A 4th of July Wish

A bit of rainbow Pride left over from June. 

Never having had a camera of my own that would allow fireworks photos like the one above I have - to paraphrase Tennessee Williams - "always depended on the kindness of strangers".

Today's photo from the internet isn't mine; a rare exception, since 99.9% of the over 1,800+  posted here ARE my own, but I really liked it. It certainly makes the full circle around the bases today.

Growing up I was told that fireworks displays were intended to be an example of "the bombs bursting in air", a line from our (the USA's) national anthem, but the reality of actual bombs bursting anywhere is nowhere as picturesque and romanticized as those we "oooh" and "aahhh" at at public displays. A quick Google will sober your right up if you think otherwise.

Nevertheless, despite the ads, special sales, over-eating and alcohol-related carnage this is intended to be a day to pause a moment in appreciation for the freedoms we enjoy in this less-than-perfect country of ours. As easy as it is to pick life here apart and find fault with things big and small, there's nowhere else I've visited yet that I've found to be better overall... so happy 236th, USA.