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The Magic of Teeny Tiny Things

June 4, 2024 By Talya Tate Boerner

the magic of teeny tiny things

I noticed the most incredible thing a few days ago, something that literally stopped me as I rushed down the porch steps toward the front yard. A teeny tiny viola was happily growing from the brick walkway in front of the house.

A volunteer flower.

Truly a wonder to me, volunteer flowers represent amazing determination as they often grow in less than ideal conditions.

There she was, so easy to overlook yet impossible to miss.Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 12.04.22

December 4, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Oh my goodness, November was a complete blur for me. And now December is here, and I want time to slow so I can savor every moment of the most wonderful time of the year.

I don’t know when I’ve been so excited for Christmas. I think attending the Christmas parade and tree lightning in Littleton, Colorado, on the day after Thanksgiving really gave me a head start. Also, because my son and daughter-in-law will be with us this Christmas, I’m over-the-moon excited.

It has been several years since either of my kids came home for Christmas. Even though we all live within a short 1.5 hour flight from each other, that often feels way too far away.

Anyway, with only 28 days left in the year(!), I hope to appreciate every little sparkly bit.

Continue Reading

Diary of a Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

May 8, 2022 By Talya Tate Boerner

Spicebush Swallowtail Caterpillar

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and prepare to fall in love again. I’ve been sooooo excited to share my diary of a certain cute spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. If you followed my butterfly stories last summer, you might remember that I was a bit obsessed with raising butterflies on the back porch. I successfully released 50 butterflies—44 monarchs and 6 eastern black swallowtails.

And, at the end of the season, after the last monarch had headed to Mexico where they hibernate for winter, two spicebush swallowtail chrysalises lagged behind, still in the chrysalis stage.

So here’s my diary of a spicebush swallowtail caterpillar. Two caterpillars, actually.

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: May 25, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025

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