Talya Tate Boerner's Blog, page 4

October Sunday Letter

Welcome to October, friends! With a new month comes today’s October Sunday Letter, one devoted to my adoration of October. Don’t you just love October with it’s sweet light and falling leaves? Soon the temperatures may even cool (or so the weatherman says). ‘Tis the season of harvest on the farm, baking in my kitchen, and all things pumpkin.

Who’s ready? 

Bring on the Pumpkins!

In my version of Heaven, leaves on the trees will be the brilliant colors of fall, and the Garden of Eden will includ...

There’s Nothing Common about the Common Buttonbush

I’ve been enamored with the Common Buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) since I first noticed it growing wild along the shoreline of Lake Norfork. Even when I knew nothing about this plant, it’s fragrant pom-pom flowers fascinated me. Seriously, I love any plant that looks Dr. Seuss-inspired.

Now that I understand its importance to wildlife, I’m one of its biggest cheerleaders.

One thing that makes the buttonbush unique is its love of water. This particular plant thrives in marshes, bogs, alo...

September Sunday Letter

Hello friends! I’m baaaack with a September Sunday Letter.

Can you believe September is here? Even though the afternoons are still HOT and HUMID, I find relief in knowing the calendar has flipped from August.

Since I was a kid I always considered September to be the beginning of change because it was back to school time. Now, even though I no longer attend school, I still see September the same way. (Living in a college town helps reinforces this viewpoint too.)  Change of season, change of att...

A Sunday Letter Vacation

Good morning!

I’m popping in to officially announce I’m taking a Sunday Letter vacation. Yes, I know there’s no need to announce my departure like a flight at La Guardia, after all, I’ve not been very consistent with posting lately anyway. But I don’t want you to think I’ve gone missing either. Or that my blog absence isn’t a conscious decision.

August is here and with it we move into the dog days of summer. I plan to use the month ahead to rethink and regroup, work on a few freelance writing p...

Sunday Letter: 07.16.23

Dear Sunday Letter friends~

Oh, I had a fantastic birthday week. Thank you to all who sent greetings via text or Twitter, face-to-face or Facebook, cards or flowers or lunch dates. I don’t know exactly when the spring chicken phase of life ends, but I am well past it. Now, as a seasoned hen, I am becoming more and more aware that every day is a gift.

 

How about we welcome every day as the celebration it is?

Cheers to the BLT

There comes a point here in the steamiest part of the southern summ...

Sunday Letter: 07.09.23

Dear Sunday Letter friends o’ mine,

The past week was a good one. The heavens blessed us with a a few glorious rain showers, I managed to choose a sweet watermelon at the grocery store, and John smoked the best ribs I’ve had since Thomas Tate died. I even went to the gym a few times + worked on my next book too.

And guess what?

Tomorrow is my birthday.

Today I’m celebrating all the good things, and reminding myself that even though we are sitting at the very top of summer’s Ferris wheel (I alwa...

Sunday Letter: 06.25.23

Dear Sunday Letter friends~

My family recently spent several days in Santa Fe, and oh my goodness, what a wonderful time we had! For over a week I was unplugged from social media, consumed no news or Netflix, did zero yard work or dog-walking (missed both though), and accomplished no real writing either.

Instead, I plugged into nature and art and food and music and family. Mainly, I got to see my KIDS!

It was a fantastic few days and a much-needed break from routine.

True story: I returned hom...

Sunday Letter: 06.04.23

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

In case you haven’t noticed, June is here in all her magnificent glory.

June occupies that special in-between place, basking between the cool shade of April and the steamy pavement of August. It’s the time for quick family getaways and lush garden tours. Coneflowers burst into bloom, and locally grown fruit and veggies hit the roadside stands. Berries, melons, and tomatoes, oh my. There’s always something juicy to eat, isn’t there?

While the world is still fresh and ...

Sunday Letter: 05.28.23

Did you think you’d never see another Sunday Letter? Oh my goodness, I’ve put lots of miles on Betty White driving way down into the deep south and back. I’ve put lots of thoughts on paper too. Some of these thoughts might even make it into my next book.

That’s the plan anyway.

After a trip, it takes me some time to settle back into a routine. And it takes some time to process all the goodness that comes from travel—I’m not sure I’ve completely done that yet. Within a week’s time, I went from st...

Sunday Letter: 05.07.23

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Guess what? Summer arrived yesterday just after lunchtime. That’s how it seemed to me anyway. The afternoon was warm and humid, and we even turned on our air-conditioner. What a great time of year, when blackberry winter thaws and spring fever truly takes root.

No longer concerning myself with late in-the-season frosts frees me up to scout for soon-to-arrive Japanese beetles. There’s always something, right?

Camp Time!

When you were a kid, did you ever experience th...