borders and seeing how others live and perceive the world. It also involves opening the mind to new ideas and perceptions. I feel privileged that I am blessed to have these opportunities.
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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Inside Lucerne's major cathedral
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| Scenes from the city of Lucerne, Switzerland |
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Bridge crossing the Lucerne River
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Downtown Lucerne
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One of the many back streets and painted buildings
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Baby brigade – scene seldom seen in the States anymore
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Recommendations
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- Enjoy a River Cruise: I have taken ocean cruises, but this time was the first for a multiple day river cruise. The biggest differences between the two are the close proximity to land and the greater numbers of stops. Frankly, I loved the experience! If you have the time and the money, I encourage you to investigate the river cruise option. On the cruise I met many individuals who were on their fifth or more cruise. They shared a wealth of stories including where to travel next. Out of these narrations came the resounding recommendation that Grand Circle Tours (GCT) river cruises are some of the best in the industry and the most reasonably priced. My Rhine and Mosel River Cruise was sponsored by GCT. Based upon this one trip experience, I found the following: the food consistently in the 8.5-9.5/10 range; ship staff, 10/10; the room though small, very efficiently and comfortably designed–suggest you choose a balcony option; the shore guides, called program directors, 10/10; and choice of stops and optional tours, 9.5/10. If the ship was forced to dock away from the center of town, GCT provided ongoing shuttle service. Each stop included a city tour that familiarized you with the historical section. Then you were left on your own to explore and savor the area. My particular program director was Johannes Bauer who did a fantastic job. Besides being the primary city tour guide, he was there to assist and answer questions. He was amazingly patience as he addressed a variety of individual needs. To read more about GCT and specifically, some of its river options, please click here. (Per policy, I receive no form of compensation or remuneration for offering these recommendations.)
- Take a look at the new online book and gift page.
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M.S. River Rhapsody
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A lunch option one day
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Village nestled in the Alps
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Resort chalets
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City Hall in Basal, Switzerland
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Market Square in Basal
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"We are all serving a life sentence in the dungeon of the self." – Cyril Connolly (1903 - 1974) English intellectual, literary critic, and writer.
"Forgiveness is the business of every Christian." – Reverend Keith Stuart, Ph.D. (Pastor of the First Congregational United Church of Christ; Mt. Vernon, Ohio)
"In silence a man can most readily preserve his integrity." – Meister Eckhart ( (1260 - 1328) German theologian, philosopher, and mystic,
"If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things." – Rene Descartes (1596 - 1650) French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher.
"Believing hath a core of unbelieving." – Robert Williams Buchanan (1841 - 1901) Scottish poet, novelist, and dramatist.
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul.
Bridge Hazard
A truck driver was driving along on the freeway and noticed a sign that
read: Low Bridge Ahead. Before he knows it, the bridge is right in front
of him and his truck gets wedged under it. Cars are backed up for miles.
Finally a police car comes up. The cop gets out of his car and walks to
the truck driver, puts his hands on his hips and says, "Got stuck, huh?"
The truck driver says, "No, I was delivering this bridge, and I ran out of gas."
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(Again, thanks to the Alcove Restaurant.)
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.
Coming next month, the Annual Calendar Contest. Hidden Surprise Contest: The first five (5) who email me that they read this section on the coming calendar contest will automatically win a 2010 PJ calendar. Be sure to include a mailing address. Entries are open to all my foreign readers as well. (I am checking to see who is reading.)
- 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.
"Ye gods, seven years! So much has happened in that time Bob, and thanks for your always welcome contribution. . ." – Jerry from Victoria, Australia (Ed.: Jerry is one of my earliest subscribers. We have been writing back and forth for over seven years.)
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"Thank YOU for the beautiful link for Tamara and Herman! I looked at it before forwarding it to Tamara's email and was utterly amazed at the beauty of Maui! . . ." – Steffanie from Vancouver (Ed.: Steffanie is one of my most loyal subscribers. Her youngest daughter was marrying and planned to honeymoon on Maui. I sent her some possible suggestions to forward to Tamara.)
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"Hi Bob! Lovely pictures again in this issue. Loved the polar bear joke too. You will certainly enjoy your European river trip. I am saying this because I have friends who have done this at least once. So enjoy and God Bless!" – Bobbie from Texas (Ed.: Thank you Bobbie. As you can see from this issue, we had a wonderful trip!)
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"Thank you so much. It is my pleasure to read and enjoy your newsletter/poetical journeys. I really liked the poem from this issue titled The Sunday Pilgrimage – Why?...Actually I was dissolved in it! With best regards." – Gawsia from Bangladesh (Ed.: Gawsia, I am so pleased that the poem touched you within.)
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"Thanks again for all your work and energy...this is beautiful, balanced, and welcomed."– Marianne (Ed.: Thank you for the kind comments. They are appreciated!)
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"Thanks so much, Bob, for the latest issue of Poetical Journeys. Great photos of Maui, some in our neighborhood. Loved your comments about Mama's Fish House. _______ and I met the Christensens (she is Mama) recently . . . They . . . had many interesting stories about the early days of Lahaina when he managed the Lahaina Yacht Club. . ."– Maui Phil (Ed.: Phil, I really appreciate you sharing your comments. I would have loved to have heard the stories. We will be back in February for a month.)
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"Bob - I again cannot access the version of your letter which includes photos. . ." 2nd email: "Thanks for the corrected link, Bob. Your beautiful photos brought back fond memories of my trip to four of the islands where I took many gorgeous slides. Hope to find a way to get them converted to DVDs, also my slides of Europe and the western states. . ."– Pat from Mt. Vernon (Ed.: Pat was the first to let me know that the link was broken. This happened one other time between being sent to the host and its transport. As many of you know, I quickly followed up with the corrected link. My apologies to those who struggled to open the web version. BUT, I am glad that someone let me know. Following her notification, I received several others.)
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"Always enjoy your journals. I especially enjoyed your poem, The Sunday Pilgrimage–Why? - a great poem that pretty well expresses my Presbyterian outlook on things! Following is one . . . perhaps your minister might appreciate the problems the young pastor in the poem, (in his eagerness and perhaps his ignorance) encountered when he began his career." – Bob from Colorado Springs (Ed.: I always enjoy hearing from another Poet Bob. I enjoyed his poem. The content reminded me so much of a good high school friend who entered the ministry.)
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"The pictures are beautiful. My pictures never, never look that good. . . Again, I enjoyed your writing. I look forward to the Journal every month. Lots of fun when you go to Europe. . ." – Mavis from Bellville, OH (Thank you Mavis. Always good to hear from friends.)
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 on Sunday, November 29, 2009. It will focus on the second portion of cruising the Rhine & Mosel. Of course, poetry related to trip will be included.
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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