Two great horned owls were in the top of the sycamore in our back yard this morning- I heard them from upstairs and ran down and outside to see them. There they were, perched up in the topmost branches, two large dark bodies against the greyish clouds in the dark. They were duetting-  a mated pair – and flew away after a few choruses, I loved seeing those large silent wings unfurl. Speaking of choruses, we went to see the Chamber Chorus yesterday at the oldest Lutheran church in city. They sang obscure German carols and songs; two of the songs longing for peace during and after the Second world war, beautiful and haunting and befitting the times today. It was a nice counterpoint to the frenetic holiday pace and crazy political climate, counterpoint and refuge.