Stories & Blogs
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 31, 2025
A LIFETIME OF MUSIC SHAPING and HELPING US GROW UP Music of my growing up years came to me through the social injustice, national protests, marches and all led by the televised forever images, sounds, and words of Pete Seeger, Odetta, Peter, Paul, & Mary, and Joan Baez. The home and car radio were always…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 24, 2025
CROSSES AND CRIFIXICS OF FAITH I received my first cross from a graduating seminary friend in 1969. Beth added her own crosses as we married and purchased our first home. Through travel, art fairs and conferences we have added diverse crosses of wood, metal, New Mexico mortar and wire. Crosses and crucifixes are worn as…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 17, 2025
ARE INSPIRING PERSONS AND CAUSES STILL IMPORTANT TO TOU, YOUR FAMILY, OUR COUNTRY? The ongoing daily news/events of local, national and the wider world can drain energy or a sense of wonder for a better tomorrow. For all of that to not be my only reality, I choose to filter and search for the balancing…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 10, 2025
WAYS YOU CAN AND WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE WITH OTHERS, AND PERHAPS THE WIDER WORLD My world, your world, is a fast-moving, ever-changing collection of stories, decisions, and events. And yet, many of us want to find an edge or small ways we can and will improve living or working conditions of other persons, animals,…
Roy’s Sunday Letter fot August 3, 2025
One of Fifty Two It has been a long time since I have written something with a due date. I usually dreaded writing assignment as a student and would often wait till the last minute to complete the assignment. This opportunity has taken me on an adventure, and it all began with our dog, Jazz….
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 27, 2025
BODY MIND & SOUL The personal and professional training I received placed an emphasis on strengthening the connection between the body – mind -soul. Each one of us has positive individual characteristics. It is when we have a lifestyle of all three, balanced and coordinated, we are at our most healthy and well selves. And…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 20, 2025
FINDING OUR BEST, MOST ENJOYABLE WAY Beth and I had a delightful day trip to Granbury with our dear friend Elizabeth (101 years young). We had not been to Granbury in 35+ years. We found the small shops around the courthouse square flourishing and representing the culture of Granbury in the best of ways. We…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 13, 2025
HEALING STORIES IN TROUBLED TIMES Recently PBS and local KERA filmed an Arts & Culture series by bringing together Santa Fe high school students, from area schools. Each were asked to write about themselves or a news topic. The students then shared their writing with another student. These Santa Fe students took the risk of…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 6, 2025
SMALL PATCHES BECOME A QUILT Beth and I recently experienced something wonderful, exciting, and yes, even inspirational. Eight of “We” mid-age, elder age individuals who gathered weekly to meditate, were joined by forty middle and high school Black teen girls who were at the church for a day camp. Diane talked with the girls about…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for June 29, 2025
READER SUGGTSIONS OF TOPICS AND AREAS OF INTEREST Last week, I asked readers of the Sunday Letter to suggest topics and areas of interest. I received wonderful suggestions and challenges to include in this week’s Sunday Letter. Jerry E. and Marcia would like to know what books, magazines, or podcasts you read or listened to…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 15, 2024
I would like to encourage you as a Sunday Letter reader to use the Comment box at end of each Sunday Letter. All that is needed is name, email and touch the Submit button. I truly look forward to reading them and respond to every Comment. Your Comments guide me in selecting topics and my…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 8, 2024
** My Santa Fe friend, Roger, introduced me to the important role of Creating an Experience. The Experience could be in car shopping, at Costco or the fast-growing local taco shop. Yet, the rapid expansion of parking reserved for Curbside Pick-up, Uber Eats, along with zooming, ATM and fast-food lanes, limits our experience of each…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for September 1, 2024
** A true American hero, Senator John Lewis, now has a bronze 12′ statue in front of the county courthouse in Decatur, Georgia. The statue of Senator Lewis replaces a monument to the Confederacy that had stood for 100 years. Younger SL readers may not know the heritage and role of Senator Lewis in making…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 25, 2024
** Habitat For Humanity (Ft. Worth) has city approval to construct a “tiny house community” for seniors. Habitat will build 31 one-bedroom homes of 465 sq. feet and 8 two-bedroom homes of 835 sq. feet, along with a pavilion, pond, and walking trails. Any future sell by a homeowner will have to meet age and…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 18, 2024
** CNN’s Good Stuff brings us inspiration and encouragement. In Gothenburg, Sweden, an orchestra has come together involving 300 players with different backgrounds, languages, voices, and musical talent, including Ron Davis, conductor. Members are refugees, immigrants, and others searching for a safe place to live, play and be a part of something special, thus, The…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 11, 2024
“ Opinions do not strengthen connections; Opinions do not carry the power to heal divisions nor hearts. The sharing of our Stories is how we connect; by listening to the stories of others, and telling our own story, divisions are healed, as are our hearts.” Roy Bowen – 2024 ** Multiple internet sites provide reasons…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for August 4, 2024
** The word Community has been heard often this week. The Paris Olympics have encouraged Community across borders, language, and teams to form International Communities. Toyota ads promote joining the “Toyota Community.” The rapid growth of online global Communities provides everyone, whether urban or rural, a way and place to belong. My heritage and understanding…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 28, 2024
Last week’s Sunday Letter described the importance of uniforms to student for improving academic achievement and consistent attendance. I have now learned the members of our local University Christian Church, provided 6,897 shirts, jeans, and shorts to Fort Worth girls and boys during the 2023-24 school year. I am sure UCC would welcome your contribution…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 21, 2024
** Each Monday, I begin with a blank pad of paper following the sending forth of the Sunday Letter. The process seems to include notes on a news item, a quote on keeping the seams together of society, climate, faith and perhaps a personal sharing begins the slow move from pad to screen. When the…
Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 14, 2024
** As you know, Public Libraries have always been my safe place. My mother took me to the Fort Worth library for my 1st library card when I was 7 or 8. The library encouraged me to be curious, to explore and to learn. In 2024, (rural and urban) libraries are still community hubs for…