White soup, also known as afia efere, originated from the Efik tribe in southern part of Nigeria, which is the culture of the Cross River State Indigenes.

In 1987, the state was divided into two and the other part is now called Akwa Ibom State. The Efik tribe is known for their interesting and rich cultural heritage when it comes to cooking, dancing, language and dress.

The ruins of my garden had been visible from the deck for some time, but I had not yet ventured outside. It was time to get out there and acknowledge the ravages of time. To neglect, weep, and get to work — as my grandma used to say — to formulate a rebuilding plan.

My husband helped, but he wasn’t a gardener.

He knew where everything was, but it was a jumble in there. WWII paraphernalia rubbed shoulders with broken clocks, radios, mysterious machinery.