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Sunday Letter: 06.30.19

June 30, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner 8 Comments

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Tomorrow is July. Can you believe it?

Today my niece and nephew turn 19. I can’t believe that either.

I woke with a horrible headache this morning, probably because time is flying so quickly my brain is spinning inside my skull. Hopefully not, but that’s how it feels.

I’m drinking coffee and trying to ignore it because I have lots going on today.

Jackson County Library

I’ve been meaning to tell you this. The Jackson County Library in Newport has the coolest thing going on this summer. Kids can check out birdwatching backpacks in the same way they check out books! Inside each backpack— two sets of binoculars, a birdwatch book, and a few things for the child to keep, including a bird-themed coloring book.

Love this.

Jackson Co Library

I wonder if other libraries do this?

The backpacks (in various colors) hang on the end of each bookcase. When checked out, they can be kept the same amount of time as a book. According to the librarian, this has been a popular summer program.

Talk about a great way to spread the love of nature.

Blue Suede Shoes

Behold, my mother-of-the-bride shoes!

wedding shoes

Yes, they are blue suede shoes, LOL. I bet you can guess what my musical pairing will be.

At first, I planned to get shoes with a little bling, but I saw these and knew they would be perfect with my dress. Plus, maybe I’ll wear them with other outfits.

We are counting down, y’all. 90 days!!!

Ten Little Caterpillars

I’m super happy to report that we have ten swallowtail caterpillars in the butterfly garden this very morning munching away on the dill. I’ve been watching them all week, watching them grow from tiny black specks no bigger than course black pepper, to honest to goodness caterpillars.

swallowtail caterpillars

Plant dill, and they will come.

Something I learned in a recent master gardener class: it takes 5,000-9,000 caterpillars to raise 5 baby birds!

I love my birds but hope they don’t eat these particular caterpillars.

Pie Me

Finally, I went to Fork and Crust in Fayetteville. This is embarrassing to admit since this pie shop has been open over a year, and I could walk there…

I think I may have been subconsciously boycotting the place, because I miss the prior tenant, Vintage Cargo.

Silly me.

PIE

Delicious pie so dangerously close to my house.

The best part, I went with my friend Dorothy who was in town for the day.

Dorothy had strawberry rhubarb, and I had peach blueberry. I took a piece of chocolate cream home for John. #wifepoints

It was hard to choose from all the offerings! You want to feel like a kid at a bakery again? Stand in front of a sweet case like this for a few minutes. I don’t imagine there are any wrong selections.

Fork and Crust

Things Momma Says:

I don’t know what happened to my lounge dress, but I’ve lost it.

***

Sunday Letter friends—short letter this week but one with a big message. Spend time with your friends. Wear the shoes. Eat the pie. Plant the dill. Watch the birds. And of course, listen to Elvis every chance you get.

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

 

 

 

Filed Under: Sunday Letter Tagged With: birds, Library, pollinator garden, Summer Fun

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Comments

  1. Cathy Voight says

    June 30, 2019 at 7:51 am

    Those shoes are fabulous! My daughter walked to Fork and Crust yesterday for breakfast pie. Must plant me some dill!
    Have a great Sunday.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      June 30, 2019 at 8:51 am

      You too! Thanks, Cathy! I may need to plant more dill…

      Reply
  2. Colene says

    June 30, 2019 at 12:28 pm

    You may think this is a short Sunday Letter but it still brightens my day. Tomorrow may be July but it seems like June just started. We have an awesome collection of more than books at our library but I’m not aware of any nature type checkout items like bird watching kits but that is an amazing opportunity for Jackson patrons. Those shoes!!!! Yes!!!! Not just for weddings. You have an exciting garden!!! Have a good week.

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 1, 2019 at 6:48 am

      Thanks Colene. I appreciate you!

      Reply
  3. Julie says

    July 1, 2019 at 8:11 am

    Love libraries, and they are all unique. The one in Hardy still uses a card catalog…I couldn’t believe it but love it! I have a Librarian friend who said their Indiana small town library strives to be the 3rd place children go to: 1) Family, 2) school, 3) library

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 3, 2019 at 6:42 am

      Love card catalogs and that Hardy still uses one. Yes to 3rd place!

      Reply
  4. Jan Webb says

    July 1, 2019 at 12:33 pm

    Love the shoes..my favorite brand to wear.
    You should write a short novel on ‘things momma says’ – she cracks me up!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      July 3, 2019 at 6:41 am

      Thanks Jan! Great idea on Momma inspiration:)

      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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