grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

  • Home
  • About
  • Media
  • Crafts
  • Farm
  • Food
  • Garden
  • Reading & Books
  • Sunday Letter
  • SHOP!
  • Privacy Policy

Storybook Journal

November 5, 2012 By Talya Tate Boerner 10 Comments

jour·nal a record of experiences, ideas, or reflections kept regularly for private use. (Merriam-Webster definition 1c)


On the afternoon of my last full day at Dairy Hollow, I opened the middle section of an antique bookcase to reveal a drop-down desk. Inside, I found journals provided to guests when the property was a bed-and-breakfast. For an hour (or more) I became lost in the entries dated 1988-1995. Hundreds of thoughts and reflections, along with detailed sketches and poems.

The stories were similar. This peaceful spot in the Ozarks affected each guest in the same manner. People were drawn from across the country, all with different circumstances–newlyweds, lost souls, stressed out families. Some folks were simply passing through. Each with different issues and lives, all leaving with a common bond.

Connecting randomly selected sentences from five journals–a letter to Dairy Hollow…

Dear Dairy Hollow— 

My bride and I arrived late on January 4 all decked out in glorious wedding attire. She was beautiful… I didn’t know a woman could change so much from one night to the next morning! Just kidding! (1992). This can’t be real life…we have stepped into the pages of a storybook and like Goldilocks, everything was “just right.” (1988) 
I have traveled many miles visiting hundreds of inns…fine, stately mansions with exquisite furnishings….others are cute little places. Each is a reflection of the innkeeper’s soul. Some have no soul…Dairy Hollow stands out…there is a mystical quality.  (1990) Our last night in particular I felt and understood the power of this place. (1993)

This has been a pleasant way to start a life together. (1991)  No phones, no television. It is so sweet to remember how less is always more. (1988) We love this place. (1995)

Home Sweet Home (1988)

Love… 

talya

More than a Feeling, Boston

“And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it.” 
― Roald Dahl

Filed Under: Arkansas Tagged With: Dairy Hollow, Eureka Springs, Northwest Arkansas, Ozark Mountains

Wanna receive my monthly Newsletter? Sign up here!

Comments

  1. Anonymous says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:02 am

    Very interesting. So glad you found that treasure. Did you leave an entry in the Storybook Journal? OR, was it just for travelers staying at the bed and breakfast? Barbara

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

      I left some red and yellow leaves between the pages.

      Reply
  2. Kathy says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:18 am

    This is great Talya! Very clever spin on the treasures you happened upon …

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

      Thanks Kathy. A creative writing assignment of sorts:)

      Reply
  3. Colene says

    November 5, 2012 at 7:34 am

    What a great way to wind up your week!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

      It was a nice ending…

      Reply
  4. Anonymous says

    November 5, 2012 at 8:05 am

    thanks,,great read,,,i love journals,,,great to write down thoughts,happening, kids and grands…wonderful…keep up your good writings ..love them all… there is peace and quiteness in Arkansas.those special places of the heart…thanks again,love gail

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      November 5, 2012 at 11:53 am

      Thanks Linda Gail:)

      Reply
  5. Anonymous says

    November 5, 2012 at 2:25 pm

    Another winner, as if we ever get tired of good, thought-provoking writing. Love the journal entries and that’s an awesome quote at the end.

    Reply
  6. TimH says

    November 5, 2012 at 2:45 pm

    Awesome read, Talya! Journals are like time capsules for us and others to read and share the snap-shot thoughts and emotions of the writer. Your blog is amazing in how well it is written and how well it brings up great memories from the past. Also, great choices for the musical pairing (Boston is my all-time favorite band), and quote!

    Reply

COMMENT: Cancel reply

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!)

Click to BUY NOW!

Talya Tate Boerner books
Gene, Everywhere

Never miss a blog post! Subscribe via email:

Receive my Monthly Newsletter?

Most Popular Posts…

  • Yum Yum Cake - old southern recipe!
  • Sunday Letter: 02.05.23
  • How to harvest Coneflower Seeds
  • Black Apple Crisp
  • How to Host a Cake Walk

Most Recent

  • Sunday Letter: 02.05.23
  • Chicken Tortilla Soup
  • Sunday Letter: 01.29.23
  • Sunday Letter: 01.15.23
  • Sunday Letter: 01.08.23

Grace Grits index

Prior Posts

Search Categories

Tags

A to Z April Blog Challenge Autumn BAT Book Reviews childhood Christmas creative writing prompt Dallas Desserts Eureka Springs Fall Fayetteville Food Gracie Lee Halloween Hemingway-Pfeiffer home humor Johnson Family Keiser Lake Norfork Lucy and Annabelle Mississippi County Mississippi Delta moving Munger Place Nana nature Northeast Arkansas Northwest Arkansas Osceola poem Reading Schnauzer simple living simple things spring spring gardening Summer sunday letter Talya Tate Boerner novel The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee Thomas Tate Winter Wordless Wednesday
Follow on Bloglovin

Food. Farm. Garden. Life.

THANKS FOR READING!

All content and photos Copyright Grace, Grits and Gardening © 2023 · Web Hosting By StrataByte