Tuesday, July 04, 2006

Burn, Baby, Burn

Yes, it's the 4th of July and I'm at home. For many years the 4th was a day of work. We spent time in the heat, saw lots of money and talked some fireworks! My parents run a firework stand in Birmingham. Not in Bham but the county - firework stands are illegal in Bham. Of course, everyone shoots fireworks in Bham so they drive outta town to get them. Then again most everyone lives outta town in Bham so it's not a problem.

My family has had at least one stand for about 15 years. Some years there were 2 and as many as 4 - one year I even ran one! Let's just say - there's an entire culture there that our family chooses to exploit. We have trailers that have been cleaned out and lots of fireworks put into them. My dad always said that you can't sell from an empty cart so we had lots of fireworks. (He's getting more right now I'm sure!)

My parents consider it worth their time; although, I'm pretty sure my mom is about ready to hand in her Crazy Bill's t-shirt.

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Okay, one story. A few years ago, Jim and I were both working with mom and dad on the 4th. It's customary to shoot a few at the end of the evening and Jim usually does the honors. We had shot a few and Jim left them out to make sure they wouldn't burn. My husband grew up in West Texas so outdoor fire safety is second nature to him. Someone else threw them into the dumpster (full of broken boxes) and they began to smolder. Jim's truck was parked right next to the dumpster and so was my car. We jumped in and moved those babies and here came the fire department (good news - the fire department is about 200 yards away.) No flames, just some smoke and lots of water.

10 comments:

boomama said...

Crazy Bill's?!?!?! I drove by two of them yesterday! That's hysterical. We live in the suburbs, so fireworks are fair game out here...I listened to kids down the street shooting firecrackers until about 1:30 in the morning.

I bet you get a goooood discount. :-)

boomama said...

Correction: I drove by one Crazy Bill's and one TNT or something-or-other. But two fireworks stand. Not that I'm OCD about accurate information or anything. :-)

boomama said...

Two fireworks STANDS. Dang it!

Will cease hijacking your comments now.

Nicole said...

I can just see you in a little tight t-shirt and jean shorts (for some reason that's what you wore in my head in Bama! :) selling those firecrackers. Ha! We have never bought firecrackers, but Anna does every year. We will be with her tonight. I am already scared. Those things scare me to death. Your car story really didn't help me get over my fear. Pray for my safe return back to the pool!

Nicole said...

OH!! And Happy 4th!

I usually wouldn't take up 2 comments, but since BooMama took up 3, I decided I would this time. :)

Anonymous said...

About fireworks stands: Half the fun of running a fireworks stand is people watching. Not only to make sure they don't stuff their pockets and walk out, but what they are wearing, or not wearing as the case may be. Why, why, why do mamas think their little girls look sooo cute with so little clothes on??? About 11:30 - 12 pm all the kooks come out. Talk about weird hair and weird clothing - you should see!!! Denise was not allowed to wear tight t-shirts and short-shorts, at least not in my presence....who knows what she did when she was away from me! Happy 4th and support your local Crazy Bill's fireworks stand. You never know who's riding lawn mower you're helping to pay for. Kenny is a GREAT pirate. Just hope he doesn't attack my boat nor Abbie either with her perfect aim.

Anonymous said...

OK, so I goofed...it's 12am - not 12 pm. Don't come too early!

AbbieCRAZY said...

mm = my mom or MawMaw There were tight clothes in my past - I feel sure!

The discount was excellent! We don't pay for anything. Now I'm out here in WTexas and I'm not even sure we can have sparklers.....

soul and culture said...

I told someone about y'all and Crazy Bill's just yesterday.

That also makes me think of fireworks on New Year's - filling the discarded Christmas tree with fireworks at Dale what's-his-name's house.

AbbieCRAZY said...

Amy, I wish I could remember like you! That was the craziest night! Is that the night that someone's hair caught on fire?