Stories & Blogs
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 March 3,2024
** Today, from 5:00 to 6:30, Lanterns on the Trail, an event of remembering loved ones and those we honor will be held at Fort Worth’s newest conference and retreat center, The Keith House. Music, readings from wise women and men, lighted lantern sacks are all part of this first year event in support of…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 25, 2024
** Sunday afternoon, March 3, from 5:00 to 6:30 (come & go) you are invited to come by “Lanterns on the Trail,” an event to honor and remember those we hold dear. Lantern sacks, music (bag pipe, acoustic guitar, Native American flute), wisdom readings from diverse writers and cultures, and more. The Keith House is…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 2, 2025
BEING A SENIOR IN 2025 AMERICA I recently completed a story of seniors having lunch at separate tables at Mary’s Grill. Tables were needed to serve waiting families, friends, and office workers. The seniors order lunch Specials and leave small, if any tips. Since Mary’s is a friendly place, for several seniors it is not…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 26, 2025
Friends and friendship join Joy, Kindness, and Peaceful Living on life’s wheel. As I talk with and meet people or on a social platform, I listen to the challenges of making new friends, going deeper with a current friendship, or losing friends through aging, health, or relocation. There is a touch of spirits unique to…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 19, 2025
I began, we began, seeing video of the Pacific Palisades hillside fire and the push of Santa Ana winds on January 7. Today, 12,000 homes have burned with thousands displaced and at-risk for dreams, hopes, and memories to be lost somewhere in the sudden need to flee. Some with a “Go Bag,” others only a…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 12, 2025
INSIGHT ON WRITING PRAYERS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY Prayers and Other Notes: There are two mentors I consider personal heroes. The first, my grandfather, who left his east Texas tractor each Friday afternoon then entering a small hut on the side of the barn. He would use two stiff fingers from repairing too many…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 5, 2025
Thoughts on Mentors and Mentoring Most of us, whatever age, gender, and background, have become who we are through family, education, and life experiences. In addition, many of us have received guidance and support from one or more mentors. And now, perhaps from our own experiences and elderhood, we can provide the “pay it forward”…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 29, 2024
Reflections – Calendars & Seasons of the Year Most of us look at our calendars often, whether iPad, laptop, watch, or one of the traditional paper calendars. Calendars add details to our comings and goings of dates, times, events, and people. My paper calendar helps my elder memory with notes of birthdays, phone numbers, anniversaries…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 22, 2024
REFLECTIONS – CHRISTMAS 2024 Most of us live days somewhere between the inspiring restoration of the Norte Dame Cathedral and the heritage story of the birth of a child, a humble manger in a faraway village, pilgrim parents, and travel weary shepherds. In the midst of the annual seasonal blur, we each have an opportunity…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 15, 2024
** The numbers and the reasons for the decline in church attendance are well documented. Although the percentage of Americans who have de-churched has grown, the desire of the American public to find and experience a church like community has also grown. These new assemblies and communities tend to be cause centered, with a focus…
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…