A less busy day today, and my last at work until November 1. I’m looking forward to the time off, although it won’t actually be a break to do super long walks, lounge on the porch and read, or visit with friends (but I probably should consider these things). In typical fashion, I’ll be busy, which means putting the basement back together, writing a proposal for some freelance work for a long-term client, and taking care of the business aspect of my creative writing.

Tonight I had my online Tree Wisdom class. We talked about light and darkness and how trees stretch toward the sunlight and actually droop their leaves at night to, effectively, rest. We were supposed to spend some time in different light levels, different times of the day and night, with our tree. I didn’t do that this week. It occurred to me how I rarely get out after dark these days. In my 20s and 30s I often went for walks after dark, but that doesn’t happen much now. I’m more inclined to hunker down inside at night, although I’m going to make it a point to get out at least one evening a week after dark for a walk, see what’s happening. Maybe I’ll see some owls or flying squirrels, or one of the coyotes said to live in the wooded areas of my town.

Although I haven’t been communing with my own twin oaks lately, I do a little communing with other trees I encounter on my daily walks—and there are plenty of them where I live, especially large oaks. I did commune with some friends at the farm park during an afternoon walk on this stunning autumn day. The park has a whole new flock of chickens, large and bright and beautiful. Tomorrow they’re hosting their annual “Nascow Race,” a fundraiser. You can vote for the cow you think will win by making a donation online, and by “win,” I mean predict which cow will amble across their field to reach the other side first. They round them up to one side and coax them to other side with food. They broadcast the race on Facebook. I love that place. Good for my sanity.