Like a zillion other folks, I’m a sucker for fireworks displays. I feel deprived when I don’t catch at least one of them each year. My wife Sandy and I saw magnificent fireworks in Philadelphia this past July. And a fine show was gifted, once again by Philadelphia, to us and our pals Cindy and Gene (and a host of other celebrants) on the final evening of 2023. The four of us watched that New Year’s Eve extravaganza, an annual Philadelphia affair, from atop a parking garage near the Delaware River. In the middle of the river sat a barge from which the rockets were launched.
On the garage roof, I behaved exactly as I expected I would. Meaning, I oohed and aahed as the air shook mightily and the darkened skies filled with starbursts (mostly in stately whites, golds, greens and reds) that danced and interwove for all they were worth. I damn well had a great time.
Still, a day or two later I was in need of further blasts of colors, though I didn’t recognize their call right away. Bold, brash colors, as it turned out, not the more subdued ones that predominated on New Year’s Eve. Was I a bit down in the dumps for a couple of days after NYE, and subconsciously figured that avalanches of eye-popping hues would snap me out of it? Could be. Whatever the case, five days into 2024, by which time I was clear about what to do, I entered Willow Grove Park, a three-level indoor mall located a hop, skip and a jump from my house in the burbs. I knew that heavy doses of just-what-the-doctor-ordered awaited me at the mall’s enormous arcade, whose space formerly had been occupied by a JCPenney department store.
I’d been to the arcade before, always as an admirer, not a game player. Man, it’s something else. Game console after game console after game console fill the arcade’s two floors. I don’t have a clue how to play any of them. But who cares? The games are a color extravaganza. On that January day I allowed their oversized personalities to conquer me.
What’s more, they were loud as hell, something I should have remembered from previous visits. Even louder than fireworks, being in a somewhat confined space as they are. Man, my poor f*cking ears, longtime victims of tinnitus, were greeted by a nonstop outpouring of screeches, whams and bams. Did the racket cause me to flee? Hell, no! I wanted an immersive experience.
Eventually, after becoming fully immersed, I departed. I quickly forgot about the arcade’s din, but not about its dazzling colors. They’d impressed the heck out of me. And invigorated me. I’m thinking about their vitality right now as I type these words.
Funny, though: It’s one thing to be impressed and invigorated, and quite another to be truly in love. Yes, for all my adult life I’ve been a seeker of colors that pack a mighty punch. But I sure don’t want to be in their presence anywhere close to all the time. That would be way too much sensory input. I’d become overwhelmed and exhausted.
However, there is a color I never tire of being around. It’s the one I saw when I stepped onto my house’s deck a half hour after returning home from the mall. Looking up at the sky’s gradations of gentle blue, I thought something like this to myself: “Yo, blue sky, I’m yours! Come on down and wrap yourself around my sagging, wrinkled bod!”
Well, the sky sure as shit ignored my invitation. Maybe it’s hard of hearing, or maybe it just can’t stand the sight of me. I’m not one to hold a grudge, though. Thus, I’ll conclude this story with a recording of Blue Skies, a lovely song composed by Irving Berlin. And who better to sing it than Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra. I think you’ll like it.
Yeah, Another Blogger 
But you do play the games, Neil. Maybe not like other gamers. Just goes to show you think outside the game.
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I never thought of that!
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I kind of like that Gum Drop setup. But you’re right–blue sky is best!
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Hi, Audrey. The sky is so huge. And when it’s blue, it’s hard to beat.
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Wow, I can completely relate to your love for fireworks displays! They’re truly magical and mesmerizing,
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Absolutely. A good fireworks show is a true spectacle.
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I really like you. I’ve seen so many fireworks, they now bore me. But video arcades, never since I took my son, and now twin grandsons.
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Arcades are pretty cool. I should learn how to play at least a couple of the games in the arcade I wrote about.
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Thanks for the laugh, Neil. As I visualised this old man grinning ear to ear, admiring the colours instead of playing the games. I’m not a fan and refuse to go near those gambling machines. I hate throwing money away. Boring old girl that I am.
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I like the idea that an arcade is less than a mile away from my house. I like that mall in general, to tell you the truth. But the mall is struggling business-wise.
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I dislike gambling machines which are a curse for those who are desperate. Here in NZ they are trying to stop them being established near low economic housing areas which of course most are established. We will have to agree to disagree about the merits of arcades. I like a bit of fresh air between shops.
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Hi Suzanne. The arcade near my home isn’t a gambling place. The games there are just for fun — they are like video games that people play at home.
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Ok, apologies Neil I was a bit over the top with my reply, and I now understand
.
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I’m in the living room; Frank Sinatra with Blue Skies; Mary in the kitchen singing along! There’s cross-Atlantic communication for you! A good start to the day!
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Excellent!
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Great post, Neil. And blue sky is definitely the best!
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I’m looking out the window as I type this. The sky is grey. Blue is much better.
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Oh man, Neil. This post made me nostalgic. I lived in the arcade on Saturdays after bowling club and LOVED playing the games Centipede and Frogger. I was never very good, but it was fun and innocent and a safe place for us. I miss those days. I’m with you on colours. My favourites are in sunrises and sunsets; it’s like a shot of adrenaline to the soul.
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I’m with you on sunrises and sunsets. They can be spectacular. I’ve seen loads of sunsets in my life. But very few sunrises — I’m too lazy to get out of bed in time to watch them.
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Nothing like a full on senses assault to remind you how to smile! For me it’s neon lights reflected on a rainy road…the child in me’s idea of beautiful😁
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“Neon lights reflected on a rainy road” — you’re right. They are wonderful images.
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I love New Year’s Eve fireworks best. This is perhaps due to them not being overshadowed by the constant use of them during the days leading up to and including July 4th. That, and the colors that briefly warm up the winter sky.
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Hi. Is this Blue Jay? — the comments are posted as being from Anonymous. Fireworks bring out the kid in adults.
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A fun blast of color for the new year, but nothing can beat a blue sky.
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Humans and blue skies are a perfect match.
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Hi Neil, Thank you for Blue Skies by old Blue eyes…I was a teenager at the end of WW11, and the prolific, wonderful music which drifted to the UK from the US was such a gift I nearly danced my feet off! Oh the diction and musicality of Howard Keel, Tony Martin, Perry, Nat, Billy Daniels and Extine, etc., etc., and Ella and Sarah Vaughn, of course. It is, thankfully, also a colourful world, with nature the winner! Cheers. xx
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Hi, Joy. There was lots of good music during the post-war years, for sure. A question occurs to me: Was Billie Holiday popular in Europe? (She is one of my favorite vocalists.)
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Yep, Billy Holiday was popular with many in the UK. ‘Im indoors and I went to a few jazz clubs in the West End of London and a few in the East End. We also enjoy Country and Western and Classical; and always loved Spanish music – so soulful…We now listen to a mixed bag on Classic FM on the television. Aah! Cheers. x
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Wow. Beautiful photos and colors! I also love fireworks, but not crowds. Fireworks (at least here in the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky area on our huge display every Labor Day ,shot from barges on the Ohio River) mean huge crowds and lots of heavy traffic.
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Hey there, Denise. I’m not a fan of big crowds either. The crowds are very big at the waterfront park alongside the Delaware River. But from where we usually watch the fireworks — atop a nearby parking garage — it’s not overly crowded.
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For the last few years, we watch them on tv. Not the same experience, but no crowds or traffic.
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Love all the colours but the noise of the arcade would definitely make me flee. I am currently quietly eating breakfast while looking at a beautiful blue sky.
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This is an ideal start to a day — “quietly eating breakfast while looking at a beautiful blue sky.”
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I’m not a fan of fireworks or neon lights, but that’s a lovely song!
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Hi, and thanks for stopping by. Irving Berlin was a superb songwriter. And Sinatra, when he was in his prime, was a superb vocalist. I imagine that he recorded quite a few of Berlin’s songs.
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We actually saw the sun the other day in Duluth. It was like fireworks going off. 🙂
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Yeah, it’s kind of depressing when the sun is regularly obscured by clouds.
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Neil, I needed to hear that song today! Here in England it has been non-stop storms and such grey skies! Blue skies are the best. I enjoyed your meanderings on colour, felt I was there in the arcade with you and rather deafened by it all! 😀Truly there is a lack of colour this year and this was an inventive place to seek it out!
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You know, there’s something that connects people pretty deeply with blue skies. I almost think it’s an innate attraction.
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I haven’t been to an arcade in ages but I always loved the one we had in our mall growing up. Skee Ball was my favorite.
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I love Skee Ball too. By the way, who is this? — your comments are listed as being from Anonymous.
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This post made me want to go back and relive my days spent in arcades with friends.
Oh, that friendly, happy competition — what’s better than that? By the way, I’d be a sucker for that Wild West Shootout game.
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Paula, I hope the arcade near me makes it financially. It’s probably the only arcade within miles, though I’m not sure about that. I’ve visited it a number of times, and it was busy only one of those times.
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Me, I cover my ears in arcades! But I get the colors.
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Yeah, we should wear earplugs when we go to arcades.
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This time of year with a dull wintery feeling. Road salt and dirty snow. It’s great to see happy bright colours to reinvigorate our souls.
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I completely agree. A lot of colors sort of go into hibernation during winter.
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Well, at the moment we certainly have blue skies all the way.
That arcade would terrify me…the noise alone!
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Afternoon, Helen. The arcade is a high-octane experience. I like it, but it’s not something I’d want to be around often.
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This is such a beautiful and colourful post, especially as it’s been a very cold and dreary month in Ireland. I love fireworks that dance in the night and illuminate the skyline. Thanks for sharing, and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx xx
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Howdy, Aiva. Does your town/city have fireworks each year?
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Wonderful post . . . and wonderful song! Gotta love Ol’ Blue Eyes. 😉
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Hi. Sinatra was one fine singer, for sure. Who is this, by the way? Your comments were posted as being from Anonymous.
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I got a rare glimpse of blue sky and a rainbow yesterday. That’s about as colourful as it gets at the moment! Back to grey and constant rain today.
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Ah, you were fortunate to see a rainbow. They are very amazing, and don’t make appearances too often.
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I haven’t been in or near a video game arcade in years. Fireworks happen often around here, but I’m not even sure where an arcade might be. In a pizza parlor, I’d guess.
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Hey there, Ally. There probably isn’t a big demand for arcades, since so many people play video games at home on Xboxes and other devices.
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Thank you, Neil, for the colours, especially the blue sky, the song and the picture.
Here, the sky is angry, raining, the hauling wind, and two atoms, one after another!
Joanna
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Hi Joanna. Here, in the Philadelphia burbs, we had about 8 inches of snow last week. That’s not very much, compared to what other areas get. But it had me outside shoveling for about three hours. That’s more than enough exercise for me!
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You are right!
Joanna
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Sounds like you could use a good dose of Las Vegas! The best fireworks are always over water, I think.
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Hi. Speaking of Vegas: I was there only once. That was in 1971, I think. I was driving around the country in a van with another guy. We slept in the van in the parking lot belonging to Caesar’s Palace!
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It’s changed a lot since then. Bigger, gaudier, more bright lights and the airport is like one big arcade show.
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Nothing beats the colors, lights, and sounds of the games arcade in the mall for a quick pick-me-upper! Enjoyed listening to Frankie’s “Blue Skies” 🙂
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Hi. The YouTube file I included in the story is a performance from 1946. Sinatra had previously recorded Blue Skies in 1941. I’m pretty sure those are the only times he recorded it.
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Great song!!!! Fantastic photos as usual. I haven’t been to the mall yet to see the arcade. I will have to stop by one day!
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Howdy, Joyce. The weekend is the time to visit the arcade. It’ll be busier and livelier than on a weekday.
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Not a fan of arcades, but enjoyed your visit! Love Blue Skies, though…..my favourite being versions by Jolson (showing my age)!
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Irving Berlin was a super-talented songwriter.
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This is an interesting point of view. You are right that blue skies offer a beautiful contrast to artificial lights. Sometimes we need to return to nature.
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Hello, Adele. Blue skies, to me, feel warm and enveloping.
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I can take sensory overload in small doses, Neil ; that second last paragraph, your invitation to the blue sky, is pure magic; great writing, Neil 🙂
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Thanks a lot, John. You’ve made my day!
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I love the bright light of the city, but also the blue sky in the countryside, not to mention the night sky in a remote desert, where stars are the only lightsource… It’s all about the contrast. 🙂
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There’s a lot of beauty out there, waiting for us to sample it.
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The arcade colors are so appealing. I’d visit the place just to see the colors, although the noise probably wouldn’t appeal. I had a friend years ago who used to throw Pachinko parties. He’d spent years in Japan, liked the game, and outfitted a room with four or five machines. Even on that smaller scale, the bright colors and flashing lights were invigorating.
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Colors affect us emotionally, intellectually, and in other ways too. Colors are powerful. Thanks for adding your thoughts, Linda. Much appreciated.
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Watching New Years Eve fireworks that are launched from a barge into the skies over the water–from a parking garage–sounds like a very youthful and energizing experience.
And if there’s one thing better than Ol’ Blue Eyes, it’s Ol’ Blue Eyes singing Blue Skies. Nice, Neil!
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Hey Annie. Sandy and I, with the two friends I mentioned, have watched NYE fireworks together quite a few times. It’s fun.
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I love colored lights of all sorts (except maybe the flashing ones in the rear view mirror from a cop car!) and that’s cool that you can pop into that arcade to get a dose of energy like that.
My younger sister sings that song all the time, she’s a big time Ella Fitzgerald fan.
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Ella was great. Who are a few of your all-time favorite singers? Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Dylan and Jeff Tweedy are a few of mine.
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Definitely Sinatra. Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Marvin Gaye, Maddy Prior, Chrissie Hynde, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Natalie Merchant, wow there’s a lot I guess.
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Beth Orrin, too.
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Beth Orton
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Fine list! I like Smokey Robinson a lot too, and Howlin Wolf, and loads of others.
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Oh yes two more greats.
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Hi, Neil. I love that recording of Blue Skies. Nature always does it for me. The quiet is my cup of tea.
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Hi there, Michele. Do you live in an area where Nature hasn’t been bulldozed under?
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I can find peace and excitement right in my backyard even with the snow and ice keeping me in. Things are built up, but nature always finds a way.
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Nothing beats a blue sky! My dad was a big Sinatra fan and because of him, the first song I sang to put my oldest daughter to sleep was Blue Skies.
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Hi there. Is this Jan? — the comments are listed as being from Anonymous. Your father had good taste. Sinatra was a great vocalist.
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It’s amazing how much influence colors have on our mood, something that has been scientifically proven.
I’m glad your sagging spirits were lifted by the cheerful colors you encountered.
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🟩🟦🟪🟥🟧🟨
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🌈🌈🌈
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Nice Article
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What a throwback ! I used to hang out at arcade halls in Montreal. The sound of pinball machines still echo in my head! The colours were dizzying, but so much fun for young teens. 😀
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Hi. Pinball is a great game. Did you live in Montreal proper, or in the suburbs?
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I was born in Montreal, lived right downtown until 17 when I moved to Toronto for University, and been here since!
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I too love fireworks. Our two baseball teams, the Cleveland guardians and Lake Erie captains have Friday fireworks after a game and they are spectacular! Especially if you sit in the upper deck. It’s a very neat experience.
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Friday night fireworks is a great idea. Every team should do that!
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You’ve found some amazing colors, for sure. My favorite, though, is that beautiful blue sky.
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A blue sky is cheerful and comforting. It’s pretty perfect. Hi Jeff. Take care.
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I’ve always thought the noise and lights in an arcade are just too much…I find them overwhelming. Fireworks, on the other hand, are great, although I suspect I’d get tired of them if the display lasted too long. The blue sky, however, is something I NEVER get tired of!
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I think that people are programmed to feel good when they see blue skies.
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It’s been years since I’ve seen a full on fireworks display. They don’t have ’em here for New Year’s, and on the 4th we usually spend the day with the in-laws out in the burbs. We’ll do the little ones there – and even those aren’t legal in Portland anymore. Pretty soon we’ll get fined for lighting a match.
This time of year, blue skies are considered an aberration, causing folks to scratch their heads in puzzlement. And if that bright ball of light makes an appearance, folks make like vampires, covering eyes and shrinking away in fear.
So maybe I’m due for a blast of colors too…
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Morning, Dave. Yeah, find an arcade and soak up all the colors. They are refreshing!
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In Colorado we lived in the wide open, where we could see a half-dozen fireworks displays up and down the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains simply by stepping out our back door. Down here in South Carolina our community is carved out of the forest, so you can’t see much past your neighbor’s place. On New Years Eve we heard the fireworks and we saw the sky light up a bit, but we certainly didn’t see the fireworks themselves. We have a new “retro” arcade in the downtown area, looking as colorful as the one you show here. Better than a casino, I suppose. Wouldn’t lose nearly as much money!
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Evening, Dave. Is the arcade near you doing good business? The one near me, based on what I’ve seen, isn’t. Which is a shame.
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It’s a new business so I can’t speak to their success yet, but the idea is to bring more of the young people into our little downtown. Hope it works.
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I’m a big fan of blue skies. And great writing. Have a wonderful weekend, Neil! ~ Christy.
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Hi Christy. We can’t go wrong with blue skies. See ya!
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Great song. Don’t ever spend July 4th or New Year’s Eve in Arizona. Due to fire restrictions, you won’t get fireworks. I cannot remember the last time I saw a fireworks display! But I ADORE our year-round blue skies!☀️
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Hi Lisa. Yours probably isn’t the only state that bans fireworks. I’m glad they are legal where I live, though (Pennsylvania). Have a good upcoming week!
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