Stories & Blogs
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…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…