Tuesday morning I heard the great horned owl hoot 4 times just before dawn. Yesterday morning I heard the barred owl just before dawn and saw a rainbow just as dawn was rising. This morning heard the barred owl again and while sitting on the porch eating a cranberry-walnut roll a young flicker lit on the elm limb just in front of me and stayed awhile. The 4th of July is very quiet so far. It will be quiet for us- see some friends and neighbors, read, cook, eat. 3 friends and acquaintances passed away last week, 2 from cancer and 1 from addiction, all too young.