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when I think of Alabama…

April 20, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

When I think of Alabama, I think of Carlene, my mom’s college roommate, and her son Gary, and how we visited them a long, long time ago, and while I want to say it was summer it couldn’t have been because of the clothes we wore. Those memories are preserved forever by faded polaroid pictures. I thought their house was amazing mainly because it was two-story. We took turns riding up and down the street in their neighborhood in Gary’s go-cart which was a new experience for my sister and me. Big wheels keep on turning…

When I think of Alabama, I think of Roll Tide and Bear Bryant and his houndstooth fedora that classed up the sidelines every Saturday and college football for years. He was born in Arkansas, you know.

I think of Harper Lee and Monroeville and Scout and Atticus and Boo and Dill and the tree that held gifts.

I think of Hank Williams.

And Alabama Shakes, my new fav.

I think of the trip we made that summer, Continue Reading

Go Set a Watchman ~ a literary time capsule

August 1, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I read Go Set a Watchman immediately after buying the book. Since then, I’ve spent some time thinking about this book I’d anticipated as much or more than the Harry Potter books (and that’s saying something). My friends and I even went to a release party at Nightbird Books. Fun!

After reading it, I’ve let the story percolate in my mind. And I’ve avoided reviews to keep from being swayed. My opinion is mixed. The things I like about the book, I really, really, like. The things I dislike still make me cringe two weeks later.Continue Reading

Dancing with Myself

July 16, 2015 By Talya Tate Boerner

I’ve felt a bit lost this week, like I’m dancing with myself. Maybe it’s just a normal feeling for me after returning home from a weekend on the farm. Maybe it’s the smothering humidity that makes doing most anything outside a miserable chore. Maybe it’s just something I need to feel.

For those of you who think I live a perfect life 24-7, I’m here to tell you it ain’t always a bed of roses. I spent the good part of Monday fighting over payment of a $125 freelance article. Finally, after being treated like I was an idiot, I chalked the whole thing up to a waste of time. I’ll admit for a while the sour experience made me wonder why I ever left my day job at the bank. Oh how nice those regular pay checks were that showed up every two weeks no matter how successful my week had been.

Of course it’s about the writing, not the money. I have nothing to prove, but still, no matter the industry, appreciation is appreciated, right? Plus. It’s about being honest and doing what you say.

I know I’m rambling and mine are first world problems.

Good things happened this week, too. Lots of good things, and it’s only Thursday. Many of my readers took the time to comment on blog posts. You have no idea how that alone keeps me going some days. I had another adventure with Lucy and Annabelle (coming soon!), and I went to a release party at Nightbird Books for the new Harper Lee book, Go Set a Watchman.