Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025

Hello Sunday Letter friends!

Let me start with a confession: since my last letter, I’ve eaten way too much Halloween candy. It wasn’t my fault exactly—we ended up with an embarrassing surplus of candy (a story for another time). Now every downstairs room has a bowl of chocolate calling my name. It’s like walking past a “FREE SUCCULENTS” sign and not taking one… or ignoring a box of books labeled “TAKE ONE.”

Impossible.

I could, in theory, box up the candy, tie it with string, and hide it high on the pantry shelf—just like Frog and Toad did with their cookies.

But as Toad pointed out, I could still climb up, untie the string, and eat the candy anyway. So maybe, like Frog, I should just give it away and be done with it.

Now that I’ve confessed, I feel better. Let’s move on to the real content of today’s Sunday Letter, which—believe it or not—has nothing to do with sugar, chocolate, or food.

(this post contains affiliate links.)

The Mulberry River

Right now, peak color is here! Trees and shrubs across Northwest Arkansas are blazing with fall glory. Thursday, my husband and I took a drive down the scenic Pig Trail to soak it all in.

If you’ve never seen the Mulberry River, you won’t believe the dreamy, sea-glass hue of its water—milky, blue-green, and entirely mesmerizing.

A quick Earth science refresher: that unique color comes from the high mineral content in the water. When dolomite bedrock dissolves, it reflects blue and green wavelengths of light. Suspended minerals intensify the effect, creating that unmistakable Tiffany-blue shimmer.

The Mulberry might not be as famous as the Buffalo River, but it’s every bit as breathtaking. Designated a Wild and Scenic River in 1992, it’s vital habitat for wildlife (including black bears). Established by Congress in 1968, the Wild and Scenic Rivers System preserves free-flowing rivers with exceptional natural and cultural value—13,467 miles of them across 41 states and Puerto Rico.

Here’s hoping these wild spaces continue to be protected. They’re treasures we can’t afford to lose.

Why is it called the Pig Trail?

The theories abound. 1) It was the route Arkansas students often took from Little Rock and other central locations to Fayetteville before I-40 was built. 2) This curvy scenic byway is as curvy as a pig’s tail. 3) Back in the day, it was commonplace to see hog farms in the area (and feral hogs too).

You can read more about the Pig Trail HERE.

Why Leaves Change Color in the Fall

During spring and summer, leaves stay green thanks to chlorophyll, the pigment plants use to make food from sunlight. But as days shorten and temperatures drop, trees prepare for winter. Chlorophyll breaks down, revealing the pigments that have been hiding beneath all along:

• Carotenoids – yellow and orange (think carrots and corn)

• Anthocyanins – red and purple (think apples and berries)

Each tree has its own pigment mix, creating that patchwork of reds, golds, and bronzes we love so much. Eventually, a tiny seal forms where each leaf stem meets the branch, and the leaf falls—nature’s elegant way of conserving water and energy for winter.

I was thinking recently how fleeting the season is. What if those fiery reds and glowing ambers lasted for months? Would we still appreciate them the same way? Probably not. Ephemeral beauty is part of fall’s magic.

And the photo above? That fiery maple grows just one block from our house—it’s a gift I never take for granted.

I made a Theo Gruene Book Pumpkin

Did I ever show you this book pumpkin I made for the Arkansas Library Association Conference? Here it is!

It started as a proof copy of The Third Act of Theo Gruene—a version that would otherwise be gathering dust in a box. I’d say becoming a festive fall pumpkin is a much better fate.

If you’d like to make your own book pumpkins for Thanksgiving, you can find my step-by-step tutorial HERE.

Everyone seems ready to skip ahead to Christmas, but I’m still reveling in fall—turkeys, gourds, acorns, and all. I never decorate for Christmas until after Thanksgiving, though I might start listening to carols any day now.

What about you? Have you moved on to Christmas?

Theo is Officially an Award-Winner!

Speaking of Theo Gruene, I’m thrilled to share the exciting news I recently learned. The Third Act of Theo Gruene won FIRST PLACE in the Writer’s Digest 2025 Book Awards for Literary and Mainstream Fiction (over 1,450 entries)!

This is such an honor, and since you played a part, I couldn’t wait to share the news with you.

You might not think you played a part, but you did. Your support, cheerleading, and reviews help me stay motivated when sometimes I wonder “why bother?”

Reminder: Don’t wait for the movie version (ha!); the book is always better.

Oark Cafe

Okay, I lied. Turns out I do have more to say about food in this Sunday Letter.

Driving the Pig Trail means stopping for lunch at the Oark Café and General Store. This charming Ozark Forest destination has been welcoming travelers since 1890, making it the oldest continuously operating store in Arkansas. Stepping inside feels like visiting another era—wood-plank floors creak underfoot, freshly baked pies make you weak at the knees, and the well-seasoned grill smells exactly as it should.

It’s a living piece of Ozark history, where time slows down and every meal tastes like coming home.

And yes, John and I had burgers and pie. To skip them would be downright sinful.

(I seriously need to show some food restraint this week!)

Things Momma Says:

Thank goodness the basketball team is good. I am sick of football.

(Me too, Momma, me too.)

***

Whew, this Sunday Letter turned out to be very long. Thanks for reading and sharing a little time with me.

Next time: a few fun surprises just in time for Christmas!

Until then—stay warm and please play nice.

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