In this issue we focus on dinosaur country in eastern Utah.

Poetical Journal ©by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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VOLUME XXI – Issue 7: Sunday, August 28, 2022 (252nd 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 September 25, 2022.

Janice on the road to Vernal.

...Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: Jan and I recently visited eastern Utah, once home to millions of years of dinosaurs, the original Jurassic Park. I conducted a Tai Chi workshop in Roosevelt, Utah, and the next day we toured the resort center on dinosaur history, located in the Vernal, Utah area. Nearby is the National Dinosaur Monument which attracts thousands of tourists a year. For those interested, the vignette below provides more information regarding this area. The two poems are It Begins and Personal Rain Dance. The Bonus Poem speaks to a personal journey.

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 September 25, 2022.

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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.

SPECIAL Thank You to Jim from Yellow Springs, OH, for his monetary support toward the PJ.

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A full-size replica of the wholly mammoth. Note Jan to the right for perspective.

One of the displays in the kid friendly museum, Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park in Vernal.

 

Two Poems this Month + Bonus

 

Comments: No great thoughts! We are still aware of our dependence on the whims of nature. As you undoubtedly know, much of the West is in drought. While the rain dance described in the poem was imaginary, it is very real to the Native Americans of the region.

The rain dance usually takes place in the driest month of the year, so usually this ritual is performed in mid to late August ever year. The Native American rain dance is performed by both the men and women of the tribe, unlike other tribal rituals where only men are allowed.

 

Bonus Poem: On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram I have been running a daily series of my poems accompanied with an appropriate picture. I will show a favorite in this section each month. This poem first appeared in VOLUME III ISSUE 6 - Sunday, July 25, 2004 (35th Issue).

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One of the displays in the Quarry Exhibit Hall.

Archaeologists cleared the rock away from one of the skeletons in the Quarry Exhibit Hall. Sections are
still encased in the rock.

Vignette this Month: Dinosaur Land in Eastern Utah

Since moving to Utah I was aware of the this fascinating historical area but had never visited it. A Tai Chi workshop I taught in nearby Roosevelt provided the opportunity to spend time learning about the land and its heritage. If you decide to visit, I suggest you use Vernal as your base and be sure to visit first the fantastic museum, Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park, then head out to the Quarry Exhibit Hall and the National Dinosaur Monument. Provided you have allocated enough time, drive some of the roads within the park. You do not need to take the long route into Colorado in order to gain a true flavor of this land.

In 1906, paleontologist Earl Douglass discovered this incredible find of dinosaur remains encased within the rock quarry. Until the state and federal governments created protections, many of the bones were excavated and now appear in museums and in private collections throughout the world. It is believed that this huge cache of bones occurred when the rivers dried up and many dinosaurs died in the once-plus river basins. Later, the waters returned flooding and encasing and preserving the bones in cement-like sediment. At the time of discovery by Douglass, this was the largest find of dinosaur bones in the world. It is estimated that the original event occurred approximately 149 million years ago.

To provide a bit of perspective, paleontologists argue that dinosaurs ruled the land for approximately 165 million years (This estimate varies among scientists.) while humans (homo sapiens) have existed a mere 300,000 years.

 

A partial view of wall within the Quarry Exhibit Hall . You are viewing the remains of original dinosaur bodies.

Wall of flowers surrounding the larger Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park in Vernal. The park is
actually a very well-done museum.

We visited this small, free museum in Vernal by accident. Besides being free, it was worth the short visit.

Recommendations

Few outside of Utah realize that dinosaurs ruled this land for over 100 million years. Most visitors think only of our famous national parks. However, if you have any interest in these ancient residences and the geographic history, I encourage you to visit Vernal and the National Dinosaur Monument and the Utah Fieldhouse of Natural History State Park. While the Monument extends into Colorado, if your time is short, a must visit is the Quarry Exhibit Hall (part of the Monument) a dozen miles outside of Vernal.

Hundreds of floral baskets in downtown Vernal

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

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Vernal is about 136 miles from my home. However, the terrain becomes more arid and
the mountains take on different shapes.

Despite the climate change there are still fertile areas assisted by irrigation and the Green River that is
a jewel to farmers and orchards,

Quotable Quotes

"Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"Don't try to change life, but change the way you look at it. Make peace with this moment, be kind and be gentle to yourself." - Ajahn Braham

“A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.” - Carly Simon

“Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another stepping stone to greatness.” - Oprah Winfrey

 

The Green River is the main water source. This picture was taken within the National Dinosaur Monument grounds.

Turtle Rock also within the Monument grounds.

A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

Wanna Dance

A rather awkward freshman finally got up the nerve to ask a pretty junior for a dance at the homecoming. She gave him the once-over and said, "Sorry, I won't dance with a child."

"Oh I'm sorry," responded the underclassman, "I didn't realize you were pregnant."

Compliment of A Joke A Day

 

Some of the rock formations within the National Dinosaur Monument are over a billion years old, the oldest known on earth.

Tai Chi Corner

An instructor workshop I attended via ZOOM. 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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"Thank you for sharing your photos of Pow Wow! It is always beautiful to see my fellow Natives in their regalia, and to see others enjoying it also. Miigwech," - Freda from Canada (Ed.: Freda has been a longtime subscriber. It is always good to hear from her.)

"Bob, I was thinking about my Onkel Hans today and how you helped me find Sandweiler so I could visit him at the mass grave site. I will forever be thankful to you." – Myra from NC (Ed.: Wonderful to hear from you again. In 2014, I published a poem in the PJ regarding the Battle of the Bulge. Included within it was a reference to the mass grave of German solders a mile down the road from the the well-kept burial grounds of the Allied troops. The content helped her find the final resting place of her uncle who perished in the battle. She sent several pictures. I have attached one of her at the grave site.)

.)

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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, September 25, 2022.

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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