A sabbatical is defined as a rest from work - an extended absence for the purpose of fulfilling a goal, such as conducting research, with the expectation that one will return wiser and more capable of performing the old job. My absence from Buffalo Chow was not really a sabbatical. I took a break, but no return was planned. My research continued, but without a defined goal. I just knew that I needed to walk away from writing about food, listen, learn, and then - if the time was right - share ...