Feliz cuatro de julio!

I don't like celebrating America. I am not patriotic. There's not an American flag flying at my house and I might venture so far as to say that there never will be. I think this sentiment existed before I went overseas, but a summer with people that aren't Americans just really pounds home that we aren't the best at everything... and that's ok! Yes... ok... the US has a lot of money and power and could kick some major arse if it needed to... woo freakin' hoo. Don't get me wrong. I'm not anti-US. I am very thankful that I live with many comforts and securities that others in this world cannot even imagine. I don't burn American flags. I'm just not into being prideful about America. Prideful about other things... yes... but maybe they'll be a topic for another day. : )

That being said... I love everything that comes with celebrating 4th of July. I'm from the coast, so this always means a trip out in the boat. Family gets together and hauls our bathing suit clad selves over to some stretch of sand and laughs about who knows what for the better part of a day. A few people usually rake for clams which will become part of dinner later and the rest of us drink soda and soak up some sun. After we're all too hungry or sunburnt (can you hear my accent coming out?) to stand it anymore, we load the boats back up and treck back to shore. Everyone takes turns with the 2 or 3 showers and we all get purtied (translation: prettied) up for dinner. We grill up some burgers and hot dogs, sometimes fix a clam bake, and sit around yapping about whatever has been going on since we saw each other last. The night ends with fireworks over the water, either back out on the boat or from the waterfront. I'm not sure why I love it so much, but I think it's because it always means getting together with extended family. I think it has to be my second favorite holiday... right behind Christmas. So, this afternoon after work, I'm packing up the dog and my sunscreen and headin'er to the eastard... where rebel flags, salt air, boats, and big trucks reign supreme. Carteret County is an experience all to itself. If you're lucky, I'll bring back some pictures for show-n-tell. : )

Does that make me a hypocrite? I'm not sure. But Happy Cookout and Fireworks Day to you, anyway!