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Sunday Letter: 08.21.22

August 21, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner 13 Comments

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Are you loving this late August weather? Here in north Arkansas we are enjoying cool mornings and warm afternoons that feel pleasant rather than stifling. The hummingbirds are especially active this time of year, zipping around from feeder to feeder and plant to plant. What fun they are to watch.

Life feels good right now. And bonus—this morning a soft rain is falling.

I’ll gladly take it!

Lake Time!

This week I will be enjoying a little lake time with the family. Honestly, when I had my surgery (three weeks ago tomorrow), I imagined I’d miss our August lake trip this year.

But I made it!
Lake Time!

I can’t swim or even get in the water yet, and I can’t lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk. But that’s okay. I can still soak up the nature, bask in the end of summer sunshine, enjoy lake time with my people.

A change in perspective can heal not only the mind, but also the body. And I’m here for it. Someone else just has to carry my luggage. 😆

The Fabulous BLT

I don’t eat a lot of sandwiches (because bread brings grief to my stomach), but when I do I make it count. One of my favorites is a BLT. Fresh-baked and toasted sourdough, crisp lettuce, garden tomato, Hellman’s mayonnaise, and thick-sliced bacon Petit Jean bacon—YUM.

Sunday Letter - BLT

Really, if I ever find myself on death row choosing my last meal, I might very well request a BLT. (Just to be clear, I don’t expect that to happen…)

We grew up eating baloney sandwiches on white bread. Lots of ham and cheese, grilled cheese, and tuna too. And while we ate plenty of bacon as a kid, it was only served at breakfast. So, I’m not sure when I discovered my first BLT.

How about you? Do you have a favorite sandwich? And what would your last meal request be?

Button Bush

Button bush shrubs (Cephalanthus occidentalis) are one of my favorite natives. Because they thrive in wet conditions, they grow abundantly around Lake Norfork. In late summer, the creamy white ball-shaped flowers are in full bloom.

Button Bush

Button bush plants produce nectar that is irresistible to butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. Water fowl eat the plant’s seeds and nest within its branches.

This year, after several summers of crazy high water, the lake has returned to more normal levels. And button bush shrubs grow everywhere along the shore in areas that have been underwater for at least four summers. That’s what I call an amazing plant.

We should all be so resilient.

Bald Eagles

Yesterday, we went for a boat ride just before sunset. And we saw two bald eagles in our cove!

This picture is not clear because I took it with my phone from quite a distance. But still, their white heads are easy to spot.
Eagles

What majestic creatures. And how lucky were we to see them?

Sunday Letter Eagle!

“Once endangered in all of the lower 48 states, bald eagles came dangerously close to extinction. However, due to increased awareness, protective legislation and widespread conservation efforts over the past fifty years, the bald eagle population is making a remarkable comeback, and eagle watching is becoming a popular pastime for nature lovers across the country, especially in Arkansas as well as parts of Missouri.” (Wild Bird Watching)

We saw several eagles last summer too!

Things Momma Says:

It should be against the law to build an ugly house at the lake.

Thanks for reading today’s Sunday Letter. It’s a short one, I know. But the lake is calling and I must go—heaven is just outside my cabin door.💚

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

Filed Under: Sunday Letter Tagged With: BLT, Lake Norfork, Mother Nature, native plants

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Comments

  1. Cathy says

    August 21, 2022 at 7:54 am

    Love what your Mom said. Enjoy the lake and family.

    Reply
  2. Sylvia says

    August 21, 2022 at 7:54 am

    We must get you out more often your letter’s are wonderful and love the details

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:34 am

      Well, thank you very much!

      Reply
  3. Patsy Burnett says

    August 21, 2022 at 8:05 am

    Enjoyed your letter. Enjoy your time at the lake. God bless you! ❤️

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Thank you!

      Reply
  4. Colene says

    August 21, 2022 at 8:20 am

    Perfect down time!

    Reply
  5. Sissy Abbott says

    August 21, 2022 at 8:24 am

    Enjoy your time at the lake. I love BLT’s too! My favorite! I had a great one yesterday at a little restaurant in Keiser! I love your mom’s sayings!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Thanks!!

      Reply
  6. Barbara Tate says

    August 21, 2022 at 9:15 am

    My last meal would be lobster. The last one I had was at Gaston’s. Yum. We are at our Happy Place this morning. Soft rain. Yay!!

    Reply
  7. Jeanne Robertson says

    August 21, 2022 at 12:25 pm

    My last meal would be a med.rare ribeye steak, baked potato /butter and a salad. Washed down wìth iced tea. Like you, I don’t expect this anytime soon!!!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:33 am

      Yummy. Can’t beat that!

      Reply
  8. Carrie Boone says

    August 22, 2022 at 8:59 am

    My last meal would be all my favorites from Thanksgiving Dinner. I agree with Mama, there should be no ugliness built at the lake only pure Heaven-liness!

    Reply
    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      August 29, 2022 at 10:33 am

      That would be a great last meal!!!

      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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