My Reality

Fireworks are an amazing thing. They can be so fun and beautiful, yet so annoying and hazardous. We only had fireworks one time a year in the Midwest and that was for the Fourth of July. Living in California there are many more opportunities. In the Midwest everyone drove out to the local high school, because there were only two, one on the North side of town and one on the South side. You’d lie out your blanket and spend an hour to two before the fireworks even started playing football or lighting sprinklers. As you watched the fireworks show you’d be listening to the local radio station that synced up the display to Patriotic music. You would meet new people next to you who would share their picnic food or drink with you and the evening would leave you with a sense of camaraderie and community. For the last few years my family has been gathering at my Aunt and Uncle’s house for a day of swimming, eating, and fireworks. It is always a blast. I have come to look forward to that part of summer vacation when we go back to visit. This year was a little different. Due to the move we did not go back for our usual summer trip. I was bummed that I’d be missing out on all the fun, but decided to start thinking of ways to make new holiday traditions. David and I decided to have his colleague/friend, her eight month old, our good friend from Florida who was visiting, and our neighbors the Miyagis over for dinner. We had Mexican food, of course, because what doesn’t say American like burritos and guacamole? We had a great time and were so full. We were not sure there would be any fireworks due to the major drought we’ve been having. In the almost four months that I have lived here I have seen it rain one time for about 4 minutes and people are talking about lighting fireworks! I decided to Google our town’s firework show. It was during this time that I learned there were, in fact, fireworks downtown and that it was $20 parking to see the show. *insert wide eyed emoji* Yes, you read that correctly, $20 to park your car and watch fireworks. Directly across the street from our house is a new park that has a huge hill with hiking trails that has only been open for less than a year. We decided we would hike up the hill and watch from there. As we headed out, we noticed several people from our neighborhood walking in that direction. W, our 4 year old, was super pumped to see the show so I was hoping that the small herd of neighbors walking in the same direction as we were meant that you could see the show from the park. Once in the park, I noticed several women sitting in lawn chairs at the bottom of the hill. I know I have sort of painted the picture of Californians to be cold, and my experience with most have been, but they can’t all be that way. I decided to ask these women a question that had been on my mind. Me: “Excuse me. Have you ever watched the fireworks from here before?” Woman 1: “Well, no. We were hoping that you could see the show from here, but we have no idea if we will be able to.” Me: “Ha! I was thinking that since there are so many people coming this way it must mean you can see the show. I guess we will find out if this is the place we will be watching next year.” Woman 2: “I’m hoping we can see them from here. I certainly do not want to pay $20 for parking next year.” Me: “I know! I’m so glad I’m not the only one who was put out by this!” Woman 2: “Well, here’s to next year!” As she raises her soda for a cheer. As I walked up the hill I was bursting with happiness! I just had a conversation with a Californian and they were not cold, they were not rude, they were human! Along the way up the hill my friend points out holes in the ground and asks what animals made them. I told him, without hesitation, that moles made them knowing very well that they were too small for a mole. My friend looks at me and says, “I don’t think so, Kate. I’m pretty sure they are more likely snakes.” “Oh, no, those are not snake holes. I know this because snakes can’t survive in California.” I have been telling myself this since before we even moved to California. You see, I have a paralyzing fear of snakes. Florida, of course is the Devil’s playground since it full of these evil serpents that are thriving. Thanks, Hurricane Charlie. It is because of these spineless critters that I quit going for early morning runs. You see, the snakes would coil up or spread out on the sidewalks or roads for warmth. There were several runs during which I’m sure my neighbors thought someone was being attached. Really, it was just my seeing a snake or having to leap over one mid-stride. Here I am climbing a huge hill with long brown grass growing and holes. Mole holes, that is! Our hole conversation continued up to the top of the hill where we met up with David, W, and Mrs. M. Mrs. M tried to explain what animal, whose name we will no longer mention since I know it is a false statement because they do not exist in the state of California, made those holes. I feel if one can make himself believe anything, even if down deep they know it is not true. I am living in that world. I read a headline the other day “Snake bite season is here”! *again insert wide eyed emoji* I do not know who the editor of this newspaper is, but I cannot believe that he still has a job when he missed such a glaring error! We all know that mole bite season his here. I say all this to let those Midwest citizens who are looking to move to California to not worry. California and the Midwest have this in common: No snakes!