Pix from the Fourth

Here's my girls, waiting for the fireworks to begin. We went to the SLU medical school/allied health garage to watch again this year, although, due to the rainy misty weather, we stayed on the second floor instead of the roof. Still had a decent view through the mist and smoke--the smoke due to the gazillion illegal fireworks being set off throughout the Gate District just east and south of us.

This second photo was a test picture for how long I was going to keep the shutter open to capture some downtown lights. This one was too long: 2 seconds. But I liked the eerie semi-daylight post-apocalyptic look. Although if it were post-apocalyptic, I guess we wouldn't have street lights on.

And the last is just one of about 5 photos of downtown fireworks that turned out decently. Next year perhaps there won't be rain and we'll have a clearer view. Of course, maybe next year I'll be in Cancun or Oslo instead of St. Louis for 4th of July. Our alley was the staging ground for a mini battle, I do believe. Dara whined all night, trying to get under our bed. I know, it was wet enough, the trees probably wouldn't catch...and if the people setting them off get hurt, it's their own problem. Right? But still.

Unfortunately, remember my "life list" of childhood experiences? Having your dad or uncle set off fireworks is not on mine. It is on Mike's. So sometime we will be in Mounds or Cairo or somebody's tater patch and my kids will watch all that. While I sit in the car. I know, Ian, if you're still reading, you're rolling your eyes and wondering what's wrong with me. I can own that.