Mid-Summer Classic

The other Mid-Summer Classic. Fireworks. Pyrotechnics. Nothing says hot and humid like laying on a blanket in the grass, fat and happy with a hot dog in one hand and a cold beer in the other than large amounts of explosives igniting just over your head. Yes, there's the booms and pops and bangs, whizzers and cracklers and then there is the "sound checks", KA-BOOOOOOM! And the blinding flash of white light that follows. Sometimes three or four of them. No pretty colors, no ooooohhh's, no aaaaahhh's. Just barely enough time to flinch and cover your ears. Ever notice it's always the first thing in the air, too? Like I said, " Sound Check". Just enough to let everyone know "It's Time". And bring the squeamish to tears.