Our dog Indigo suffered from thunder phobia. During her aging years (before she lost her hearing) our entire household suffered from thunder phobia. I dreaded all of the fireworks holidays during those years.
After Indigo lost her hearing, I was able to enjoy thunderstorms again (I’ve always been fascinated by storms), but I never regained an appreciation for fireworks. I find all the sparkle and flash I could ever want in the yard, without the sizzle and boom.
Admittedly, some of the yard’s fireworks are more flash than sparkle…
Fighting? We weren’t fighting…
rawr
I know that I’m not alone in my preference for quiet fireworks. What’s more, my discomfort is trivial when compared to the flashbacks that haunt many service members. (Here’s an article: “Fourth of July fireworks bring pain, stress for some service members.”)
Which brings me to a request. There are many, many holidays in the course of each year that are traditionally celebrated with fireworks. So there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy fireworks, if you enjoy them. But please refrain from lighting your fireworks randomly, between holidays.
Rae Spencer 
Some really lovely shots here.
Thanks! 🙂
Lovely pics. Especially delightful are the squirrel shenanigans.
Couldn’t agree more with your comments on fireworks. Considering their hazards to humans, the extent to which they frighten animals and disorient birds, their toxic footprint and their potential for starting fires, I wish we could dispense with fireworks and find a less destructive way to celebrate our independence. We need no more “bombs bursting in air.” We need to respect our home.
I’m learning to dread the news cycle after fireworks holidays. There are always stories of injuries and fires. I wish there were more restrictions, and I wish existing restrictions were enforced more consistently. Even so, I can’t really imagine a world completely void of fireworks. I believe there is a great deal of art in their manufacture and in the choreography of shows.
Yes, they are indeed spectacular.
Gorgeous shots, Rae!
Thank you!