A Love Supreme
As long as I can remember, I’ve been told that I am my mom’s copy. It was always understood that they meant I looked like her (which was the highest compliment) but what I always wished was that my heart was like hers. There is …
Tag: garden
Creativity
This month the Black Garden co-sponsored a monthlong film festival by the nonprofit, HotHouse, featuring Afro-Cuban women. Each documentary highlighted a different woman’s story and I was reminded once again that not all stories are told and certain ones are perennially left out of history. …
Italian Hours
As a kid, traveling meant using every single mode of transportation and exploring both the new and familiar. We were just as likely to visit the other side of the city where we were living as we were to be in San Francisco, Venezuela, Boston, or Montreal. Who didn’t want to follow the drama of the highly competitive but amiable koi competition in your hometown? We spent much of our time trying to figure out why one fish was deserving of the blue ribbon over all of the seemingly similar fish. If someone came to visit, there was no shortage of sights, sounds, and tastes to share because we were forever tourists and residents simultaneously.
Before I lived in Italy, I visited. Eager to test out my fluency, I longed to experience first-hand what I had learned about its art, food, literature, architecture, history, music, and more. And yes, I was amongst the throngs of people in Venice, Florence, Siena, and magical places featured in plays, paintings, and operas.
Before there were digital cameras and smartphones, I had one of the best trips of my life to the island of Sicily. I went with visions of The Leopard, Ancient Greek cities, and, of course, the Godfather. I had gone with the promise of lemons and bright citrus, marzipan, fresh seafood, chocolate bars punctuated with interesting ingredients, and brioche with ice cream for breakfast!
What I hadn’t imagined, but in hindsight is quite obvious, was the North African influences on the island. There was that familiar seafood I had expected but it was mixed in and topped tomato-sauced couscous, making something delicious and akin to paella. Otherwise, the fish was grilled or sautéed and kissed by wild fennel, briny capers, and sour citrus.
Epistle from the Black Garden
Tucked into the corner of the Black Garden is a plant not much bigger than a sapling. Its flat leaves are distinctively delicate. This is a black currant bush. And this variety is called Ebony. It is the sweetest of all varieties. Love letter # …
Traveling Together
Over the years, our traveling family unit has grown from just me and the parents to my brother to significant others and even the next generation. We’ve asked ourselves: if we go there, what will so-and-so like? This is just another reason why cities are …
Sweet Life.
This will be short and (so) sweet.
This week my parents came to Chicago to party. Yes, it included late night conversations, a walk around the Point, delicious food, and laughter. More than anything, it included love. Parents, grandparents, children, spouses, and grandchildren… so much love flowing between, amongst, and around.
Why were we partying? We were celebrating my parents’ anniversary and it was beautiful.
Young love is often described as naive, tumultuous, and sugary. It can indeed be that but its often constant, developing, and deep. Could we emphasize the word ”growing” when we say growing old together? I say YES!
For more sweetness, don’t miss our Remembrances of Love.
Fruits of one’s labor
The Black Garden is coming along nicely. Like most things in life, when you’re planning something, it’s not always clear how things will work out. Does gardening encourage patience? Flexibility? Curiosity? Every year, the Black Garden gets more interesting. A new black tomato is planted, …
Summer’s Abundance
Has anyone told you lately that there’s so much good stuff out there? If not, I’m saying it. Summer has its unique way of revealing how much is out there: zucchini for giants, pounds of tomatoes, mint taking over any and every garden if you’re …
The Intentional Gardener
This month marks the third year of the Black Garden. Swiping through catalogs and exchanging seeds with friends, the possibilities are endless. Perpetually, predictably, unsurprisingly, I’m overwhelmed… until I’m not. I then remember that there’s not enough room for everything and there’s so much pleasure in the complementary way of things. Didn’t grow any zucchini or a particular tomato this year? Well, your friends did and they left a little bundle on your porch. Ain’t life grand?
My spring garden is a combination of greening red currant , fraises des bois, and fig plants with herbs returning again to perfume our space. Most of the garden is brown peppered by green shoots, leaves, and buds. Daffodils, hyacinth, crocus, tulips, and other bulbs are just arriving in spectacular fashion after being lured by a few warm days and then snow, snow, snow.
A mere week ago, these yellow jewels were dusted with snow. Not to be outdone, the magnolia readies itself for its fireworks next month. It knows it’s a showstopper.
At this time of year in Chicago, pansies can only be found pressed between the pages of my favorite books, ensuring that they won’t be forgotten as time goes by. I open Dr. Jessica B. Harris’s Tasting Brazil, and there flowers!
And what do we do with pressed flowers? Make floral windows of course.
Happy spring!
