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Sunday Letter: November 9, 2025

November 9, 2025 By Talya Tate Boerner 17 Comments

Hello Sunday Letter friends!

Let me start with a confession: since my last letter, I’ve eaten way too much Halloween candy. It wasn’t my fault exactly—we ended up with an embarrassing surplus of candy (a story for another time). Now every downstairs room has a bowl of chocolate calling my name. It’s like walking past a “FREE SUCCULENTS” sign and not taking one… or ignoring a box of books labeled “TAKE ONE.”

Impossible.

I could, in theory, box up the candy, tie it with string, and hide it high on the pantry shelf—just like Frog and Toad did with their cookies.

But as Toad pointed out, I could still climb up, untie the string, and eat the candy anyway. So maybe, like Frog, I should just give it away and be done with it.

Now that I’ve confessed, I feel better. Let’s move on to the real content of today’s Sunday Letter, which—believe it or not—has nothing to do with sugar, chocolate, or food.

(this post contains affiliate links.)
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Fallen Leaf Art

November 12, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner

Fallen Leaf Art

Have you heard about fallen leaf art? I read about it thanks to Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company. On Facebook, Baker Creek linked to an article on fallen leaf art. The official term is ochiba art. Ochiba is Japanese for “fallen leaves.”

落ち葉

Did I ever tell you I studied Japanese at Baylor University during my college years? And that I spent a summer in Japan? I would love to return someday (#bucketlist). For now, I’ve decided to embrace the eastern idea of fallen leaf art. After all, supplies are plentiful in our neighborhood this time of year.

Well, in reality, colorful leaves were plentiful last week before winter came down like the Polar Express.

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Sunday Letter: 11.03.19

November 3, 2019 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Did you remember to “fall back” last night? Once again, the clock high above our pantry door shows the correct time. Until March, anyway. Ha.

FYI, Hawaii and most of Arizona do not observe daylight saving time.

Something to note on this chilly November morning: Daylight Saving Time was never about the farmers. It was originally about saving energy during WWI. Today, I’m not sure what it’s about other than making our bodies feel out of sync. Crazy what one hour can do. Right?

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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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