Granny's Pantry #9--Outside at High Rock

For all of my life--a considerable length of time--this majestic oak has stood in the middle of the elliptical drive beside of Granny's house at High Rock.

I'm not sure what type of oak it is, but I suspect White Oak. The life span of this oak can be 200-300 years. So this tree may have been mature already when the High Rock house was built in the late 1800's.   

It likely watched the walls of the house go up and oversaw the coming and goings and life changes at High Rock from Granddaddy Cole's generation (b. 1895) and into the summer of 2019.

On July 6, my family and I visited the High Rock house about 3:00 in the afternoon. As we pulled up to park next to the old oak, it was clear she was wounded. A split ran down her trunk and she leaned slightly. 
"Be careful, and move your car," one of our party,who felt a strange nudging, warned.

Another of us, less concerned, moved under the old oak to take pictures of the peacocks wandering there. 
After exploring for a while around the place that we held so close in our hearts, we drove away. It was about 4:00 in the afternoon.

Some time between 4:00 and 6:00, the old tree finally gave up its watch over High Rock. It crashed with a mighty thunder that only the peacocks and Thea, the dog, were there to hear. 

Gone, along with it, were the car shed and the wheat house. 
Due to the mercy of God, the old tree held off it's demise until we had left--whether by five minutes or two hours, we may never know. We consider that one of the modern miracles we have been privileged to experience. My family was safe.

Though I walk in the midst of trouble,
you preserve my life

(Psalm 138:7a)