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Lake Day!

July 6, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

Lake day!

Once we left the flat delta, we studied the trees, searching for the lake. The first one to see the water shimmering through the Ozark trees won. There wasn’t a real prize, the thrill of that first glimpse was prize enough.
“I see it!”
“Girls, it’s still at least an hour away.”
I returned to my book but only read a few paragraphs before looking out the window again. The trees grew denser and taller and shaded the roadway weaving through the mountains. With each flip of the page, Momma drove closer to our favorite place.
“The Lake!” We screamed at the same time. Alice in Wonderland fell to the floorboard.
“Jinx!” We yelled in unison.
“Double jinx!”
We idled behind the long line of cars waiting to board the ferry.
“Staci, let’s run down to the water until it’s our turn…” The ferry unloaded cars on the opposite shore giving us at least twenty minutes to explore.
She poked my arm. “Okay but you owe me a coke.”
“Crap I was so excited, I forgot about the jinx game.”
“Don’t say crap,” Momma reminded.
My sister and I raced to the water’s edge, breathing in the beginning of summer.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.

Lake Norfork

June 24, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

O
to
see
that
first
sliver
of water 
glinting 
past green. 
Wood violet, 
salmon phlox 
tumble along 
roadsides, our 
gleeful escort. 
Are we there yet? 

#gracegritsgarden.com

“Happiness is not a matter of intensity but of balance, order, rhythm and harmony.” 
― Orison Swett Marden

talya

Musical Pairing:

Daydreams, Danny Wright

V is for Vacation

April 25, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

I am a homebody.

Sometimes my best vacations are those spent at home. A few days carved out between yesterday and tomorrow spent with a good book and a bottle of wine is more relaxing than a carefully planned, often expensive trip.

Simple is good.

John and I have a tiny place in Arkansas we visit when we want to get away from the busy-ness of Dallas. With only 892 square feet of space, we fill it with things we absolutely love—favorite artwork, vintage plates and crystal, old books, leather club chairs from the antique store around the corner.
Sleeping with screen doors separating us from the wild, we wake to the chirp of songbirds. A neighbor’s rooster crows. When it rains or snows, what a bonus…
Our schnauzers, Lucy and Annabelle, love the expansive yard filled with buried treasures from a previous dog. As I write, bamboo rustles a soothing tune. 

Sometimes vacationing is a state of mind.


“Home is the nicest word there is.” 
― Laura Ingalls Wilder
talya
Musical Pairing:
Spring, Danny Wright

Blogging my way through the alphabet. V is for Vacation.
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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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