The delicate sound of thunder

Thanks to I-Mockery's post on the art of firecracker labels for the pic.

I'm sitting at the computer tonight listening to the sound of amateur ordinance all around us. Abington canceled their fireworks display, so I'm guessing we'll have more than the usual backyard pyrotechnics tonight.

As usual, I'm not overly inclined to stand and gawk, oohing and ahhing at the sparkles. Fireworks really don't do anything for me.

I do, however, ruminate about the poor pricks who live or have lived in war zones. For too many, the same sounds I ignore tonight would be the signal to get in the basement. Duck and cover. There's nothing festive about bullets and mortars, that's for sure.

I'm very pleased I live in a country that has not had a war on it's soil for many, many a year. It's not something I wish to experience. Barring the complete collapse of civilization ( a distinct possibility, mind you), I don't expect to have to suffer that in my lifetime. And for that, I am thankful.

So, happy birthday, America. For better or worse you shuffled off the oppression of Great Britain to claim your independence. So that you could go on to crush many more people and countries with that very same oppression. Well done, and thank you for keeping your killing out of my backyard.