Delta - grace grits and gardening

Things I Brake for in the Delta

February 13, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner 17 Comments

I prefer to take the backroads, the gravel roads, the roads that veer off the interstate. The things I brake for in the Delta are plentiful. And because of that, for me, getting from Point A to Point B rarely involves a straight line. Braking leads to exploring. Exploring leads to all sorts of creative endeavors. I make sure to build brake time into my schedule.

To the person who posted a recent Tweet saying (something to the effect), “I forgot how there is NOTHING in this part of the state.”

Oh, my word and bless your heart. If you find yourself driving behind me, please pass at the first opportunity. I will be driving way too slow for your imagination.

The things I brake for in the Delta?Continue Reading

Delta Resort & Spa! (McGehee, Ar)

February 25, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner 4 Comments

I’ve been trying to get down to visit the Delta Resort & Spa near McGehee, Arkansas for almost a year. Finally I did! I was invited to visit and speak about my novel, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, at the resort’s monthly Girls’ Night Out event. And earlier on the same day, I did a reading in town at the McGehee Public Library.

I’ll say right off, the entire town of McGehee, Arkansas—the library patrons and Girls’ Night Out participants—REPRESENTED Southeast Arkansas in a big way. What an enthusiastic group of new Gracie Lee supporters. Thank you!

The resort did not disappoint. I was impressed by this mirage-like resort in the Delta.

(Disclosure: As a guest of the resort, I received complementary hotel accommodations, dinner, drinks, and shooting range privileges. As always, opinions are my own.)

Arkansas Delta in Purple

February 22, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner 16 Comments

Right now in the Arkansas Delta, the color purple is putting on a show. Fields are dressed and ready for an early spring, the color explosion proof that the soil is warming to the point of supporting blooms. This particular bloom, common henbit, looks anything but common when it blankets an entire field. It has a fancy name, Lamium Amplexicaul. Yes, henbit is a weed, but I’ve always been fond of it. And I’ve never really understood why we don’t consider it vase-worthy.

From the roadside, fields of henbit resemble Oregon lavender fields. Or a Monet painting hanging somewhere far from the Delta.

No doubt Monet’s Champ d’avoine is a stunning work of art, but Arkansas Delta in Purple is pretty breathtaking too.