Out in the air, chased from my lair, my surprised ears do greet a natural symphony passing sweet.

Through the trees, a gentle breeze. From warbling throats, a harmonic tease. Spoiled anon by our metal throng and its ceaseless, guzzling song.

But in the quiet, I comprehend no matter how much, on sound, we spend: No song, no orchestral suite, with God-played Nature, can compete.

— “God-played Nature”

July is here, and with it summer. It has been a busy, beautiful time for us, not without struggle, but not without joy. I have been snatching writing and music time, moving furniture, and reading. The 4th passed for us in a whirlwind. We saw family, which was good, but my patriotism is hanging by a thread. This country, founded by rebels, will seem to need rebellion again soon if we want it to be made free for all. I pray for peace, and change, and a remembrance that “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” was not a statement of fact but a battle cry.