I've been reading an engaging and slightly quirky book called, There's a Cow in my Garden. Not only has it continued to fuel my dream of having a house cow, bees and a homestead, I was struck by this insight:
"The "land flowing with milk and honey" actually describes a barren and desolate land, out of control of man and reverting to the weeds and briars from which bees can gather nectar. Ploughed fields, trimmed hedgerows and well weeded crops have no attraction for the beekeeper or his bees, and where can cattle go when every vineyard is carefully fenced? Milk and honey flow where man is not very prosperous in the usual sense, but where he lives well and lives long." (page 73)
From my privileged suburban western paradigm, I had always envisioned the "land of milk and honey" to be a manicured, lush and fruitful land that was wonderfully sunny and just warm enough. I pictured honey flowing out of the combs, fresh milk and happy people everywhere. But the author is right: bees gather nectar from wild bushes and cows eat all manner of greens - nothing neat and tidy at all! Beekeeping is hard work and cows can be stubborn and stinky. But living off the land produces a health and richness in people that is meaningful and rewarding.
