My town puts on a week long celebration during the week of the 4th of July. There's a parade on the 4th, and a carnival every evening that week and all day on the 4th. Fireworks and bands, carnies and crafts, it's a nice time to get out and see some of the people who share this town. Since I'm involved with the local business association, I also work a booth and get a chance to connect with other business people and townspeople "out of their element", so to speak - strolling the midway with their families and riding the merry-go-round with the kids.

You also get to witness the parade of local teens in various stages of dress (or lack of, in too many cases.) The most striking thing is realizing that for years, the comfort level of costume for boys has always been high - baggy pants, shirtless in the heat, comfortable shoes. But for girls? Tight, just this side of revealing too much, strappy shoes, tettering high heels. Pinching here, riding up there. Walking the midway is like strutting the catwalk for future porn queens.

I've informed my daughter that if I ever catch her dressing like that, I'll kill 'er.