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I toured American Greetings!

March 7, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

American Greetings, OsceolaAll my life, American Greetings has been a magical mystery to me. A rather serious looking building, it spreads low on the flat delta landscape even wrapping around its own private lake. And although located only a few miles from where I grew up, I’d never stepped foot inside. Until a few weeks ago.

Being a writer sometimes has its perks. At long last, I wormed my way inside and confirmed lots of things I’d always heard like employees really do ride bicycles inside. And they buzz around in golf cart-type vehicles, too. Internal transportation is a necessary thing because the plant occupies nearly 2.6 million square feet, or 60 acres.

60 acres is the equivalent of 54 football fields, and that’s a big chunk of real estate.Continue Reading

“The Woods”

February 26, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

The Woods - The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee

“The Woods” provided mystery. “The only patch of woods in our flat world of cotton and soybean fields passed the window in a dark blur.” Kids see the world through creative and colorful lenses, their imaginations pushed to high gear. If you’ve read my book, The Accidental Salvation of Gracie Lee, you know about this particular stand of trees. Gracie Lee and her little sister, Abby, studied the woods from the back seat of Momma’s car each time they traveled to and from Boon Chapel—at a minimum, twice on Sunday.

Any place unusual in the Delta was considered interesting and worthy of extra thought and usually given a special name such as Thrill Hill or Dead Man’s Curve or Blue Hole.

But especially The Woods.Continue Reading

That Bookstore: It’s a wrap!

February 16, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

That Bookstore in Blytheville: it's a wrap!

THANK YOU to all of Mississippi County and beyond, to everyone who came to my first book signing at That Bookstore in Blytheville. If I used all of my colored pencils and only the best words I know, I couldn’t have written a better day. It’s a wrap, but I don’t want to forget a second of it.

And I have so many folks to thank!Continue Reading

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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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