It’s the Friday before the 4^th of July and 90% of you are already at the Lake, on your way to the Lake, or anxiously counting down the minutes until you leave for the Lake.

The other 10% of you are hating life at work or some other non-vacation place, reading this short, reminiscent column. I’m sorry. Sucks to be you.

Anyways, I’ll keep this short and sweet. I’ve never really been into the 4^th of July. It is my sister’s favorite holiday. She bakes star-shaped cakes topped with American flags made out of whipped cream, strawberries, and blueberries. I don’t buy the red, white, and blue $5 Target seasonal tank top nor do I parade around draped in the American flag. I am patriotic and love this country; however, I’ve never really understood the appeal to the holiday. I guess it is an excuse to grill out, drink beer, hang out with friends, but most importantly, blow shit up.

Since I grew up in South City, we weren’t allowed to shoot off fireworks. It was one of the few times in my life I was jealous of people who lived in the county and the country. Leave it to my rough and tumble uncles to not give a damn about the city ordinances on fireworks. With a Budweiser in one hand and a lighter in the other, my 7 cousins and I (did I mention there are 8 girl cousins in my family…not a single boy) sat in our grandma’s backyard facing the alley and watch our uncles set off fireworks. (Liv’s cop father would have been all over us). 

For about 6 years in my youth, my family never got in trouble by the cops. I was about 8 years old when things changed. I’ll never forget the 4^th of July when the cops drove down the narrow alley in their cruiser telling my uncles to “wrap it up.” We shot off fireworks for about 15 more minutes until my uncles called it quits. All my uncles are well over 6’3 and intimidating if you don’t know them (really, they are all just big softies), and for the first time, I saw my uncles threatened. Granted it was by the police, however, I’ll never forget it.

I’ve always loved fireworks. It is the main reason I look forward to the 4^th. Biased opinion aside, I think there is nothing greater than watching colorful lights explode behind the Arch. How nostalgic! Last summer, was the best 4^th of July of my life. My best friend called me about noon that day and said, “What are you doing tonight?” I had no plans yet and she followed with, “So come over in an hour. My dad just got 4 tickets behind home plate for the Cubs/Cards Series.” As Pujols hit his 300^th homerun and I cried with excitement, fireworks erupted over the river, and I had the best seat in St. Louis: behind home plate at the Cards game. BEST 4^th of JULY EVER! The background on my phone is still an epic picture from that night.


This 4th of July, I'll be in Indiana and I highly doubt there are any limitations to lighting stuff on fire in Hoosierville.  Seeing as last time I visited Indiana, a couch got lit on fire, maybe a barn or a grain bin will go up in flames to celebrate good ole Independence Day. Grab a beer, throw on a swim suit, and light some stuff on fire. Happy Fourth of July!