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How to Hibernate

December 12, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Hibernation Mode

This time of year all I want to do is hibernate. I wish I could disappear underneath a cozy quilt and read book after book after book with breaks to snooze along to Christmas movies, old ones like White Christmas, and maybe drink steaming hot soup from a coffee mug. Even though I LOVE winter and wouldn’t dare want to miss it, I’m a little envious of the animals who burrow inside toasty dens and wake to spring.

True animal hibernation is about conservation of energy, not sleep. My version of hibernation is about self care—sleeping and resting and escaping. It’s a time-out away from the busy-ness of life, especially during the holidays when invitations and commitments seem to align one after another.

Last weekend I hibernated on Saturday. And I plan to do it again whenever I can, an afternoon here or a snow day there. I would love to have an entire WEEK of hibernation, preferably in a well-stocked cabin in the woods (with high thread count sheets and a fireplace). Hibernation is not about roughing it. Not in my world.Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 09.02.18

September 2, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter 09.02.18

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Is it just me but weren’t we celebrating Memorial Day last weekend!? Time.Slow.Down. Soon I’ll be dead! LOL. But seriously, Happy September and Happy Labor Day Weekend, too. If you are enjoying a three-day weekend, I hope you use it in a way that makes you silly-happy. We have friends with us this weekend—football watching and lots of laughter for sure!

I even cleaned out my refrigerator to make room for extra food and drinks.

Continue Reading

Sunday Letter: 08.26.18

August 26, 2018 By Talya Tate Boerner

Sunday Letter 08.26.18

Dear Sunday Letter friends,

Have you been outside this morning? Here in Fayetteville, the new morning feels flapjack flat, sketched onto paper with muted colored pencils, moist as a rung-out dishrag used to wipe down kitchen counters. Yes, it’s going to be another don’t-bother-with-your-hair sort of day.

Just like yesterday.

Even though hot and humid is my least favorite type of weather, I’ll gladly accept it and try my best to do something creative with it. With yesterday’s passing of Senator John McCain, we are reminded once again how life grows shorter and shorter. We can’t be picky, but we can choose what we do with each limited, beautiful day.

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: February 22, 2026
  • Our Garden Mission Statement
  • Goodbye, 2025. Hello, 2026.
  • Sunday Letter: 11.23.25
  • Maggie and Miss Ladybug: My New Children’s Nature Book

Novels:

Coloring Books:

Fiction-Themed Coloring Books

Backyard Phenology:

Children’s Nature Book:

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