Reds, golden autumn
pushes its way to winter
with silent leaf fall
–Margaret Simon
More about the haiku-a-day project here.
Find more celebration posts at Ruth’s blog.
This week I grabbed the opportunity to take my students outside. We met Mr. Jim Foret, a naturalist and professor from ULL, at Mr. Al, a 150+ year old oak in our community.
Mr. Jim has known Mr. Al for awhile. He was instrumental in saving this amazing oak from being destroyed. Once the blue-haired ladies from Garden Clubs along with the Optimist Club and many school children got involved, the legislatures listened and ordered LADOTD (Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development) to move this old oak from its original home to its specialized, protected home now. Jim explained that the time was terrible to move the tree, but the progress on the service road was halted, so he had to be moved in mid-summer of 2011, a summer of no rain.
Jim figured out just the right amount of water to give Mr. Al. For years, he paced and worried about Mr. Al’s survival and questioned his own resolve to save him. And the sprawling, amazing oak made it, and has withstood the test of time. “He will probably outlive all of you,” Jim explained to the children and parents.
Mr. Al is a community icon. Boy Scouts have mulched him. ULL students have planted prairie grasses. And many others pass by and wave. If you are traveling down Highway 90 away from New Iberia toward New Orleans, take a minute to say hello. Loving care has saved this old grandfather oak, and loving care will sustain him.
I celebrate the history of the land.
I celebrate the gift of an oak and his master.
I celebrate exposing my students to nature.
Sketching a memory of Mr. Al.
Marveling in the shade of mighty Mr. Al.
Reflections on the Teche 
Can I tell you how much I love this story? So happy that Mr. Al is getting the care and attention he so richly deserves.
What perfect celebrations! I, too, want to celebrate with you the history of the land and being close to nature. Thanks for writing today.
Ruth
Here’s to Mr. Al – and the way you brought your children to him. Big lessons to celebrate there.
I feel so privileged to have seen Mr. Al (from a distance) but in real time. He is wonderful. What a gift he is to the community.
Nothing better than to show that nature is that “rock” on which our lives stand, and matter. There is the oldest and largest tree in Missouri that we visit sometimes when going back. It is a special thing to sit beneath that tree, just as you and your class visited Mr. Al.
Mr. All is a beloved icon in your area. How special to use him as a learning lab for the children. This is a wonderful community interest post, Margaret. Maybe you should write something for your local paper with a haiku about Mr. Al.