A long time before the next holiday

With the Fourth of July now behind us, we enter the longest holiday drought of the year. From early July until early September, there are no major holidays on the calendar.

I've always found it odd that August is the one month of the year without a holiday. It almost seems unfair. January has New Year's and MLK Jr. Day; February has Valentine's; March has St. Patrick's Day; April has Easter; May has Mother's Day and Memorial Day; June has Father's Day; July has the Fourth; September has Labor Day; October has Halloween; November has Veterans Day and Thanksgiving; and December has Christmas.

But August: Nothing.

Sure, there are a couple of bizarre, trivial holidays in August, such as "Respect for Parents Day" (Aug. 1), "National Underwear Day" (Aug. 5) and "National Waffle Day" (Aug. 24). But none of these seem like the proper occasion to shoot off fireworks, exchange gifts or gorge ourselves on turkey.

I've often thought that we ought to celebrate New Year's in August. After all, for many families, the annual cycle does not begin in January, but in August, with the start of the school year. Besides that, we've already got enough holidays in the weeks from late November to early January. But it's too early to even contemplate anything having to do with the start of the school year and the end of summer, so we'll end that discussion right now.

Back to the Fourth of July — it's always been one of my favorite holidays. Anytime you can put together warm afternoons, family get-togethers and blowing stuff up, you've got a winner.

I enjoyed my night at the Sportsplex Sunday watching Blytheville's city fireworks display. It was a good show, and I tip my hat to the organizers. The highlight, I think, was simply seeing the people in lawn chairs and on blankets, coming together to celebrate their nation's birthday. A few kids were playing with sparklers. Some boys were playing a pick-up game of football. One girl had a hula-hoop that would light up when spun around. It was a slice of Americana right here in Blytheville.

My only complaint on the evening was the constant passing of motorists — with their bright headlights — into and out of the area throughout the entire fireworks show. Perhaps the entrance to the parking lot ought to be shut down once the fireworks begin. Something to think about for next year.

If I were to rank my favorite holidays, the Fourth of July would be near the top.

Christmas is clearly the No. 1 pick. In spite of the chaos and hassle that sometimes drives me nuts, it's still one of my favorite times of the year — from the music, to the gifts, to the excitement of Christmas morning.

Halloween used to be near the top, but it's really more of a night for kids than anything else. I do, however, enjoy stealing any Sweet Tarts or Nerds candy my children are lucky enough to procure.

As I'm not a huge fan of turkey, Thanksgiving has always been just "OK." It's always nice to see family, though.

The egg hunt at Easter is a good time, as is the decoration of said eggs in anticipation. The only problem is figuring out what to do with a bunch of hard-boiled eggs after the fact.

New Year's was more fun back when I was young enough to stay up until midnight. I still enjoy the Rose Parade and watching football games, though.

And as a dad, I naturally appreciate Father's Day.

So as I think about it, I'd have to say that Independence Day comes in at a strong No. 2. It's a great holiday, both in the history that it celebrates and in the modern rituals that have been created around it.

I'm glad I had a good Fourth this year. I'll need these memories to tide me over in the long weeks until Labor Day.