Besty's reflection: Fourth of July fireworks

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There's a tiny little town south of us that has the best fireworks display for Independence Day. I load the kids in the van every Fourth of July and head down there.

There isn't much to the town except a meat locker, veteran's hall, convenience store, and ball field. But on the Fourth of July, the whole town, and nearby farm communities, fire up for a big celebration. There's a parade down Main Street and a flea market at the town park. And that night, there's a huge fireworks show by the baseball field.

We go early in the evening to get a good spot in the outfield grass. Most people sit back in the infield area, but we like to get as close to the action as possible. I take several blankets to spread out in the grass, and a book to read while we wait for it to get dark. The kids bring a football or a Frisbee to toss back and forth.

Some families bring sparklers to light, and the acrid smoke drifts across the field. ''Don't run with those!" I always want to say to the little kids streaking around the grass waving the sizzling metal rods.

The concession stand sells ice cream, popcorn and cold drinks. As the sun goes down, the grass cools off and a layer of dew forms on the bottom of our blankets.