Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 23, 2023
- Recommend Netflix’s 2-hour documentary on Leonard Cohen as it is a good use of time. Internationally acclaimed for writing and performing his song “Hallelujah,” Cohen as I learned was broader, deeper, funnier, wiser than this one song. It took him seven years to write and thus it became a soul song. “Hallelujah” has been performed by many artists, in many languages. We hope you will watch, learn and enjoy.
** We all know the value and contribution of “Assistance Dogs” that they provide to individuals with physical and emotional needs, disaster search/rescue, victims of crime and really anything they can do for their humans. Something new to me…one of the long-term care facilities here, in Fort Worth has an “Assistance Bunny.” Hallway to hallway, room to room, resident to resident hop, hop, hoppity hop bringing softness and love. We are all better because of amazing animals.
- In her book Traveling Mercies, Anne Lamott writes “As we jump into the darkness of the unknown, faith lets us believe we will either land on solid ground or we will be taught how to fly.” One more spiritual truth: “Even when we are sure love cannot conquer all, it seems to anyway.”
** Lawrence Taylor, quarter-back in the NFL, is holding out for a salary for one season of 45 million dollars, 170 million over four years. Yes, our society does struggle with balance, equity, and fairness. 45 million for one season, no matter the salaries of other players or profits of NFL owners, illustrates the separations and widening gaps of those who have, and those who never will have.
- Encouraging Comments this week about my return to golf. I did go to the range, hit balls, attempted old swings that might work, and then to the practice green to chip and putt. There is a memory chip somewhere – still hoping to stumble over it. I am encouraged!
** My latest short writing is titled “Buster 2.” A daughter slips in her dad’s home to bring him a puppy, not well received by the dad. Both his wife and their elder dog died in the past year. He has slowed down with sadness and grief. The daughter slipped back out the same door. What does dad do with his gifted puppy? That’s the story.
- The news of shootings, tornado destructions, and ongoing blaming, shaming can be over-whelming. I have begun an early morning Face Book writing, Monday – Friday. Topics so far: Affirmations – Encouragement – Admiring – Patience – Tolerance. Do you have a word to suggest? I will be writing again Monday morning….”Likes” are helpful in the world of Face Book.
Somehow January 2023 has become April. I do hope your spring is springing forth with good energy, connections with others and your family leaning forward into your future with health and wellness.
Roy, with my own springing forth of faith, hope and energy! Blessings always!
Re: There is a memory chip somewhere –…
There are times I feel I have a 16 bit processor in a multi-gig world. Swing, chip and putt old school Roy!
movng slow in a fast, faster world is a good pace. i noticed faces and events fast, faster may and do miss. besides, this is a fast as I can move……….
Good morning Roy and thanks much for the letter and thoughts this am.. I am greatly applauding your cautious and apparently determined return to swing, chip and putt!!
additional word topics: determination, devotion, faith…… I don’t faceplate(book), is there another way to access these topic writings?
I have wondered for years how CEO’s and corporations are targeted for enormous profits, yet pro athletes seem to remain under the radar when the ” how much is enough”, discussion arises. I believe in capitalism and free markets. However, 170 million a year does knock at the door for discussion. The slippery slope concern applies.. if you tell a quarterback how much he can make, next they’ll be telling how much we can charge to dig a post hole…… thanks much for throwing this topic up on the chalkboard.. happy Sunday to all.. keep writing Roy!! md
the 170 is for 4 yrs, not easy to accept still
tis a fast, faster world of complexity
i can call for accountability (salaries) without having to solve it …. and I do call out the absurd and the stupid and the insulting
we cannot build a society on greed and stupid……
thanks for the correction… math & numbers before coffee in the am a dangerous recipe.. our society has been built on some greed and stupid and often times disappoints.. thanks for focusing on this issue.
Adding a word. ‘Praise’
Glad you made the first swing to re-enter golf.
Before we came to Durham and Duke, we were in Blackstone Virginia. The church gave us golf privileges, however we were not ‘allowed’ in the Country Club. I began playing and eventually won the women’s tournament.
wow, the artist, golfer you
did not know that backgroud and success
not allowed in the club house? change shoes in the parking lot……a power and control kind of deal (whats not?)
drizzle this am in FW
somber sky, all grey above
thinking of how words, canvas, and dance flow together on one stage
Praise a wonderful word…you will see Praise one morning in the week to come
We could go in the golf shop. If we were to go in the club, we might see folks drinking alcohol. Folks there were flying confederate flags. After being there a few months we discovered that the previous pastor killed himself in the parsonage. It was a very tough couple of years.
Suicide death in your “home.” Board many times keep family secrets safe, away from others.
Golf….Drinking???? Never heard of that one……except for all the drunk golfers I was around growing up.
glad to say I am not one, then or now.
Continue on….create your future in the best of ways
Add the word FORGIVENESS
Yes on Forvieness. I also like the word Allowing….who we allow in and who exclude define who we are now and in the future. We wish you and family the very best this holiday season…..and thanks for reading my Sunday Letter. Roy and Beth
Your comment on Assistance Dogs reminds me of the young dog I gave my “elderly” parents. Their agonizing response was “why in the world would you think we wanted a dog?”
One Christmas, about 1979, I had the bright idea to gift my parents Parakeets.
I got page at Pier One. Parakeets somewhere.
So, I brought the cage and gifts in with great delight
My parents looked at each other
My parents looked at me
Later my parent left without birds and cage
I had those damn Parakeet like forever!!!
Great thoughts for this rainy, Sunday morning. Add “truth” to your word list. We will be watching the Netflix documentary on Cohen and report back to you. Thanks for the recommendation. Have a great week!
Monday the word will Forgiveness (multiple suggestions)
Truth on the list
No rain Sunday afternoon. Cool indeed.
Lean back afternoon.
Beth cutting out 100 squares to lead a children’s art afternoon at community school.
Truth added to the list
Truth comes and goes so fast, zipping by, replaced in 4 seconds.
Mike Pence said the young Black youth shot at the door is “result of high crime.”
Truth will be one of the hard words to communicate…..and Iwill do so.
Best to you both…2 wonerful friends
Adding HOPE to you list of words. I cannot go on FB any more as I deleted my account when Zuckerberg went on his Avatar Glasses expedition, saying we’d all be living virtual realities. It was tough to delete as it kept trying to get me to renege. I did not. So now, if I try for a new account it tells me I violated it’s Social Media guidelines and am not allowed. i consider that very noteworthy — HOPE.
Love you so much; and remember the muscles have memories—-ask them to remember your scratch golf game.
But,what about the rabbit?????
A “Last Wish” from one of the families was to pat a Kangaroo.
Guess what….the team made that happen.
The good news of golf is I have no ego involved.
I have two goals: 1) hear the click of ball on club
2) don’t fall over
A full bucket of blessings your way……..always
Forgiveness will be Monday word. Hope later in the week. Hope is a restoring, empowering word.
But, what about the rabbit?????
My SL readers seem to like the daily word thought…..me to.
Add FORGIVENESS
Forgiveness has been on my word list. Check FBook Monday morning, Forgiveness will be there. Thank you for the good suggestion.
3 yrs now; forget the first two, Covid.
We be well…..and you???
you will find Forgiveness Monday morning on FBook page. Numerous requests to do so. Good suggestion on your part.
We are here 3 yrs now. The first two, Covid, don’t count. We be well. Involved finally.
And you and family???
Update on the CCA in Santa Fe: the grass roots effort to raise funds was a success and CCA has decided to keep the alternative movie house going. They will share their exhibit space with other organizations and hope that it will be self-sustaining.
Words, from today’s Gospel: They stood still (on the road to Emmaus). It is important in this fast paced, busy, digital, virtual, polarized world to ‘stand still’ and know/feel that beyond and within all of that, the Divine is always present beyond and within ourselves.
Keep swinging, though the chip is thin, the memories are deep. Blessings.
Stillness thought of unAmerican, unproductive. Tis part of the reason Americans are so manic, faster/faster, dashing from here to there, sometimes with purpose, often not.
At Trinity Episcopel, FW, 10:45 guest hour on the heritage and sounds of Black Sacred Music; at noon our friend Paul and Bluegrass band led the service, mixing traditional readings and Bluegrass, ending with Will The Circle Be Unbroken WEll done in both hours.
Nobody plays Navy Golf as good as a drunken sailor – you know, side to side.
Beyond my experience
We hope you be well, with health good.
See my FBook today, 4/24 on Forgiveness.
Best your way and thanks for reading my SLetter.