Every year, it seems, the fireworks of the Fourth kicks off the vacation season. The arrival of July, with its big 4th of July national party, really marks the opening of vacation season.

Throughout June kids are still having to go to school. There are graduations and auspicious end-of-the-year occasions that make for mandatory attendance. For the many schools and corporations whose fiscal calendar ends on June 30, it's a month of deadlines, hoped-for-donations, and hold-your-breath budget squeakers.

June can be just plain busy. June can leave you jaded and evacuated.

But the start of July signals a kind of collective sigh of relief. By the Fourth of July we settle into a new set of routines that aren't routine. We stay up later because it's not even dark until well after 10 p.m.. Or we get…