Fifth of July ("feelin' independent")

We have left the weather-beaten old flag flying in front of the house, only because neither of us is tall enough to haul it down -- but it will be retired as soon as possible.  I love America the Beautiful very much, but I don't have to fly a flag to prove it.

It's a gorgeous, clear morning, headed toward very warm later; we have slept well.  I saw a giant planet (Jupiter, says John), walking across our night sky: Jove, the Capo di Capi .... and in Italian, now that we're into that, his name is Giove!  How about that connection, Leenie?  We've both found our hearts' home.

As I write, there is a sound of a siren, out on Big Basin Highway -- a sound we don't like to hear. This seems to be Chips, however, nabbing a speeding cyclist -- Harleys are much in evidence up here on weekends.