I

(Book 1 / Chapter 4)  

 COGNITO, ERGO; SUM / WHY ME"?

10:30

   

           

 HIGH SKY      

                            

            Well, this is the last chapter of part one; so I'll go visit Daisy after this fourth chapter.  I went pee and saw Ants making an Ant Hill.  These books might take longer than we thought but as my boss's mom says, "Rome wasn't built in a day;" or "Put one foot in front of the other."

            I'm looking to my left, at the northeast corner of our two acres; where we've been going to the bathroom lately.  Whenever I go over there I always study the desert behind the Sheds and that seems to make me appreciate being here.  Dawn and Blinky are barking next door. 

       Going to the bathroom also has the added benefit of "Marking" my territory to let everyone around here know that I'm around.  Mr. Steve talks about, "killing two Birds with one stone."  I wonder sometimes how it's even possible to kill two different Birds with just one rock? 

  

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA

             As I went pee I thought about one of the times Mr. Steve's parents visited us.  But, too bad now they're too old to drive all of the way up here from Sylmar.  Speedy Gonzalez just zoomed through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate between Manny and Moe the Sheds.

           I remember that morning when Mr. Randy told my boss his dad used to say the old saying "Behind every great man is a great woman" should be "beside every great man."  I noticed how Mr. Steve kind of chuckled at that.  He then also said his father would "most likely agree."  

           Over the next three days I'll write about some of the old sayings Mr. Steve's mom told her family and Girl Scout Troops.  Daisy heard most of them in Mr. Steve's phone conversation, but I heard him mention the one about not not putting the cart before the Horse.  Heathcliff crowed.    

                                              

      HEATHCLIFF II / HENS       

                                               

          Well God, thank You for this first day of Spring where I've already learned a lot in these first three chapters.  I kind of have a feeling the next three days are going to be good.  A breeze      just brought Heathcliff and his Hens' scent floating in to me over here on my couch Elvira.         

         Thank You God for inventing sunlight.  Judging by where the Sun is now, and the shorter shadows; I'd say it's about ten thirty.  That one Tongvan lady Mr. Steve met at the San Fernando Knights of Columbus Hall said how "Taamet" means "Sun" and "Mwaar" is "Moon."                

          Hey God!  Dais and I want to believe in magic and things like that, even though Mr. Steve doesn't.  Boy!  Sunlight makes me feel so alive.  Daisy thinks life is magic but, "ebbs and flows"  with "ups and downs;" often a "balance" of "highs and lows" or "peaks and valleys."                  

  

HIGH DESERT "MARIGOLD" FLOWERS

PHOTO BY S. SAMPSON

  

           Ah!  The mid-morning air is so clear right now, so breathing in deep breaths of fresh air through both nostrils is making me feel glad to be sitting back here on the Patio.  I can't wait for  all of the desert wildflowers to come out this year.  But, this is only the first day of Spring.            

         Boy Elvira!  I'm so lucky to have you as my favorite couch, even though you are  getting kind of "old and frayed" as Mr. Randy jokes.  But I would never ever sell you for any amount of money, even a million dollars.  Daisy's so right in saying you're one of our best friends now.         

          Dais and I heard Mr. Randy say, even though it was a wetter Winter; that's good for the Spring plants around here.  Flowers "grow good roots" he said, trees can "bud slowly" and the    perennial flowers "get the rest they use to get ready for Spring."  I love how it's Spring!                

          

MID-MORNING HIGH DESERT SKY

          Birds are flying to the northeast up in the sky.  There are a few thin clouds up in the sky, which Mr. Steve's mom calls "wispy."  Judging by the lengths of the shadows, and where the Sun is over the eastern horizon behind the Sheds; I'd say it's probably about 10:30 right now.              

         All of a sudden I just thought of all the times last year when Daisy and I watched the slow moving puffy clouds.  Mr. Steve enjoys watching thick clouds moving slowly across a high sky.      He thinks they look like slow moving "glaciers" or "icebergs;" especially huge formations.           

         Hey God!  I remember that time Dais and I were here on the Patio sitting on Elvira, being amazed by the unbelievable cloud shapes moving slowly across the sky.  We felt You.  Andy and    Helen were using their cute little hands to chew something really fast the way Squirrels do.                                                       

WOMAN RUNNING ON THE BEACH

       

       Someday, when I overcome my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area with only one escape route; I'll get to see the inside of my boss's office the way Daisy already does now.  I can't  wait!  Daisy told me Mr. Steve often sits at his desk and uses one of those computer machines.      

          Water is "calming and meditative" Mr. Steve says, and his mom thinks that too.  Dais says on Mr. Steve's big "Monitor" computer screen; his "Desk Top" page shows a girl running along a beach.  I guess Mr. Steve told his mom he's seen that image of the girl in some dreams.               

         Over the next three days Dais has me scheduled to learn and then write about some of the different Lakes, Oceans and things like that Mr. Steve and his family have seen.  Mr. Steve and    his father hope they're wrong but, think future wars may be fought over water.  I smell Sage.                                     

         RÉNE DESCARTES (1596-1650)        

              PAINTING BY FRANZ HALS              

                            

        All of a sudden I just thought of that one 17th century French Philosopher named Réne Descartes.  He's the one who I got the title of my three books from, "Cognito, Ergo; Sum."  And,  according to my good Latin Dictionary; that would just mean, "I think, Therefore; I am."            

          One time Dais, and that other Dog Millie who I replaced; were in the house and heard Mr. Steve talking with Mr. Ralph.  Over the years they've both read things Réne Descartes wrote.  A few of our neighbor's Ducks are quacking over there next door, but Daffy is much louder.             

      This Encyclopedia calls "Descartes" the, "Father of Modern Philosophy." Over the next three days I'm scheduled to learn more about him and other Philosophers.  Daisy says Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph how his father in College read some of Descartes' "mathematical" ideas too.                                             

          SAINT TERESA OF ÁVILA (1515-1582)            

              PAINTING BY A.J. VALENTINI                        

                                          

           Mr. Steve's father thinks a girl named Teresa of Ávila is an example of how females often "don't get as much credit for things" as males do.  She was one of those Catholic Nuns like Sister Rita Joseph and the other ladies who taught my boss at St. Ferdinand's.  I smell some Sage.         

           One thing Descartes is known for is his writings on the subject of "Self-Knowledge."  But, I guess my boss thinks his ideas sure seem a lot like what "Saint" Teresa said fifty years before    yet; he's the one called the "Founder" of modern philosophy.  Dawn's barking over there.            

      Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom say on the phone our last name "Córdova," and also her "Maiden" name "Trujillo;" are "Derived" from the names of cities in Spain.  My Encyclopedia  says St. Teresa was from the city of "Ávila," in the "Kingdom of Castile."  I smell Blinky.             

    

KING / SAINT FERDINAND III (1199?-1252)          

                PAINTING BY BARTOLOMÉ ESTEBAN MURILLO                                                                                                                            PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA                                       

          If we go in the living room on Saturday morning to watch cartoons I can see Mr. Steve's mom's big painting of King Ferdinand III.  He died on May the 30th, which is also my boss's        Niece Raqquel's birthday.  He led Castile where St. Teresa lived about three centuries later.                   

     y God!  I guess that one girl Saint Teresa also  believed self-knowledge could be a really good way to "find" or see You in everyday life.                

         

 "THE URANTIA BOOK"

           One time Dais heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his father about that guy René Descartes, who my Encyclopedia says was not just a Philosopher but also a Scientist too.  From    what Dais says he was good at math.  Heathcliff crowed and I also hear his Hens clucking.            

       Mentioning Descartes makes me think of "The Urantia Book."  Daisy heard it tries to "unite" spiritual and religious concepts with science.  My Encyclopedia says it deals with three    main topics, "man's origins," the "meaning of life" and also "man's place in the universe."          

            Hey God!  It says here, the "authors" of The Urantia Book believe You "operate" on both a "personal" and "impersonal" level.  The Urantia logo, of three circles; is called the "Paradise Trinity."  The three circles represent, "infinity," then "eternity" and finally "universality."                         

JIMI HENDRIX                                                 MR. MARK     

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                         

          

          Mr. Mark in Hawaii admires Jimi Hendrix's guitar playing.  He and Mr. Steve have talked about how Jimi Hendrix went everywhere with a Bible and a copy of The Urantia Book.  There    are Christian, Buddhist, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, Shinto and Confucian ideas in that book.            

         Dais says Mr. Steve one time told Mr. Mark about the big 11 x 14 color photo Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich gave him.  It shows Jimi Hendrix at "Woodstock" wearing this red bandana  and blue pants I guess.  Andy's over there sniffing the air, to see if Goliath or Cher are around.    

         That print of Jimi Hendrix hangs in my boss's bedroom from what Daisy's told me.  Mr. Steve paid this man in Wrightwood named Mr. Oimette to "Matt and Frame" it.  Anyway, I'll    come back to The Urantia Book over the next three days in what are going to be long books.                                                                      

KRIS KRISTOFFERSON         

PHOTO BY LYNN GOLDSMITH                      

                

           Hey Lord!  Dais says Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave on the phone how he shook hands with this  guy Kris Kristofferson one time.  I guess, Kris Kristofferson is a "Country" music Musician who wrote some good songs about self-knowledge.  He even wrote one called "Why Me Lord?"           

      Daisy heard Mr. Steve did artwork for a guy who went to "Pomona College" with Kris Kristofferson.  He said in the early 1960's Kris Kristofferson, for the U.S. Army; was stationed in West Germany.  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and she's looking at them.          

           Mr. Steve's mom's two younger brothers, "Celedon" and "David;" were both also based in West Germany during the early 1960's.  Celedon was in the Air Force, my boss's Uncle David in  the Army like Kris Kristofferson.  I'll come back to Kris Kristofferson in my three books.                               

DAVID AND GOLIATH        

                              

          Aha!  I knew I smelled Goliath the Gopher Snake, and there he crawling under Moe the middle Shed.  He's named for the giant "Philistine" Soldier killed by that kid who turned out to  be King David later.   Mr. Steve has read many of the "Psalm's" or poems David wrote.                

         Daisy told me Mr. Steve has a book written by a "Presbyterian" Minister named Eugene Peterson.  Because he knows languages like Hebrew and Greek, Eugene Peterson translated the  Old and New Testaments into more current understandable language.  I smell Mesquite.               

          This customer in the State of "Montana," where Eugene Peterson lives with his wife; told Mr. Steve they have a house near a Lake in "Kalispell."  King David's Psalm's were all put in      what's called "Modern Idiom" by Eugene Peterson.  Boy!  I'd like to read those someday.                                             

 EUGENE PETERSON WITH WIFE JAN           

            PHOTO BY GREG FROMHOLZ                          

                                

          Dais heard the Parts Manager in Montana say Eugene Peterson's wife "Jan" is also really smart too, and has helped him a lot.  He's a "Pastor" who was born in 1932 just like Mr. Steve's father was.  Andy's guarding their hole and I can tell he knows Goliath is under Moe.                    

          My English Dictionary says how a "metaphor" is, "A figure of speech in which one thing is spoken of as if it were another."  I guess, like King David; Eugene Peterson is also a Poet too and the Parts Manager said he likes the 19th century Poet Emily Dickinson.   Heathcliff crowed.         

         I guess Eugene Peterson says you should "re-read" the Psalms, and the "Proverbs;" a few times because the meanings might not at first be "apparent."  He jokingly calls it like a Dog who keeps "gnawing" and enjoying the same bone.  Goliath's crawling back out into the desert.                                                                           

  "VAPOR" TRAIL            

                 

       Oh!  I just glanced up from my work and see one of those "Vapor Trails" Mr. Randy and my boss talked about that time last Summer.  I'd seen them since my time of being homeless and had wondered what type of cloud vapor trails were.   Heathcliff the Rooster crowed over there.           

       I noticed how Mr. Randy used the words "contrail" and "condensation" when he described what those long white trails are way up there in the sky.  I guess those thin vapor trails come out  of the back of Jet Airplanes.  This small group of Birds is flying out into the eastern desert.           

    My English Dictionary says condensation is, "To make more dense as when gas is converted into liquid."  Mr. Steve was told vapor trails from Planes happen when water is formed through  the "combustion" of fuel.  Ah!  I can smell the two Twin Joshua trees right now.                             

    

MR. RANDY  

    

        I noticed how Mr. Randy, who used to live in the State of "Arkansas;" said "conspiracies" when he talked about vapor trails.  Mr. Steve was filling up the water basin below the Mulberry  tree back here.  My boss's friend Mark in Hawaii's family was originally from Arkansas too.        

     Mr. Randy saw some pictures where Passenger Plane's seats were replaced with big tanks containing chemicals, but my boss said he doubts the government is doing what they call "geo"    or "climate engineering."  Oh!  I smell Blinky.  I like it and wonder if he likes my scent?               

       As he watered the Mulberry tree back here, my boss told Mr. Randy it's easy to make "fake" pictures that "look real" on computers now.  Mr. Randy mentioned about the drought we're in    and how Bees are dying.  But my boss said he doesn't think it's the "Chem Trails."                        

    

"VIETNAM" WAR     

       

           My boss told Mr. Randy how, in the "Vietnam War" the U.S. did try to "manipulate" the weather through "Cloud Seeding;" or kill forests with chemicals.  In book three Daisy has me      scheduled to learn about it.  Mr. Steve was almost "Drafted" to go fight over in Vietnam.             

         Dais says Mr. Steve, and his dad too; think it's "likely" someday countries will "deploy" biological or chemical "agents" in a war to kill enemy Soldiers and civilians quickly.  I feel like    writing about that now but I'll just wait.  They used a lot of "Gas" back in World War I.              

           Because in Capitalism you "almost have to worship money," many will "turn a blind eye" if paid to "ignore certain things" my boss's father believes.  Mr. Randy thinks that could be why  people who "know won't tell those who don't" about chem trails.  I kind of agree on that.                                   

      THREE "WISE" MONKEY'S    

                   

         I also recall my boss and Mr. Randy discussing what they call "Three Wise Monkeys."  That stands for the saying, "See no Evil, Hear no Evil; Speak no Evil."  I can hear Heathcliff the Rooster crowing over there next door, which for some reason suddenly makes me feel good.          

       Mr. Randy asked my boss what that saying means.  Mr. Steve said in our culture which worships money it can mean "ignoring, or pretending not to know;" about other people doing      bad things.  In the "Holocaust," some Germans did that for other reasons too he thinks.               

           A lady once told Mr. Steve the "original" Buddhist saying was meant to say; don't look or hear bad things which "may" make you do bad things.  It's "Represented" by three Monkeys,      one covering its eyes, another blocking its ears; and a third with its hands over its mouth.                   

        CONFUCIUS ( 551-479 B.C.)        ZOROASTOR (?)             GANDHI (1869-1948)   

                             

           In my books I'll learn about religion because my boss is interested in that and I want to like what he likes.  He told Mr. Randy "Zoroastrians" believe in three things; good "Thoughts," "Words" and "Deeds."  Hey!  That kind of sounds in some ways like Buddhism too.                      

          That lady told Mr. Steve the ancient Chinese "secular philosopher" named "Confucius" wrote about the concept of three Monkey's.  In my books, I'll learn more about him.  It says here Confucius had another saying Mr. Steve's dad likes, "Eyes are useless if the mind is blind."          

           Over the next three days I'll find out about a 20th century Indian man named Mahatmas Gandhi.  It says here, though he didn't believe in having what's called "material possessions;" he did own a little statue of the three wise monkeys.  I smell Libby over there in her Corral.                            

     "GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE BEARS"

                             

        Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped; I'll be able to do like Daisy and go all the way down the hallway.  Then, I'll be able to watch more tv and hear more music.  Dais told    me of a good cartoon she saw one time about this little girl and a family of three Bears.                 

        Dais told me the "Goldilocks and Three Bears" story has things in threes.  In that story the girl gets lost in a Forest but finds a Father, Mother and Baby Bear's house when they're not at      home.  Hey God!  Daisy thinks You probably guided that girl Goldilocks' to save her life.              

       I guess, the little girl Goldilocks finds three bowls of "Porridge" on this kitchen table.  She tries to eat but the first bowl is way too hot, the second too cold; but the baby Bear's porridge in the third bowl is just right in "Temperature."  Daisy told me about how porridge is "soup."                                                          

   "SOLAR" SYSTEM        

                              

           One morning, as he watered the Mulberry tree up in the front yard; I heard my boss tell Mr. Mike about what they call the "Goldilocks Principle."  Daisy thinks it might stand for the      idea of something being "just the right amount."  I can smell that one  old Sage bush.                    

          Dais and Millie saw a tv show about the "Fundamental Forces" of "Nature" or, as the tv show said; "the forces that govern the Universe."  I guess, there are now three "Known" forces; "Gravity," "Electro Magnetism" and "Nuclear."  Some divide Nuclear into two forces.                 

          This one Encyclopedia says "Gravity," the "weakest" force; "effects" the "motion" of all "celestial objects."  And, I guess that means things like Planets; or those "Satellites" circling up there around the Earth down here.  Heathcliff just crowed and his voice is so comforting.                                                                         THE UNIVERSE                  

                       

          I'll learn more about those fundamental forces of nature in what now looks like will be long books.  Daisy says Mr. Steve's dad jokes, because science is "difficult to understand;" it's a "good thing" there are people like Albert Einstein around.  A Lizard just went waddling bye.       

          Hey God!  Did You make Earth just far enough from the Sun, ninety three million miles away; to have "Life?"  We're the third planet from the Sun in our "Solar System," and it takes  sunlight eight minutes to get here.  Is life simply an accidental "Chemical Reaction?"                   

           I guess, if Earth were any closer to the Sun's "Life Giving" energy it would be too hot like "Venus;" while any further away we'd be too cold like "Mars."  It's like the porridge Goldilocks  ate so Earth is called the "Goldilocks" planet.  Mr. Mike called it the "sweet spot" I notice.                                 

"SOLAR WIND"    

( "MAGNETIC FIELD SURROUNDING EARTH)     

 PAINTING BY CLAUS LUNAU        

                  

          Hey God!  I heard my boss and Mr. Mike talk about the Earth's "Magnetic Field."  Wow!  A painting in this Encyclopedia shows the Sun's rays being "deflected" from hitting us, which is "protecting" the Earth from being too hot.  Boy!  The Earth looks so small in the painting.           

        Mr. Steve says he "doesn't really understand" exactly how Earth's magnetic field is made, except it has something to do with Earth's "Rotation" on its "Axis."  He's just  glad it's there in order to allow for the creation of our Planet's fragile environment.  Heathcliff just crowed.           

        Was it You God who made it so the Sun's "Charged Particles" and "Solar Wind" can't hit us down here on Earth?  Dais thinks it was probably You alright because the other Planets in our Solar System aren't like that.  In these books I'll learn about things like the "Ozone" layer.                                                

     STEPHEN HAWKING AND FAMILY       

                                

          Hey God!  As You know already, throughout my books I'm going to learn about that guy from England named Stephen Hawking.  Mr. Steve has read things he's written about.  But, it's too bad Stephen Hawking says he doesn't believe in You the way I really want to do.                      

            I guess, one thing Stephen Hawking wrote about is called the "Habitable Zone."  And this Encyclopedia says that means, "Range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water."  Which is rare, except for maybe us way over here on the Earth.          

         My boss said the idea of "just the right amount" is used in math and medicine.  His father used it in teaching "Economics" at his 1960's school for "Stockbrokers."  I notice how Stephen    Hawking spells his first name differently than the way my boss Mr. Steve spells his name.                                                   

HAWK CARRYING PREY

                                

             Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see the first Hawk of this new year flying bye out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  It's carrying either a headless Mouse or Gopher in it's really sharp beak.  It's kind of hard to tell from this far away down here on the Patio.         

            The up and down motion of a little Lizard doing pushups caught my attention out of the corner of my eye.  It's over there standing on a wall to my right, near the sliding glass door going into the dining room near the kitchen.  It's hanging just above our gray water bucket.                 

            Ah!  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran at full speed through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.  It's so amazing how he, or Jack the Jackrabbit; don't hit their heads on one of the metal pipes when they do that.  His dust is floating up in the air near the gate.                                                     

      DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA    

                                                       

           Mr. Steve likes how Dais and I know a lot of words.  I learned the difference between "lay down" and "go lay down" by watching Daisy.  When my boss says "lay down" he means "right here," while "go lay down" means to move away or; to go and lay down somewhere else. 

         I wonder when Mr. Steve will give us our first snack of the day?  I'll bet Daisy is wondering too.  We have a fun game we play where Mr. Steve throws pieces of Hot Dog or Dog Biscuits to us and we then catch them with our mouths, which I've become really, really good at doing.    

        When people visit, Mr. Steve gives us a snack to "Show Off" our ability to catch food.  Daisy has bad eyes so he toss's the food in the "general area" of her mouth.  But not me!   Daisy taught me to stand up on my back legs in catching food, which I can tell makes my boss happy.  

             

                                         ROY ROGERS / TRIGGER / DALE EVANS

                         

           I guess that guy Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans, who used to live near us; had a lot of kids.  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows their really smart Horse named "Trigger" standing up on his "Hind" legs.  Someday I want to be able to "count numbers" like Trigger did.    

          If Mr. Steve says "up!" Daisy and I "Rear Up" just like Roy Rogers Horse Trigger.  When we play our game catching pieces of food he throws the food to us as a reward.  We're both good at catching food on two legs but, I have to admit; I'm way better at it I've noticed.

         When we play our fun food catching game, if I'm doing good Mr. Steve begins to throw the pieces of food faster and faster; and from side to side.  People laugh in seeing me catching all of that food, and not dropping it; no matter how fast he goes.  I just hate to waste good food.  

       

MAX THE HUMMINGBIRD

                   PHOTO BY TOM GREY                          

                           

            Max the Hummingbird zoomed bye.  One time when I was in a "Zone catching food in my mouth" a girl who checked our "Gas Meter" saw me doing it, and laughed at how I didn't even drop not one piece of Hot Dog.  I remember Max and 99 flew bye when back then too.

           Mr. Steve thinks, when I'm catching food fast I look like a Baseball Player who's "Taking Infield" before a game, or a Hockey Goalie being "Warmed Up."  Mr. Steve sometimes does hit infield practice to kids before their game.  I really, really like when my boss is proud of me.

       Mentioning Roy Rogers' Horse makes me think of Willie Nelson, this Country Music Singer from Texas.  He named his guitar "Trigger" and a customer told Mr. Steve it's so old that, over about fifty years; Willie Nelson has worn a hole right in it.  Ah!  I can smell some Juniper.  

       

                                                               WILLIE NELSON

                                                                                                       PHOTO BY GARY MILLER

              

           Mr. Steve heard Willie Nelson's "Frankenstein" guitar is a "Martin" with "Baldwin" parts.  Willie Nelson likes its "soft tone" and jokes Trigger is like a "Stradivarius" so he'll retire when it does.  Willie Nelson says most people "have the same basic concerns" in their lives.

          The man who talked with Mr. Steve about Willie Nelson Dais says, is the Parts Manager at a Ford Dealership in Spring, Texas.  He said Willie Nelson is from a small town called "Abbott," and one of his ancestors fought back in the Revolutionary War.  Heathcliff just crowed. 

         Daisy told me about a Hard Rock Texas band called PANTERA.  Two of the members are brothers whose last name is Abbott just like the name of Willie Nelson's home town.  According to my Latin Dictionary pantera would be translated as being that big Cat called a "Panther." 

 

                                                                         PANTERA

                     

                Dais heard our boss tell that kid Jason who plays guitar, PANTERA'S brothers grew up in "Arlington" Texas.  Mr. Steve's brother Rock, and his sons Rocky Jr. and Jacob; also live there.  Mr. Steve read PANTERA'S Guitarist "Darryl" was born on August the 20th like his mom.

           I've never heard any PANTERA songs but Daisy has.  One time, when she and that other Dog Millie who I replaced were in Mr. Steve's bedroom; they heard, played loud; a PANTERA song about walking around and getting respect.  Mr. Steve really likes "Aggressive" songs.

           One of his Ford customers told our boss how Pantera Cars were made from 1971 through 1992 by an Italian company.  He said they were "designed" in Italy but had Ford V8 motors in them.  They were fast "Sports Cars" or what some call "Muscle Cars.   Heathcliff crowed.          

      

    1973 DE TOMASO "PANTERA" ( "L"-"LUSSO")

 

           I guess the four guys in the band liked how PANTERA sounded.  Daisy and Millie heard the Ford Parts Manager tell Mr. Steve, in the early 1970's; those Italian Pantera Cars were sold  here at "Lincoln-Mercury" dealerships.   Heathcliff's Hens are cackling and sound so happy.       

          Daisy one time heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Rick talk about the 1968 "Chevelle" Mr. Steve's dad bought for him from Mr. Rick before the 12th Grade at Sylmar High School.  Mr. Steve later had a 1968 "SS" version.  Mr. Steve was told Chevelle is French for "Bold and Beautiful."           

           Willie Nelson's old guitar must be male because he's named for Roy Rogers' boy Horse.  In glancing to my right I see Libby the Horse walking slowly around in her Corral.  You can tell sometimes that she's getting kind of old just by how carefully she moves around over there.   

          

                                    BRIAN MAY                                                 KEITH URBAN

                                                                                                                                                              PHOTO BY JOHN SHEARER

         Earlier I mentioned how QUEEN'S Guitarist thinks of the guitar he and his father built as a girl.  Mr. Steve was told that this one Country music guitar player named Keith Urban has a boy guitar he named "Clarence."  Keith Urban is from down there in Australia I guess.

        My boss's customer in "Louisiana" named Clarence said Keith Urban named a guitar after the Angel in a Christmas movie called "It's a Wonderful Life."  In all my books I'll write about an Airplane designer named Kelly Johnson.  I guess his real first name was Clarence too.     

       Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped; I'll go all the way down the hallway and see my boss's bedroom and office.  And, I can also see and smell the guest bedroom; and the two main bathrooms too.  Then, like Dais does now already; I can then watch a lot more tv.

           

                                                         "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE"

               

                Dais told me It's a Wonderful Life is about a man who tries to kill himself but, is saved by Clarence the Angel; after he tells him he wishes he had never been born.  Fannie and Freddie are standing over there.  Oh!  They just hopped, to gain momentum; and are flying away.     

          Clarence, who's an Angel "2nd Class;" shows that sad man how if he had never been born it would have effected others.  As boys he saved his brother from drowning, then in World War II that exact brother saved other Soldiers from a Japanese "Kamikaze" Pilot.  I smell Sage.    

         Because the sad man was never born; his brother wasn't around to save the Soldiers.  That movie It's a Wonderful Life was made in 1946, the year after the Second World War ended.  Dais told me QUEEN have a song where the guy tells him mom he wishes he had never been born.

                                                                  

GUARDIAN ANGEL "STANLEY"

      

            Hey Stanley!  Thank You for being a good Guardian Angel in watching out and being my friend.  And thank You too God for sending Stanley to help  guide me in not doing wrong things in my life.  The four Pigeons just now flew out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.

           Daisy says, in that movie It's a Wonderful Life; Clarence the Angel rescues the sad man from drowning after he jumped off this bridge.  By saving him Clarence earns his "First Class" wings after he gets back up there to Heaven.  I really want to see that movie someday.  

          Blessed Mother!  Thank You for coming down to me in that dream last night with Daisy's  Guardian Angel "Ramona."  When Ramona told me not to worry about writing my three books I felt so much better.  It will take a lot of time and hard work but no matter what I'll do it.    

  

                       NIGHTMARE                                  LILITH                                            EDDIE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             ARTWORK BY DEREK RIGGS

        

        Hey God!  My boss told Mr. Mike he's glad he hasn't had a "Nightmare" dream lately, where the dark Praying Mantis shaped shadow tries to stab him.  Oh!  I wonder when I'll see the first green Praying Mantis Bug this year?  I see Libby the Horse over there in her Corral.             

            Daisy and I haven't had any bad dreams lately either God.  My bad Angel "Lilith" hasn't been around since the beginning of Winter and neither has Dais's bad Angel "Eddie."  Looking    over to my right, I see those "San Gabriel" mountains to the west; beyond Libby's Corral.           

        Someday, when I'm not afraid to go down the hallway; I'll go in my boss's bedroom and watch that amazing tv machine way more.  And one show I'll watch is the one Mr. Steve copied    in naming our Pigeons Lucy, Ricky and Fred and Ethel.  Some of the Ducks are quacking.                           

                                                                                                         B.B. KING   

                         

        Even though I'm mainly scheduled to learn about the history of "Blues" music in book three, on the  day after tomorrow; I kind of feel like mentioning how this guy named B.B. King    plays girl guitars named "Lucille."  Heathcliff crowed.  He makes me kind of feel happy.              

            Mr. Steve told that kid Jason B.B. King plays black or red "Gibson ES-335's."  They were "Modified" without "f-holes" to reduce "Feedback," and B.B. King saved his first Lucille from  a Dance Hall fire; risking his life for a thirty dollar guitar.  I think that's a lot of money!                

           Besides wanting to impress my boss, I'm good at catching food because I'd do anything for food. Well, not everything but; almost anything.  Later today I'll learn about this Russian man    named Ivan Pavlov, who's scientific "Experiments" Dais says our boss read about in College.     

           

                              IVAN PETROVICH PAVLOV(1849-1936) WITH FAMILY

                     

        What the heck!  I'll mention Ivan Pavlov now.  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows him with his family, and the caption says for "ten years after they married" he and his wife "lived in  poverty;" and their first two children "did not survive to adulthood."  Oh!  That too bad!            

        My boss thinks, likely because "Pavlov's" wife "Sara" had "trust and respect" for him; their marriage survived.  It says here how Pavlov was a Scientist and, in the early 20th century;  used Dogs to work on things like "conditioning a Response."  I can smell some Creosote.              

         Daisy jokes how Mr. Steve thinks he's conditioning us to do tricks using food as a reward for what he wants us to do.  But, in a way; we're "reverse conditioning" or training him because  when we do good he gives us even more food.  Boy God!  The sky is now so blue up there.                               

               "SEA WORLD"              

                              

            In the mid-1970's, when my boss and his brother Rock visited their Uncle Marty's family in San Diego; they'd go to a place called "Sea World."  Daisy told me how the "Trainers" there use Mr. Pavlov's ideas to get Dolphins and "Orca" Whales to do tricks.  Heathcliff crowed.

           Hey God!  I guess Pavlov, like Stephen Hawking; was an "Atheist" who did not believe in You.  He lived at the time of the Russian "Czars," and later the "Communists" too; who also do not believe in You either.  Ah!  I just now took in a full breath of fresh air and feel so good.

          Some think it's dumb to believe in You God but Dais and I don't care because we just feel better thinking You love us.  Mr. Steve doesn't think You "Intercede" in things down here, but I want to believe maybe sometimes You do; and do things for a reason.  Daisy thinks like that.

                                                     

                          (WITH DOG)           ALDOUS HUXLEY (1894-1963)      (WITH WIFE)

                          

            My Encyclopedia says the English Writer Aldous Huxley, who lived with his wife near us in Llano for years; knew about Mr. Pavlov's Dog experiments.  In writing his 1932 "Dystopian" novel "Brave New World" he was "influenced" by some of those ideas.  Dawn's now barking.     

              Daisy says Mr. Steve's father was born in 1932; his mom three years later.  The "Great Depression" was going on, so almost everyone was really poor I guess.  I'll learn a lot about those years over the next three days, and also about some "Utopian" and "Dystopian" novels too.   

            I guess a Utopia is a possible "Better" future world while a Dystopia is a "Worse" one.  A 16th century British man named Thomas More wrote the first Utopian novel, and it's even called "Utopia."  Daisy says his head ended up being cut off by that one English King Henry VIII.

  

                                                          RUINS OF "LLANO DEL RIO"

                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

             At the beginning of the 20th century a "Socialist Utopian community" was started in the area where Aldous Huxley and his wife lived.  At that time it was called "Llano del Rio" but now is just called "Llano."  My Spanish Dictionary says that means "Plains of the River."   

               When Dais and I put together my three outlines we decided I'd mainly learn about Llano del Rio tomorrow in my second book but, I can mention it now too.  In Socialist systems no one is "In Theory" higher in "Rank" or "Class" than anyone else.  Llano del Rio failed I guess.

            Lately Mr. Steve has used that guy Pavlov's ideas by rewarding us with food for barking if he says "Say hello" or "Say Goodbye."  I smell the "Arborvitae" tree in front of the Patio, about ten feet away from me sitting over here on Elvira.  I smell a lot of things when I dream. 

         

WILL  DURANT (1885-1981) / ARIEL DURANT (1898-1981)

   

                 Daisy told me two of Mr. Steve and his father's favorite Writers were a husband and wife team named Will and Ariel Durant.  They wrote about history, and also Philosophy too; from an "Overall" perspective, as opposed to "Specific" and particular studies.  Dawn's barking.

             A tv show Dais saw said Will and Ariel Durant were married for seventy years, and died within a week of each other.  Mr. Steve has seen that happen before, and wouldn't be surprised if one of his parents might "will" themselves to die after the other's gone.  I can smell Blinky.     

            Will and Ariel Durant were "Collaborators."  Ariel was actually a nickname given to her by her husband based on a Shakespeare character in "The Tempest" Daisy says.  Boy!  I'm so tempted to write about Will and Ariel Durant now but I'd better just follow my outline.       

                                               

 "ARBORVITAE"     

                                 

             Ah!  The Arborvitae tree's smell makes me so feel good.  This guy who visited our house one time told my boss what Arborvitae trees, which stay green even in Winter; were called.  Up there in the front yard, near to the front door entrance; are four or five Arborvitae's.

            That man who came to our house was German and noticed the Arborvitae trees.  He used the words "drought-resistant" and "evergreen" to describe them, and told Mr. Steve about this one town in Germany called "Fischerhäuser."  They grow Arborvitae trees there I guess.   

            According to my German Dictionary I think Fischerhäuser means "Fisherman's Houses" in English.  The German man said the town with that name is in the State of "Bavaria," near the city of "Munich."  Daisy heard how that guy Adolph Hitler had a big house in Bavaria too.

                                                     

                                              JOHN BELL HOOD "C.S.A." (1831-1879)  

                                       

              Instead of giving gifts at Christmas Mr. Steve donates to "Charities," and told the man he's given money to "Fisher Houses;" who help wounded Soldiers.  One is at "Fort  Hood" in      Texas.  That Fort is named for a Civil War Confederate General who my boss drew as a kid.        

          Oh wow!  My Encyclopedia says during the Civil War John Bell Hood lost "use of" an arm, and a leg was "amputated" too.  Daisy says, in 1977; Mr. Steve and his brother Rock stood right near the place in Gettysburg where his arm was almost torn off.  A Crow just cawed.           

              I guess, those Fisher Houses let injured Soldier's families live near their Hospital as they "recuperate" from major injuries.  This customer of Mr. Steve's told him there's a Fisher House  close to "Camp Pendleton." In 1951 Mr. Steve's father's Marine "Boot Camp" was there.                                 

    AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)       

                 

            Oh!  This picture shows what the caption says is a "burial detail," where the dead from a Civil War battle are "reburied properly."  The man is wearing a wool hat like the ones my boss,  Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell.  Hey!  We should invent some "Beanies" for  us Dogs!            

         I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy how over 600,000 men died during the four years of the American Civil War.  And way more than that were wounded I guess.  This English Dictionary    says the word "Casualty" is defined as those, "killed, wounded or captured" in a war.                 

             I can't wait to "Stretch my Legs" and go see Daisy after this fourth chapter.  As I've said, besides celebrating and eating of course; running is my favorite thing to do.  Boy God!  So far in these first full three hours of working on my book the time has gone bye pretty fast I'd say.   

                        "BEAR" DOG                                                             DAISY CÓRDOVA

ARTWORK BY SHANNON BUTLER                                                                                                                                                                                            

 

             Oh my God!  A painting in this one Encyclopedia shows an ancient "Bear Dog" and it looks a lot like a mean version of Dais.  I've mentioned how some people think Daisy kind of resembles a small Bear at times.  A group of Finches is flying to the east way up there in the blue sky.

         Wait until Daisy sees this picture of the Bear Dog.  I'll bet she'll be amused, and agree it does sort of look like a short-faced but bigger version of her.  Dawn's barking and I smell her, Blinky and Rosie too.   Ah!  Now little Blinky is barking too and I like his strong voice.

        Wow!  According to what the caption below the painting of the Bear Dog says, they used to grow to be about eight feet long and weigh over one thousand pounds.  But, unfortunately; Bear Dogs went "extinct" about nine million years ago.  Ah!  A good stiff breeze just blew in.   

                                             

   "HOLY SPIRIT"

                                        

            Oh!  The chimes are ringing and I hope it's You Holy Spirit.   I still have nine hours of work to do today so, thank You if You're using the chimes to give me energy; and remind me to work even harder.  I'll bet my boss is in his office working on something good right now.

           Max the Hummingbird startled me by dropping vertically out of the sky, and is hovering there looking at me here on Elvira.  I can tell he's mad Mr. Steve didn't fill up the glass feeders with red liquid juice food.  There he goes zipping to my left and going over the north fence.   

            Alpha Company of Quail is filing through the two vertical slots on the sides of the gate to come in from the desert.  The "Scouts" are dashing ahead, to make sure the "Coast is Clear."  I  guess the Tongvan lady my boss met at the Knights of Columbus said "Kakaar" is Quail.

                         

ANGELINE WITH BABIES      

                  

                 Angeline and her babies are over there, which reminds me how Daisy said Mr. Steve told Miss Susan he named our three Quail groups in the way some military units are named.  He said "Alpha" is the first letter of the Greek alphabet.  It can also represent the "value of one."

           Mr. Steve was told one time by an older lady how the letter alpha was probably "derived" from the earlier "Phoenician" alphabet.  Daisy and Millie heard that lady say it's very possible our last name "Córdova" is also Phoenician in origin too.  Andy's guarding their burrow.

           Alpha Company are now going around the northeast corner of the house, over there to my left; at the far end of the Patio.  And now Angeline and her babies, for more safety; are following them.  They'll all go see if there's any Bird seed left underneath my boss's office window.       

                                               

  "MESQUITE"     

                                            

           Oh!  For the first time this new year I just picked up the scent of one of those plants Miss Susan calls "Mesquite."  Sometimes they grow into trees I've noticed but the ones in the eastern desert behind our three Sheds are more like bushes.  Some have sharp thorns Dais says.     

            In chapter one I wrote about the older Shoshone Indian man who my boss met over at the Phelan Library.  That man said there are many types of Mesquite.  One he called "Honey" and I guess you can even make some pretty good food from the parts of Mesquite he told my boss.

       That Shoshone man told my boss, some Mesquite stay small; if the soil is "shallow."  But, in deep soil; the roots can grow down into the ground and become a tree.  Mr. Steve read, since way back in the 16th century; the Spanish have used Mesquite wood for a lot of different things.     

                      

          SPANISH /AZTEC COMBAT  

                                                                     

              Throughout my three long books I'll write about, or refer to; 1519-1521 when that Spanish guy Hernán Córtes conquered the "Aztecs" down in what is now called "Mexico."  My boss is so  interested in that subject.  He and his dad think it was a very important event in history.  

          Mr. Steve's friend Mr. Ralph told him how the English word "mesquite" comes from the Spanish word "mezquite."  And mezquite is "derived" from the Aztec "Nahuatl" language, it being pronounced "mizquiti."  I just smelled that batch of Cholla cactus behind the Sheds.

         Daisy says at one time Mr. Steve sold things to this Auto dealership in "Mesquite," Texas. That's east of "Dallas," near Arlington where his brother and sons now live.  It's "Known" as the "Rodeo Capitol of Texas" and also "Tree City."  Boy!  I really like all of our trees God.

            

     THE UNIVERSE                            EARTH                         HUMAN EVOLUTION

                                   

            All of a sudden I just thought of Mr. Steve's 6th Grade Teacher Sister Rita Joseph.  Hey God!  Sister Rita Joseph thought there were three important times in this physical world, when You created the "Universe," the "Earth" and then "Life" down here.  Dawn's barking.

            Sister Rita Joseph believed in the significance of 3 and said there were three important times in Earth's history.  The first was when hot water mixed with "inorganic matter," to form "single cell" life.  Hey God!  Did You send life here to Earth in a frozen water "Comet?"

           God!  The second "turning point" was when You created "multi-celled" organisms, the third when You gave "consciousness" to those life forms, especially humans.  That Tongvan lady said, in her language "Star" is called "Shuur;" while the word "Tovaangar" means "World."  

                          

                       "ANDY GRIFFITH" SHOW                                 ANDY / HELEN

                            (SHERIFF ANDY / GIRLFRIEND HELEN)                        (ON THEIR FAVORITE BOULDER)                                                                    

                                               

          Andy and Helen the Squirrels are standing together on their favorite boulder.  Daisy says Mr. Steve named them after tv characters on "The Andy Griffith Show."  You can really tell how Andy and Helen are best friends, and how Andy protects, defends; and watches out for her.      

          I guess Andy is named after "Sheriff Andy" on The Andy Griffith Show, while Helen on the show was Sheriff Andy's girlfriend.  Daisy and Millie are lucky because they saw "Episodes" of The Andy Griffith Show.  Boy!  I can't wait for the time when I can watch a lot of tv. 

          Oh my God!  I can tell by how Helen ran down into their burrow, and Andy took up guard position on top; there are babies down there.  Wow!  Hopefully that's another sign this is going to be a special year.   Yup!  Andy's sniffing the air, and is now definitely in his "Guard Mode." 

     

BABY SQUIRRELS     

                   

            Baby Squirrels are so cute!  I can't wait to take a longer break after this fourth chapter so I can go up front to visit Daisy, and tell her about how I think Andy and Helen already have new babies.  I know for sure that she's wondering how things are going this morning back here.

         Boy Blessed Virgin Mary!  It must be so great to have some babies to raise and teach how to survive in life.  I like when Daisy, who's had two "Litters" of babies herself; tries to support and encourage me by saying things like she thinks I'll be a good mother someday.  I smell Sage.

        Dawn's barking over there next door and, glancing to my right; I can see Libby the Horse walking around.  Seeing her slow walking makes me feel calmer somehow.  I've mentioned how I have a "Tendency" to worry and get nervous about things way more than I should do.       

                       

                                                                                             ANDY / BARNEY     

               

            Daisy says The Andy Griffith Show "Takes Place" in a small North Carolina town called "Mayberry."  She told me Sheriff Andy's "Deputy" named "Barney" is funny because he thinks he's so talented but really isn't.  Barny's really nice girlfriend is named "Thelma Lou." 

           My boss told Mr. Mike he met Andy Griffith when he was in a tv show called "Matlock," and filmed at one of Mr. Steve's dad's properties in Sylmar.  Andy Griffith really was from North Carolina.   Mr. Steve told Mr. Mike that morning about a place called "Franklin Canyon."   

               A nice breeze blew in the Twins' scent from out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  Glancing to my right at Libby's Corral, I see that so far this new year there are no Flies flying around her yet.  Boy God!  I wish You'd never even created those bothersome Flies!

          

        ANDY GRIFFITH / GEORGE LINDSEY 

                        

              One of Mr. Steve's mom's friends, Mrs. "Lindsey;" was also a Girl Scout leader and her husband played "Goober" on the Andy Griffith Show.  She used to jokingly say, "It's nice to be important but more important to be nice."  I can now smell Andy and Helen over there.

             George Lindsey was born in the State of "Alabama," where Mr. Steve's customers buy  "N.A.S.C.A.R" Baseball hats.  N.A.S.C.A.R. stands for "National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing" Dais heard.  That one Duck is still quacking away at something over there.

             In 1950 Mr. Steve's mom, when fourteen; visited "Montreal" Canada as a Girl Scout and found out about a 17th century Native-American girl who's a Catholic Saint.  Her "Algonquin" Indian mother "Converted"  to Christianity, her father a "Mohawk" Warrior.  I smell Sage.

           

                                        SAINT CATHERINE TEKAKWITHA (1656-1680)

  

                 Even though I'll mainly write about her tomorrow, I feel like saying St. Catherine was "Adopted" by my boss's mom's Troop as their "Patron" Saint.  Mr. Steve met a Catholic girl from "Santa Clarita," which is near Sylmar.  Her "Parish" is dedicated to "St. Catherine."  

                 When up in Canada Daisy says Mr. Steve's mom went to "Mass" at a Montreal Church also dedicated to that girl St. Catherine, who died at a young age.  Anyway, over the next three days; I'll be talking about Mr. Steve's mom's trip as a Girl Scout.  Heathcliff just crowed. 

           Ah!  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel ran bye, but I won't chase him the way I usually do.  For the next three days, like Daisy told me; I'll show discipline instead of doing just all the usual fun things.  But showing "Restraint" while learning some new things is kind of fun too! 

                              

      "NASCAR" AUTO RACING           

                                  

         Dais has me scheduled to write about some of the different kinds of "Auto Racing" over the next three days.  Many of Mr. Steve, Babette, Susan and Karin's customers like Racing.  As I've mentioned, the second of my boss's two 1968 Chevelle's was a special "S.S." version.                     

       One time my boss and Mr. Mike talked about Chevelle's.  I guess the 1968 and 1969 versions had the same "Body Style" but the "Tail Lights," and a "few" other things; were different.  His  first Chevelle, which he drove in 12th Grade; had a "Small Block 327-cubic inch" motor.             

 Mr. Steve's "Super Sport" version had this 396-c.i. "Big Block" engine, with 360 "Horse Power."  But Mr. Steve's friend "Tim" worked on it and got it up to near 400 "h.p."  A Jewish      lady told our boss "Chevelle" is a girl's name and in Hebrew means, "My  God is a vow."             

          

1968 "S.S." CHEVELLE LIKE MR. STEVE'S       

          

        I'm afraid to ride in Cars, but like hear to about them. I guess Mr. Tim, who's now an Auto and Boat Mechanic; put "Hooker Header" exhaust pipes on Mr. Steve's S.S. Chevelle.  Mr. Steve was told that one Jewish lady how Chevelle can also mean a "Strong Horse" in French.                

        I wonder what a "Carburetor" is?  Whatever it is, that guy Tim put a "Holley 4 Barrel" on an "Edelbrock" intake manifold" in the S.S. Chevelle and; also installed what's called a "12-bolt "Positraction" rear end axle too.  I now can hear some Pigeons cooing out in the desert.                

       As I understood it, when Mr. Steve was talking to Mr. Mike; in most Cars only one rear tire turns to "propel" the vehicle forward.  But, a Positraction makes both tires "grip" the road to    go ahead.  Mr. Steve's S.S. Chevelle was royal blue and had a black "Vinyl" roof Dais says.          

    

             1968 S.S. CHEVELLE LIKE MR. STEVE'S           

                                                

          Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy that morning how 1968 and 1969 Chevelle's were "Fastback," with "Short Deck" body styles.  Anyway, I'll write more about my boss's Chevelle's over the next three days.  Two of the Pigeons came in from the desert and landed on Moe the middle Shed.       

       Looking up makes me think of how the color "Sky" blue is the "Official" State color of North Carolina.  Mr. Steve, and also Miss Susan have customers in North and South Carolina.    I'll learn more about "Tar Heel" blue tomorrow when I write about the American Civil War.       

          One morning my boss was filling up the water basin below the big Mulberry tree up in the front yard.  I heard him tell Mr. Mike he, and his friend "Tim;" used to take his two Chevelle's    to  the "Street Races."  The Pigeons are now both lifting off and flying toward the northwest.              

"DRAG" RACING

    

          As I've said, I'll write about our last name Córdova in my books.  Towns and cities around the world use our name and Mr. Steve was told this town in the State of  "Illinois" has a "Drag    Strip" for racing Cars.  From what Dais heard; that guy Abraham Lincoln was from Illinois.       

         Way back in the 1500's the Spanish explored North and South America, mainly looking for gold.  And wherever they went our last often went with them too.  Some "Conquistadors" named either Córdoba or Córdova probably made it all the way up into Illinois my boss thinks.               

     People in our area, because of the bad economy; have what are called "Garage Sales" to make money.  Mr. Steve bought a miniature "Die Caste" model Chevelle at one and I guess it    really does look exactly like his old 1968 S.S. Chevelle.  Except that it's a 1969 Chevelle.                   

        "DIE CASTE" 1969 S.S. CHEVELLE                              1968 S.S. CHEVELLE LIKE MR. STEVE'S   

      

         I guess that Die Caste, after Mr. Steve cleaned it; is sitting on one of the bookshelf's  in the guest bedroom now.  Just like my boss's Chevelle, it's royal blue, has an S.S. hood, a black vinyl roof and what are called "Slot" rims on the tires.  Heathcliff crowed over there to my right.          

        Someday, when I overcome my fear of being trapped inside an enclosed area with only one escape route; I'll ride in our Cars Barney and Theodora like Daisy.  She also goes with Mr. Steve in our Truck Rex, even though it's hard to get her up there.  She's pretty heavy all right.               

       My favorite color is royal blue just like our food bowls but, in looking toward the eastern horizon beyond the eastern desert; I'm starting to really like "Sky" blue too.  Our Sheds Manny, Moe and Jack are mainly "Navy" blue and white.  Daisy loves anything in the color red.               

  

      LED ZEPPELIN                       DEEP PURPLE                     BLACK SABBATH     

           Since a kid Dais says, Mr. Steve has liked aggressive music, like "Hard Rock" and "Heavy Metal" for instance.  Three early 1970's English bands he likes are BLACK SABBATH, DEEP      PURPLE; and LED ZEPPELIN who I mentioned earlier.   Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye.           

       On DEEP PURPLE'S  album "Machine Head" is a song, "Smoke on the Water;" about a Swiss Casino burning down.  I guess, this dumb guy shot one of those "Flare" guns in a Theater; starting an "Out of Control" fire.  Daisy told me she sure wouldn't want to be that guy.                

      One time on a "Freeway," in his first Chevelle; Mr. Steve and Sandy listened to Machine Head.  "Like an idiot" he says, he drove way too fast during the song "Highway Star."  Another time he did the same stupid thing hearing QUEEN'S "Great King Rat" he told Mr. Dave.                

               DEEP PURPLE  (1971)                                                FRANK ZAPPA                     

     

         Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Grant, on the night of the Casino fire in Switzerland, Frank Zappa from Antelope Valley was playing a concert.  Usually it's very illegal "To yell Fire" in a crowded Theater but, on that night; Frank Zappa did it legally.  Mr. Grant chuckled at that.        

        I guess the Casino was in "Montreux," Switzerland; near "Lake Geneva."  It happened on December 4th, my boss's Niece Stephanie's birthday.  The "Riff" from DEEP PURPLE'S  song    "Smoke on the Water" is learned by many Guitarists.  Frank Zappa died on December 4th.         

       Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave in New Mexico many people have heard Highway Star and Smoke on the Water from Machine Head.  But over the years, to see their reaction; he's played people    "Pictures of Home" which few have heard.  The reaction has often been amazement he says.        

    

        "SABBATH BLOODY SABBATH"                                                                    

      

         Mr. Steve plays people some BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE or LED ZEPPELIN songs, or parts of songs; just to see their reaction.  Some give him a sense of "Rhêma."  Over the years he's played people "lesser known" songs from LED ZEPPELIN'S fourth album.                  

       Daisy says Mr. Dave laughed when Mr. Steve told him how people react in hearing the "middle section" of BLACK SABBATH'S song "Sabbath Bloody Sabbath."  There's "no way" a bass and guitar can get any "heavier" he says.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii has played that song.             

        I've mentioned how my boss's favorite QUEEN album is the one they made first, and Dais says that song "Great King Rat" is on it.  It has good guitar, Mr. Steve particularly likes the fast paced second solo.  The drumming on the first QUEEN album was really good too I guess.                

                         QUEEN I (1973)                                                       QUIET RIOT (1976)                  

    

         Back in the mid-1970's Mr. Steve and Sandy met the band QUIET RIOT, and it was at one of their rehearsals my boss realized how good Guitarist Randy Rhoads was.  In between songs      he was talking to people and casually "Noodling."  He was playing the Great King Rat solo.         

        Someday I really want to hear the QUEEN I album.  Dais says Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave in New Mexico he likes the Tolkien type "mystical" themes done in a Hard and Progressive Rock    way.  But there's also a few kind of softer style Folk music influences on it too I guess.                    

          A while back Mr. Steve got a phone call from a guy named "Gilbert" who he hadn't spoken in thirty years.  They "Reminisced" and one of the things they talked about was their old Cars.    I guess Gilbert, who's a pretty good Auto Mechanic; used to have a 1962 Chevy "Impala."                                                                                       

1962 "IMPALA" ("LOS ANGELES RIVER BASIN")         

                                                                      

             This Encyclopedia shows a 1962 "Lowrider" Impala in the "concrete channel" of the "L.A. River."  In my books I'll learn more about that River, and other things having to do with water.  I notice how the Impala is one of those "Convertible" Cars Daisy told me about.           

            Mr. Steve and Gilbert talked about the 1970's when kids "cruised" their Cars up and down  "Whittier" and "Van Nuys" Boulevard's to "Show Off" their Cars.  I guess Mr. Gilbert's Impala had  "Hydraulic Lifts" so it could "sway, jump and dance."  I can smell a Lizard.             

           The first Car my boss ever had was that 1968 Chevelle his dad bought for him from his friend Rick, with the small block motor in it.  Impala's are also "Chevrolets," or "Chevys."  The idea of  "Lowering" Cars began in Los Angeles but has now spread to the world Daisy heard.                                   

     N.W.A.   

                                    

        I guess, in the 1960's; it was mainly "Mexican-Americans" who first thought of the idea of lowering Cars.  But then, later; some black guys started doing it too.  Mr. Gilbert told my boss a  1980's singing group from "Compton" called "N.W.A." must've liked Lowrider Cars too.             

    Mr. Steve has never really listened to much "Hip Hop" or "Rap" music, but a few of his  Nieces and Nephews do.  I guess the five guys in N.W.A., which stands for "NIGGERS WITH      AN ATTITUDE; sing what's called "Gangster Rap."  I see a Lizard standing on the wall.             

      Back in the 1970's some of the Mexican kids who "Customized" Lowriders called their Cars "Ranfla," and asked each other "Que Rifa;" or "Where are you from?"  Mr. Steve and Gilbert    talked about that too I guess.  "Chicano" is just another name for a Mexican-American.                   

ALLMAN BROTHERS                                                           WAR              

     

          Mr. Steve told Gilbert he and Rick used to "Cruise" Van Nuys Boulevard listening to that   "Southern Rock" band the ALLMAN BROTHERS.  Mr. Gilbert liked WAR, who from "Long    Beach."  That one Lizard just skittered down the wall and is running out into the dirt.                 

        Back in the late 1970's my boss saw the ALLMAN BROTHERS and GRATEFUL DEAD play concerts on the Football field at U.C.S.B.   That's where his sister Susan went to College for a few years.  Dawn's barking at something over there, and I smell her, Blinky and Rosie.               

         One time I heard my boss and Mr. Mike talk about how in the 1970's some bands used two Drummers.  The ALLMAN BROTHERS and GRATEFUL DEAD did and Daisy says so did this other band Mr. Steve likes called the DOOBIE BROTHERS.  I can smell Joshua trees.                          

GRATEFUL DEAD                                                       DOOBIE BROTHERS

 

         I heard Mr. Mike say the GRATEFUL DEAD and DOOBIE BROTHERS were both from northern California.  I wonder if the GRATEFUL DEAD want to be dead?  An orange boy Finch Bird coming from the west flew bye over top of the house and went out into the back field.            

        My boss told Mr. Mike about a DOOBIE BROTHERS album cover.  It had pictures of the band taken on a destroyed section of the 14 Freeway in Sylmar after the 1971 earthquake.  The    members wore 19th century clothes and rode on one of those old "Stage Coach" Wagons.             

       Mr. Steve heard the GRATEFUL DEAD took their name from a "Folk" story about a guy who pays for a "Penniless" dead man to be buried.  So the dead man's spirit is grateful.  I wrote before how my boss and his father have donated money to bury some poor people too.                                          

CHER     

                                        

           Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see our neighbor's Cat Cher using the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  She's moving as    if hungry right now.  Luckily, she doesn't know yet about Andy and Helen's new babies.                

            Cher's a good hunter that's for sure.  Sometimes, you don't even know she's around until all of a sudden you smell her and then see her being still.  Cher is not very friendly to us so both    Daisy and I just leave her, and her really, really needle-like sharp claws and teeth alone.              

          I guess, back in the 1970's; one of the ALLMAN BROTHERS married the Singer Cher who our neighbor's Cat is named after.  I've never heard any of the real Cher's songs, but Daisy  says she's got a good voice; and Mr. Steve thinks she's pretty.  I smell Libby the Horse.                  

               

THE ANIMALS       

           

        Dais says that band WAR have a song about Lowrider Cars.  She heard Mr. Steve tell that kid Jason how WAR'S first Singer had been in this British band called the ANIMALS.  Mr. Steve played him their songs on the Stereo.  Ah!  The smell of Spring is making me feel so alive!             

        That morning, when he was out here working; my boss played the ANIMALS' song about a house in Louisiana where I guess you can see the Sun come up.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve thinks it    might be about "Gambling Away" all of your money.  He always tells people never gamble.          

       Daisy and I wonder why that band picked the name WAR, and if there has ever been a band with the name of PEACE?  Later today I'll write about this band called DEATH.  Mr. Dave back in New Mexico got to meet one of WAR'S "Percussionists" named Sal Rodriguez Dais heard.           

          WITH SAL RODRIGUEZ                MR. DAVE                       "DRUMMER" DAVE                                           

                    

        I mentioned earlier how my boss's friend Mr. Dave, who also plays the drums; moved from here in California to New Mexico.  In my books I'll write about "Kennedy" High School, near      Sylmar, where Sal Rodriguez and Mr. Dave went.  Two Pigeons landed on the roof above me.       

       Hey Holy Spirit!  What a coincidence that, just when I'm about to write how Mr. Dave says that guy Sal Rodriguez is also Christian like us, two of the Pigeons show up.  You know I kind of  associate Pigeons with You.  Ah!  Those Pigeons now cooing which makes me feel good inside.      

       As of course You know Lord, Mr. Dave says Sal Rodriguez believes in You just like us.  Dais says, on this thing called the "Internet;" Mr. Dave has a "Web Site" which has a picture of him    with Sal Rodriguez.  And both look like friendly, basically decent people of "Good Will."                

"FACEBOOK"

  

      Daisy says she and I have a "Facebook" page on the Internet, with pictures of us and the front yard; where she's at now.  Mr. Eddie, who sells things for Mr. Steve and lives in "Lake Los Angeles;" built it one time when he visited us here in Piñon Hills.  The Pigeons flew away.             

        Boy!  Someday I hope to see our Facebook website which will be interesting because I don't even know what my own face looks like.  The website is under my name Maggie Córdova.  Mr.      Eddie set up a website for Mr. Steve but it's totally blank without anything even being on it.       

        Oh!  Cher, with this dead Mouse in her mouth; just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to come back in from being out there in the eastern desert.  Now she just jumped up on  Moe the middle Shed's roof.   There are a few Birds darting around behind the three Sheds.            

      MOOKIE WILSON CÓRDOVA              MISS EMILY                                   "MOOK"

                                                                               

          For some reason seeing Cher suddenly reminds of that time when my boss told Miss Susan about his boy Cat named "Mookie Wilson."  I guess, he was all white; and lived with Mr. Steve    down there on Hagar Street in Sylmar.  He was given his name by Miss Emily in the 1980's.          

         As I said in chapter one, over the next three days one thing Daisy has me writing about are some of the other Dogs and Cats who've lived with our boss over the years.  I smell Cher really clearly.  I also smell that little dead Mouse who was totally alive until just a minute ago.                

       My boss's ex-girlfriend Miss Emily, who grew up in New York City; named Mookie Wilson after a New York "Mets" Baseball Player.  Like Mr. Steve calls us "Dais" and Mag," they called  him "Mook."  Daisy told me she heard Mets is short for the name "Metropolitans."                                  

 MOOKIE WILSON                                                               PEARLJAM       

                                                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY PAUL BERGEN

   

       Daisy says our boss told Miss Susan, the girl he taught to be a Salesperson; about his Cat Mookie Wilson.  They also talked about this 1980's movie called "Do The Right Thing."  One of the main characters in that movie was also named "Mookie" too from what Dais told me.             

          Over the next three days I'll write more about Mookie Wilson the Cat, Do The Right Thing, and some Mets Players.  And I'll learn about "Grunge" music too.  I can hear all the little bones  crunching as Cher is now chewing on and then eating that Field Mouse she killed for food.           

        A customer at an Auto Dealership in the State of "Washington" once told Mr. Steve about a 1990's Grunge band called PEARLJAM.  Their original band name was MOOKIE he said.  Max the Hummingbird just went whizzing bye and is now darting out into the eastern desert.                                                    

    EMINEM    

             

        What the heck!  Even though they're not on my outline in this spot I just kind of feel like mentioning that movie Do The Right Thing and another movie about this "Rap" Singer from the city of "Detroit" called EMINEM.  Cher is still up on Moe eating that one Mouse I notice.            

         Daisy heard our boss on the phone tell that girl Miss Susan at work about a freezing cold Winter night when he watched Do The Right Thing.  I guess the movie takes place on a boiling    hot and humid New York City Summer day.  Mr. Steve watched it from "Under the Covers."       

       And another time on a really hot Summer day, with a fan blowing; he watched this movie about that Singer EMINEM.  That movie took place during an extremely cold Winter period in    Detroit.  EMINEM was born on October the 17th just like Mr. Steve's brother Rock in Texas.                                             

CELINA (1962-2004)       

     

           I guess my boss watched Do the Right Thing under four blankets, the top one a "Quilt" made by his sister Celina who died.  Like other girls in our family, she was a good "Seamstress"       or; she could "Sew."  Hey Barry, Robin and Maurice, you guys are good loyal blankets.           

          Mr. Steve tells people he always knows it's Winter when he pulls out his sister's quilt.  He pays a nice South Korean lady, who works at the "Cleaners" in Phelan; to "resew and clean" it    every few years Daisy told me.  That lady is also really good at sewing too Mr. Steve thinks.          

          I've never heard any Rap songs like the one's EMINEM does, but Daisy has and says they kind of talk sing where the words sometimes rhyme and go fast.  Cher is up there on Moe licking her paw and then wiping down the top of her head with it.  She just noticed me over here.                                                                     JIMI HENDRIX                                                      DICK DALE                        

            PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                                   

                    

          In my books I'll write about two left-handed Guitarists, Jimi Hendrix and Dick Dale.  The night before he died in 1970 Dais heard, Jimi Hendrix "Jammed" with WAR at this Nightclub in England.  His first Manager was the ANIMAL'S bass player.  Cher is going to take a nap.             

         Someday I'll go in Mr. Steve's bedroom like Dais, and see the 11 x 14 color "Print" of Jimi Hendrix at "Woodstock."   It's on the wall near the drums, and I guess my boss paid this man in Wrightwood, named Mr. Oimette; to "Double-Matt" and "Frame" it.  Mr. Oimette died.              

       The picture of Jimi Hendrix was given to him by Mr. Rich, his Niece Stephanie's boyfriend who grew up back east in the State of "New Jersey."   Many people call him "Richie," which is    how he went by when playing guitar in that Heavy Metal band DRAGPIPE.  I smell Sage.            

    

                   DRAGPIPE                                   ALBUM (2003)                                       MR. RICHIE                                                                                                                   

                                            

        I guess, from what Dais told me; DRAGPIPE put out a good album back in 2002 and Mr. Rich was one of DRAGPIPE'S three Guitarists.  I guess, sometimes Mr. Steve plays drums along  to that album, even though he's not as good as DRAGPIPE'S Drummer.  Cher's asleep.                 

         Someday I really want to hear that DRAGPIPE album.  Dais says Mr. Steve likes this song about going on what's called a "Cruise," which means traveling on a Ship; to different parts of    the world.  I don't know if I'd like that, seeing as how I don't know if I can even swim.               

      Dais told me our boss has "Magnets" sticking to the front of this amazing machine called a "Refrigerator."  They're "Souvenirs" from cruises his boss Steve Banks and his wife Ronna took before he died.  Miss Susan, and Babette and Karin; also have some of those magnets too.            

                          

              METALLICA               

                                                                  

          Mr. Steve likes "Hard Rock," so thinks Dick Dale's song "Nitro" is kind of early "Heavy Metal."   He wonders what a band like METALLICA would think of it.  METALLICA, who are from California; have a Bassist whose last name is "Trujillo" like his mom's "Maiden" name.     

           In my three books I'll write about the KINKS.  Mr. Steve likes their song "You Really Got Me" and thinks their Guitarist was influenced in 1964 by the VENTURES and Dick Dale's "Surf Rock." I guess his ex-girlfriend Miss Emily's sister and brother-in-law know the VENTURES.     

         Even though my boss doesn't really follow it anymore, over the next three days I'll learn and write about "Sports."  When we were putting together my outlines Dais and I decided that    I'd write about the Los Angeles "Rams" professional Football team.  Libby just whinnied.                                                      

   "FEARSOME FOURSOME"        

(LOS ANGELES "RAMS" / 1960'S)        

                                          

      In the mid-1960's Mr. Steve saw the L.A. Rams defensive "Front Line," the "Fearsome Foursome;" play.  Mr. Gilbert saw their singing band "open up" for WAR at a North Hollywood Nightclub.  My boss's ex-girlfriend Miss Harriet still lives in North Hollywood I guess.                  

             Dais heard Mr. Steve and his brother Sam in Littlerock talk about the Rams moving to "St. Louis" in 1995.  I guess from 1935 through 1946, the year after World War II ended; they      were the "Cleveland" Rams.  Boy!  I like the Rams' helmets with the white horns on them.           

             All of a sudden I just thought about this girl named Danica Patrick, who Daisy told me is a Race Car Driver; and Mr. Steve thinks is so pretty.  Cher woke up, jumped down from Moe;    and is now using the right vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert.  Daffy's quacking.                                                                                                                                                                                            DANICA PATRICK                                                                                                                                                                        PHOTO BY SEAN GARDNER                                                                                                           

                                                       

          Mr. Steve admires how that girl Danica Patrick not only races in the N.A.S.C.A.R. "Stock Cars," but also drives what are called "Open-Wheel" Cars; like at the "Indianapolis 500" for      example.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just sprinted bye.  I smell some Mesquite.                 

          I guess some criticize Danica Patrick because she doesn't win that many races but, like my boss says; how many men have the concentration to drive a Car five hundred miles while going    about two hundred miles per hour?  He couldn't do it he says.  Dawn's barking next door.            

        Daisy heard Mr. Mike say Danica Patrick, like Mr. Mark who now lives over in Hawaii; is originally from the State of "Wisconsin."  Mr. Steve lost a few customers from Wisconsin during the economic recession.  Libby the Horse is walking slowly around over there in her Corral.            

MR. MARK                        MR. MARK / WIFE KIM           DYLAN / MARK / TAJ

                                          

         Mr. Mark, my boss and Miss Helen sold advertising and tickets for those sports teams in the 1980's.  Mr. Mark, with wife Kim and son's Taj and Dylan; now live over on Hawaii's "Big    Island."  My right nostril just picked up Libby's unique scent coming in from my right.            

           I guess Mr. Mark is a good Musician of many influences.  He likes the music of Prince and Jimi Hendrix but also Jazz, Heavy Metal and Rhythm and Blues too.  Mr. Mark first came out    here to California from a big city in Wisconsin called "Milwaukee" in 1980 Daisy heard.              

          Dais told me how Mr. Steve, Mr. Mark and that older lady Miss Helen; sold things for the Basketball "Lakers" and Ice Hockey "Kings."  But they also sold for the "Strings" Team Tennis  and "Lazers" Indoor Soccer .  Ah!  I think I smell an unfamiliar Sage plant around here.                                                 "BIG ISLAND REPORTER" COVER                       BLUE TURBAN STONE             

                 

           After working for the Lakers, Mr. Mark went to work for another Basketball team called the "Clippers."  Later he sold advertising for the "Hollywood Reporter."  Dais says now he has this Hawaiian "Internet" Newspaper and is a one man band called BLUE TURBAN STONE.      

        As I said earlier, over the next three days I'll write about Mr. Steve's life and those of his family too.  I'll learn about their New Mexico relatives and people they've known.  Fannie and      Freddie the Crows, talking to each other as they so often do; are flying toward the east.                 

         One time Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve and his brother Rock talk on the phone about how Mr. Mark was on a tv show called "Love Connection," so got to go on a date with the  girl.  And I guess on Saturday mornings he used to dance on this other tv show called "Soul Train."                                                                                      

     DALE EARNHARDT SR. (1951-2001) WITH WIFE            

                                              

         I'm still thinking of Auto Racing.  Daisy says Dale Earnhardt Sr. was a "North Carolina" Driver who died in a crash, but his son "Dale Jr." still races.  Mr. Steve thinks "Dale Sr.'s" wife    "Teresa" seems smart and he's heard her "Late" husband trusted her "Business" instincts.         

      Some time back Mr. Steve had a dream where his mom was working with her Girl Scout Troop doing what they call "Crafts."  As I've mentioned, Mr. Steve's mother is very artistic and    so enjoys teaching others.  A few of her big giant paintings are hanging inside of our house.         

         Dais told me one of the "Field Trips" Mr. Steve's mom and Mrs. Lindsey's Troops went on was to this town called "Solvang." Mr. Steve sister Susan has some fond memories of field trips    she and Celina went on with Girl Scouts.  I can smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie over there.                                                   

                                                                   "SOLVANG"         

                                                                        

       Solvang is Danish for "Sunny Field," and is near the city of "Santa Barbara," or "Saint Barbara" in English.  Daisy heard it  looks like a 19th century town with "Windmills." In my      books I'll learn about the "Scandinavian" countries "Denmark," "Norway" and "Sweden."        

           Over the next three days I'll find out about Santa Barbara, where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to College at "U.C.S.B." or; "University of California Santa Barbara."  Their family took    vacations to the "Miramar" Hotel near there.  Miramar is Spanish for saying "Ocean View."       

        I just used my English Dictionary to look up the word "excursion," which is defined as a "brief  pleasure trip."  I guess one time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about their "Day Trip" to "Catalina" Island, which his Nieces Cristina and Samantha went on too.  Daffy's quacking.          

2014 FORD "EXCURSION"

        I remember the time when our Auto Mechanic Mr. Ramon came to our house to look at Theodora's motor.  He drives a big "Ford" Car called an "Excursion."  Daisy heard Mr. Steve    talking on the phone one time with Miss Karin at work about Excursions.  I like Daffy.                 

        A Ford customer told Mr. Steve Excursions are "assembled" in the State of "Kentucky," and are at times used as Limousines.  Because of their large "Heavy Duty" size, governments use them as Armored Cars, and New York City's Fire Chief drives around in one.  I smell Sage.          

           Andy used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the desert behind the Sheds.  Helen, at the entrance to their burrow; took over guarding their new babies so he can go get some food or maybe go to the bathroom.  Ah!  I smell that one old Rosemary bush.

                             

       "ROSEMARY"             

                              

             Hey Blessed Mother!   I sure hope smelling Rosemary means You might be thinking of me down here.  That Israeli lady told Mr. Steve Your husband Joseph "most likely" used Rosemary plants to keep Bugs away and make things like clothes smell better. I love to smell Rosemary!

           Lord!  That lady said it was Your dad's "responsibility" to protect You, so he "probably" put Rosemary in Your bed.  And there's a good chance she said, that girl Mary Magdelane went to Your grave to put Rosemary in there.  A flock of Birds is flying to the north up in the sky.

          Hey Mother Mary!  As You know, Daisy heard the lady from Israel tell our boss about how Rosemary symbolizes "Remembrance."  And, that's what it and You now also represent to me; mainly because I recall good times when I was smelling some Rosemary.   Dawn's barking.          

                                                                  

         "SCANDINAVIA"           

                               

                This map in my Encyclopedia shows how Denmark is the smallest country in Scandinavia.  Daisy and Millie saw this tv show where the man said those "Vikings" came from there.  During World War II the Germans invaded and then conquered both Norway and Denmark too. 

          Mr. Steve and his first girlfriend Miss Sandy visited Solvang one time.  Her father's family were originally from Norway.  It was Sandy's mother who first told them Solvang meant Sunny Field.  Daisy heard that Miss Sandy has two younger sisters named "Suzie" and "Stacy."

         Hey Lord!  I heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Randy about this "Lutheran" Christian Church in Solvang.  I guess, unlike Catholic Churches like Saint Ferdinand's; "Protestant" Churches are plain inside with no statues or pictures Dais says.   Two of the Pigeons are flying to the east.  

     

                                                 "SAINT FERDINAND" CHURCH        

                              PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                        

                   

          Hey Lord!  As You know, my boss and his mom one time talked on the phone about the  three statues of Saints above the alter in St. Ferdinand's.  Above them is a "Life Size" statue of You nailed to that cross.  I at times wonder what the inside of a Church would smell like.              

          Mr. Steve said the Solvang Lutheran Church has a model sailing Ship hanging inside, in "honor" of Denmark's "maritime" history; like the Vikings for instance.  It's the "Exception to the Rule" about Protestant Churches.  Mr. Steve has a miniature Viking "Long Ship" I guess.     

            I wonder what it's like to swim or smell a Lake or Ocean?  Daisy says Mr. Steve has been to Lakes and some Oceans too.  I guess that one Tongvan lady my boss met over at the Knights of Columbus Hall in San Fernando told him how in her language "Moomat" means "Ocean."   

                                       

                                                                     RICK STEVES

                                

        Daisy told me Mr. Steve sometimes watches a tv show where this guy named Rick Steve's travels around Europe.  I guess,  Rick Steves and his family live in the State of "Washington,"      even though he was born in "Barstow" near us to the north.  Two Pigeons just flew bye.                

          A customer told my boss Rick Steves is a "Lutheran" who helps the poor and his ancestors, like Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Sandy's family; were from Norway.  Daisy and Millie noticed Rick  Steves is a really good piano player.  Boy!  The smell of Springtime is so beautiful right now.        

       Daisy heard Rick Steves say his favorite European country is Italy.  I've mentioned how, in 1985; Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand's Tour Group visited Italy and Israel.  Daisy says our boss has a  big eight foot wide painting of the Italian coastline hanging on the south wall of his office.                                        

                                       EXTERIOR              "SAINT PETER'S" (ROME)         INTERIOR DOME                        

              

         Rick Steves joked how, if you're Protestant like himself; you should "temporarily become Catholic" when going inside St. Peter's Basilica in Rome.  Daisy thinks that's probably because Lutheran's don't like statues and images in the Churches, which St. Peter's has.  I smell Sage.      

      Hey God!  My boss says Protestant's believe images "distract" from praying, and people like Rick Steves likely think Saint Peters is a big "Waste of Money."  For a few years, Mr. Steve's Niece's Cristina and Samantha went to Lutheran "Private" Schools.  Sage smells so good!            

        Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel ran into the desert, zipping through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.  I smell Alpha Company of Quail, especially Angeline's new babies; under      Jack the big Shed.  All of the four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and moving west.                           

THEODORA      

          

          I just glanced up from my work to see Theodora the Thrasher Bird standing over there on her favorite Creosote bush.  She probably hasn't noticed me here on the Patio yet.  Boy!  Thank  You so much God for giving me my really comfortable couch Elvira to do all my work on.            

       Creosote bushes, even in Winter; keep their yellow flowers I notice.  Mr. Steve has just let Theodora's bush near Jack the Shed grow so it's gotten kind of big.  Ah!  My left nostril just now picked up Theodora's scent right now and that makes me feel pretty good for some reason.           

        Thrasher Birds, and black Cow Birds like Benjamin; can fly but often prefer to run on the ground like Roadrunners.  I've noticed how Theodora uses her long curved beak as a tool to dig  into piles of fallen leaves poking around for some food.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking.                                                                                                                              WOODPECKER                    NEW MEXICO WOODPECKER                   MR. MIKE                                                             PHOTO BY DAVE KOZIOL                                        

                

         Oh!  A "Woodpecker" Bird just now flew bye.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico took pictures of a Woodpecker near his house in Taos Daisy heard.  Their beaks are used as a "Chisel" cutting tool to dig holes in trees Mr. Mike said, some for nests; others to store food Squirrels try to steal.         

         Piñon Hills Woodpecker's are light brown, those in the San Gabriel mountains to our south  where Wrightwood is located; have red heads.  One morning, a red-headed Woodpecker wasn't    watching where it was going so crashed right into our house "Head First."   It's neck broke.         

        Dais, whose favorite color is red; says Millie was so amazed at how the red feathers looked on that dead Woodpecker's head.  And Woodpecker beaks are "pretty impressive" too Mr. Mike said.  Sometimes I've wondered what it would be like to have a long beak for my mouth?                                

      MISS JULIANNE (DOG "LING" ON RIGHT)                               MR. DAVE PLAYING DRUMS                                                                                         

          Before the economic recession Mr. Dave did the same job my boss and Miss Babette, Susan and Karin still do.  He and his wife "Julianne" moved to "Taos" in New Mexico, where that Dog "Ling" lives with them.  Mr. Dave says Ling means "Dog" in the "Hupa" Indian language.          

       From what Mr. Dave says, to the Hupa tribe located up there in Northern California; red-headed Woodpeckers are considered "Sacred."  They make "Capes" out of their red feathers, to wear only on special occasions.  I'll bet Daisy would wear a red Woodpecker feather cape.             

     Both Mr. Steve and his friend Dave, probably because they play the drums; hear a certain kind of "musical pattern" when Woodpeckers dig holes in tree trunks.  I just thought again of      that town Solvang.  Some of the Ducks are quacking but of course Daffy's much louder.                                           

      VIKING "RAID"        

                                  

           Writing about Solvang makes me think of the Vikings.  This Encyclopedia says, in the 8th century A.D.; they "stormed" out of Scandinavia to "Raid." Daisy says that means to kill people and steal their things or, as Mr. Ralph one time jokingly called it; to "smash and grab."   

            I just noticed Alpha Company streaming around the northeast corner of the house, to my left; at the far end this Patio.  I'll bet they're going up front to see if there's any food left under Mr. Steve's office window.  Daisy told me Mr. Steve has a replica Viking axe in his office.    

            Daisy says Mr. Steve has a big flag of Sweden draped over the guest bedroom door.  On the coffee table in the living room I notice he has a lot of little miniature flags, which Daisy told me are from every country in North, Central and South America.  I smell some Creosote.

                                                              VIKING STATUE

                              

          Someday when I work up the courage to go down the hallway I'll see Mr. Steve's bedroom and office.  Daisy says there's a two foot tall statue of a Viking our boss painted in his office.  It has wings on the helmet, even though I guess most Viking helmets were just rounded on top.

          Mr. Steve still occasionally likes to build and paint little military figurines.  I've only seen the ones he has sitting on the coffee table in the living room, but Daisy says he has more of them in his office and the two bedrooms.  All four of the Pigeons are flying bye going to the east.

            Since being a kid Mr. Steve gets what they call "Therapeutic" value in doing art, and his mom is the same.  All the models and miniature figurines it took Mr. Steve a long time to build were destroyed in the 1971 earthquake in "less than a minute" he says.  Heathcliff crowed.   

                        

SANDY / MR. STEVE

(SANDY'S "PROM" / 1975) 

             Mr. Steve was a seventeen year old 12th Grader when he met Miss Sandy, who was in the 10th Grade and fifteen.  They were together for six years and Daisy says  Mr. Steve's father calls her parents "good people."  Mr. Steve's dad was seventeen, his mom fourteen; when they met.

             I've mentioned that Egyptian man Mr. Hussein, who has a Coffee Shop in Sylmar called "Coffee & Cream."  Mr. Steve's dad also calls him "good people," and enjoys going there to eat.  One time Dais heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk about Mr. Hussein's Turkey sandwiches.

            Daisy says Mr. Steve and his father enjoy talking to Mr. Hussein, who knows about many different things.  Over the next three days I'll be writing about some of the conversations they've had with him.  He has a "Fresh Water" Fish Tank so Mr. Steve talks to him about the Fish. 

         

                   "COFFEE & CREAM"                     MR. HUSSEIN                       "COFFEE & CREAM"                                             

         Mr. Steve says his mom, being a good Painter; "more than most" can appreciate fully how talented Mr. Hussein is in doing people's "Portraits."  Daisy heard he did paintings of the Singer Michael Jackson and the Basketball Player Kobe Bryant.   There are wispy clouds in the sky.       

       When it comes to "copying things" Mr. Steve jokes he's "pretty good." But, being able to "get likeness" of a person he "can't do."  But not Mr. Hussein I guess, because Daisy heard Mr.    Steve tell his mom the paintings of Michael Jackson and Kobe Bryant were good alright.              

       One time this "Realtor" in Sylmar named "Bicycle Bill," and his wife; played music and sang  for Mr. Steve's father's birthday party at Mr. Hussein's Coffee Shop.  Mr. Steve's mom I      guess really likes how Bicycle Bill's wife's singing voice sounds.  She also likes to sing too.                        

"BICYCLE BILL"       

           

            Dais said they call that guy Bicycle Bill because, as a Realtor; he rides around Sylmar on his bike.  Mr. Steve jokes with him how he "must be in good shape" because he doesn't think he himself could do it.  I guess, from what Dais heard; Bicycle Bill still practices "Martial Arts."      

             In putting together my three long outlines Daisy and I decided I'd mainly write about World War II tomorrow in book two.  As I said earlier, Miss Sandy's dad was a "Gunner" on the Aircraft Carrier "Lexington" at the big 1942 "Battle of the Coral Sea."  It was sunk.

                  What the heck!  I can look up the Battle of the Coral Sea now and also write about it in book two tomorrow as well.   This one Encyclopedia says that "naval engagement" took place in May of 1942.  Mr. Steve's father was only ten years old back in 1942, his mom just seven.  

       

                                                              U.S.S. "LEXINGTON"

          

            The Lexington's nickname was "Lady Lex."  As I've mentioned a few times, Mr. Steve has at times wondered why some people, like himself for instance; come to think of an "Inanimate" object like a tool as having a "Gender?"  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door. 

         One time, as he watered the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard, my boss told Mr. Mike he's had some of his tools for over thirty years.  He's come to think of his old "Scythe" as a " loyal" and "dependable" male friend.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now.

         Daisy says Mr. Steve has repaired his scythe many times over the years.  A while back when the blade got dull he took it down to Sylmar so Mr. Rich could sharpen it.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich is an extremely talented person. 

            

   "KITTY HAWK" NORTH CAROLINA                      U.S.S. "KITTY HAWK" CV-63                                      (DECEMBER 17, 1903)                                                                            ("FLYOVER" / 1993)                                                                                                                                                          

          Mr. Dave back in New Mexico was in the Navy.  He "Served" on this big Aircraft Carrier called the "Kitty Hawk," which was named for the place in North Carolina where those Wright  Brothers first flew an Airplane in 1903.  This one Encyclopedia calls it a "Supercarrier."              

           The U.S.S. Kitty Hawk was "commissioned" in 1961, when Mr. Steve was six; and it was "Decommissioned" in 2009.  In 1961 my boss's family had just moved to Sylmar; and President Kennedy was in power.  Mr. Dave said the Kitty Hawk was involved in many important events.

           I've mentioned how my boss wonders why people think of their countries as feminine or masculine.  For German's it's the "Fatherland" while in Russia, Germany's enemy in the Second World War; it's the "Motherland."  Mr. Steve read Adolph Hitler used to say Motherland.

            

                                                        WORLD WAR II / 1939-1945 

                                                             ("RUSSIAN"/ "EASTERN"  FRONT")

                                                      

                 The two 20th century world wars, and years in between; will be a big part of what I now realize are going to be long books.  So, I'll learn about the Second World War's "Eastern" front; by far the largest in "Scale" combat in all of human history.  A Crow is clucking faintly.

             Daisy says Mr. Steve and his father know about the war between "Nazi" Germany and "Soviet Union" Russia.   When World War II began in 1939 Russia and Germany were "Allies."  But when they fought each other millions of people, and not just Soldiers; died in four years.

            My Encyclopedia says the U.S.S. Lexington "entered service" in 1928, and originally it was "designed" to be what they call a "Battlecruiser."   But she was "redesigned" as one of the first U.S. "Aircraft Carriers."  I smell the Joshua trees near Libby's Corral, to my right.         

                               

                                                                "PEARL HARBOR"   

                                                             (HAWAII / DECEMBER 7, 1941)

                                      

                   Oh wow!  I wonder if my boss knows that, in the 1930's during the Great Depression; the Lexington was used a few times in "exercises" that "staged" attacks on the Hawaiian Harbor at Pearl Harbor.  And I guess they were "successful" too.  I can hear some Crows now cawing.

                Some people think it suspicious that, "By Coincidence;" when Japan attacked the U.S. "Pacific Fleet" at Pearl Harbor in 1941; all three Aircraft Carriers just happened to not be "in port."  That means they weren't "Sitting Ducks" in that big harbor over there in Hawaii.      

           The Lexington, with Sandy's father on board; was taking Planes out to "Midway" island on December the 7th.  Boy God!  The sky is so blue right now and that really makes me feel very happy to be down here on the Patio.  Oh!  Thank You for providing me with my Elvira.  

 

PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)

   

                 Mr. Steve heard about a 1940 "Position Paper" written by Arthur McCollum and given to President Roosevelt to read.  That was over a year before Pearl Harbor, and had eight things the U.S. could do to "provoke" Japan into a war.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now.

            I guess all eight of those "suggestions" in the "McCollum Memo," or secret "Intelligence Memo;" ended up being "implemented."  In 1940 Nazi Germany was taking over almost all of Western Europe.  Now the other two Pigeons are also flying toward the northeast too.

            Later today I'll write more about that "Mexican War" of 1846-1847.  I guess some people think President "Polk," who was in power then; "lured" a weak Mexico into a war it could not win.  And that ended up getting us a lot of land which is now many of the different "States."

          

    JOSEPH KENNEDY SR. (1888-1969) WITH FAMILY               CHARLES LINDBERGH (1902-1974)

                 In October of 1940, the year that McCollum Memo was written; the "Battle of Britain" was going on.  And, I guess there were a lot of Americans then who absolutely did not want for the U.S. to get into the Second World War.  They were called the "Isolationists" Daisy says.

             Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy one morning talked about this group called "America First."  In 1940 Isolationists Joseph Kennedy Sr. and Charles Lindbergh were members of that "anti-war" organization.  I heard my boss say both believed that Germany would win the war.    

            Two subjects I'm scheduled to learn about over the next three days are "Code-Breaking" and "Cryptography."  Mr. Steve and his father are both interested in that subject and think it's one of the main reasons the "Allies" won World War  II.  Some Crows are squawking. 

 

ADMIRAL ISOROKU YAMAMOTO (1884-1943)

       

     As I said in chapter three, it was Admiral Yamamoto who planned that Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has a book about him.  Two of the Pigeons flew in from the desert, and are going right over the top of the house above me going west.            

      Partially educated in the U.S., Admiral Yamamoto was hoping to sink the three American Aircraft Carriers. Mr. Steve's dad thinks the attack "was a success" except for the Carriers, and "not destroying the Ship repair areas and big fuel tanks."  I like Admiral Yamamoto's medals.     

        The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor got the U.S. into the World War II.  On Saturday in book three I'll learn about how, until then; many Americans didn't want to fight.  But, after      that; even the "Isolationists" just wanted to get revenge and kill Japanese Daisy heard.                   

                                             ADMIRAL YAMAMOTO KILLED (1943)         

PAINTINGS BY RON COLE

             Paintings in my Encyclopedia show how, in 1943; we killed that guy Admiral Yamamoto by shooting down the Plane he was in.  The caption below the paintings say the U.S. knew where he would be because we'd broken Japanese "radio codes."  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees.

            I can't wait to learn more about the subject of "Aviation" over the next three days.  I notice in the paintings the Plane used to kill Admiral Yamamoto was a "P-38" which Daisy thinks sort looks like two Planes just glued together.  As a kid my boss built a P-38 model I guess. 

        Mr. Steve not only puts out Bird Seed and Chicken Scratch for the Birds to eat, he also puts Peanuts for the Crows.  Anne Bonny the Crow dropped a little metal Angel on the Driveway and Dais thinks it was probably a gift for Mr. Steve.  It's now hanging above his office desk.

             

FANNIE AND FREDDIE  

                      

         Oh!  Fannie and Freddie are over there.  When he lived in Sylmar some kids threw rocks at Crows who from then on recognized their faces, and bikes; so dive-bombed them.  I've noticed a few times how some Crow couples are best friends in the way Mr. Steve's parents are.

         Crows stash or re-hide food they themselves stole I notice.  Freddie uses twigs to fish Bugs from holes and makes "Alliances" with other Crows.  Daisy jokes Cher the Cat found out "the hard way" how much it hurts if Fannie and Freddie beaks are used as stabbing weapons.

         Fannie and Freddie talk, groom, play and then squabble with each other.  At night they "Roost" with other Crows but during the day go off on their own.  Hummingbirds like Max and 99 play in the same way Andy and Helen the Squirrels wrestle around with each other.      

        

                                         WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1556-1791)

                            BIBIOTEQUE DE L' OPERA. PARIS                                                                                      ARTWORK BY ALLEN HALL                                             

                

          Mr. Steve read the Austrian Composer "Mozart" had a pet "Starling" Bird who imitated his music.  Down in Sylmar his father's friend Mr. "Ivan" has this talking "Parrot"  Boy!  I like  the wig Mozart has on in the painting of him, and would wear a wig if someone gave it to me.       

       Daisy told me, when it died; Mr. Steve buried that one-legged Crow Mr. Wilt gave him.  Mozart wrote his Starling a poem, and even gave it a funeral; when it died.  I wonder if it's true    what Dais heard, how Mozart  hated the sound of my favorite musical instrument the flute?       

           In that town of "Solvang" Mr. Steve ate "Danish Sausage" and sweet "Pastries."  Oh!  If there are no restaurants for us Dogs, we should start a "Dog Cuisine" restaurant ourselves; and maybe even make money!  Dawn and Blinky are barking at something over there next door.   

                    

   HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSON (1805-1875)

                      

       Throughout my three long books I'll write about Writers my boss likes.  This Danish Writer named Hans Christian Anderson wrote "Fairy Tales" and over the years Mr. Steve's mother read some of his books to children like her Girl Scouts.  Someday I want to read a Fairy Tale.

       I wonder if there's such things as "Goblins" "Trolls," or even "Gnomes?"  I'd love to smell a real "Mermaid" even though Mr. Steve doesn't think there are any.  In these books I can't wait to find out about things like "Minotaurs;" that half man and half Horse Daisy told me about.

      Tomorrow I'll write about Sharks like the rare deep water "Goblin" Shark.  My boss met a man from Japan who called them "living fossils."  I mentioned how Mr. Steve is afraid of Sharks and "to this day" says his heart "races" when he thinks of being eaten by a Shark.    

         

                                                              "GOBLIN" SHARK

                                                                                                                                ARTWORK BY ERIN MCCARTHY

         

        I'll write about Sharks in book two, but thinking about Hans Christian Anderson makes me want to mention them now.  Oh!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows how their head does look kind of like an evil Goblin alright.  That Japanese guy called them "Elf" Sharks Dais says. 

       Goblin Sharks, who have "retractable" jaws; have three rows of teeth and a "Third Eye" on their heads.  Daisy thinks their weird-shaped heads must help them catch food somehow.  I'll be coming back to writing about weird things that live in the water in books two and three.    

       Oh!  I wonder if my boss knows this?  My Encyclopedia says Hans Christian Andersen's last words before dying were; "Most of the people who will walk after me will be children, so make the beat keep time with little steps."  Oh wow!  Was he talking about his own "Funeral?"

         

      SAMSON AND DELILAH    

                   

          If Mr. Steve doesn't know that Hans Christian Andersen quote he'll be happy I found it.  I've mentioned how, for some reason; he's interested in the last words people say before dying.  Oh!  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying back in from being out in the eastern desert.  

          This one Encyclopedia says some think Hans Christian Anderson may have been "slightly Autistic."  In chapter three I wrote about that Football player Doug Flutie's son who has Autism too.  A Motorcycle zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road, leaving dust floating in the air.

          In the 1980's, down in Sylmar; Mr. Steve was driving his S.S. Chevelle with three kids.  A boy named Michael was in front, his younger sisters "Sonia" and "Becky" who's Autistic in the back.  They drove past a man riding a Horse, and he was wearing Cowboy boots and a hat.  

                          

                                                MR. STEVE'S 1968 S.S. CHEVELLE  

                                

            Driving by the man on his Horse Mr. Steve joked, "There goes a Cowboy with no Cows;" just like his dad used to say.  In the back seat Becky said, "Mr. Steve, you talk funny."  Michael's eyes got really wide, and he turned around; while in the back seat Sonia kind of giggled. 

            Becky was seven and seldom talked to anyone except her family but, like that girl Doris who I wrote about in the last chapter; eventually learned to feel less awkward around strangers.  I guess Mr. Steve has known a few girls named Becky.  Dais says Becky's short for "Rebecca."   

           As I wrote earlier, my boss Mr. Steve is fifty eight years old and never had kids; but still likes being around children.  But Daisy says, as much as he enjoys helping kids do Reports and things like that; he enjoys being alone just as much.  Boy!  I'd like to have kids someday.                                                                                                                        CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870)                                           

                                                           

           Over the next three days Daisy has me scheduled to write about that one British "Author" named Charles Dickens.  My Encyclopedia says Hans Christian Andersen met him a few times.  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel bounded bye but I won't chase him today.  No way! Ugh Ugh!

         It's hard to resist the temptation to chase Speedy Gonzalez but, as Daisy says; I have to be disciplined for three days if I want to be the first Dog to write books.  I wonder if Mr. Peabody has written any books?  If he did then I'll just have to be the second Dog ever to do it.

        Hey God!  I really like that one song called "Sunrise" Mr. Steve played on his Boombox this morning as the Sun came up.  It's by a British band called URIAH HEEP who have such good Singers.  I guess, back in 1977; my boss and his sister Susan saw a URIAH HEEP concert.        

                   

URIAH HEEP         

               

            Mr. Steve likes Three Piece bands like CREAM or ZZ TOP.  But, when some people say a "real" Hard Rock band can't use keyboards; he plays them URIAH HEEP who have a good song about a Wizard Daisy says.  A flock of Birds is flying toward the east up in the sky.

           My boss told Miss Susan Uriah Heep is a "Character" in a Charles Dickens' book "David Copperfield."  Some think that character might be "based on" Hans Christian Anderson.  Cher the Cat is coming back in from the eastern desert, holding tightly a dead Bird in her mouth.

          URIAH HEEP'S music has been described as being, "Soaring harmonies over thunderous riffs."  To see their reactions, Mr. Steve plays people URIAH HEEP'S songs "Easy Living" and their song about a girl named "Loraine."  That's Mr. Rick's mom's first name Daisy heard.  

                                

                                                      "COPENHAGEN" HARBOR     

                                        

        My Encyclopedia says Denmark's main city is "Copenhagen," which has a big Harbor that Boats sail in and out of.  A picture shows a statue of the "Little Mermaid" in that Harbor.  The  caption says how the Mermaid is a character in one of Hans Christian Anderson's book.      

        According to my boss, there's a miniature version of the Little Mermaid statue in Solvang.  I guess another name for a Harbor is a "Port."  Ah!  To my right, a little grayish brown Lizard is running up the wall; over there near the sliding glass door going into this dining room.    

        Later today I'll write about "Santa Catalina" Island off the coast of Los Angeles.  Dais says our boss has been to its Harbor a few times and also to Harbors in Long Beach, San Diego and New York City.  My Spanish Dictionary says Santa Catalina means "Saint Catherine."          

                         

                                                     "SANTA CATALINA" HARBOR    

                                                    

             In my books Dais has me scheduled to write about "Catalina" Island.  It's located about twenty six miles "Off the Coast" of Long Beach Harbor.  Mr. Steve  had a dream about the time he and Miss Harriet went to Catalina, and when he his mom and Nieces spent a day there.

            I would be kind of afraid of going into deep water like in a Harbor, mainly because of the fact that I don't know if I can swim; or even float.  Daisy knows how to swim and told me all you have to do is "paddle" your four legs back and forth.  That will "propel" you forward.      

            A girl who went with Mr. Steve's mother's troop to Solvang was blind.  She enjoyed doing "Crafts" and, in fact Mr. Steve says; in some things became better than the other girls.  That girl used her hands to feel my boss's face, and was so fascinated by how the shaved parts felt. 

                                                                                                        

                                                        MR. GRANT / MIGGIE

         

             As I said earlier, my boss's friend Mr. Grant's girl Dog Miggie is blind.  But when they visit us Miggie jumps down from Mr. Grant's "Van" and runs right over to our bathroom area near the clump of Joshua trees up front.  Her nose remembers exactly where we go pee. 

            I mentioned this morning how my boss Mr. Steve "Flunked Out" of Law School.  But I guess Mr. Grant didn't and one of the things he does is work as a Lawyer.   I remember that one morning when my boss told Mr. Randy an "Attorney" is allowed to "represent" people.

           Boy God!  It would be so terrible to be unable to see, hear, smell, feel or taste things.  I'm so grateful for You bringing me over here to live, but also for having all my senses.  As she goes more and more blind Daisy says she always tries to appreciate every new day of seeing things.  

                                

                     HELEN KELLER (1880-1968)                                   MR. EDDIE                   

                                                                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                    

       Tomorrow I'll write about a smart, brave girl Writer named Helen Keller who, I guess; was blind and "Deaf" too.   She was from Alabama like George Lindsey, and her Grandmother was    Robert E. Lee's Cousin.  Ugh!  Wow!  It would be so terrible to be unable to see and hear.             

      I just thought of that guy Eddie Spaghetti who I mentioned was born without arms but still plays drums, and sings; in the Parking Lot near the McDonalds restaurant in Phelan.  Boy God!  Thank You for letting me be born with four good-working legs.  I smell some Creosote.                 

    Someday, when I get over my fear of enclosed areas hard to escape from; I'll go all the way down the hallway to listen to music in my boss's bedroom.  Daisy does it all the time and tells me how great it is.  I can also see Mr. Steve's office, which is where he probably is right now.                         

PETE TOWNSEND (THE WHO)  

  

         Mentioning that girl Helen Keller makes me think about an album Daisy heard by a band from England called the WHO.  It's about this boy who's blind and deaf like Helen Keller but is  "Dumb" too.  That doesn't mean he's not smart but just means he can't talk Dais told me.            

        Not only is the boy on the WHO album not dumb Dais says, he must be smart because he knows how to play this game called "Pinball."  Daisy's not sure what kind of game it is, but she    heard Mr. Steve's Uncle Celedon was good at it too.  Maybe it's sticking a pin into a ball?             

        As I said before, Mr. Steve's mom's Girl Scout troops sang a lot.  She taught her girls older songs from her era, but also enjoyed learning "Current" songs like the ones made back then by a brother and sister band called the CARPENTERS.   Dawn's barking over there to my right.              

                                                   RICHARD / KAREN CARPENTER                           

                                                                               

         Hey Lord!  As You know, I want to hear some CARPENTER songs someday.  I guess the CARPENTERS were a brother and sister "Duo," the girl "Karen" being the Singer, and her      older brother "Richard" played keyboards.  They believed in You too just like us down here.       

         That blind Girl Scout loved singing CARPENTER'S songs.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear those songs which Daisy, and Millie too; thought just make you feel good because of Karen Carpenter's pretty voice.  But I guess Mr. Dave thinks she was also a "talented" Drummer.          

        Mr. Steve was once told the Carpenter's family were "Methodists."   Over the next three days I'll learn about the two main "Types" of Christianity, the Catholics like us; or Protestants    like Baptists, Lutherans and Methodists.  Oh!  There are Eastern Orthodox Christians too.                   

  "CRUCIFIXION"

      

          Hey Lord!  Mr. Steve thinks the number 3 was important in Your life, dying at age 33, Your "Ministry" lasted 3 years; and You were killed by the Romans at 3 in the afternoon.  Oh!    And and Your horrible suffering lasted 3 hours too.  Wow!  That is a coincidence alright.              

           Ah!  Hearing Heathcliff crow right now reminds me Lord of how You predicted correctly Your "Apostle" Peter would "deny" You three times.  On the night You died before a Rooster      crowed three times he did it.  If you're mind reading me St. Peter I know you were forgiven.         

        Lord!  When You rose from the dead after three days, You asked Peter three times if he loved You.  And when he said he did, that gave him the chance to make up for him having denied You three times on the night of Your crucifixion.  Two other men were killed alongside You.                                        

                       OPEN MID-MORNING SKY                        

                                                                       

          Ah!  I took a deep breath of fresh air through both of my nostrils.  It makes me feel good and so happy to have this opportunity to learn how to read and write.  Hey God!  Looking out to the desert from this Patio, seeing the high blue sky to the east; reminds me of other times.            

        Daisy says Mr. Steve drew the CARPENTER'S logo back in the 1970's.  Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped inside enclosed areas; I'll be able to go into my boss's bedroom to watch tv and listen to more music like Daisy does now.   Boy!  I can't wait for that time!            

       A tv show Daisy saw about the CARPENTERS said they started as a "Trio."  In the 1980's Mr. Steve's brother Rock, and their friend "Vic;" used CARPENTER songs as "Soundtracks" for Wedding Videos they filmed.  Mr. Steve used them on Video Collages of his photos too.                  

        KAREN CARPENTER (1950-1983)

           

          Daisy says Karen Carpenter was originally only the Drummer but, when everyone heard her sing they told her to just do that instead; which she "reluctantly" did.  That tv show said she had a "three octave" vocal range.  The four Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral to my right.            

          Oh wow!  It says here Karen Carpenter died just before turning thirty three and weighed less than one hundred pounds.  Daisy told me she was afraid of getting fat but the things she did to be skinny may have end up killing her.  Lord!  You were 33 when the Romans killed You.          

         Mr. Steve's 1970's friends made fun of him for liking the CARPENTERS and the Swedish band ABBA.  But he didn't care as his girlfriend Sandy liked them.  Daisy says ABBA did a "sad  happy" song called "S.O.S." and Karen Carpenter's voice is kind of sad and happy too.                                                                                        

    METALLICA                                                              DAVE ALVIN           

                                                                               PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

       

          It says here the CARPENTERS parents, like our boss's mom and dad; decided to move to Los Angeles.  They had been living in "Connecticut" where, as I've mentioned; Mr. Steve's sister Susan now lives with her  sons Dalton and Austin.  The Carpenter's "settled" in "Downey."         

        Mr. Dave in New Mexico read, before METALLICA moved to the "Bay Area;" the Singer lived in Downey.  In the 1980's, for "Music Connection" Magazine; Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw this guy named Dave Alvin play guitar.  He and his brother are from Downey too I guess.      

       Daisy says Mr. Steve was told the oldest "surviving" McDonalds restaurant is in Downey, which is also what they call the "birthplace" of "Taco Bell" too.  She heard this really funny guy named "Weird" Al Yankovic is still living in Downey.  Ah!  The air is so clear right now.                                           
                                                            

                    REDD KROSS                       

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

  

             The BEATLES John Lennon and Paul McCartney liked Karen Carpenter's singing.  At the "John Anson Ford Theater" Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw REDD KROSS, who what they call "Covered" a CARPENTERS song.  The BEATLES liked ABBA'S "S.O.S." Dais says.           

          Daisy says our boss once met a girl who went to the private school in "Sherman Oaks" where Karen Carpenter last sang, before dying a few days later.  Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter, who also died; lived with his parents in Sherman Oaks for a while.  Dawn's now barking.             

          Mr. Dave read, seeing the BEATLES Drummer Ringo playing "Ludwig" drums on the "Ed Sullivan Show;" that's what Karen Carpenter wanted too.  Dais told me how Mr. Steve has  shiny black "Tama" brand drums in his bedroom.  Ah!  I can smell little Blinky over there.                                                                          

         TONY DANZA / DICK VAN PATTEN           

                        PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                       

                                                                                                                                                                                                                           The tv show Dais saw said Karen Carpenter, who died young; wanted to get married and have kids.  She dated this Actor named Tony Danza, who Mr. Steve took pictures of in the 1980's at a Forum Boxing match or "Card."  Two of the Pigeons just flew toward the northeast.              

         Daisy says in one picture Mr. Steve took of that guy Tony Danza he's posing with another Actor named Dick Van Patten.  Both were always friendly to Mr. Steve and Dick Van Patten told  him he lived in Sherman Oaks.  Now Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there next door.     

       One time, at the Forum's restaurant; Mr. Steve heard Dick Van Patten say, "How do we know right now isn't the good old days?"  Daisy, and Mr. Steve's dad; also joke about that too.    Boy God!  I promise to appreciate all of the moments of learning in the next three days.                                                                                         "WEIRD" AL YANKOVIC                              

                   PHOTO BY BEN KAYE                  

                          

         Dais told me about "Weird Al," who's from Downey, and makes funny "Parody" songs of  other Musician's songs.  He plays this thing called an "Accordion," which I guess all Mr. Steve's four Grandparents liked; and Dais thinks I would also like the sound of.  I smell Mesquite.           

       Weird Al writes funny lyrics and renames the songs with funny new names on his Videos. His version of Michael Jackson's song "Beat It" is "Eat It," and he "makes fun of" a NIRVANA and this one girl Singer named MADONNA.  Dais told me about a movie called "Spinal Tap."     

         In chapter one I mentioned how that girl "Session" bass player Carol Kaye played guitar on Ritchie Valen's song "La Bamba."  In the 1960's, she was one of the "Studio" Musicians now  called  the "Wrecking Crew."  They played "Anonymously" on many famous songs I guess.                                         

                                   HAL BLAINE                                        TOMMY TEDESCO / CAROL KAYE                                                                                                     

           I'm tempted to write about the Wrecking Crew but I'll wait.  In book three I'll write about how they played on Phil Spector's early 1960's "Wall of Sound" songs, and also on the BEACH BOY'S album "Pet Sounds."  And they played on some CARPENTERS' songs too I guess. 

          This morning I mentioned how Mr. Steve was told Carol Kaye now lives in the town of "Rosamond," where Mr. Grant and Miss Laurie have a house.  Rosamond is near to Edwards Air Force Base.  Oh!  Andy's back so Helen just now ducked back down into their burrow. 

          Boy! Thinking of that lady Carol Kaye makes me feel like writing more about her.  But, I'll just wait and do it on Saturday in book three; because that's when Daisy and I decided I'd learn about Session Musicians.  Ah!  I see an orange boy Finch sitting over there in a Joshua tree. 

        

FINCH NEST                                                       MALE FINCH      

          

                 Daisy says when Finch's make their own nest it's usually in the shape of a cup.  But they at times just rebuild another Bird's abandoned nest.  When a boy Finch tries to "be with" a girl Finch he becomes more colorful and uses food to prove he's a "good provider" Dais jokes.  

           When Finches "Court" a girl Finch will peck at the boy Finches beak to get him to throw up some food from his stomach according to Daisy.  But he doesn't do it right away and fakes her out a few times before finally giving her food.  Girl Finches flutter their wings in happiness.

          Sometimes out on the road that goes in front of our house groups of Finches what they call "Perch" or rest on the "Power Lines" which brings us our electricity.  There are times when they gather in our two big Mulberry trees.  The orange boy Finch just flew off into the back desert.

                       

                                                                                                FUNK BROTHERS

       

             Even though I'll mainly learn about "Session Musicians" the day after tomorrow in my third book; I can mention a little bit about them now too.  Mr. Mark, who now lives over there in Hawaii with his family; knows a lot about the FUNK BROTHERS.  I smell Andy over there.

                 I guess the FUNK BROTHERS were good Musicians from the city of Detroit, who played the music on a lot of famous 1960's "Motown" songs.  In all my three books I'll write about LED ZEPPELIN.  Their Guitarist named Jimmy Page was once a "Freelance" Session Musician.

            Ah!  I'm hearing the flute in GENESIS'S song "Musical Box," which makes me feel so inspired to work hard.  Boy!  I think I understand why my boss finds the New Testament feeling of  "Rhêma," or "Living Word;" in some music.   Musical Box is over ten minutes long. 

                                                             GENESIS                                                                 PHIL COLLINS          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

           

                 I can only listen to music when my boss does yard work and brings out his  Boombox, so Daisy's heard more GENESIS songs than me.  She told me about GENESIS'S album "Nursery Cryme," which Musical box is on.  Someday I'll hear that song about the "Giant Hogweed."

           Mr. Steve took pictures of GENESIS' Drummer Phil Collins' band at the Forum.  Unlike Karen Carpenter, Phil Collins played drums on a few songs too but the primary Drummer was Chester Thompson; who my boss met one time.  Ducks are quacking over there next door.  

          Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave, unfortunately for him; when you take pictures of more famous bands you often can do it only for the first three songs.  And, in those first three songs of the concert; Phil Collins only sang and didn't play drums.   I smell the baby Cholla cactus.

                               

                                                                    LEVON HELM                                                                   

                                                                                                                                          PHOTO BY LEE EVERETT                                                                                                                                                                                               

                                   

          Mr. Steve and Mr. Dave one time talked about the BAND, and another Los Angeles group called the EAGLES.  I haven't heard their songs but Daisy and Millie did and think both are so    good alright; both with Drummer's who also sing "Lead" too.  Ah!  I like Cholla cactus scent.      

        Daisy heard how the BAND were that guy Bob Dylan's Musicians, and Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie and her boyfriend Mr. Rich saw the EAGLES play one time.  Karen Carpenter at first played her drums but eventually was told to only sing.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.            

       I can't wait to someday hear more music.  Daisy really likes the sound of this thing called a "Mandolin," and noticed the BAND'S Drummer sometimes plays one on some songs.  It's sort of like a small guitar and that British band STEELEYE SPAN use one on their song "Jigs."                                                         

           DON HENLEY  (THE EAGLES)           

                        

         My boss told that kid Jason, who plays guitar; it must be hard to play drums and sing at the same time like the guy in the EAGLES.  He joked, even if he could sing, which he can't; he    "couldn't do it."  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel sprinted bye and left a small cloud of dust.           

        Solvang's "old atmosphere is so great" Mr. Randy said that one time.  I mentioned earlier how it's a recreation of a 19th century Danish village.   Speedy's gone but all the dust he raised    bounding bye is still lingering and floating softly in front of the three Sheds over there.                 

     I just thought of Solvang's "Wind Mills," and how in book two I'll learn about that one monster "Frankenstein;" who Daisy says was burned by an angry "Mob" inside of a Wind Mill.  I'll learn of "Don Quixote" in my books.  BLACK SABBATH have a song about a mob.                                                                    

 FRANKENSTEIN'S "BRIDE"                          FRANKENSTEIN MONSTER        

                

           Someday, when I get over my fear of going into my boss's bedroom; I can watch more tv.  Daisy says I'm so silly and don't realize what I'm missing.  She told me about about how, in this    one other Frankenstein movie; some Scientists built a pretty girlfriend for the Monster.                 

          Even though this isn't the spot on my outlines where I'm supposed to learn about that girl named Mary Shelly, I suddenly kind of just feel like mentioning her now too.  I guess, back in the early 19th century; she wrote the original "Frankenstein" book.  I hope to read it some day.         

       Dais heard our boss tell a customer on the phone one time he's never read Mary Shelley's book.  But, in College he knew this girl named "Olivia" who did; and they discussed it.  Fannie    and Freddie are flying bye and, as they so often do; are talking back and forth to each other.                                   

    MARY SHELLEY (1797-1851)

PAINTING BY RICHARD ROTHWELL

         Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve tell his customer that girl Olivia thought part of what Mary Shelley wrote about in her book was how "irresponsible" it was to "create life" and then "simply abandon" that life.  Oh wow!  That's kind of like me!  Thank You God for my life.           

          From what Dais heard, Mary Shelley's monster had no name.  Even the movie "Credits" just says "The Monster."  It was actually the Doctor who created or built the monster out of the  different body parts who's name was "Frankenstein" in the book and later movies too.                 

       That girl Olivia also thought Mary Shelley wrote partially about male "Womb Envy." I guess some males are jealous of how us females get to have the babies so, in some ways; "control their future."  There are now some thin clouds spread across the sky over the back desert.                                    

       LORD BYRON (1788-1824)            

       PAINTING BY THOMAS PHILLIPS                   

             

        Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not really scheduled to write about that girl Mary Shelley right now, I just feel like doing it.  Her husband was that guy Lord Byron's friend, and    Mr. Ralph thinks she "may have been" the very first writer of "Science Fiction" stories.               

          Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Mary Shelley's mom died giving birth to her, and Dais says Mr. Ralph said it was because the Doctor wasn't clean enough.   Boy!  Three of her four kids died young, and her husband died by drowning.  Two Crows are fighting out there in the desert.          

          Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph that girl Olivia was smart.  She believed Mary Shelley's sad life "influenced her writing."  Frankenstein was published in 1818, but her later "Dystopian" book "The Last Man" was even more Science Fiction-like than Frankenstein Miss Olivia thought.                   

CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882)                    WIFE EMMA WITH SON           

PAINTING BY GEORGE RICHMOND                                                                                                                                                       

            

         Dais heard Mr. Steve tell his mom on the phone about that girl Olivia, who thought Mary Shelley "imagined" things Charles Darwin would say later.   And in her book The Last Man she  even talked about "Air Ships."  A group of Birds is moving to the west over top of the house.        

         Mr. Steve read Charles Darwin's last words before dying were to thank his wife Emma for being such a good wife and mother to their ten children.   Hey God!  I guess, even though he was  one of those "Agnostics;" Charles Darwin's wife believed in You a lot.  Daffy's quacking.              

        "Loss and loneliness" were subjects of Mary Shelley's books Miss Olivia thought.  In early 19th century England, "because she was female" Frankenstein was put out "anonymously;" and she had to write "through the eyes of a man."  Mr. Ralph called her writing "flowery prose."                                                   RUDY THE ROADRUNNER       

                              

           Rudy the Roadrunner is running bye with a dead Lizard in his mouth.  I won't chase him because I have to keep on working and, besides, I'm comfortable sitting here.  Hey God!  Thank You for having my boss buy my couch Elvira from his friend Mark before he went to Hawaii.      

          Even though you're old and have a few rips in you Elvira, I still like you and would never ever want to get rid of you.  No way!  This is my favorite spot in the whole world, and sitting here makes me think of how right now I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.  Thank you God!              

       Daisy saw this tv show about the real Elvira, who wears all black, and has black hair and fingernail's.  Elvira, I really don't know why I named you that, except I just sort of like how that name sounds.  Hey!  I wonder how I would look with all of my toenails painted royal blue?                                                        

        "ELVIRA" ("MISTRESS OF THE DARK")         

                                       

         My Dictionary says "macabre" means; "Having to do with death, the gruesome, grim or horrible."  Dais told me the tv show used that word to describe Elvira, who's called the "Horror Hostess."  Boy!  It's kind of weird how the word macabre has a silent "r" in it I think.                  

         Hey Blessed Virgin!  As You know; someday I'd like to have a boyfriend.  I mean, Dais is really great to be around, but I'm curious about a boy Dog like Blinky over there next door.  He's sort of small in size but, seems brave and; I am beginning to kind of like how he smells.                 

           Dais says Mr. Steve's customer in the city of "St. Paul," in the State of  Minnesota;" likes this Three Piece band from there called HÜSKER DÜ.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve bought, and then  resold a copy of their 1984 vinyl record "Zen Arcade."  It's about a boy's bad dream I guess.                           

    HÜSKER DÜ     

          

         Mr. Steve told that Parts Manager about 1981, when he and a girl from "Minneapolis" named "Denise;" drove in his S.S. Chevelle up to Solvang.  "En Route" as they say, she played    HÜSKER DÜ songs on the Car Stereo.  She also played songs by the REPLACEMENTS.             

          Dais says in 1981 Mr. Steve had heard of HÜSKER DÜ and the REPLACEMENTS, but "knew none of their music."  Some think they influenced the early 1990's "Grunge" music and    bands from "Seattle" like NIRVANA.  A flock of Birds is going bye up there in the sky.                

          HÜSKER DÜ and the REPLACEMENTS began as 1970's "Punk" bands but, then in the 1980's; evolved  into "much more" that Parts Manager said.  All three guys in HÜSKER DÜ sing Daisy heard.  And like the BAND and EAGLES, their Drummer sings lead too.  I smell Sage.                         

     HÜSKER DÜ    

PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS

        

      The Parts Manager told Mr. Steve, in concert HÜSKER DÜ'S Guitarist uses "tone and sustain;" to make it sound like three guitars playing "simultaneously."  That's just another way of meaning or saying, "at the same time."  I even looked that long word up a while back.              

          On HÜSKER DÜ'S album Dais heard, the boy's life gets worse after he runs away from home and the "grass was not greener" but; luckily it turns out to be just a bad dream.  Boy!   I    would never ever want to run away from these two acres.  No way!  Uh! Uh!  Forget it!                 

         Daisy says the Parts Manager thought HÜSKER DÜ'S song, "Data Control;" is about the loss of  "Privacy."  My Dictionary says that can mean, "Time in seclusion" or, "Not open to the public."  I guess those two guys Aldous Huxley and George Orwell wrote about privacy.             

                     

       JACK, MOE, MANNY   

                          

        Looking up, I see blue sky above the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.   I mentioned earlier how Manny and Moe are the smaller Sheds, and Jack the big Shed is to the left as I face    them sitting over here on Elvira.  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just now went flying bye.               

         Max the Hummingbird zoomed bye but saw again how Mr. Steve didn't put that red drink in their glass feeders.  I just thought of the Hummingbird-themed "Stained Glass" windows in    front doors going into our house up there.  Hummingbird images now represent our house.          

       I guess that girl Denise thought many HÜSKER DÜ and REPLACEMENTS songs had three things that, since the 1950's; are important to "Rock and Roll." And those things were, "melody, power and anger."  Daisy thinks that girl Denise sounds "observant" like Miss Harriet.                 

                                                             

DEAD KENNEDY'S                                   BLACK FLAG           

          

         Dais heard that girl Denise said two 1970's California "Punk" bands, BLACK FLAG and  DEAD KENNEDY'S; liked and tried to help HÜSKER DÜ.  Mr. Steve saw BLACK FLAG paly but, I'll write about those bands over the next three days.  Heathcliff crowed to my right.              

       Since growing up down there in Sylmar Mr. Steve has done line drawing logos of different bands and things like that.  Daisy told me one time he showed a kid to do it by practicing making the DEAD KENNEDY'S and BLACK FLAG emblems.  Now the other two Pigeons flew bye.       

        Hey!  I just thought of how proud my boss would be of me if I ever became the first Dog in history who can draw.  But, first I'll learn to read and write over the next three days.  Boy!   I'm  really starting to get used to how these totally amazing pencil devices feel in my right paw.                                                                                                     "CONVENTO" BUILDING                                      MR. STEVE'S MOM                

DRAWING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                         

                                      

          Mr. Steve still likes to draw and color.  Daisy thinks he obviously inherited that from his mom who did some black and white drawings for their 1990's Art Exhibits.  One was of that long "Convento" building, which I guess is at the very front of the "San Fernando" Mission.                

         Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom's drawing of the Convento building is now hung on a wall of their house down in Sylmar.  She told me, in the guest bedroom of our house; is this green pencil  drawing she did of a "Rhinoceros" Beetle.  Boy!  I really want to see that drawing someday.         

      Mark Ritter, who died; knew a lot about Rocks, Reptiles and Insects too.  Mr. Steve's mom drew her green Rhinoceros Beetle from a black and white photo he took over there in Arizona      one time.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez the Ground Squirrel just ran bye but I won't chase him.                                                                 

ROCKY JR. / MISS AMBER   

        

           Mr. Steve's Nephew Rocky Jr. grew up in California but now lives in Texas with his dad and brother Jacob.  I hear he and his girlfriend "Amber" are good at "Business," and Rocky Jr. is a  talented "Tattoo" Artist too Daisy heard.  I'm still thinking of that band HÜSKER DÜ.         

           "Hüsker dü" means"Do you remember?" in Danish and Norwegian Denise said.  I guess a lot of Germans and Scandinavians live up in Minnesota, where Mr. Steve has a few customers.    This Spanish Dictionary says "Recuerdas?" is how you would say "do you remember?"               

         Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez just ran through the left vertical slot on the side of the gate, and is now running out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  Boy!  It's a miracle he doesn't hit his    head on the steel pipes when he goes so fast like that.  I smell Libby the Horse to my right.                                                                       

        "CALTROPS"              

               

       Two Crows are fighting, which reminds me of the time I got a big sticker stuck in my paw and then stabbed my tongue trying to lick it back out.  Crows were fighting out there in the back desert too I remember.   I just used my English Dictionary to look up the word "Caltrop."            

          It says here how a caltrop is, "A spiked device designed to immobilize a Horse or vehicle by puncturing a foot or tire." Ouch!  Daisy says caltrops can even stop giant Elephants.  One of the things Mr. Steve has on the living room coffee table is that one sharp black metal caltrop.             

       Mr. Steve and Miss Denise, in 1981; visited a Solvang "Ostrich" Ranch.  My Encyclopedia says Ostrich's live in Africa, and are the "largest" Birds "in the world."  Wow!  I guess an adult Ostrich can grow up to be nine feet tall, and they can often weigh over four hundred pounds.                                             AFRICAN "WATER HOLE"                            OSTRICH / HUMMINGBIRD                

                                                                                    

           My Encyclopedia shows Ostrich's "sharing a waterhole" with "Gazelles."  A "Trainer" at that Solvang Ranch said Ostrich claws can easily "disembowel a person," and Daisy heard one    almost killed the Musician Johnny Cash with claws.  Ooh!  Disemboweled sounds so bad.             

           Right now a little Lizard is standing on one of the big boulders around the bottom of the big Mulberry tree.  But it's too late to drink because the water in the basin, which was full three hours ago; has sunk down into the ground already.  I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush.  

          The Trainer said Ostriches also have powerful beaks that can "do a lot of damage."  As a big and powerful fast runner they "don't need to to be able to fly" I guess so, like with Bears; it's better to just stay still and resist the urge to run away.  Boy!  That would be so hard to do.     

                                                                            

                                                                   DRAWING  BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

        

           Mr. Steve's mom, in black ink; copied one of his black and white photos of this Ostrich at the Zoo.  A guy at the Ostrich Ranch said it's not true Ostriches stick their heads in the ground to hide.  At times they do eat food near the ground and you just can't see their heads he said. 

             I guess my boss has two huge Ostrich eggs in the kitchen.  Boy!  Someday I do want to see the kitchen.  Daisy told me it has astounding machines, like an "Oven" and "Stove;" where you can even control fire.  I guess that Tongvan lady said in her language "Fire" is "Chaavot."

          Someday, if I ever do overcome my fear of enclosed areas; I really want to see those big giant Ostrich egg shells.  Daisy says when Mr. Steve shows them to people he says they're from one of Heathcliff's Hens.  Some people know what they are but a lot of young kids don't.   

                         

 "CHARLIE BROWN FARMS"  

                                                                                                                                                                    

            According to what Dais says, Mr. Steve got those two giant Ostrich eggs at a Store called "Charlie Brown Farms."  It's over there in "Littlerock," where his brother Sam lives with his wife Yolanda and their kids; Mathew, Sammy Jr. and Raqquel.  Dawn's barking next door. 

            I feel like writing about "Charlie Browns" but, I'll wait and do it tomorrow according to schedule.  A few years ago Mr. Steve and his Nieces Cristina and Samantha went there.  Daisy heard Charlie Browns sells some unique things, like suits of armor for instance.  Wow!

           Dais says, some people ride Ostriches like a Horse or Camel; and there's even such a thing as Ostrich racing.  I wonder if a Dog could ride an Ostrich?  In 1985 at "Jericho" in Israel, my boss and his sister Susan rode a tall Camel; and they say it's "not at all" like riding a Horse.    

                          

       "DEL MAR" RACE TRACK                          MR. STEVE'S SISTER SUSAN           

                          

           Mr. Steve has been to Los Angeles' "Santa Anita," and also San Diego's "Del Mar" Race Tracks.  I remember last Summer when my boss and Mr. Mike talked about how powerful Race Horses are.  Mr. Steve's father for years rode this dark brown girl Horse named "Poco."    

           Susan, my boss's sister; keeps Horses in Connecticut and goes to Santa Anita sometimes when she visits California.  In the 1970's, when my boss's Uncle Marty and Aunt Josephine lived in San Diego; they took Mr. Steve and his brother Rock to Del Mar.  Heathcliff crowed.

           This one Spanish Dictionary says Del Mar could be translated in English as "Of the Sea" or "Near the Sea."  I can't wait to take my first big break of the day after this chapter and tell Daisy how much I've used the Dictionaries she found in the garage.  Two Pigeons flew bye.

                        

                                                             "I LOVE LUCY" (1950'S)  

                           

         That guy William Frawley, who played Fred Mertz on the I Love Lucy show; is buried at the Mission Cemetery like Mr. Steve's Grandmothers and sister Celina.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's friend Rick's son Gino is also buried there too.  My boss's parents have Crypts there.        

      Miss Susan who ran the local Newspaper told my boss Lucille Ball and Desi Arnez, who played Lucy and Rickie on I Love Lucy; in the 1950's vacationed in "Wrightwood" near us.  I      guess over the years so have other Actors and Actress's too.  Many come to go snow skiing.           

          I heard Miss Susan say Desi Arnez "financed" Horses who raced down there at Del Mar.  Mr. Steve told her the lady who played Ethel Mertz was from New Mexico and one time Lucille  Ball's Train stopped in Belén.  She was really friendly and waved at everyone Daisy heard.                                                             

"MINIATURE" HORSE   

                                     

         Mr. Mike's mother "Miss Phyllis" also has two and a half acres in Piñon Hills.  She raises miniature Chickens and Goats, and has a small Horse named "Nakoma."  Mr. Steve and Miss      Phyllis talked one time about the "Quicksilver" Miniature Horse Ranch up there in Solvang.       

          One time on the phone Miss Phyllis told Mr. Steve how miniature Horses have been bred to be small for "about" three hundred years.  Daisy told me they're small but strong, and can even  pull a person around in one of those Wagons or "Carriages."  Heathcliff crowed over there.         

         Miss Phyllis says Nakoma is "Chippewa" Indian for "I do as I promise or say."  She read a 19th century "Poem" by the Writer Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, who I'll learn about when I    find out about that famous wooden Ship called the "Mayflower."  The Hens are cackling.                                     

      HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW (1807-1882)

          

        My boss, who jokes about himself now being "elderly;" likes talking to Mr. Mike's eighty year old mom Miss Phyllis.  Like Mr. Randy's mom, who's ninety; she has "a lot of  experience" he says.  Hey God!  As You know, I hope I live a long time just like my boss's old Dog "Lady."      

         That Writer "Longfellow" was born in the State of "Maine" my Encyclopedia says, and in the early 19th century it was still a part of of "Massachusetts."  Mr. Steve's sister Susan, and her two sons Dalton and Austin; live in "Connecticut."  Dais heard Maine is pretty big in size.            

        Daisy told me Mr. Steve still has a few customers left in "New England," but not nearly as many as he had before the economic recession we're in.  Looking to my right, I can see Libby the Horse walking slowly at the back of her Corral; next to Primavera Road.  I smell Creosote.          

                   "BARREL" RACING      

         

           Dais says Mr. Steve's sister Susan has ridden Horses since she was a young girl, and still has Horses in Connecticut.  Mr. Steve told her about a "Rodeo" he went to where "brave young girls" skillfully ride Horses fast in a competition called "Barrel Racing."  Daffy's quacking.         

         Mr. Steve and Miss Phyllis talked about Barrel Racing, and how the Rider is "Timed" as she guides her Horse around three "55 Gallon Drums" in a "Clover-Leaf" triangle pattern or    "course."  Mr. Steve has ridden Horses but says he "couldn't do it."  Libby smells good.               

          Barrel Racers use "Horsemanship" skills to control the Horse's great strength.  A lady at the Rodeo told Mr. Steve the Horse's "athletic ability" and "willingness to please," along with a lot of "teamwork;" is important.  Dais and I make a good team in guarding our land I think.                               

"BARREL" RACING  

PHOTO BY DARREN NATHANSON

       

          The lady at the Rodeo said Barrel Racing Horse equipment is "slightly different."  The "Bit" in the Horse's mouth is "tighter" so, when you pull back on it; the Horse "knows" right      away you want it to slow down or stop.  The rider's feet "Stirrup's" are more forward too.           

            I guess Barrel Racing "Saddles" are smaller and lighter, with a high "Horn" for holding on to.  The "Reins" are what they call "Connected," and Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Phyllis    the way "Cinches" and "Saddles Pads" are used is really important.  Heathcliff crowed.               

           My boss went fast in some Cars when young, and on Horses too; but not nearly as fast as in Barrel Racing.  Daisy heard him tell his Niece Samantha he's now a "Defensive" driver, who "accelerates" and "brakes" gradually.  There are two 55 Gallon drums next to our driveway.                         

KING LOUIS XIV (1638-1715)

("PALACE OF VERSAILLES" / "HALL OF MIRRORS")

PAINTING BY HYACINTHE RIGAUD

 

          Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking  on the phone with Miss Susan at work.  He told her high heels on Cowboy boots are meant to give the rider a better grip on the stirrups.  In the 18th century French people like King Louis XIV wore shoes with high heels Daisy heard.              

           In the 1700's high-heeled shoes was a "Signal" that the person was above common people, and didn't need to wear practical shoes and things like that.  Daisy says the man on this tv show  said King Louis XIV was short and wanted to look taller too.  I'd for sure wear Dog shoes.            

         I guess, according to what Daisy heard Mr. Steve say; since about the 15th century high-heeled shoes were worn by people who fought on Horses.  It was easier to shoot arrows or throw  spears from a running Horse with a more solid "Platform."  I can see Libby in her Corral.           

   

                      "SOLAR" SYSTEM                                                     "PLUTO"                                      

       Writing about Miss Phyllis's tiny Horse Nakoma makes me think of the "Dwarf" planet called "Pluto."  My English Dictionary says a "dwarf" is, "An unusually small person, animal or plant."  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye, going out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.        

          I notice Pluto is not shown on the Solar System diagram in my Encyclopedia and, I guess that's mainly because some Scientists don't think it's a planet because it's small.  Wow!   It says    here Pluto is even farther away from the Sun than Neptune is.  Libby neighed over there.              

          Boy God!  I'm glad You didn't make me a dwarf,  I'm satisfied being the size I am but; if I were a dwarf I'd accept it and do my best to be the best dwarf in history.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom once talked about a dwarf couple who Mr. Steve's father "prepared taxes" for.        

                                                                              

            "GOLDMEMBER"         

                         

        One time Daisy, and that Dog I replaced Millie; were in Mr. Steve's bedroom and saw a funny "Spy Movie" called "Goldmember."   I guess it's about a British spy, and the bad guy had a dwarf assistant named "Mini Me;" who looks just like the "Villain."  Heathcliff crowed.           

         Dais says in that movie Goldmember the main spy is from the 1960's, but has this special Car to time travel forward into the 1990's.   Tomorrow, in book two; I'll write about this other movie Dais and Millie saw  called "Back to the Future."  It had a time traveling Car too.            

       From what Daisy heard, there are actually three spy movies about that English spy, with Goldmember being the third one.  She thinks, because I do like Mr. Peabody's cartoons;  I would like Goldmember and Back to the Future too.  Ah!  I can smell some new Spring Mesquite.           

              

JAMES BOND (007)

   

      In books two and three I'll write about World War II, and one thing I'll learn about is "Espionage."  Tomorrow, in my second book; Daisy has me scheduled to learn about the Second World War "Intelligence Agencies" called "MI6" and "O.S.S."   I like how Mesquite smells.        

         Mr. Steve and his father think, besides America's "Industrial Capacity;" the main reason the Allies won World War II was "Intelligence Gathering" and "Code-Breaking."  A man named Ian Flemming worked for MI6 at "Bletchley Park" in England.  Dawn's barking next door.         

        After the Second World War Ian Flemming wrote books about a spy named James Bond, who was "Agent 007" Daisy says.  I guess, a 1960's movie based on one of the books was called    "Goldfinger," and Goldmember was a "Parody" of it.  Oh! Now Blinky's also barking too.                              

 GOLDFINGER     

          

          A few years ago Mr. Steve did artwork for a pretty girl who also went to College at Cal State Northridge.  She told him about an L.A. band called GOLDFINGER, but didn't know if      they got their name from the James Bond movie.  They believe in "Animal Rights" I guess.          

         Dais says that girl told Mr. Steve how, in the 1990's; GOLDFINGER started as a "Ska" band but then later more "Punk."  She said their songs were used in Skate Boarding Videos and even played on the C.S.U.N Radio Station.  Max the Hummingbird just whizzed on bye.               

         The girl played Mr. Steve this GOLDFINGER song called "Superman."  He told her the horns on that song kind of reminded him of this 1970's band he saw called OINGO BOINGO,      but the melody sort of sounded like a GREENDAY type song.  Boy!  The high sky is so blue.                                                  

EDDIE GAEDEL (1925-1961)    

      

          Mentioning Goldmember's Mini Me makes me think about the shortest Player in Baseball history.  A tv show Daisy saw said in 1951 the St. Louis "Browns" Eddie Gaedel, as a "Publicity  Stunt;" made an "At  Bat" and "Walked" on four pitches.  Mr. Steve drew the Browns logo.        

        Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Eddie Gaedel, a "Midget;" was three feet seven inches tall.  His "Strike Zone" was only an inch and a half so, it was almost impossible for a Pitcher to throw a "Strike" to him.  Some of our neighbor's Ducks, like Daffy;  are quacking over there.                 

        Mr. Steve, as a teenager; "Umpired" the Baseball games of seven and eight year old kids.  And I guess this one small boy named Davy, like Eddie Gaedel; was told never to swing the bat.  Mr. Steve's Nephews Mathew and Sammy Jr. also work as "Officials" for the different sports.           

                  BILL VEECK (1914-1986)                    

(INTRODUCING WHITE SOX 1976 UNIFORMS)

      

           Dais told me the tv show said back in 1951 the St. Louis Browns "owner" was Bill Veeck.  To get attention for his bad teams he used "Gimmicks."  In 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock saw a game at "Yankee Stadium" and Bill Veeck's Chicago "White Sox" team wore all black.      

      One time on the phone Mr. Steve and Mr. Rick talked about the "terrible" uniforms Bill Veeck's White Sox wore in the mid-1970's.  Sometimes they wore "Cut Off Shorts" like the girls wore in their World War II era teams.  I guess Mr. Steve drew the White Sox logo as a kid.           

         That little guy Eddie Gaedel wore the number "1/8" on the back of his Browns jersey.  One member of the 1985 St. Ferdinand's "Tour Group" to Italy and Israel was Mr. Caliguire, who in the early 1950's played for the Browns.  He admitted that those teams were "not very good."                                            

PLUTO /HADES                                              CERBERUS         

                                                                                                                                     ARTWORK BY BORIS VALLEJO

           

      Oh!  I forgot to mention how the planet Pluto was named after the ancient Roman God who ruled the "Underworld."  Before that, in ancient Greece; Pluto was called "Hades." Hey Lord!  I guess the Underworld is kind of like "Hell" for us Christians who live in the physical world.        

     This one Encyclopedia says Pluto's brothers were "Jupiter" and "Neptune," or "Zeus" and "Poseidon" to the Greeks.  The vicious three-headed Dog "Cerberus," who I mentioned before;  was Pluto's pet.  This good painting shows that guy "Hercules" trying to control Cerberus.          

   It says here one of Pluto's Moons is named after Cerberus, and two of its other Moons are called "Charon" and "Styx."  Mr. Steve saw this band called STYX play a concert, and likes an  early 1970's SCORPIONS song called the "Sails of Charon."  I smell some Joshua trees.                                                

             KOBE BRYANT                    

      PHOTO BY ANDREW D. BERNSTEIN              

                        

      Earlier I mentioned how my boss Mr. Steve and his friends Mark and Helen, for a few years in the 1980's; worked as Salespeople for the company that owns the "Lakers" Basketball team.  One of their current Players is named Kobe Bryant.  Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye.           

       Daisy says our boss told his brother Sam he thinks Kobe Bryant, who is Roman Catholic like us; seems to have studied ancient Greece and Rome.  Mr. Steve has heard him refer to things like the three-headed Dog Cerberus.  Mr. Steve was told Kobe Bryant grew up over there in Italy.      

     My boss doesn't really follow sports anymore but "knows" Kobe Bryant "must be good" as he "went straight from High School" into the "N.B.A." or "National Basketball Association."  I see Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows flying bye.  The mid-morning sky is so beautiful.                                                     

H.M.A.S. "CERBERUS"       

          

        Even though I'm not scheduled to write about a late 19th century Australian "Warship" called the H.M.A.S. "Cerberus" right now, I'll mention it because of its name.  I just glanced up and saw a little Bird holding a twig in its mouth scamper bye.   I'll bet it's building a nest.             

          My Encyclopedia says the Cerberus Warship was "equipped with heavy artillery."  It was this metal "Monitor type Ironclad vessel" used since the American Civil War.  My boss was told by Mr. Eber, who's from "Brazil;" there's still one "patrolling" on the "Amazon" River.              

         Monitor Warships have round "Turrets" with canons inside, which "swivel" or "rotate" to shoot "in any direction."   My boss and Mr. Mike one time, as they loaded Rex the Truck to go to the Dump; talked about Monitor Ships.  Ah!  A nice breeze just floated in from the desert.                                           

  "BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS" / "IRONCLAD" SHIPS

(VIRGINIA / MARCH 9, 1862)  

                                

         A painting in my Encyclopedia says in 1862 the first naval battle in history where the Ships were made of, or covered by metal; was fought during the American Civil War.  It ended in one    of those "Draws," mainly because neither could sink the other.  The chimes are ringing.               

      It says here, in the "Battle of Hampton Roads" the "Union" Ship  was actually named the "Monitor;" the "Confederate" Warship "Merrimac." The Monitor had one of those big round    rotating turrets, and both were powered by "Steam" engines.  Boy!  I feel so good right now.        

       "Ironclad" just means made out of iron instead of wood.  In 1862 the "Rebel" Ship's other name was C.S.A. "Virginia" but, anyway; I'll come back to that famous battle tomorrow.  I'm still thinking of the Australian warship named after that one three-headed Dog Cerberus.                                      

H.M.A.S. CERBERUS

(NOW USED AS A "BREAKWATER") 

     

       I guess "H.M.A.S." stands for "Her Majesties Australian Ship," and refers to that lady Queen Victoria.  I'll be learning a lot more about her over the next three days that's for sure.  I    can smell Libby over there, and now see her walking carefully near the back of her Corral.          

        Too bad!  It says here how that warship Cerberus, after "many years of service;" became "obsolete" so was "sold for scrap."  To block waves, like at "Caesarea" in Israel; what's left of      Cerberus was sunk at the entrance of an Australian Bay.  In 1985 my boss visited Caesarea.       

         Australia was a British "Colony" up until 1901, when it became its own country.  I'll learn a lot about the Australian "Continent" over the next three days.  But, right now I can see on my outline I still have to write a little bit more about ancient Greece and also the name Pluto too.                                                             

  "CHARON"

            (CROSSING THE RIVER "STYX")    

                              

         My Encyclopedia says, in ancient Greece when a person died their Soul had to "cross over the river Styx;" before getting to the "afterlife."  That river was the "boundary" line between up here on the Earth, and the "Underworld" down there below.   I smell that old Sage bush.              

        Oh!  A picture shows "Charon," who Pluto's Moon is named after.  He looks like that other guy the "Grim Reaper," but his job was to "ferry" or row all the dead people's Souls across the  River Styx.  Two Crows are fighting over something way out there in the eastern desert.               

        I don't think I would ever want to actually meet someone who looks as scary as Charon.  No way! Ugh! Ugh!  But if I ever do I'd kind of want Mr. Steve and Daisy to be with me.  All four of  the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there to my right, and are moving eastward.         

                   

                 HERÓDOTUS  (c.484-c.425 B.C.)                   EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)                    

                                        

         In these three books I'll learn about that ancient Greek Historian "Heródotus.   Dais and Mr. Steve saw this tv show about him, and she noticed how the man said Herodotus wrote about that place called "Hades;" which kind of sounds like our "Hell."  Heathcliff just crowed.              

         One time in Mr. Steve's office Daisy and Millie heard him talking to his dad on the phone. They discussed a book written by a lady named Edith Hamilton, which they've both read some    parts of.  It's mainly having to do with ancient Greece and other things like that Dais told me.      

       Dais told me the man on the tv show called Herodotus' writing "influential."  I guess Mr. Steve read him in College, and so did his mom in one of her ancient history classes at Cal State    Northridge.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve say he still has some of his old textbooks from C.S.U.N.          

                   MARY BEARD              FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS              MARY BEARD

                         (ROME / COLLOSEUM)                          (c.37-c.100 A.D.)                  (ROME / CONSTANTINE I STATUE)                                            

          I just thought of a Jewish Writer named Flavius Josephus, or who my Encyclopedia calls "Josephus."  Mr. Steve's father read him.  He wrote about the bloody war in Israel when ancient Romans under Vespasian, and then his son Titus; destroyed the big "Second Jewish Temple."      

         Someday, this Summer for sure; I won't be afraid to go all of the way down the hallway to see my boss's bedroom and office.  Then I can watch more tv, and one show I want to see is by a  British lady named Mary Beard.  A small group of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.                  

        Daisy and Millie one time were in Mr. Steve's office and heard him talk to his mom about that girl Mary Beard.  She knows a lot about ancient Roman history, and Dais says you can tell    Mr. Steve likes watching her episodes while doing what he calls "busy work."  I smell Sage.              

     SCORPIONS                                                                         STYX             

                                                       

           In my books I'll learn about German Hard Rock, like that band SCORPIONS; who in the 1970's did that song "Sails of Charon."  I've never heard it, but Daisy has and I guess Mr. Steve likes it a lot.  He joked with Mr. Dave one time how he's "tried" to play it on his drums.                

          According to Dais, Mr. Steve thinks Sails of Charon sounds to him like a song that 19th century Composer Richard Wagner might have written if he had lived in the 1970's.  I'll learn a lot about the different Classical Composers in my books.  Theodora just went running bye.          

          When I get over my fear of being trapped I'll go in my boss's bedroom to hear music like Dais does now.  STYX are named after that Underworld River, and Daisy says they have a few pretty good songs.  Mr. Steve and his sister Susan saw a STYX concert down at the Forum.                            

                          

            I've only seen a few cartoons, the ones shown on Saturday mornings; but Daisy has told me about some I haven't seen.  She and Millie liked the ones with a funny Dog named "Pluto" in them, whose boss is that Mouse "Mickey" I mentioned earlier.   I smell the Mulberry tree.            

           According to Dais, that one Dog Pluto sometimes get kind of jealous, especially when his owner Micky has other pets.  And, he really gets mad when this Bulldog named "Butch" tries to take away his "Dachshund" girlfriend named "Dinah."  This is such a beautiful morning!            

         Even though I'd say it's already about 11:00, Libby the Horse is still eating what's left of her breakfast hay.  Unlike myself who eats fast, Libby nibbles her food and take her time when    she eats.  Daisy, who also eats slowly; thinks maybe some of Libby's teeth hurt to chew.                                  

      OPERATION "PLUTO"                      "D-DAY" / "NORMANDY" INVASION 

(CROSS CHANNEL FUEL LINES)                                                   (JUNE 6, 1944)                           

            

         In putting together my three outlines Daisy and I decided I'd mainly write about World War II tomorrow, and World War II in book three.  But I can mention some things now too.  Up in the mid-morning sky there are two slowly extending vapor trails moving toward the south.      

       The  "Allied" forces, us Americans included; in the fifth year of World War II; invaded "Nazi-occupied Europe" on "D-Day."  This Encyclopedia calls it "Overlord" and one part of it was named "Operation Pluto."  D-Day is also called the "Normandy Invasion" I guess.                 

        Operation Pluto was a British plan to lay two "underwater pipelines" across the English Channel, in order to supply fuel oil to the invading troops.  I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy how it "seemed like a good idea" but ended up being "ineffective."  Ah!  I love Spring scents.                             

                                                            "BAMBI"                                                                     

                  

           Oh!  This is interesting.  From what it says in this one Encyclopedia, the two underwater fuel pipelines for D-Day's Operation Pluto were named after "Disney" characters; and one was    that girl Deer Daisy told me about "Bambi."  Boy! I sort of like how that name sounds.                 

        I guess, in June of 1944; P.LU.T.O. stood for "Pipe Line Underwater Transportation of Oil."  Anyway, I'll come back to writing about D-Day tomorrow in my second book when I read and then learn more about the Second World War.  Thank You God!  I can't wait for that!            

         Speedy Gonzalez just ran through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Mr. Steve jokes I'm as "agile as a Gazelle," if I don't want to be touched or caught.  It's amazing how, going so fast; Speedy doesn't ever hit his head on the metal pipes.                                            

     LANCE ALWORTH (SAN DIEGO "CHARGERS")     

                        

        One morning, as he watered the Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; my boss and Mr. Randy talked about this Football player named Lance Alworth.  Daisy heard his nickname was "Bambi," because of how "Nimble and Agile" he was catching a Football.  Dawn's barking.         

      Even though Mr. Steve doesn't follow entertainment much any more, in my books I'll still learn about that subject.  I guess, back in the 1960's; Lance Alworth played for the San Diego      "Chargers."  They were in the "American Football League," or just "A.F.L" for short.                 

    Daisy's heard the Chargers are now in the "N.F.L.," which stands for "National Football League." Mr. Steve's Nephew Sammy Jr., who lives over there in Littlerock; likes the Chargers.  Daisy says our boss has drawn, and also colored; Chargers logos and other sports logos too.                                               

                                                                 REPLACEMENTS    

PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS      

       

            I just thought again of that band from Minnesota the REPLACEMENTS.  I guess, from what Daisy heard; that girl Denise used the word "shambolic" once to describe the way the band members lived.  Oh!  Freddie's fighting another boy Crow and Fannie is also helping him.

           Mr. Steve says some bands influence other later bands who make money, but don't make that much money themselves.  Denise thought the REPLACEMENTS were kind of like that, but mainly because they took drugs and drank too much.  Their Guitarist even ended up dying.

          In 2001 this guy played Mr. Steve a GIN BLOSSOMS song and then a REPLACEMENTS song which had obviously influenced the GIN BLOSSOMS.  But, I guess the GIN BLOSSOMS made money, the REPLACEMENTS did not.  Daisy says our boss told that guy about Denise.                                      

                                                          "MULBERRY" HARBOR

                                                                   (D-DAY / JUNE 6, 1944)

PAINTING BY STEPHEN BONE   

            

                  Ah!  I just picked up the scent of the big Mulberry tree over there.  What the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled now to write about what my Encyclopedia calls "Mulberry Harbors," I kind of feel like mentioning them now too because I can also learn about them tomorrow.

            The caption below a good painting of D-Day shows how Mulberry Harbors are made of  "prefabricated sections towed to France to create temporary harbors."  The Allies expected the German defenders of the beaches on D-Day to fight "To the Death" as they say.  I smell Sage.  

           In my books Dais has me scheduled to learn about "Building Materials" like stone, wood, bricks and cement.  And I'll learn about "Harbors" too, like "Caesarea Maritima," an ancient Harbor in Israel Mr. Steve's Tour Group visited in 1985.  The Romans made it of cement.   

                                  

     "SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE" / "VETERAN'S" HOSPITAL

(FEBRUARY 9, 1971 )     

            

            Oh!  I think I just felt a small earthquake but, maybe not.  Mr. Steve says his father is the "heart and soul" of the family and they're lucky he's "strong-willed" or they may not have made it after the big 1971 "Sylmar" earthquake.  I wonder if Dais felt the earthquake up there?            

          Mr. Steve and his mom talked on the phone about the 1971 earthquake, when forty nine people were killed at the Sylmar "Veteran's" Hospital; where Mr. Steve's father used to go.  Boy! I sure do hope Piñon Hills never has a big giant earthquake.  That would be so bad I think.          

           There was a family whose kids went to St. Ferdinands like Mr. Steve and his brothers and sisters.  On the morning of the big earthquake their "Great Dane" Dog "Alcindor" was "Acting Up."  So, I guess the mom had to call up her work and tell them she'd be coming in late.                                                                   

"GREAT DANE"   

                

         Oh wow!  Rosie just barked, which she seldom does; so maybe that was an earthquake?  Ah!  Now Dawn and Blinky are barking too so that could've been  a small earthquake alright.    All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and moving together toward the east.        

          In 1971 the mom of the family in San Fernando worked as a Nurse up at the "Olive View" Hospital in Sylmar.  Hey God!  People died when the "Wing" she worked in collapsed, so it may  be like Mr. Steve's mom thinks, and You used Alcindor the Dog to save her.  I smell Sage.              

        Because she "Called in Late" for work God, Dais also believes You saved the lady's life; so now I kind of want to think that too.  At the end of the 19th century, and beginning of the 1900's; Sylmar was known for olives.  Mr. Steve's parents still have two old olive trees in their yard.                         

                        1971                   "OLIVE VIEW" HOSPITAL                   NOW                        

(SYLMAR, CALIFORNIA)

  

          Wow!  My Encyclopedia has a black and white photo which shows the wing of Olive View Hospital which fell down.   That's where people were killed and where that lady in San Fernando might've been in 1971.  I just glanced up and see Libby over there in her Corral to my right.        

         One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's office and heard him talk with Mr. Dave in New Mexico on the phone about the Sylmar Earthquake.  Mr. Steve said, even though it was only a "6.4" level earthquake; it "felt like 8.0" on their Hagar Street Cul-de-Sac.   A Crow cawed.       

        Daisy heard Mr. Steve say in 1971 the doors and windows of their house were "bent to the side," so couldn't be opened easily; making it "hard to get out of the house."  In that earthquake all the models and miniature military figurines my boss had built for years were destroyed.                

"SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE

      

            I guess, Mr. Steve's mom sometimes mentions how something like a wall "takes a lot of time and effort" to build, but can be knocked down "in the blink of an eye."  So, my boss lost in a few seconds all the time he had put into building his model collection.   Heathcliff crowed.         

           Dais says one time Mr. Steve talked with his mom on the phone about his dad helping to get the Olive View Hospital rebuilt after that 1971 earthquake.  He, a "Democrat;" worked with  the "Republican" Los Angeles County "Supervisor" Mike Antonovich on it.  I smell Sage.            

           Alpha Company of Quail are right now using the vertical slots on either side of the gate to go out into the back eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  They must've been resting under one of the Sheds.  Andy the Squirrel, in guarding he and Helen's burrow; is now watching them.                                              

   KAREEM ABDUL JABAR (ON LEFT)

                                  

        I've mentioned how, in the 1980's; Mr. Steve and his friends Mark and Helen worked for the Los Angeles sports teams.  One Player on the Lakers' Basketball  team was Kareem Abdul Jabar who my boss took pictures of.  A Lizard is standing on the wall near the sliding glass door.            

     I heard my boss say Kareem Jabar was his second name.  In the 1960's, when he played in College at U.C.L.A.; he was Lew Alcindor until he "Converted" from Christianity over to Islam.  I'll write more about him and his College Coach named John Wooden, who my boss met.              

     The family in San Fernando's dad was a "Gardener" at U.C.L.A. and that's how their Dog got his name.  Dais heard "Kareem" is seven feet tall, and Mr. Steve tells kids to try to learn his "Hook" shot.  I mentioned before how my boss's old girlfriend Miss Emily works at U.C.L.A.                                           

               BILL HANDEL AND FAMILY ("MASADA," ISRAEL)                       

   

         Mr. Steve gets up early and listens to Vivaldi's La Primavera as he brushes his teeth.  Dais told me he often listens to, on a Los Angeles "Talk" Radio station "KFI;" this funny Jewish man  named Bill Handel.  Mr. Steve has called and talked to Bill Handel on the Radio a few times.        

       Daisy says Mr. Steve saw this picture of Bill Handel's family taken over there in Israel.   I guess he and his wife "Marjorie" have "twin" daughters, and Mr. Steve thinks one kind of looks like how his Niece Samantha looked in High School.  Oh!  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees.        

         Cristina and Samantha, Mr. Steve's Nieces; went to a "Lutheran" school in San Fernando.  They graduated from a Lutheran High School.  Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how he took the "Principal" of  that one Elementary school, Miss "Peggy;" to her High School "Prom."                                             

    MR. STEVE / MISS PEGGY (1972)                SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY (2010)   

                                                                    

         I guess my boss has listened to KFI for years and, even though KFI is from Los Angeles; still comes in clear up here in the desert.  One time "On the Air" that guy Bill Handel mentioned how his mom also worked at the Olive View hospital in Sylmar in 1971.  Heathcliff crowed.          

          Daisy says Mr. Steve was out here doing yardwork when he heard Bill Handel talk about his mother.  When Bill Handel referred to the Olive View Hospital his "Ears perked Up" as they  say.  I guess Mr. Steve has asked questions on Bill Handel's "Legal Advice" Saturday show.          

          Like that Nurse in San Fernando, Bill Handel's mom also went in late to work on the day of the huge earthquake; so wasn't there when it hit.  Hey God?  Did You also cause Bill Handel's  mom to be late too?  Daisy told me  she "wouldn't be surprised" if it was You who did that.                                                                         

        MIKE ANTONOVICH / MR. STEVE'S FATHER         

                                      PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                         

                                   

          Mr. Steve's father is important in Sylmar's history.  After the 1971 earthquake he and his best friend named Bill Garcia worked with L.A. County "Supervisor" Mike Antonovich to get    Olive View Hospital rebuilt.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico has hiked in the hills near Olive View.        

         Working again with Mike Antonovich and Mr. Garcia, in the 1980's Mr. Steve's dad was able to get money or "Funding" to build "Mission" Junior College a "Permanent" campus.  Up  until then it had only "Satellite" classrooms in Sylmar and San Fernando.  I smell Sage.               

        Mission College's "Official" name is "Los Angeles Mission College," or  "L.A.M.C." for short.  The campus is now located on the land where Mr. Steve, his brother Rock and friend Rick too; used to play "Little League" Baseball on for years.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.                                     

      L.A.M.C.                                                                     S.I.B.L.         

    

         For ten years Mr. Steve, brother Rock and Mr. Rick played "Organized" Baseball at the "Sylmar Independent Baseball League."  The abbreviation for that would be "S.I.B.L."  When    Mission College's campus was built Mr. Steve's father then had to help relocate S.I.B.L.                

          The street where S.I.B.L. was and Mission College is now is "Eldridge," where one of Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand classmates "Chris's" family lived near.  They learned to ride Motorcycles    in fields near Eldridge Dais says.  Mr. Chris got me my blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice.         

        Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his father talking on the phone one time about a man named Frank Modugno.  He worked with Mr. Steve's dad on projects like Olive View Hospital and also Mission College.  A little Bird carrying a twig in its mouth just ran bye out there in the dirt.         

                                     

THE "MODUGNO" BROTHERS    

(FRANK MODUGNO (1920-1995) /  SEATED WITH PEN IN HAND) 

   

         Besides Mr. Frank, there were four other Modugno brothers; all of whom played Football at San Fernando High School.  Like Mr. Rick's family, they were Italian-American.  The Sylmar "Metrolink" Train Station is now named "Frank Modugno Drive" Mr. Steve's father said.           

        Mr. Modugno's daughter "Maria" was a classmate of Mr. Steve's at St. Ferdinands.  Both my boss and Mr. Rick always thought she was a really pretty girl, and a  nice person too.  Ah!  A  Freight Train just whistled really faintly way out there in the desert far to the northeast.               

         I guess, from what Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve's dad say that time, since the 1950's the Modugno brothers ran a "Beer Distributorship" in the city of San Fernando.  The smells and scents of Spring are making me feel good and have energy.   I feel so fortunate to be alive.             

        

U.C.L.A                               MISS EMILY                          ROSE BOWL 

          Daisy says Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Miss Emily has now worked in the U.C.L.A. Athletic Department for a long time.  She got that job while with Mr. Steve, and in those years would stay at his house on Hagar Street on some weekends.  Andy's looking at me over here on Elvira.          

         I guess, Mr. Steve and his brother Sam in Littlerock one time talked on the phone about Miss Emily.  Sometimes, when U.C.L.A. had Football games at the Rose Bowl; Miss Emily came to Sylmar for the game.  They would then drive down to Pasadena on Saturday morning.             

         An "Alumnus" is a person who "graduated" from a school, Mr. Frank one of those from U.C.L.A.; as was that lady Miss Helen who worked with Mr. Steve and Mr. Mark at the Forum.   Boy! "Tailgate" parties so fun.  My boss's brother Sam's family like them a lot Dais heard.          

            

"ROSE BOWL"     

     

          Back in the mid-1980's College Football games started at one in the afternoon so, before that Miss Emily helped prepare good food in the "Alumnus Tent."   People like Mr. Frank and Miss Helen ate there before the game.  Boy! Thinking about that is making me feel hungry.         

         While Miss Emily worked in the Alumnus tent Mr. Steve read a book or Newspaper.  He met some nice people having what his mom calls "get togethers."  I guess, it was Mr. Frank who donated the drinks, and not just the beer; for the Alumnus who came out to see the game.             

         Mr. Steve told his parents he met this nice Italian lady who said the name "Modugno" is like our last name "Córdova" in being "derived" from a European city.  Ours is over there in Spain, but Modugno is from Italy.  A small group of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.                     

    "MODUGNO," ITALY 

    

       In 1971 Mr. Steve's family's house was "Condemned" and torn down.   In the "Short-Term," things were kind of hard for my boss's father; with a wife and five kids to "Look After." Oh!  Daisy told me he also had to take care of this light brown girl Dog named "Cuddles" too.              

MR. STEVE'S FAMILY / 1977

(CELINA-CHIHUAHUA DOG "CHINO" / MR. STEVE'S MOM / SUSAN / MR. STEVE)

ROCK / MR. STEVE'S FATHER / SAM JR.

  

        Mr. Steve thinks, in the "long-run;" things "worked out" for his family after that 1971 earthquake. He told Miss Susan at work his father is an example of that saying, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going."  I've mentioned how he saw combat during the Korean War.      

            I guess Mr. Steve's dad joked an earthquake "paled in comparison" to war, and was just grateful his family was "Safe and Sound" so made "Lemonade out of Lemons."  As "hard" as it  was he said, 1971 was a "Cake Walk" in comparison.  Boy!  I wonder what a cake walk is?           

         The Friedrich Nietzsche quote just came into my head, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger!"  In 1971, for a week; Mr. Steve's family all lived in a "Hotel" near the      San Fernando Mission and Alemany High.  They had "Blind Faith" in Mr. Steve's dad.                 

BLIND FAITH

         Daisy and Millie one time were in Mr. Steve's bedroom and saw a tv show about a guitar player named Eric Clapton, who was in that band CREAM.  Mr. Steve and Miss Emily saw his    concert at the "Universal Studios."  After CREAM Eric Clapton was in BLIND FAITH.               

          Back in 1969 Eric Clapton joined BLIND FAITH, and Daisy says our boss liked the bands called FAMILY and TRAFFIC; who the other three Musicians in BLIND FAITH came out of.      He still has vinyl records of some of their old albums I guess.  The air is so clear right now.           

        Mr. Steve told that kid Jason he had an English "Import" version of BLIND FAITH'S one and only album.  But he sold it before his mom saw it because a naked girl was on the front.  In    1974 Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy saw TRAFFIC play a concert at the "Long Beach Arena."                  

                         

     "THE WONDER YEARS"             

                                           

           As I wrote earlier, before the 1971 earthquake Mr. Steve's neighborhood in Sylmar was  a lot like the "Suburbs" shown on that tv show The Wonder Years.  Kids rode Bikes and played all the different sports but, it was all destroyed in less than a minute.  A Crow is cawing faintly.         

          Daisy heard Mr. Steve, like "Kevin" on The Wonder Years; was also thirteen in 1968 when the show takes place.  In one episode Kevin was playing Football and he tried to "Show Off" for that girl he liked named "Winnie."  He pretended not to notice her watching them play.                

         In the "Huddle" that kid Kevin begged his older brother, who Daisy says is kind of mean; to "pass" him the ball.  He said okay but told Kevin "you'd better catch it."  One time in 1968, when he was thirteen; Mr. Steve showed off for a girl at St. Ferdinand's named "Sheri."                                                        

KEVIN / WINNIE

      

          Daisy says on The Wonder Years Kevin drops the ball so his brother runs up and really yells at him, and right in front of that girl Winnie too.  It was so embarrassing she told me.  Hey!  We should start a Dog Football team, as I could be the "Receiver;" and Daisy a "Lineman."        

        In 1968 Mr. Steve was in the 6th Grade, and one time was playing "Center Field" in a "Kickball" game.  That girl Sheri, and some other girls; were watching the boys play from the      "Sidelines."  Like Kevin on the Wonder Years he pretended to not care about girls then.             

          A "Routine" fly ball kick, which he could've easily caught; flew out to Mr. Steve.  But, to impress Sheri; he "made it more difficult than it needed to be."  He told Mr. Rick he made an      "Over the Shoulder" running catch like a one Willie Mays is famous for making in 1954.                                          

   WILLIE MAYS (1954 "WORLD SERIES")

                    

          I guess, just like Willie Mays did when his team the New York "Giants" was playing in the "World Series" in 1954; Mr. Steve made a "Spectacular" catch.  The problem was, he then hit a  bench which "Jackknifed" him to the asphalt ground.  Heathcliff just crowed to my right.            

        The corner of Mr. Steve's mouth was cut halfway to the ear.  But he later joked how he at least "held onto the ball."  One morning, as he watered the Mulberry tree up in the front yard;    I heard my boss telling Mr. Mike about that "very embarrassing" day way back in 1968.              

         Daisy heard, for a month or so after the Kickball game at St. Ferdinand's; Mr. Steve had to adapt to living with over thirty "Stitches" healing his cut.  He ate and drink a different way but it "wasn't so bad" he told Mr. Mike.  He used to have a scar but over the years it's faded away.           

DR. MARY ODA IN FRONT OF MURAL

(PACOIMA / SHE AND BROTHER DR. SAKAGUCHI SHOWN)

      

          In all my three books I'll write about a brother and sister, who were Mr. Steve's family's Doctors.  One was Dr. Oda, the other her older brother Dr. Sakaguchi.  Mr. Steve still has many memories of being in their San Fernando office, like when President Kennedy was killed.              

         Over the years growing up in Sylmar Mr. Steve visited Dr.'s Oda and Sakaguchi's office a few times, breaking his wrist once and another time having Dr. Sakaguchi repair a broken arm.  More than once stitches were needed to close cuts he got.  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.         

          Daisy heard how Mr. Steve's "Routine" in the Doctor's office was to lay on his back as they worked on him.  He still remembers  Dr. Sakaguchi saying, "Okay, you know what to do."  That meant look right, and concentrate on this wall clock's moving "Second" hand going around.           

                          DAWN                                                                            BLINKY                        

                                                     

          Dawn's barking over there next door and now little Blinky is barking too.  You know, I'm beginning to kind of like Blinky's voice.  Even though he's sort of small in size, I can tell Blinky's a brave boy Dog who I think for sure would fight hard to protect our neighbor's property.            

       My boss and Mr. Mike laughed, and cringed; in thinking about what "idiots" they were when young.  I noticed how Mr. Steve joked one "silver lining" of cutting his mouth in 1968 was the girls in his class at St. Ferdinand's were "a lot nicer" to him.  Two Pigeons flew bye.                

         The famous Willie Mays catch my boss imitated happened in the 1954 World Series, when the Giants played the Cleveland "Indians."  Just like the Kansas City, and later Oakland "A's;" were Mr. Steve's favorite team, the Indians were his dad's favorite team.  Heathcliff crowed.                                                         

     MIKE GARCIA                                          BOB FELLER                

                               

          The Indians became my boss's favorite team in the years after World War II, especially during the Korean War and early 1950's.  Dais heard him tell Mr. Steve his favorite Players were Pitchers Mike Garcia and Bob Feller, both right-handed.   Mr. Steve drew the Indians logo.          

           Like my boss too, Mr. Steve's father doesn't really follow Baseball that much any more; except for the "Dodgers" a little bit Daisy says. Mr. Steve also drew some of the different Giants logos too. I smell new Spring Mesquite, which is making me feel so full of energy right now.          

         I just thought of that Boxer Mr. Bobby, who they said was from "Pacoima;" but whose family actually lived in "Lake View Terrace."  Mr. Bobby was twice World Champion.   Daisy heard in the 1990's Mr. Bobby was almost homeless so Mr. Steve and his dad helped him.                                    

(BOZA EDWARDS)                   BOBBY CHACON           ("BAZOOKA" LIMON)  

                   

        Daisy has heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone about Boxing with his father, and also Mr. Ralph and Mr. Gary the Barber too.  At times they discuss Mr. Bobby's career.  Both Mr. Ralph and Mr. Gary are like "Boxing Historians" according to what Daisy and Millie heard.                   

        In that book Mr. Steve wrote about Bobby Chacon, he said, after a fight; Bobby's face had to be sewn up "just like a piece of upholstery."  When Bobby asked, "How did you know?" my    boss told him about cutting his mouth in that Kickball game.  Ah!  I love how Spring smells.        

       I just thought about how, on Saturday in my third book; Daisy has me scheduled to write about people born on our boss's birthday of July 9th.  One is the famous Football player named "O.J." Simpson, who Mr. Steve thinks killed his wife.  Thank You God for how I feel.                             

          JACK WHITE                       O.J. SIMPSON             TOM HANKS AND WIFE

   

         One time Mr. Steve found out the Actor who played Kevin on the Wonder Years was also born on July 9th.  Wow!  What a coincidence that is.  On Saturday in book three I'll learn about  a Musician named Jack White, and Actor Tom Hanks; who were also born on July 9th too.          

          I think I'll mention that guy Jack White's band WHITE STRIPES now too.  I heard their catchy song "Seven Nation Army" once on my boss's Boombox, and really like the drums.  Daisy heard Mr. Dave tell Mr. Steve he read Jimi Hendrix's Drummer was born on July the 9th.            

         Right now, because I'm afraid to go in the house except for Saturday mornings to watch cartoons; I can only hear music when Mr. Steve comes outside to do yard work and plays his Boombox.  Ah!  A big    Lizard is chasing a smaller Lizard near the Mulberry tree.   I'll bet it's a boy Lizard chasing a girl.                         

WHITE STRIPES

    

          Oh what the heck!  I can write about Jack White now.  Daisy's favorite color is red, so likes the WHITE STRIPES uniforms.  Mr. Steve was told he and his Drummer wife "Meg" are from "Detroit like Iggy Pop and Ted Nugent.  Jack White seems to see the importance in "3."               

        Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha also likes Seven Nation Army, which only has drums with Jack White on guitar and singing.  Jack White's guitar is tuned to kind of sound like a bass.  That kid Jason heard Jack White uses  "Foot Pedals" to change the "Pitch" of some guitar sounds.            

        I guess, a "Whammy" Foot Pedal" is like using a "Whammy Bar" up on the body of the guitar.  Jason heard an advantage of a whammy pedal is you don't have to "Tune" anything.  I    saw Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel streak in front of the back fence behind the three Sheds.             

            MEG WHITE          

                        

           I sure hope Mr. Steve plays Seven Nation Army again soon.  Daisy's lucky because she and Millie heard it a few times when Mr. Steve plays drums along to it in the house.  Daisy told me      she and Millie could both tell Mr. Steve and that kid Jason think Meg White is very pretty.           

       Mr. Steve told Samantha Meg White's drumming is "simple but steady."  She provides a "solid platform" for her husband to then supply the guitar and singing.  Mr. Dave back there in  Taos one time mentioned her "Floor Tom" and "Snare" drum playing on Seven Nation Army.     

        Daisy heard when Mr. Mark and his family lived in "Green Valley," before moving to out  Hawaii; Mr. Steve and Samantha drove in Barney the Ford Escort to visit them.  A cassette they listened going there was by the WHITE STRIPES.   It had Seven Nation Army on it.                                            

ITALIAN SOCCER ("FOOTBALL")

    

 

          Mr. Steve was told Seven Nation Army, which is "Anthemic;" is played at Italian Soccer "Stadiums."  For two years at Sylmar High he played Soccer but wasn't good at "Dribbling" the  ball.  But, he could take the ball away and then make quick "Outlet" passes to a teammate.  

         Hey God!  My boss's dad believes in that Old Testament saying about You  helping those "who help themselves." His mother thinks, after the Sylmar earthquake in 1971; You sent Mr.      Anthony, who "Rented" them the Van Nuys house; as a Guardian Angel.  Heathcliff crowed.        

          For over a year Mr. Steve and his family lived in Van Nuys at a house which was too small for seven people and this girl Dog named "Cuddles."  Dais heard that girl Marilyn Monroe lived in Van Nuys too for a while.  Living in Van Nuys was a "Tight Squeeze" for my boss's family.                 

MARILYN MONROE (1926-1962)

                                              

           Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped I'll see the big four foot wide "Poster" in a glass frame of Marilyn Monroe looking out a window.  It's hanging on the south wall in my    boss's bedroom I guess.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve got it in a a trade with this one older lady.              

        I'm not scheduled to write about Marilyn Monroe right now but I just thought of how, in 1985 after he got back from Israel; Mr. Steve's dad was Los Angeles' "Grand Jury Foreman."    But he was "Fired."  He recommended Marilyn Monroe's 1962 murder case be "Reopened."       

         Since 1985 Mr. Steve has read about Marilyn Monroe.  Like his father he thinks she was a very "Insecure" person, who realized being so famous was dual in nature; as bad things came along with all the good things she got.  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.                                                                      

        "THE SEVEN YEAR ITCH" (1955)     

     

         Mr. Steve thinks good things come with the "Potential" for a "Proportionate" amount of bad.  Daisy thinks that means, the bigger the good; the equally big possibility for bad things to    happen too.  But, the opposite is also true so there's potential for opportunity in misfortune.        

      Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about Marilyn Monroe.  This Encyclopedia says her real original "Birth" name was "Norma Jeane Mortenson," but at times she called herself "Norma    Jean Baker."  Heathcliff crowed and I hear his Hens clucking happily over there to my right.       

         I guess Mr. Steve, who didn't watch it; thinks the 2008 Football "Super Bowl" game shows the duality of things.  The New England "Patriots" went into that championship game with a perfect record of 18-0.   So of course they were "Highly Favored" to easily win that game.                                                    

                                         HIGH SCHOOL               TOM BRADY       NEW ENGLAND "PATRIOTS"                                                                          

           Dais heard Mr. Steve tell his father on the phone one time about Tom Brady, the Patriots "Quarterback" who grew up in Northern California.  I guess, he's Catholic like us and went to  "Junipero Serra" High School.  A flock of Birds is flying to the east way up there in the sky.        

           Boy!  Learning new things is turning out to be kind of fun.  Thank Everyone up there!  At first it was sort of hard figuring out how to hold a pen with my paws but now I'm really starting  to "Get the Hang of It" as they say.  Wait until my boss finds out what I'm doing back here.          

           From what Daisy heard, in 2008 the New England Patriots "Opponent" was the New York "Giants," who barely made it into the "Playoffs" only as a "Wild Card" team with a mediocre    record.  In most years they would not have even qualified for what they call "Post Season."              

2008 "SUPER BOWL"

PHOTO BY DAMIAN STROHMEYER

     

           The 2008 Patriots went into the Super Bowl as twelve point "Favorites" as they say, so the Giants were what's called the "Underdog."  I've mentioned before how Daisy's favorite cartoon    is that brave Dog Underdog who can fly.  Boy!  I really like how this day has smelled so far.           

          Dais heard in 2008 a Giants Player made what Patriots' fans thought a "Lucky Catch" to help win so, even though the Patriots had the best season ever; it was "Perceived" as a "Total        Failure."  It all "Went up in Smoke" and the season became merely a "Footnote" in history.         

         Living in Connecticut, the Patriots are Mr. Steve's Nephew's Dalton and Austin's favorite team.  So they didn't like it when the Giants "Receiver" made his famous catch.  Hey God!  Did    You cause that ball to stick to the guy's helmet to teach about not getting too overconfident?         

                                                                 "PATRIOT" MISSILE                                       "PERSIAN GULF" WAR                  

           (MIM-104 "PATRIOT")                                                          (1991 / "HIGHWAY OF DEATH")      

    

       Even though Dais doesn't have me scheduled to write about the two "Persian Gulf" wars right now, I just thought about those "Patriot" missiles Mr. Steve talked to his father about one    time on the phone.  They've killed a lot of people in the world I guess.  A Crow cawed.                    

         Mr. Steve and his dad both watched a tv show about the history of "Missiles," from World War II until now.  Daisy and Millie watched it with Mr. Steve and Dais says it showed how they    can bomb and kill you from far away.  Mr. Steve's father used the term "surface to air."                

       Daisy's the one who told me Mr. Steve's father's first name is "Samuel," but everyone now just calls him "Sam" for short.  I've mentioned how my boss's brother Sam Jr., with his wife and kids; live in Littlerock.  "S.A.M." is the "Acronym" for Surface-to-Air missiles Dais told me.       

                                              

                               1972 MIAMI DOLPHINS                                   

       

         I guess, until 2008; the only other team to go into the Super Bowl undefeated was the 1972 Miami "Dolphins."  But they were only 16-0 and won their Super Bowl.  Daisy says the Patriots  and Dolphins have old and new logos and our boss has done line drawings of all four of them.       

       That girl Marilyn Monroe lived kind of a sad life my boss thinks.  She may have had what they call a "Borderline Personality Disorder," and was "troubled" he says.  She never knew her dad and her mom, who had some "Mental Problems;" didn't seem to really love her either.           

        I heard my boss tell Miss Susan he thinks Marilyn Monroe sometimes probably "tried too hard to please."  So some people "Took Advantage" of that and, "used" her while pretending to  be her friend; which made her gradually less trustful.  A Crow cawed faintly out in the desert.                         

                                  (WITH MOM)                MARILYN  MONROE              (AGE SIX)                                                 

                 

             This one Encyclopedia shows Marilyn Monroe with her mother.  And in another picture she's six years old.  Mr. Steve told Miss Susan at work her real hair color was "reddish" but was dyed blonde to be a Movie Star.  Libby the Horse is walking around over in her Corral.               

             Yup!  As Mr. Steve told Miss Susan, when Marilyn Monroe was a kid; her mom was put in a "Mental Hospital" so she had to live in a "series of orphanages."  And then, she was sent out to live with a few of what they call "Foster" families.  Ah!  The air is so clear right now.                 

         Mr. Steve said Marilyn Monroe was afraid she might've "inherited" her mom's mental illness.  And he's been told David Bowie the Singer was also scared of that happening to him too.  The four Pigeons just now flew as a single group out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.                                                         

  "METROPOLITAN" STATE HOSPITAL (NORWALK)   

          

           In 1995, Mr. Steve worked for his friend Rick's Mechanical Contracting company, and they put in big pipes at "Metro" State Hospital in "Norwalk."  Mr. Steve said "Metro State" is    the exact same Mental Hospital Marilyn Monroe's mother was sent to.  Dawn's barking.               

           I guess, some believe Marilyn Monroe was "Murdered" at the age of thirty six; back in 1962.  Mr. Steve thinks she might've accidentally killed herself by taking too many sleeping pills.  But powerful people had the "Motive, "Means" and "Opportunity" to kill her he says.                  

        Over the next three days I'll write about Mr. Steve and his father's "Theories" on how Marilyn Monroe died.  And I have a feeling she'll be like that guy Adolph Hitler in coming up as I think about other subjects.  I can smell the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.                                                 

    AS YOUNG GIRL            MARILYN MONROE           AS A TEENAGER        

("NORMA JEANE")    

                 

          Mr. Steve told Miss Susan what it says here in this Encyclopedia.  From the age of nine, until she was sixteen; Marilyn Monroe had to live with those Foster families.  Daisy heard Mr.      Steve tell Miss Susan how some of those families were mean to her, which made her sad.                

            Japan attacked the U.S. on December the 7th, 1941, bringing  America into World War II which had begun in 1939.  In 1942, Marilyn Monroe was going to "Van Nuys" High School.  Her foster father got a job "Out of State" but California law prevented them from taking her.             

           Throughout my three long books I'll learn about the different "Asian" countries, and one is "Japan;" who was on the side of Germany and Italy in the Second World War.  As I've said      before, the U.S. fought "Imperial" Japan out in the "Pacific Theater."  I can smell Mesquite. 

                            

           "PEARL HARBOR," HAWAII  (DECEMBER 7, 1941)       

                     

       After Japan's surprise attack on the U.S. in Hawaii everything changed.  For Marilyn Monroe, it seemed like she'd have to go back to the Orphanage; which she really didn't want to    do.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens just flew bye and are flapping toward the northeast.               

        In early 1942, the "Solution" to Marilyn Monroe's "Problem" was to have her marry a twenty one year old guy on her neighborhood; named Jim Dougherty.  So, after her sixteenth        birthday they got married.  And later he volunteered for service in the "Merchant Marines."        

     Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Randy one time about how  that guy Jim Dougherty "hit the jackpot" when Marilyn Monroe "fell in his lap."  But some people say her foster parents didn't    want her anymore and simply "foisted" her on the first guy they could find.  I smell Sage.                 

WEDDING DAY                     NORMA JEANE DOUGHERTY             CATALINA         

        (1942 / 1943)            

           

         Pictures in my Encyclopedia show Marilyn Monroe at the time of her 1942 wedding, and then another one shows her in 1943 standing on Catalina Island; in the Harbor of the town of      "Avalon."  Her hair was darker.  Daisy heard she wanted to have kids and be a family.                 

           I guess Jim Dougherty did his "Basic Training" on Catalina so Marilyn Monroe went with him.  I'll learn about the "Channel" Islands, off of California's coast; in my books.  Dais told me Mr. Steve's father's did his Marine "Boot Camp" at "Camp Pendleton" near San Diego.               

        Mr. Steve told Miss Susan how one thing that made Marilyn Monroe sad was the fact that she never had a baby.  In the 1942-1943 period she "wanted nothing more" than to just be a good "Traditional" housewife.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran bye right now.                                                     

    NORMA JEANE MORTENSON

      ("VAN NUYS" AIRPORT / 1944)     

       PHOTO BY DAVID CONOVER                

                        

           Mr. Steve told Miss Susan how, when her husband was sent out to fight the Japanese in World War II Marilyn Monroe moved back to Van Nuys to live with his parents; and got a job at the "Van Nuys Airport."  In my three books I'll learn about ladies called "Rosie the Riveters."     

             It says here, in 1944;  an Army Photographer was given the assignment to take pictures at Van Nuys Airport for a "military publication."  He right away saw how pretty Norma Jeane was so asked her to take some pictures.   Two of the Pigeons just now flew over Libby's Corral.            

           I heard my boss Mr. Steve tell Miss Susan how the thing Marilyn Monroe was working on at V.N. Airport was one of the first self-flying "Drone" Planes.  I'll learn more about Drones in      my three books.  Libby's over there nibbling little pieces of hay that fell onto the ground.               

              

                  DRONE                                     RONALD REAGAN (1911-2004)      

               

           Miss Susan said "Oh really?" when my boss told her it was Ronald Reagan,  a "Captain" in 1944; who gave the Photographer the assignment to take pictures at V.N. Airport.  He would be the California "Governor" and U.S. "President" later.  A Sparrow is chirping happily.             

           I'm looking forward to learning about all of the different American Presidents in my three books.  I know Mr. Steve is interested in that subject so when he later reads what I wrote he'll be kind of impressed.  At least that's what I hope and Daisy says she's pretty sure he will be.              

         I guess that one Photographer helped Marilyn Monroe, who was still called Norma Jeane; get jobs as a "Model."  Sometimes she used the name Norma Jeane "Baker" when she worked as a Model.  Baker was the last name of one of her mother's husbands according to Mr. Steve.                                                                               

        MARILYN MONROE            

                                                    

          In the late 1940's right after the Second World War, when her Managers changed her name; they used Norma Jeane's mother's "Maiden" name "Monroe."  One of her first modeling jobs, before she dyed her hair; was an advertisement for Dog bandages.  Heathcliff crowed.          

            As a blonde-haired "Marilyn," in the 1950's when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were born; Norma Jeane became a famous Actress.  But, like other Entertainers then; by the early      1960's she took drugs to sleep and then stay awake too.  That's "not good" Mr. Steve says.            

           Dais says our boss is never late for meetings and in fact is always early.  At the end of her life Marilyn Monroe was often late for appointments,  a "bad sign" he says.  There have been a    few different "Theories" about Marilyn Monroe's death back in 1962 from what Daisy heard.                                     

                  SAM GIANCANA (1908-1975)                  FRANK SINATRA (1915-1998)                            

        Daisy heard our boss and his father talk on the phone one time about all of the different theories regarding Marilyn Monroe's death.  Some say it was the famous "Kennedy" family who had her killed, other people think the Mafia's Sam Giancana did it.  Heathcliff crowed.                 

        Marilyn Monroe tried to kill herself before, so the idea of "Suicide" was "plausible" Mr. Steve thinks.  Her life was going badly so Frank Sinatra said he told her to just "start life over"    but she then said, "Why bother?  I'm not going to be here much longer."  I like Heathcliff.            

          I guess, Marilyn Monroe was going to have a "Press Conference," and "Word" got back to some very powerful people.  She might've just been announcing how she and Baseball Player Joe DiMaggio were reuniting.  But "she knew things" she probably shouldn't have my boss thinks.                                                                   MR. STEVE'S FAMILY  (1996)         

            SISTER-IN LAW YOLANDA /  MR. STEVE'S DAD /  MOM  

            BROTHER SAM / GRANDMA CÓRDOVA /  MR. STEVE   

        MATHEW /  SAMMY JR. / SAMANTHA

              

         Even though that house in Van Nuys was way too small, Mr. Steve's mother has a way of making things comfortable.  Mr. Steve and his brothers stayed outside playing "Street Hockey."  They used to ride on their bikes over to this one place called "Goodman's" Sporting Goods.          

         Because he fought in the Korean War, Mr. Steve's father earned this thing called the "G.I. Bill;" which helped him buy the house that got destroyed in 1971,   A few years later he bought a  second house on that Hagar Street Cul-de Sac.   And it's a good thing he did Dais heard.                

         I've mentioned before how Hagar Street was "Circular" with five houses in it.  Hagar, and another Cul-de-Sac called "Alexander;" were built off of "Hunnewell" Avenue which also had      houses on both sides of it.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying over Libby's Corral.                                                

                                                   

HOUSE ON "HAGAR" STREET

           After the 1971 earthquake many of the neighborhood families moved away.  That second house on Hagar Street had been damaged, but was "still fixable" my boss says.  So, when it was   repaired in 1972; Mr. Steve's family moved back in and lived there for about three years.             

           "Hunnewell" Avenue is steep so Mr. Steve and his brothers and friends went up and down on bikes or "Go Carts."  A  smart kid named "Bob" showed everyone how to turn a children's    "Tricycle" into a "Hot Wheel" way before there was such a thing.   I smell a Joshua tree.              

          In 1971 the earthquake damaged houses on Hunnewell and some were torn down, while on Hagar Street four of the five houses, except for that second house; had to be "Bulldozed." That was the only one "Salvegable" as they say.  Mr. Steve's model collection was destroyed.                              

"SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE (FEBRUARY, 1971)  

             

          Four of the five Hagar Street "Lots" had cracks running through them, so were labeled "dead;" which means expensive to rebuild on.  But Mr. Steve's father borrowed money from a Bank in San Fernando and bought all four for "Cheap" as they say.   Dawn's barking.                   

         As I've mentioned, before the 1971 earthquake Mr. Steve's family had a "Suburban" life like that kid Kevin's family had in 1968 on "The Wonder Years."  But, in less than a minute; it all "ended abruptly" my boss told Miss Babette one time on the phone.  I can smell Blinky.           

           Dais says one time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how most of families who lived on Hunnewell Street and the two Cul-de-Sacs moved away in 1971.  A "little community" came to an end Mr. Steve says.  At times he dreams about some of the things from when he was a kid.                                                      

"ALEMANY" HIGH SCHOOL (NEW CAMPUS)   

                          

    After graduating from 8th Grade at St. Ferdinand's back in 1968, I guess my boss Mr. Steve then went to "Alemany" High School which was also a Catholic school.  Mr. Rick had been there since the year before.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens just flew bye and seem so happy.                 

   My boss and Mr. Randy talked about how "Public" High schools here in California begin in 10th Grade while Catholic schools start in the 9th.  So, at Alemany's "Old" campus; Mr. Steve    began High School in 1969.  My right nostril just now smelled Libby the Horse over there.            

    I'll write more about Alemany High School over the next three days.  As I've mentioned, Mr. Steve's family moved out to California in 1960.  That was when many of the roads in Sylmar, like "Hubbard" Street for instance; were still just dirt roads like our back road Primavera.                 

                

                                        "LIBBY"                                      

                                                                                                          

           In glancing to my right I can see Libby standing in her Corral.  I mentioned earlier how Mr. Steve's sister Susan, who lives back east in "Connecticut" with her sons Dalton and Austin; keeps Horses that she rides.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye going to the northeast.        

        Mr. Steve was told, in 1960 there were about "ten thousand" people living down there in Sylmar; only slightly more people than Piñon Hills now.   In 1960 Mr. Steve's parents paid about $17,000 dollars for that first house on Hagar Street.  That's low compared to now Dais says.         

         Four of the five houses on Hagar Street were what they call "Red-Tagged" after the 1971 earthquake.  Then, for the next thirty years there were four empty "Dead" lots; used mainly for "Storage."  Boy!  Seventeen thousand dollars seems like a lot of money for just one house.                                                                "MOCKING" BIRD

                        

          Oh!  What I thought was a happy Robin chirping away is actually one of those impostor Mockingbirds who imitate other Birds around here.  Daisy says Thrasher Birds like Theodora at times do that exact same thing too.  Wow!  I can't wait to someday see that with my own eyes.       

         Mr. Steve's dad is grateful for Bankers who trusted him to pay back loans even though it was "Risky" to buy those two houses on Hagar Street.  Daisy says one time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how, until 1971 the second house had been "Rented Out."  I smell Sage.           

         One morning my boss was filling up the water basin below the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard.  He told Mr. Randy the houses on either side of the surviving house on Hagar Street were destroyed as "a ripple went underneath."  It then "came out on "the other side."             

SAMMY HAGAR   

                     

         Mentioning Hagar Street makes me think of a Musician from California named Sammy Hagar.  He, as the band's second lead Singer; also played guitar for that band from "Pasadena"  VAN HALEN.  In 1984 Mr. Steve saw VAN HALEN'S "Sound Check" down at the Forum.           

           Mr. Steve and his friend Chris, in the mid-1970's; saw this band named MONTROSE play at the "Shrine" Auditorium in Los Angeles.  They "Opened Up" for GOLDEN EARRING, who  are from the "Netherlands" I guess.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.              

           I still have a few things to write about in this fourth chapter, but really have to go pee and besides; I want to run up front to tell Daisy how well things are going.  I'll use my three blankets Mr. Chris got me and Elvira's three couch cushions to hide my materials.  Heathcliff crowed.      

 

(BOOK 1 / PART II / CHAPTER 5)

11:30

"Cognito, Ergo; Sum"

     

DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

     

          Well, I'm back and feel good because I went and saw Daisy, who really praised me for how I stayed disciplined and on schedule; so got four chapters done in four hours.  I feel so energized to do chapter five or Part Two.  Thank Everyone up there for helping me down here on Elvira.    

        I'm so lucky to have Daisy around, as she's been laying near Mr. Steve's office window to alert me if he comes outside; but he seems to be really busy today.  We both stood below his office window but he was on the phone.  Daisy and I made the rounds and checked on our land.              

    In chapter four I was supposed to write about that June 1985 trip to Italy and Israel Mr. Steve's Tour Group from St. Ferdinand's went on.  The weather was really hot and "Terrorism" was going on.  Hey God!  Do You cause or allow bad things to happen to us down here?                                     

            "VATICAN CITY"                                                 "SISTINE" CHAPEL                    

                                                                             MICHAELANGELO BUONARROTI ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)

                                          

         As You know God, Mr. Steve's mom noticed the section of the "Sistine Chapel" showing You reaching out to shoot the "Spark of Life" into mankind's hand.  Daisy thinks if Mr. Steve's mom could time travel she'd go to the 1500's to help Michelangelo.  Libby's scent floated in.         

           Mr. Steve doesn't believe You intercede down here in the physical world God but Dais and I want to think You might.  I want to believe You caused my boss to go over to that field and get    me and Daisy thinks You even caused her to be living here too.  We trust Your judgement.             

         One time Dais and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his mom and she was remembering how their Tour Guide in "Rome" called it the "Eternal City."  And that's mainly because of Italy's history.  A flock of Birds is flying bye way up there high in the blue sky.                           

CITY OF ROME    

      

          I can't wait to learn more about the original ancient "Roman Empire" that developed in Italy, and then the surviving "Byzantine" Roman Empire over there to the east near the Black    Sea area.  Daisy says she can tell that Mr. Steve's mom studied the art from both Empires.            

       Back in 1985 the Tour Group from St. Ferdinand's took Bus Tours a lot but also had the chance to walk around too.  Mr. Steve was in the "Time-Life" book club and took their book on    the city of Rome with him.  Daisy told me he also has their books on some other cities too.             

     Mr. Steve says in 1985 his Grandma Córdova compared Spanish to Italian, and noticed  "burro" is Italian for "butter" while it's "manteca" or "mantequilla" in Spanish.  Boy!  I'm so    glad I have all of these good Dictionaries.   Both languages came from the Roman's "Latin."                            

CENTRAL ROME AREA        

            

       Daisy heard Mr. Steve remembering with his mom walking around the area of the "Hotel Imperiale" where they were staying in Rome.  That hotel was near the "Metro" Train Station,      and also within walking distance of many of the different sites.  Dawn's barking over there.          

         I guess, in 1985 Mr. Steve and his parents and Grandma Córdova walked around and saw some of the "Piazza" areas near the "Via Venoto."  Dais heard they even threw coins into the "Trevi Fountain."   Well, back to writing about my boss's life down there in the Valley.                  

         Eventually Mr. Steve's family moved back into that one repaired house on Hagar Street but it turned to be too small too.  So, in 1975; his parents bought the big house they live in now down  there in Sylmar.  I can hear Donald and Daisy the Ducks quacking over there to my right.                

   DUCK'S                                                                         FINCH'S         

                 

        Hearing Donald and Daisy reminds me of last Summer.  Our Dais says boy Ducks, called "Drakes;" are colorful like boy Finches.  Girl Ducks and Finches are dull in color, probably to      not "attract attention"  from things that would eat it and its babies she thinks.  I like Ducks.         

           I guess Mr. Steve's father is good at what they call "Business."  Mr. Steve isn't and this has at times been a disappointment to his dad.  Mr. Steve's father bought all four of the empty dead    lots on the Hagar Street cul-de-sac and it turned out to be a very good decision for the family.       

         In 1984 Mr. Steve took over the payments on the surviving house on Hagar Street.  He also bought the dead lot next to it from his parents.  When he sold them in 2005 he made money.  If it hadn't been for "how smart" his father is that "would've never happened" he tells people.                                                 

                                 "SAINT FERDINAND" CHURCH (SAN FERNANDO)                                      PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                 

           

       During the eight years Mr. Steve attended Saint Ferdinand his family knew other families in the community.  Mr. Steve had a friend named "Paul" and his brother Rock had this friend who was named "Louie."  Their father's both repaired the one surviving house on Hagar Street.          

    Once, in a dream; Mr. Steve remembered helping Paul and Louie's dads repair that Hagar Street house.  I've mentioned before how the city of San Fernando is right next to Sylmar.  And    that's where St. Ferdinand "Parish" has it's Church, Meeting Hall and the school too.                   

   The main road through San Fernando is "Maclay" Avenue.  Mr. Steve and his brothers and friends rode Bikes up and down Maclay, where his friend Rick's father owned a Pet Shop.  Boy!  How could anyone have even thought of and invented such an ingenious thing like a Bicycle?                            

                                       "WASH" AT END OF MACLAY AVENUE                                                 

                                                                                                                                  

           I guess Maclay Avenue goes from Sylmar, through San Fernando; and then ends up in "Mission Hills."  For years it "Dead Ended" in Sylmar, but now goes all the way through; and      there are even houses in what is a "Riverbed" or "Wash."  Heathcliff crowed to my right.             

          When growing up Mr. Steve, and his brothers and friends; hiked around in that Wash.  Daisy heard one time they even found the head of a Deer with the "Antlers" still on it.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other as they fly along; are going right over Libby's Corral.               

          For about ten years, or "Seasons;" Mr. Steve played Baseball at S.I.B.L.  And in some of those years his friend Rick was even on his team.  Mr. Steve's dad, who "Managed" some of his teams; helped relocate the S.I.B.L. fields to the then empty Wash at the end of Maclay.                                                                                                                                           HEATHCLIFF II                                             

                                                                                                         

           We heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Randy  about the mid-1980's, when his dad and Mr. Garcia worked on getting "Mission" College its permanent campus location.  Up until then "L.A.M.C."  held classes in rooms all over Sylmar and San Fernando.  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.               

       Daisy used to be around Chickens when she lived on her first owner's land, before they didn't want her anymore.  She heard Miss Susan who ran the Newspaper say girl Chickens have about twenty different things they say to each other in their language.  I can smell Sage.                

        When Chickens, who make a "bwak" sound when they talk; go to the bathroom it smells bad.   I'd sure like to hear a momma Chicken talk to her babies inside their eggs the way Daisy    says they do sometimes.  And I guess the babies even talk back from inside of the egg.  Wow!                                     

      "SYLMAR INDEPENDENT BASEBALL LEAGUE"                  

                                                      

         Since the early 1960's the S.I.B.L. Baseball fields were located on "Eldridge" Street, and one of the most important people was a man named Dick Jackson.  He influenced Mr. Steve like  the Nuns at St. Ferdinands.  Daisy says the name "Dick" is another way of saying "Richard."      

          Mr. Steve and his brothers, and their friend Rick; have fond memories of playing Baseball at S.I.B.L.  But Mr. Steve told his mom one time how during those years they really didn't fully    appreciate those times and "Took them for Granted."  Blackbeard and Ann Bonney flew bye.      

       From what Mr. Steve told Miss Susan, Mr. Jackson was kind of like his own dad in being "strict" but "fair."  Both were basically decent men who helped kids down there in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley.  Boy!  Dick doesn't sound anything like Richard.                                                                           

          DICK JACKSON / ASSEMBYMAN ERNANI BERNARDI       

                    PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                     

                               

            Mr. Steve told Miss Susan he had a dream where he met Mr. Jackson and his wife at one of the "Pancake Breakfast" fund-raisers S.I.B.L. used to hold outside of the Vons Grocery Store.  Like his father, Mr. Jackson really trusted and respected his wife's opinions.  I smell Sage.            

          When Mission College was built my boss's father helped relocate S.I.B.L. down into the wash at the end of Maclay.  When Mr. Steve and his brothers and friends were growing up that wash was empty but now, besides S.I.B.L.; there's even some houses there.  Dawn's barking.         

            Mr. Steve told Miss Susan about his sister Susan and her sons Dalton and Austin who live in Connecticut.  He told her about how his sister has always loved Horses and, to this day; rides  them.  I just noticed Libby walking around slowly over there to my right in her Corral.                 

       

        SUSAN CÓRDOVA                

            

           Daisy says in the 1970's Mr. Steve's sister Susan and her boy Pony "Dinky" competed in events where they had to jump over these "Barriers."  I guess all of the barriers look like fences  made of wooden poles.  Libby's totally unique scent just came floating into my right nostril.          

            In the early 1980's Mr. Steve's sister had a big brown girl Horse named "Shanique."  She and her dad, with his girl Horse "Poco;" used to ride in the wash at the end of Maclay before it    was "Developed."  Both Shanique and Poco were brown what they call "Quarter" Horses.            

          My boss's sister Susan had a young reddish Horse named "Apache," who died in the wash when her front legs sank in "Quicksand" like mud.  Mr. Steve retrieved the equipment.  In this dream he remembered how Apache died with her eyes wide open but all covered in mud.                                               

         "HANG GLIDING" (SYLMAR)             

                  

         Because Sylmar is located in the "Foothills" on the southern side of the "San Gabriel" mountains, since the 1970's they do "Hang Gliding" there.  In the 1980's; Mr. Steve's father also  helped negotiate an area for them to land in the wash at the end of Maclay.  I smell Sage.              

          Daisy says Mr. Steve one time told Miss Babette at work how, in the 1970's; he and Miss Sandy drove a friends Van down the mountain to pick him up after he hang glided.  One time he crashed but luckily lived.  Boy!  I would never want to hang glide or "Sky Dive."  No way!            

          Tomorrow in book two I'll learn a lot about World War II.  And I'm going to write about this one tv show called "Hogan's Heroes" and a movie "The Great Escape."  Daisy says both are about Second World War Prison Camps that held Allied prisoners captured by the Germans.                          

 HOGAN'S HEROES                                                 THE GREAT ESCAPE     

                    

          I hope someday to see Hogan's Heroes and The Great Escape.  Daisy says Hogan's Heroes is funny, and told me our boss once met the Actor who played the part of "Newkirk;" a British    "Safe Cracker."  He was up on the Sylmar mountain with friends who were Hang Gliders.            

          Mr. Steve has memories of growing up in Sylmar when, as kids; they rode bikes and "Go-Carts" down Hunnewell Street and turned into the two Cul-de-Sacs Hagar and Alexander.  He once told Mr. Ralph he "cringes" in thinking about the chances they took.  Dawn's barking.         

          I'll bet Mr. Peabody could ride a bicycle because he walks up on two legs and is so smart.  Boy!  It would be so great to be the first ever Dog in history to ride a bike because then my boss would really like me and never ever want to get rid of me.  I could teach other Dogs to do it.                                                                                         

          CHARLES MACLAY (1822-1890)       

                                 

         Tomorrow I'll learn about Charles Maclay, who San Fernando's main boulevard is named after. In the 19th century, he was a California Politician; and "donated" the land for the city of    San Fernando.  Daisy heard how "Tataviam" Indians had been living on the land before that.      

      One thing I will say about Charles Maclay right now is how he was a Protestant Christian "Methodist" like the CARPENTERS.  My Encyclopedia says in the 18th century the Methodists "broke away" from the "Church of England."  I smell a Lizard somewhere around here.              

      Aha!  The Lizard is standing on the wall over there, near the sliding glass door leading into the dining room.  Now it ran down the wall and went behind our dark gray water bucket.  Boy!    It would be so weird to be able to actually run on the side of walls the way Lizards can do.                        

KING HENRY VIII (1491-1547)       

              

      In my books I'll write about the 16th century "Protestant Reformation," when  guys like John Calvin and Martin Luther "Rebelled" against the "Catholic Church" in Italy.  King Henry VIII did the same thing in creating that Church of England.   Dawn's barking over there.              

         From what I overheard Mr. Steve telling Mr. Mike that time, Charles Maclay started a "Seminary" down there in San Fernando.  I guess that's what they call a school for becoming a    Priest or something like that.  I can smell the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.              

            Hey God!  As You know, I think if a girl Dog could become a Priest or Nun Dais might be a really good one.  I'll bet she'd be sort of like all of those ladies who were Mr. Steve's Teachers at St. Ferdinands.  Boy God!  I sure do wish that I could meet Sister Rita Joseph someday.                                                                                             

               "TOMMY TROJAN"                                                                   

                                              (CRISTINA / MR. STEVE'S MOM)                                                                  

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                        

              

         In my books I'll write about Colleges like "Cal State Northridge" where Mr. Steve, his brother Rock, sister Susan and their mom went to.  Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew is going there        "C.S.U.N. now."  I guess Charles Maclay's Nephew helped to "found" U.S.C. downtown.            

          Mr. Steve, his mom and Niece Cristina; saw this Exhibit on "Mount Vesuvius."  It was a volcano that blew up back in 79 A.D., on the western coast of Italy; and it destroyed the ancient Roman towns of    "Pompeii" and "Herculaneum."  Crows are fighting out in the desert.              

      Before they saw that exhibit at the "Science Center" Mr. Steve and his mom and Niece walked around U.S.C. across the street.  They "Strolled" around the area near the "Coliseum" and "Natural History Museum."  My boss and his mom had that one Art Exhibit there.                      

"VOLCANIC ERUPTION"

     

          Oh wow!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows what happens when a volcano like Mount Vesuvius blows up.  I guess pressure from down inside of the Earth is released and forces its way out.  Theodora just now ran and then disappeared underneath Jack the biggest Shed.                    

         One day my boss was cutting weeds along the fence on the north side of our two acres.  I heard him and Mr. Randy talked about how we have some small "Dormant" volcanoes near our  house.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye and are going right over Libby's Corral moving south.           

            According to my good English Dictionary, the word dormant means "resting or inactive."  Boy!  It would be so terrible if one of those volcanoes near us ever comes back into life.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy about how there are a lot of those dormant volcanoes in New Mexico too. 

                           

     "HAWAIIAN" ISLANDS   

                                

            Daisy told me our boss's friend Mr. Mark lives with his wife Kim and son's Taj and Dylan on the west coast of the "Big Island" in the State of Hawaii.   And on that island, which I see on the map; is a really huge volcano I guess.  I notice how there are eight islands in "Hawaii."

               Wow!  When a volcano "Erupts" things from inside of the Earth blow out of the top and fly way up high in the air.  But then, because of "Gravity;" the "Debris" like rocks and dirt have to fall back down to the ground.  And I'll bet if they land on you they kill you like in a war. 

           The Exhibit at the Science Center had a tape that said, if the same exact eruption of Mount Vesuvius happened today a lot more people would be killed because there are about three million people now living in that area.  Daisy heard  the closest big city there is called "Naples."  

           ,    

POMPEI VICTIMS   

(MOUNT VESUVIUS ERUPTION / 79 A.D.)

          

           Oh!  Pictures in my Encyclopedia show the "remains" of  ancient Roman "victims" killed in 79 A.D., when Mount Vesuvius erupted.  The caption says they were "unable to escape" out of Pompeii so died being buried by ash.  Dais says there's a dirt road near us named "Ash."              

          Daisy thinks it's interesting how the Italians didn't even know those dead ancient Romans were still down there until eighteen hundred years later in the 1700's.  That's when both Pompeii and Herculaneum began to be what they call "Excavated."  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking.           

     It says here in 1863, at about the same time as that giant American Civil War "Battle of Gettysburg" took place; "liquid plaster" was poured into holes at Pompeii.  When that plaster      dried it turned out the holes were where the dead people had been.  So "casts" were created.                 

B-52'S   

    

         Dais says she and that other Dog Millie were in our boss's bedroom and heard songs by this band from the State of  "Georgia" called the B-52'S.  They have a song about the red hot "Lava" that flows up from the middle of the Earth and goes out of the volcano.  Dawn's barking.               

      I guess my boss, even after the economic recession; still has customers in Georgia and one Parts Manager plays guitar.   He and Mr. Steve have discussed how the B-52'S are kind of unique in not having a bass Guitarist.  Their Guitarist just plays his six string guitar in a deeper tone.      

       Mr. Steve used to play drums along to B-52 songs, one about a Lobster and another about a Planet named "Claire."  Daisy heard that Parts Manager say the B-52'S are not named after the Bomber Plane.  They're named after a 1950's hair style which the two girls in the band wear.                             

   PINK FLOYD    

             

        Daisy heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph talk on the phone about how a British band called PINK FLOYD did a good concert in Pompeii's now excavated outdoor Roman "Amphitheater."  I guess my boss has seen a few concerts in some modern amphitheaters.  I smell Mesquite.            

          I guess PINK FLOYD also did an outdoor concert in France at King Louis XIV's "Palace of Versailles."  Over the next three days I'll learn more about PINK FLOYD and that Palace of Versailles too.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan visited the "Hall of Mirrors" at Versailles one time.           

      Over to my right I can see our silver steel water bucket sitting on the Patio floor near the sliding glass door going into the dining room.  Because here in California we're in a "Drought" we can't waste even a little bit of water my boss says.  Thank You God for inventing water!                                           CALIFORNIA'S AQUEDUCT'S  

     

        Over the next three days Dais has me scheduled to write a lot about water because our boss and his father have studied  that subject.  And I'm also going to learn about the history of things like "Salt" and "Metals" too.  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just flew out into the back desert.       

       Daisy says our boss's friend Mark Ritter, who died; knew a lot about rocks and metals.  Mr. Steve ended up with his book on "Geology."  Jack the Jackrabbit just now zoomed through the    right vertical slot on the side of the gate to run out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.          

      In my books I'll learn about William Mulholland who, in 1913; built the Aqueduct that goes bye near us and takes water from Northern California to Los Angeles.  Without it L.A. could not exist Mr. Steve thinks.  Living homeless out in that field made me really appreciate water.                                                WILLIAM MULHOLLAND (1855-1935)                           (SYLMAR / 1913)                                                                                                                   

         Because of water, in 1913 areas like Sylmar wanted to be part of Los Angeles.  But the San Fernando region had "Ground Water" so didn't need to be.  In the  18th century one reason the  Spanish Priests established the "San Fernando Mission" where they did was that water.                

        Boy God!  I can't wait to learn about those twenty one "Alta" California Spanish Missions over the next three days.  Because my boss and his parents were "Tour Guides" over at the San Fernando Mission I'll study it a little more.  But right now I'll write more about the 1970's.           

        Mr. Steve, sixteen in 1971; says now he sure wishes he'd appreciated those years before the earthquake more.  He "took things for granted," and believed his life would always be the same and never change but; that turned out to be wrong and things changed alright.  I smell Sage.                                                    

      MR. STEVE'S FATHER ON LEFT / BUDDIES (1951)           

                             

         Mr. Steve's father, as an "Artillery Forward Observer" in "Fire Direction;" fought in the Korean War.  He was a member of the "11th Marine Regiment, First Division."  My Dictionary    says how "Fortitude" means, "courage, patience and endurance in the face of adversity."             

        During the Korean War my boss's dad was what they call a "Spotter," who told the people firing the canons where to shoot.  He "Triangulated."  If the first shot was too far left, and the      second too far to the right, he gave them "Coordinates" to readjust and shoot in the middle.         

         "Looking back on it" our boss says, he has "pleasant" memories of that year in Van Nuys because, even though it was crowded; their mom "created a good environment."  He remembers the times he and his brother Rock rode their Bikes around Van Nuys.  Heathcliff is crowing.         

   

ATLANTA   

   

          In 1971, I guess just a few months after the earthquake and when the family was living in Van Nuys; my boss went on his father's "Business Trip" to "Atlanta."  That city is in the State of "Georgia," where that band the B-52'S are from.  Boy!  I really love when the air is so clear.         

          While his father went on his business meetings Mr. Steve did things like going to a Baseball game between the Atlanta "Braves" and Montreal "Expos."  Daisy heard him tell his brother in Texas he saw this guy named Henry Aaron hit a Home Run.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees.           

        Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his brother Rock, who I guess liked the Expos as a kid; talk on the phone about that Baseball game in Atlanta.   In 1971 the Expos had an orange-haired Player, "Rusty" Staub, who also hit a Home Run.  Rusty is just a nickname from what Dais heard.                                               

      "STONE" MOUNTAIN (ATLANTA)          

                     

         Tomorrow I'll learn about some of the American Civil War battles.  I do already know how, in late 1864 or third year of the war; Atlanta "Fell" and was partially burned by that one guy General Sherman.  Boy!  I can't wait to learn about a movie called "Gone With the Wind."           

       After the 1971 earthquake, not only did Mr. Steve's father take out loans to buy those four "Dead" lots on Hagar Street; he also bought two other damaged properties in Sylmar.  Both had houses with warehouses in back and needed repairs.  His dad took a big risk Daisy heard.             

    Over the years members of Mr. Steve's family, including himself; have lived in those two houses or the house on Hagar Street.  In 1982 Mr. Steve bought the house on Hagar Street and in 2005 moved up here to this property his parents had bought.  He "Paid Off" both houses.                                

   LEE IACOCCA / MR. STEVE'S PARENTS       

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

           

           At times Mr. Steve's father can be impatient and hard to deal with.  But like Mr. Steve tells others in the family, if he had not been the kind of person he is; their family would not be nearly as well off as they are.  Mr. Steve's dad is "Firm but Fair" like his mother was with him.               

        In addition to buying that house on Hagar Street, Mr. Steve also bought the dead lot that was what they call "Adjacent" to it.  That means next to the house Dais told me.  My boss and his dad sold all five lots on the cul-de-sac to a "Land Developer" named "Angel," who built houses. 

       Goliath the Gopher Snake just used the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to crawl out into the back desert.  I'm kind of afraid of Snakes and Spiders, especially those "Rattlesnakes" who have two sharp teeth that can stab and shoot poison into you.   I can smell a Joshua tree.                                                        

       ANDY GRIFFITH (1926-2012)      

                                 

         Well, according to this book one outline Daisy helped me put together; I now need to write about 1989 when Mr. Steve met that one Actor named Andy Griffith.  I've mentioned before how he was on the tv show George Lindsey played "Goober" on.  Goliath left behind his scent.             

       Oh!  Just when I'm thinking of Andy Griffith who do I see?  Andy and Helen the Squirrels are both standing near the entrance to their burrow, near Manny the Shed.  Helen must be now    taking a break from being with their babies.  Ah!  She ducked back down in the burrow.               

      Dais heard, back in 1989; Andy Griffith played the part of an Attorney on another tv show called "Matlock."  And, they used one of the houses Mr. Steve's dad bought after the earthquake  to film a few "Episodes."  So Mr. Steve was the one who "Oversaw" them doing it.                                                          

       ANDY GRIFFITH ("MATLOCK")          

                              

              In 1989 Mr. Steve's dad rented his "Vacant" house to the company who made the tv show, Mr. Steve given the job of "Keeping an Eye" on things.  Daisy heard they ended up filming parts of three episodes so were there for three weeks altogether.   Andy's guarding their burrow. 

       Mr. Steve shook Andy Griffith's hand and says he was friendly.  They talked about how Mr. Steve's mom knew Mrs. Lindsey and Andy Griffith smiled and then said "She's a good woman and I always buy Girl Scout cookies."  So does Mr. Steve from what Daisy's told me.   

       In the Andy Griffith Show "Sheriff" Andy Taylor wore a Police uniform Daisy says.  But in Matlock his character "Ben Matlock" wore a light gray suit and drove all around in a light gray 1988 Ford "Crown Victoria."  Boy!  It would be so great to have a good uniform to wear.    

               

 WREN

                      

            Ah!  A Wren is standing inside the Cholla cactus near Jack the big Shed.  Wrens sound like they're saying "Hey, Hey, Hey" when they talk.  I'm still thinking of Andy Griffith and I guess in 1989 one time the guy who held the "Boom Mike" didn't show up for the filming of Matlock. 

          Andy Griffith was angry  when they had to cancel a day of "Shooting" because the man did not come to work.  Because he was in a "Union" the rules said they couldn't let "just anyone" do his job and only a member of the Union could do it.  The Wren flew away into the desert.  

          Tomorrow I'll write about those rich 19th century American "Robber Barons." In this one Encyclopedia the word "exploited" is used to describe how they treated their Workers.  So, laws had to be passed which allowed many of the Workers to create and join "Labor Unions."  

                                                        

                                                           KARL MARX (1818-1883)     

                                       

          In the 19th century Karl Marx wrote about "Collectivism" or Workers "banding together" against employers.  Mr. Steve's dad, who taught Stockbrokers; thinks "Unions" were needed at one time but now have often gained too much power.  Marx called Workers "Proletariat." 

             My English Dictionary says "Socialism" means, "A theory dealing with the ownership and operation of the means of production and distribution, with all members sharing equally in the work and products of their labor."  All four of the gray Pigeons just flew toward the east.

              "Capitalism" is, "An economic system in which the means of production and distribution are privately owned and operated for profit."  I must be a Capitalist because I want to "Own" things like my rubber ball collection.  I guess "Communism" is just a "Form" of Socialism.    

  

                                         COMMUNISM / SOCIALISM / CAPITALISM 

 

               Anyway, I'll come back to the subject of Socialism versus Capitalism.  I'm still thinking of that man Andy Griffith.  One morning, as he used his old Scythe to cut down some weeds along the front fence; I heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy talking about that one tv show Matlock.

         Mr. Steve says when they film at your house they "Cater" or make food and I guess Andy Griffith's Matlock character liked Hot Dogs.  Boy!  I wonder when we'll get our first snack of the day.  Mr. Steve says his Niece Stephanie and boyfriend Mr. Rich are really good "Caterers."  

         A few years ago Mr. Steve met a man who's brother-in-law worked on that show Matlock.  He said one unique thing about Matlock is how at various times it was shown on two of the three major "Broadcast Networks."  A motionless Lizard is standing near the big Mulberry tree.

         

THREE MAJOR U.S. TELEVISION "NETWORKS"

      

             When Mr. Steve and his brothers and sisters were growing up in Sylmar there were three "National" tv "Channels;" "A.B.C.," "N.B.C." and "C.B.S."  They were almost the "Only game in Town," or had a near "Monopoly."  Now there are hundreds of channels Dais told me.

             A.B.C. stands for "American Broadcast Network," N.B.C. and C.B.S. means "National Broadcast Network" and "Columbia Broadcasting System."  Daisy told me Mr. Steve, as a kid; drew the three Network logos.  Over the years he's met people who worked for tv stations.

            Daisy totally believes in that Bufferin pill Mr. Steve puts in her food, and wonders who figured out how to make such an amazing thing.  Boy God!  I really like learning new things and practicing to read and write.   I feel "Energized" and have what they call a "Second Wind."         

                   

       "MAKING THE ROUNDS"     

                            

                Daisy told me her paws felt so good this morning she walked around a lot up there in the front yard.  She and I usually patrol what Mr. Mike one time called the "perimeter" of our two acres.  I noticed that day how he also described what we do as "making the rounds." 

                As long as I was up there in front, I decided to just make a quick patrol along the long the south fence; where our neighbor has Beavertail cactus.  Blinky, Dawn and Rosie were over there on the other side and we sniffed each other.  "En otro lado" in Spanish means the other side.   

           I just glanced up in time to see Helen the Squirrel duck down into her and Andy's burrow.  I told Daisy about their new babies and she was really surprised that they already had them this early in the year.  Like her, I sort of want to take that as a good sign for this coming year.   

                                

SQUIRRELS IN WINTER

                                 

           Andy's standing near the entrance to he and Helen's hole and is alert protecting their new babies.  It seemed like a cold Winter.  Even though they slept through much of that time down in their burrow, at times Andy and Helen kept each other warm up in the Mulberry tree too.

          Daisy was surprised at how much I got done this morning and said that maybe someday I'll end up being just as smart as Mr. Peabody.  Then she joked, maybe someday they can even make a Saturday cartoon about me.  Wow!  That would be so great if that ever happened!

          As I've said, someday when I get over my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area where I can't easily escape from; I'll be able to have the courage to go all the way down the Hallway and listen to more music and see tv.  Heathcliff the Rooster just crowed over there.  

          

                                                                   ALMA DEUTSCHER

                      

               One time Daisy, and that other Dog Millie who I replaced; were in Mr. Steve's bedroom to watch tv and saw a show about a nine year old girl from England named Alma Deutscher.  Even though she's young she plays piano and violin really good Dais says.  I smell some Sage.

          I guess, according to what it said on the tv show; besides English that little girl Alma is also able to speak Hebrew and German too.  Boy!  I wish I could do that.  According to what is says in this really good Spanish Dictionary "alma" means, "Soul, heart, spirit" in English. 

         Daisy told me that girl Alma writes songs all by herself and our boss liked how "Melodic" they are.  A lot of songs today are "Dissonant," or "Inharmonious or discordant combination of sounds."  Alma Deutscher proves girls can be as talented and smart as boys Daisy says.   

             

       WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART(1756-1791)                               MARIA ANNA MOZART (1751-1829)

                    PAINTING BY JOHANN NEPOMUK DELLA CROCE                                                                                          PAINTING BY EUSEBIUS JOHANN ALPHEN                     

        Daisy told me, in the tv show about Alma Deutscher; they compared her "Talent" to that late-18th century "Composer" Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.  At a young age too; "Mozart" and    his sister named Maria played for Kings and Queens.  They were "Prodigies."                                

         Oh! My Encyclopedia says Mozart was born December 5th and, on my list of dates I notice how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's birthday is the 4th.  Mozart's sister Maria, and that girl Alma; show girls are good musicians.  I've mentioned Mr. Steve's parents worker Maria.                          

       In my three books I'll write about this guy named Arnold Schwarzenegger.  Like Mozart, and Adolph Hitler; he's from the country of "Austria."  Daisy told me Arnold Schwarzenegger,   who has big muscles; is an Actor in movies but was also "Governor" of California.                                      

                                                                                                      

                    ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER / GOVERNOR PETE WILSON

                                                                                                                                     PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          

          Boy!  Without this one Encyclopedia it would've been totally impossible to figure out how to spell the name "Schwarzenegger."  I so glad Daisy found all these Dictionaries in the garage.  I have a feeling that over the next three days the German Dictionary will get used a lot.

          Dais says our boss once took pictures of "Arnold" in 1991 when Harriet got permission for him to go with her as a Photographer on her writing assignment for "Fitness" magazine.  At that time a "Republican" man Pete Wilson was California's "Governor."  Dawn's barking.  

         In 1991 Mr. Steve and Harriet went to this Elementary School in West Los Angeles to cover an event by the "Governor's Council on Physical Fitness."  Arnold Schwarzenegger at that time "Headed" that group.  There were some famous Athletes there too from what Dais says. 

                            

                                                                           "TWINS"

                          

                One time Dais and Millie were in the living room and watched a funny movie about these two twins who don't even look alike at all, and are different in personalities too.  I guess Arnold Schwarzenegger was one of the twins.  All four of the Pigeons flew out into the desert.

             Mr. Steve heard, at about the same time as they filmed the episodes of Matlock; part of that movie "Twins" was filmed at the Von's Grocery Store in Sylmar.  Daisy says S.I.B.L. held fund raising pancake breakfasts there for years.  My boss's family shop at that Von's there.    

             Oh!  What a coincidence that, just when I'm thinking about the movie Twins who do I smell?  The scent of the two Twin Joshua trees just blew in on a slight breeze from the eastern desert out there behind the three Sheds.  That sort of makes me feel good right now.

                         

       THE "TWINS"         

                        

       The sunlight is now coming down at an angle that makes the shadows look shorter from here sitting on Elvira.  I'd say it's about eleven forty five judging by how they look.  I've already finished the first part of this first book and have learned so many new things today.

     I just glanced up from writing in this notebook and see Fannie and Freddie the Crows flying toward the northeast.  Sometimes they look like twins because they're both about the same size.    Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom joke on the phone some couples begin to "look like each other."      

       Boy!  I'm beginning to get more comfortable holding this pencil in my right paw.  My writing is getting better and better but pretty soon I'll have to get another pencil because the end of this    one is getting kind of too flat to write.  A Duck is quacking over there next door.                              

              

                                                         BILL HANDEL AND FAMILY

         Back in chapter four I mentioned how that one Los Angeles Jewish Radio announcer named Bill Handle's mom worked Sylmar's Olive View Hospital.  Mr. Steve thinks his twin daughters don't look that much alike and one resembles his Niece Samantha.  I smell Mesquite.

        Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mike about this family who also had kids at St. Ferdinands.  I guess their last was "Martinelli" and two of their kids were a brother and sister set of twins.  Mr. Steve joked they could win a contest as the two most "Unalike" looking twins.  

       Fannie and Freddie are flying bye and are talking to each other.  Hearing them brings back memories of last Spring when Daisy and I heard them doing the same thing.  Oh wow!  I think I'm having one of those "Déjà Vu" feelings again because I smell Libby the Horse.  

 

DAISY

         When I ran up front and was visiting with Dais after part one I told her I've already had a few Déjà vu feelings today.  She says the same exact thing happened to her when she was licking her right paw to help her arthritis this morning.  Heathcliff is crowing.   

          Boy!  I'm so glad Daisy found all of these notebooks and pens and pencils in the garage.  I told her I've already used all of the different Dictionaries too a few times.  Aha!  I knew I heard Max the Hummingbird coming and, sure enough; he just zoomed bye.  

      Hey God!  Thank You for having Daisy find all of these Notebooks and pens and pencils up there in the garage.  I'll really need them and all my boss's old Encyclopedia's he had piled over to my left in the next three days.  I can smell the new little baby Cholla cactus.

                                                                                  

                                                                         MISS EMILY     

                      

     Ugh!  A Fly is sitting on the wooden coffee table given to my boss by his ex-girlfriend Emily.  I wrote how Emily grew up in New York City's "Long Island."  But, I guess she came out here to California for College and now works in the Athletic Department at U.C.L.A. 

     Boy!  I hate Flies and sure do hope seeing that Fly on the very first day of Spring is not a bad sign.  It's cleaning itself by rubbing its head and body with little arms, kind of how Cher the Cat does when she "Washes Up" as Mr. Steve jokes.  I can still smell the Twins.  

     I've mentioned how, over the next three days; I'm planning on writing about my boss's three ex-girlfriends Sandy, Emily and Harriet.  Daisy says he still thinks of them and occasionally has a dream where they all meet at a restaurant and talk about when they were young.

           

CLOSEUP  OF FLY

     

       Daisy told me how, when Flies are first born; they start out as Worms or those things called "Maggots" and Butterflies are the same.  That Fly just flew away and I sure hope there aren't as many Flies around here as there were last year.  I really do hate all Flies!  

       Oh no!  Another Fly just tried to land on my nose but I snapped at it and so it flew away.  I hate when Flies try to land on me!  Daisy's sure not going to like it when, on my second big break of the day after chapter eight; I tell her that I've already seen a few Flies today.

       Ah!  For the first time this year I smell that plant Miss Susan called "Juniper."  Right now  there aren't many leaves on the Juniper plants out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  But pretty soon they'll start growing more and will smell even stronger.  

     

  JUNIPER

 

     From what I heard Miss Susan tell my boss, if they live long enough Juniper plants grow into actual trees.  We have a few of them living out there in our boss's back half acre of desert Daisy    tells me.  I'm still kind of afraid to go out there with Mr. Steve but not Daisy.                                  

         Dais told me about how, a few years ago; our boss Mr. Steve met a South Korean man over in Phelan.   That man raises and sells these little Juniper "Bonsai" trees.  Mr. Steve bought one and was growing it for a while but, then; that tiny little Juniper tree suddenly died.   

      I guess Bonsai trees are what they call "Fragile" when young.  Mr. Steve followed exactly all of the instructions for growing it but it died anyway.  He still has the little dead tree in one of the dining rooms and may even someday get another one and try it again Dais says.  

           

        "VIEJAS" INDIAN CASINO          

                        

       I'm still smelling the Juniper bush.  Back in the early-1990's Mr. Steve, his brother Rock and father worked at a gambling Casino called "Viejas."  It's to the east of the city of San Diego, and the Native people who run it are called "Kumeyaay."  Donald and Daisy are both quacking.  

      My Spanish Dictionary says viejas means "Old Lady."  Daisy says this pretty Kumeyaay girl told Mr. Steve her tribe has used Juniper "shrubs and trees" for centuries, eating the berries and grinding them into "Meal" for baking; or making medicine.  Now Daffy's quacking too. 

      Mr. Steve told that girl he and his parents were Tour Guides at the San Fernando Mission so read about her tribe.  In 1769, San Diego was the first of twenty one Missions built up here in "Alta" California in the 18th century.  The Spanish called the Kumeyaay "Degueño."

        

   INDIAN UPRISING (SAN DIEGO / 1775)    

                

   Hey Lord!  I guess some California Indians wanted to become Christians after the Spanish Priests like Father Serra came up here.  But, in 1775; some of the Kumeyaay Indians near San    Diego revolted and killed a few Franciscan Priests.  Mr. Steve and the girl discussed it.                   

   When my boss and his brother and father worked down there at Viejas they used to stay in a Motel located in this town called "Alpine."  And, on a few Sundays; they attended "Mass" at    the Kumeyaay Catholic Church.  Ah!  Breathing clear air through my nose is so great!                   

    In my books I'll write about the subject of "Gambling" or, as Mr. Steve jokes; "Gaming."  One time I heard him tell Mr. Mike, "It just sounds better."  And, that's also why it's better to      call your "old trade in" Car "Pre-Owned" instead of "Used" Mr. Mike then joked.                        

    

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

 In the early 1990's Mr. Steve and his brother Rock went with their father on a number of business trips to the city of "Las Vegas."  That's to the northeast of Piñon Hills and it takes about four hours to drive there from here.  Two of the Pigeons just now flew out to the desert.                 

      According to my Spanish Dictionary Las Vegas means "The Meadows" and I guess another Spanish word for "meadow land" is "prado."  Mr. Steve says the area in the State of "Nevada,"  where Las Vegas is located; is desert similar to our deserts.  A Sparrow is chirping happily.           

     Because they "Know the Numbers" so to speak, my boss and his dad don't ever gamble and tell other's not to waste their money doing it.  Mr. Steve's father jokes that places like Las Vegas  "separate people from their money without them minding."   I smell Juniper again.                       

                                                                  OPEN SKY       

                   

   I feel so good today God.  My boss told his friend Mr. Ralph he doesn't think there's such a thing as "Paradise."  But if there is he jokes, our two and a half acres might come close; at least    for "us three."  But of course he jokes, "We might be just a little biased."                                        

   Hey God!  I know I've thanked You a lot of times for bringing me over here to live but I just feel like doing it again.  Who knows where I'd be if You hadn't caused my boss to go get me out    of that field my first owner dumped me into.  I might even be dead by now.                                      

       My Spanish Dictionary says "Tierra" means "Land."  Sitting on this old couch Elvira, and looking towards the eastern horizon beyond the three Sheds; I feel happy.  I like taking in deep breaths of air because there are scents which are only around during Springtime.

                   

                                                                        TIERRA   

            

         One night Daisy and that Dog Millie, who I replaced; were in the living room watching tv and saw a show about bands that has come out of East Los Angeles since the 1960's.  I guess one of those bands was called TIERRA .  Boy God!  I now really love our land.

      Dais told me our boss's friend Mr. Ralph likes that band TIERRA and so did his other friend Gilbert who I mentioned in the last chapter.   They were mainly from the 1970's and were on a show called "Soul Train."  Mr. Mark danced on that show in the 1980's.                            

        From what Daisy heard on that tv show, people of Mexican descent who live here in America are called "Chicanos."  I guess Mr. Ralph, whose family is from Mexico;  knows a lot about the history of that particular subject.  Mr. Ralph sounds like a really smart person.

                             

                                            CANNIBAL AND THE HEADHUNTERS

            

         One singing group from the 1960's was shown on the tv show and Daisy says that other Dog Millie really liked this song called "Land of a Thousand Dances."   It was by CANNIBAL AND THE HEADHUNTERS and has good singing on it.  Dais likes good singing alright.

          My boss and his friend Mark Ritter, who died; saw a "Punk" concert by PUBLIC IMAGE LTD. at the "Olympic" Auditorium in downtown Los Angeles.  That was back in the late 1970's.  Mr. Steve's friend Mr. Bobby the Boxer from Pacoima had many fights at the Olympic. 

          The band who what they call "Opened" for "PiL" was LOS LOBOS, who I guess are from East L.A.; and got "Booed off the stage."  Punks fought Mexicans in the Parking Lot that night. In my Spanish Dictionary it says how Los Lobos is how you would say "The Wolves." 

        

                      LOS LOBOS                                           SHAM THE SHAM & THE PHARAOHS

                        

         Another band shown on the tv show was called SAM THE SHAM & THE PHARAOH"S.   Daisy says they have a song about a wooly Bull which has really good saxophone and organ in it. Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran back in from being out there in the eastern desert.              

       Oh Wow!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows SAM THE SHAM & THE PHARAOHS and I love how the Musicians are dressed up in ancient Egyptian costumes.  Boy!  I'd definitely wear the hats those five guys have on.  Sam the Sham is a really good Singer according to Daisy. 

       I especially like the blue turban Sam the Sham is wearing.  Dais would probably look pretty good in a red turban like that, mainly because red is her all time favorite color.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's friend Mark calls his one man band BLUE TURBAN STONE.  

                                                      

                                               ARNOLD ROTHSTEIN (1882-1928)      

                                                                                                          

              I'm still thinking about gambling, and in my three books I'll learn about the history of that subject.  Tomorrow, in book two; Daisy has me scheduled to write about American "Organized Crime" in the 20th century.  Dawn's barking over there and I smell her, Blinky and Rosie.   

           Earlier I mentioned that Jewish gambler from New York City named Arnold Rothstein.  In the 1920's his nickname was the "Big Bankroll," and back in 1919 he "Paid Off" those Chicago "White Sox" players to "Throw" or lose the Baseball "World Series."  Blinky smells good.  

         Hey God!  I can't wait for the time when I get over my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area.  Then I can hear more music and see tv the way Daisy does.  She told me about a Video she and Millie saw which was called "Your Woman," about this guy being kind of mean to a girl.

            

                                            "YOUR WOMAN" (WHITE TOWN)

                    

             Dais says our boss told that kid Jason, who plays guitar; a customer from India told him the guy who wrote the song and made the Video Your Woman is from India too even though he lives in England.  The Video is part "Electronic" music I guess.  Dawn's still barking over there.  

            The Video for Your Woman, which was made in 1997; was filmed in black and white and not color Daisy told me.  One of the things I like best about watching cartoons on Saturday mornings is how colorful they are.  I guess both Mr. Steve and his mom still enjoy coloring pictures.

        Mr. Steve was told most of the music on Your Woman was played by that one guy, who calls his One man Band WHITE HOUSE.  Someday, I want to hear songs by Mr. Mark in Hawaii's one man band BLUE TURBAN STONE.  A group of Finches is flying over Libby's Corral.

                     

                                                   JYOTI MISHRA (WHITE TOWN)

   

               In my books, but mainly on Saturday in book three; I'll write about "Punk" music.  Even though Your Woman is not Punk in style, Mr. Steve's customer said the guy in WHITE TOWN is part of this Punk "Subculture" called "Straight Edge."  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.    

              I guess being a part of the Straight Edge movement means you don't drink alcohol or take drugs.  Hey!  That's like Frank Zappa who grew up near Mr. Steve's brother Sam and his family over there in Littlerock, and this Guitarist named Ted Nugent too.  I smell some Juniper. 

             When Mr. Steve and Jason watched the Video for Your Woman Jason called the song kind of "sad sounding."  Mr. Steve used the word "melancholy" and said Your Woman is "not exactly the typical 4/4 rock or pop song."  A flock of Birds is flying to the east way up there in the sky.    

        

                            KARL MARX(1818-1883)                 LEON TROTSKY (1879-1940)

             

                 My boss's customer from India said, in that song Your Woman; the girl says her mean boyfriend is a "Marxist."  I guess Jyoti Mishra, who's the one man band; describes himself as a a "Trotskyite."  Karl Marx, and Leon Trotsky later; were both "Non-Practicing" Jews.

              As I've mentioned, over the next three days I'll find out about the subject of "Socialism" versus "Capitalism."  Mr. Steve's father, who had a school for "Stockbrokers;" has studied it.  That's why he jokingly tells people, "speculating" is just a nicer way of saying "gambling." 

           Dais says Mr. Steve told that kid Jason he likes the "feel" of  the music on Your Woman and how the video was filmed too.  I guess it looks like one of those old "Silent" movies Dais told me about.  I can now hear some of the Ducks quacking about something next door.                                         

                                             "THE GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY" (1903)

     

             Even though Mr. Steve doesn't follow current "Pop Culture" entertainment anymore, I'm going to write about things from when he did.  And one of those topics is "Western" movies like the ones Daisy's told me about.  Boy!  I really want to see some of those Westerns someday. 

          I guess the first "Silent" movie was this Western called "The Great Train Robbery."  The Your Woman Video uses filming "Techniques," such as "Composite Editing," or "On Location" filming;  and "Cross-Cutting.  That's what the Parts Manager from India said on the phone.   

            Mr. Steve told his mom, who knows about the history of art; the Your Woman Video kind of looks like it was influenced by 1920's "Expressionism."  Daisy says there's a scene where the boy and girl pull on a each end of a rope.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico called it "Match Cut" editing.     

         

AL BOWLLY (1898-1941)

                                                                                                      IMAGE HUTTON ARCHIVE

       

        Daisy told me Mr. Steve pointed out Your Woman's "Muted" trumpet parts to Jason.  That trumpet part was "Sampled," or taken from a 1930's song called "My Woman;" by an English Singer named Al Bowlly.  As I've said, the "Great Depression" happened in the 1930's. 

           I guess in the Video for Your Woman a girl with a baby wants to be with the boy but he does not want to be with her.  Mr. Steve told that kid Jason how, in Al Bowlly's original song; it's the girl who's mean.  Dais heard Mr. Dave say he likes the "Snare" drum on Your Woman.

            I've mentioned how my boss is fifty eight but has never been married.  One time Dais and I heard him tell Miss Susan he thinks many people would "rather have a bad relationship than no relationship," and seem to "prefer unhappiness over uncertainty."  But that's not him. 

  

                                                  "BATTLE OF BRITAIN" (1940-1941)

    

                  Oh wow!  According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, that Singer Al Bowlly was killed in 1941; during World War II's "Battle of Britain."  He was in his Apartment in London at the time.  Mr. Phillip, the Parts Manager from Wales; calls it a "Flat" from what Dais heard.

                 This is so interesting!   It says here Al Bowlly was killed by a German "Parachute Bomb," which floated down; and exploded above the ground.  He must've been poor like Antonio Vivaldi because he was also buried in a "Mass" grave too.  Two Crows are fighting out in the desert.

            I'm mainly scheduled to learn about the Second World War tomorrow but I'm sure some things will come up today too.  Mr. Steve and Mr. Phillip talked about how the Battle of Britain was the first battle in history fought almost entirely by Airplanes.  Libby whinnied over there.  

                                                                                         

 CÓRDOVA   

                      

              According to my three long outlines, Daisy and I decided I'd write about the subject of "Last" or "Surnames" tomorrow in book two; but I suddenly kind of just feel like doing part of it now too. Daisy and I really like our families last name.  Dawn's now barking over there.

             Wow!  My Encyclopedia says how there are about forty five thousand English surnames.  Some indicate "occupations" like "Carpenter," others tell where you work like in a "Hall."  Last names weren't "common" over in England until after 1066 A.D. from what it says here.   

             In my books I'll learn about the "Norman" King William "the Conqueror" who, back in 1066; sailed from France and conquered England.  I guess before that his Viking "Descendants"  had taken "Normandy" on the French coast.   Tomorrow I'll find more about "D-Day."

                    

                                          WILLIAM "THE CONQUEROR" (1028-1087)

                             

         This Encyclopedia says, in order to "distinguish" people when Europe grew in population; last named were used more.  I guess over in England; some "adopted" last names that indicated "physical characteristics" like "Young," "Strong" or "Gray."  Ah!  The air is so clear. 

         In Germany names like "Rothschild," or "Red Shield;" began to be used so you could tell everyone that you were from the "High Classes.  I'm now interested in last names mainly because Mr. Steve is.  Some cultures' last names are based on the men in the family it says here.    

        Dais says Mr. Steve once met this older "Armenian" lady over at the Sylmar Library, who "Perked Up" on hearing our last name.  She told our boss that many Armenian names end in the masculine "ian."  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just just ran bye in front of the three Sheds. 

                

     ORIGINAL MCDONALD'S (SAN BERNARDINO / 1940)    

          PHOTO BY EFEMÉRIDES                 

                      

           The Armenian lady said the Irish name "McDonald" would be "Son of Donald."  Mr. Steve told her how, in 1940; the first "McDonald's" Restaurant was started in San Bernardino near us by the two McDonald brothers.  The U.S. entered World War II the next year in 1941. 

        I mentioned earlier that the city of San Bernardino is about forty miles south of where we live here in Piñon Hills.  Daisy says our boss told the lady at the Library about a family he knew when growing up and their last name was McDonald.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.

      The McDonald family lived on Hunnewell Street which the Cul De Sacs Hagar and Alexander Streets were off of.  The parents had three kids, Neil, Kerrie and Robert; and were nice in letting the neighborhood kids use their pool.  But they moved after that big 1971 earthquake.

       

"BRITISH" ISLANDS    

     

         I guess some families spell their last name McDonald, others "MacDonald."  Mr. Phillip told Mr. Steve it's not true people of Irish descent spell it McDonald, while those from Scotland    spell it the other way.  Fannie and Freddie the Crows, talking to each other; just flew bye.             

         Dais says Mr. Phillip also said it's not true that in Ireland and Scotland the Catholics and Protestants use the different spellings of McDonald and MacDonald.  Mr. Steve, over the years;    has had pleasant dreams about their neighbors the McDonalds.  A Sparrow is chirping.                 

         The McDonald's house, like all of the houses on Hunnewell, Alexander and Hagar Streets; were damaged in that 1971 earthquake.  Unlike the houses on Hagar; many of those houses were able to be repaired.  But most of the families who had lived in them ended up moving away.                                              

                                   MR. PHILLIP                                         

                                                                                                              

       As I said earlier, in my three books I'll learn about the history of the "British Islands."  That means England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland.  Daisy heard Mr. Phillip, who's  a "Honda" Parts Manager call it "U.K.;" which is an abbreviation for "United Kingdom."           

      Mr. Steve told the Armenian lady about a time in 1692 when the English slaughtered a group of Scottish people named McDonald.  That guy Rick Steves, on his European travel show; talked  about it one time Dais said.  She thinks I would really like those shows Rick Steves does.                

     Someday, when I overcome my fear of being trapped in enclosed areas; I'll go in the house to watch more tv and listen to more music.  And one movie I really want to see is about this Scottish man named William Wallace.  Daisy and Millie one time saw this good movie about him.                                   

  

            WILLIAM WALLACE (1270-1305)                                 "BRAVEHEART"

 

               I'm tempted to write about Scotland right now but I'd better just wait and do according to the outlines Dais and I prepared.  I'm mainly scheduled to write about Scotland tomorrow in my second book when I look up that guy William Wallace.  Ah!  I smell new Spring Sage.

            Daisy said in the William Wallace movie his Scottish army beats an English army near this bridge partially by using long spears.  William Wallace hated the English because they killed his wife, so he got revenge leading the Scots to independence.  Mr. Steve has a few spears.

            Uh!  This Encyclopedia says William Wallace was "eventually" captured, killed; and then "Drawn and Quartered."  That means being hung, your body cut into four pieces; and your head put on a long pole or hung from a bridge I guess.  Ouch!  That would be so bad I think!  

                                             

"BLACK WATCH" / "SCOTS GUARDS"      

            Even though I'll mainly write about Scotland tomorrow in book two, I feel like mentioning this marching band called the "Black Watch."   One morning Mr. Steve played one of their songs on his Boombox as he cut down some weeds.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door. 

              I like the "Bagpipes" in JETHRO TULL'S song "The Third Hoorah," and also how they sound on that Black Watch song.  But I like flute even better, like on GENESIS' song "Musical Box."  Daisy thinks I'd really like the furry hats some of the Black Watch Musicians wear.     

               Dais says Mr. Steve and his friend Paul, who also went to St. Ferdinand's; in the 1970's saw a Black Watch concert at the Forum.  I guess, according to what Dais told me, Mr. Steve likes the drums in "Marching" bands.  Anyway, I'll find out more about Scotland in my three books.  

                                              

                   MCDONALD'S "FRANCHISE" LOCATION (ILLINOIS / 1955)

PHOTO BY TIM BOYLE              

           

         What the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about "Fast Food" Restaurants until tomorrow, I feel like writing a little bit about them today.  I've mentioned our McDonald's in Phelan.  I guess fast foods means food that you eat fast, which I definitely do.

       Mr. Steve was told that in 1955, the year he was born; a man named Ray Kroc started the first McDonald's "Franchise" outside of California.  That location was in the State of "Illinois," which is where that guy Ray Kroc was from.  I now smell new Spring Mesquite.  

    I guess Ray Kroc grew up poor but became really rich.  He eventually ended up buying the whole McDonald's company from those two brothers because he liked the idea of "Self-Serve"    Restaurants with no "Waiters" or "Waitress's" to pay.  A Duck is quacking over there.                                      

                                                            RAY KROC (1902-1984) 

      PHOTO BY ART SHAY                       

                         

         Mr. Steve read Ray Kroc operated his business's with his "Three-Legged Stool" theory.  The three legs were the "Franchisee," the "Suppliers" and the "Employees."  Each part was really important so all three had to operate as a good team for the business to succeed.

       I guess, from his first Restaurant in Illinois; Ray Kroc ended up growing his company to the point where now there are thousands of McDonald's all over the whole world.  I love when Mr. Steve mixes in McDonald's leftovers with dry Dog food.  A little Finch just flew bye.

       Boy!  Food is so great.  We had such a good breakfast this morning with that new Spam meat in it and thinking about it is now kind of making me hungry.  On my big break Daisy and I were both wondering when Mr. Steve will come outside and give us our first snack of the day.    

                 

                                                       MCDONALD'S (DOWNEY)

               

         In chapter four I wrote about how musicians like the CARPENTERS, the guitarist from METALLICA and the Alvin brothers all grew up in the city of "Downey."  And so did that other guy "Weird" Al Yankovic.  I can smell the the two Twin Joshua trees.

          Before the economic recession Daisy says our boss had a "Hyundai" dealership in Downey he sold Baseball hats to.  The Parts Manager said their McDonald's was the third one started by Ray Kroc.   And it's now the longest continually running McDonald's in the U.S.    

          Miss Susan smiled when Mr. Steve told her he heard a small girl defending our area from this other young girl who must've said we were backward compared to a city.  She said, "Oh no! We even have a McDonald's."  The other girl said in surprise, "Really?"

                   

"TACO BELL"    

   PHOTO BY JOE RAEDLE            

         

       Oh well!  Since I'm already writing about McDonalds right now anyway, I might as well also mention this other really good restaurant called "Taco Bell" too.  I just love when my boss gives  us parts of the things he gets from Taco Bell.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.                              

     Sometimes Mr. Steve makes Daisy and I catch pieces of things he gets from McDonalds and Taco Bell in our mouths.  I really do love the taste of the Taco Bell burritos and things like that.    Which now reminds me again about how we haven't had any snacks so far today.                           

    I guess, from what I heard my boss tell Miss Susan that one day, the the man who began the idea for Taco Bell was named Glen Bell.  He had a Hot Dog Stand in San Bernardino but in 1962 opened his first Taco Bell in Downey.  Mr. Steve was only seven years old back in 1962.                  

                                         

     GIDGET         

                    

   My boss's friend Mr. Ralph knows a lot about the history of food and things like that.  One time he and Mr. Steve talked about how on tv for a few years Taco Bell commercials had a girl    "Chihuahua" Dog named "Gidget" in them.  The Dragonfly just zoomed bye.                                 

    According to what Daisy says, Mr. Ralph told our boss how, not only was that Dog Gidget in those Taco Bell advertisements, she was also in some actual long movies too.  Boy!  It would be so great to be a big "Star" just like Gidget.  Then Mr. Steve would really like me!                                

     Dais thinks I'd be a good Actor, mainly because my almost photographic memory would make it easy for me to memorize all my "Lines."  Gidget used to say "Yo quiero Taco Bell" which my    Spanish Dictionary says means "I want Taco Bell."  That's such a clever thing to say.                     

GIDGET     

       

    Daisy says a few years ago our boss Mr. Steve did some artwork for a lady who, in the early 1960's; liked to surf.  They talked about some movies from that time about surfing.  They were    about a girl whose nickname was "Gidget" which meant "Little Midget."                                        

     In my three books I'll write about surfing.  I guess Mr. Steve told that one lady he tried to do it a few times but was "terrible" at it.  The lady grew up in the West Los Angeles" coastal city of "Santa Monica."  Our boss's friend Mr. Doug still goes surfing Dais told me.                                   

  I wrote a little bit about that Surf Rock guitarist from the early 1960's named Dick Dale in chapter four.  He was popular during the same period as when those Gidget movies came out I      guess.  Mr. Doug saw Dick Dale play at a place near the Malibu Pier a few years ago.                     

              

                                                                    RAY KROC

PHOTO BY THOMAS S. ENGLAND               

                

        Mr. Steve told that Armenian lady at the Sylmar Library about Ray Kroc and how, in 1974; he bought the San Diego "Padres" Baseball team so they wouldn't move.  They'd been a really bad team who lost most of their games.  A Duck is quacking next door.  

         In 1974 I guess my boss was in his first year of College at "Los Angeles Valley College" in Van Nuys.  That was a local "Community" or "Junior" College.  After two years he transferred over to Cal State Northridge.   Now more Ducks are quacking too over there. 

        Earlier I mentioned how Mr. Steve, his brother Rock, sister Susan and their mom all went to C.S.U.N.  And so did Mr. Steve's girlfriend Sandy and his friends Chris and David.   I'd like to go to College like Mr. Peabody, who graduated from that school called "Harvard."   

         

                                                                QUIET RIOT 

             

         Throughout my three long books I'll write about music and one band I'll learn about is called QUIET RIOT.  In 1974 Mr. Steve and Sandy met people at Valley College who knew their singer from Van Nuys.  Anyway, I'll come back to QUIET RIOT in my books.

         According to what it says in this Encyclopedia, in 1917 that guy Ray Kroc lied about his age being only fifteen and joined the military so he could be in the First World War.  He trained as a Ambulance driver.  1917 was also the year of the Russian Revolution. 

          I'm mainly going to write about World War I on Saturday in book three.  But I'll also learn things about it in my first two books too.  Mr. Steve and his father know a lot about both 20th century world wars.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows flew bye.

                       

                WALT DISNEY (1901-1966)                   ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899-1961)

                              

       I wonder if my boss knows this?  According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, one of the other Ambulance drivers in Ray Kroc's "Company" during the First World War was that guy Walt Disney.  My right nostril just picked up Libby the Horse's scent.

          It says here the writer Ernest Hemingway was also an Ambulance driver in World War I.  Oh!  All three of Ernest Hemingway, Walt Disney and Ray Kroc were from Illinois.  Boy!  I can't wait to learn about the different American States over the next three days.   

          I guess Walt Disney also lied about his young age in order to be able to join the military in 1917.  He was only sixteen.  I'll write about "Disneyland," which began in 1955 the year my boss was born; in my three books.  I just now noticed Libby over there to my right.

                

                                             ADOLPH HITLER (WORLD WAR I)

           

           I mentioned how Adolph Hitler fought and was "Decorated" for bravery in the First World War.  Ray Kroc said Walt Disney was an "oddball" who spent his off time drawing rather than partying like the other guys in World War I.   I guess Hitler did the exact same thing too. 

          My Encyclopedia has World War I pictures of Hitler with a "Handlebar" mustache, before he trimmed it so his Gas Mask would fit tight on his face.  His Dog is in a picture, and Daisy says he and Writer Ernest Hemingway were both wounded in the First World War.

          Mr. Steve used to sell things to a "Mazda" dealership in "Escondito."  Over the years he and this one Parts Manager talked about some of the different "San Diego" sports teams, like the Baseball "Padres" and Football "Chargers."  I still smell Libby over there. 

               

                                                        TED WILLIAMS (1918-2002)

           

       As I just mentioned, when Ray Kroc bought the Padres back in 1974 they a losing "Major" League team.  In the 1930's, during the Great Depression; they'd been a "Minor" League team in the "Pacific Coast" League.  One guy who played for them was Ted Williams.  

        Over the next three days one thing I'm going to write about is the big "Rivalry" between Ted Williams and this other player named Joe DiMaggio.  Both were really good players in the 1930's and 1940's.  I just glanced up in time to see the Monarch Butterfly go bye.

       I guess Joe DiMaggio, who grew up in San Francisco and played for the New York "Yankees;" was married to that girl Marilyn Monroe for a few years back in the 1950's.  Ted Williams was from San Diego but played for the Boston "Red Sox."   I love Butterflies!

           

                           TONY GWYNN                               TED WILLIAMS / TONY GWYNN

               

        Two pictures in this one Encyclopedia show a guy named Tony Gwynn.  The caption says he played his entire career with the San Diego Padres.  I guess Mr. Steve and his brother Rock and friend Rick saw him play against the Dodgers a few times over the years.   

         According to what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mike one morning, Tony Gwynn, like Ted Williams; was one of the best hitters in history.  A picture shows him helping Ted Williams throw a ball in a "Ceremony."  The caption says Ted Williams died "soon thereafter." 

     The Padres are named after the 18th century Spanish Franciscan Priests like that guy Father Serra I guess.  As I've said, I'll learn about California's Missions in my books because Mr. Steve and his parents gave Tours of the San Fernando Mission.  Dawn's barking. 

      

              1929 WORLD SERIES (CHICAGO CUBS / PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS)

                

          This is so interesting.  My Encyclopedia says Ray Kroc, in 1929; saw a "World Series" game between his favorite Baseball team called the Chicago "Cubs" and Mr. Steve's favorite team the "Athletics."  But back then the "A's" were from  Philadelphia not Oakland.

          Oh!  Too bad!  It says here, just a few months after Ray Kroc died; the Padres went to their very first World Series.  That kind of reminds of how, in 1945; that guy President Roosevelt died just a few months before World War II ended.  A Crow is cawing out in the desert. 

          Later today, when I write about Catalina Island; I'll also write about the Chicago Cubs who for many years held their "Spring Training" there.  Daisy says I would like the Cubs uniforms because my favorite color is royal blue.  That's they're primary color I guess.    

                           

                                                     KARL MARX (1818-1883)

                 

             I've already mentioned that German Jewish guy Karl Marx a few times, and Daisy has me scheduled to learn more about him and his family over the next three days.  Back in the 19th century he wrote about "Socialism versus Capitalism."  I smell the baby Cholla cactus. 

                 Mr. Steve's father had that school for "Stockbrokers" in the early 1970's and believes in Capitalism.  But he also knows it's not a good thing when a person "worships" what he calls the "almighty dollar."  Daisy told me at times he uses words "ruthless" and "cold-blooded." 

            Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Ray Kroc said "If any of my competitors were drowning, I'd stick a hose in their mouth and turn on the water.  This industry is Dog eat Dog or I'll kill them before they kill me.  You're talking about the American way, of survival of the fittest." 

                              

 SPAIN ( "ESPANA")

                          

          I'm still thinking about last names.  Mr. Steve's mother's "Maiden" last name is "Trujillo" and, like "Córdova;" originates from a Spanish town.  As I wrote earlier this morning, our last name "Córdoba" came from that really famous big city in the "Andalusia" area. 

      Trujillo, a small town in the Spanish province of "Extremadura;" is not shown on the map in my Encyclopedia.  Francisco Pizzaro, who conquered the "Inca" Indians in the 1500's; was from Trujillo.  METALLICA'S current bass player's last name is also Trujillo.

      As I've said, in my books; because my boss is interested in the 16th century I'l learn about what's called the "Age of Discovery."  The 1500's, or period after Christopher Columbus made his voyages to the "New World;" was also the time of the "Renaissance" too. 

      

  ANCIENT ROME                               EUROPE                    MODERN NATIONS      

      

          The ancient Roman Empire started in the 5th century B.C. in what is now the country of "Italy."  The Romans then brutally conquered most of what is now "Europe" and the areas all around the Mediterranean Sea.  Two Crows are fighting out in the desert.

       There are two good maps of Europe in my Encyclopedia and the first one shows just how big the Roman Empire was by the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.  The other map shows Europe now in the 21st century when the different countries are in the "European Union." 

       Someday when I get over my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area with no quick escape route, I'll be able to go all the way down the Hallway and see the Bedrooms, Bathrooms and my boss's Office.  Daisy says he has some replica Roman swords and knives in there. 

    

     "LEGIONAIRES"                 ROMAN WARFARE                         SEA COMBAT           

        The ancient Roman Legions conquered a lot of land but they also fought on the water too.  Two good painting in my Encyclopedia show the Legionnaires.  In one they're marching and in another the caption says they're "engaging" the Carthaginians "at sea." 

       Because our boss and his father think the ancient Romans are so important to the history of Western culture, Dais and I have many things in my three outlines about them.  Hey Lord!  I'm going to write about how the Romans killed You.  Heathcliff  just crowed.

       Oh!  Just as my right nostril picked up their scent from over there next door, I hear Dawn and Blinky barking at something.  Ah!  I can smell old Rosie too.  Looking out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds, I see a few Birds zipping about in different directions.     

                        "DOGS OF WAR"             

             

       One thing I'll learn about in my three books is how us Dogs have been used in times of war.  The Romans used Dogs that they wanted to be really mean opponents.  And in the 16th century the Spanish Conquistadors also kept "Perros de Guerra" or "Dogs of War."

       A painting in my Encyclopedia shows Spanish soldiers "casually" watching their "Mastiff" Dogs tear apart Indians in the 1500's.  Daisy says to this day people force us Dogs to fight each other so they can bet money on who will win.  Boy!  I don't think I'd like that!

          I've mentioned before how, in 1985; Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand's Tour Group visited Italy and Israel.  In the city of Rome they saw the "Colloseum" where, as "Entertainment;" men killed each other.  Mr. Steve thinks, even in these modern times; many people love violence. 

       

                                             CAESAREA MARITIMA (ISRAEL)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                

                

      Wherever the Roman Legions conquered and killed people; they also brought in some good things like "Aqueducts" that made it possible to have "Running" water.   In 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group saw the  Aqueduct ruins at "Caesarea" in Israel.  I smell Mesquite.  

     I guess the ancient Romans were also good at building some of the first "Paved" roads.  I've mentioned how the eastern boundary of my boss's property ends at "Primavera" the dirt road. Ah!  I can suddenly hear Antonio Vivaldi's happy Spring song in my head. 

     The ancient Romans, whose Empire ended up lasting for about one thousand years; ended up conquering a huge amount of land.  Their Latin language now influences countries like France, Spain and Portugal.  Mr. Steve and the Armenian lady at the Library talked about it.

                     

                             FRED DE CÓRDOVA (1910-2001) / JOHNNY CARSON   

                    

               One time Dais and Millie were in the living room and saw a tv "Documentary" about a man named Johnny Carson.  I guess for many years he "Hosted" what's called a late-night "Talk Show."  And Daisy noticed how that show's "Producer" was named Fred de Córdova. 

               Daisy told me Fred de Córdova, in the 1970's and 1980's; was also the "Director" of the "Tonight Show."  He went to "Harvard" College like Mr. Peabody and Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty.  My boss's parent's are friends with a New Mexico couple whose last name is de Córdova. 

            In 1968 that guy Fred de Córdova was the "Director" of a tv show Mr. Steve's parents liked called "My Three Sons."  He got a Harvard "Law" Degree while Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty earned an "M.B.A." in Business.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve flunked out of Law School.    

         

                                                   "SEPHARDIC" JEWS (SPAIN)

PHOTOS BY MANU FERNANDEZ             

               

           Oh what the heck!  Even though it's not on my outline to write about right now, I feel like learning about the "Sephardic" and "Ashkenazi" Jews.  Sephardic Jews are mainly from Spain, Portugal and North Africa I guess.  Fred de Córdova's dad was Sephardic Jew.

        This Encyclopedia says Ashkenazi Jews mainly live in northern and eastern Europe.  Daisy says our boss told the lady at the Sylmar Library that, in 1985; a Tour Guide in the city of Rome said the Jews there aren't either Sephardic or Ashkenazi.  Dawn's barking.  

            I guess ancient Jews "fled" or were captured and "taken" from their "ancestral homeland" in Israel a few times.  Later today I'll write about 66 A.D. when the Romans "crushed" a Jewish revolt and made many of the survivors Slaves.  Crushed means killed I guess. 

   

                                                                "ARCH OF TITUS" 

           

          My boss told the Armenian lady about how, in 1985; he saw saw this thing called the "Arch of Titus" in the city of Rome.  It shows the captured and enslaved Jews from the 66 A.D. revolt being led into "Exile."  And some of them are carrying a "Menorah."  

          I guess a Menorah is meant for holding candles in it.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has a miniature Menorah in his office.  He bought it at what they call a "Garage Sale" a while back.  Dais told me our boss and his mom like the smell of "Scented" burning candles.

       Oh!  My Encyclopedia says the name Jew "derives" from "Judahite."  It was first used back in the 8th century B.C. when the "Assyrians" from Mesopotamia conquered Israel.   In the 6th century B.C. that area was again conquered by Mesopotamian "Babylonians."      

                     

                              KING HEROD'S "SECOND" TEMPLE (JERUSALEM)

                                                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                      

           Hey Lord!  In Israel is a miniature model of the city of Jerusalem which shows how it looked when You and Your family were alive.  I guess the "Second" Temple is where You got really mad at those "Money Changers."  You correctly predicted its later destruction alright.   

          The Second Jewish Temple was burned down by the Romans 70 A.D.  Mr. Steve thinks that, without a Temple; many of the Jews "refocused" their energy into studying that book called the "Torah" and the Old Testament too.  Now Jews use smaller "Synagogue's" instead.     

          I guess, after the Romans Generals "Vaspasian" and his son "Titus" conquered Israel; they took a lot of Jews away from the "Middle East."  All three times when ancient Israel was beaten in wars Jews were "dispersed" in what's called "Diaspora."  A Crow is cawing.    

            

                     CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS / QUEEN ISABELLA / KING FERDINAND

                  

          My Encyclopedia says Spain's Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand "exiled" Sephardic Jews in the same year they gave Christopher Columbus permission to make his first voyage.   The lady at the Library said, "The end of one period is often the beginning of another."   

      Mr. Steve and his father think Jews have been unfairly blamed for things over the centuries.  I guess in the year 1290 A.D. they were "forced out" of England and, from 1948 through 1973; have been "expelled" from Arab countries.  I can smell some new Spring Mesquite. 

      Maybe Jews are a special people just like my boss and his dad think God.  I guess You picked them as the "Chosen" people like it says in the Old Testament.  They've been picked on and even killed sometimes but no matter what bad things happen they still survive and survive.        

                       

                             MISS EMILY                                                     MISS HARRIET

          

         My boss Mr. Steve told that one lady at the Library about his last two girlfriends Emily and Harriet.  Their Ashkenazi Jewish relatives, at the beginning of the 20th century; might've come over here to American from eastern Europe.  Heathcliff is crowing next door. 

       In my books I'll write about the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island which are in the Harbor of New York City.  Emily grew up in New York City and for a few years worked to raise money to repair and restore the Statue of Liberty.  Now she works at U.C.L.A.   

       Mr. Steve's friend Rick, who my boss met when his family moved from the city of Pittsburgh in the early 1960's; is Italian.  His family came to the U.S. from Italy in the late 19th century and also came through Ellis Island.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye.

         

                                                      HARRIET AND HER MOM

           

           Dais says Mr. Steve told the Armenian lady over at the Sylmar Library about his girlfriends Emily and Harriet, who were both Jewish.  A while back he told Mark in Hawaii he had a dream about Harriet and her mother.  Harriet's mom was a really nice person.

          From what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Cliff one time, during World War II Emily's father was in General George S. Patton's 3rd Army in Europe.  And, just like Mr. Steve's dad; Harriet's dad fought in the Korean War.  Ducks are quacking over there next door. 

         As I've mentioned a few times already, throughout my three long books I'll write a lot about the two world wars that happened in the 20th century.  But I'll also learn about some of the other wars in history.  Mr. Steve and his father are both interested in that subject.   

        

                                                                        BOWZER

        Mr. Steve met a Jewish guy from New York City who liked a 1950's style "Doo Wop" singing band called SHA NA NA.  Mr. Steve told him "Bowzer" from SHA NA NA, who was also from New York City too; now lives here in California.  Heathcliff just crowed.   

          The caption below this picture of that guy Bowzer, who "Advocates" for the elderly; says he was a "Greaser" whose motto was "Grease for Peace." I'd wear shoes like the one's he wears if they made them for us Dogs.  Daisy and I really believe in having peace too. 

          Mr. Steve's old girlfriend Harriet's mom worked at a North Hollywood "Retirement Center" where Bowzer's mother lived.  The guy from New York City said Bowzer is actually a really good musician who went to a school called "Julliard."  I guess that's pretty good.

  

         Daisy says that Jewish guy from New York City told our boss he saw SHA NA NA play at the "Filmore East" and liked their version of this song called "Walk Don't Run," even though there was no singing in it.  I prefer running to walking.  Daisy likes to walk.

      I guess that song Walk Don't Run was originally done in the early 1960's by this band from the Washington State called the VENTURES.  Mr. Steve told the guy from New York City his old girlfriend Emily's sister and Brother-in Law knew them.  Dawn's barking.  

        Some of the first songs my boss tried to play drums along to were Surf Rock songs like the ones the VENTURES did.  He played Walk Don't Run and also this one other VENTURES song called "Pipeline."  And he played Dick Dale songs too Daisy told me. 

    

         Writing about how that guy Bowzer is a Greaser makes me think about a movie Daisy told me about.  It's called "Grease" and is about a nice girl from Australia named "Sandy" who has a boyfriend named "Danny."  He's a Greaser according to what Dais says.

       Someday I'll see movies like Daisy does now.  Dais says Grease is about a boy and girl who meet each other, break up; but then get back together again and are happy.  Daisy told me how the boys in Grease are called "T-Birds" and the girls are "Pink Ladies."

      Hey Stanley!  I guess in Grease that girl Sandy's friend wants to "Drop Out" of High School to become what they call a "Beautician" instead.  But she accidentally colors her hair pink so a Gardian Angel like you comes down and tells her to go back to school.  I smell Sage.     

                                                                                                                                         

                                                                          SANDY

      

           I've mentioned how my boss Mr. Steve has had three girlfriends and the first one was from when he went to Sylmar High School.  His other two girlfriends, Emily and then Harriet; were with him in the 1980's and early 1990's.  Fannie and Freddie are flying bye.

       Dais says in 1978, when the movie Grease came out; our boss and Sandy went to see it at a place called a "Movie Theater" and Mr. Steve remembers the name of that girl in the movie.  At times both Daisy and I have wondered what it would be like to go to a Theater. 

           According to what Dais says, in the movie Grease Sandy's boyfriend sometimes has to act kind of mean to her in front of all his friends.  But, "In the End" as they say; they end up being together and he doesn't care what anyone says or thinks.  Heathcliff crowed. 

                                                                          1955 THUNDERBIRD

    

           Writing about how in the movie Grease the boy's club was called the "T-Birds" makes me think about Mr. Steve watering the Mulberry tree and talking to Mr. Cliff.  Mr. Cliff said he used to have a red 1955 "Thunderbird" Car.  Daisy's favorite color is red. 

           Mr. Steve was born in 1955 and I guess that was the first year the American Car company "Ford" made the T-Bird.  Mr. Cliff's was what they call a "Convertible" where the top is taken on and off.   He said he put in a 302 V-8 motor with a 3-Speed Transmission.

        Mr. Cliff said the 1955 T-Bird was the smallest of the first generation produced from 1955 to 1997.  He and Mr. Steve discussed how, from the late 1960's through 1998; "Lincoln-Mercury" also had a T-Bird version.  I wonder what a "Telescopic" steering wheel is?  

                    

PIGEONS ON PATIO ROOF

    

          Two of the Pigeons just landed up on the patio roof above.  As I've said before, it's kind of hard to tell the difference between Lucy and Ricky and Fred and Ethel.  Looking to my front as I sit here on my couch Elvira, I see Birds zipping around out there in the desert.

          I'm still thinking about how people get their names.  Mr. Steve and the Armenian lady at the Sylmar Library talked about how, in many of the Latin cultures, like Spain, Italy and France; a person can take both of his parents last names.  The Pigeons are cooing.

      Daisy says some Spanish or Italian people, like that guy Fred de Córdova for example; put in "de" or "de la" between their first and last name.  Hey!  I could be called Maggie de Córdova.  I just glanced up in time to see Speedy the Squirrel run bye right in front of the three Sheds. 

DAISY / MAGGIE

   

      I wonder what Dais is doing up there in the front yard?  I haven't heard her bark at all today but she's just like Rosie who's also old and wants to save energy.  She'll bark and warn me if Mr. Steve comes outside for some reason, like to give us a snack for instance.                                          

   Because Daisy and I can only recall our mom's scent, we decided to just go under our boss's last name.  He doesn't mind.  According to what it says here in my English Dictionary, the word    "Appropriate" means, "to take something for one's own personal use."                                            

    Hey God!  Dais wonders, if we were to use Mr. Peabody's Way Back time machine to go back in time to see ourselves as babies; would we be in two places at once?  Could we smell ourselves?  Would it be possible for us to do something that would totally change the future?                            

                      

                                                        SITTING BULL (1831-1890)

     

       Mr. Steve and the lady at the Library talked about how some Indians are given their names based on a "physical" or "personality trait."  Others have names "associated" with an event or situation from the time they were born.  The Pigeons are cooing up there. 

       Glancing over to my right I see Libby the Horse over there in her Corral.  And that reminds me about how, tomorrow in book two; Daisy has me scheduled to look up and write about these two Lakota Sioux Indians named "Crazy Horse" and "Sitting Bull."  I can't wait!       

      Tomorrow I'll write about President Jefferson's 1804 "Lewis and Clark Expedition." So I'll talk about a Shoshone girl named "Sacagawea."  She was an "Interpreter" and her name means "Bird Woman."  I like how the sound of Pigeons cooing makes me kind of relax. 

                                     

                                                       CARL LINNAEUS (1707-1778)

            

      I just looked up this man from the 18th century named Carl Linnaeus in my Encyclopedia.  I guess he was from the country of Sweden and is now called the "Father of Modern Taxonomy." And that's mainly because he "created" the "system" for naming plants.                                         

     Boy!  I really like the wig Carl Linnaeus is wearing in the painting of him.  I'd definitely wear one like that if I had one.   The one Armenian lady at the Sylmar Library told Mr. Steve how she  read that his father was the first person in their family to "adopt" a "surname."                             

 Those two Pigeons who were up on the Patio roof above me are now flying back out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  And I just saw Speedy Gonzalez the Ground Squirrel go    bye on the other side of the back fence.  Seeing him makes me sort of feel like running.                  

                           

SANDY     

         

      Oh!  I wonder if my boss knows this?   This one Encyclopedia says Carl Linnaeus went to a College named "Lund University," and "Lund" is my boss's first girlfriend Sandy's last name.    Back in chapter four I mentioned how her family's last name is Norwegian.                                     

    This is kind of interesting.  According to Encyclopedia that guy Carl Linnaeus' birthday is May 23 and in looking at my list of  birthdays I can see how that's also Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday too.  A few people in my boss's family were born in the month of May.                              

         I've mentioned how South Korean people live in our area.  One man told Mr. Steve in China there are a few hundred names and many are connected to their "Clan" or "family group."  He said in Korea and Vietnam half of the population "share" just three Surnames.   

         

JAPANESE ISLANDS

         

    That Korean man who talked to my boss about Asian names also knew a lot about names in the country of Japan too.  He and Mr. Steve discussed how, until the year 1868, which was three    years after the American Civil War; no one in Japan had surnames.  Dawn's barking.                   

     It says here in this one Encyclopedia that, for a few hundred years; Japan was an "isolated" and "Feudal" society ruled by "Samurai" warriors.  Mr. Steve and his father think it's normal to have "Classes" where "Haves" do better than "Have-Not's."  I smell Sage.                                      

      Even supposedly "egalitarian" Socialist cultures have "Upper" and "Lower" classes my boss says.  I guess, one big difference between "Capitalist" and "Socialist" societies is; capitalists own "Private Property" and have "Free Markets."   Now Blinky's barking next door.        

                                                                                        

   

                 I guess my boss and his dad read George Orwell's book "Animal Farm," about how some "Farm" animals rebel against their human owner.  Daisy says once they "Overthrow" that mean farmer they set up a society where all animals are "Equal" and "Free."  I like Sage.

                 Andy and Helen the Squirrels used the two vertical slots on the sides of the gate to come back in from being out there in eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  And now Helen ducked down into their burrow to see the babies.  Andy will stand guard near the entrance.

               One afternoon Mr. Steve was watering the big Mulberry tree in the front yard.   He told Mr. Mike in Animal Farm a Pig named "Napoleon" becomes Dictator.  A good picture of Animal Farm's book cover in my Encyclopedia shows how Napoleon does look mean alright.     

            

GEORGE ORWELL (1903-1950)

          I guess that guy George Orwell, who wrote that book Animal Farm; wrote it during the Second World War II.  But it wasn't "Published" until later.  Mr. Steve says George Orwell, who also wrote "1984;" knew about "Imperialism," "Fascism" and "Communism" too.                       

         Daisy has me scheduled to also learn about that other book 1984 too.  I guess, it's one of those "Dystopian" novels; just like Aldous Huxley's book "Brave New World."  Boy!  Someday    I'd really like to read some of the good books my boss has read over the years.                                 

            George Orwell fought in the 1930's Spanish Civil War but before that had been a student of Aldous Huxley's in College.  But, his name was Eric Blair in those days.  Andy's guarding their burrow, and keeps sniffing the air; to see if anyone like Cher the Cat might be around.                            

  NAPOLEON BONAPARTE (1769-1821)                         JOSEPH STALIN (1878-1953)    

                                                                                                                          

    From what I heard my boss tell Mr. Mike that time, George Orwell named the mean Pig in Animal Farm, who turns into a Dictator; after Napoleon Bonaparte.  But I guess his personality  is based on Joseph Stalin.  I hear a Raven clucking out there in the desert.                                        

     In the late 1800's Napoleon took advantage of the chaos created by the French Revolution to make himself "Emperor."  Stalin kind of did the same in becoming leader after helping Vladimir Lenin and that guy Leon Trotsky win the Russian Revolution in 1917.  I smell Sage.                       

   I mentioned how Jyoti Mishra, who wrote the song "Your Woman;" believes in the ideas of Leon Trotsky.  Mr. Steve has a book about "Trotsky."  The Pig in George Orwell's Animal Farm  was based on him.  That's what Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone one time.              

MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976)

    Writing about George Orwell's book Animal Farm makes me suddenly think about a man from over there in China named Mao Zedong.  Four years after World War II ended in 1945 he    took over the full leadership of his country.  He was one of those Dictators I guess.                          

       Over the next three days I'll learn about "Democratic" governments versus the much more common "Authoritarian" regimes in which few people have any "Political" power.  In history, I   guess many governments had a King or Emperor, or were "Oligarchies."  I smell Sage.                 

    Joseph Stalin was the brutal "Tyrant" responsible for the deaths of millions of people.  He killed even more people than Adolph Hitler.  But "Chairman Mao" killed even more than they    did.  Two Crows are fighting out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.                        

   

"RUSSIAN FRONT"  (GERMANY / SOVIET UNION / 1941-1945)

      Earlier today I wrote a little bit about how, in World War II; Hitler's Nazi Germany fought the biggest in "Scale" war in all of human history against Stalin's Soviet Russia.  It was like two  big Heavyweights "slugging it out" my boss says.  Those Crows are still fighting.                            

       This is interesting.  It says here in my Encyclopedia how, when George Orwell wrote Animal Farm in 1943 and 1944; Stalin's Soviet Union was then an "ally" of the U.S. in fighting against    Hitler's Germany.  Before that, since June of 1941; Hitler and Stalin were allies.                             

       Boy!  I'm so tempted to write more about the Second World War but I'd better just wait and do it according to the three outlines Daisy and I put together.  Dais thinks our boss Steve will be  so proud of me when he finds out I'm learning to read and write.  I can't wait!                                                                              

                                                            MR. RALPH / SON RORY

                      

           Daisy says our boss's friend Mr. Ralph sounds smart.  He went to San Fernando High School at the same time when that Boxer Bobby Chacon was a Student there too.  I guess, Mr. Ralph knows a lot about the history of many different subjects; such as Boxing for instance.         

            Mr. Ralph read George Orwell's books Animal Farm and 1984.  And, when young; also read Aldous  Huxley's book Brave New World too.  Mr. Ralph, who for a few years was what's  called a "Sparring Partner" in Boxing; is like a Historian of Boxing Mr. Steve thinks.                 

            From what Dais heard our boss tell his father one time, that guy Mr. Ralph has worked for the city of Los Angeles for a long time.  Mr. Ralph was born in "Mexico City" and for a long time lived over in Pacoima.  His son "Rory" is also very intelligent from what Daisy's heard.       

                                    

EMPEROR AUGUSTUS (63 B.C-14 A.D.)

  Daisy heard our boss discuss with Mr. Ralph on the phone that one time how, in the book Animal Farm; it's said all of the animals are equal but some are "more equal" than others.  Way up there in the high blue sky a flock of Birds bye right now over the desert.                                      

    Hey Lord!  As I've said a few times today, in my books I'll learn about the ancient world.  I I guess in ancient Rome it was joked that the Emperor "Augustus, who was in power during the  years when You were alive; was "First among Equals" too.  Some of the Duck's are quacking.                              

     Two of the Pigeons just landed in the dirt next to Manny the far right small Shed.  I think it's so cute when sometimes the boy Pigeon chases the girl Pigeon around and they both hop. The girl will hop in an irregular pattern trying to "Shake" him but he copies her hops.                                         

GEORGE ORWELL                                   CHARLES DICKENS

    I guess George Orwell, and that other guy Charles Dickens; were both English writers who lived about a century apart.  Daisy told me that our boss has some of their books on the three big bookshelves in his Office.  Ah! I just picked up the scent of new Spring Sage.                                   

     Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone how he thinks Charles Dickens in the 19th century, and George Orwell in the 20th century; told people in their writings that "one should at least try to be better in how you treat others."  Boy!  I really love smell of Sage.                              

    I'm still thinking about ancient Rome and how, for about a thousand years; they dominated what is now called Europe and much of the land around the Mediterranean Sea area too.  Their  Legions conquered a lot of land to create a huge empire.  Dawn's barking next door.                       

      

         VISIGOTHS SACK ROME (410 A.D.)

                                                                      

                  I've mentioned how my boss and his father think "Nothing lasts Forever," and it's not what's called a "Foregone Conclusion" the U.S. will always be so wealthy.  A "Plague" could be a "Trigger" for a big economic depression maybe.  "Western" Rome in Italy even fell!                   

             The Western part of the Roman Empire began in Italy about five hundred years B.C., and was destroyed by "Germanic" invaders in the 400's A.D.  Then, only the part of Rome over in the east was left.  And that part, "Byzantium;" lasted all the way up to 1453 A.D.                      

               Because Mr. Steve is interested in the subject, Dais has me scheduled to learn and write about both halves of ancient Rome, the original Italian western part and the surviving eastern  part begun in the 300's by Emperor Constantine I or "The Great."  I smell Creosote.                    

                

      "ROMAN" EMPIRE (c. 5TH CENTURY A.D.)        

  

           Because the American economy went into a "Recession" back in 2008, many people are low on money.  That's what I've heard my boss discuss with people a few times.  But, at least the country is not in a "Depression" like what happened in the 1930's before World War II.                

            Even though the eastern Roman Empire survived up until the 15th century, there were a few times when it almost fell too.  One was during the "Reign" of  Emperor Justinian, when this  huge "Plague" or "Epidemic" broke out.  So disease killed off millions of people.                            

            Back in College Mr. Steve did that "Research Project" on what is now called the "Black Death."  It happened in the 14th century, and in just four years the "Bubonic Plague" may have killed about half the population of Europe.  A Crow is cawing faintly out in the back desert.                                                    

THE "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)

     

           Wow!  A cartoon in my Encyclopedia shows a Wagon filled with dead bodies during the time of the Black Death.  Mr. Steve told his mom so many people died quickly during those four years they had to have a "trash pickup" for corpses.  Now a Raven is croaking too.                        

            I just used my English Dictionary to look up the words "Epidemic" and "Pandemic."  I guess, an epidemic is; "the spreading of a disease within a community."  And, the definition of a      pandemic would be, "an extreme epidemic that spreads over a much wider area."                      

        Mr. Steve thinks it's "just a matter of time, or "inevitable; until there's a big pandemic because people "interact" a lot more.  As cities get larger, or if the Earth heats up; Animals like Birds get pushed into new areas.  And that exposes "Virus's" to new possible "Hosts."                   

  

WORLD WAR I  

  

       Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the "Spanish Flu" now, I feel like mentioning it.  It was a big pandemic at the end of the First World War.  Daisy told me one of the beds in the Guest Bedroom has a large white, black and red World War I German flag draped on it.              

      Dais heard Mr. Steve and his friend Grant talk on the phone about the Spanish "Influenza." Wow!  In this Encyclopedia it says, in 1918 and 1919; the Spanish Flu "Virus" may have killed    fifty million people in the world.  And about a million of those were here in America.                     

     My boss told Mr. Grant Grandma Trujillo was born in 1914, the year World War I started; so was four when that big pandemic started.   Yet she remembered it enough that she made Mr. Steve and his mom promise to make sure she wasn't accidentally buried alive.  I smell Sage.                           

"SPANISH" INFLUENZA PANDEMIC (1918-1919)

      Dais heard Mr. Steve say how the Spanish Flu pandemic happened in three "waves" and the second one killed the most people.  A map in this Encyclopedia shows how it spread around the    world.  Fannie and Freddie are flying bye and Fannie has a dead Lizard in his mouth.                   

   A "Collage" of pictures shows how, even when playing Baseball; people wore masks in 1918 and 1919 for protection.  I notice the black and white photos were "Painted" like my boss used to do on silk paper.  He had a "Dark Room" and all his life has made collages.                                     

     Mr. Steve told his friend Grant no one knows where the Spanish Flu actually began but it was probably here in America or in France.  It did not start in Spain.   Theodora the Thrasher Bird    just jumped up into her favorite Creosote bush over there near Jack the biggest Shed.                   

       

THEODORA "SCOLDS" HUSBAND JUSTINIAN

            

      Seeing Theodora makes me suddenly think of the original Queen Theodora who got mad at her husband the Emperor Justinian.  He wanted to run away from that huge "Riot" going on in  Constantinople.  But she "Shamed" him into staying and killing thousands of rioters.                    

       I'll write later about a pandemic from Justinian's time.  In 1918 the pandemic got its name because, in 1918; World War I governments "Censored" the news.  Spain was "Neutral" in the    First World War so it was okay to "Publish" news that happened in that country.                           

     The "Spanish Flu" killed about fifty million people.  In his book 1984 George Orwell writes about people losing "Privacy" to the government.  Mr. Steve and his father both think that a big pandemic could be the perfect "excuse" for them to do it in the name of "Safety."                          

 

"CURRENT" EUROPE

    

         I'm beginning to really like looking at maps.  One of them shows all the countries of modern Europe and that makes me think about how ancient Rome used to rule over most of that area.  I just noticed how Theodora the Thrasher Bird is gone from sitting in her Creosote bush.                

      According to what it says in this one Encyclopedia, after the "original" part of ancient Rome, the part started in Italy ended; then the "Dark Ages" began.  A lot of the modern technology and learning was forgotten.  I guess life became really, really hard for a lot of the people.                      

    From the 5th century A.D. all the way through the 15th century in Europe, until the time of the "Renaissance" or "Re-Birth;" is also called the "Medieval" period or "Middle Ages."  So, in that time after the "Western" Roman Empire fell; everything changed.  A Crow is cawing.           

  

"MEDIEVAL" CASTLE

          A painting in this Encyclopedia shows a Middle Ages era castle, and you can see how the thick stone walls were protection from being attacked.  The caption says the Medieval period was a time of "Feudalism."  I guess castle walls were made out of big huge stone bricks.                        

          My Dictionary says the definition of "Feudal" is, "A social and economic system in which the common people live and work on land in exchange for military or other services."  I guess all of those poor people are called "Vassals" or "Serfs."  The landowners were "Lords."                  

          A vassal "holds" land but doesn't own it.  Daisy thinks a serf kind of sounds like a slave in some ways but, at least they could survive inside of the castle if an army tried to come in and kill you.  Wow!  In some parts of the world feudalism lasted all the way until the 19th century.            

  

  "SAMURAI" WARRIOR 

   

              In Japan the social and economic system was feudal, and for a long time the "Samurai" warriors were "Higher in Status" than vassals and serfs.  Dais says they could even kill them if they felt like it.  A painting shows a Samurai on a mean-looking Horse wearing armor too.  

             I guess, for centuries Japan was "Isolated" and people didn't have "Surnames;" but the Samurai "Class" lost power after 1868 and last names became required.  My Encyclopedia says Japan's isolation ended in 1853.  That was eight years before the American Civil War.    

             Later today I'll learn about the "Mexican War" of 1846-48, and one guy who took part in that war was "Commodore" Mathew Perry.   Afterward, in 1853; his Black Ships" went over to Japan and forced them to open up to the world.  I guess a Commodore is like a General.         

                                                

                                     "COMMODORE" MATHEW C. PERRY  (1794-1858) 

                

        From 1868 until 1912, the same year New Mexico and Arizona became American States; in Japan it was called the "Meiji" era.  And by 1905 they had such a good modern Navy that they even beat Czarist Russia in a war.  Anyway, I'll learn a lot more about Japan later. 

        Both Daisy and I really want to impress our boss or, our "Chief;" as Dais says.  I mentioned earlier this morning how Mr. Steve is 58 years old and never married or had any children so, in a sense; you could say Daisy and I are sort of like his "kids."  And we like that!

        Dais and I enjoy it when Mr. Steve talks to us, tells us things and; makes us feel like a family of 3!  Our boss jokes how we're the "gang of 3" or a "democracy of 3 citizens."  But ultimately, as Daisy says; Mr. Steve has the "final word" on things" so "what he says goes!" 

             

MR. STEVE / DAISY /MAGGIE 

      

   Just like it said in George Orwell's book Animal Farm, "We're all three equal" on our two acres.  It's just that Mr. Steve is "more equal" than Daisy and myself.  Like Emperor Augustus,    Mr. Steve is "First among Equals" because he controls what's called the "Purse Strings."             

     I remember when Daisy explained to me how us Dogs aren't considered to be Slaves but are what they call "Personal Property."  He has almost total control over our "Destiny" but we're so lucky he doesn't hit us she says.  Slaves are listed in the category of "Livestock."                             

       Dawn's barking.  Earlier I mentioned how she's pretty much blind in one of her eyes because her first owner hit her with a belt I guess.  Daisy's eyes are getting lighter in color I notice and I  have a feeling will eventually look like Mister Grant's blind Dog Miggie's sky blue eyes.                                                            

                                         ALDOUS HUXLEY(1894-1963) WITH WIFE

     

       I just thought of that guy Aldous Huxley who, in 1932 during the Great Depression; put out his book Brave New World.  That was a year before Adolph Hitler and Franklin Roosevelt came to power and the year Mr. Steve's father was born.  I smell the Mulberry tree.

       Aldous Huxley lived most of his life in England, until he and his wife moved to America; first to New Mexico and then out here to near us in Llano.  Over the next three days I'm scheduled to write a lot more about him and George Orwell too.  Some Finch's are chirping.

        Over the last three years, in continuously making our "Rounds" on "Guard Patrol;" Daisy and I have "Carved Out" paths.   What Mr. Steve calls our "dirt roads" are "Crisscrossed" over the two acres.  They allow us to get to every area of our property really fast if necessary.        

                                   SOUTH DIRT PATH                                                       ROMAN LEGION     

 

       Mr. Mike one time joked about how our "little roads" are "small scale" versions of the roads the ancient Roman Legions built and then used for what's called "Rapid Deployment."  I guess that means to get to any area of their Empire quickly.  A Crow is cawing.

       The road that Dog Blackie, who's buried in our graveyard; was killed out on runs north and south in front of our land.  The "Main" Highway, #138; is just over a mile to the south of us and all around here are "Back" dirt roads like "Primavera" which I mentioned earlier.  

        I just looked up the word "Meander" in my Dictionary because my boss used it to describe our dirt roads and it means, "To take a winding course."  And "Rutted" is, "Grooves or tracks made in dirt over time by repeated use of wheeled vehicles."  The chimes are ringing.      

   

 

         Hey Lord!  As You know of course, Mr. Steve's family are Roman Catholics and now so are Daisy and I.  That's why we really like learning about Your life when You came down here to live on Earth for thirty three years.  I can't wait to write about You over the next three days.  

       I've mentioned how in June of 1985, through St. Ferdinand's "Parish;"  Mr. Steve's parents "Organized" that trip to Italy and Israel.  As I wrote earlier, Saint Ferdinand in Spanish is "San Fernando" just like the name of the city next to Sylmar.  A Duck is quacking.  

      My Encyclopedia says "San Fernando, Rey de Espana" was the "official" name given by the Franciscan Priests in the 18th century to the Mission they "established" near Sylmar.  In English that would be "Saint Ferdinand, King of Spain."  That's what my Spanish Dictionary says.

  

                                                       ST. FERDINAND'S CHURCH

                                                                                                                                         PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

       From first through eighth grades my boss "Attended" St. Ferdinands Parochial school run by the Priests and Nuns.  That Parish is in the city of San Fernando which is located "Right next Door" to Sylmar.  Mr. Steve's brothers and sisters also went to St. Ferdinands too. 

       Hey Lord!  As You know one of my goals in life is to someday smell the inside a real Church like St. Ferdinand.  Earlier I wrote how Catholic Church's, unlike the Protestant Church's; have statues and images in them.  Cher the Cat is slinking underneath Moe the middle Shed.    

       I wonder if there are Church's for us Dogs?  God, if not I could maybe start one which would also allow Cats in too because You created Cats too.  I mentioned earlier how my boss think that it's sort of important to be grateful to something or someone beyond ourselves.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

CRUCIFIXION    

        

          Hey Lord!  Thank You for letting the Romans nail You to that big wooden cross.  Someday I look forward to hanging around in our boss's bedroom like Dais.  She says he has this "realistic" "Crucifix" hung at the top of the fifteen foot tall wall above and behind his set of drums.  

       It must've been really painful to have died the way You did for us Lord.  In 1985, after being in Italy; Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand's Tour Group went to Israel.  So they saw places important to You and Your family's life.  Boy!  They were lucky alright and I sure wish I could do that.

      In early June of 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group's Plane landed in the Italian city of "Milan."  I guess that's where, in 1945; that one guy Benito Mussolini ended up being brutally tortured and killed.  I'm so tempted to look it up right now but I'd better just wait until tomorrow's book.  

               

                                                                         "APPIAN WAY ("VIA APPIA") 

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                             

         

             In 1985 Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand Tour Group walked on this ancient Roman road called the "Via Appia."  According to my Latin Dictionary that's "Appian Way."  Mr. Mike knows a lot about building roads and one morning he and my boss talked about ancient Roman roads. 

            Daisy saw a tv show about the year 73 B.C., when this "Gladiator" named "Spartacus" escaped and led a Slave army in a bloody revolt in Italy against the Romans.  Crows are  fighting over something out in the back desert.  It might be two boy Crows fighting over a girl Crow.

           I guess, Spartacus's men beat Roman armies, but eventually he and six thousand others were crucified on the Appian Way; the corpses "left to rot" so the "smell was bad" and no one traveled on the road the Tour Guide said in 1985.  He joked that's why that road "survived."

                                 

                               "SPARTACUS" REVOLT (73 B.C.)                                     

       PAINTING BY BRIAN PALMER             

            

         A good painting in this one Encyclopedia shows Roman Soldiers in red fighting against Spartacus's men wearing white.  I notice both sides using those short "Gladius" stabbing swords like the one I guess my boss has in his office.  Daisy says he also has a few spears in there too.        

         Boy!  It must really hurt to be stabbed with a sword.  If I were ever in a war I'd want to have a good helmet for protection.   When I go in the living room on some Saturday mornings to  watch cartoons I can also see all of the different helmets Mr. Steve has near to the fireplace.          

            Daisy says Mr. Steve's favorite Actors are Charlton Heston and Peter O'Toole, but he also likes some of the movies made by this other guy named Kirk Douglas too.  He played Spartacus    in a good 1960 movie Dais told me.  Mr. Steve was born in 1955, his brother Rock in 1957.             

               

"SPARTACUS" (1960)       

           

         Daisy saw the Spartacus movie and says she can understand why Mr. Steve and his parents liked it.  It shows how that guy Spartacus was captured by the Romans, made into a Slave; and    then forced to be a Gladiator.  Boy God!  It would be so bad to be a Slave like Spartacus.               

         Spartacus and the other Gladiators had to wear chains a lot of the time, so they can't try to escape Dais says.  But one time they killed guards, escaped; and then Spartacus ends up leading a revolt against the Romans.  Daisy says, "too bad they all got captured" and "Put to Death."         

      I guess, when Spartacus and his men finally got captured the Roman General didn't know which prisoner was Spartacus.  They ordered Spartacus to "identify himself," but as he started    to do it the other men stood up and yelled, "I'm Spartacus!"  Wow! They would die for him.                                 

              VINCENT VAN GOGH (1853-1890)                    KIRK DOUGLAS (1956)    

SELF-PORTRAIT                                                                                                                                                       

     

          Mr. Steve's mom got her College degree from C.S.U.N. in "Art History" so that's why, over the next three days; I'll learn about that subject.  Daisy heard one of her favorite movies is about that "Dutch" Painter "Vincent van Gogh.  Kirk Douglas played him in that movie Dais says.        

       When Mr. Steve and his parents walked on the Appian Way back in 1985 they talked about the Spartacus movie.  Mr. Steve told Miss Susan at work he remembers his mom mentioning that Actor Kirk Douglas as they walked along.  Ah!  The air is so clear, which makes me feel good.       

      In my three books I'll learn about this one place back there in New York City called "Ellis Island."  One time on the phone Mr. Steve told his mom he was told Kirk Douglas's family were  poor Russian Jews who came through Ellis Island.  He was the only boy among seven kids.           

            

"ELLIS" ISLAND (NEW YORK CITY)

     

        Two of my boss's three girlfriends, Emily and then Harriet; were from families of what they call "Ashkenazi" Jews.  At the end of the 19th century many poor Ashkenazi Jews, and Italians;  came to America through Ellis Island.  Mr. Rick's Italian family was one of them I guess.             

    Before working at U.C.L.A Miss Emily had a job raising money to "Refurbish" or fix the "Statue of Liberty." Daisy told me how that giant statue, which Mr. Steve and his brother Rock saw in 1977; is in "New York Harbor."  Miss Emily grew up on "Long" Island Dais heard.           

     In 1985 Mr. Steve took pictures of Pope John Paul II in the "Vatican Square."  He told Mr. Mike his Tour Group sat near the spot where a man had tried to kill the Pope one time.  But, the Pope survived his being shot; and even ended up forgiving that same exact man Daisy heard.            

                                       POPE JOHN PAUL II (VATICAN SQUARE / 1985)                                                                                                            PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

            

          In 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group were the very first "Passengers" on what "Alitalia" Airlines called a "Maiden Voyage."  Instead of flying from America's east coast over to Milan, the Plane flew "Directly" north from Los Angeles.  Heathcliff is crowing over there. 

        In a "way too long" flight Mr. Steve said, the Alitalia Plane flew over the "North Pole."  It was called a "Polar Route" and landed in Italy after many hours.  Mr. Steve doesn't even recall how many hours it was but told Mr. Mike he sure wouldn't ever do it again. 

        Looking at a map of Italy I can see why it's called "The Boot" because its shape does kind of look a tall Cavalry boot worn by Horse soldiers in the 18th and 19th century.  A Bunny Rabbit is hopping through the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to come in from the desert. 

      

                      

       I've mentioned before how throughout my three long books I'll earn and write about ancient Greece and Rome.  I've already learned a few things about those cultures and this is only the fifth chapter.  That one Bunny Rabbit hopped underneath Manny the far right Shed.

       Many think of those ancient Greek and Roman societies as separate because they were in two different time periods and spoke different languages.  But, the original Roman Empire begun in Italy were influenced by Greece.  They even worshiped some of the same exact Gods. 

      A while back my boss Mr. Steve had a dream about walking around the city of Rome.  On the long flight in 1985 he reread the book he took with him about Italian history and carried it with him in Italy.  Mr. Steve one time told Miss Susan that he sometimes has bad dreams.

   

                          NIGHTMARE                                                                LILITH

                 

          I've mentioned before how in some of Mr. Steve's Nightmares he's being attacked by a big Praying Mantis-like shadow.  Sometimes I have bad dreams about being abandoned by my first owner out there in that field.  My band Angel Lilith is in some of those dreams. 

       In one bad dream my bad Angel Lilith tried to convince me to kill another Dog and steal it's food.  But then Stanley my Guardian Angel came swooping down from Heaven and scared her away.  It's so amazing how Lilith can sound so nice and even really friendly too.

       Mr. Steve is interested in hearing or reading about the last words people say just before they die.  So of course when he read that Pope John Paul II's final words were, "Let me now go to my father's house;" he "took note" as they say.  Heathcliff just crowed right now.

      

                          (EXTERIOR)            SAINT PETER'S BASILICA            (INTERIOR)

-"VATICAN CITY," ROME-     

 

        In 1985, while in Rome; Mr. Steve's Tour Group from St. Ferdinands got to visit this huge Church called "St. Peter's" Basilica.  It's next to "Vatican Square which I mentioned earlier.  On that same day they saw Michelangelo's "Sistine" Chapel.  I smell Mesquite.  

       Mr. Steve's Tour Group also saw this area in Rome called the "Forum" and stood below the balcony from which that guy Benito Mussolini made speeches to thousands of people way back in the 1920's and 1930's.  Mussolini was a "Fascist" who influenced Adolph Hitler.  

       Vatican Square and Saint Peter's in Rome are huge my boss says.  Looking up at the Sistine Chapel and the interior of Saint Peter's Dome his father wondered how anyone could even have built such an immense building.   Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying bye.   

  

                   ROMAN EMPIRE                                     "HAGIA SOPHIA" (CONSTANTINOPLE)

     

      Ancient Rome began in Italy but when that "Western" area which spoke "Latin" fell in the 5th century A.D. the "Eastern Byzantine" part which spoke Greek was the only part to survive. A map in my Encyclopedia shows the two different halves.  I can hear Dawn barking.                    

     One of Mr. Steve's customers is from the country of "Turkey" and they've talked about how St. Peter's Basilica is big but not as huge as this one building called "Hagia Sophia" in the city of "Istanbul."  I guess Hagia Sophia is Greek for "Holy Wisdom." I like Dawn.                                   

  This one Encyclopedia says Hagia Sophia was originally built as a Church by the Emperor Justinian in 537 A.D.  But, in 1453 when the "Byzantine" Empire itself finally fell to the Ottomon Turks; it was "converted" into a Muslim "Mosque."  I smell some Joshua old trees.                           

"SISTINE" CHAPEL

                 

       Hey God!  Writing about St. Peter's Basilica makes me suddenly think about that "Sistine" Chapel which is painted way up there on a tall ceiling.   In the 16th century it was created by that man Michelangelo Bounarroti, or just "Michelangelo" for short.  I smell Sage. 

        Michelangelo, and his "Rival" and "Competitor" Leonardo da Vinci; lived in Italy during the "Renaissance."  Renaissance means "Re-Birth" in French and was the period in Europe that followed the "Dark" Ages.  Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci hated each other.

        According to this Encyclopedia the Dark, or "Middle" Ages; were the centuries in Europe that followed the fall of that western or original part of the Roman Empire.  Learning was lost and most people became poor.  Another name for the Middle Ages is the "Medieval" period.

                                    

      DA VINCI (1452-1519)      MICHELANGELO (1475-1564)

                          

      I'll write a lot about Michelangelo and "da Vinci" over the next three days.  Both Mr. Steve and his mom have studied their artwork over the years.  And they've also studied the artwork of some of the other artists from the Renaissance.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.                          

       The Renaissance's re-birth refers to a "period of learning" that followed about one thousand years of "ignorance" and "struggle" in Europe.  In 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group saw elaborate    fountains created during the 16th century.  I'll learn about them later in my three books.               

    Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to zoom out into the eastern desert.  It's so amazing how he never hits one of the hard steel pipes on either side.  Oh!  Both nostrils just picked up the scent of a new Spring Rosemary bush.                                        

"PIETÀ"

  

       Oh!  What a coincidence Blessed Mother that, just as I smell Rosemary; the next thing on my outline is to write about that statue of You at St. Peter's Basilica.  It's a marble "sculpture" made by that guy Michelangelo.  It shows You holding Your the body of Your dead son.                           

        Blessed Mother!  The caption below the picture says Michelangelo's "magnificent carving" is called the "Pietà" and that means "The Pity" in Italian.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has a miniature Pietà he bought in 1985.  Boy!  I really want one of those little statues too Lord!    

        Hey Lord!  I guess in 1985 a Priest from St. Ferdinands, named Father Maher; was part of the Tour Group that went to Italy and then Israel.  He was originally from Ireland and had an accent when he talked.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye right now.  

                

       FATHER  MAHER / MR. STEVE'S FATHER                                MR. STEVE / SISTER CELINA

(VATICAN SQUARE / VATICAN CITY / ROME / 1985)

     

     Dais one time heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Susan on the phone how his dad arranged, or "got permission;" for Father Maher to "Say Mass" in Italy and later in Israel too.  Father Maher was what's called "Forever Grateful" for that.  Heathcliff's crowing over there next door.                     

       In 1985 Mr. Steve's group visited another big Basilica in the city of Rome.  It was ordered to be built by the Byzantine Emperor Constantine I, "The Great;" and was "Dedicated" to that guy St. Paul.  Andy and Helen the Squirrels just came back in from the desert.                                       

     Just like St. Peter's Basilica was built over the spot where St. Peter may have been crucified upside down, the Church of St. Paul was built over the area where it was thought the Emperor    Nero had St. Paul killed.  I smell Sage.  That makes me feel pretty good right now.                          

  

SAINT PAUL'S BASILICA

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

       Hey Lord!  I guess, even though St. Paul was Jewish; he was a "Citizen" of Rome.  He wasn't one of Your original twelve "Apostles" like St. Peter but Mr. Steve and his dad think, after You    died; he did  more to "Sell" Your ideas than anyone.  His Jewish name was "Saul."                        

      At first Lord, as Saul; St. Paul "Persecuted" Your early Christian followers.  But then, on his way to that city one called "Damascus;" from up in Heaven You knocked him off his Horse with a lightning bolt and even called him Saul.  Some Ducks are quacking right now.                              

    According to this Encyclopedia Lord, You made St. Paul go blind until he realized that You really were God.  And from then on he became one of Your biggest "Disciples" and "converted" from Judaism to Christianity.   Before that he thought of You as an enemy of Judaism.                  

            

SAINT PAUL'S JOURNEYS

    

    A map shows how, after being blind for three days; St. Paul recovered and made three long "Journeys" from Israel.  On those trips he "converted" Greeks and Romans, or "Gentiles; to be Christians.  Two Pigeons flew in from the desert and landed up on the Patio roof.                            

     I guess, on his fourth and final journey; St' Paul was taken to Rome itself in Italy and that's where Nero may have had his head cut off.  Over the years my boss has taught people how to sell things.  He gives them a book called "The Greatest Salesman In The World" to read.                     

      Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his friend Grant on the phone that book The Greatest Salesman In The World is about St. Paul selling Christianity.  But it has ten rules for selling "In General" and how to live your life too.  The first rule is called "The Power of Good Habits" I guess.                       

    CONSTANTINE I (272-337 A.D.)                   "CAPITOLINE MUSEUM (ROME)  

                   

          Hey Lord!  After You died St. Paul spread Your ideas around the Roman Empire.  But after he was gone, for about two centuries; Christians were often persecuted and killed.  But then, in the 4th century A.D., the Roman Emperor Constantine I became a Christian.

      My Encyclopedia says Constantine I is called "The Great" just like that Greek "Alexander" about seven hundred years earlier.  In the 4th century his army fought another guy's army near the city of Rome in Italy and that man wanted to be Emperor too.  A Crow cawed. 

       Hey Lord!  My boss told Mr. Mike that, before the battle, Constantine either had a dream or saw up in the clouds one of Your logos.  Supposedly, You told him to paint that symbol on all of his soldier's shields.  He did and then went out and slaughtered that other Roman army. 

  

                                                      "MILVIAN" BRIDGE (ROME)

         In 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Bus drove bye the old bridge near where, in 312 A.D.;  Constantine I's soldiers beat that other Roman army led by this guy named "Maxentius."  On that same day the Tour Group visited the "Capitoline" Museum.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees.  

         Hey Lord!   A painting shows Constantine looking up into the sky to see a black cross.  But my boss thinks, if You did send a message to Constantine; it was probably a "Chi-Rho" symbol.  It looks like a "P" with an "X" and means "Christ" or "Christos" in Greek. 

         If I could borrow Mr. Peabody's Time Machine Lord I'd go back to hear You tell Constantine to paint that logo on his soldier's shields by saying, "In hoc signo vinces" which means, "In this sign, you shall conquer" in English.  I'd love to hear Your voice Lord, and smell You too.  

                        

                                        AUGUSTA FLAVIA IULIA  HELENA (248?-330 A.D.)

         Hey Lord!  I would also like to smell that guy Constantine's mother named "Helena" too.  I can tell Mr. Steve thinks she's important too because she influenced her son and also converted to Christianity.   Andy and Helen the Squirrels just ran in from the eastern desert. 

       My Encyclopedia says "Saint" Helena was sent by her son to what is now Israel and in 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group visited a Church she had built.  In a painting of her she has a medal with the Chi-Rho symbol on it I notice.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has drawn that logo.  

           This is interesting Lord.  The caption under the picture of Saint Helena says she's not only important to us Roman Catholics, she's also "revered" by all of the Greek or Eastern Orthodox Catholics. And Protestants like Lutherans and Anglicans "commemorate" her too.

                            

           SISTER'S SUSAN-CELINA  /  GRANDMA CÓRDOVA  /  MR. STEVE'S MOM / FATHER MAHER

                                                                            (VATICAN SQUARE / 1985)

            

        I just thought again about Mr. Steve's 1985 trip to Italy and then Israel.  That was when the  Tour Group got to see the Pope in Vatican Square.   And it was when Mr. Steve's father was able to get permission for Father Mather to say Mass in an area of St. Peter's Basilica. 

       Mr. Steve says a while back he had a dream where he smelled the "Incense" they burned in St. Peters during Father Mather's Mass.  I mentioned earlier this morning how Mr. Dave mailed us some Sage from New Mexico.  Ah!  I just now picked up the scent of Sage. 

       One time my boss smelled incense in this big Catholic Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.  It brought back some memories of his Tour Group's visit to St. Peter's and St. Paul's Basilicas in Rome.  Two of the Pigeons just flew in from the desert and went over the top of the house.

         

SWISS GUARDS 

GETTY IMAGES

        

           Oh wow!  A good picture in my Encyclopedia shows the Pope's "Swiss Guards."  One time I heard Mr. Steve tell his friend Cliff about them.  They're soldiers from Switzerland and since the 16th century some of the have even died protecting and defending the different Popes.                   

        Boy!  The Swiss Guards have great professional-looking uniforms!  I'd wear that if I could.  In the Dining Room near the Living Room Mr. Steve has this "Bust" of a Spanish Conquistador sitting on a bookshelf.  It has a helmet just like the ones the Swiss Guards wear.

        According to the caption underneath the picture of the Swiss Guards in Swiss they're called "Päpstliche Schweizergarde."  Mr. Steve kills Rats with a "Halberd" spear like the ones that the Swiss Guards use.  He has a few different types of spear in his Office I guess.

    

                                                             HOT DOG ON A STICK

           My boss and Mr. Cliff talked about these Restaurants in Los Angeles called "Hot Dog on a Stick."  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows a pretty girl who works there and she's wearing a really flashy uniform.  I think Daisy would look good wearing a hat like hers.

        For a while Mr. Steve was the Sales Manager at the company he, Babette and Susan work for.  He interviewed people for jobs and when he hired them he showed them a picture of a girl from Hot Dog on a Stick.  Dawn and Blinky are barking over there next door.

       With a "Straight Face" Mr. Steve told the person he hired that Sales girls had to wear a Hot Dog on a Stick uniform.  They laughed when they realized he was just kidding.  Mr. Steve joked with his three girlfriends that he was going to buy them a Hot Dog on a Stick dress.

   

                                                                                            COLLOSEUM (ROME)

                   

        On that trip to Italy Mr. Steve, on his own, walked around the city of Rome.  He ate lunch at an old "Open Air" market called "Piazza Campo de'Fiori" and had a nice talk with a lady who spoke really good English.   He asked her what did "Prego" mean in Italian.

        The lady said it depended on the "context."  It could mean "come in" or "you're welcome" but at other times prego could be a polite person saying, "please, after you."  Mr. Steve told his friend Rick, who's Italian-American; in Italy some people are very "energetic."

         In 1985 my boss and his sister Celina noticed how many people rode around on these things called "Scooters" instead of Cars.  At that time the Italian economy was really bad and gas was expensive.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye high up there in the air.  

                

"VESPA" MOTOR SCOOTER            

                                                                                                                                                  PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

       In my three long books I'll learn and then write about Motorcycles and things like that.  And I still have a lot more to learn about the area which is now the country of Italy.  But right now, according to my book one outline; I'm scheduled to write about the country of Israel.                    

    After visiting Italy, in the first part of June in 1985; Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand's Tour Group took an "El Al" Airplane flight over to Israel.  I guess El Al is the name of the Airline company    that takes passengers to different places.  I'd be way too afraid to fly up in an Airplane.                 

     Hey God!  According to this Encyclopedia, the "holy" city of Jerusalem is really important to the three main "Monotheistic" religions who believe only in You.  In the "Old City" section is an area which is called the "Temple Mount."  And I guess it's a big flat-topped "Plateau."                 

JERUSALEM ("TEMPLE MOUNT") 

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                           

   

     One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his friend Ralph about that 1985 visit to Israel.  I guess, up on top of the Temple Mount; is the "Dome of the Rock" and the "Al    Aqsa" Mosque.  Both are really, really important to most Muslims in the world.                              

       The caption under an aerial view photo of the Temple Mount says in Islam that area is called the "Noble Sanctuary."  In my books I'll learn about that Old Testament guy named "Abraham" and also the "Prophet Muhammad."  Both are "Associated" with the Temple Mount.                    

     Boy Lord!  As of course You already know, I'd like to go to Israel and smell the areas where You grew up.  Jews are not allowed up on the Temple Mount, but Mr. Steve's Tour Group got to  walk all around there as "Tourists."  I guess a Mosque is kind of like a Church.                              

  

 ST. FERDINAND'S TOUR GROUP ("DOME OF THE ROCK" / 1985)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

      My boss and Mr. Ralph talked about how the main reason why Jews aren't permitted to go up onto Temple Mount is because since 1948, when Israel became a country; Jews and Muslims    have fought and killed each other.  Ah!  I can smell Sage.  That makes me feel good.                       

     Jews also think of the Temple Mount as "Sacred" and call it "Mount Moriah." They can't go up there because of the violence that has happened.  And, luckily my boss thinks; some of the  "Rabbi's" say Jews shouldn't go up there anyway.  A Duck is quacking next door.                          

       Some Rabbi's, who are like Priests; say Jews shouldn't walk on where, in ancient times; may have been the "Holy of Holy's" or "Inner Sanctum."  That was where the "Ark of the Covenant was.  Until 70 A.D. the Temple Mount was where the "Second" Jewish Temple was located.             

"WAILING WALL" (JERUSALEM)

       Hey God! You know how my boss's Tour Group saw parts of Israel.  And of course they had to visit the "Wailing Wall" where many Jews go to pray and ask for often "Selfish" things.  In    my English Dictionary it says that"Wailing" is, "A sad cry made in grief or pain."                         

     Mr. Steve, and the Tour Group; prayed like Jews below the Wailing Wall and some of them even wrote out secret wishes on pieces of paper.  Then, they stuffed the notes into areas between  the huge, giant stone blocks.  Max the Hummingbird just whizzed bye right now.                            

      My Encyclopedia says the Wailing Wall is the only part left of the "Second" Jewish Temple.  It was was built by a guy King "Herod."  He'll be important in my three long books.  The "First" Temple was built by King "Solomon."  Some of the Ducks are quacking next door.                         

        

     "SECOND" JEWISH TEMPLE  (MODEL IN JERUSALEM, ISRAEL)         

                      PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA               

                                                       

        Hey Lord!  Later today I'll learn more about the "Jewish Revolt" from 66 through 73 A.D. In crushing that uprising the Romans destroyed the Second Temple like You predicted.  In 586 B.C. the "Mesopotamian" Babylonians burned down King Solomon's  "First" Temple.  

       I guess the "Holy of Holy's" was a Second Temple room where the Priests kept the "Ark of the Covenant."   My boss told Mr. Randy it was a golden box where those tablets with the "Ten Commandments" Moses brought down from "Mount Sinai" were stored.  I smell Sage.    

       The Ark of the Covenant disappeared when the Babylonians destroyed King Solomon's First Temple so people have looked for it ever since.  Wow!  It was gold so whoever finds it can be rich for life.  According to my Dictionary a "Covenant" is defined as, "An agreement."                                                        

"ARK OF THE COVENANT"

      Mr. Steve has a miniature Ark of the Covenant on the divider between the dining room and kitchen.  That's over there to my right, where the patio goes into the house.  Whenever my boss   opens up the sliding glass door I can see that little Ark sitting on that divider.                                 

    I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy that, when the Babylonians "sacked" the First Temple; the Ark of the Covenant might've been "smuggled" down to what is now the country of "Ethiopia."  For centuries it was called "Abbysinia."  Dawn and Blinky are barking next door.                          

   Mr. Steve says no one knows what the "Ark" actually looked like, even though there was a description of it in the Old Testament.  The mystery of it's disappearance has made people search for it in order to "Acquire" its great power.  The Nazis were interested in it in the 1930's.              

          

MOSES (CHARLTON HESTON)   

        

       Mr. Steve's favorite Actor is Charlton Heston so I'll write about a lot about him over the next three days.   Daisy saw a movie where he played the part of Moses.  Hey God!  If I could borrow  Mr. Peabody's Time Machine I'd definitely go back to see You "Part the Sea" for Moses.               

     Since 586 B.C., when the Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and took the surviving Jews into "Exile;" people have wondered what happened to the Ark of the Covenant.  Some say these guys  called the "Knights Templar" found it during the Middle Ages.  Heathcliff crowed.                        

      In my books I'll write about this series of "Religious Wars" or "Campaigns" that happened from 1096 to 1271 A.D.   My Encyclopedia calls them "Christian Crusades" when Catholics tried to "violently take back" the "Holy Land" from the "infidel" Muslims.  I smell Mesquite.              

                                         
                         KNIGHTS TEMPLAR ("ORDER OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE")

         This Encyclopedia says the Knights Templar were a "Military Order" made up of "Warrior Monks" so that means they were like Catholic Priests.   But they were also Soldiers "trained in the arts of war."  They fought in the third "Crusade" from 1122 through 1124.

       The Knights Templar's job, after Jerusalem was taken back after this massacre of Muslims; was to protect Christian "Pilgrims" who went to the Holy Land.  Their headquarters was up on the Temple Mount.  That's why some think they might've found the Ark of the Covenant.

       Daisy says Mr. Steve has a white Templar flag with red crosses draped over the door going into his bedroom.  The guest bedroom door has a blue and yellow Swedish flag over it.  I'd like to see the gold and white Sun/Moon plaque hanging on the wall at the far end of the hallway.  

FRONT AREA OF THE PROPERTY

               Writing about the Knights Templar being warrior Priests makes me think about two of the statues Mr. Steve has up there in the front yard.  One is a Chinese warrior Monk holding a sword, the smaller a Buddhist Monk praying in a seated position.  I smell Libby over there.  

                Besides the statues, Daisy and I really like all the different cement "Stelae's" Mr. Steve has on our two fenced in acres.  I go up on the little hill with the Chinese Monk,  where it's easier to "Scan" and guard our land.  And, on hot days; you can also feel the breezes better too.

                 Hey Lord!  Did the Knights Templar get rich by finding the Ark of the Covenant or the "Holy Grail" cup You used at the "Last Supper?"  Daisy says a French King killed the Knights Templars on "Friday the 13th," but Mr. Steve says he's had good and bad luck on that date. 

                                 

                                                   "SHOFAR" (JERUSAMEM)

                                                                                                              

          A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a Jewish man blowing what the caption says is called a "bugle" or "Shofar."  Wow!  A shofar is made out of an actual horn cut off the head of a Ram so it can then be hollowed out I guess.  Shofar's are used for for "religious ceremonies."  

       In Jerusalem you can hear a Jewish shofar blown, the Islamic "wail" of  a "Muezzin" or the ringing of  Christian Church bells.  Earlier I mentioned how, in the 12th century A.D.; all three monotheistic groups "Got Along" in the Spanish city of Córdoba.  Dawn's barking.

       Back in 1985, when they visited the Wailing Wall; Mr. Steve and his sister Celina walked to an area where the females pray.   They noticed how some of the Jewish girls were also blowing a shofar in calling others to prayer.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye right now. 

  

GIRL PLAYING A "SHOFAR"

   

         Hey God!  If I had one of those shofars I'd use it every day for sure so You could hear it!  I guess Mr. Steve was told that you can also make a shofar out of Goat's horn too.  And in some of the different religious ceremonies a shofar is played alongside one of those "Trumpets."  

         Anyway, I'll write more about Israel in my three long books.  But now, according to what it says on my book one outline; I want to write about this Mexican city called "Tijuana."  It's to the south of the American city of "San Diego."  Heathcliff just crowed next door.

        One time a Mexican Worker named "Esteban" talked with my boss about how poor people in Tijuana, where they've both been to; are good at "improvising" in order to survive.  I guess in Tijuana they call themselves "Tijuanenses," or "Tijuaneros" in slang.  I smell Sage.

         

           MR. JULIO / WIFE ROSARIO                               JULIO / DAUGHTER MABEL

          

            Mr. Julio, who grew up east of Tijuana; embroiders the things my boss sells.  Tijuana has many "Vendors" selling things.  Mr. Steve has bought a few things down there in Tijuana, and in 1985 did the same from these colorful Arab vendors at the Jerusalem "Suq" or "Bazaar."  

             I noticed how Esteban was impressed when told about Jerusalem.  Oh!  He mentioned the  "Pulgero" vendors in Tijuana, and in Spanish "Pulga" is "Flea" so; that's probably where the name "Flea Market"comes from.  Mr. Steve has bought and sold things at "Swap Meets."   

            My boss told Esteban how the "Kumeyaay" Indians, who've lived for many centuries in the area where Tijuana's located, called that region "Tiwan."  And in their language that would be translated as being "By the Sea."  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there next door. 

                

MEXICO        

           

            Mr. Steve and Esteban talked about two cities across the United States Mexico border from each other.  The American city is called "Calexico," the Mexican named "Mexicali;" and that's where Mr. Julio is originally from.  The name "Esteban" means "Steven" in Spanish.

           I guess Calexico and Mexicali are about one hundred miles east of San Diego and Tijuana. Mr. Esteban said he heard the name "Tijuana" is putting together or combining "Tia Juana" or "Aunt Jane" as it would be in English.  I just looked up the word "Conjunction."

       Mr. Esteban said there's an old story about Tijuana getting its name from a lady who used to give people a place to rest and eat something.  He told my boss about a giant "Sculpture" up on a hill just south of Tijuana.   Now Daffy's quacking too in his very unique and loud voice. 

    

                                              "CHRISTO DEL SANGRADO CORAZÓN                                                                                               PHOTO BY FLICKR USER SUPERFERN                                                              

                               

      Oh wow!  My Encyclopedia has a picture of that huge statue near Tijuana.  Hey Lord!  That statue shows You stretching out Your arms and the caption says how You're "facing" the Pacific Ocean.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying toward the northeast.                            

   Lord!  That humongous statue with Your arms outstretched makes me think about how the Joshua trees reminded Mormons of Joshua praying with his arms up in the air.  I guess that big    statue's name is "Cristo del Sangrado Corazón."  That's "The Sacred Heart of Christ."                

       Mr. Steve has a friend named "Frank."  He said the city of "San Diego," the American city north of Tijuana; was named in 1602.  A Spanish explorer Sebastián Vizcaino sailed into what is now "San Diego Bay" in a wooden Ship named "San Diego."  Ah!  I smell some mesquite.  

                                                                                                               

   SEBASTIÁN VIZCAINO (1548-1624)

         

     Christopher Columbus "Discovered" the "New World" 1492, Hernando Córtez conquered Mexico's Aztec's in 1521; and Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo first sailed up to "Alta" California back  in 1542.  His job was to "Map" the California coastline my Encyclopedia says.                                

     It says here in 1602 Vizcaino's "Flagship," named after "Saint Didacus de Alcalá;" led the other Ships into what is now "Mission Bay."  I guess another name for "Diego" is "Didacus" and Diego is short for "Santiago" or "Saint James."  Heathcliff the Rooster just crowed.                      

      My Encyclopedia says, in 1602 Sebastian Vizcaino had a Priest say mass on the "Feast" day of "Saint Didacus de Alcalá."  Mr. Steve told his friend Frank, as a kid; he once built a model of a 16th century "Galleon" like the ones Sebastián Vizcaino used.  I can smell Sage.                          

  

                                                        SAN DIEGO ("MISSION BAY")

   

             Dais says Mr. Steve and Mr. Frank talked on the phone about  San Diego's what's called  "Sister City" over there in Spain.  That city is named "Alcalá de Henares."   I guess it's located about twenty miles to the northeast of this other really big Spanish city called "Madrid."

            Mr. Steve said, "to this day;" another Catholic school in the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley is named for Saint Didacus.  As a "Rival" of St. Ferdinand's in sports, my boss and his brother Rock in Texas played against them.  All the four Pigeons are flying bye.  

            My Encyclopedia says that Spanish city of Alcalá de Henares is where a Writer Miguel de Cervantes was born.  Mr. Steve says back in the 16th century. he wrote one of the first "Novels" called "Don Quixote; who Daisy says is about a Knight.  His Assistant is "Sancho Panza."

                                                                           

  MIGUEL DE CERVANTES (1547-1616) 

              

    Wow!  My Encyclopedia calls Miguel de Cervantes the "greatest" Writer in Spanish.  So I guess he's like William Shakespeare in English who, I notice lived during the exact same years.    Daisy heard that his book "Don Quixote" has been made into a Play and also a movie too.            

       Looking at the pictures of Sebastian Vizcaino and Miguel de Cervantes I notice their pointy mustache and beards.  That must've been the "Style" way back in the late 16th and early 17th    centuries.  I'd wear a collar like the one Miguel de Cervantes has on in his picture.                         

      According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, Alcalá de Henares where Miguel de Cervantes was born; is located on the "bank" of the "Henares River."  It's a city "known" for its many "universities."  "Alcalá" is the Arabic word for "Citadel" or "Castle" I guess.                     

  

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL ("CHRIST THE REDEEMER") 

    

           For a few years a man named "Eber, from the country of "Brazil;" was the "Bookkeeper" for the company Mr. Steve, Babette, Susan and this other girl named Karin sell things for.   He    told my boss about a huge statue of You Lord, back there in Brazil.   Dawn's barking.                    

        Hey Lord!  Mr. Eber jokes how in Brazil life is often, "Rir pra pão chorar" or "Laugh so you don't cry."   That giant statue "overlooks" the city of "Rio de Janeiro," where he grew up.  Mr. Eber told my boss about really poor "Ghetto" or "Slum" areas called "Favela's" there.         

        This one Portuguese Dictionary says Rio de Janeiro means "River of January."  The "Art Deco" statue in Brazil is called "Cristo Redentor," or Christ the Redeemer;" and Daisy says Mr. Eber thinks it's one of the "Wonders of the world."  Fannie and Freddie are flying bye.                          

FLYING CROW COUPLE

      In my three long books I'll learn about these two different "Styles" of art, 19th century "Art Nouveau;" and early 20th century "Art Deco"  Daisy says Mr. Steve and his mom have studied    both.  Fannie and Freddie, as they so often do; are talking to each other as they fly along.              

       I'm still thinking of that huge statue up on the tall mountain overlooking Rio de Janeiro.  My Encyclopedia says the Portuguese founded "Rio" in 1565.  Portugal's located right next to Spain on the "Iberian Pennisula."  Both of their languages are based on Roman Latin. 

       According to my outline I'm going to now learn about things having to do with ancient Egypt and what's called "Archaeology."   Mr. Steve and his mom are interested in that subject.  Daisy says if Mr. Steve's mom had not raised a family she would'v liked to be an "Archaeologist." 

                                                       

                                                  QUEEN NEFERTITI (1370-1330 B.C.)

        Hey God!  I just looked up that ancient Egyptian "Pharaoh" named "Akhenaten."   He was one of the first known "Monotheists" which means that he believed in only You instead of a lot of Gods like most other people did back then.  His wife "Nefretiti" was really pretty.

        I guess a Pharaoh is like a King or Emperor.  This Encyclopedia says Akhenaten "replaced" Egypt's "traditional" religion with his and his wife's belief in just You God.  "Polytheism" means you believe in "many" Gods according to how it's defined in my Dictionary.

            It says here that Akhenaten was born "Amenhotep IV," or "Amenophis IV" in Greek; and his new name meant "Effective for Aten" while "Aten" is You God "in the Sun."  "Akhenaten" means "God is Satisfied."  Akhenaten's God Aten replaced the other primary God "Amun."

 

"AKHENATEN" / "NEFERTITI"

        A "Tomb Painting" panel in my Encyclopedia shows Akhenaten and his wife Nefertiti.  The caption says they're holding their children and I notice how the rays of the Sun are coming down on them.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye way up there in the high blue sky.            

      There were three "periods" in ancient Egyptian history once the two parts "unified."   The "Old" Kingdom, when the "Pyramids" were built; began in 3500 B.C. and went until 2100 B.C.  Then everything totally collapsed until the "Middle" Kingdom started.   Heathcliff crowed. 

       I guess, Akhenaten and his wife lived during what's called the "New" Kingdom, which some people think was the "High Point" of ancient Egyptian culture.  It began in about 1500 B.C.   In the 3rd century B.C. that guy Alexander the Great conquered Egypt and made it Greek.                                

JOANN FLETCHER     

   

          Daisy and Millie one time watched a good tv show about ancient Egypt.  Daisy says they could tell Mr. Steve really liked listening to this smart English girl on that tv show, who's named  Joann Fletcher.  They could also tell he thought she was pretty too, and liked looking at her.          

           Over the next three days Dais has me scheduled to find out about the evolution in the use of "Metals."  Mr. Steve, and his father; both think that's one of the most important subjects in history.  All four of the Pigeons just came in from the east and flew over the Patio going west.       

          When ancient Egypt began tools and weapons were made of a metal called "Copper."  But then I guess copper was replaced by "Bronze," which was itself made "obsolete" when "Iron" is "developed."  Now "Steel" is the metal that people mainly use because it's way stronger.                             

                        "AMARNA"                                                                   "NILE" RIVER

                                              PAINTING BY BARRY KEMP

  

         This Encyclopedia says Akhenaten replaced the "traditional" capitol of Egypt "Thebes" to build his own city called "Amarna."  God!   Akhenaten and his wife Nefretiti "sensed" You in the Sun's energy.  And in looking at the Sun right now I can kind of understand that.         

        On a map I notice how, Egypt's top northern area is called "Lower" while the southern area below is the "Upper" region.  The "Nile" River flows northward.   I guess "Gravity" pulls water in a river downhill from what's called the "Source" and then to the "Mouth."    

       Hey God!  The caption under a painting of Akhenaten's city says he built it on the east bank of the Nile River so that he and his family could be "nearer" to You when the Sun came up in the morning.  The painting shows Boats coming into Amarna from the northwest.              

"MOCKING" BIRD

       Oh!  What I thought was a Finch chirping is actually one of those Mockingbirds who imitate other Birds.  Daisy heard Miss Susan say one reason why Mockingbirds "mimic" other Birds is to trick them into thinking Birds like them already live in that "nesting" area.

         Hey God!  Were You Amun and then Aten?  As You of course already know, Dais thinks You might also be the ancient Greek God "Zeus" and later that Roman God "Jupiter" too.  Both of them were, among other things; the Gods of "Thunder" and "Lightning."  

          Daisy and I have at times wondered God if You might also be "Odin," the Viking's God of thunder and lightning.   We both know of course how You're the Jew's, Christians and Muslim's God.   I just looked up in time to see that Mockingbird zip out into the eastern desert.  

        

                "SIR" FLINDERS PETRIE (1853-1942) WITH WIFE HILDA (1872-1957)

            I just looked up "Sir" Flinders Petrie, a British "Archaeologist."   He and his wife "Hilda," in the late 19th century; "excavated" an area called "Tel-el-Amarna" where Akhenaten's city at one time was.  A "Tell" or "Tel" is what they call a "Mound" of dirt I guess. 

       Daisy and Millie one night saw a good tv show about that guy Akhenaten.  She told me the show said Flinders Petrie's wife, like Mr. Steve's mom; was a really big "Help" to her husband.  I guess, from what Dais heard; Mrs. Petrie was just as smart as he was in Archaeology.  

        In 1985 the Israeli Tour Guide Chaim said, before going to Egypt to work at Tel-el-Amarna; Flinders Petrie and his wife "dug" at "Tel-el-Hesi" southwest of Jerusalem.  Archaeology is defined as, "The study of ancient cultures and peoples through excavation."  I smell Sage.

               

                                                                   STONEHENGE

        

           Daisy says on the tv show it said that guy Flinders Petrie was interested in Archaeology since a young age.  As a kid in England he even "Surveyed" that place called "Stonehenge" which I'll be learning a lot more about in my three books.  Dawn's barking over there next door.  

            I guess Flinders Petrie "Developed" a "System" or "Method" for "Sequence Dating" things he found in the ground from ancient history.  Dais told me how, with just a tiny little piece from a pot or vase; he and his wife could figure out what "Era" it was from.  I smell Sage. 

         When we go in the Living Room on Saturdays to watch cartoons on tv I've noticed the small vases lined up on one of the glass-topped End Tables near the couch.  They were given to my boss by kids he "Tutored."  They show the "Evolution" of ancient Greek "Pottery." 

  

LIVING ROOM

          Those miniature vases and pots sitting on the end table look just like the ones used in ancient Greece I guess.  Daisy says pieces of the ceramic containers Flinders Petrie and his wife studied in Israel and Egypt were even older in time.  Archaeologists still use their "Dating" system.     

        It says here Akhenaten was in power for seventeen years, but the Priests came back and "reinstated" the old religion.  Then, they totally destroyed his city Amarna; and even broke up his statues and scratched off his name from everything.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

          This is interesting.  My Encyclopedia says, in the early 20th century; German Archaeologists dug up what would later turn out to be a world famous "Bust" of Akhenaten's wife Nefretiti.   I guess a bust is what they call it when a statue is just of the head and shoulders of a person. 

                                                                                                                       HITLER / NEFRETITI                                                           

                                                                                                                                                                  I guess Nefretiti's bust was taken back to Germany and put into a Museum.  By 1933, when Adolph Hitler's Nazis came into power; it was one of Germany's most "prized possessions."  So, when Herman Göring was going to give it back to Egypt Hitler came in and said no.                      

         My boss and Mr. Mike talked one time about how some people think Adolph Hitler thought he might've been a "Reincarnated" Akhenaten.   Both were "Dictators."  In my three books I'll learn about three 20th century "Megalomaniacs," Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong.

  Well, according to my outline the next thing for me to mention is one of Flinders Petrie's students named Howard Carter.  In 1922, he found the tomb of the Pharaoh "Tut Ankh Amun"  who might've been Akhenaten and Nefretiti's son.  He's called "King Tut" for short.                      

       

HOWARD CARTER (1874-1939)

PHOTO BY HARRY BURTON

      My Encyclopedia shows a picture of that guy Howard Carter, who was also from England just like Flinders Petrie.  The caption says he's "examining" King Tut's coffin.  I notice how it's a black and white Print "Painted" in the way Mr. Steve used to do back in the 1980's.                       

     One time Daisy and Millie who I replaced were in Mr. Steve's Bedroom and saw a good tv show about King Tut.  So, of course; they had to talk about Howard Carter too.  That show said  he was a "loner" who, like that other guy Isaac Newton; didn't want to have friends.                      

        Someday I want to see the big "Glossy" picture of King Tut's gold "Death Mask" which Mr. Steve has on the front of the refrigerator in the Kitchen.  Daisy says it's so amazing how it was    made out of pure gold and has royal blue parts in it too.  Royal blue is my favorite color.               

                                             

  "TUTANKHAMUN" (1341-? B.C.)

         

           Oh wow!  A color picture in this one Encyclopedia shows King Tut's death mask and now I understand why Daisy thought I'd like it.  Boy!  I would definitely wear a hat like the one King    Tut wore.   And I kind of really like that fake blue beard attached onto his chin too.                        

         Goliath the Gopher Snake just used the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to crawl out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  That reminds me of Daisy telling me how, on the  front of King Tut's hat is the head of a "Cobra" Snake.  Dawn's barking over there.                       

        Wow!  It's so amazing how King Tut lived over three thousand years ago.  The truth be told, I only learned or thought about the "Concept" of "Time" after I met Daisy.  Anyway, I'll come    back to writing a lot more about ancient Egypt over the course of the next three days.                    

     

     DAISY CÓRDOVA               

                                             

           I'll bet Daisy's resting on the cement driveway in front of the garage.   She's going slowly blind but her sense of smell and hearing seem to be getting better and better.  Mr. Steve is what they call "Near-Sighted" so has to wear his thick glasses all of the time I've noticed. 

          Boy God!  Thank You for giving me good eyesight.  Daisy, who really appreciates all of our dirt paths; also likes to "Conserve" energy.  She says she now understands why, during Winter; some things "Hibernate" or go "Dormant."   A flock of Birds is going bye up in the sky. 

          Daisy jokes, at her "advanced" age she only has one "tank of gas;" whereas I still have the ability to get what's called a “Second Wind.”   If an invader ever tries to break into our land I'll just make up for her so we can then fight in what's called "shifts."  That's no problem!                                     

                                                                BOBBY CHACON

                           

           My boss's friend Mr. Bobby was World Champion in the 1970's and then again in the mid-1980's.  Early in his career he was called a "Boxer-Puncher" but later, after losing "Foot Speed;" adapted and became a "Counter-Punching Brawler."  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  

           I guess, in some of his most famous fights; Mr. Bobby had to "Wear Down" his opponents by not just having a second wind but also having a "Third Wind" too.  Wow!  Some picture here in this one Encyclopedia shows him "Landing" right hand punches.  Oh!  He hits hard!  

           Daisy said a tv show talked about how many ex-Boxers, like Mr. Bobby for instance; end up being "Punch Drunk" from all the punishment their brain's took.  Oh!  Bonnie and Clyde the Birds just flew in.  They'll feed their new Spring babies who've been chirping up there.

             

CHICKS BEING FED IN NEST        

             

           Hey God!  Did You make it so some of the animals who live around here had new babies way earlier than in most other years?  Angeline already had babies and so did Andy and Helen the Squirrels.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez just sprinted bye in front of the three Sheds. 

          Boy!  I like having Bonnie and Clyde's nest right above me up there near the patio roof.  I feel so happy to be alive God, and can tell You've been helping a lot me today.  Ugh!  Bonnie just now "Threw Up" some slimy Bugs that were in her stomach, for all her babies to eat.

          According to what it says here in this English Dictionary the word "Regurgitate" means,  "To bring partly digested food from the stomach back to the mouth."  Yuk!  That doesn't sound that good or what they call "Appetizing."   I smell Blinky, Dawn and Rosie over there.

              

                                                             "INUIT" FAMILY

                 

             One time Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that talked about the Siberian people who, in about 10,000 B.C. after the last "Ice Age;" came to live here in North and South America.  One of those groups, the "Inuit;" stayed up in "Alaska."  They're also called "Eskimos" I guess.  

             The tv show said when Inuit people get old and all their teeth fall out, the young chew the food first to soften it up; and then give it to them to eat.  Wow!  So that's kind of like what Bonnie and Clyde do.  Daisy says, as cold as it get in Piñon Hills; it's nothing compared to Alaska. 

             Boy God!  Thank You for my good teeth.  Writing about food makes me wonder when my boss Mr. Steve will give us our first snack of the day and I sure hope it's Hot Dogs but some Dog Biscuits would be okay too.  I've mentioned how Daisy's teeth hurt her sometimes.

                 

ANDY / HELEN ON ROCK         

              

           I just glanced up from over here on Elvira and see Andy and Helen standing on their favorite boulder.  It's so amazing to think how, on this very first day of the new year; they've already had babies.  I can tell they're both staying alert watching the burrow entrance.

          Oh!  I just thought of something.  I wonder if the reason Daisy and I so often have such an irresistible urge to lick Mr. Steve's face is because, deep down; we might want him to throw back up some food?   As Dais says, when it comes to food; " Beggars can't be choosers."    

          For some reason I just thought about how, except for my boss; I have a hard time trusting people holding something in their hands.  But I like tools like these pens and pencils we found in the garage.  I'm starting to get better and better through all this good practice I'm getting.

                      

                                                                   PIÑON HILLS                 

           

           Someday, when I get over my fear of riding in Cars; I want to see the big "Water Tank" with our town name on it Daisy told me about.  I guess it's on the property of a "Bar" called "Big Rock" up on the #138 Highway.  Daisy says Mr. Steve never goes to bars or places like that.

            I'd also like to see the Piñon Hills town sign that's along the side of the Highway too.  You see it as you come into our town, and it tells you we have 6,587 people; and are at an "Elevation" of 3,980 feet "Above Sea Level."  Bonnie and Clyde are still feeding their babies up there.

           Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy one time talked about how the first Mormons in our area were Soldiers stationed here during that "Mexican War" of 1846 through 1848.   Later this afternoon I'm scheduled to learn about the "Mormon Batalion."  Dawn's barking to my right.

            

                     JEDEDIAH SMITH                                       "MORMON" BATALLION

PAINTING BY FREDERICK REMINGTON                                                                                                                                                                                  

          

          My Encyclopedia says, in 1826; that guy Jedediah Smith came to California and visited the San Gabriel Mission.  I'll be writing about him over the next three days.  He and all of his "Fur Trappers" were the first white, "Anglo's" to come all the way out here to California.   

          I just looked at the bottom of the Mulberry tree and for some reason, even though all the water in the basin is gone; it makes me think of water.  Daisy one time explained "Pipes" and "Wells" to me.  I see our gray bucket over there to my right near the sliding glass door.     

          Mr. Steve thinks there must be water "Springs" nearby because, before we were known as Piñon Hills; it was "Smithson Springs."  I mentioned we're in a "Drought."  I see a Mockingbird over there and that reminds of that Mockingbird which sang way past dark last night. 

             

                      "MOJAVE" DESERT (NEAR "SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS)

                   

          This English Dictionary says a "Desert" is, "A dry barren region that can support little or no vegetation."  Huh!  We're a desert but that definition wouldn't apply to us as we have many types of plants.  I heard Mr. Randy one time describe our plants as "scrub brush." 

          We live in the "Foothills," on the north side of the "San Gabriel" Mountains.  Sylmar sits in the foothills of the same "Range," but only on the southern side.  Speedy Gonzalez just used the right vertical slot on the side of gate to run out into the eastern field behind the Sheds.

          If it were possible to go "On a Straight Line" through the mountains from Piñon Hills over to Sylmar it would be about thirty miles.  Unfortunately you can't so, when my boss drives down to Sylmar; he has to go about seventy miles.  And it takes about an hour and a half to get there.  

                                                

"SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS  (BLUE "FILTER")            

                   

              Mr. Steve's brother Rock gave him a "Digital" camera, and a "Blue Filter" that goes on the "Lens;" so he used it to take pictures of our mountains.  Back in the 1980's and 1990's, using a "Film" camera; Mr. Steve made extra money as a Photographer.  Heathcliff crowed.                 

             Someday I want to go in his office and see my boss work on one of those "Computers."  I heard him tell Miss Susan, because most things are dual in nature computers are very helpful in many ways; but every "Crook" in the world is also on the "Internet."  I can smell Sage.  

             Daisy says Mr. Steve has spent a lot of time in Libraries.  But now he jokes, because of the Internet; his Library is in his office.  Hey God!  Daisy thinks You caused him to move all of these now totally unnecessary Encyclopedias out here to the patio so I could use them now.

                    

                                               STEPHEN HAWKING WITH FAMILY

                

          Daisy says that guy Stephen Hawking knows a lot about "Science."  I guess he has "Lou Gehrig's" disease, which makes your muscles get weaker and weaker; so in order to talk he has    do it through a computer in a very unusual sounding voice Dais says.  Dawn's barking.                  

            In my three books I'll learn about "Technology" and "Artificial Intelligence."  Daisy says that means "Thinking" computers, "Programmed" to do "Tasks" they're told to do.  Mr. Steve prefers the "nuance" of "human interaction," like seeing body language or hearing emotion.     

            What if computers someday become more intelligent than the people who created them so just "Take Over?"  That guy Stephen Hawking says it's "not impossible."  When he was thirteen in 1968 Mr. Steve and his friend Chris saw this movie called "2001 A Space Odyssey." 

                     

                                                                                            "2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY"

                

             One time Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with Mr. Grant, who is very knowledgeable with computers; about that movie 2001, A Space Odyssey.  It was made in 1968, but I guess kind of predicted the future.  That's what Dais heard Mr. Steve say.

             In 1968 almost no one had a computer, or any other modern technical "Device."  In the movie a computer named "Hal" ended up being smarter than people and even killed one of the Astronauts on a Spaceship Daisy says.  Daffy and some of the other Ducks are quacking.  

                Daisy heard that computer Hal was like a human, so when the men tried to permanently turn him off  he got scared, felt fear; and tried to protect himself.  He was "Conscious" and "Self Aware."  One time Mr. Steve's father used the word "prescience" to describe it Dais heard.

                                                                                                     

THE BLASTERS                                                  DAVE ALVIN

                                                                                  PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA 

           

             Daisy told me about that one Downey "Rockabilly" band called the BLASTERS.  I guess there are two brothers in the BLASTERS and one, "Phil" Alvin; believes in the future there will be something called "Trans-Humanism."  Hearing those Ducks makes me feel good.

             I guess Trans-Humanism is when, by using "Artificial Intelligence;" someday it could be possible to transfer your "Consciousness" into a Robot after your body is too old and worn out.  So, "In Theory;" you could "Live Forever."  Wow!  That's so amazing to even think about.  

            Someone told my boss that Phil Alvin, like his own father; is really good at Math.  Daisy thinks I would like Rockabilly music because of it's energy.  She and Millie both noticed how Mr. Steve really likes the BLASTERS' Drummer, who's kind of what they call "Flashy."

        

                                           JOHANN STRAUSS (1825-1899) WITH FAMILY

       

             Mr. Steve really didn't understand much about that movie "2001, A Space Odyssey" in 1968 when he was thirteen.  But he enjoyed the music, like this "Waltz" song called "The Blue Danube."   I guess it was written by this man from Austria named Johann Strauss.

             Daisy told me, back there in Europe; the Danube River "Flows" into the "Black" Sea.  In my Encyclopedia the German sentence "An der schönen blauen Donau" is used to describe that Waltz by Johann Strauss.  My Dictionary says it means "By the beautiful blue Danube."

             Another "Composer" named Strauss also had music in 2001, A Space Odyssey.  But, his first name was Richard; and he was German.  It says here in this Encyclopedia he, and another Austrian named Gustav Mahler; were late 19th century "Romantic" Composers.

         

                                            RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949) WITH FAMILY

        

            The caption below a picture of Richard Strauss's family says he and Gustav Mahler were the "successors" to Richard Wagner and Franz Liszt.  I notice how the black and white photo in the Encyclopedia was "Painted."  Daisy told me how Mr. Steve used to paint prints too. 

            2001, A Space Odyssey used Richard Strauss's song "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" in it.  Mr. Steve played it kind of loud on his Boombox one morning last Summer.  This German Dictionary says in German Richard Strauss's song would be titled, "Also sprach Zarathustra."    

           Daisy says our boss likes the big "Kettle" drums on Thus Spoke Zarathustra.  He himself uses "Mallets," before switching to regular drumsticks; as then they seem lighter.  In Baseball a Hitter waiting his turn to bat swings a "Weighted" bat for much the same reason.

                

                                                FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1844-1900)

              

            Hey God!  For some reason, thinking about that song Thus Spoke Zarathustra and also hearing it my head right now; makes me think of "Sunrise."  I guess Richard Strauss was very influenced by that German Writer Friedrich Nietzsche.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

            Dais says God, and I kind of agree with her; that song Thus Spoke Zarathustra makes us think of Your power.  Thus Spoke Zarathustra, before Richard Strauss's era; was also the title of one of Nietzsche's books I guess.  Now the other two Pigeons are winging to the east.   

           In my books I'll learn about other "World" religions like "Zoroastrianism," which was an  influence on Judaism, Islam and Bahái í.  "Zoroaster" is another name for Zarathustra, the man who started Zoroastrianism.  I guess some of ideas even influenced that guy "Plato."    

          

MID-DAY SKY        

                  

             Hey God!  Looking at the Sun up in there the sky makes me think about how Nietzsche was one of those "Atheists"  who even said You were dead.  This one Encyclopedia says, he was a Critic" of "Pure Reason."  He believed there was no such thing as "Objective Truth." 

            It says here Nietzsche wrote about the idea of what he called "Eternal Recurrence."  That means the Universe "recurring" over and over again for "eternity."  I wonder if he was kind of talking about "Reincarnation?"  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran bye right now.   

           Even though he did not believe in You God, I still really, really like his saying, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger."   One reason I admire Homer Lea, Douglas Bader and Doug Flutie is because they overcame disadvantages.  Heathcliff just crowed.

    

                              TONY IOMMI                                                           RICK ALLEN

PHOTO BY LEON NEAL                                                                                                                                                                

                                    

             Two Musicians who I also admire are Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH, and also DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer Rick Allen.  They overcame "Setbacks," Tony Iommi accidentally cutting off some of the tips of his fingers.  Rick Allen lost an arm but "Relearned" to play drums.        

            Daisy saw 2001, A Space Odyssey on tv and told me how, at the beginning of the movie; a big black box shows up Earth at the time when people were like Apes.  At first the Ape men are so amazed and don't know what to think of it.  Fannie and Freddie are flying to the east.   

           I guess, in the movie those Ape men are chased from a Water Hole by another group.  But then, that black square somehow teaches one of the Apes to take a bone from a skeleton and then  use it as a "Club" weapon.  The slight scent of some Juniper just floated in on a nice breeze.                   

                                                                               "2001, A SPACE ODYSSEY"   

             

            Writing about how the Ape man in 2001, A Space Odyssey used a bone as a weapon to kill other Ape men reminds me of how one time this guy told my boss some think the human hand, in part; has evolved for fighting.  A "Closed" fist is sort of like a club.  Dawn's now barking. 

           Mr. Cliff, who fought in the Vietnam War and was wounded in the neck during the "Tet Offensive" in 1968; thinks someday "Robots" will replace Soldiers.   He says those "Drones" will replace Planes.  Mr. Cliff knows a lot about the "Phalanx" weapon's system I guess.   

           That Phalanx system, around since the mid-1980's; is a giant Machine Gun on Ships which can "Automatically" shoot down multiple "Missiles" all at once.  It's, "almost like it has its own thinking brain;" Mr. Cliff said.  Hey God?  Will computers ever become fully human?" 

                 

                                                  RENE DESCARTES (1596-1650)

                

           Back in chapter four I mentioned how we got the title for my books from what that guy Rene Descartes said in the 17th century.   Hey God?  As You know, my boss and Mr. Grant have wondered if someday a computer like Hal will say; "I think, therefore I am."  I smell Sage.

             I guess Rene Descartes was mainly a "Mathematician." I kind of wonder what he would've thought about Artificial Intelligence?  Daisy says Mr. Steve and Mr. Grant have wondered if a future computer will someday be "spontaneously" funny and even make people laugh?

        In mid-1990's, after Harriet broke up with him; Mr. Steve "went out" with that girl named "Debra."  Someone once called her a "Spitfire," like one of those World War II British Fighter    Planes.  She and her little daughter "Talia" lived over there in "West Los Angeles."                       

             

DEBRA AS A BRIDES MAID

                                                  

             Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his mom on the phone how that girl Debra was five feet five and weighed one hundred and twenty pounds.  She had a" Mind of her Own" as they say.  One time someone "Dared" her to go "Up on Stage" on "Amateur Night" at a "Comedy Club."    

             I guess Debra had to go up on stage for five minutes at a place called "Igby's," which is next door to the "Chicago Pizza Works" restaurant  Mr. Steve and Emily ate there in the 1980's and so did Mr. Mark who now lives in Hawaii.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds flew bye.

            My boss told his mom how the Chicago Pizza Works had "Sawdust" spread out on the floor.   They made "Deep Dish" Pizza and Mr. Steve liked their "Stuffed" mushrooms."  Daisy heard the company that owned the sports teams did business with Chicago Pizza Works.

             

                                                                     ROBIN WILLIAMS WITH FAMILY   

         

            Daisy says that girl Debra liked this famous Comedian named Robin Williams, who was good at "Spontaneously" being funny; which most people are not.  I guess, he's what they call "Quick-Witted;" so can even be funny at the "Spur of the Moment."  Heathcliff crowed.   

           Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died could also make people laugh without having to memorize and then deliver comedy in a "Stand up Act."  Daisy says this other 1980's Comedian named Sam Kinison, who Mr. Steve took pictures of; was like that too.  I smell Mesquite.  

         Until he met Debra I guess my boss had never been to a Comedy Club, but then went with her to the "The Comedy Store" in Hollywood.  One time on the phone Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave he had a dream about this other guy named "Dennis."  He died and was funny too.

         

                                                       THE "COMEDY STORE"   

          

                My boss told Mr. Dave he and Dennis one time talked about The Comedy Store, and how Debra went up on stage at Igby's.  I guess many famous Comedians performed at The Comedy Store, like a man named George Carlin; and Robin Williams too.  Dawn's now barking.

           Daisy heard that guy Dennis, who Mr. Steve trained to be a Salesman; was just like Mark Ritter in sometimes having an unusual "Sense of Humor."  Dennis thought it was funny when my boss told him about things Mark Ritter did with a "Bullhorn."  Now Blinky's barking too.

          Debra knew she would have five minutes to "Deliver" her comedy routine over at Igby's so practiced.   Daisy told me Mr. Steve would even use his "Stopwatch" so she would time it right.  And I guess Debra got better and better at doing it with each practice session she did.     

              

                                                                                   HIGH MIDDAY SKY     

                    

            Ah!  I just glanced up in time to see some Birds going bye up there in the sky.  Thank You God for inventing Birds and also thank You for making learning new things fun.  Daisy says it's    okay and normal to make mistakes, so long as you learn from them; and not do them again.         

            On that one Amateur Night at Igby's Debra found out it's "Not as easy as it Looks."  She went too fast so finished her "Routine" way too early, but the audience still clapped anyway even though she "Messed Up."  Boy!  Daisy's right in thinking that girl Debra sure sounds brave! 

           Mr. Steve thinks he has a "Sense of Humor," but some people say he doesn't.  I've noticed he doesn't often laugh "Out Loud," but just chuckles.  Afterwards my boss and Miss Debra ate at Chicago Pizza Works and he told her he doesn't have the courage to do what she did.       

      

                      THE "FORUM"                                                               JERRY BUSS

                                                                         PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

             

             Daisy told me the main reason why Mr. Steve and Miss Emily knew about Chicago Pizza Works works back in the 1980's was because of "Cal Sports Inc."  I guess that's the name of the company that owned the Forum and team who played in it.  Jerry Buss was the "Owner."

             In the mid-1980's sometimes Salesmen like my boss, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen would do a "Trade" with customers.  At restaurants you could use "Script" called "Funny Money" instead of cash.   The script looked like "Currency Bills," but with Jerry Buss's picture on it.

            After her short performance at Igby's Debra, who this girl described as being "Spunky;"  could better appreciate what Comedians have to do up on stage in order to make people laugh.  It's not easy at all, even though good Comedians make it look easy.  Heathcliff crowed.     

         

                 GEORGE CARLIN              RICHARD PRYOR                   SAM KINISON

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                        

             One time on the phone my boss told Mr. Dave in New Mexico Debra didn't get too upset over running out of "Material" on that night at Igby's.  Daisy says, just like some Comedians can make comedy look easy; professional Athletes do the same.  Daffy's quacking next door.  

            In Baseball the defensive players make catching balls look "Routine" but Mr. Steve jokes most people couldn't catch a "High Fly" with a big audience looking to see if you drop it.  And if it's on tv then even more see you be embarrassed Dais says.  Daffy's voice is so strong.

           Daisy says one time down in Sylmar that kid Michal and his friend were really mad when the then "Los Angeles " Raiders' Kicker missed a long fifty yard last second "Field Goal."  Had he made it the Raiders would've won the game by a point.  But, he didn't so; they lost.  

        

                                                               "CHARGERS" FIELD GOAL KICKER   

                 

             In the game the Raiders lost, the San Diego "Chargers" Kicker made a long Field Goal right before the Raiders missed opportunity as the "Clock ran Out."  Dais heard the Chargers, Mr. Steve's Nephew Sammy Jr.'s favorite team; are long time big "Rivals" of the Raiders.  

             To "Prove a Point," Mr. Steve drove Michael and his friend to Sylmar High; where they climbed over a twenty foot tall fence.  On the Football field they kicked Field Goals and Michael and his friend found out it's hard to "Make" Field Goals.  Mr. Steve never climbs anymore.   

             Dais says that kid Michael, who was about twelve; couldn't even make an accurate Field Goal from twenty "Yards" so was embarrassed.  The Raiders' Kicker barely missed from over fifty yards.  From the "Fifty Yard Line" the "Goal Posts" seem so far away my boss says.   

      

TOM DEMPSEY (NEW ORLEANS "SAINTS")      

        

               Daisy says, after they went back home; Mr. Steve played a Videotape for Michael and his friend.  It showed how, way back in 1970 when my boss fifteen; a Kicker for the New Orleans      "Saints" set the record for the longest Field Goal in history.  It was from sixty three yards!           

          The Saints' Kicker was named Tom Dempsey and, what made him unique Dais told me; is how he was born with only half a foot.  So he wore a special shoe which my boss says acted as a    "Club."  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are both flying towards the northeast.                

         I guess, there are two main "Styles" for "Placekicking" Field Goals.  Tom Dempsey, and Mr. Steve too; prefer to approach the ball in the traditional old fashioned "Straight On" fashion.  But now, all Kickers use a "Soccer" style method.  The slight scent of Sage just floated in.                                                     "SOCCER STYLE" KICKING METHOD      

                                                                    PHOTO BY TONY L. SANDYS

      

         Oh wow!  This picture shows a "Barefooted" guy on the Philadelphia "Eagles" kicking a Field Goal.   Ouch!  With the straight on technique you hit a straight up and down ball with the front of your toe.  Boy!  I like the silver and white wings painted on the Eagles' helmets.               

            I guess, using the Soccer Style; you approach a tilted backward ball from the side and hit it in a "Sweeping" motion with the "Instep" part of the foot.  Right-footed, Mr. Steve used to be able to make Field Goals from twenty yards both ways.  He played Soccer at Sylmar High.            

          Well, it looks like I still have a little bit more to write about "Artificial Intelligence."  My   My boss, and Mr. Grant too; think computers will be more important in future. Will computers   do everything, from "Playing" the Stock Market; to piloting Planes and driving Cars?                 

       

ORIGINAL "MCDONALD'S" RESTAURANT     

              

           I wrote about those "McDonalds" restaurants.  At the one near us in Phelan I guess for a while a "Self-Serve Kiosk" was put in so customers don't need to go to the counter to place the order.  Boy!  I really do believe a restaurant for Dogs and Cats could make some money.                

            My boss told Mr. Grant on the phone one time they took away the Kiosk, possibly because the community "sensed" if it became too popular the people "Behind the Counter" would lose      their jobs; which would be bad.  Oh!  What if we had a "Drive Through" Dog restaurant!             

         Mr. Steve had a "Honda" customer near "Seattle," up in the State of "Washington."  He said Seattle made fifteen dollars an hour the "Minimum Wage" but some "Employers" decided    it was more "Economical" to "Invest" in "Robotics."  So then they "Laid Off" the Workers.                                      

                                                              "ROBOTIC" DOG

                   

            Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that talked about how, over in Japan; they already have a Robot Dog.  That's not good for us because, a Robot doesn't need food so; in  "The long Run" saves money.  But one good thing Dais says, Robot Dogs don't look nearly as good as we do.

            Well, it's back to my outline which I can tell this is getting toward the end of this fifth chapter.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has books on "Indigenous Americans."  I mentioned before how, at the end of the last "Ice Age" about 10,000 B.C.; people showed up in North America.   

           Miss Susan says Anthropologists think the original "Takic" speaking "inhabitants" of our area may have arrived here in about 1,500 B.C.   Oh!  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are chasing another Crow, who I'll bet is a boy Crow trying to steal Anne; so that got Blackbeard mad.  

            

            CALIFORNIA "TRIBAL" LANGUAGES                          INDIAN VILLAGE

                                                                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY MARY LEIGHTON THOMSON

          

                   My Dictionary says "indigenous" means, "to be born, existing or growing naturally in a certain region;" or being "native to an area."  The Shoshone man at the Phelan Library told my boss those original people up here were "Uto-Aztecan."  That's a "Language Type" I guess.  

             When Spanish came up here to settle "Alta" California in the 18th century they gave the different Indian groups names.  One "Band" near us they called the "Serranos," which means "Mountaineers."  They likely lived in the San Gabriel Mountains to our south Dais thinks.  

             Our area's "Public" High School in Phelan is called "Serrano."  Daisy noticed how their sports teams are called the "Diamondbacks," and their "Color Scheme" is "Royal" blue as the "Primary" color; with white and yellow as "Secondary colors.  I love that color pattern! 

                 

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT "RATTLESNAKE"

PHOTO BY DEBORAH WALL                     

                   

                  I guess we don't have too many of those Rattlesnakes in Piñon Hills, which is just fine with me.  One morning, as he walked along Primavera Road out there in the desert; Mr. Steve heard one in a bush so just left it alone according to Daisy.  Dawn's barking over there.

            Even though I know most Snakes are harmless, I'm still kind of afraid of them.  We have those "Garter" Snakes around here, as well as "Gopher" Snakes like Goliath.  Miss Susan one time told Mr. Steve about "Mojave Green" Rattlesnakes according to what Daisy heard.  

            Mr. Steve carries a "Walking Stick" when out in the back desert, "just in case" he needs to defend himself.  Another Indian group in our area are "Shoshone," like the man Mr. Steve at the Phelan Library.  That man knew a lot about the Snakes who live around here. 

   

     "SHOSHONE"