Happy Fourth of July! And...on being cognizant...

OK, before 7:10 a.m I used the word "cognizant" and my children laughed at me. I love using words like "cognizant" although my favorite all time word is "incognito." More on this later.

So, happy 4th of July to all! I love this weekend because of the history and the wonderful family memories I associate with it. The fun of this holiday is not to simply experience it, but to be cognizant of the deepest meanings. I reflect on the following as I plan to celebrate on the 4th:

-David McCullough is one of my all time favorite authors. I recently read "The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal 1870-1914." In the past, I have enjoyed "The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge. To savor early America, his books 1776 and John Adams are the best. Check out his site at http://www.simonsays.com/content/destination.cfm?tab=1&pid=328883 if you need inspiration.

-Flags displayed at the entrance of my subdivision always spark a wonderful patriotic pride that nothing else can. One of these days I promise to take a picture for my blog.

-Tennis is also part of my holiday indulgence. Growing up in Wisconsin, you could count on a rainy holiday weekend to spend indoors watching Wimbledon. This tradition continues in Arizona as the afternoon sun keeps one indoors. The history of Wimbledon combined with the memory of meeting Boris Becker at the Waldorf Astoria during his pre-poker prime all flood back to me each year. I love to reflect on Borg, Graf and all of the players as I build a new history with my children. And, of course, I will venture out on the court myself before the sun blazes the hardcourt.

-After tennis, family movie time will include my latest Disney DVD addition of The Sword and the Stone. I remember when the movie first hit the big screen. I cherish the original board game. I love it. Camelot, Arthur and Merlin. My good friend Mitzi Kleidon would enjoy it, too. Visit http://www.bookfinder.com/author/mitzi-kleidon/ for Mitzi's take on the wonderful Rexcalibur.

-Three days to catch up on reading, editing and drawing...for all of my projects. My two latest books are The History of Love by Nicole Krauss and Physics of the Impossible by Michio Kaku. These are two unusual books for me the first lent to me by my good friend Steve White, and the second being a challenge to myself to try to understand the latest in science. As an editor, I continue to work on my friend Andy Kroneberger's book A Man called Andreas. And, last but not least, the sequel to Maggie Visits Grandpa beckons me to draw at least a couple more pictures.

-And, in between it all, some laughter. Perhaps tears, as a good friend plans to replace my garbage disposal. The promise of chili and a few beers was the attraction to solve my sink problem.

-However, the best quote of the day in my house, the now famous words of my daughter, Ashley who said, "I google my name every day." Just to keep up with who you are and to be cognizant of how you are perceived is a full time endeavor. Of course, if you want to be incognito this holiday weekend....go for it.