Fireworks

The Fourth always strikes me as one of the most peculiar holidays. Its significance is well taught. Its observation is another matter. The contemporary Fourth is observed in all manner of rituals:  cookouts,  fireworks, parades, shopping, sports. Like so many acts of patriotism these days, proper and contemporary observance seems to involve retail spending.

My brother Dan sent an e-mail yesterday which brought to mind happy memories of our family's observation of the Fourth while growing up in Portland. As kids we were lucky if we got to go with Mom and Dad up for a visit at our friends' cabin in the Mt. Hood forest in Oregon. There we would have a large watermelon (the kind with seeds) secured with a ring of well placed stones in the ice cold creek out back. And stubby bottles of beer for the grown-ups.

Fireworks were a known hazard and we were cautioned from an early age as to the inherit danger and criminal nature associated with the use of firecrackers, magnums, and cherry bombs.  Explosive devices were off limits but sparklers presented an acceptable level of risk and were available by the boxfull. Ditto snakes, although Dad always insisted they be used in a place where he would not have to clean up the ash remains. As for late night fireworks displays, that evoked a "we'll see" response from Mom. Although I was afraid of the loud noise that came with the show, I was always excited when we got to go, even if it meant we had to put on our pajamas first.

Here at home this Fourth we'll attend a community cookout at the airport.  Most will stay to watch the fireworks set off from the park across the way.  Me, I'll probably head home before they start. I'll get Evan to bed and then watch the fireflies put on one of summer's truly great firework displays.  It starts at dusk, has no commercial sponsor, runs for about 3 hours, and doesn't make so much as a single pop.  Happy Fourth of July.