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Opening Comments from Bob
This Issue: Enjoy some final fall shots in my area of Utah. The primary focus is on Cascade Springs, a five-mile drive up the mountain from our home. The poems this month include some beautiful scenery, The Last Vestiges of Fall and Cascade Springs. The bonus poem section speaks on gratitude, especially appropriate during this Thanksgiving Season. My vignette, Stephen Smith, honors my dear friend.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 next issue comes out on December 24, 2021.
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Pictures in this issue come from two sources, 1) during our five-mile drive up the mountain to Cascade Springs and 2) at the Springs.
Two Poems this Month + Bonus
Bonus Poem Section: On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I have been running a daily series of my older poems accompanied with an appropriate picture. I will show a favorite in this section each month. This poem first appeared in Volume IX: Issue 10: Sunday, November 28, 2010
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Vignette this Month: Stephen Smith
On October 28, I lost my best friend Steve Smith. He died as we performed CPR. The below poem was written for his celebration of life held on November 13. Steve was one of my assistant tai chi instructors and my movie buddy. Almost every Friday, he and I headed to a movie. On the way there, we solved all the world's problems. On the way back, we corrected any errors the director may have made. We always joked that if the movie was bad at least the popcorn was excellent. In the poem are two references that need clarification. John refers to John McEnroe, the tennis great. Steve was attending Stanford on a tennis scholarship. One day a young freshman showed up and challenged him to the fifth position on the team. Though Steve won two games, he lost the match and his scholarship. This and a series of events led him to be drafted and ending up in Viet Nam where he won the Bronze Star for heroism. He suffered from the after effects of that war both physically and emotionally for the rest of his life. I will let the poem speak further.
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Recommendations
If you haven't already done so, I encourage you to give thanks and show appreciation to family and friends.
Please take a look at the online book and gift pages.
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Quotable Quotes
“The old pines are full of poems,”- Ryokan Taigu
"May my heart be kind, my mind fierce, and my spirit brave." ~ Kate Forsyth
“Just let go, Let go of how you thought life should be, and embrace the life that is trying to work its way into your consciousness.” - Caroline Myss
“The world is nothing but my perception of it. I see only through myself. I hear only through the filter of my story.” - Byron Katie
A Bit of Humor
A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul
Church
One Sunday in a Midwest city a young child was acting up during the morning worship hour.
The parents did their best to maintain some sense of order in the pew but were losing the battle.
Finally, the father picked the little fellow up and walked sternly up the aisle on his way out.
Just before reaching the safety of the foyer the little one called loudly to the congregation, "Pray for me! Pray for me!"
Compliment of A Joke A Day
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Tai Chi Corner
Some of my class practicing. Contact Bob for a name of an instructor near you.
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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"You are a teacher I remember with great fondness. I am happy to help support your passion. Plus, I enjoy your writings and photos, very much! . . ." - Hollie from Galion, OH (Ed.: Many thanks for your kind comments and your generous financial donation in support of the PJ. Hollie has purchased copies of almost all my books which is greatly appreciated. She is also a former student of mine many years ago.)
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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."
______________________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."
______________________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."
______________________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. . ."
______________________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, December 24, 2021.
Until next time - joy and peace,
Bob
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Bob Casey
Poetical Journeys
P.O. Box 319
Midway, UT 84049
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