This tree is important to me. It is an unusual oak. It may be a cross of Scarlet and Red. Its acorns are plentiful and beautiful.

Its mast is food for our deer, turkey and chipmunks. Maybe crows? I do not know. One must be fast to gather acorns or there will only be caps on the ground.

This tree reaches over our two porches. When I am on them I feel like I am in this tree. My younger self climbed trees, so I love this sensation.

I am socked in by a thick fog this morning. This tree is the only thing I can see. I spent time on each porch listening to the rain and sounds from unseen sources.

I was surprised to see a squirrel looking at me and my camera. It is the first one I have noticed here. It moved too fast for a photograph. The squirrel seemed to be deliberately headed onto my roof. We have meant to have those reaching limbs trimmed. They touch the roof during storms. Now, we have another reason to cut them back.

A chipmunk also scurried up the trunk while I was watching. It is one of many around here.  The little ones must climb for their acorns.

This big oak is the guardian of the yard.   A huge poplar was killed by lightning, so this tree is even more important. We too have lost our caretaker parents. We will be the guardians here, now.  Any home should be a haven.

It is early October. This place is recovering from the shock of Hurricane Helene. I do not expect a normal fall season. There is healing going on around me. I plan to watch and learn from nature.

My time in the old oak in the rain and the fog with a squirrel and a chipmunk will be a treasured memory. I am part of this. I belong here. It is my haven. I do not take these things for granted.

FLOW