I found Moses' tree!

Exodus 15:23-26 [NKJV version]

Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people complained against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet.There He made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them, and said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

   The Israelites have just walked across the Red Sea on dry land. They have had a wonderful service of praise and thanksgiving. They really are free! The horse and rider have been thrown into the sea!

   Annnnnd then, three days later, they come to Marah. Here, the waters are too bitter to drink. They complain against Moses. That word translated “complain” is luwn. In luwn, there is a grudge, a harboring, staying in a frame of mind. Moses is up against a lot of thirsty, angry people.

   Moses cries out to the L_RD. The L_RD shows him a tree. When cast into the waters, the waters become sweet. I searched for what scholars think the tree was. [There are a lot of theories, from Moses having a piece of the tree of life, to other spiritual-sounding ideas.] I didn’t find anything convincing. 

   From chemistry class, I learned that adding a something sour [acid] to something bitter [base] creates a salt. That’s why we Yankees [i.e. Vermonters] use vinegar on vegetables. We learned that vinegar on spinach, kale and Brussels sprouts improves the flavor. I also like it on dandelion greens, although Mr. Bove [yes, that Mr. Bove] said no, it should be sauteed in olive oil and garlic. #respect.

   Bitter + sour = salt. But what changes bitter to sweet? An enzyme process is needed. Dry wood wouldn’t have active enzymes. Only a live tree would.

   I looked up Middle East trees with enzyme action. 

   I found Moses’ tree!

   The acacia, or vachellia nilotica, is antiprotozoal, antihelmintic, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It supplies all this through its enzyme-related activity. Acacia is used in traditional medicine for treating infection, ulcers and inflammation.

   It wasn’t a surprise to G_d that the waters were bitter. It didn’t surprise Him that the Israelites would be upset. The L_RD already had the tree growing, waiting. Not only is He about to perform another miracle, He uses this opportunity to teach them more about Himself. 

   What? with a new conditional law? how does that teach anything?

   Much of scripture’s promises come in an “if-then-else” format. There at Marah, G_d says, 

“If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”

   If they [we] diligently listen to Him, and do what is right, then those plagues that led to Israel’s deliverance from slavery aren’t meant for us. Ok, cool! Is that all, though? No!

   The L_RD goes a step further [as I find He always does]. He doesn’t stop at the plagues. He teaches something about His character, who He IS.

   “I am the Lord who heals you.”

   The Lord is Healer. 

   He isn’t just about laws and obedience. His heart is for our wholeness. That’s what He’s really saying by turning bitterness to sweetness. He wants to change our bitterness to sweetness.

   I can feel His loving Heart saying, “Oh, children, I want to do this in you! I have provided a Tree* for your healing.” 

   Amen, dear L_RD, and thank You. <3 <3 <3

*Tree - Isaiah 11.

Proofreader caveat: I use brackets [ ] because the parentheses don’t work on this keyboard. It relates to an unfortunate coffee incident. I also can’t type zeroes!

#TheSongofDeborah conclusion

Last week, Jael fulfilled Deborah's prophecy. Now it's time for battles to end and to try to make sense of the new life that is coming. Deborah seems to have surmounted what she most feared. Will she translate what she has learned into her personal life? Will Lapidoth regain what he has lost? Barak's dream of becoming like Moses is about to come true, but it isn't how he expects. (Think Exodus 32:10-14.)
In screenwriting, character change has to be shown in action. One can't narrate it. With the help of tagline repeat #3 and a blue scarf, we'll see whether I succeeded.

I/E. A CAVE NEAR TABOR - CONTINUOUS
Bennoam’s head emerges from a hole in the ground. He gets one arm loose, scrabbles at grass and twigs.
Inside the cave, Deborah squints against falling dirt.

   DEBORAH: How is it?
   BENNOAM: Muddy. Slippery.
   DEBORAH: Ben, get an armful of that mud. We’re going to squirt you out.
   BENNOAM: Cool!

Bennoam swipes an armful of mud. Deborah lets him back down.
Deborah slathers Bennoam in mud. He puts some on her arms. They end up throwing it at each other and laughing.
The water reaches Bennoam’s chest.
Deborah slaps one more clump on Bennoam’s head. She then heaves a slippery, muddy Bennoam upward, upward.
Through!


EXT. PLAIN OF JEZREEL - CONTINUOUS
The river has swept Barak half a mile from the battle. He works his way toward the edge of the river. He pulls himself out.
Corpses, broken chariots, dead horses litter the riverbank.
Barak stumbles past. He stops only to grab armor and weapons: sword, buckler, shield, helmet. The helmet is too big. He throws it aside.
A tall horse stands in the water, uninjured but still bound to a chariot. Its fellow team mates lie jumbled, broken and drowned.
Barak approaches. The horse doesn’t shy from him. Barak frees it, mounts it, rides bareback.
Barak fights his way through remaining Canaanite footmen, toward the men of Zebulun and Naphtali.
The rain turns to mist.
Two SOLDIERS OF ISSACHAR see Barak riding toward them. They cheer. 

   SOLDIERS:It’s Barak! Barak!

Others see Barak riding. They pick up the chant as they fight.

   SOLDIERS: Barak! Barak!

The setting sun breaks through the clouds.
Israel beats back the Canaanites, who abandon their chariots and flee.

   BARAK: Drive them back to Harosheth!

The soldiers WHOOP and CHEER. Barak fights alongside them until the slaughter is complete. The last Canaanite falls.
Barak wipes his sword and rides off.

   BARAK: Now to find Sisera.

I/E. NEAR JAEL’S TENT - EVENING
Mist drizzles. Barak rides, searching.
Jael’s tent sags under the weight of the rain. Barak circles, studies it from different angles. He draws his sword.
Jael appears. She walks boldly toward Barak.

   JAEL: Come. I will show you the man whom you seek.
   BARAK: What man?
   JAEL: Come.

Barak dismounts, cautiously follows Jael. He leaves the horse to be free if it wishes.
Jael lifts the tent flap, holds it for him to enter. It is dark. 
It's Sisera! 
Barak startles, defensively raises his sword.
Jael adjusts a lamp. It brightens the room.

   JAEL: Sisera is quite dead. You need not fear.

Barak sheaths his sword.

   BARAK: Who did this?
   JAEL: Jael, wife of Heber the Kenite.
   BARAK: But how?

Jael picks up the hammer with one hand. The lamp’s shadow accents her lean muscles.

   JAEL: I’m good with a hammer. Shall I show you?
   BARAK: Ah, no thank you.
   JAEL: And who are you, sir?
   BARAK: Barak son of Abinoam of Kedesh Naphtali.
   JAEL: I remember Abinoam. Long ago. How is he?
   BARAK: Dead, at the hand of that man before us.

Jael nods, puts down the hammer.

   JAEL: Then perhaps my motive may be forgiven.

Barak kneels before her and takes her hand.

   BARAK: Israel owes you a debt of gratitude, Jael wife of Heber the Kenite.

Beat.

Faint RUNNING FEET, VOICES. Jael tilts her head.

   JAEL: What’s that?

Barak jumps to his feet.

EXT. JAEL’S TENT - CONTINUOUS
A crowd of dirty, bloody, weary ISRAELITE SOLDIERS gather outside Jael’s tent.
Barak, sword drawn, opens the tent door. Water pours down on his head.
Some LAUGH but others CHEER. They gather around Barak. They toss him above their shoulders.

   SOLDIERS: Hail, King Barak! Hail!

Barak struggles to get down. He yells above the crowd.

   BARAK: Not so, men! No! No!
   SOLDIERS: Hail, King Barak! Hail!
   BARAK: Stop it! In God’s name, stop!
   SOLDIERS: King Barak!

The Soldiers let him set foot on the ground. He motions for silence.

   BARAK: Men of Israel. We are brothers under the LORD. I beg you, do not elevate me to such status before you. It is not I, but God who brought us this victory. Let us stop now and thank the Almighty for his mercy and goodness.

He kneels in the mud. The others follow. Deborah’s voice floats over them.

   DEBORAH: (O.S.) Praise ye the LORD for the avenging of Israel, when the people willingly offered themselves. Hear, O ye kings; give ear, O ye princes; I, even I, will sing unto the LORD; I will sing praise to the LORD God of Israel.

Barak looks up. He smiles, then runs.

   BARAK: Deborah!

Deborah sings as she moves toward the Soldiers. Holding her hand, limping more than he needs to, is Bennoam.

   DEBORAH: Awake, awake, Deborah: awake, awake, utter a song: arise, Barak, and lead thy captivity captive, thou son of Abinoam.

Deborah runs to Barak. They crash into each other, embrace.
They laugh, look into each other’s eyes and embrace again. Then Barak’s eyes fly open.

   BARAK: Ben?

Bennoam hugs his brother. Hard.
The crowds lift Deborah and Barak above their heads. Barak grabs Jael’s hand and she too is raised up.

   BENNOAM: Hey, what about me?

They lift up Bennoam as well.
Together they SING and dance in the rain.

EXT. MOUNT TABOR - NIGHT

Torchlight flickers on tents. SINGING, LAUGHING and a bit of DRAINING skins of wine fills the air.

Deborah and Barak walk together among the Men, thanking them.

Jezer, Rosh and Bennoam have set up a makeshift stage and puppet show. Saucy and raucous, it demands attention.

A painted handkerchief over a painted hand represents SISERA’S MOTHER. She paces up and down. Three WISE LADY puppets hover over her.

Deborah sits on a log in front of the stage.

   BARAK: Save me a seat. I’ll be right back.

Bennoam peeks out, winks at Deborah. Deborah nods once, pretends to look stern. Bennoam tucks his head back down.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Where oh where is my son Sisera?

   WISE LADY 1: Come away from the window, my lady, you will be chilled.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Why is his chariot so long in coming? Why tarry the wheels of the chariots?

Deborah looks behind her toward Barak’s tent.

   WISE LADY 2: Yea, have they not sped?

   WISE LADY 3: Have they not divided the prey?

   WISE LADY 2: To every man a damsel?

   WISE LADY 3: Or two?

Shocked, Deborah snaps her head forward.

Wise Lady 1 whacks 2 and 3 with a stick.

   WISE LADY 1: Shame on you! Such dirty thoughts!

Deborah shakes her head.

   DEBORAH:Boys will be boys.

Barak, carrying two packs, puts them on the ground near Deborah. He sits beside her. They watch the show.

   SISERA’S MOTHER: To Sisera a prey of diverse colors?

   WISE LADY 2: A prey of diverse colors of needlework?

   WISE LADY 3: Of diverse colors of needlework on both sides!

   SISERA’S MOTHER: Oh, yes! Such as is meet for the necks of them that take the spoil!

   WISE LADY 1: Like this!

Wise Lady 1 whacks the other puppets. They SQUAWK and SPUTTER and the curtain closes.

About them, Men LAUGH and CLAP. Bennoam, Jezer and Rosh come out from behind the curtain. They bow and duck behind the curtain again.

More puppets appear. Barak sits next to Deborah.

   BARAK: So, Judge Deborah, what is next?

   DEBORAH: Act Three?

   BARAK: That’s not what I meant.

   DEBORAH: I know. (beat) I just wish I had word from Lapidoth.

   BARAK: You will. Hey.

Barak raises Deborah’s chin with his finger.

   BARAK: You’ll hear soon.

   DEBORAH: Thank you.

Barak gently removes his hand.

   BARAK: In a way, I never expected this day to come. Could we really be victorious? Is it really over?

   DEBORAH: It is what God promised, isn’t it? You were great out there, Barak.

   BARAK: I couldn’t have done it without you.

   DEBORAH: Don’t be so sure. But thank you.

They look at each other for a moment.

   BARAK: Deborah, I -

   DEBORAH: Barak, I -

   BARAK: You first.

   DEBORAH: You first.

They laugh and sigh.

   BARAK: Ben tells me you told him about sex.

Beat.

   DEBORAH: Um, yes. I’m sorry.

   BARAK: Don’t be. Now I won’t have to.

   DEBORAH: I didn’t tell him that much. He will still need you.

   BARAK: How do I tell him what I don’t know? (beat) Deborah, I’m sorry about last night. I was scared and confused and lonely.

   DEBORAH: Both of us were.

   BARAK: At least I’m not scared any more.

They watch the puppets.

   DEBORAH: (conversationally) I never had sisters. What is it like?

   BARAK: A pain. Nah, they’re all good kids. Turning out beautifully, too.

   DEBORAH: Indeed they are. I never had daughters.

   BARAK: You want some?

   DEBORAH: Yes. And sons. (long beat) Two of them.

Deborah looks directly at Barak.

Barak’s mouth drops open. He blinks.

   BARAK: I can’t replace Japeth or Asa.

   DEBORAH: Nor can I replace your mother. But if you will let me, I will love you as a son. Lapidoth already does.

   BARAK: Lapidoth? Loves me?

   DEBORAH: He told me himself. He loves you more than life. You gave him hope when he had almost lost it.

   LAPIDOTH (O.S.) Almost? Try lost it entirely.

Lapidoth appears behind them.

Deborah leaps to her feet. Lapidoth takes her in his arms. They LAUGH and kiss. Lapidoth brings Barak into the embrace.

Deborah touches Lapidoth’s forehead. He winces, then smiles. They kiss again.

EXT. A ROAD - EVENING

The sun breaks through clouds, bathing a chariot and a wagon in golden light. 

Standing in the front of the chariot, supported by Barak’s strong arms, Bennoam drives. Water splashes onto them.

   BARAK: Hey, don’t aim for the puddles.

   BENNOAM: Aw, why not?

   BARAK: You don’t know how deep they-

The chariot bounces through a pot hole.

In the wagon behind them, Deborah stifles a giggle.

A rainbow appears above them. Lapidoth sees it first. He points and calls out.

   LAPIDOTH: Look, a rainbow!

Bennoam grins up at his brother.

   BENNOAM: A rainbow. It’s God’s promise, right?

   BARAK: Yes it is, Ben. Yes it is.

EXT. THE PALM OF DEBORAH - EVENING

Perez, Noah, and the other children kneel in a group by the palm tree.

HOOFBEATS. Noah jumps to her feet.

   NOAH: They’re coming!

Perez squints into the distance.

   PEREZ: I count three. No, four. Ben’s with them! All four!

   NOAH: If I weren’t so happy, I’d kill Ben for running off! Come on!

Noah races toward the chariot. Perez runs after Noah. The girls follow. 

Evie catches Bennoam in a bear hug. His other sisters are right behind her. 

Noah and Barak clutch each other and SOB with joy.

Deborah and Lapidoth embrace Perez, Azubah, Abby and Tamar.

Lapidoth takes Abby’s hand.

   ABBY: My father?

   LAPIDOTH: I am sorry, Abigail.

   ABBY: He’s gone?

   LAPIDOTH: Enoch was very brave. And a good friend. I am so sorry.

   ABBY: Tirzah? My cousin?

   LAPIDOTH: She is safe at home again. She hopes you will visit her soon.

   ABBY: Thank you.

Deborah and Lapidoth gently embrace Abby and walk her away from the crowd. 

Perez nudges Azubah.

   PEREZ: Go on, Zubie. Abby needs you.

Azubah runs to Abby. She takes her hand and they walk together.

Barak gently gathers his family. The girls speak all at once.

   NAOMI: I'm so glad you're safe, Barak!

   MESHA: We were all worried.

   EVIE: We prayed and prayed. We didn't stop until you came back.

   SARAH: I knew you'd come back! I knew it!

Bennoam squeezes himself in.

   BENNOAM: What about me?

   SARAH: I knew you would come back. You have to be where the excitement is.

   BENNOAM: Hey, Barak, what are we going to do for excitement now?

Barak tousles Bennoam’s hair.

   BARAK: I thought we’d go visit a family friend in Asher. Maybe go swimming.

   NOAH: Swimming? You know how to swim?

   BARAK: It’s easy. You just trust the water.

   BENNOAM: Hey Barak, where’d you get that scarf? Have you got a-

Noah SHUSHES Bennoam. She smiles at both of her brothers.

INT. LAPIDOTH’S TENT - NIGHT

Two oil lamps cast yellow light. Perspiring in the heat of the tent, Lapidoth and Deborah empty their traveling packs. Deborah holds up the bloodied dress. She tosses it into a growing pile of muddy, bloody laundry.

Lapidoth extinguishes one lamp.

   DEBORAH: Lapi, can you ever forgive me?

   LAPIDOTH: For what?

   DEBORAH: For never telling you what you mean to me.

   LAPIDOTH: (pleased) Tell me now.

   DEBORAH: How could I have ever managed the authority of judge without your steady love? You tempered and taught me, you are my rock, my wisdom and my protection. I was so free to be myself, so free to pursue my calling, so busy mothering Israel, that I was neglecting you. For this I am sorry beyond words. I want to let you be the one with the dream and the calling now. I am ready to be just a sentence in history, if it means you are free to be the man God has called you to be.

They look at each other. Lapidoth sighs. 

He smiles.

   LAPIDOTH: Forgiven. Thanks to you and that little punk, I am ready to become that man.

Deborah wipes her forehead with a knuckle.

DEBORAH: The rain hasn’t cooled anything off, has it?

She peels off her outer cloak, revealing a simple sleeveless tunic. She exhales wearily and tosses the cloak into the pile.

   LAPIDOTH: At least hot and free is preferable to hot and oppressed.

   DEBORAH: Well said, my husband. It is as if we are upon the dawn of a new age. Things will be the same, but different. Better.

Lapidoth stops unpacking. He stretches his back. He blows out the second lamp, turning yellow tones to blue.

He draws close to Deborah. In the dimness, her bared arms shine white, her loosely braided hair gleams blue-black. 

Palm trees WHISPER in a distant oasis.

   LAPIDOTH: Deborah, if tonight were the last of all we knew, what would you want more than anything?

   DEBORAH: I think I should like to make love with you, right here in the tent.

Lapidoth touches her cheek. She closes her eyes and leans her face into his hand. He lifts her braid, kisses her neck, her throat.

   LAPIDOTH: Don’t be foolish. Come outside.

As he leads her out of the tent, Bennoam’s constellation “Heaven is Smiling” twinkles above them.

FADE OUT.

Nu 27: Who's next?

       Numbers 27 opens with the Zelophehad’s daughters. Their compelling status and request move the LORD to clarify directions regarding inheritance when there is no male heir.

       Next, the LORD instructs Moses to ascend Mount Abarim {= “regions beyond”}. There he will see {har ra'ah} the land which the LORD has given {Ntn nathan} to the children of Israel. After he has seen, looked at, perceived, considered it, Moses will be gathered unto his people as Aaron was.

       It is probably no surprise to Moses why the LORD is doing this.

       12 And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel. 13 And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered. 14 For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.

       Moses responds akin to that wonderful way he did in Exodus 33. In that amazing (to me) account, Moses dares to tell the LORD that if He doesn’t go with Moses, Moses doesn’t want to go.

       [If you want to have your socks blessed off and if you want to grasp a deeper perspective of the LORD, spend some time in Exodus 33 and 34. I’ve spent days, perhaps weeks, meditating on this passage.]

       Back to Mount Abarim. Like Solomon years later, Moses is concerned for the well being of his people, of God’s people.

       15 And Moses spake unto the LORD, saying,

 16 Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, 17 Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.

       Even as Moses goes to face his own judgment, he thinks about the children of Israel. The LORD responds with His choice.

       This man was known for his confidence in God’s ability. In the same chapter of Exodus, Exodus 33, we see that this man didn’t leave the tabernacle. The LORD notes his spiritual state, too. Who is he?

       Joshua.

       18 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take thee Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the spirit, and lay thine hand upon him; 19 And set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and give him a charge in their sight. 20 And thou shalt put some of thine honour upon him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may be obedient. 21 And he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ask counsel for him after the judgment of Urim before the LORD: at his word shall they go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.

         22 And Moses did as the LORD commanded him: and he took Joshua, and set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation: 23 And he laid his hands upon him, and gave him a charge, as the LORD commanded by the hand of Moses.

Nu 25: Phinehas saves the day

        Nu 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab. 2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods. 3 And Israel joined [dmu tsamad] himself unto Baalpeor: and the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel.

       Tsamad means to bind/fasten/frame. It's not a casual attachment. They spiritually duct taped themselves to Baal Peor.

       To quote Douglas Adams’ bowl of petunias, “Oh no, not again.”

       The LORD tells Moses what to do: hang the leaders in broad daylight. This will turn away the LORD’s anger.

         Nu 25:4 And the LORD said unto Moses, Take all the heads [var ro'sh] of the people, and hang them up before the LORD against the sun, that the fierce anger of the LORD may be turned away from Israel.

       It doesn’t seem that Moses follows the LORD’s direction. If he did, the Bible doesn’t say so. Also, if he obeyed, why didn’t the plague stop?

       Verse 5 says Moses tells Israel’s judges [jpv shaphat] to slay [grh harag] those who have joined Baal Peor. Do they? Again, the Bible doesn’t say.

       Please don’t get mad at me over questioning whether Moses obeyed the LORD. Clearly he has disobeyed before. It’s not really the point of the chapter. The point is that there’s widespread sin going on: sex and idolatry. As a result, there’s a plague. 24,000 are going to die by the end.

       Enter Zimri, a prominent leader from the tribe of Simeon. He’s showing off Cozbi, the daughter of a prominent Midianite leader. Right in front of everyone.

         6 And, behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought unto his brethren a Midianitish woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the congregation of the children of Israel, who were weeping before the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

       Enter Phinehas, Aaron’s grandson. He grabs a javelin and goes after them.

       There’s no way to be delicate about what happens next. Well, maybe there is. I’ll just quote it and leave the circumstance to your imagination.

       7 And when Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from among the congregation, and took a javelin in his hand; 8 And he went after the man of Israel into the tent, and thrust both of them through, the man of Israel, and the woman through her belly. So the plague was stayed from the children of Israel.

       Yeah. That’s what he did.

       But it stopped the plague.

       And the LORD noticed.

       10 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 11 Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, hath turned my wrath away from the children of Israel, while he was zealous for my sake among them, that I consumed not the children of Israel in my jealousy.

          12 Wherefore say, Behold, I give unto him my covenant of peace: 13 And he shall have it, and his seed after him, even the covenant of an everlasting priesthood; because he was zealous for his God, and made an atonement for the children of Israel.

Black Caps!

The Backyard Naturalist Strikes Again:

Black Caps!

       Ah, black caps: the thorny weed with sweet and sour black gems of pitty fruit. The outdoor baby sitter. The source of pennies from Mom. The dye for making pretend blood for play-acting.

        It’s black cap season again, and by my calculation, it’s a week or two early. Usually they are at peak just before my birthday. This time, they’re at peak for Dad’s.

       To me, picking black caps has been a favorite part of summer for as long as I can remember. The pleasure of the prizes is almost always worth the pain of acquiring them.

        Black caps are protected by an astringent white powder on the stems and thorns. The thorns vary from large enough to draw blood to nearly microscopic enough to drive one to itchy exasperation. When pricked by the thorns, the powder seems to create an extra irritant to one’s skin. Additionally, it is rare to find a stand of black caps that are mosquito-free.

       Through the years, this backyard naturalist has noticed something about the black caps. Perhaps you have, too. Daddy longlegs seem to frequent the black caps. One hot summer day, I watched a daddy longlegs on one of the juicy black berries.

       “What are you doing?” I may have whispered.

       Then I saw it. The daddy longlegs had its fangs in the fruit. It was drinking the juices out of it, its tiny fangs poking into the fruit and then slipping them into its mouth and then back into the fruit again. I delightedly reported it to Mom and Dad, who gave me more than just parental interest. Dad made his “I’m impressed!” face. He raises his eyebrows slightly, draws his chin and lower lip upward and sometimes tips his head. That expression is one of those things I live for, as my father is a brilliant man. Impressing him makes my whole year. I’m definitely, as they say, my mother’s daughter and my father’s daughter.

       Today, at the end of a walk with my sweetie, I was struck by the immensity of this year’s black cap harvest all around the edge of our development. No one had touched them, although they’ve been ripening en masse for several days. The plants seemed to be begging to be relieved of their load of juicy black fruit.

       I went inside and changed to a long sleeved shirt (even though it’s 80+º out there). In about 20 minutes, I had picked a quart.

       When it comes to harvesting “weeds,” I remind myself to not be greedy. My biblical precedent is found in Leviticus.

         Leviticus 19: 9 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corners of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleanings of thy harvest. 10 And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather every grape of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and stranger: I am the LORD your God.

Leviticus 23:22 And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not make clean riddance of the corners of thy field when thou reapest, neither shalt thou gather any gleaning of thy harvest: thou shalt leave them unto the poor, and to the stranger: I am the LORD your God.

       And, in Deuteronomy:

       Deuteronomy 24: 19 When thou cuttest down thine harvest in thy field, and hast forgot a sheaf in the field, thou shalt not go again to fetch it: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all the work of thine hands. 20 When thou beatest thine olive tree, thou shalt not go over the boughs again: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 21 When thou gatherest the grapes of thy vineyard, thou shalt not glean it afterward: it shall be for the stranger, for the fatherless, and for the widow.

 22 And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.

       Even with my quart of berries, there’s at least another quart out there ready for the picking. After that, maybe another wave of ones that are still pink. 

       I’ve picked enough manna for one day.