grace grits and gardening - ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Remembering You

January 10, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I remember you in vibrant

twelve year old eyes, hidden

behind a curtain of silk, never

quite long or straight
enough. Giggling, singing,

mad at the world. Call me

maybe? Leave.Me.Alone.

I remember you

in soulful eyes, dark and fervent,

connecting the dots

with a humorous twist. Studious

yet playful, I believe I can fly.

I remember you in determined

eyes, brilliant and focused, mature
beyond your days.

I could have done better. I will

do better. Oh the places I’ll go.

Watch and see.

I remember you

in conflicted eyes,
knowing, harried,

busy kids, busy work.
Here there everywhere.

How will I get through the day?

I remember you through

future eyes, steadfast,
amusing,

occasionally forgetful.
My most devoted
fan. How did it get so late so soon?

Sometimes I can’t remember you at all.

talya

No Such Thing, John Mayer

The Cup Song

January 9, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

Brianna Powell & May “Babe” Brightwell

For those of you keeping up, here’s another piece of the May Brightwell / Nancy Drew book puzzle. If you’ve been reading, you know what I mean…

If you are behind, here is a super quick recap…

– I bought a vintage Nancy Drew book in Arkansas.
– Inside the cover was the inscription “this book belongs to May Gertrude Brightwell” with her Maryland address.
– Based on other notations, I estimated she owned the book in 1959.
– I blogged about this.
– I blog about everything that happens to me.
– I wondered, “Should I try to contact her?”
– Before I had the chance, her family read the blog and contacted me.
– She still lives in Maryland.
– Now we are all one big happy Facebook family:))

The following is a video of May’s great-great niece, Brianna Powell. What a talent!!!

Click Here…”The Cup Song”

Had.To.Share.

talya

Part 1 – You Send Me

Part 2 – On That Night

Musical Pairing:
none needed…

I’m Home!

January 8, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I eagerly anticipated Tate’s college Christmas break.

I envisioned family meals spread on the dining room table night after night. Piles of beef tenderloin with roasted potatoes, pot roast and carrots, his favorite cream of mushroom soup… (Tate is my carnivore.)

Tate had visions of Burger House and late nights with friends.

I had grown accustomed to my tidy third floor. Tate had grown accustomed to apartment living.

3rd floor

There comes a time when Christmas decorations need to be taken down and put away. The tree, fresh and fragrant, filled with bright twinkle lights, became instantly frazzled and tired by January 1. Garland and tinsel and cherished vintage ornaments need to be returned to attic storage to rejuvenate and regain holiday magic for next year.

There comes a time when college kids need to return to college, bittersweet though it may be.

Sunday, Tate drove back to college to begin the spring semester of his sophomore year. As I watched the Redskins lose to the Seahawks, Tate sent me a text saying, “I’m home.”

What? Home?

I wanted to respond… NO, you are back in Fayetteville. Home is here in Dallas. With me!

But I knew what he meant.

We all have more than one home. Home is the place where memories are strung together like pearls on a necklace. The place where all our yesterdays live.

I’m home as soon as I cross State Line Avenue into Texarkana. I’m home as soon as I cross the Red River back into Texas.

I am home any time I’m with my family. I miss Tate already.

talya

Musical Pairing:

There’s No Place Like Home, Elvis Presley

p.s. I miss Kelsey too!