Fireworks of Childhood Past

Tennessee Alabama Fireworks

During my walk this evening, I witnessed the aftermath of last night's
missile barrage that took place near our house. At least it sounded like
that. Of course it was Independence Day and I'm pretty sure fireworks
are much easier to come by than when I was a kid. In the late 70's,
growing up in Indiana, one could pretty much buy sparklers or snakes.
You know...those pieces of ash that curled up on the ground when you
lit them with a match. Oh...and caps, but those weren't restricted to
the 4th. We'd bang on them with a rock on the sidewalk all summer
long. But I digress...

I, on the other hand had a loophole. My brother and sister both lived
in Georgia and we would visit them at least once a year. Fireworks were
apparently big (and legal!) in the south and the small town of South
Pittsburg, Tennessee was on the way home. South Pittsburg was home
to Tennessee Alabama Fireworks. To a kid who loved fireworks, it was
the Valhalla of Fireworks! For some reason, they wouldn't let you smoke
in the store. I don't know why... I would always buy the same. A dozen
packages of Bottle Rockets, A brick of Black Cat Firecrackers and a bag of
M-80s. I would then shoot them off all summer, scaring the crap out of the
dog in the process and scaring my Aunt Sharon as well when I would hold a
small demonstration at the end of the driveway!

Now, it seems you can buy fireworks just about anywhere. Without
much problem in the west and certainly in Indiana. These days, I
don't buy them, but they definitely keep me awake every July. And
yes, I still have all of my fingers!


Bottle Rockets


Black Cats


M-80s

"Vandalia" Onions

Almost twenty years ago, I was living near Chicago and I saw a banner
posted alongside the road. Whatever charitable group it was, they were
selling onions to make money. Makes sense. It was onion season after
all. What didn't make sense is what they were calling them.

"Vandalia Onions"

There is a small town in central Illinois named Vandalia. It was once
the state capital of Illinois and is certainly known for many things, but
I'm pretty certain growing onions isn't one of those things. I am pretty
certain that whoever made the banner knew there was a Vandalia and
had never heard of Vidalia...Georgia, where the onions are indeed
famous. Even though it's been many years ago, I still chuckle to myself
whenever I see Vidalia Onions being sold and wonder if those folks in
Vandalia ever decided to capitalize on the similar names.


For those of you that have never tried a Vidalia Onion, you really
should buy a couple. I've heard of people saying they are so sweet,
you can eat one like an apple. I wouldn't go that far, but they are
definitely worth buying a few and using them in your cooking. We
bought a case (since onions don't tend to go bad quickly if kept in
a cool, dry place) and I've been enjoying them in just about everything!
They're only around for a short time, but make sure they're the ones
from Georgia...not Illinois!