Stories & Blogs

Roy’s Sunday Letter, June 26, 2022

* James Patterson  and Dolly Parton have partnered on a book.  Run, Rose, Run. Dolly is an amazing achiever, songwriter, philanthropist…a hero to us all….& more.      ** For my adult life I watched Mark Shields. PBS News Hour, CNN.  HIs recent death at 85, brought forth comments Mark would appreciate:. Generosity of spirit….Irrepressible humor….Could spot…

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Resilience

In 2005, the storm surge of Katrina over-whelmed planned protections and levies, leaving New Orleans a city underwater with residents stranded on roofs, homes, jobs… a city destroyed. The New Orleans Jazz Festival is an annual international event of music, food, and culture. In 2006, the artists, sponsors, and festival planners decided to at least…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter, June 19, 2022

     ** Do you love the printed page (or did before ebooks)?? “Hello, Bookstore” is an intimate documentary of the now aging owner of his beloved bookstore, and his supporters in Lenox, Mass.  Matt Tannenbaum is the town’s bookseller, through the Pandemic, the economy slowing, and growth of Amazon and digital/audio books.YouTube has trailers and…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter, June 12, 2022

* First encouraging and celebrative news: Diebeda Francis Kere  has been awarded the Pritzker Prize as Architect of the Year for 2022 Born in an African village  with no school, Kere’s determined way carried him through education to become an Architect His education and public place design are astounding, pleasing, functional, and magical. Find him…

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Why Do I Write?

As a writer of elder age, I am asked why I write stories. My desire is to Engage, I am Interested in how we/I meet and work through life’s challenges. I write from life events I have witnessed or from my “what if” idea bag. What if a shopping center Santa Claus, due to alcohol, was not allowed to…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter, June 5, 2022

* Beth has taught art to African American elders at Como Community Center for 9 months, volunteering each Wednesday. On Saturday, the Center hosted an all Art Day. Various artists, vendors, and classes were held. The elders had their own Art Show displaying their own art. Each elder was proud of their progress, working in…

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Roy The Elder

Perhaps we all have that one morning or afternoon that has remained with us over decades,  still guiding us even today. Mine was the spring of 1970, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Dr. Sam Samford had finished his class notes when he looked down, was silent. Quietly, in the way of older Southern men, said,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 8, 2026

My intent was to write about grandparents and grandchildren this Sunday. The national, state, and local elections, those who made us Dream, Hope, and Act have defined the week for me, for all of us. Grandparents and grandchildren next Sunday. Dreamers, Heroes, and Those Who Acted on their Dreams When I graduated, 1968, I was…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for November 1, 2026

Friends And Friendship My boyhood friendships began on the playground and the playing of games. These initial friendships began mostly with boys, formed through clubs, hobbies, sharing the secrets of youth, and growing up together in a slower, safer time. Through my school years, it was these broadening friendships that taught me about resolving conflicts,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 25, 2026

A favorite song of Merle Haggard was “My Favorite Memory.” A song of the memory of good times and long-time love. What would be one of your favorite memories of places, family, friends, and events? We also learn from memories that may be painful. This Sunday Letter is about our short-term and long-term memories, which…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 18, 2026

The millions of prayers for Pope Leo and his surgery, along with the Bend school shooting and the too familiar gathering of parents and children asking for prayers, brought forward thoughts of Prayers and Praying for this Sunday Letter. Prayer as an Individual, Family, Community Ritual and Practice For many, prayers are about strengthening heart…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for October 11, 2026

A Sunday Letter reader suggested, I find a way to address death. I chose a story to present the experience and response to the death of a friend or family member, whatever the age or life stage. Leave your Comment following the story. By your sharing, we learn together. Talking To Dirt Charley and Mattie…

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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…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 27, 2026

The First of Everything I had given thought to writing about the “what was” of a youth baseball glove and garage golf clubs. However, Sunday readers enjoyed a recent Sunday Fiction, so I offer a second story for your enjoyment as we learn and share the challenges and joys of daily life. Ellie burst through…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 20, 2026

Noble Truths & Sunday Life Lessons Buddhist, Hindu, Christian and Jewish practices share the common heritage of Noble Truths and Wisdom Sayings. I have been fortunate to read, listen and learn over a lifetime. I have gathered an informal backpack of truths, not Noble Truths, but representing what I have seen and believe to be…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 13, 2026

Something new, different this Sunday. I am sending forth a writing about a sister, a dog, and an unexpected, surprising part of life. Again new, different, a try out…let me know if this works or does not work for you. Henri, Not My Dog I stared at my sister’s coffin…it just can’t be. When I…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 6, 2026

Living Beyond Our Heroes The recent deaths of Dolly Parton (80) and Wendell Berry (92) have given me a reflective pause and also inspired me to write about Heroes this Sunday. Dolly gave of her talents, loving heart, and economy capacity to make life better for individuals, families, here in America and to international cultures…

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