On Harvesting

It is the time of year which popular culture refers to as "harvest time" though for those of us who grow, the truth is: we harvest continuously. We work that soil as quickly as we can and plant "as soon as danger of frost has passed". The season for spring peas and early lettuce? That was APRIL. Many of us do successive planting and get multiple crops of lettuce, radishes, peas and beans though we know that in July, they fight us by bolting, wanting the slower, less-lit cooler weather. No matter. We harvest what we get and we say thank you.

In one small corner of my property, I have a small raspberry patch. Small but sincere, truly. Probably 64 square feet, total.  It has been a prolific spot and I grow a variety that produces twice per season. The first burst of berries usually arrives right on July 4th every year. It is a short spurt of production and is done by the first of August. Then in early September, another round of berries comes on and goes until frost ends the party. We are in the waning days now. No frost yet but fewer and fewer berries get picked each time. Yesterday I picked about a cup and I think that may have been the last one-cup trip for the season. After this, it will be a measly handful or two.

The thing about picking your own raspberries or anything, is that it gets you to really look at each item as you touch it. You contemplate its ripeness, its shape, its color, so many factors that go into it as it has developed. Look at the curious shape of the stem or branch, after you have picked something. The architecture of it can be astonishing.

I need to address a couple of elephants in the room here: First of all, I am insanely aware that there are thousands of humans -- migrant workers and others - who do this work for little or no money, who don't have the luxury of time or anything else to be able to stop and contemplate any of this. Farm work -- even in the best of circumstances -- is physically hard, hard work.  There is no way that my experience can compare or be anything except one of choice and privilege. I know this and I own it.

But the other piece is that family farmers at their core, do get this. Farmers *do* look at what they grow and are as gob-smacked by the beauty as the rest of us. If you can grow something, anything, even if it's just one pot of basil on your window, do it. And if you can't grow something yourself, there are lots of pick-your-own farms. (Again, this is a privilege - some of these places are really glorified amusement parks) I know that sometimes, it seems like you pay more to do the work of picking something yourself -- apples are one example -- but if you do research, you can find out who stands behind each farm. I know of several family farms that I want to support. They have been on their land for years and sometimes generations. They do integrated pest management, rather than use pesticides so though they may not be legally designated organic, for all purposes, they are. I want to support them and keep them in business. I also believe in voting with my dollars. They care and you can, too.

So my encore for the day? If you can go pick something yourself --apples and pumpkins are still an option now in parts of New England -- go do it. Look at what you are touching. Stop and see the branches, the leaves, the fruit, the flowers. It's a miracle. Every time.

Sabbath

Today, I start with a question: Do you have a Sabbath day?

I am using the word -- Sabbath -- because a couple of weeks ago, a new colleague asked me the question, using that word. Depending on your history and experiences, you may respond in any number of ways, but my hunch is that the majority of you will say: SABBATH? No one SAYS that, any more.

Well, they do, but you have to know where to look though certainly, not as frequently as they used to.

It appears as a commandment, as in: The Ten Commandments. The third of the "ten commandments" is "Honor the Sabbath Day and keep it holy", or words to that effect, depending on your translation. It's a day for rest and worship.

"Worship" is a word that assumes a lot, and rest? What is that?

When my colleague asked me if I kept a Sabbath, it surprised me. I fumbled an answer about how it depended on the day and what my teenage sons were doing. "Sundays are basically for me," I said - though the minute I said it, I questioned its truth.

I should interject here, too, to tell you that the program I using to write this is capitalizing the letter S in the word: Sabbath. It is not my decision to impress significance. Someone, somewhere, made that editorial decision.

Do I worship? Well, those of you who know me know that I am an engaged member of the First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church in Milton MA.

Do I rest? That is an excellent question.

"Sleep is overrated" I said in my twenties. Now, in my fifties, sleep is what it's all about. It always was, though I did a good job pretending it wasn't.

The real question I have both for myself...and for you...is: DO I honor it, "keep it holy", as it were.

I know several millennials who take a "digital Sabbath", which is cool. Because of the ultra-connectedness of all things electronic, to be able to unplug -- literally -- has become their signature at the bottom of their emails. They alert us to the fact that if you are trying to contact them on a given day, generally Saturday or Sunday, you can't expect a reply.

I am offline from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday, when I observe a 'tech sabbath' 

Offline. Unplugged. Being, just being. 

So I am thinking about all of this and wondering -- what IS a true Sabbath? What does one do or not do? Religious implications aside, what does it mean to take a day -- regularly - to refresh and nourish your body AND your spirit? Not to do it haphazardly, but to fully engage in it. What would it look like? Would one be engaged in quiet activities: reading, walking, meditating -- or more creative outlets: baking, gardening, crafting? 

I am asking the question of myself and I am also asking: YOU.  I am curious to know - do YOU keep a Sabbath? IF so, how do you define it? By what you do... or by what you don't do? Are you solitary in this or do you stay among others?

I don't have an encore for you this week. Usually, I have an idea to share or a realization, but this week, I am in the question stage. Perhaps this encore will come later.

So please, do tell me: DO you keep a Sabbath? What does that mean? I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Peace