Dis-JOY-nted Developments

I used to be a solid "fiction only" reader. Sometimes, though, an amazing non-fiction book slams me upside the head and demands that I pay attention! Tembi Locke wrote one of these books.

From Scratch, by Tembi Locke is an extraordinary autobiographical memoir and from the very first chapter, I realized it was not what I was expecting! After briefly explaining how she came to write the book, Locke dives straight into the heart of Italy, revealing trepidation, love, cooking, and emotional vignettes that transport the reader into that moment in time. Not only does she share her personal experiences, but she guides the reader in a way that creates a sense of belonging, inviting the reader to become a part of her story.

Tembi Locke is a woman of many talents. She pursues several callings as an actress, author, and even a cook! Not only does she enjoy her Italian-inspired recipes, but she shares them with her fellow food-loving community!

“The connection you are creating here is like a flower. It requires soil and sun. Things that, thanks to God, are given freely. But it is you, all of us, who has to water the flower to make it grow. Without water, all relations remain small. They can't open, and eventually die” (Locke, 2019).

Locke shares several personal insights within the pages of her book:

• Pain happens to everyone
• Love can appear in different ways
• Sometimes the ending is just a beginning
• Relationships are essential
• Cooking can be healing
• Life can be found even in death
• Create intentional connections

Maybe one shouldn't judge a book by it's cover, but when the front of a memoir contains something other than the face of the author, it entices a closer look. The front of Tembi Locke's book is a fun yet intimate look of the author looking away from the camera, perched near a bicycle, with Saro leaning close. Plus, the whole aspect is in a bright sienna and watercolors that exudes the essence of Italian cooking, another caveat of the book.

The initial reason that Locke wrote this book was not to send it into the world. Instead, she started part of it as her diary, a way for Locke to process the lessons learned and the heartbreak she encountered. Writing down emotional events is a proven way to effectively process through information in a manageable way.

Since writing From Scratch, Locke has permeated Instagram where she relays snapshots, recipes, and advice. She can also be found on TV shows, talk shows, and even Ted Talks! She travels and uses her media platform as a way to encourage the expression of love and connection with others. It is never too late to make that step. Saro's encouragement to seize the life that is in front of her takes on a new reality in her work today and she embraces ways to love others through food and fellowship.

"It is in giving that we receive life's greatest gifts" (Tembi Locke).

Some of her favorite shared recipes include Smokey Sweet Potato Tacos, Sicilian Pasta, Purea de Fave con Crostini (Pureed Fava Beans with Crostini), and Granita di Gelsi Neri (Mulberry Granita), which can be found at her website, "The Kitchen Window" or in her book (see References).

"I certainly wasn't looking for love. I mean, not the kind that could last a lifetime" (Locke, T., TedxTalks, 2015)

Overall, this woman inspires me to take what life throws at me and to use it in a way to bring joy to others! Many times I become disappointed when life does not follow a set pattern, but as Locke proves, sometimes the best things in life happen when you least expect it!

For more on Tembi Locke, see the Resources below:

Resources:

About Tembi Locke. (2021, February 25). Retrieved from https://www.tembilocke.com/about/

KTLA. (2019, June 08). Frank Buckley Interviews: Tembi Locke. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7QKaDASJTnI

Locke, T. (2019). From scratch: A memoir of love, Sicily, and finding home. New York: Simon & Schuster.

Locke, T. (2021, January 27). The Kitchen Window. Retrieved from https://thekitchenwidow.com/

TEDxTalks. (2015, September 10). What forty steps taught me about love and grief | tembi locke | tedxpasadenawomen. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z65fSOl57Mo