Another cup of grump, anyone?

Maybe be it’s me.

Maybe I’m wrong when I think that we’re becoming a more self-centred, less caring society.

I mean, I dislike intolerance as much as the next person, but we have to balance things out, right?

We should always consider our environment – and by that I don’t *just* mean that we should think about the land and the sky and the birdies and the fishes – I mean we should always think about the area around us.

And the people who live in it.

So why is it at [checks watch] 22.32 on a Saturday in July that I amsitting next to the open patio doors listening to the sound of…

Fireworks.

And dogs barking.

So fucking what if it is the 4th of July?

Who cares that it’s the Independence Day of one of our former colonies?

Here’s my point: In November the animal-owning members of British Society acknowledge that they have to keep Tiddles The Cat, Geoffrey The Dog and Colin The Gerbil in at night – because in November Britain celebrates the Gunpowder Plot with Bonfire Night.

But what the fuck with all the fireworks going off now?

I am sitting here listening to dogs barking all over the parish because some inconsiderate bastard is trying to recreate the climax of Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.

In rural fucking Oxfordshire.

What the fuck?

I’ve got a horse out there, in his paddock, I don’t want the poor equine to be startled out of his little orange skin because of some selfish bastard who thinks s/he is still living in Hicksville USA.

Yes I am being parochial.

But let’s look at the facts here.

I am not alone in having an animal out at night.

It’s fucking hot.

There are many dogs out in their owners gardens.

Why should we be held hostage to a selfish fucking minority?

I really don’t get it.

If you want to celebrate American Independence day can you just fuck off to America?

I’ve nothing against the USA in general or Americans in particular, but let’s keep a sense of perspective here please.

Or is it just me who would consider my immediate environment before letting off a couple of hundred quid’s worth of fireworks?