Lots of pent up something

Last night was the most enthusiastic 4th of July I think I’ve ever seen. I went to visit family, all of us hoping the neighbors would do their usual fireworks show since the official displays were mostly canceled. And, indeed, the neighbors set off an impressive set of fireworks—-not professional grade multi-stage, but the tree-top height multi-color, ten-pack deals that are the top end of what you can get privately in this state.

And so did at least eight other houses close enough for us to see clearly over the trees.

And so did what sounded like at least double that close enough to /hear/ clearly.

It started at 9 (dusk at this latitude) and was still going when I headed home at 10:30. I saw fireworks as I drove out to the highway. I saw fireworks on my way down the highway. I saw fireworks as I pulled off the highway, and I gave in and pulled into a parking lot to watch some really excellent fireworks over Vets Park just before I got home.

There was a haze of gunpowder over the entire area, by then. It was almost like driving through fog.

By which I conclude that a whole lot the whole state feels in need of light and color and blowing shit the hell up.