Jason's Jive June 2026

Few things in life are more fulfilling than creating something from scratch. If you read this column regularly, you will know I love gardening. Getting straight into things, a few years ago, I bought a blackberry plant from Walmart in the fall for about $1.32 on sale. It was literally a piece of the stem that they did not want to throw away. Actually, bought two of these and one raspberry plant, all on discount. I gave the raspberry and one blackberry tree to a friend’s mother, but she was unable to get them to grow.

Meanwhile, I planted mine in the front garden and watered daily. Fall slipped away and the cold Texas winter months crept in. Still, I watered this dry plant, sometimes doubting if it will ever be revived. (Lesson learnt is sometimes you just have to stay the course, even if it looks like you cannot see what is happening on the inside. The result is what counts).

Back to the story. I continued watering regularly and then it happened! One day I saw a piece of growth start to emerge. I was very excited and realized at that point that my perseverance had paid off. Long and short of it, the plant grew and eventually I got six blackberries from the tree. That first one tasted great. In the second year, one tree spread to two and the yield was a few more blackberries. Now in year four, I have four or five plants, and they are laden with blackberries.  Thankfully the rabbits have spared them, and I look forward to being able to make a fresh fruit salad with my own blackberries. Pity I cannot post photos.

Meanwhile, that same garden has a rosemary tree I planted from a slip a friend gave to me. I also got parsley that appears to be rabbit proof and is doing very well. There is nothing better than cooking and then going into my garden to pick fresh herbs to season my food.

Dear reader, I want to encourage you to plant something… all you need is some dirt and a few seeds. In my backyard, I have started a garden using plastic containers and cardboard boxes. I have them elevated and out of the reach of the rabbits. I went to Dollar Tree and got three packets of seeds for $1.50. Now I have Sage, Oregano, Kale, Thyme, Swiss Chard (I think that is the name), Sweet Pepper and Carrots – yes, Carrots. First time I am ever planting these.  I am going to add a few more seeds to plant, on the weekend.  IN another two weeks, I will begin transplanting and in two to three months, I will reap a bumper harvest.

So, the relevance of this to you. Please make an effort to plant something, no matter how simple. Cost is minimal – you can use an empty box or two, turned upside down. Get a bag of potting soil and for less than $8, you can start a little backyard garden. Go to the dollar store and buy a little pot or two and give the kids or grandkids a little garden project to do. They can plant flowers or veggies. Let them learn to nurture the plant till it matures. Take photos for them and potentially get them to do a journal of some sort.  Take a photo of the dirt in the pot and then a picture afterwards when the plant matures.

It is a fun joint project to do, but in reality, they are also able to learn a life lesson.  Things take time to develop and have to be nurtured.  The process cannot be rushed. This can be applied in many spheres of daily activity.  A red traffic light is exactly that. Honking your horn at the driver in front of you is not going to make the light change any faster than it should.

Cutting off the other vehicle in traffic is not going to make your destination any closer than it geographically is. We have got to learn patience in life. You drink a bottle of juice; you can only swallow a certain amount at a time. Your throat is not going to adjust to accommodate your thirst.

As the schools get ready to close for the summer break, give the children a garden project to do until schools reopen in August.

Meanwhile, last month I wrote about the Lagos to Ghana drive that my friend, Erik is embarking on, to raise cancer awareness among everyday people. (Please read last month’s Jason’s Jive for details). This endeavor kicks off on May 31, from the residence of the former President of Nigeria, General Olusegun Obasanjo, who has thrown his support behind the project.  A corporate partner, Kenya-based Zuri Health has come onboard and will be conducting a lot of the medical screening in Accra, Ghana. (www.zuri.health).

Follow the journey at https://lagostotheworld.africa. That’s the Jive!