Tuesday, July 6, 2010

The Scortched Earth Policy












Yesterday we got together with our son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter to celebrate July Fourth. Here, you see me with our granddaughter, waiting for the fireworks to begin. As you can see, she was just a bit uncertain about holding that sparkler! We need rain badly, so it has been very dry. Before we started, my husband said he was afraid to set off the big fireworks because it might set the yard on fire. But I convinced him to go ahead, saying we could have the hose ready. See son and hubby lighting the fuse. After the first fire, there was no stopping them. Yes, the grass was so dry that the yard kept catching on fire. The men loved it. They didn't care about the fireworks at all, only setting more fires. They were like pyromaniacs run amok. Son started tying several fireworks together to get a bigger fire. He used his knife to cut the fireworks open, then put the knife in his MOUTH so he could use both hands to light the fuses! Before each fire got too bad, the men would stomp them out with their feet, then start more. The women cowered in lawn chairs at a distance. This was turning into a Fire Marshall's nightmare. At one point, son went into the house and brought out a glass of water to douse the fire. But instead, he stood there watching the flames while he drank the water. I finally insisted that the hose be brought out. Yes, I was a spoil sport!! Boo, Hiss!!! We finally went in the house all smelling of carbon, but alive! The yard is now all burned with big black patches everywhere, a nifty souvenir. I'm glad there were only two men. Here's something that burned without burning up, and I wonder if there were any black burn marks left on the ground. My guess would be no.


The angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire, it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up."
When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush "Moses! Moses!"
And Moses said "Here I am." Exodus 3:2,4

23 comments:

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

heheheh,

boys are boys, they don't grow up.

I remember my teen aged brothers doing the same, and I suspect they would do the same now.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

the rail protection, I suspect he gets a call from the chap in the station before him, so he can announce to the passengers that the train is coming in X minutes. When the train leaves, he call the chap at then next station.

This could be old fashion, in Singapore, the train is automated.

Reanaclaire said...

Just look at her face!!! so natural and so fearful.. hahahaa...
Ginny, Ginny..did i really see your son stamping out the fire with his barefoot?? lol.. not so clear.. cannot be his foot, right! i can imagine the excitement. really a family bonding! nice!

SquirrelQueen said...

I hope everyone enlarges the photo of Anne Marie and the sparkler, the look on her face is priceless.

I love fireworks but we haven't done any fireworks at home in a couple of years, we are inside the city limits and most of fireworks are illegal here but many people still set them off. It is always so dry on the 4th that I water the lawn just in case. There were dozens of small fires around the area Sunday night.

pam said...

good glory...boys are funny. Burning the prairie is common practice to help things come back better the next year. And your granddaughter's face is so funny...great capture.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

Boys will be boys I guess. that picture of your granddaughter with the sparkler is so cute!!

RoeH said...

What a cute picture of Granddaughter with anticipation! You ought to enter that in something. We can't do fireworks here in Arizona like that. There are firework shows but independently fireworks are illegal. The state is usually just too dry. Looks like you had fun.

From the Kitchen said...

Funny and sad!! I thought your grass looked a little brown a few posts back. Draught? The mental image of your son drinking the glass of water while the lawn burned is hilarious!

Best,
Bonnie

Betsy Banks Adams said...

How funny, Ginny... I can just see those two men playing with fire... Boys will be boys!!!!

And that picture of Anne Marie holding that sparkler is terrific... Love that look on her face. Made me laugh outloud!!!!! You need to frame that one.

Well---glad you all had a good time--and glad that the 'boys' didn't burn the house down... ha ha

Hugs,
Betsy

Heather said...

hahaha...boys will certainly be boys and think some of the craziest things are amusing, don't they though? Oh, mine do...my three younger ones and the oldest boy at heart.

Ginny, I LOVE the picture of your granddaughter holding the firework...that is such a keeper...a classic, to be shared. Look at that precious little round face.

Remington said...

Looks like they are enjoying themselves!

Unknown said...

Pure awesomeness, Ginny! LOL @ the guys... boys will be boys? :oP

That picture of your granddaughter (the look of extreme doubt) is PRICELESS!

From the Kitchen said...

Hi Ginny: I have about a dozen of those cut crystal bowls. Some were my grandmother's and some came from an elderly friend. I use them for salads and or desserts when we have company. I just used it for the photo so the plate would show better. We really should use our good things all the time. Maybe I'll start doing that more.

I won't complain about 90 if you are having 100 degree days!

Best,
Bonnie

DawnTreader said...

I would either have looked like Anne Marie or been furious, I think...! ;)

Anonymous said...

Hello, I just found your blog :)
Oh poor little one looks so scared :(

MadSnapper said...

I don't think The Bush left any black stuff!
thanks for my daily laugh. I wish i were there I would have been setting the fires with the men. I LOVE playing with fire, I even love watching your men folks play with fire in the photos. what fun!!! a word to the wise. many years ago, someone told me if dead grass were burned off, the new grass would be healthier. so i burned the grass black. NOT thinking about the fact i had a dog and 2 young boys who would walk through the grass and track it in the house. so forewarned, don't let anyone walk in that black stuff.

George said...

I guess you've dramatically shown that boys will be boys!

Anonymous said...

Just sent you an e-mail from glowacademy :)

Stephanie V said...

I'm always amazed at how boys (men) like to make fire...must be something very primal.
Your granddaughter is really growing. The photo makes her appear almost as big as you!

S. Etole said...

The look on that little granddaughter's face is priceless ... and looks like you are having some very hot, drying weather there.

Glenda said...

You do need to frame the pic of little Anne Marie and the sparkler! Years from now, she'll enjoy seeing it! We did fireworks with our grands, too, but we had rain so we had no problems with fire. The neighbors were celebrating with fireworks, too, so it was a fun time1

Kilauea Poetry said...

"They didn't care about the fireworks at all, only setting more fires. They were like pyromaniacs run amok. Son started tying several fireworks together to get a bigger fire. He used his knife to cut the fireworks open, then put the knife in his MOUTH so he could use both hands to light the fuses..stomp and start more"! lol)) This was great Ginny!! What a priceless expression on Anne Marie's face!! Sometimes grilling does that and your hair reeks!! It does look very dry!
Hey, if you ever have time, I wrote a story (true) about fires I used to set (I'm sure you'd be amused)..couldn't help it!
http://inthepacific.blogspot.com/2009/09/bonfire-on-lighthall-street.html
Have a great evening-

What Karen Sees said...

The look on your darling granddaughter's face is priceless! Great capture for great memories.

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