Life - grace grits and gardening

The Brilliance of Schoolhouse Rock

August 14, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

With the kids returning to school, I think it’s only right that we pause for a moment to think about the brilliance of Schoolhouse Rock. In fact, I think most of today’s problems coincide with the demise of Schoolhouse Rock.

Think of the kids today who have no idea what they missed. I’m mean, really, who among you can only say the Preamble to the Constitution if you sing it in the Schoolhouse Rock tune? Continue Reading

Pictured: Sunny Side of the Street

August 13, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

P I C T U R E D: Sunny Side of the Street

I’m most certainly an amateur when it comes to photography, but I love taking pictures and snap lots of photos everyday. Although these pictures were taken at different times in different parts of Arkansas, the bright sunshine ties them together. From woods to battlefield to our front porch, the sunshine adds a glow to each, softening the composition of even a sad, collapsed church building.

Don’t forget to listen to the musical pairing at the end. It’s one of my favorites.

Can’t you hear the pitter-pat
And that happy tune is your step
Life can be complete
On the sunny side of the street

Eureka Springs

On the sunny side of the street - Old First Baptist Church

Osceola

Helena

Gamaliel

Fayetteville (our front porch)

1. Expert stonemasonry.

2. Abandoned.

3. Earthen fort.

4. Welcome to the lake.

5. Leave your worries on the doorstep.

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

[tweetthis]Pictured: Sunny side of the street. @artourism #Arkansas [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Willie Nelson, Sunny Side of the Street

I have a publisher!

August 9, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I have the best news! And if it’s possible to truly walk on sunshine, I’m doing it. Yesterday, I signed a publishing contract with SYP Publishing, a Florida press that specializes in southern authors. Someone pinch me. I have a publisher.

I love the way those four little words feel in my mouth and melt on the tip of my tongue like old-fashioned butter mints, the sort served in a crystal compote at baby showers and weddings.

Know the mints I mean?

♫♫ Wonderful feeling, wonderful day! ♪♫

I plan to enjoy the floating-on-cloud-nine-feeling for as long as it lasts. And, yes, the clichés are flowing in this post, but I can’t help myself. The air is light, the sun is bright, and the view is brilliant.

Right this very second, I want to thank every single person who reads my writing (on-line and print) at Grace Grits, Front Porch Magazine, Winthrop Rockefeller Institute Blog, OnlyinArkansas(dot)com and wherever else I am lucky enough to finagle an article. I am especially grateful to those who stop me in Wal-Mart or tell my Momma at church how much they enjoy my writing. This often keeps me going, and having a following, however modest, has helped me obtain a publishing contract. I truly believe this.