All posts in category servanthood

Ode to My Grocer

Eddie Basha 1937 - 2013

Eddie Basha
1937 – 2013
A Good Man and a Very Bad Boy

Two years ago, my dear friend and mentor, Eddie Basha, died just before national poetry month. I couldn’t finish this at the time but wanted to honor him. He was an Arizona Icon and a brilliant business man with a heart bigger than his head. He had a generosity of spirit and a flare for practical jokes like no one I’ll ever know. He ran for Governor once but lost because although he was a great leader, he was a poor politician. His grocery chain, Bashas, is dispersed widely across our state and is a hub in many of our rural communities. He spent many years on the Board of Regents, a warrior for education for all. I remain deeply saddened by his departure yet in his leaving, he has caused me and others to examine our words and deeds through the filter of fairness and kindness. I wrote this from my own observations and also from some of the lovely tributes paid to him in the days following his death.

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38 Comments
by Tammy on April 5, 2015  •  Permalink
Posted in agriculture, Celebrations, Community leadership, food industry, poetry, servanthood
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Posted by Tammy on April 5, 2015

https://agrigirl.com/2015/04/05/ode-to-my-grocer/

Starving to Death: the “luck” of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick’s Day. This morning Jackie of the Auburn Meadow Farm posted regarding the event that many of us know as the Potato Famine. I find it fascinating but also chilling to learn about the reliance on mono-crops and the influence of wealthy industry in that great tragedy. Can we learn from this?

Auburn Meadow Farm

“The Almighty, indeed, sent the potato blight, but the English created the Famine.”

— Irish national activist, solicitor & political journalist, John Mitchel

250px-John_Mitchel_(Young_Ireland)

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My family came to America from Ireland in the early 1900’s so you’d think I’d have some firsthand tales to tell about the Great Hunger. But, alas, my family is not a sharer of stories, photos or heirlooms handed down from one generation to the next.

They say history is written by the victors, and mylack of understanding of the Irish Potato Famine proves this true.  This day every year when all Americans are honorary Irishmen is a perfect time to reflect on the actual history of the most influential Irish event I know.

Of course what we call the Irish Potato Famine, the Irish instead call the Great Starvation. The Irish rejection of the term Famine is very specific; a famine is a natural disaster. And…

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17 Comments
by Tammy on March 17, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in agriculture, Celebrations, food industry, servanthood
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Posted by Tammy on March 17, 2013

https://agrigirl.com/2013/03/17/the-luck-of-the-irish/

Fast Pitch

Even though the appetizers were divine, I’ll stray from the food topic for this post. Earlier this week I was able to participate in a fantastic community event called Fast Pitch.

Batter Beware

Batter Beware

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36 Comments
by Tammy on March 7, 2013  •  Permalink
Posted in Celebrations, Community leadership, servanthood
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Posted by Tammy on March 7, 2013

https://agrigirl.com/2013/03/07/venture-philanthropy/

Full Circle

My parents can be proud of this. Not of me and not of my sister but of the evidence that points to the legacy of their own work.

My 8 year old niece’s head was bent over the craft table in full concentration. She was busy with some type of project. Tugging a phone book as large as herself across the room, she sealed an envelope and asked, “How do you spell Womens’ Resource Center?” My sister assisted and asked what was in the envelope. My niece couldn’t remember. A bit concerned about the phone call that might come from the Center or elsewhere, my sis took a peek.

The Gift? A Note and 5 Pencils

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86 Comments
by Tammy on October 4, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in community, servanthood, service, Unlikely allies, Women
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Posted by Tammy on October 4, 2011

https://agrigirl.com/2011/10/04/teaching-children-to-give/

Yes, No or Not Right Now

The interaction was nearly silent. My son was hunched over the carrying case to his laptop. I could see his hand plunging deeply in each pocket. With mother’s intuition I knew instantly that he was searching for the mouse. He grimaced and the pace picked up. He was frantically moving his fingers from corner to corner of his bag. Silently and without notice I thought, “please let him find his mouse.”

If You Teach a Boy to Fish

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65 Comments
by Tammy on April 26, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in inspiration, leadership, learning, life, love, recipe, servanthood, Wellness
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Posted by Tammy on April 26, 2011

https://agrigirl.com/2011/04/26/answers-to-prayers/

The Volunteers Seem to Thrive

My husband and I were working in the area around our front patio this weekend. Over the last year, we changed out some of the plants and added some new ones. There’s a lovely new agave that we’ve planted and artfully swirled around it, a flowering vine has grown. I mentioned the vine to him, impressed that it had grown on it own. “We didn’t even plant this yellow microdot.”  His comment back, “yeah, the volunteers always seem to thrive.”

In surveying our yard, I quickly decide this is a truth. Some of the things I’ve purchased at nurseries didn’t make it but many of the plants that were taken as cuttings from others or that have come up on their own – aka volunteered, are thriving.

flickr.creativecommons/photos/heraklit/169568227

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53 Comments
by Tammy on January 21, 2011  •  Permalink
Posted in community, Community leadership, Community Supported Agriculture, CSA, Customer Satisfaction, inspiration, leadership, life, recipe, servanthood, service, structured framework, sustainability, Wellness
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Posted by Tammy on January 21, 2011

https://agrigirl.com/2011/01/21/the-volunteers-seem-to-thrive/

Bindweed, Creeping Spurge and Crabgrass

“I can see white flowers blooming on the tops of the evergreens.”

The observation came from my 92 year old Grandmother. Last weekend was my turn to visit her as I attempt to do with some regularity despite the 800 miles between us.  It’s a wonderful bonding experience and I try to accomplish a few chores like cleaning a closet shelf that’s hard for her to reach or stocking up on grocery items. Friday night when my son and I arrived, she greeted us with fresh sweet corn and Colorado’s Palisade peaches.

flickr cc Muffet

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103 Comments
by Tammy on August 26, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in agriculture, community, life, love, recipe, servanthood, service
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Posted by Tammy on August 26, 2010

https://agrigirl.com/2010/08/26/kids-chores-appreciating-grandparents/

An Idea Comes of Age in My Own Head

I’m in the Pacific Northwest today where I planned to blog about vacation pleasure like hunting for agates and arrowheads, learning to pick nettles and digging for clams. But I can’t get that image out of my head. The open cavity where her nose once was haunts me. If you’ve seen it, you know what I’m talking about because it’s likely that you can’t forget it either.

Flickr CC 2.0 Comedy

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52 Comments
by Tammy on August 2, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in Community leadership, friendship, leadership, life, servanthood, support, Women, writing
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Posted by Tammy on August 2, 2010

https://agrigirl.com/2010/08/02/women-feminism-change/

Ladybug, Ladybug, fly away home

In the days following my cancer diagnosis I recall a conversation with my husband. “Breast cancer just isn’t my cause,” I told him. It wasn’t that I didn’t think it worthy – of course it was. I’d sponsored friends in the famous 3-day walk, made contributions to Komen and supported a close friend who founded the Arizona Institute for Breast Health. I wore pink bows to honor my best friend, my coworkers, and others but my community involvement leaned in other directions and I wasn’t ready to abandon those due to an unwanted illness. I’m terribly thankful for the thousands who do crusade on behalf of the cure and I’ve enjoyed helping the Wellness Community of Arizona, an organization that was very helpful to me, but whatever the activity, I work hard to make certain that it is well aligned with me and my values.

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24 Comments
by Tammy on April 5, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in agriculture, community, inspiration, life, recipe, servanthood, service, support
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Posted by Tammy on April 5, 2010

https://agrigirl.com/2010/04/05/ladybugs-community-service/

A Food Ministry

“I’ve been feeling sluggish and have little energy,” a friend shares. My mind races ahead, “get gluten out of your diet.” Another friend, battling cancer, tearfully explains her last doctor visit. Again, I think, “add turmeric to your daily supplements.” I don’t say either of these comments aloud for I’m not a nutritionist or a dietician but inevitably wherever I am, my conversations to turn food. Am I being called to a Food Ministry?

Jamie Oliver; Chef and Activist

I was contemplating this question when KateBart posted a recent TED talk featuring Jamie Oliver on her facebook page. I’d seen the Naked Chef before but when I watched his passion and heard his message, my heart was pounding.  Jamie’s TED talk is 20 minutes long, but if you haven’t seen it, please schedule some time to watch.

Jamie is clearly living a food ministry. If you are not inspired by his message, I believe you will at least admire his determination.  I’m certain that part of this calling is what attracted me to CSA initially. What are you being called to do?

28 Comments
by Tammy on March 27, 2010  •  Permalink
Posted in CSA, food, inspiration, life, servanthood
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Posted by Tammy on March 27, 2010

https://agrigirl.com/2010/03/27/a-food-ministry/

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