1:21 a.m. This beautiful picture was taken by Igor last year aboard the reconstructed tallship the Spirit of Baltimore. The flag is from 1812. The clouds are naturally fluffy and in the proper patriotic colors, untouched by Photoshop.

Looking up, using your imagination, you could be anyone ... including someone fighting under this very flag.

I could not, and I did not, vacate any more today. I snapped even before coffee and went to my computer like a zombie or a proper worker bee. I actually got a lot of stuff completed because it's been a quiet day, except for the near-riots in the streets outside as various factions of beach-goers fight for the right to pursue their individual liberties.

My grandmother had five gold stars on her front door during World War II, indicating that she had five sons serving all at the same time. I am very, very grateful than I have a rustic grapevine wreath on my front door and sons who have never known war. I'm grateful that they only know of war through photos.

I am grateful that I have the freedom to choose to work or not work on any day of the week, and that I make enough money to be able to afford batteries for the digital camera that brings these photos home.

I am especially grateful to be alive to see that sky.