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Reflections on Arkansas Women Bloggers Unplugged!

September 14, 2013 By Talya Tate Boerner

When was the last time you went to camp? As a kid, Momma packed me up and sent me off to various camps during the summer including basketball camp in Conway, church camp in Ravenden Springs, and cheerleading camp at Arkansas State. 
Except for the basketball practice, preaching and constant “we’ve got spirit, yes we do…” part, I liked camp.
Last weekend I attended AWBU, a blogger camp for Arkansas women bloggers, quite possibly some of the same ladies who attended basketball, church and cheerleading camps with me in the seventies…
AWBU was held at Ferncliff, a 1,200 acre camp nestled in the forest near Little Rock. With a bunkhouse and cafeteria, it was not unlike my memory of beautiful Ravenden Springs.
The whole ‘face with a name’ thing was exhilarating. I met bloggers I’ve been fans of for two years—Delta Moxie, Porkchop Tuesday, Desperately Seeking Gina, Dining with Debbie, Pink Heels Pink Truck, The Park Wife, and Ramblings of a Little Wife to name a few. When people said to me Oh, you’re Grace Grits?, I felt validated.
Meeting Gregg Patterson from Arkansas Farm Bureau was also a highlight. Yes, I follow Farm Bureau around like most follow sports teams…
The conference was fast paced with educational sessions throughout the day involving SEO, branding, and coding. Being able to talk blogging all day and night with like-minded ladies without getting that oh-no-here-she-goes-again-glazed-look was as delicious as the Petit Jean bacon served for breakfast each morning. 
I left the conference feeling more focused and excited about my writing. The weekend included just enough cheerleading to make us energized and just enough exercise (a 5-K instead of basketball) to work off some of that bacon. Plus, the serene setting was downright spiritual.
talya
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.


Filed Under: Arkansas, Life, Writing Tagged With: Arkansas Women Bloggers, Ravenden Springs, Writing / Blogging

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Comments

  1. Stephanie Buckley says

    September 14, 2013 at 5:30 am

    I am so glad you were there and that you enjoyed it! I am looking forward to more blo gfun with you!
    The Park Wife

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      September 14, 2013 at 5:33 am

      Me too! Thanks Stephanie for everything you do!

  2. gina knuppenburg says

    September 14, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    You’re even sweeter in person than I could have imagined!

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      September 15, 2013 at 11:26 am

      Awwww thank you Gina! So glad we met at AWBU!

  3. Gayle Glass says

    September 15, 2013 at 11:25 am

    We missed you THIS weekend, Talya! DJ shared her AWBU notes with me…and I got a lot out of them , even second hand! Maybe next year…

    • Talya Tate Boerner says

      September 15, 2013 at 11:27 am

      I hated to miss it Chris! Next time DJ gets the Greers Ferry house, count me it! And next year mark your calendar for AWBU.

  4. Dorothy Johnson says

    September 15, 2013 at 1:33 pm

    I loved being at camp with you. Ditto on the charge it gave me!,

  5. DiningWithDebbie says

    September 15, 2013 at 6:36 pm

    So great to see/meet you! I’m really sorry that I didn’t get a chance to sit down with you and really get in a good visit. Here’s to next time!

  6. Gary Henderson says

    September 16, 2013 at 6:10 am

    Except for the basketball practice, preaching and constant “we’ve got spirit, yes we do…” part, I liked camp.

    I laughed until I snorted. 🙂

  7. Gary Henderson says

    September 16, 2013 at 6:12 am

    Except for the basketball practice, preaching and constant “we’ve got spirit, yes we do…” part, I liked camp.

    I laughed until I snorted. 🙂


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 25, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: May 4, 2025
  • Sunday Letter: Rainy Day Edition
  • Spiderwort: my love-hate relationship
  • Sunday Letter: March 23, 2025

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