Some of my favorite Fourth of July memories involve the neighbors all gathering together to share root beer floats and our collection of fireworks. There were a few years when multiple families on the block would pool their money and buy a stash together. But such firework celebrations also pose the risk of leaving a mess, keeping neighbors up at night, scaring pets, etc.

Do you embrace neighborhood fireworks, or are they bothersome nuisances?

Here’s how my perfect summer day would unfold: A morning swim at the gym (so I don’t feel lazy the rest of the day), breakfast on my back deck with French press coffee and homemade crepes (courtesy of my husband, no less), a couple of hours reading in my backyard hammock (I don’t even own one, but this is all theoretical, right?), a couple of hours quilting with my mom (it’s a hobby she and I love), a movie with my hubby during the hottest part of the afternoon and a dinner out with friends and family, during which I would order a bottle of wine and dessert.

Now it’s your turn. Post your description of your perfect summer day. If it includes indulging in chick lit, you’re in luck. Because we’ll randomly select a participant to win a paperback copy of these two books: “Picture Perfect” by Catherine Clark and “Save the Date” by Tamara Summers.

A past WichiTalk story rounded up 10 of the Web’s most useful sites for women:

1. Ask Patty (www.AskPatty.com)
2. Be Jane (www.BeJane.com)
3. Bridesmaid Aid (www.BridesmaidAid.com)
4. Complaints.com (www.complaints.com)
5. EHow (www.eHow.com)
6. Making Bread (www.MakingBreadMagazine.com)
7. Parent Hacks (www.ParentHacks.com)
8. Popgadget (www.popgadget.net)
9. Yahoo Food (Food.Yahoo.com)
10. You Grow Girl (www.YouGrowGirl.com)

What Web site makes your life easier?

Take our current WichiTalk poll, which asks, “What’s your favorite part about summer?“ (Not a fan? No worries: There’s an option for you to choose, too.)

And if your favorite part of summer isn’t reflected in the survey, please leave a comment here and tell us what you love about these lazy, hazy days.

We realize, though, that there are many other places in the Wichita area to get treats and desserts, including malts at Jimmie’s Diner, pies at Riverside Cafe and muffins at Copper Oven.

What local store or restaurant do you seek out to satiate your sweet tooth?

What Wichita adventure have you always wanted to have but have never actually done? Tell us what’s on the top of your “staycation” to-do list this summer. We’ll randomly select one participant to win a $15 gift certificate to Connie’s Mexico Cafe, 2227 N. Broadway.

A little bit of background on the restaurant, from Eagle write Denise Neil: “Connie Lopez helped start this family-run Mexican cafe in the 1960s, eventually passing it to her only daughter, Carmen. Carmen’s five daughters also worked in the restaurant and help run it today.”

Is this a progressive movement or a sign of declining morality? Would you have liked to have the opportunity to have a coed dorm roommate? Would you let your college-age student live in a coed room?

Do you have shopping frustrations? Are your feet incredibly narrow? Your athletic calves too big for many slim-fitting pants? Share your fashion frustrations or tips on where you shop to soothe your sizing stresses.

Wrinkle-resistant fabrics, reversible clothing and color coordinating everything you bring are a few ways to make the most of the space (and luggage weight) of your belongings. Pack your socks in your shoes. Don’t bring all of your shoes. Tie that bulky jacket you want to bring around your waist instead of smashing it into your suitcase. Stop by a drug store or grocery store when you arrive at your destination to pick up diapers, snacks and other things you’ll want and need during your trip.

Share your tips for packing light for travel, whether you’re en route for business or vacation.

We’re collecting funny anecdotes about your pet behaving badly. Here’s one to get you started: When my golden retriever Dakota was a puppy, my husband and I purchased a copy of “Golden Retrievers for Dummies” to read up on the breed and learn more about how to train a golden. During one short unattended period of time, our sweet little pup chewed the edges of the book, but not enough to prevent us from being able to read it. From that experience, we learned that our dog had a sense of humor and was a smart-aleck.

Leave a comment, and we’ll randomly select a participant to win a copy of “The Whole Dog Journal: Handbook of Dog and Puppy Care and Training,” edited by Nancy Kerns  (Lyons Press, $20).