Stories & Blogs

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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Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 30, 2026

Beginnings and Continuings Beginnings: What have you begun in 2026 or have considered beginning? What interests your current focus and energy? There is a tendency, especially as we age, to lessen or embrace of the new or different. A new adventure, cause, music or craft provides an uplift of our eyes, energy and spirit. In…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 23, 2026

The Small & The Big Of Life It is not always the large and big in life that makes a difference. In golf, it is not the 300-yard drive but the 70-yard wedge to the pin that creates birdies and lower scores. And speaking of birds, we have Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Woodpeckers. The come…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 7, 2024

** Sunday Letter readers live coast to coast. Each of you bring a unique perspective and background to your comments and email follow-ups. One observant reader responded via email: “There are Land people and there are Ocean people.” It seems to me that Ocean people see different colors of green, brown, ocean and sky blues,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 30, 2024

Nature report from Pershing: Our street is blessed with an abundance of trees, and birds. Two Common Flicker Woodpeckers come daily to the suet basket on our front yard Red Oak. A Red Headed Woodpecker, my first, is finding food in our neighbor’s large but aging tree…Stunning! A neighbor joined us in taking down their…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for Jun3 23, 2024

I am writing about fathers for a 3rd Sunday, as I have truly reflected on your comments. Many readers wrote about the teachings, love, and importance of fathers. I was also taken by readers comments about the missing of a father due to an early death, divorce, or addictions. This missing was supported by the…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 16, 2024

** Father’s Day is an opportunity for memories and connecting in meaningful ways between daughters, sons, wives and dads. Sometimes, we honor our dads for all they do or accomplish as well as, and especially, strengthening the family. It is even more important to honor our dads for who they are and are still becoming….

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 9, 2024

Sunday, June 16, is Father’s Day. I am posting a Father’s Day thought, early, to promote connections within a family, a call, maybe sharing food and a memory or two. If not near, slow mail a personal note. Mostly, pay attention and allow a special weekend to not slip past. We may go to the…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 2, 2024

A calendar turned my page to 80 on Friday. Grateful for Beth’s grace, memories, the giving of herself with others by her caring, art, and meditations. Alongside photos of younger days, I am curious about my tomorrows. I know I/we are not through. Our determined efforts today are focused on eating better environmentally friendly foods,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 26, 2024

** In his 500-page print book “UNDO IT,” Dean Ornish, MD, summarizes his Lifestyle Medicine Plan this way: 1) A whole foods, plant-based diet 2) Moderate exercise including flexibility, walking, & strengthening 3) Stress management including meditation, Tai Chi, pauses, and 4) Social connections and support, and healthy relationships. Ornish believes Lifestyle Medicine is less…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for May 19, 2024

Last week the most responses and comments resulted from the concept of Pocket Forests. I learned that many of us do have Pockets of joy…maybe in the garden, a nature walks and lunches with family and friends. Maybe the next time I reach into my pocket for my keys, I will remember to include a…

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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…

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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…

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