My HOA doesn’t allow outside flags. I have issues with that. Seems like a private property rights infringement.

They haven’t done anything about my next door neighbor who on occasion has the stars and stripes flying. I’m glad they’ve left him alone.

During the election cycle a year ago they came after a different neighbor for having a political sign inside her window. She wasn’t about to back down since it was inside her home.

I now have two flags in my front window, which also happens to be my bedroom window. Considering I like to open it this time of year I can only fly one at a time.

For much of June I had a pride flag in the window. It will return in other months.

Starting July 1 up went the U.S. flag. It’s upside down, though, which signals distress.

This sums up how I feel right now. I am distressed about the direction the country is going, the leadership (or lack thereof), Supreme Court rulings, and the hatred and discrimination that is growing.

A year ago I wrote about feeling disconnected to the U.S. flag. I want to feel connected, to believe in it. I’m not there yet.

This country keeps disappointing me. So much so that on the Fourth I am not going to the annual choral event in Paradise that I’ve gone to for the past several years with my mom. I just can’t fake it anymore.

The words in those songs—just not feeling it.

I think I’ll go enjoy the outdoors this Fourth—at least while we still have some public lands to enjoy.