Well, that’s not very optimistic, is it? 
We’re in Brattleboro, Vermont, with my in-laws. Slept late but got to the Independence Day parade in good time. An interesting mix of Old and New Vermont: high school marching band, baton twirlers, Scots pipe band and VFW color guard, but also an anti-nuclear power group, a guy dressed as Uncle Sam urging the impeachment of President Bush, and a transvestite in a stunning red dress. Later, we’ll have a cookout and watch fireworks.
Best wishes to my fellow American Dopers. God bless America on its 231st birthday, and many happy returns!
Addendum: it’s also raining buckets right now. 
It rained here too. No bbq or fireworks for me today.
Sorry 'bout the rain y’all.
Just got back a bit ago from eatin’ a biiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiig meal. Ribs, bbq, brunswick stew, coleslaw, tater salad, corn on the cob, corn salad, corn bread (that’s a lot o’ corn!), rolls, deep dish peach pie (yum!), homemade vanilla ice cream, water melon and lots of beerverages. Some friends are showing up at the cave shortly for an impromptu pool party. Nobody needs anything else to eat (they were all at the biiiiiiiiiiiiiig feast too) so it’ll be hangin’ at the pool and consumin’ more beerverages.
Been a good day!
Spent this afternoon zooming through Tilden Park on my mountain bike, watching people hiking along with their kids and dogs. Beautiful day.
Came back intending to shower and head over to the community 4th celebration, instead did like my cat and curled up on the floor for a nap. Just woke up a little while ago.
Rest of the day…I guess I’ll continue reading my book, whip up some kind of random dinner and watch fireworks out of my window. Not feeling energetic enough to head over to one of the outdoors viewing spots.
I ended up visiting a friend of mine at work, and we went up to the roof and watched the fireworks in the rain. Very cool.