Unlikely Pairings: Wine and Fireworks

Twice makes a tradition, right? Year two, nice evening for the Fourth of July and although I can see fireworks from my deck if I’m on my tippy toes, the roof is more comfortable.

The tough decision is what glass of wine to bring up on the roof, knowing that refills are unlikely once it gets dark (too much hassle up and down the ladder).

Short version is that wine and fireworks from the roof is a rare treat in Seattle. Although I supposed I could climb up there for the New Year, I imagine it would be somewhat chillier. Plus, there have been some Fourths that have had more January-esque weather than July weather, so this treat is rarer still. Probably the folks downtown had a better view, but I can guarantee that my commute back was better than theirs. Trade-offs, right?

Here’s the thing though. Although somewhat cliche, I have to say that the perspective on my house and my neighborhood from the roof is quite different.  This is where I add the disclaimer that I’m not saying you should go on your roof (or mine, for that matter) because of the obvious risks of death and destruction, but if someone you know were to head up to their roof, that person – theoretically – might experience the change in perspective I’m talking about here.

Both my partner and I were surprised at how close the neighbors’ roofs are to mine. I don’t think of us as being ‘on top’ of each other, but Dan was pretty sure he could have jumped over to either of their roofs (one glass of good wine wasn’t enough to inspire him to try, thankfully). And although houses come in myriad colors, roofs tend to be pretty limited, color-wise. Some browns, some grays, some blacks…all of which look black once it’s dark enough.

Interestingly, street lights cast some light on the roofs that I hadn’t seen before. It was neat to walk (and sit) in light that I hadn’t walked in before (albeit carefully). Above the roofs there were tree tops, street lights looking more like pathway lanterns, and I got to see down into my neighbors’ yards somewhat.

Maybe it was the wine (Dan chose this time, a Sonoma County Cab that held up nicely to the fireworks and shingles), but I got off the roof thinking that it had been a chance to see something special. Oh, and some fireworks too.