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To all the mothers who make the world go ’round…

May 12, 2017 By Talya Tate Boerner

Mother's Day roses

Dear all you mothers who make the world go ’round,

Yesterday as I cut roses from my garden, I was reminded of Mother’s Days past. How we, my little sister and I, wore a tiny red or pink rosebud to church that day. Momma wore red too, but because she was an adult in charge of things like money, she bought hers at the flower shop in town. Her corsage, a full grown rose, came in a clear plastic box with a long straight pin attached to the back for fastening to her dress. Nana wore a corsage of white gardenia, her favorite, each petal as soft as velvet, its perfume so strong and sweet that forty-five(!) years later, yesterday, when I walked past a gardenia bush at Westwood Gardens, the aroma pulled me over and vaulted me back to Brinkley Chapel. Just like that.

Gardenia from Westwood Gardens

Nana wore a white flower because her Momma, my great-grandmother, died years before I was born. And even though I never met her, I’ve known her my whole life.Continue Reading

Book Club Ideas

September 28, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

Last week I attended yet another fabulous book club and walked away with a few fun book club ideas you can implement in your own club. Seriously, one of the most enjoyable and unexpected things about being a published author is attending book clubs and talking about your own book. This particular book club was hosted by Jo Ann Wardein. (I think everyone in Fayetteville knows Jo Ann! She was one of the first people to welcome me when I moved from Dallas.)

She completely outdid herself.

Book club ideas - how to turn yours into a real event!

Continue Reading

Wearing white after Labor Day. Is this still a thing???

September 5, 2016 By Talya Tate Boerner

White after Labor Day. Is it still a thing?

I’m no fashionista. This truth is self evident. Most of my jeans are ripped. My favorite shoes are Converse, preferably the ones that don’t require tying. So knowing this about me, why did I nearly panic this morning thinking that after today, Labor Day, I wouldn’t be able to wear my favorite white jeans for months?

Call me old school.

Or simply call me old. I realize I’m showing every single one of my southern-fried fifty-four years.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: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: March 16, 2025

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