FIREWORKS: Rights, but also responsibilities

There’s a major anniversary this year: Winton Elementary turned 100! Congratulations, Winton Wolves! As a proud ’99 graduate, I remember fond memories: the lupin lady, Mrs. Johnson’s special chorus, and a pack that was great, honest, and kind. 

This week also brings to mind a lesson from Ms. Porter-Brown’s third grade class: Rights and Responsibilities. Ya see, we third graders learned that with rights come responsibilities. Now apply this to another anniversary — this country’s 250th, and the ‘rights’ we celebrate it with: grilling, cold ones, and fireworks. I love all three, especially the fireworks. I remember the first year my dad drove us south to the reservation to get mortar shells and bottle rockets. Revolutionary experience (pun intended)! 

And then, five glorious years ago, I got a dog. Anyone who knows him will tell you Jake the Dog is a very good boy, but … a little anxious. Especially around fireworks. White noise, curtains, thunder shirts, trazodone — I’ve tried it all. Nothing spares poor Jake his fear. 

And so here comes the responsibility part: for me, that’s the decision to forego the displays and spend one of my favorite holidays far from the hubbub. I don’t mind doing so, because it’s a fun holiday and fireworks rule. 

If I could just ask one thing: please for the love of God and country, save the fireworks for the big day (and after dinner while you’re at it). It’s a fun holiday, and fireworks rule, but some of us have to avoid them and it helps to know when they’ll go off. 

JIMMY ROBNETT

Hayden Lake