They paved paradise/And put up a parking lot

I miss my dad at this time of year. One of our only traditions was buying fireworks from a toothless, sweating man in one of the ubiquitous roadside stands, taking them to open fields near my house (which have been subsequently turned into parking for a strip mall and McMansions), and blowing things up.

I also miss D.C. It's the first time since 2002 that I won't see the fireworks from the Mall.

Happy Fourth. Blow something up for me.