Have a Happy Fourth . . .

And to really enjoy the fireworks, be sure to eat your watermelon.

(There's en annoying ad at the beginning of this clip.  It's worth sitting out.)

Comments

[wj]

As you sit nibbling your watermelon and waiting for the fireworks show, think of those of us who have spent the afternoon in the hot sun pounding sand.

Pounding sand? you say. The mortars of a commercial fireworks show are packed into boxes with sand, to hold them safely in place while the show is going on. And in order to do its job, that sand has to be tamped down tight. Years of college education, validated by an annual demonstration that we are, too, smart enough to pound sand.

Most of the crew will be volunteers, who clearly have odd ideas of a fun way to spend a summer afternoon. So there we will all be, pounding sand. And watching the Golden Gate -- hoping hard (but, if the weather forecast is to be believed, quite possibly in vain) that the clouds/fog won't roll in until after we finish with the show. Whee!!!

[amba]

As the glorious fireworks soar skyward we will remember that it could never happen without you, earthbound, pounding sand.