Ah, Sal, thanks; it is a day steeped in grand history which will be ignored by the masses as they pound down nasty hot dogs and cheap beer. We do live in a magnificent country.

I've been pondering the irony in the whole name, "independence day" has such a double meaning to me anymore!

I've been going to the same "thing" every year for more than 20 and this year, I might just skip it. Looks like more rain on the way in these parts. Besides, most of the fun was watching the kids and they all have cars and spouses now, they just don't get excited by the sparklers and cherry bombs I bring them.