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Piggott Arkansas -The Breakfast Table at Downtown Inn

June 8, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 9 Comments

The Downtown Inn B&B
Piggott, Arkansas
Everyone brings something different to the table. Literally. For the past week we have gathered each morning around the antique table in the dining room at the Downtown Inn in Piggott, Arkansas.  We came to the writer’s retreat from various places with different levels of writing experience, assorted backgrounds and unique viewpoints. We leave as friends.

Brenda, our amicable host, provides an amazing breakfast each morning – scrambled eggs with bacon, breakfast casseroles and breads, fresh fruit with cream, biscuits and gravy, hot coffee and orange juice – something different every day. She wears a red toile apron and is the organized sister who makes certain we start each day with the most important meal. And a prayer. And a laugh. In only one week, we are a family.  

Brenda
We discuss the prior day’s writings, our plans for the next day and the train that runs beside the Inn, so near the bed vibrates like a New Madrid earthquake several times each night. The whistles disrupt sleep, but less so as the week passes. Brenda says a first timer guest reports the train passed by “twenty-two times in the night” but a few days later only twice. We acclimate. 
Families don’t eat together anymore, not regularly. When I think about the conversations we have had over a few days at the table in Piggott with complete strangers, I realize all the conversations missed not eating as a family because of working late or soccer practice or Dancing with the Stars. 
I’ve met seven wonderful ladies this week at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Creative Writer’s Retreat along with a few good men. Each person brought something a little different to share. I will miss these ladies and the uninterrupted time I’ve had to write. 
Today is our last day. Tomorrow I return to eating power bars for breakfast. We came to the table as strangers. We leave as friends. 
talya

Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Pat, Dorothy, Me, Judy (standing), Mary (pink curlers)

Filed Under: Travel, Writing Tagged With: Breakfast, Ernest Hemingway, Hemingway-Pfeiffer, Mississippi County

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Comments

  1. Colene says

    June 8, 2012 at 6:41 am

    I got chills as I read this one! Friends today-friends forever!

    Reply
  2. Anonymous says

    June 8, 2012 at 8:34 pm

    I’m so happy for you to have had the chance to do this! A sort of once in a lifetime event! Well…I doubt it will be for you, you’ll be hosting writers retreats soon, prolly in a little green cottage OR a historic home in downtown Dallas – or both! ๐Ÿ™‚ Glad you had such a grand visit in another lovely little place in Arkansas. ๐Ÿ™‚ Talya’s cousin, Cindy

    Reply
  3. pittypatter says

    June 9, 2012 at 11:03 am

    As a new blog follower and one of your new women writer friends, I look forward to “chatting” with you daily–or nearly daily. Soooooooo glad our paths crossed in Piggott!! pl

    Reply
    • grace grits and gardening says

      June 12, 2012 at 7:11 am

      I’m sooooo glad too!!

      Reply
  4. T. Adams says

    June 11, 2012 at 6:57 pm

    Talya, I really enjoy reading your blog and I will be checking in from time to time. Keep up your charming and witty writing!!

    Reply
    • grace grits and gardening says

      June 12, 2012 at 7:10 am

      Thanks Traci!

      Reply
  5. Jami says

    June 14, 2012 at 5:17 pm

    Talya, Colene loves you and your blog. I in turn have started reading it, at first so I would know who this Talya lady was that she talked about non stop! Now I have bookmarked your blog and read it regularly. You are an awesome writer! Love all your entries, I can see an evolution of style in your entries!
    Jami Livingston
    Drake Public Library
    Centerville, Iowa

    Reply
    • TateFarmGirl says

      June 14, 2012 at 6:42 pm

      Awwww thank you Jami! I love Colene:))) thanks for reading!!!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Blogging Like Hemingway: 10 Simple Steps - grace grits and gardening says:
    January 11, 2014 at 6:39 am

    […] time at the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Educational Center in Piggott, Arkansas is magical bordering on spiritual. Ernest Hemingway, who won a Pultizer Prize in Literature […]

    Reply

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Talya Tate Boerner


Hi! I'm Talya. Writer, Reader, Arkansas Master Naturalist / Master Gardener, Author of

THE ACCIDENTAL SALVATION OF GRACIE LEE (2016)

GENE, EVERYWHERE: a life-changing visit from my father-in-law (2020)

BERNICE RUNS AWAY (Now Available!)

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