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the story of my Rescue Tree

November 14, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

my rescue tree

This is the story of my rescue tree.

Four Years Ago

When we first moved to our home in Fayetteville, we had the trees professionally trimmed. We also hired a crew to build a fence around the back yard. Both the tree and the fence folks wanted to take out a particular tree—a sapling really—that grew along the proposed fence line beneath the canopy of taller, more mature trees.

That little tree wasn’t hurting anyone. She was barely taking up any space. She was a youngster, a bit spindly and slightly misshapen, but I knew she was a volunteer sugar maple planted by a red robin or a spring wind or one of the many squirrels constantly digging for his supper.

I insisted.

So the tree stayed.Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 11.11.18

November 11, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends:

Hello again! Didn’t I just write you a letter, what, like yesterday? The closer we get to the end of the year, the faster time seems to buzz by. Why is that?

Today marks the 100-year anniversary of the signing of the agreement that ended World War I. Take a moment to honor veterans, past and present, for their service and sacrifice.  Continue Reading

Book Reviews: October 2018

November 8, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Book Reviews October 2018

October Book Reviews: Whew! I’m late to my own book review party! If you’ve been waiting to hear about my latest reads, I apologize for such ridiculous tardiness.

The books I read in October 2018 found me hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, digging mussels on the Carolina shore, swallowing fire with a circus sideshow, and praying for truth on Alabama’s Death Row. In Scotland, I slipped into the supernatural world, one typically obscured from mere mortals.

My five October reads included three memoir, one best-selling fiction, and one middle-grade fantasy.

Not included: 1/2 of a gigantic thriller.

I hate to admit this but I spent an inordinate amount of time reading The Stand (Complete and Uncut Version) by Stephen King, and I haven’t finished (so it isn’t included here other than as a pitiful confession). Yep, I read over 600 out of 1,153 pages before putting it aside. Even though The Stand is ranked #1 Suspense and Thriller on Amazon and I LOVE Stephen King, I simply had too many other books calling to me… Does this ever happen to you?

Maybe I’ll finish it in November?

Anyway, keep reading to find out about the books I finished and highly endorse.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:

  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book
  • Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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