Cornbread & Buttermilk, a southern culinary story

The Secrets of Martha’s Garden & Memory’s Roots

Western C. Cain Season 2 Episode 69

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The sun’s dipped low now, casting that long Southern light where everything—every weed, every wild bloom—seems touched by gold. And as we close this chapter of Cornbread & Buttermilk, our hands may still be clean, but our hearts are dusted with the rich earth of intention.

Martha gave us the steps—the calendars, the cuttings, the clean lines and garden gates. But it’s the land itself, and the love we lay upon it, that will do the growing.  Maybe that’s what makes a garden more than a place—it becomes a remembering.

We remember those who taught us to plant. The ones who bent their backs so we could stand tall beneath the trees they once dreamed of. We remember how a garden is never only ours. It belongs to time, to seasons, to sorrow and joy alike.

So whether you’re working with wild acres or a clay pot on a windowsill, know this: when you tend to the soil, you tend to the soil.  When you plant with love, something holy always rises.

’Til next time, y’all keep your hearts open, your hands in the dirt, and your stories blooming.

This is Cornbread, and my Buttermilk, signing off with grateful hearts and green thumbs.


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.

A story about my discovery of the Going Gear Store, and Meeting Finley the English Retriver.

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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...

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