In the nine-to-five culture, there is no natural season of rest. Is a weekend of catching up on domestic chores and seeking social outlets supposed to count as rest? In farming, I’m studying this intermission and am intrigued by its effect on me. Gratitude and guilt intermingle and oppose each other in decisions about setting alarms and schedules. Time management takes on divergent meaning and productivity is measured by a different ruler. I am not idle, but I am embracing a season of rest.

~Joy