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I’ve been time-traveling.

February 14, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner 8 Comments

Above Mt. Sequoyah, the moon rises. Only a sliver, but a bright sliver. I notice it peeking over the treetops as I pour my first cup of coffee. It is 4 a.m. I do my best thinking/writing in the wee hours, so this earliest time of morning is normal for me. Plus, there’s the old-habits-die-hard-farmer thing. Daddy saw to it that we Tate girls woke when he did. Before daylight and chickens and most civilized people. Because we weren’t. We were from Mississippi County.

I've Been Time Traveling

Daddy, Momma, Me, my sister.

 

But that’s not what this is about.

This is about what I’ve been doing instead of blogging. With only two posts so far in February (this makes three), I feel the need to explain. I haven’t left you high and dry, I promise.

I’ve been time traveling.

And it’s exhilarating and all-consuming. Something I’ve heard about but until now, never really experienced.

Yes.

I’ve been time-traveling back to 1972, deep in the setting of the book I’m writing. So deep I can smell the homemade rolls in the Keiser Elementary School cafeteria, and hear the sound of Converse tennis shoes squeaking on the gym floor, and see Mrs. Mills’ flawless cursive handwriting on the chalkboard as she wrote out our spelling words for Friday’s test.

Spelling was easy. Just sound it out.

I've been time-traveling

morgueFile 

 

It was the year of Deep Throat and Watergate, a mere blip on my young radar. My sister and I never missed The Waltons, which premiered that year. Evel Knievel broke ninety-three bones after jumping over thirty-five cars–big news! Oklahoma won the Sugar Bowl, but I thought astronauts were much more exciting than football players. Moon landings were all the rage.

Apollo 17

This image or video was catalogued by Kennedy Space Center of the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) under Photo ID: KSC-72PC-0598.

 

And, on a red-hot, July day, Momma poked ten candles in my strawberry birthday cake. Plus one to grow on. I had reached double digits!

So in case you’ve missed me, that’s where I’ve been. In 1972. From well before dawn’s first light toWorld News Tonight when, by then, I am drained. 

Of course, I do take breaks throughout the day—the dogs see to it. And I have managed to somehow accomplish a few things other than writing. I’ve kept up with my 52 Handwritten Letter project. My beds are ready for spring planting. I spend a little time each day with my new Little Free Library duties, meaning I look inside, straighten the books and get excited because lots of folks are borrowing books and leaving new ones. Sometimes I do laundry, but last week I wore the same sweater three days in a row. Not kidding. Occasionally, I run the dishwasher.

All I want to do is write.

Happy Saturday and Happy Valentine’s Day!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]Missed me? I’ve been in 1972 when moon landings were all the rage. #writing #inthezone [/tweetthis]

P.S. Also, I have two new freelance jobs. One with University of Arkansas Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI for short) and the other with Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Excited!

Musical Pairing:

Al Green – Let’s Stay Together (Number One Billboard Hit for this week in 1972)

 

 

Filed Under: Memories, Writing Tagged With: 1972, The Seventies, writing a book, writing in the zone

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Comments

  1. Barbara Tate says

    February 14, 2015 at 8:14 am

    Congrats on your two new jobs. That sounds exciting. Enjoyed the blog today. Been missing you.

    Reply
  2. Colene says

    February 14, 2015 at 11:01 am

    You have been missed but not forgotten. I sent two handwritten letters/cards this month, because of you. That is exciting news about your two new freelance jobs. Will we be able to read those? Enjoyed the blog as always. Happy Valentine’s Day! I might visit your Little Free Library one day soon. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Cat Graham says

    February 15, 2015 at 5:52 am

    Wow! Four am, eh? I thought I was doing well getting up at 5:30 most days but you beat me. Farm girls! That must be it!

    I always enjoy your nostalgic posts as you are only two years younger than me and I can remember all those things you mentioned even if I was way up in Canada at the time. That American media influence was strong and still is.

    Sounds like you’ve really gotten into the writing flow, immersing yourself in 1972. So exciting! I love it when that happens to me. It doesn’t happen that often but when it does, I go with it. Good you doing that and letting it take you where it will. What fun!

    I remember 1972 quite distinctly, too, since I was 12 at the time and it was a very impressionable age with the onset of puberty with all that entailed. Now you’ve got me feeling nostalgic and I want to write about it, too. I’m listening to We’ve Only Just Begun by the Carpenters as I was obsessed with them in my teen years. I only have to listen to one of their songs and I’m a teenager again. Sniff.

    I enjoyed your post about letter writing and am intent on sending more letters as well. They’re so special and I love the hand written one you sent me. Thanks again!

    Happy Nostalgic Writing!

    Reply
  4. Dorothy Johnson says

    February 15, 2015 at 2:20 pm

    Great post! I remember those things as well, but from the different perspective of a young mother.

    Reply
  5. Geezer says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:16 pm

    Nice journal entry. Love your writing

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 18, 2015 at 5:37 pm

      Thanks:)

      Reply
  6. Geezer says

    February 16, 2015 at 10:17 pm

    but the Carpenters? Seriously?

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      February 18, 2015 at 5:36 pm

      ha!

      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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Talya Tate Boerner books
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