Pictorially, we return to my home state of Ohio.

Poetical Journal ©by Bob Casey

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Mission: To provide poetical and thoughtful comments on life

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VOLUME XXIII – Issue 5: Sunday, June 25, 2023 (262nd 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 July 30, 2023.

In early June, I had a tai chi conference at Mt. Saint Joseph University in Cincinnati. Much to our surprise the GPS took uson a unique route from the Cincy Airport (located in Kentucky) to our destination. It guided us to a small ferry which crossed the Ohio River, saving us 30 minutes of heavy traffic. We loved the experience.

...Opening Comments from Bob

This Issue: The pictorial section of the issue focuses on our return visit to Ohio. We again enjoyed the beauty of Kingwood Gardens in Mansfield. An added treat was the Lego displays amidst the floral ones. We also spent a day along Lake Erie and visited Johnston Island, a Confederate prison camp during the Civil War. Part of the day was spent in the artistic community of Yellow Springs where we visited friends Jim and Bonnie. There are three new poems, A Tea Lesson, Birthday 79, and Salt Lake City Airport.

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 issue comes out on Sunday, July 30, 2023.

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PLEASE! Supporting the efforts of the Poetical Journal is greatly appreciated! Any amount of donation is welcomed. To support, click here.

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A fun place to visit and shop. The city was originally known as the home of Antioch College until it closed.
However, through the efforts to alumni it has since reopened.

All the floral and Lego displays in this issue were taken at Kingwood Gardens.


Three Poems

Comment: Though I enjoy a good cup of tea, this poem speaks to a much deeper topic.

Comment: As announced last month I celebrated my birthday. It is always a time of reflection
for me.

Comment: The long awaited new SLC airport is open. However, many complain about the long walks
to the gates. It will be several years before the shuttle is done.

Over 39,000 Legos used requiring over 425 hours to build.

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Recommendation

Every time I go back to Ohio, I try to dine at Jolly Roger's Seafood House in Port Clinton (on the shores of Lake Erie). It is a perch lover's dream. Like everywhere, the prices have gone up but definitely worth the treat.

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

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The gardens also have live peacocks. Over 68,000 Legos used to create this piece.

Close to 38,000 Legos used.

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Quotable Quotes

"Mastering others is strength . Mastering yourself is true power." - Lao Tzu

"The path up and down is the same." - Heraclitus

“Don't be satisfied with stories of how things have gone with others. Unfold your own myths." - Rumi

""We may encounter many defeats but we must not be defeated." - Maya Angelou

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A Bit of Humor

A bit of laughter is healthy for the soul

I am her brother.

At a girl's college dormitory, dates were permitted only on Saturday night. One young man showed up on a Tuesday evening, explaining to an older woman in the lobby of the dorm that it was imperative he see a certain young lady immediately.

"I want to surprise her. You see, I'm her brother."

"Oh, she'll be surprised all right," said the woman. "But think of how surprised I am, I'm her mother!"

Compliment of A Joke A Day

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The original mansion is in the background.

 

Vignette this Month

Johnson's Island, Lake Erie

 

(I wrote a vignette about Johnston Island many years ago but thought you might enjoy reading about it again.)

"It is a 300-acre island in Sandusky Bay, located on the coast of Lake Erie, 3 miles from the city of Sandusky, Ohio. It was the site of a prisoner-of-war camp for Confederate officers captured during the American Civil War. Initially, Johnson's Island was the only Union prison exclusively for Confederate officers but eventually held privates, political prisoners, persons sentenced to court martial and spies. Civilians who were arrested as guerrillas, or bushwhackers, were also imprisoned on the island. During its three years of operation, more than 15,000 men were incarcerated there. About 200 prisoners died as a result of the harsh Ohio winters, food and fuel shortages, and disease. Johnson's Island had one of the lowest mortality rates of any Civil War prison. Confederates made many escape attempts, including efforts by some to walk across the frozen Lake Erie to freedom in Canada." Excerpted from Wikipedia (Top picture: some of the grave sites for prisoners who died there.

An interesting piece of lore follows the history of this Confederate prison camp. It is the only one where a baby was born. One of the Confederate prisoners was a female who had disguised herself as a male and enlisted. Supposedly, one of the guards discovered the ruse, and they fell in love. The prisoner later became pregnant and a baby was born while the woman was incarcerated. After the war, the family remained together.

Today, besides the memorial, the small island hosts many multi-million dollar homes plus the yachts that are often docked in front of the homes. (Pictured is one of the less extravagant mansions.)

 

 

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Tai Chi Corner

Recently certified new Utah tai chi trainers (To my lf. is my wife
Janice who assisted and to my rt. is Master Trainer Patricia Lawson,
workshop leader.

Click here to locate the name of a tai chi instructor near you, or contact me directly.

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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"I loved the journey that you shared this month! What a wonderful piece of this Earth that we all were able to enjoy! Thank you, Bob! Your poems in this issue truly touched my soul. What poignant messages were given in the sharing of your creation. All is unfolding in order in my life, as Spring on the South West Coast of Canada is in full display. . . best wishes to you, Jan, and your family, Bob! And gratitude for the two decades of being connected through your Poetical Journeys each month." – Steffanie from Vancouver (Ed.: Thank you so much for your kind comments. I can't believe that it has been twenty years since you first subscribed. Continue to enjoy life!)

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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, July 30, 2023.

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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