Stories & Blogs
Roy’s Sunday Letter for Nov. 13, 2022
** Luby’s Cafeteria closed. Cafeterias were a mainstay for families, elderly, and singles from 1950 – 1980. The tradition of moving a tray down a food line of limited choices lost its place to drive-thru, take out, expanded fast food menus, along with the pace of life 2022. Do you have a cafeteria memory??? Share……..
Roy’s Sunday Letter for Nov. 6, 2022
** Dave is an east coast elder and after reading my stories, he decided he had stories of his own, but how to begin? I asked Dave to list 15 significant events that have shaped his life. Narrow to 5, then to 2. Next, Dave drafted a half to three-quarter page story within 20 minutes….
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 30, 2022
* My 2nd career as writer has become my passion. I care deeply for the ever-evolving characters in my stories. Each tell their own story, face challenges, make decisions made and take steps to be their true selves. I am always interested in what character, what story finds a place within you. ** In the…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 23, 2022
SL Reader Comments – What Is Still True? The everyday joy of grandkids….Smiling at children, and their smiles back….Connecting with college and Ft. Worth friends of long ago….Page one of a wonderous book, on whatever device….Pleasure in the shape and taste of homemade pizza. Other comments: Health & wellness; Happiness of family; Tears as sons…
The What, Why, And How Of Work, 2023
My grandfather’s faded red tractor of many a plowed field and harvested crop was his office. From here he watched rain clouds, dipped snuff, and conducted the daily business of a dry land east Texas farmer. Walls, glass, door or no door offices grew from the 1960’s onward. Dustin Hoffman and Robert Redford showed us…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 16, 2022
Beginning with Visioning. An extended family was considering buying a run-down farmhouse for family outings and vacations. Several “‘saw” moving walls, opening a blocked passageway and a wrecked floor that might hold secrets. Others could not imagine the farmhouse looking different than the unpainted, dilapidated, forlorn, farmhouse. Then, they realized, at the same time, that…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 9, 2022
Can a 2012 movie Inspire? Be Charming? Show us Hope? Yes. A British curmudgeon husband, a cancer-stricken wife, a community choir of elders. Trust me that Inspire, Charming, and Hope are still true. Terence Stamp, Vanessa Redgrave. A meaningful script and story line. HBO On Demand is one source for Unfinished Song. Tell me if you…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 2, 2022
Real time TV the week that was: First, the images of grandeur, such a different background than my own, priests’ words, musical magic, and stories of the life of Queen Elizabeth. Now, before, during, and aftermath of Ian in Florida, South & North Carolina. Lives, homes and boats, dreams, pets, animals, whole neighborhoods gone, storm…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 25, 2022
Beginning Positive & Meaningful: John Cena may be known to you for “cow commercials,” movies, or WWE wrestling. You may not know John Cena has been the “face” of Make-A-Wish, fulfilling Wishes of children, making their lives better, and their days of being family fuller. Cena has fulfilled 650 children’s wishes since 2002. ** Fort…
Am I Old….Really?
We live on a block and in a neighborhood of younger individuals and families, different than our 78 and 73. We speak and wave in driveways or dog walking, as we come and go in our daily lives. I often want to ask one of the younger ones to join me on front porch or…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 8, 2024
** In Paris, Norte Dame has been fully restored from a destructive fire five years ago. Artists and craft persons used historic and new materials throughout the restoration. The language changed from artist/craft persons to Companions, expressing the ownership felt by all committed to returning Norte Dame to France and the world with awe and…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 1, 2024
The arrival of Thanksgiving and the coming Christmas season brings the mix of memories, some warm and life-giving, others more difficult. A seasonal truth, for me, would be that both seasons are best experienced and enjoyed in the company of family and friends. Receptions, open houses and dinners are opportunities to tell and listen to…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 24, 2024
For this Sunday Letter, I relied on Beth’s notebook of quotes and wisdom sayings. I wanted to shine the light on the Goodness within people and Thankfulness for their lives and teachings given to individuals and families. Sometimes their words guide us to be and serve others. Perhaps one or even three quotes and sayings…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 17, 2024
** Several writer friends encouraged me to “play with AI.” I keyed 2 lines of a high school senior invited to travel to China for a 3-month study. His strict father was defiant in his response “no, never!” Sent those lines to an AI chat. Within seconds I received a well written and clear one…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 10, 2024
** The church and leaders of faith have been an influencing part of my life from college, vocation and now in my elderhood. The church and faith centers have addressed gaps in food scarcity, racial and gender equality, the pursuit of peace among nations/cultures, and now strong divisions in our society. In my small way…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 3, 2024
** Research and tracking of an individual’s steady listening and viewing political and economic news can have a physical and emotional impact. This can, perhaps, dim someone’s sense of hope, wellness and health, no longer seeing the goodness of others or a bright future. Steady listening and viewing of hopeful, encouraging news and interviews can…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 27, 2024
** The annual State Fair of Texas is now over and with no gun shootings and death as compared to last year. The Fair banned all guns from Fair entry. The TX AG, of course, filed suit on behalf of gun advocates to allow gun entry. The AG lost his appeal. Fair goers, venders, and…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 20, 2024
** Positive news for Mother Earth. California will ban use of harmful plastic bags in 2026. Here is hoping the seals, sea turtles, birds of the air can avoid these deadly entanglements. Santa Fe banned plastic bags 10 yrs. ago. For all of us, no matter the state, bring your bags when shopping now, the…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 13, 2024
** As Hurricane Milton pushed to the Florida coast I was amazed. I watched the Tampa Zoo, Clearwater Aquarium, and others protect the birds, reptiles, the small and large animals in their care. Penguins and smaller species were crated and taken to higher, safe places. Elephants and larger animals stayed in their storm protected “homes”…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 6, 2024
** Great appreciation for the personal comments about “who makes up your Village for support, communications, and encouragement.” People shared that their Village members knew of the importance of staying in contact and how to best do that. So, one outcome of the Sunday Letter is the awareness that strengthening our person-to-person networks makes us…