We watched from Park Drive in Echo Park, on the edge of Elysian Park. The Dodger org announced it would be keeping the pyrotechnics close to the stadium, but even from our remove of maybe 1/2 mile the display was worthy of patriotism, appealing to Chicken Corner's and most everyone else's desire to be part of something big. And it was, literally, spectacular. Rainfalls of fire, baseballs (really!), the globe. Genuine, unprimed oohs and ahhs. Thank you, Dodgers! Seriously. If only a Marine Band had gotten lost in Echo Park we could have sung some John Souzas. A crowd of maybe 30 shared a sliver of the park where a full-ish view was possible. People brought their dogs, who were glad to be with their guardians instead of cowering at home.

Earlier in the day I'd been talking to friends and acquaintances about where -- and if -- they planned to watch fireworks. Chicken Corner belongs to a flock of birds who want their fireworks free and easy: free views, free parking, easy in and out. Everyone has their favorite freeway overpass for the Rosebowl or their favorite Chinatown rooftop for the Dodgers' show, or sliver of park. So we were in our free zone, public property, celebrating the official birthday of the United States -- and grateful that we could do it without a ticket for entrance, or a ticket for parking where we shouldn't.