Continued Blessing and the Countdown

Another Shabbat with no ice to break.  It's just been amazing how we've had record cold days, but five Shabbats now, have been warm.  I continue to think of and pray for those in these arctic blasts, but I must also give Him praise.  As for prayer for those in severe weather conditions, we must remember that California is suffering drought and fires.

This past week, we observed Tu B'Shvat.  It's not a Biblical holiday, but it is like Arbor Day in Israel.  I can't verify this for certain, but it is said that the sap begins to run upward from the roots after this day . . . I have noticed two trees on the place that do look like they are forming leaf buds, but my imagination is filled with wishful springtime thinking by now.  As mentioned previously, I do observe the Gregorian New Year for one thing, well actually two.  I change the date on the two checks I write every month, and I begin the countdown to start the garden.

There are just twenty-six days left until the garden season officially begins.  Barring a foot of snow, YHWH willing, I plan to rearrange that week.   Since the first day of garden season falls on Preparation Day, I plan to get the housework done, Thursday and have some slow cooking one pot wonder in the oven or on the stove that day, while I'm out in the garden.  

I'm so grateful to live in a place where all four seasons can be enjoyed, and very grateful that the winter season is the shortest.  If winter was any longer here, I think my self-discipline would become slack.  I spend winter months just a notch above conscious hibernation.  

I do want to remind everyone that this is the last garden season before Shemitah.  Make plans accordingly.   And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof:    But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest and lie still; that the poor of thy people may eat: and what they leave the beasts of the field shall eat. In like manner thou shalt deal with thy vineyard, and with thy oliveyard.  Torah of Holy Scripture