Putting the DENSE in Independence Day

I’m not sure if this puts us firmly into the category of “old curmudgeons”, but my hubby and I didn’t leave the house yesterday. While many Americans were grateful to have the day off to roast hot dogs, sip lemonade (or harder stuff), and fight the crowds and traffic to watch fireworks; the two of us spent the day at home, enjoying the unusually cool breeze, and working on projects. As the day progressed, we heard more and more “Boom! SNAP-crackle-POP!” from outside, a bit closer to the house than either of us found comfortable. And by roughly sundown, we had to begin closing windows because the noxious smell of sulfur began to overwhelm what was a nice pleasant and fresh air scent.

Yup, another Fourth of July in Santa Ana.

I swear I really don’t get it. Yes, I enjoy a good fireworks show just like anybody else. But COME ON ALREADY. We live in a densely populated old neighborhood. We have several old houses (made of very old and dry wood!), and several old trees (also very flammable). Is it going to take a catastrophic loss in the neighborhood before either the ignorant masses or the cops decide to take action?

Walking to work today was simply a disgrace. Unlike yesterday when the neighborhood looked pretty clean and nice, today the asphalt was absolutely covered in spent bottle-rockets, sparklers, firecrackers, etc., etc., etc. Does anybody bother to clean up? No. The plants in the planters, carefully nurtured by the gay-friends-and-neighbors-of-Santa-Ana are now full of burned refuse. Scorch-marks cover several of the short cement walls and the asphalt. Oh, and just to make things worse – some new tagging, too.

I’m really sick of this crap – truly I am. Independence Day has become my single LEAST favorite holiday simply because I believe that the people who surround me use it as an excuse to behave like irresponsible and destructive children. I don’t like to leave the house simply because I have this urge to guard it. The hoses are ready, just in case.

I am all for celebrating the birth of this nation. I just don’t believe the celebration should be used as an excuse to trash it! And if that makes me a curmudgeon, so be it.