A long time ago and before real M-80s were banned nationwide, my best friend and I mined a rather large dirt portion of my backyard with buried M-80s. We had replaced every fuse with model rocket engine fuses which were all connected to light speaker wire from my dad’s workshop. We then laid out a battlefield of opposing little plastic army men, $0.50 for a bag of 50 at the 5 & Dime store. We planned it all out with a little river with water and boats and then plastic tanks and fighter jets. Then I took the starter battery out of a tractor mower. From the sideline we started touching off the fuse wires. The resulting explosions of the ongoing battle was epic to say the least. After the last M-80 had detonated we were covered in dirt, mud and sweat. Then Ricky’s eyes got as big as saucers, and I realized my dad was standing right behind me. Surprisingly all he said was that this was the most amazing thing he had seen in a long time and that we had to put the battery back in the tractor and clean up our mess. Today of course the concern would be on whether or not we still had our fingers, toes and noses instead of the mess we had made. I will say however that the banning of the real M-80 was not a bad thing. Another of my close childhood friends who was a Chinese refugee who as an infant had escaped with his mother to eventually come to America, had lost three fingers to an M-80 with a fuse that was too short. These are things that people and especially children don’t think about until it happens to them. I know I sure didn’t until it happened to a close friend. I never bought them again.
As almost every firework is illegal here in Colorado, our local Sheriffs dept has set up a fireworks hotline. They also say if you don’t have an address of the offender don’t bother calling. Of course sparklers are considered “safe and sane” so they are legal. Really? A piece of flaming wire that can get up to 3000°F is legal, but a black-cat firecracker isn’t. The mortars have been going off nightly since June 1’st.
Last Rose Of Summer Premium Member 6 days ago
Can you come here? I live in an age restricted community and you would think we would have a quiet 4th. HA! WWIII/Armageddon , til one AM.and later.
markkahler52 5 days ago
Can’t wait! And if I were him, I’d go outta town over the 4th….ALONE!!
alien011 5 days ago
If he has to give up his fireworks, does she have to give up her Pinot Noir?
NRHAWK Premium Member 5 days ago
A long time ago and before real M-80s were banned nationwide, my best friend and I mined a rather large dirt portion of my backyard with buried M-80s. We had replaced every fuse with model rocket engine fuses which were all connected to light speaker wire from my dad’s workshop. We then laid out a battlefield of opposing little plastic army men, $0.50 for a bag of 50 at the 5 & Dime store. We planned it all out with a little river with water and boats and then plastic tanks and fighter jets. Then I took the starter battery out of a tractor mower. From the sideline we started touching off the fuse wires. The resulting explosions of the ongoing battle was epic to say the least. After the last M-80 had detonated we were covered in dirt, mud and sweat. Then Ricky’s eyes got as big as saucers, and I realized my dad was standing right behind me. Surprisingly all he said was that this was the most amazing thing he had seen in a long time and that we had to put the battery back in the tractor and clean up our mess. Today of course the concern would be on whether or not we still had our fingers, toes and noses instead of the mess we had made. I will say however that the banning of the real M-80 was not a bad thing. Another of my close childhood friends who was a Chinese refugee who as an infant had escaped with his mother to eventually come to America, had lost three fingers to an M-80 with a fuse that was too short. These are things that people and especially children don’t think about until it happens to them. I know I sure didn’t until it happened to a close friend. I never bought them again.
Zen-of-Zinfandel 5 days ago
This inspires Norm to search for the M-100.
davewhamond creator 5 days ago
What? Next she’ll tell him no ATACMS!
Mike Baldwin creator 5 days ago
How about just running around the backyard yelling bang bang bang bang bang!
mistercatworks 5 days ago
ESPECIALLY M80s! You can lose a finger or an entire hand. Is that loud enough for you?
Gen.Flashman 5 days ago
The dogs in the neighborhood will be thankful.
Aladar30 Premium Member 5 days ago
I don’t like this ultimatum. He already had to stop doing his usual Halloween decorations and now this? Norm, just say no!
aerilim 5 days ago
Make her compromise. Ok, no fireworks for me and no winery tours for you. See what she thinks about that..
CoffeeBob Premium Member 5 days ago
As almost every firework is illegal here in Colorado, our local Sheriffs dept has set up a fireworks hotline. They also say if you don’t have an address of the offender don’t bother calling. Of course sparklers are considered “safe and sane” so they are legal. Really? A piece of flaming wire that can get up to 3000°F is legal, but a black-cat firecracker isn’t. The mortars have been going off nightly since June 1’st.
Chris Sherlock 5 days ago
Well.if you’re going to take all the fun out of it…
Brutus P. Thornapple creator 5 days ago
No problem then, I’m partial to cherry bombs, Jan.