Celosia
Someone told me 2016 was the shmita…
The sabbath year (shmita Hebrew: שמיטה, literally “release”) also called the sabbatical year or shvi’it (Hebrew: שביעית, literally “seventh”) is the seventh year of the seven-year agricultural cycle mandated by the Torah for the Land of Israel,[1] and still observed in contemporary Judaism.
During shmita, the land is left to lie fallow and all agricultural activity, including plowing, planting, pruning and harvesting, is forbidden by halakha (Jewish law). Other cultivation techniques (such as watering, fertilizing, weeding, spraying, trimming and mowing) may be performed as a preventive measure only, not to improve the growth of trees or other plants. Additionally, any fruits which grow of their own accord are deemed hefker (ownerless) and may be picked by anyone. A variety of laws also apply to the sale, consumption and disposal of shmita produce. All debts, except those of foreigners, were to be remitted.[2]
Chapter 25 of the Book of Leviticus promises bountiful harvests to those who observe the shmita, and describes its observance as a test of religious faith. There is little notice of the observance of this year in Biblical history and it appears to have been much neglected. (source)
I say, bring back the shmita! We have (unintentionally) observed it this year and am so glad we allowed Spy Garden to rest.
Dexie in the garden
Are you all enjoying this season? It has been very mild and warm here.
November 15, 2016
The leaves have been slow to change
Bear sculpture near Spy Garden
The invasive honeysuckles stay green until it gets very cold
Today is November 15 and our basil is still green as can be. When the basil turns black you know the first frost has arrived and winter is coming! Woo! I really love winter. Winter is quite shmita-y; the perfect time for rest and reflection. The first frost is due this weekend.
What I am NOT schmita-ing is school; So. Much. School work. I am currently taking two courses; advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology (studying to get my doctorate in nursing practice) so basically endless reading of bloated anthologies of all the possible things that go wrong in the human body and all the drugs we’ve created to fix these problems whilst creating new problems (#sideeffects). I prefer the topic of health promotion/prevention and a nonpharmacological focus on wellness; but of course this stuff is good to know.
I wasn’t quite ready for Halloween to end at the beginning of November so took a little more time and refined the carved pumpkins:
Butkus as Bunnicula: Bunny bat dracula!
A friend meeting Butkus
Little Halloween boy of yore (~2006)
I see a face
Moles everywhere in the yard
Aunt Spy snuggling Butkus
Super excited to have a friend over!
At a cupcake decorating place
At Forest School
Orange Truck
Prepping for the superbowl
Go Lancers!
Go Lancers!
The Battle for 109
Apparently they can be beat but it sure was close!
Ughhhh! Too much purple! #Rivals
#7
#7
Game at Sunset
We were ahead until about 4 minutes were left in the game!
Little Fan
Jr. Lancers 4th/5th Grade 2016
Fresh local pecans (from a coworker’s yard)
Squash blossoms in mid-November
Knockout Rose bush
Blackberry Bloom
Checking out the supermoon
Microscopic Moon Dust (Source; Dr. Gary Greenberg)
And check out these cool microscopic views of grains of sand:
The Microscopic Photography of Dr. Gary Greenberg (source)
Happy November everyone! Please share in the comments what you think about the practice of a schmita year…Or the supermoon…Or those amazing microscopic photographs! Your comments are welcome and thanks for visiting Spy Garden!!
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SUPER
:)
My guess is that schmita is the precursor to the practice of letting land lay fallow to ‘rest’ usually with a nitrogen-enhancing cover crop. As opposed to not planting anything at all in one given year (starvation?), the crops are rotated. A good husbandry practice.
My sympathies on your ongoing schooling woes. Will you go eventually into naturopathic medicine?
Looks like the Lancers played fiercely. ;) Lovely sunset backdrop.
Butkus looks like the most laid-back love muffin ever! So sweet.
Love the microscopic sand – a small world of gorgeous variety.
Gearing up for the holidays? Christmas is only 40 days away – yikes!
Yes even though we didn’t plant things in every area; “fallow” really means lots of clover and other things that I assume help. I am not exactly sure what I will do with my career there are tons of options but no matter what yes I absolutely focus on lifestyle/”natural” approaches to health!! We are definitely ready for Christmas!!! Decorated earlier than ever this year! Thanks for the comments :)