It's the third night of fireworks and barking dogs (especially the non-stop one next door), but it's also the third night of hot weather so it's necessary to keep all our windows open. And it's not even officially the Fourth yet. Our next door neighbors like to party in the summer. Unfortunately, their house is so close to ours that it's like they're having their party in our house and our yard, only we're not invited.
Loud voices, loud music, shrill barking dog, fireworks going off in the night, basketballs banging against the fence -- also the delicious smell of barbecue. Bob thinks my complaints stem from jealousy. Well, maybe he's right, at least as far as the barbecue goes. Good barbecue is one thing I miss from my home state of Kentucky. None of the restaurants here know how to make it properly.
After the party is long over and the neighbors' lights are out -- and when all is still at last (which is about 4:30 in the morning) suddenly a loud low-pitched bang explodes outside -- or a volley of them, followed by the sharp anxious barking of the dog. This being Oakland, it's hard to tell whether it's fireworks or gunfire, but the follow-up sound of a police siren or an ambulance usually clarifies that.
Besides the police, perhaps the dog and I are the only listeners since we seem to be the only ones awake at that hour. I've been awake for the last three nights, as you can probably tell.
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