Is it just me, or is everybody and their mama talking about their plans for the 4th of July? It amazes me more each year just how much buzz there is about the 4th. It’s become the new New Year’s Eve, where you feel bad if you don’t have the best possible plans lined up.
So far I’ve heard plans including the lake, beach, picnics and fireworks. Not one person has told me they don’t have any plans. Don’t get me wrong, I love that we Americans take our day of independence to heart and celebrate the holy heck out of it, but it just seems like we all go a bit overboard these days.
Whatever happened to a cookout with your family and sparklers when it got dark?
thetightropeblog.com 
Cookouts and sparklers are so 2005. The beach, the lake, and the boat is where it's at these days.
You have a point. I do enjoy the boating.However, I was thinking of much simpler times – like in 1988, when my brother had permission to shoot bottle rockets (WHAT were my parents THINKING?), and my cousin Allison and I lit so many sparklers I'm surprised/concerned that the fire department didn't show up.Ah, the good ole days…