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Sunday Letter: 08.22.21

August 22, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

How are you?

I don’t have to tell you about the sadness in our world right now—the unfolding horror in Afghanistan, the earthquake in Haiti, wildfires and water shortages, surging coronavirus, and so much more—but I do think from time to time we all need to remind each other to look for the goodness growing between the cracks of heartbreak. We should always be on the lookout for it.

Recently, John and I spent a week with our family at Lake Norfork. Being unplugged provided much needed time to rebalance and regroup. If you aren’t in the practice of stepping away from the chatter of news and people and busyness, I highly recommend it, even if stepping away is as simple as going for a walk or getting lost inside a good book.

The constant negativity can really affect a person.

Continue Reading

Life in Milkweed

August 20, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner

Life in Milkweed

Life in Milkweed

Milkweed is vital for monarchs because it is THE host plant for monarch butterflies (meaning, monarch butterflies lay eggs ONLY on milkweed, AND monarch caterpillars ONLY eat milkweed). Of course, there are a variety of other species besides monarchs that enjoy nectaring from milkweed.

This year, I’ve been keeping track of the critters I’ve noticed in my swamp milkweed—life beyond monarchs. And, I thought it would be fun to document this life in milkweed, the teeny flies and bugs, frogs and just-hatched insects, the butterflies feeding every afternoon. Each time I inspect my milkweed (and I do it multiple times a day), I see something new.

Remember Horton Hears a Who?

I think of that Dr. Seuss book often, because there is so much life thriving in and around the plants and blossoms.Continue Reading

Books Reviews: July 2021

August 3, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner


Book Reviews July 2021

Book Reviews July 2021

This post contains affiliate links. I may earn commissions from sales.

I hope you are finding a little time to get your summer reading on. Today I am posting my reviews of the books I read in July. I didn’t read as much as I usually do. Binge-watching Season 18 of Top Chef really cut into my reading time—ha! Also, the Olympics can be an excellent time waster.

Enough with the excuses.

Here you go—my Book Reviews for July 2021.Continue Reading

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Hi! I'm Talya Tate Boerner. 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 (2022)

THE THIRD ACT OF THEO GRUENE (coming 2025)

Recent Ramblings:

  • Sunday Letter: 03.29.26
  • Sunday Letter: February 22, 2026
  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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