Growing a Farmer Post #1

           I have been enjoying reading this book and its beautiful descriptions of food and farm life. I come from a family of "foodies" where I have grown a love for food. The book's writing strikes my appetite with passages containing illustrations of roasting lamb with rosemary or warmed milk mixed with honey. I admire how I can see the writer's passion for food when he talks about the processes that go into the ingredients I buy weekly at the market. I had a sense of comfort and appreciation when the writer describes the procedures behind the farmer's market and the growing of fruits and vegetables for it, as it is a family tradition of mine to go to them. I think I feel this way because when I pick up the ingredients I am going to use to cook, I'd like to think that the same deep care that I'm putting into a warm meal for my loved ones went into its components as well.

          I can relate to the writer's gratitude for food. When he writes, "wasting food is the greatest sin", I can't help but think of my family dinners and how my grandparents always make sure I have more than enough to eat. My family has a principle regarding food derived from my Japanese culture, "no enryo", or don't be shy in enjoying eating as much as you want. The process of trial and error that the writer goes through to develop his farm is relatable to me and my navigation of college life and studies. I find the writer's humility refreshing and how he settled on keeping his homemade honey and cider for his friends and himself to enjoy instead. I admire that the writer has a love for life and for nature's gifts of food, which I believe is to be shared.