I enjoyed this piece. I completely agree with you regarding fireworks. It seems like a complete waste of money that could be much more productive if it was redirected elsewhere. And of course, once again animals suffer because humans want a few minutes of oohs and aahs...
Your place in New Mexico sounds lovely - it is one state I have not visited. And one other bit of connectedness - I also come from Berkeley...although I haven't been there in roughly 20 years.
I moved to NM from Berkeley in 2000; maybe we lived there at the same time! Yes, it's absolutely beautiful here. Very alpine, lots of forests, meadows, creeks, lakes, and gorgeous colors. And heavenly solitude all around me.
Agree. I've PTSD and live in the middle of nowhere for the quiet grace of nature around me. However, in the past few years people have become obsessed. Booms over the mountains in every direction often until after midnight. The bbq smell of skewered deer, pig, goat. It's harassment at the basest of levels. AND, not to forget, the hot dog eating contests. And, anymore what independence are people celebrating anyway? seems we're losing freedoms and that I cannot celebrate!
Where I live in Long Beach, the nights of noise attacks start early June and last until the second or third week of July. I appreciate your description of your heaven on earth. I lived in Berkeley from 1978-1982 when I was an undergrad there. I too have been choosing solitude more and more these days and as much quiet as I can gather around me. I remembered I wrote about my distaste for the 4th and found the link. I hope you don't mind my sharing it here. If the system will let me share it! Be well! https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-futility-of-fireworks_b_635371 Journalisa
This sounds almost like too much to bear, SIX or so weeks of cacophony... All the poor animals. One would get quite murderous thoughts, I guess... By all means, please share!
Yes, the neighbors digest has weeks of pet owner's stories of their pet's trauma during the lead in and tapering off fireworks not only this year but in previous years, especially during the height of the pandemic when nobody could do anything. I've not had pets myself but I do hear the whimpering around, up and down the street I live on. They also do this for the many sirens; fire, police, paramedics that are a constant in this neighborhood adjacent to the downtown city. Aaaah, your pond in Paradise!
One of our dogs is terrified of the noise made by fireworks. She starts panting, pacing and clawing the side of the bed to try to get in with us. My husband spent 2 nights on the sofa with her trying to comfort her because she was so scared. We thought we’d made it through another Fourth, but then last night the popping noises started up again! I finally figured out if I put her in her box (crate) and covered it, she would calm down. I guess the enclosed space helped her feel secure. What I don’t understand is that it’s just noise; it seems to be firecrackers but not the Roman candle kind that at least make pretty sparkles in the sky. What’s the draw of that? I don’t get it at all. And our dog certainly doesn’t. We’re hoping that whoever is setting them off has expended their supply.
I'm so sorry to hear about your poor doggie! And DAYS after the Fourth, how infuriating. Yes, what is it about the noise? What's the appeal of loud booms and bangs? Personally, I detest all loud noises, but I'm trying to find SOME reason why people might like this... Also, there's no aquestion that people who insist on loud fireworks are extremely selfish. They KNOW that it freaks out animals and also people with PTSD, but they don't care. I think this is a serious ailment currently; people have no heart. Glad the crate brought SOME relief.
I enjoyed this piece. I completely agree with you regarding fireworks. It seems like a complete waste of money that could be much more productive if it was redirected elsewhere. And of course, once again animals suffer because humans want a few minutes of oohs and aahs...
Your place in New Mexico sounds lovely - it is one state I have not visited. And one other bit of connectedness - I also come from Berkeley...although I haven't been there in roughly 20 years.
I moved to NM from Berkeley in 2000; maybe we lived there at the same time! Yes, it's absolutely beautiful here. Very alpine, lots of forests, meadows, creeks, lakes, and gorgeous colors. And heavenly solitude all around me.
Agree. I've PTSD and live in the middle of nowhere for the quiet grace of nature around me. However, in the past few years people have become obsessed. Booms over the mountains in every direction often until after midnight. The bbq smell of skewered deer, pig, goat. It's harassment at the basest of levels. AND, not to forget, the hot dog eating contests. And, anymore what independence are people celebrating anyway? seems we're losing freedoms and that I cannot celebrate!
Exactly, not much to celebrate, on the contrary. People's selfishness is endemic, like an illness. Sick souls.
Where I live in Long Beach, the nights of noise attacks start early June and last until the second or third week of July. I appreciate your description of your heaven on earth. I lived in Berkeley from 1978-1982 when I was an undergrad there. I too have been choosing solitude more and more these days and as much quiet as I can gather around me. I remembered I wrote about my distaste for the 4th and found the link. I hope you don't mind my sharing it here. If the system will let me share it! Be well! https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-futility-of-fireworks_b_635371 Journalisa
This sounds almost like too much to bear, SIX or so weeks of cacophony... All the poor animals. One would get quite murderous thoughts, I guess... By all means, please share!
Yes, the neighbors digest has weeks of pet owner's stories of their pet's trauma during the lead in and tapering off fireworks not only this year but in previous years, especially during the height of the pandemic when nobody could do anything. I've not had pets myself but I do hear the whimpering around, up and down the street I live on. They also do this for the many sirens; fire, police, paramedics that are a constant in this neighborhood adjacent to the downtown city. Aaaah, your pond in Paradise!
One of our dogs is terrified of the noise made by fireworks. She starts panting, pacing and clawing the side of the bed to try to get in with us. My husband spent 2 nights on the sofa with her trying to comfort her because she was so scared. We thought we’d made it through another Fourth, but then last night the popping noises started up again! I finally figured out if I put her in her box (crate) and covered it, she would calm down. I guess the enclosed space helped her feel secure. What I don’t understand is that it’s just noise; it seems to be firecrackers but not the Roman candle kind that at least make pretty sparkles in the sky. What’s the draw of that? I don’t get it at all. And our dog certainly doesn’t. We’re hoping that whoever is setting them off has expended their supply.
I'm so sorry to hear about your poor doggie! And DAYS after the Fourth, how infuriating. Yes, what is it about the noise? What's the appeal of loud booms and bangs? Personally, I detest all loud noises, but I'm trying to find SOME reason why people might like this... Also, there's no aquestion that people who insist on loud fireworks are extremely selfish. They KNOW that it freaks out animals and also people with PTSD, but they don't care. I think this is a serious ailment currently; people have no heart. Glad the crate brought SOME relief.