It's official!!! For as long as I have had cognitive reasoning skills, I've noticed that Jefferson County has allowed merchants to sell fireworks on my birthday. It happened again this year, on June 22, 2009 the fireworks stands around my home near Festus opened. I have no doubt that they were doing it from the day I was born, so for 58 years now, the county has honored my birthday by allowing fireworks to be sold.

So, you say, Mike old pal, your cognitive reasoning skills have not developed as well as you think, because they are not honoring your birthday, but the birth of the United States on July 4,1776. Well, humor me for another 40+ years and I'll let you have your way after that. The fact is, people who live in the unincorporated areas of Jefferson County still have the freedom to buy and set-off fireworks during this time of year.

My neck of the woods is just that, woods. I live in a ranch style home on 3 acres more or less, and have an opportunity to look out my kitchen window to watch the deer, wild turkeys, and at least one little gray fox play in my back yard from time to time. Just up the road about 1/4 mile are two farms with cattle, barns, freshly mowed hay and beautiful views of the countryside. There's a lake that I can see in the valley from my front yard, and you'll find the peace and quiet and fresh air here is exhilarating.

How would you like to join me? Contact The Hermann London Group and let us schedule a tour of the possibilities. We can help you sell your home in the city, and help you spread out your wings in the country. All it takes is a phone call and a dream.

J. Michael Elfrank
The Hermann London Group, LLC.
7350 Manchester Road
Maplewood, MO, 63143
Fax: 866-841-2153
Cell: 314-651-6297
www.HermannLondon.com