Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 4, 2026
Between the Wet & the Dry
These are the long-awaited days of seasonal rains washing away the dust of a summer of 107’s, burning grasslands and brown without the seasonal green.
What do we do, how do we act when our spirit becomes dry, not replenished by a mentor, events, or experiences. Where do we go for help when all we know are the cracked, broken surfaces of the dry. There is a natural tendency to isolate, not leave the apartment or house to attend the book club or social connections of afternoon drinks of workplace peers.
In this season of dry, I push myself to be interested in the out there of daily life. I find energy at our Meditation group, libraries and local museums. Each give me the opportunity to create and learn from quiet breathing, images and connections that represent the vitality I miss in this season of dry. There is transforming energy in the sharing, linking with others in the simple joys of bring together.
But now, the clouds gather, bringing moisture so badly needed, so welcomed by streams, lakes, deep rooted trees and all the birds and animals, both big and small, the fast and the slow. Being wet now a blessing of the finally arriving season and the cool down of fall. This is the time of being grateful for the restoring of the physical, the spiritual, the emotional and the health of relationships. We want to go to the garden, attend an event, or walk in gentleness of a morning shower.
The Sunday’s challenge for each of us is how best to balance the rhythm and pace of both the dry and the wet. Each season brings the loud, the quiet, the calm of a sharing a book, attending a shoulder-to-shoulder service of the sacred. Together we are more than the limitations of the dry, or over-whelming puddles of the wet. This is the blending of goodwill, of the vibrancy of lives fully lived with humor and joy, whatever the season, dry or wet.
On this overcast rainy weekend, I took a look at old print photos of family and new ones on my phone. I called a recently moved workplace friend and turned pages of a well-known author that I purchased six years ago but never read. More of a catch-up than a move forward day. I consider it a perfect day for this long-awaited over-casting day of our leaky, misty skies.
Closing thought…we each respond to seasons and seasonal change differently. What are your season preferences, of weather, of choices of events and activities? Add your Comments below. We learn together.
Roy, slow walk in the light rain
This line snapped me to attention:
“Together we are more than the limitations of the dry, or over-whelming puddles of the wet.” “Together” may offer more cure for the struggles of 21st Century life than we will concede. I find myself focused on the cost my energy and effort to prepare my home for visitors. But I pay little attention to the drying and shriveling of my life isolation brings. Brenda and I enjoyed the company of two engaged young couples in our home Friday night. I spent the day cleaning and prepping food for cooking. But the laughter at the table that night made all the work a joy!
Let the joy of the young carry us forward.
And good for your for the cleaning and preparing.
Well done.
Do give some attention to both the wet and the dry of all of our lives.
Laughter and redeeming joy to all.
Roy
I love Fall when the leaves change and the miserable days of summer heat end. Those of you that have lived in Texas your whole life don’t really know what Fall is. The leaves change vibrant colors and the days start out in the 40’ and the high in the 60’. I grew up in the mid-west and I miss the Fall of my youth. I also glory in the changes here and am grateful we probably won’t see 100 again. My Mom always said, “bloom where you are planted” and that’s what I am trying to do.
You are a true bloom in our lives, and the lives of so many others……your mother;s words true and special.
Our fall leaves can depart all too quickly…..Roy
Maurine, I grew up in Tulsa. We had a short fall, but I definitely miss it here in Texas where triple digits dominate until October.
Great letter Roy,
you wrote it and Ron circled it.. Together. forget the hype and hatred and politics and prejudices… we are all in this together and can choose love over hate. cheerful over burdened. Central Oregon here and leaves turning provide magnificent colors.. has been dry and the fires were bad this year, but we welcome recent rains and prep for winter and hopefully some big snow.. I accept each day as a gift from God, to be seized and enjoyed to the fullest.. i have an friend turns 85 today. He lives alone out in the country on 25 acres.. his wife has passed, no family, few friends. We met thru meals on wheels…. i will take flowers and balloons and lunch.. we will enjoy the sunshine together and good conversation.. I have and will continue to learn from him. Thanks again Roy for this wonderful letter.. Happy Sunday to all.
No, we are not in all this together.
there are haters and dividers, kiss the ring individuals threatening we all.
Rain here all weekend. A real time blessing to trees, plants & gardens, and waterways.
Refreshing and restoring.
Glad about your presence with your alone friend. A gift indeed.
Good to read your words and thoughts…..always.
Roy
Mike….suggestion about what to write about next weeks to come?
Ears open…..Roy
Mike, thank you for working with Meals on Wheels. May the blessings you and your friend enjoy be multiplied in many more lives.
Been enjoying the the rain and the cooler temps in the changing of the seasons this morning as I sit on the porch awed by mother nature. As I listen to the gentle drops of rain gently providing the sustaining moisture for life this morning, I hear a beautiful peaceful melodic song of a bird that is sharing loving notes that are enough to not only brighten a cloudy day, but offers a message of love and peace as it shares and announces that each of us need to share our gifts of life’s treasures with one another. I have found the world to be most peaceful at this moment. Roy, thank for your skills in providing this platform to share our voices this day.
Thank you for reminding us that peacefulness in our immediate space has value. We will better carry peace (shalom) into chaos when we ground ourselves in moments in cool wet porches.