Happy Fireworks Day! I know, I know, we should be celebrating our independance, but from what? The British? That's old news. When we can celebrate our independance from the Bush administration, or better yet from the Republican party, then you'll see me at Old Navy buying up the ever popular American flag shirt to wear proudly at the fireworks display. Lately though, I'm finding little to be patriotic about. It's difficult to have pride in your country when you don't agree with how it's being run. So for now, let's enjoy the fireworks.

This is one of my favorite parts about the summer, and please excuse me while I wax nostalgic for a bit. We used to go to Ft. Meigs with the Hood family, but we'd get there really early, like 6 pm, when there's still parking available. We knew by doing this that it would take us over an hour to get home, but we had the best spot. We would bring frisbees and footballs and baseballs and mits and play all evening until it got dark. Then we would eat shoestring potatos while stretched out on a blanket, oohing and ahhing watching fireworks, always hoping they would last a little bit longer than last year. They could have gone on for hours and we would have been elated. It's nice that some of the simple pleasures of youth transends to adulthood. So, wherever you are tonight, go out and enjoy some fireworks and feel like a kid. And remember, oooh is for the pretty colors, and ahhh is for the loud bang. Peace out.

"I saw fireworks from the freeway..." -Jason Mraz