Stories & Blogs
Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 12, 2024
** White bison calves are rare, 1 in 10 million. Two white bison calves were recently birthed, one in Kansas and one in Texas. Lakota and other native tribes see the white bison as a sign of better times to come, of hope for improved relationships with Mother Earth for all of us, and the…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 5, 2024
** The Jerusalem Youth Chorus was formed in 2012, with youth from East and West Jerusalem. Youth of Jewish, Muslem and Christain, representing both Palestine and Israel all together in one choir. The mission and purpose of the chorus is to promote dialogue and mutual understanding through music. An additional benefit is the entertaining and…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 28,2024
** Monday was Earth Day; HBO gave us the documentary “Trees and Other Entanglements” (1hr. 22 minutes). This film shows our sad, poor treatment of trees as a product, and today’s partnership respecting and valuing trees. Trees play an essential role in cooling and protecting our climate. The HBO documentary teaches, encourages me to take…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 21, 2024
**A SL reader recommended the Homeless Soccer World Cup, and the Cup inspired Netflix film “The Beautiful Game,” with British actor Bill Nighy is England’s team coach. The Homeless World Cup was first held in Graz, Austria in 2003. The 2024 Cup will be in Seoul, South Korea with 68 member countries. Soccer is played…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for April 14, 2024
** Millions in the US, and around the world, viewed Monday’s Eclipse either through approved eye wear, television or other safe ways. The anticipation of the sun’s eclipse grew from cities gatherings from to the south the to north. Children, families, and seniors rose, shouted, were silent and as the four minutes of darkness passed…
Roy’s Subday Letter for April, 7, 2024
** This week my thoughts were on those around me who seem to primarily see events and interactions with others as a transaction. I also know people who primarily see events and interactions as relational. The results can be positive by accepting the strengths of both or perhaps, help us understand when events and interactions…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 31,2024
** Today is Easter Sunday, as one writer said, “Three Days That Changed the World.” This week has been tragic: A school bus was hit by a concrete mixer causing a rollover with death and multiple injuries; Russians who came for an evening of music murdered; a cargo ship destroying a city’s lifeline and deaths…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 24, 2024
** A character in current Fiction read says, “I want to restore order and bring about harmony.” Our current elected “leaders” are loud and proud about restoring order at the Texas border. The grab for power and order results in disharmony, separation and division. If an elected official proclaimed harmony as their message what might…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 17, 2024
** March is National Women’s Month. Opel Lee’s, now 97 and grandmother of Juneteenth, has her portrait placed in National Gallery of the Smithsonian. Her portrait was prepared by Cedrick Huckaby, a Texas and nationally acclaimed artist. A high honor for women and Opel Lee. ** In my 1960’s younger days a popular song said…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for March 10, 2024
** Lanterns On the Trail, was held on Sunday, March 3rd. For a 1st time event, we placed 150+ Lanterns sacks to honor and remember each person we hold dear. Registrations were received from many who could not attend, coast to coast. A wonderful “Lady” Bagpipe player opened and closed this special time. Inside the…
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…