Welcome to The VERB!

We've reached another Fourth of July, alive and kicking. If you've read this column for a while, you know the acquisition and presentation of fireworks is serious business around here. So serious, in fact, we've decided to document it. Why? Well, every year, when we walk into the fireworks tents, we feel overwhelmed with the selection. And every year, we kick ourselves for not making note of the ones that had previously awed us. "Why didn't you do that?" "Why didn't you?" Well, no more.

This year, I'll grab pen and paper, and a clipboard no less, and will record the name of each firework prior to ignition. Then the large crowd in our front yard will vote on its excitement factor. The scale will run from 1 to 5, with 1 representing a quiet "Boo" and 5 representing a noisy "Oooh, ahhhhh!" Now I realize that, on the surface, this sounds just a tad anal. We should just sit back with our tummies full of burgers and dogs and friend Kim's special potato casserole and enjoy the night's bright display, right? Not when you're surrounded by men whose primary summer goal is to create a #5 Fireworks Show from beginning to end. Happy Birthday, America!

This part of the ezine has officially become the TOOT YOUR HORN section. Feel free to send in any writing tidbit you'd like to share with our readers.

Reader Edee Wilcox's new book Saved Times Three is now available from Wings Press. Learn more about it at her website. Way to go, Edee!

Writer Sunny Serafino was recently profiled in the Highlands Today section of the Tampa Tribune. "Novelist Settles Down In Avon Park." Too bad the Tampa Tribune didn't post the article and photo on their website for all to see her warm smile. Congrats, Sunny!

Has a dog inspired you to find your true calling? As with previous anthologies in their popular series, Allen and Linda Anderson are sponsoring a contest to find true stories for their upcoming book Angel Dogs at Work. Cash prizes. No entry fee. Complete contest rules and entry form are at their site. Hurry. The deadline is July 15.

And now, without further ado ... turn the page.

Elizabeth Guy
Editor
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This issue 
was published 
under the musical influence of
 PETER FRAMPTON
Peter's select tracks
 from the
2004 Summer Tour