a time and a place for the boom

"i'm beginning to hate the 4th of july" is a direct quote from my beautiful wife. and to tell you the truth, i don't disagree. let me explain.
i used to love the 4th. i even used to work here. what boy wouldn't want to hang out with friends, eat bar-b-q and blow things up. fun on the highest level. but that was in florida.

here in missouri there are no fireworks laws. if you can find it, you can blow it up. and that's cool, but they start 7 to 10 days before the 4th. so to all you missouri pyros, what's up with the fireworks going on until 1:30am four days before the holiday you are celebrating with explosives?

but just when i am about to turn into a complete old fogey, i catch a glimpse of my son's face when he sees a perfect 'blossoming flower' peek over the trees. and i suddenly remember...