To gain wisdom and knowledge about the world of food it’s important to understand the interconnectedness of eating to history, culture, politics, recipes (or not), new and well-loved cookbooks, community action, thought leaders, and a multitude of stories in this case focusing on the African Diaspora.

Last month I lost two special people; my oldest friend, Valencia Augbon, and Lateefah Curtis, the daughter of friends I’ve known since I was about 19. Their deaths caused me to be still this first half of the month and be grateful for life’s blessings. Nine bites of wisdom so far this May 2021:

One, appreciate the geese and their babies on my homeplace. Even though all they do is eat, make noise, poop, fly and swim, the site of them brings me joy as long as they don’t poop on my stone walkway.

Two, let the sound of surrounding trees swaying in the wind calm your mind and spirit.

Three, let cantaloupe seeds germinate in your kitchen window and watch their daily sprouts grow and lean toward the light. Also, let sweet potato slips keep them company, while they root.

Four, pull the last of your carrots and beets from the hoop house and be awe struck over actually seeing that the seeds produced multi-colored carrots.

Five, check on your plants in the outside raised beds and the plastic owl that’s supposed to be keeping critters away. Cucumbers look a little stressed, but everything else started from seeds is flourishing.

Six, roast some fresh summer squash, red bell pepper, asparagus, garlic cloves and my little homegrown carrots and beets. Make a salad for lunch, topping it off with the roasted vegetables, even if you almost burned them because you got involved in a virtual work call and damn near forgot about them until someone mentioned popcorn!

Seven, give the turtle in your garden a gentle nudge when he tries to nestle too long under your rose bushes.

Eight, be grateful for guys, like Chris and Mike, who are willing to help you expand your garden and teach you how to do it. Thank the Universe that they are willing to put in most of the heavy lifting. Even though I helped some, most of my labor was spent supervising and goodness knows that can wear you out. Oh, and take time on the first day to do a yoga pose.

Nine, garden prep is all done; no planting until fencing is up to keep my gaggles of geese out. Take it all in and be grateful that you had the courage, vision and wisdom to make this your homeplace.

Namaste' ya'll. Three Blessings Yoga Farm and Wellness Center is on its way.