grace grits and gardening - ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

not your typical SUMMER READING LIST

May 15, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

This is NOT your typical Summer Reading List. This is a list of books I personally plan to read this summer. I expect that most summer reading lists include actual recommendations based upon personal reviews of the books. Not mine. I haven’t read any of these books. If you wish to read along with me, do so at your own risk, because I can’t vouch for a single title. I can tell you how I chose these particular books. Some are obvious (#NewYorkBestSellers). Some, not so much. But, don’t we believe fabulous “older” books are waiting to be read too?

The Girl on the Train (Paula Hawkins). There’s lots of buzz about this book which has been referred to as the next Gone Girl. Am I the only person who hasn’t read it? Probably. Sometimes I’m slow that way.
All the Light We Cannot See (Anthony Doerr). A friend recommended this book to me just last weekend. She had that oh-my-God-drop-everything-and-read-this-immediately look in her eye. I went right out and bought it.
Hold Still Sally Mann (a memoir by photographer Sally Mann). I bought this book specifically because of a BookPeople Instagram post. See? Social media really works.
Words Fail Me (Patricia T. O’Conner). I typically have a book on the ‘craft of writing’ beside my bedside table, and I read paragraphs here and there before I go to bed. Since I love to write, I find these sort of books motivating, and this is the next one I plan to read.
The Life and Times of an Arkansaw Doctor (David Rattlehead, edited by W. K. McNeil). I’ve had this book on my shelf for quite some time. This book, written in 1851 (reprinted in 1989), was “the first volume solely devoted to Arkansas folk humor” and “provides a generally correct account of folklife on the Arkansas frontier in the 1850s”. I love reading about Arkansas history and consider it research for future writing.
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (Robert Pirsig). This is one of those wildly popular, forward-thinking, cult-ish books I’ve never read. I’m gonna change that.
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking (Susan Cain). Since I am an introvert, and I think people in general talk too much, this book grabbed my attention.
The Pleasure of my Company (Steve Martin). Well, who doesn’t love Steve Martin? I enjoyed his book Shopgirl, and this one sounded quick and easy and something that could be read on a plane ride, not that I’m going anywhere. His protagonist wins “Most Average American” award, which has already made me laugh.
The Deep Green Sea (Robert Olen Butler). I absolutely love Robert Olen Butler’s writing style, and this book, published in 1998, is one I missed. I can’t wait to read it.
Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant (Anne Tyler). This book dates back to the 1980s. I read somewhere that this book is possibly Anne Tyler’s best work and since I haven’t read it, I snapped it up at the Dickson Street Bookshop. Score.
Tales of the South Pacific (James A. Michener). This classic, published in 1947, inspired the Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical South Pacific. This is also that book that (according to my Daddy) inspired my odd first name. For years, I’ve planned to read this book and find my name inside it, but I never have. I have Daddy’s original copy, but it’s brittle and fragile and I think the pages might disintegrate if I handle it, so I found this more recently printed paperback at a yard sale. Wish me luck, it’s Michener… (#wordy)

IN OTHER BOOK RELATED NEWS…

Saturday, May 16, is WORLDWIDE LITTLE FREE LIBRARY BOOK DRIVE DAY. Bring new or gently-used children’s and young adult books to your friendly neighborhood Little Free Libraries. Snap a photo of yourself dropping off books and post it in social media (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram) using the hashtag #givebooks. Random participants will be selected to receive goodies. Read more about this HERE.

Our Little Free Library has been a big hit in our neighborhood. The books constantly change as neighbors take and leave books. As I read the books on my “not your typical” Summer Reading List, I plan to add them to the library so others can enjoy them. Thanks to all who are supporting our library!

For you Fayetteville book lovers, on Sunday, May 17, 2015, from Noon-6pm, Nightbird Books is having an Overstock Sale as part of the 5th Annual Block Street Block Party. Also, The Curious Book Shoppe on Block Street is having a Gigantic Spring Used Book Sale from 10am-7pm. What a great way to pick up a few good books for your summer reading! (Rain, rain, stay away…)

Whew! That’s all the book related news I have today. What’s on your summer reading list? I always crave more books!

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]”not your typical” Summer Reading List! @BookPeople @nightbirdbooks #givebooks @LtlFreeLibrary[/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Summertime, Zombies

The Bearded Ladies of Fayetteville

May 13, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I love bearded ladies and by that I mean irises and not women with beards. (And yes, that’s a thing, too.) Irises are sometimes called bearded ladies because of the thick, bushy “beards” on the lower petals of the blooms. In our Washington-Willow historic neighborhood of Fayetteville, and all over the South, irises are in full bloom. They are my favorite flower because they remind me of my Nana who always grew them. One whiff of that sweet smell transports me back to the home place every time.

Here are a few pictures I took only steps from our porch.

Just wow. I love this apricot/rose color. If I knew the name, I’d tell you, but there are hundreds of varieties, and I’m certainly no expert.

These deep dark purple irises look like velvet. This might possibly be Superstition or Red Velvet Cake, but don’t hold me to it. Regardless, they are stunning.

This purple and white iris got her beard wet in the storm, but she sure smells nice.

This one came from my own garden. It’s called Decadence. A name that fits, for sure.

This black iris came from my garden too. Love.Her.

Purchased recently at Westwood Gardens. A prolific bloomer!

Check out this pale lavender and yellow. So delicate.

Another classic below. This one’s called Accent (I think).

Snowy white. What a beauty.

Of all the bearded ladies of Fayetteville, here are my personal favorites:

the Annabelle…

and Lucy.

Ha.

Are you an iris fan? Do you have a favorite?

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.”
― Georgia O’Keeffe

[tweetthis]Bearded ladies of #Fayetteville. #Iris #Spring #SmellsSoSweet #WestwoodGardens [/tweetthis]

Musical Pairing:

Goo Goo Dolls – Iris

Rainy Graduation Fun!

May 11, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

It was a rainy graduation, one filled with family and fun, as our youngest graduated from the University of Arkansas. Time. That was the theme running through my head. What time is everyone getting into town? What time do we need to leave for Barnhill Arena? How long will it take to graduate 500 business students?

How exactly did time fast forward? My son graduated kindergarten five minutes ago. And five minutes before that, he was born.

Future #Waltongrad

Graduation is one of those occasions that makes me stop and reflect in a life-flashing-by-sort-of-way. The music gets to me. The caps and gowns and formality of it all. I remember my high school graduation. Waiting to hear my name called. Waiting to move that tassel from one side of the cap to the other. Waiting for my time. Stepping across the stage to the beginning of something new and exciting.

And then thirty-five years later, my baby has graduated from college. I’m thankful for every second it took to get to this point. I’m grateful for my own parents who instilled an educational mindset in me. We are blessed to live where we live, to have choices, and the means to succeed. So many don’t.

And hard work. Hard work is key.

Happy Graduation to all those walking the big walk this month!

Daughter Kelsey (University of Texas School of Law J.D. Candidate Class of 2016) & Niece Taylor (Future Razorback Class of 2022)

Today the sun is shining, and the future is bright.

Grace Grits and Gardening

Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

[tweetthis]I’m thinking back on our rainy #graduation weekend. #Thankful. So very thankful. #Waltongrad #UARK15 @UArkansas[/tweetthis]

“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…” ― Dr. Seuss, Oh, The Places You’ll Go!

Musical Pairing:

Seals & Crofts – We May Never Pass this Way Again (My graduation song in 1980…)

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