Economy, schmeconomy--Let's have fireworks!

In the neighborhood just below ours people have more money than sense. For the past three years, the "covered-bridge neighborhood," as they call themselves because you must pass over a covered brige to enter their neighborhood, has hosted a fireworks extravaganza that can hardly be topped by any city fireworks show. The rumor is that they spend well over $100,000 on the fireworks. They even hire P.G. Fire Department to be on hand in case anything goes awry. This year you could hear the music the show was set to. We live above this neighborhood, so we get to enjoy the show quite well from our house or our local park. With the economy in a bad way this year, I thought maybe they wouldn't have the show, but nope--the show went on. Watching the fireworks with us were all of our neighbors. One family is dangerously close to losing their house because her husband lost his job and then got deathly ill while he had no insurance. It almost seems indecent to be watching money figuratively being blown up in the sky while families like our neighbors are hurting so badly. It's kind of like wearing a mink coat while volunteering to help out in a food bank.


Some good friends of ours live in the same ward as the "covered bridge" people. He says their neighborhood also has a handful of families losing their houses. The fireworks this year were bought entirely by one person. In the past, it was still primarily this one person, but a few families helped chip in a few thousand. Perhaps he makes so much money that a mere $100,000 wouldn't even begin to deplete the interest he earned on his millions this year. But still, $100,000 on fireworks?


Grumblings aside, it was a fun time for our family. Graciously we thank who ever it is that does this each year. It really is a highlight. If anyone would like to view the fireworks with us one year, come by our house around 9:30 p.m. And as long as this economy doesn't dip into a great depression, you can count on this family providing a really good show.


Nohea getting a cool down by the pool before the fireworks. Our pool comes with a blow-up duck. Top that, covered-bridge neighborhood!

The girls and Jesse waiting for the fireworks to begin. Jesse hates the fireworks. He has to stay indoors once they start. Could someone please get some pants on the baby?

Lissy giving her new trademarked thumbs up that makes an appearance in all the pictures, while Lilia shuts her eyes because furbies hate bright lights.

The fireworks from our view at the park. This shot, of course, does not give the fireworks their justice. My camera sucks at taking night pictures. For really great pictures of fireworks at night, read the James' blog.