We kids would perch upon the shingle shed roof where my grandfather would dry his few errant Tompson Seedless for raisins from his Emperor vineyard outside Exeter, California, careful not to snag our swim trunks on the nails to watch the July 4th fireworks show in town—a perfect ending to family picnics celebrating Independence Day after World War II, a time when our nation’s history was rich with common sense. The lack of it today cannot be blamed on Climate Change.
The majority of California has been identified as a High Risk Fire Area while insurance companies have raised premiums to offset theirs, and PG&E’s, losses in Northern California during 2018’s continuous conflagrations. Today, fire insurance is either cost prohibitive or unavailable to homeowners and businesses that has impacted home loans and values, and subsequently the State’s economy. While fire fighters risk their lives to keep wildfires contained to protect these interests, we’re still selling fireworks even though the State’s population has more than tripled since 1955 to a more urban population that has little hands-on experience. The Emergency Rooms are proof enough.
California has many problems as people and businesses leave the State—new taxation annually and a Governor who can’t decide what he stands for as he heads to Washington to bolster Biden’s nomination, and should he fail, make himself visible and available.
It’s time for the non-profit service organizations, churches, Boy Scouts, etc. to stop selling fireworks as fund raisers, stop adding to the costs of our communities and look into drone shows or other means to celebrate Independence Day, it’s time to outlaw fireworks.
drycrikjournal 
thank you!
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You’re welcome and thanks for your comment.
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John, I so appreciate your poetry. I am from Porterville, and your words and pictures take me home every time. My husband, Bryan Jessup, had a Doffelmyer Boy Scout Scholarship to Stanford, and we are grateful. Edie Clearman Jessup
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Thank you so much, Edie. I know the Jessup name from childhood traveling to Doyle Springs, but seldom do I run across someone who took advantage of the scholarship my grandfather set up in my father’s name before he went overseas, Battle of the Bulge, in World War II. It was their decision in the event he didn’t make it home.
Appropriately, you’ve made my day!
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Sure makes sense, John. Folks can still see the communities’ big public fireworks shows (we can even see them from close to Three Rivers, if we drive down to the Lake Kaweah visitor center parking lot. The celebration is safe and sane this way, and sets off much better fireworks than any we can have at home. Plus folks share an inspiring event with their fellow citizens, which is good for them and good for their community. Happy Independence Day to you and the family. 🙂
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Thanks Laurie, it’s time for a change.
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