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…

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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…

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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…

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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,…

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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….

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 18,2024

** Beth provided wonderful Valentines by creating individual cards for the elders (she often says… she is one also) art group she teaches each Wednesday, staff and volunteers at Project 4031, friends in our meditation group and mailings to friends both near and far. Each Valentine made with caring hands using materials collected over 35…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter fot February 11, 2024

** In a recent Fiction read, a man in his 60’s is asked. “Are you happy?” He did not directly answer but talked of a life of purpose, of achievements and fulfillment. The man was asked a second time, “Yes, all that is good, but are you happy?” I remembered Robert Green Ingersoll’s better answer….

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for February 4, 2024

** Brain research confirms handwriting with pen and paper engages the brain in positive ways a keyboard does not match the criteria. So, handwriting journals, notes, and letters are exercising your brain. Hallelujah, Write on! ** From CNN’s Good Stuff: “Resist the lie that violence and destruction are inevitable, that this way is the way…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 28, 2024

** Beth made creative and beautiful Valentine cards with a friend yesterday. My marvelous and beautiful Beth has been making Valentines with friends for 35 years. Her passion is a Blessing for me. Today, I want to reflect on BEING. On Being Fearful: Yes, there is danger in the shouting, yelling, blaming, and shaming of…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 21, 2023

** Robin Sharma, a Facebook post, in her book “5 AM Club” describes how to do a 20 minute exercise…20 minutes reflection and 20 minutes of learning all complete by 6:00 a.m. What would be the 20…20…20 in your club? Consistency and routine can produce the results important to us all. ** Due to weather,…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 14, 2024

Sometimes in the Sunday Letter, I attempt something new and different. I will be adding some questions to my ponderings. My questions will be about paying attention, encouraging moments of reflection in the midst of your days and week. ** Based upon 2023 and as you now enter 2024, do you feel more engaged in…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for January 7, 2024

** 80 years ago, a white racist mob destroyed the Ft. Worth family home of Opel Lee. Her parents worked hard and long to purchase their first home on Annie Street. The angry “neighbors” threw out their furnishings, burning their home to the ground, with police nearby. Opel Lee, now 97, is the “Grandmother of…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 31, 2023

A troubled but determined 2023 has moved aside for the fresh eyes, heart, and blank pages of 2024. What projects, tasks, and responsibilities of 2023 have you decided to continue into 2024? Are there projects, tasks, and responsibilities you have decided, for whatever reasons, you will leave behind, not continue? At a time today, or…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 24, 2023

** This is a Christmas Eve morning, Sunday Letter. Perhaps you, your family and friends have attended a concert, an earlier worship service, or an evening of food and catch-up with those who flew or drove to be with you, or you with them. The weeks of Christmas ask us to pay attention, be kind…

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Roy’s Sunday Letter for December 17, 2023

This mid-month Sunday Letter is intended to Encourage and provide Support for all readers as we turn the pages of 2023 to the fresh challenges and possibilities of 2024. ** It is my hope you will begin 2024 with renewed energy and belief in all that is possible for you. We do this best when…

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