Yes, we survived the Glorious 4th

The house did not burn down and Mary and I remain intact. Or as intact as we were before the neighborhood pyrotechnical extravaganza. Someone down the block did require the paramedics for a friendly, indeed patriotic, fire incident. I never did find out who or how serious. But added to the bombs bursting in air, were the sounds of sirens and small boys racing off on their bicycles to "assist" the fire brigade and the police.