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There comes a time, every so often, when a man looks at the unruly wild just beyond his porch and feels the old ache of Eden. Not the grand paradise, no—but something simpler, humbler. A patch of earth that minds its manners. A bit of order wrested from the green chaos.
This past week, me and a good fella named Miguel laid hands on the front yard like two preachers at a tent revival. We weeded and cleared, pulled back thorn and vine like casting out evil spirits. Japanese Maples stood trembling, grateful to see the sun again. Italian Cypress rose tall and silent, as if remembering Rome. The peonies, now wait in soft expectation, dreaming of summertime showers.
We laid down weed cloth like a promise and blanketed it with cypress mulch as black as coffee left too long on the stove. When we stepped back, it was quiet—not the hush of emptiness, but the silence of something satisfied. The land, I swear, exhaled.
Sometimes, I think tending to a flowerbed is a kind of prayer. A slow one, offered with bent knees and dirty hands. And though no one may see it but the sparrows and the squirrels, the work stands. And the earth remembers.
As the last wheelbarrow was emptied and the rake leaned against the porch rail, Buttermilk stepped out with a tall glass of iced tea—amber as sunset and clinking ice with lemon slices. She looked out over the newly cleared flowerbeds, eyes resting on the cypress, the maples, the peonies tucked in like children after a long day.
“Well,” she said, her voice calm as still water, “looks like the land’s finally remembering who it belongs to.”
She handed me the glass, and for a long moment, we stood there together—quiet, content, watching the garden settle into its new shape. And in that silence, there was something holy.
You can find Edward Phillips on YouTube. Go to @Edwardphillipsroots for more of his music. Learn about the history behind the Delta and Piedmont Blues. Edward brings the music of Sun House, Blind Willie Johnson, and Robert Johnson to life with his stories.
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Disclaimer:
Cornbread & Buttermilk is all about sharing stories, traditions, and the wisdom of the Southern kitchen, but we are not medical professionals. The information shared in this episode is for educational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult with your physician or a qualified healthcare provider before adding new foods, supplements, or home remedies to your routine—especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking medications. Listen to your body, trust your doctor, and enjoy the journey of good food and well-being!
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Title: Ragged and Dirty
Performed by: William Brown
Recorded by: Alan Lomax
From the album: Negro Blues and Hollers
Courtesy of: American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
You can reach History By Mail for more information at, www.historybymail.com
Listen to @EdwardPhillipsRoots on YouTube. You can watch, “The Electronic Juke Joint” Live stream, with Edward on Wednesday Nights at 8:30 p.m. E.T. where Edward takes song request from his liste...
