It’s that time of year again…flowers in full bloom, corn growing a foot a day, brats sizzling on the grill, and of course children playing with explosives. I’m in a tough spot this year. Both my kids are “technically” old enough to blow stuff up this 4th of July. I know its fun, I know its part of growing up, I know, I know…..I know too much.

I know how to accurately shoot a sibling with a bottle rocket, I know how to quietly toss a firecracker behind a sibling that is squatted down concentrating on lighting fireworks, I know how to time the fuse on a firecracker so that when thrown it will blow up at a siblings ear level.

These are not things I know because someone told me about them or I read about them. No, these are things I know because I did them. I did them every year, and when my kids aren’t watching I’ll do it this year also.

When you know about these things and partook in such behavior as a child you assume your kids will do the same. I assume that after my OSHA approved pre-firework lighting safety meeting is concluded and proper firework lighting technique and courtesies are demonstrated that my kids will wait till I’m out of sight and give into the temptations.

The temptations that are brought about by the volatile combination of annoying siblings and small explosives are hard to combat. Maybe I’ll just suggest that they just run around the yard and randomly yell “BOOM.” I’ll tell them that when we were kids we couldn’t afford fireworks so that’s what we had to do…..and we liked it. Go out in the yard and give it a shot. For added enjoyment you can blink a flashlight on and off with each “BOOM” you yell.

I’m hoping that evolution is at work and my children are capable of more intelligent choices than their father. Or that they take after their mother. If not I’ll be there to make sure that they’re doing it the wrong way correctly. Since Dad handed them a sack of explosives as soon as we walked in the door it’s not a matter of if they light them, it’s when. Grandpa’s are always so helpful.

I was fortunate enough to make it all the way from Vermillion to Flaxton in time to catch the second half of Sherwin Linton’s performance at the Burke County Fair on Friday. My compliments to the fair board for getting such a top notch performer. Nobody sings Johnny Cash’s songs better, which did create some confusion in my six year old son. He knows Johnny Cash is dead so I think he was a little nervous for awhile, but he got it straightened out.

If you see Rose and Ardell roaming around wish them a happy 55th wedding anniversary. Feel free to give Grandma Rose your sympathies.

Have a wonderful Independence Day……“BOOM”…“Ahhhh”…