Talya Tate Boerner's Blog, page 63

Blue and the Bluebonnets

Meet Blue. Blue belongs to my daughter, Kelsey, and she belongs to him, and they live in Austin where the bluebonnets are in full bloom. It’s a great relationshipexcept for the fact that she broke her ankle and he’s a puppy with tons of energy andthey livein an upstairs apartment and she’s in law school and I’m sure you can understand why I might be in Austin for a few days. While there’s never a good time to havea broken ankle, itworked out wellfor me considering the bluebonnets.

So Blue and...

Your Top Five People

Have you ever stopped to think that your perception of everything is shaped at least in part by the company you keep? For a few moments, think about the five people you spend the most time with. Or seven people. Pick a number.Now consider this—you become the people you spend the most time with.

I heard something similar months ago, and my brain latched on to it as one’s brain does. I think it’s apowerful concept, and to a large extent, I think it’s true.

Everyone is filled with a certain ene...

I toured American Greetings!

All mylife, American Greetings has beenamagical mystery to me. A rather serious looking building, it spreads low on the flat delta landscape even wrapping around its own private lake. And although located only a few miles from where I grew up, I’d never stepped foot inside.Until a few weeks ago.

Being a writersometimes has its perks. At long last, I wormed my way inside and confirmed lots of things I’d always heard likeemployeesreally do ride bicycles inside. And they buzz around in golf cart...

I bought a new car.

Did I mention, I boughta new car? Well, I did. I’ll admit it’s nice to have all the bells and whistles and technological advances that happen after ten or so years. And ahhh, that fresh out of the factorycar smell. But, at first, I resisted the whole idea of trading in my old car. I get attached to whatever I’m driving.

Silly, I suppose, but does anyone else feel this way, like the car has feelings and is part of the family? And I’m curious, do you name your car?

As I cleaned outSylvia’scons...

So what am I working on these days?

What am I working on? Lots of things. I’m having a hard time concentrating on oneparticular thing because there’s so much I want to be doing, as well asthings that need my attention.

Rabbits. I’ve been chasing rabbits. And speaking of rabbits, you must read my friend Gary Henderson’s post about Rabbit Holes. Especially you writers. I can so relate, and I’m sure you will too.

So here are myrabbits projects.

Sequel:I’ve started on my sequel.

Dear March,

Dear March,

If I individually track the nextthirty-one days, each is likely to feeldifferent. Drizzle. Thunderstorms. Warm sunshine. Days of dreary cold and maybe even snow, weather to remind us we aren’t out of the winter woods yet.And yourhowling wind! Are you announcing yourself?

Or maybe the bitingwind should be blamed on Ole Man Winter who won’t go without a fight.

Charles Dickens perfectly described you,March,as summer in the light, and winter in the shade.

So true.

Dear March, I know y...

a peek inside: Fayetteville Whole Foods

Fayetteville’s first Whole Foods opens next week with a “bread-breaking” on March 2. As a blogger, I took advantage of the invitationto peek inside the new store. And as someone who moved from East Dallas where we had a Whole Foods and a Trader Joe’s within a fewblocks of our house, I’m excited. I believe there’s plenty of room forboth Whole Foods andOzark Natural Foods (as well as IGAand Harps, etc.). Separate niches, different benefits. Having choices is a good thing.

FYI: I was not compen...

“The Woods”

“The Woods” providedmystery. “The only patch of woods in our flat world of cotton and soybean fields passed the window in a dark blur.”Kidsseethe world through creative and colorful lenses, their imaginations pushed tohigh gear. If you’ve read my book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, you know about this particular stand of trees.Gracie Lee and her little sister, Abby, studiedthe woodsfrom the back seat of Momma’s car each time they traveled to and from Boon Chapel—at a minimum, twice...

Lucy and Annabelle go to Zuppa Zuppa Soup Kitchen

Last Saturday, Lucy and Annabelle wentto Zuppa Zuppa Soup Kitchen.The spring-like weather had all of us headedoutside, and besides, Ann Harris, owner of Zuppa Zuppa, was introducing a soup in honor of Gracie Lee—Amazing Gracie Chicken and Dumplings!

AGracie Lee favorite, for sure.

Since Zuppa Zuppa Soup Kitchen is one of the food trucks at the Yacht Club on College, I thought it would be perfect for Lucy and Annabelle. Casual. Outside. Pet friendly. Sounds good on paper, right?

I declared it...

Accidental Cinderella…

Thursday night I felt like Cinderella. Accidental Cinderella.

Confession:I’m no fashion plate. I normally wear Converse tennis shoes and logo t-shirts, and my favorite jeans have patches on the knees. BUT, Thursday night, I got dressed up (for me), added extra eye liner (which may have been a mistake), and even wore a bejewelednecklace on loan from Vintage Cargo. Stan and Jeff, owners of Vintage Cargo, evidently worried I wouldn’t clean up sufficiently for my Fayetteville book signing.

So the...