doodledee

Being in Wisconsin over the weekend, I saw both of Wisconsin's traditional sights: cheese shops and firework shops. I almost stopped and bought some fireworks at one of the stands we passed on the interstate, but I didn't want to lose any Carl time. Then I almost stopped and bought something at a 'cheese shoppe', but you can get pretty good Wisconsin cheese at the farmer's market in Minneapolis. I want to be clear, however, that if I had seen a place that sold both cheese and fireworks, I would have pulled over in a heartbeat.

I've never understood why Wisconsin, the state that's a mere 45 minutes from Minnesota's capital, is so much more socially liberal than we are. Bars are open later, you can buy booze on Sunday, and you can buy and detonate any firework of your choosing. (Note: Combining all those liberties into one giant Funapalooza may be hazardous to your health.) Is it the water? Is it the cheese? Does it have something to do with their governor, Tommy Bartlett?

But fireworks aren't safe, right? Yes and no. On one hand, KC lit-off all of three fireworks this year and still managed singe his hand up pretty good. But on the other, you are actually more likely to be killed by cataclysmic earth surface movements and eruptions than by fireworks. Looks like it's time for somebody in the legislature to step-it up and stop plate tectonics. In the meantime, next time you're in Wisconsin, pick me up some curds and a brick of black cats.