A surprise

Another visit to the physical therapist today amid strong breezes and threatening skies.  On my way out of the medical center, I started photographing the gorgeously colored trees  in the parking lot.  When I turned to this one, I realized for the first time that there is a large American flag on the edge of the lot, right beside the freeway.  Somehow, the tree and the flag together, braving the storm, seemed to me a statement of how our country is struggling right now, to define patriotism as love of country that strives to maintain true and transcendent values that are rooted in our traditions and who we are today.  I hope we can win the struggle.