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Garden Surprises in Spring

May 26, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner

Garden Surprises

This spring, so many garden surprises have entertained me. Almost every day something reveals itself. Something unexpected, curious, even unusual.

It helps that I spend a crazy amount of time poking around outside. (The more time one spends with any activity, the more accessible and intimate the parts of that activity become.) Each inch of soil surrounding our home is habitat for fungi, bacteria, insects, tiny burrowing creatures and organisms. Healthy soil supports plant growth by anchoring and insulating roots, filtering water, holding oxygen, and supplying nutrients.  While soil provides life, it certainly enhances mine.

Our garden has been especially magical this year. Or, maybe I’ve simply fallen under its spell.Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 05.16.2021

May 16, 2021 By Talya Tate Boerner

beaujolais flower - sunday letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Hi! I hope your last few days have been as wonderful as mine.

The past week brought ideal growing conditions for the garden. It was a fabulous birding week at our feeders. And, my son came for an unexpected visit. (He came for grad school classes, and we were the bonus—ha!)

He’s still here now.

In case you can’t tell, I’m floating around like milkweed fluff, a happy momma after a heart-happy week.

Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 06.07.2020

June 7, 2020 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

This has been a sad couple of weeks. I try not to get political on social media, but for me, what’s going on in our country has moved beyond the political to the human. Between the pandemic and the tragedy of George Floyd’s death, I’ve been at a loss over what to say. Saying nothing seems wrong. Continuing on with my typical posts about what’s growing in my garden and cooking on my stove rings hollow and insignificant.

I hate how divided our country has become. I’ve begun to question whether or not we will come through this without losing bits of ourselves and many of our friends. While I don’t expect everyone to believe the same things, I have always believed that deep down we are more alike than different.

Lately, I’ve begun to question that as well.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: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 26, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Oct 5, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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