Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 22, 2024
** Bonton Farms in south Dallas began as a small home garden. Today, Bonton Farms has expanded to two fully functioning farms, a market & store, and coffee shop. This neighborhood is known for being a food desert with high rates of poverty and crime. Bonton Farms now employs south Dallas residents in job training with classes in gardening, healthy foods and meaningful work. This great organization is redefining community within a community. Go to bontonfarms.org to learn, explore, and support.
- So many of my conversations are about over-coming, challenges, and restarting. This week I learned a new descriptive word, Rewild from Reteti, an indigenous elephant sanctuary in Kenya. Reteti is a home for orphaned elephants surviving harm or healing from unhealth. Reteti is teaching and supporting elephants as they leave the safety of the sanctuary to return to an open and wild 4environment. Reteti’s information at worldwildlife.org is a sponsored indigenous organization. What amazing work and so humbling!
- Sadly, we are no longer surprised to hear someone say the Holocaust, 9/11, or the historic moon walk never happened. In his book “The Death of Truth,” Stephen Brill warns against dismissing the truths that have held us together as “a matter of opinion.” And Brill also believes with growth of A1 it will only make the truth more difficult to discern.
** What would be the thing that maybe only you enjoy? For some SL readers perhaps horror movies, or maybe the sport of Cricket. For me, the enjoyment of Southern Gospel Music is over the top enjoyable! If my enjoyment is new for you, go to You Tube and give Southern Gospel Revival a listen (Moses, Take Your Shoes Off, You’re on Holy Ground or Ain’t No Grave).
- Science and technology have had a long-term commitment to increase the interest in STEM for young girls. Current research reports the interest in STEM by young girls peaks at age 11 and disappears by age 15. Renewed efforts are underway to strengthen the participation of young girls in STEM as a field of study and as a vocational choice. This makes me think of the movie “Hidden Figures” in which black women served as the brains behind astronaut John Glenn historic flight.
“Like a summer rain, humor can cleanse and cool our world, family, and ourselves.” Langston Hughes
This Sunday Beth and I will have the opportunity to meet, listen, and learn from Opal Lee, grandmother of Juneteenth. Opal lee, now 97, is a lifelong community activist and educator. She is speaking this morning at Trinity Episcopal.
Roy, respecting the aged wisdom of Opal Lee and the excitement of young girls in STEM
Back in my day at the City of Fort Worth, Opal Lee made regular appearances and comments at Community Development Council meetings, advocating for her neighborhood. What a force!
she was an early starter, modeling right causes and advocacy.
Hero time in every way………as are you dear driend.
I loved “Hidden Figures” one of the best movies I have ever seen. Girls, young and old women deserve respect , higher pay. Encouragement and love. Everyone needs to join in.
yes, be an active part of the story to recognize the limitations placed upon others…..act…..make a difference.
And you, and your UCC peers do so every week thru the Chrildren’s Closet…….
I enjoy savoring the early morning, greeting and appreciating my HUGE Pinon Pine tree where the Pinon Jays had a month-long gathering in the Spring. My dogs lay at my feet, and the very important black cat who adopted you and Beth, sits in my lap. I cherish the sky and the clouds. X/O
and memories of all arounf this morning blesses us all……images of dauly life not known by many in this more urban world of DFW.
good aM discussion on zoom and water and the endless watering of TX
We care about concrete here…..not water or your grace of images and memory.