We're coming up on my second-favorite holiday of the year, Independence Day. That's because I've always been kind of a nut for patriotism, and summer's my favorite season. And watermelon my favorite food. And as a kid I lived in places where fireworks were legal, and that was always fun. Except for the year I stepped on a "live" sparkler and burned a scar into the bottom of my foot! "That's why it's always best to leave these things in the hands of the professionals." (One is supposed to say that while wagging one's finger in someone's face.)

And our 4th of July family plans should be fun this year. We have relatives in from out of state, the promise of good weather, and I've been feeling very good this week. No nausea. No achy bones and muscles. Eating more (and more often). Getting good sleep without the crazy dreams, which have been so frequent in the last several weeks. Like everything else, I blame the dreams on chemo, too. I still tire more easily than I used to, so anything vigorous is "out," but things are definitely looking up.

I'm making the most of the 4th, because chemo No. 3 of 4 is Tuesday. But I'm actually looking forward to Tuesday for a different reason -- they've invited me to come be on the Morning Edition for a few minutes during the 6 a.m. hour. I won't be doing the news or anything, just chatting with Lisa and James and Lauren about what's been going on -- an update for the "computer challenged." It'll also give everyone a chance to see my new "do," because they've said I shouldn't wear a hat. Frankly, I'm a little concerned about that. I don't go out in public without a hat -- let alone appear on television! And on a newscast which repeats every hour on Newschannel 15. What was I thinking??!!

Jenny jokes that my hair situation makes God's job easier, because the Bible says (Matthew 10 and Luke 12) that He cares so much about us he even keeps track of the number of hairs on our heads! But jokes aside, that's the kind of assurance that helps me get through this.

I hope many of you were able to get to the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life" event last weekend at Granite Hills High School. There's another one scheduled for the July 9th and 10th from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Escondido Charter School. Participants "pitch a tent and pitch in." The 24-hour event is a "celebration of hope, progress and answers. In honor of the millions of Americans who have survived cancer, teams of friends, and co-workers raise funds to support the continued fight against the disease. This event also serves as a memorial to loved ones lost. "It always includes a moving "Luminaria Ceremony," and I understand last weekend's in El Cajon included a luminaria with my name on it. I'm incredibly honored by that. For information on the Relay for Life, and the American Cancer Associations's "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" event in October, go to www.cancer.org/relay and www.acsevents.org/strides/ca/sandiego. Next time I'll talk about what the Susan G. Komen organization is doing.

I hope you all have a terrific 4th. I hope to celebrate Saturday night at the big annual event at Cajon Speedway, where they attach boats-on-trailers to race cars and pull them around the track. It is hysterical! You can see more at www.cajonspeedway.com.

We certainly do live in God's Country, and I can't help but think of two Chronicles 7:14, which says, "If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land." I like promises like that!

-Bill