Before the fireworks that are symbolic of our independence, this wonderful holiday has some additional perks: food, games, family and friends. Basically a fun time for every age.. Hopefully everyone will be looking forward to a great season; summer has only just began. Soon there will be vacations and vacation pay, beaches and bikinis, camping and the great outdoors. Please, do get ready for a fantastic summer.

Everyone knows at least a few people who have a signature dish and a lot of people who love to grill. Your going to want second and third helpings so try to find a cookout that will last from noon to nightfall, or try hopping from one cookout to another. If your hosting the cookout, be sure to ask those close to you to bring your favorite sides: potato salad, maccaroni and cheese, collar greens, whatever your taste may be. Don't settle for just one type of meat, two is the minimum. If you want have a fancy cookout, have crabs, shrimp, or both. Please, do fill your stomach and keep it full.

The summer is here and so is the heat. There is no better relief from the hot sun than to be soaking wet unless you have a good air-conditioner but who wants to be inside when there's a cookout to go to. Water guns and water balloons are not just for kids; join the water battle. Growing up, at our annual cookouts/block parties, there was always a water battle. And if theirs a pool throw some youngster in it before jumping in yourself. If you are going to have your cookout at a lake be sure that there is a designated swimming area and also check that the water isn't too polluted. Please, do get wet.

I pity those who have to work on the fourth of July. I'm sure the establishments of their workplaces will feel a little extra cramped on that day. I'm sure the walls will appear to be closing in on them on that day. Hey, they should have asked for the day off a few months ago. Sure, many of them may be making time and a half, but aren't holidays at least five times better than the average day when you got someplace to go, especially a cookout. Please, do get the day off from work.

I pity myself in fact. I fit into the category of those who will be working on the fourth of July. I will be slaving over a grill, not the good outside for family and friends grill, but over the hellish heat of a fast-food franchise grill. Unless I get another job, the will not enjoy this summer. I may get fifty percent off my meals, but where is the charcoal and sides? And why do these burgers have to be made out of processed meat? The sink in the kitchen only runs hot water; the only moments off cooling off that I get is when I go into the freezer to retrieve another box of reg meat. While we labor in fast food, retail, and other services, the lucky people with the day off will be enjoy that magical day. Please, do pity me.

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