If the feature photo is an out-of-sharp-focus shot of kids with sparklers, it can only mean one thing: as has become our longstanding custom, we're enjoying a picnic with friends at a family-friendly venue with a great view of the impending Fourth of July fireworks. These days, truth be told, I'm having trouble being patriotic, since, from my perspective, the powers-that-currently-be in Washington inspire thoughts of revolution, not support, and when we were finally bathed in the proverbial "rocket's red glare," to say nothing of other colors, I was thinking about... well, give it a rest for one night... It's the Fourth... there's an election coming and with any luck, this too shall pass. Time to lean back, set the camera to manual for f/8 at 5 seconds (ISO 400), put odiousness and fear out of mind, and enjoy the show.