It’s early spring (2011); I’m unemployed, hurt, restless and a bit angry. When I think of the factors leading to my being on chill from earning an income that would support my basic needs, those feelings are triggered. My heart did three more deep twists and I thought I MUST find SOMETHING to DO, some way to spend my time constructively that allowed me to meet some basic needs, like eating.  HEY, WHY NOT!  I thought to myself. It’s a great time to start the KITCHEN GARDEN I’d dreamed of having. I am HERE in this house with an open backyard area that has been left unattended aside from paying monthly to have the weeds cut. I could just as well WORK THE LAND and PRODUCE MY PRODUCE.

Ambitious and a true visionary, I planted a variety of foods and herbs including a fruit for dessert! I planted spinach, squash, cucumbers, collards, eggplant, onions, carrots, string beans, mint, watermelon, three types of peppers including bells; tomatoes, parsley, dill, basil, rosemary, marjoram and sweet potatoes. I had a great harvest for my first try at growing my own food source and learned that I COULD DO IT…AND..I did do it.

I also learned about composting. The truest beauty of my learning experience was see how we generally throw out as “garbage” the food scrapes and peelings, but when returned it to its source the earth, it replenishes, restores and repairs any damage done to it.

I would LOVE TO WORK WITH MY FAMILY towards broadening the scope of having KITCHEN GARDENS running and to teach our young people HOW TO provide for SELF.  To do so with the aid and support of FAMILY, I imagine will provide an unspeakable accomplishment and production of pure and sheer JOY for all involved.

Another primary reason for starting my kitchen garden has to do with the ‘work’ I have put together and am trying to develop for marketing AND gives me the opportunity to PRACTICE what I PREACH AND TEACH and that is, becoming actively engaged in constructive activity to heal from traumatic stress and the loss of my job.  The therapeutic benefits of peaceful garden environments have been understood since ancient times and it was this peace I was seeking.  In many circles, this practice for this purpose is known has “horticulture therapy” and it was the perfect tool for me because of the dual purpose served, ability to feed myself and have a place of peace that I could create for myself and be independent of others.  And so began…my Garden Project. 

I humbly submit this to the WLH family for inclusion in the newsletter.  I share my story and my experiences in this family to help us see what things we want to fix for the generations to come.

 Click above to view slide show by Abena of her garden.  See how her garden grows; enjoy the music!  This is something to truly be proud of!

Respectfully Submitted by M.E., Abena Afreeka, aka, Joanie of the Wilson, Lake, Herbert Family Reunion Circle, Philadelphia, PA

“Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit; wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad” . . . Author unknown

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