Publisher Letter

July’s theme is The Great Outdoors, and this is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables—especially seeded watermelons and okra. Growing up, I spent summers with my grandparents, surrounded by cousins. Some of my fondest memories come from those days. We’d all light up when my grandfather pulled up in his old pickup truck, the bed full of seeded watermelons. 

Times are different now. The food industry has systematically removed seeds from our food supply, and farmers are paid not to farm the land. If only more people understood the power of food that contains seeds—and the sacredness of the soil that births it. Somehow, the very things designed to give us life and sustain us have become inconvenient. 

As kids, we found seeded watermelons fascinating. “Look at all of those watermelon babies!” we’d exclaim, amazed. Little did we know those seeds were destined to be watermelons themselves. We’d spit them out wherever we happened to be eating. Back then, there was no such thing as seedless. Nature has always been our best teacher—if we take the time to connect and listen. 

I understand now that our Creator had a foolproof plan for our nutrition—not grocery stores, but “growcery” stores. We were meant to grow our own food and preserve it for the seasons ahead.

Here in the South, soul food is part of our heritage—but some of today’s staples, rich in fried foods, fat, sugar, salt and oil, are slowly draining our health, like a leaky faucet we keep ignoring.  

What we really need is “soil food”—nourishment grown in rich, organic soil. I have a saying, “If it’s not from the earth, it is of no worth,’’ and “If it’s not from the ground, put it down.” As a grandmother, I love sharing my passion for gardening and nature with my grandchildren. It brings me so much joy knowing they can eat from Big Mama’s garden—food grown in nutrient-dense, organic soil, free of pesticides, insecticides and fungicides. 

And I learn from them, too. My grandchildren show me who they were born to be. They remind me of what really matters in life. It’s not the accumulation of money, cars or houses. I’ve been to many funerals, and not once have I seen anyone buried with their material possessions. Just the clothes they wore. 

So I encourage you to get outside and connect with the great outdoors—even if it’s just your porch, deck or backyard. Explore a local park or a trail. Visit a farm and pick whatever’s in season—berries, peaches, you name it. Go far a walk and listen for the wisdom nature is offering. Eat your meals on a blanket under the sky. Engage with your loved ones. Disconnect from the distractions that pull us away from presence. Reconnect with someone you’ve been neglecting—even if that someone is you.  

Nature is calling. Go see what it has to say.

I love you all,I love you all,

Ms. Tracy