II   

                           Cognito,ergo;sum

                                                                       

                                                                     (Chapter 7)        

"BE GRATEFUL"       

      1:30              

                  

                                                         

   "HIGH DESERT" SKY            

                                                                 

          I'm back from a pee break and checking the fence area behind the three Sheds.  Just like yesterday, I'll take a big break and visit Daisy after chapter eight; or part two.  As I went pee I    was looking up at the sky and the shape of the clouds reminded me of yesterday.                            

         Well, I'll say a quick Hail Mary prayer and start chapter seven.  I can't believe I'm halfway through this second long book.  In glancing at my book two outline it looks like one of the things Daisy has me scheduled to write a lot about in the next two chapters is "Sports."      

         Dais also believes that so many things happening this early in the new year, like the Quails having babies; is a good sign after a cold Winter.  Heathcliff crowed and and his voice makes me feel good.  Thank You again God for having Mr. Steve rescue me from that field.  

 

      DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

                   

             I'll bet, as she's been doing for the last two days; Daisy is up there laying on the cement driveway.  She can let sunlight sink into her, which makes her feel good. But again today, besides guarding the front yard; it's one of her jobs to alert me if our boss comes outside.

           Hey God!  Daisy told me that, like yesterday; she's grateful the Bufferin pill our boss puts in her food is working good today in making her arthritis less painful.  She's thankful for that so I am too "On her Behalf" because I like when Daisy feels good.  Dawn's barking.

           Ah! That song La Privavera by Antonio Vivaldi just floated into my thoughts. That fills me with happiness and gives me energy.  Now I know why Mr. Steve often starts his day by listening to it in the morning as he does things like brushing his teeth or making his bed to start the day. 

          

               ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)            LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

                  ARTIST UNKNOWN                                                                                                  PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER

               Wow!  I'm remembering that Beethoven song "Ode to Joy."  Daisy says since 1989's fall of the "Berlin Wall;" it stands for "Liberty and Freedom."  I wrote before how Will and Ariel Durant joked Beethoven was a "pessimist trying to convince himself he was an optimist."   

             I guess Ode to Joy is now the "European Union's" anthem."   In book one I wrote about the "E.U." and "N.A.T.O.; short for the "North Atlantic Treaty Organization."  I can see really see why Mr. Steve feels "Rhêma," or the Bible's "Living Word;" in songs like Ode to Joy. 

                  I just glanced up from here on the patio and see a Hawk standing on a tall Joshua tree out there in the desert behind the Sheds.  Hawks like to sit up high, sometimes near a Road; so they can see anything down there to kill and eat.   Hawks have even better eyesight than I do. 

            

  KATE WOLF (1942-1986)                                            HAWK                   

PHOTO BY NICHOLAS WILSON                                                                                                                                                          

      

              Daisy heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about Hawks, which I guess Mr. Dave knows a lot about.  Mr. Dave said one of his Motorcycle Shop customers once told him about a girl named Kate Wolf who wrote a song called "Redtail Hawk."  "Prairie" Hawks live around here.

          Mr. Dave said his customer lived up in Northern California, in this area called "Sonoma" County; where Kate Wolf also lived.  She died young, age only forty four; of cancer from what Dais heard.  Her son is also a Musician and plays a lot of his mom's Folk and Country songs.

          A few years ago our boss bought some things from a lady who's first names was also Kate, which Daisy says is just short for "Katherine."  Mr. Dave's customer was a "Coast Yuki" Indian so Mr. Dave told him he was "Hupa."  There are also "Inland Yuki" Indians too I guess.

        

HIGH DESERT SUNRISE     

          

                Mr. Dave told our boss how Kate Wolf's song Redtail Hawk is about how good she feels in the morning, when she see's a Hawk flying around when the Sun just comes up.  Daisy heard that girl Kate Wolf, besides writing good songs; also was a really good Poet too.   Dawn's barking.

           Kate Wolf, who sings like Joni Mitchell Mr. Dave said;  was a "doer" from what his Yuki customer told him.  She wrote Redtail Hawk in 1980, the year Mr. Steve met Mr. Grant in the first year of Law School.  Sonoma County is north of that big city of San Francisco I guess.   

           That song Redtail Hawk, besides Kate Wolf's acoustic guitar; also has a lot of really good and talented mandolin playing on it Mr. Dave told our boss.  In the 1970's Kate Wolf used her poetry for lyrics in writing "Folk" and "Country" songs.  I smell little Blinky over there.   

   

HIGH DESERT ( "SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)

     

            Looking at the desert makes me think of that guy Beethoven.  Daisy once heard our boss tell Mr. Grant he's sometimes wondered how Beethoven could've written such "happy-sounding" music when his life was often "not that good."  I guess he did at times got really depressed.  

            My Encyclopedia says Ode to Joy is the "final section" of Beethoven's "9th Symphony."  Daisy says our boss told Miss Susan how, when the 9th was first played Beethoven was "Deaf;" so couldn't even hear it.  A girl turned him around to see the cheering audience Dais heard. 

            I guess that girl Helen Keller, who was totally blind and deaf; said the "vibrations" of an Orchestra playing Beethoven's 9th "inspired" her.  I mentioned yesterday how one Girl Scout in Mr. Steve's mom's troop was blind.  Mr. Grant's Dog "Miggie is blind, Dais is going blind.

                                 

            HELEN KELLER (1880-1968)               HELEN KELLER / ANNE SULLIVAN (1866-1936)   

                                

          Dais and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom one night and saw a good movie about Helen Keller.  And it was also about this other brave girl named Anne Sullivan.  Helen Keller said she was "enraptured by the majesty of nature" in "feeling" Beethoven's song Ode to Joy.

         According to this one Encyclopedia, Helen Keller was born fifteen years after the American Civil War ended.  She was from "Alabama" and her father had been an Officer in the Southern Confederate army during the war.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.

         Helen Keller's mom's dad was a Rebel General.  Helen Keller got "Meningitis" as a baby, which made her lose her sight and hearing; but ended up being the first deaf and blind person to get a College "B.A." degree.   Boy!  How proud of me would Mr. Steve be if I could do that.

  

                                                    HAWAII                                                   WILD CHICKENS

                                                                                                                                                  PHOTO BY MARIE MAGEE

  

             Heathcliiff just crowed, which reminds me of the time Mr. Mark told our boss about how, on the island of "Kauai;"  there are now too many wild chickens.   Polynesians brought in their Birds to Hawaii about a thousand years ago.  I can hear the Hens over there clucking away.

          Dais heard Mr. Mark tell our boss, in the 1980's and 1990's some really big "Hurricanes" hit Hawaii.  Chicken Coups were destroyed, surviving Chickens got out; and mixed with wild Chickens.  They adapted to the weather and "reproduce all year round" Mr. Mark said. 

          Since those huge Hurricanes all the wild Birds have created generations of "stronger and smarter" what Mr. Mark jokes are "Super Chicken's."   And sometimes the boy Chickens like Heathcliff y can "get aggressive" Mr. Mark told our boss.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.   

           

                              CHARLES DARWIN                            EMMA DARWIN

                                        (1809-1882)                                                                (1808-1896)

                                       PAINTING BY GEORGE RICHMOND                                

                                                                              

          Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about how the wild Chickens on Kauai are an example of Charles Darwin's idea's.  They've "Evolved" through "Natural Selection" in "Breeding."  It's partly "Survival of the Fittest" in how the girls and boys have babies. 

          Hey Mrs. Darwin, I don't know if maybe you're up there in Heaven mind-reading me right now?  If you are then Daisy and I want to say thank you for being a good wife for your husband.  I sure hope he's there with you and Mr. Steve and his father both think he probably is. 

         I guess Mrs. Darwin, the tv show about your husband said you helped him by translating things to him from other languages.  It's too bad two of your ten children didn't make it past being a baby, and your other daughter died at ten.  A Train just whistled faintly to my left.

CREATION?

                                                                                                                       MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI

           Hey God!  I guess Charles Darwin said he was "Agnostic;" but also said, "It is absurd to doubt that a man might be an ardent theist and evolutionist."  He and his wife sometimes said You were the "ultimate law giver."  They believed Evolution itself was "evidence of design."

           Daisy says the tv show mentioned how, while on that famous voyage of "H.M.S. Beagle;" Darwin often quoted the Bible when it came things having to do with "Morality."  He and his wife often referred to the "divine hand."  Frida and Diego are flying over Libby's Coral.   

          Mr. Doug down in Sylmar knows about Charles Darwin, and so did Mark Ritter when he was alive.  Mr. Doug's wife Miss Susan, who died; read Darwin did not believe in the "Bible as History"   But he and his wife, and their kids too; did believe in many of the Christian ideas.  

          

EARTHWORMS       

            

              In Charles Darwin's idea of "Transmutation," things change in form over time; often to get food.  Daisy heard that it was Darwin who first realized how important "Earthworms" are in "Soil Formation."   That guy Aristotle described Earthworms as the "Earth's Intestines."  

           Charles Darwin thought, over time parents give "Offspring" traits which will help them to survive in the particular environment they were born into.   Mr. Steve told his mom one time how he see's proof of it every day in watching the Birds from his office.  Dawn's barking over there. 

               Oh!  What a coincidence an orange boy Finch fly bye.  I was about to mention this girl our boss met in College who studied how Charles Darwin saw evolution in the way on each one of the "Galapagos" islands, the Finch's had different beaks.  The "Food Sources" were different.

                      

 CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY NORTHRIDGE

       

             I've mentioned a few times in these first two books how that College C.S.U.N. is kind of  important to Mr. Steve's family.   Not only did our boss, his brother Rock and sister Susan go to that school; but now so is their Nephew Mathew too.  Daffy and Daisy are quacking together.

            Daisy heard our boss one time tell Miss Susan at work how he often listens to KFI Radio Station, like that guy Bill Handel for example.  Bill Handel also went to C.S.U.N.   He jokes about it being the "Harvard of the West," which I guess Mr. Steve and his mom think is very funny. 

            If I could someday be the first Dog in history to go to, and then graduate from College; I know our boss would never ever want to even think about getting rid of me.  Hey God!  Daisy is the one who tells me about going to College so thank You for her.  I smell Blinky over there.  

            

 ARNOLD ZIFFEL ("GREEN ACRES")

           

              All of a sudden I just thought of that Pig "Arnold Ziffel," who Daisy says is so smart he even goes to school with all of the other kids in their town.  Ever since Dais told me about Arnold the Pig he's kind of given me motivation to be like him.   I can smell Dawn and Rosie. 

           Other than Mr. Peabody of course, there's no one I now admire more than Arnold Ziffel.   I can't wait to see that tv show "Green Acres."  Daisy says Arnold the Pig is so smart he beats people playing Chess.   Oh!  Our boss's Dog "Lady" is my all time hero and role model.

           According to Dais Arnold the Pig is so smart he even has his own books and things like that.  On his own tv and Stereo he knows how to change all of the channels or operate all of the different settings.  You can really tell how the people in his town like him Daisy noticed.                                                           

MISTER ED    

    

                 Oh!  Libby's scent just came into my right nostril and that reminds me about that other really smart Horse named "Mister Ed."  According to what Dais saw on tv, Mister Ed also like to play Chess too.  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky.

            Daisy thinks what makes Mister Ed even more amazing is how he actually learned how to speak English really well.  Mister Ed secretly talks to his owner but no one else.  Libby's near the back east end of her Corral, where Primavera Road goes bye on the other side of the fence. 

           Mr. Steve talks to Daisy and I a lot and some people joke how we seem to know English, which of course we do; especially when it comes to remembering things having to do with food.  A big group of from way down here on the Patio look like Pigeons are flying toward the east.  

                    

"CHECKERS"          

                  

               Mentioning Chess makes me think of that other "Board" game Daisy told me about called "Checkers."  One of my goals is to someday learn how to play it because Dais thinks I'd be really good at it.  A Train just whistled faintly to my left, beyond the far end of the Patio over there. 

          Daisy heard Mr. Phillip, who I've mentioned before is originally from Wales; tell our boss over in England Checkers is called "Draught."  And that means to "draw" or "move" in the Old English language.  Oh!  Hearing a Train whistle as I smell Juniper reminds me of last year.

             This Encyclopedia says what Dais heard on that one tv show she and Millie saw.  Checkers is a "strategic" game between two players on a board, the "object" being to "capture" all your opponents "pieces;" which are round.  The pieces are usually either red or black Dais says.     

              

THE "ILIAD" ( THE "TROJAN" WAR)            

              

                Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Ralph one time talking about the history of that game Checkers.  Mr. Ralph read a game "sounding like Checkers" was described by that Writer "Homer" in his book about that "Trojan War."   Mr. Steve's father is a good Checkers player.

           Mr. Ralph said "Plato" described a game like Checkers.  It says here in  Checkers players "take turns" making "diagonal" moves into "unoccupied" squares, taking an opponent's piece by "jumping over" it.  Diagonal means "at an angle," not vertical or horizontal Dais told me. 

                I guess Mr. Steve sold a boxed checker set to a lady from "Jordan" one time.  She told him Checkers came from this earlier Middle Eastern game called "Alquerque," which is also played on a "stripe patterned" board.  She said Russia and Turkey have games like Checkers too.   

                                    

FOUR EARLY "CIVILIZATIONS" 

         

              According to what Daisy and Millie heard that time, Mr. Ralph told our boss a game that "sounds like Checkers" was played in all of those four  original "Civilization" I've been learning about over the last two days.  Andy's over there sniffing the air in guarding their burrow.

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph he thinks that English lady Mary Beard mentioned on one of her segments that a Checkers type game was played back in ancient Rome.  Bravo Company and the new babies are using the gate slots to stream out into the desert.  Andy's watching them.

          For some reason, looking at the Birds flying around out there behind the Sheds makes me appreciate having all of my senses right now.  Boy!  It must've been so hard for someone like that girl Helen Keller to live, what with her not being able to do see or hear this.  We're so lucky! 

                                                                  

                                                            MARK TWAIN (1835-1910)

                

        Oh wow!  I guess that writer Mark Twain, who was from Missouri; admired Helen Keller's intelligence and courage and "considered her his friend."  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's mom, after raising a family; went back to College.  Heathcliff just now crowed again.

      In College; Helen Keller was a member of an organization called "Phi Beta Kappa Society."  My Greek Dictionary says phi beta kappa means, "Love of learning is the guide to life."  Hey!  I guess Sister Rita Joseph's idea of being a "Lifetime Learner" was like that too.    

      Yesterday I mentioned how Mr. Steve's mom  graduated from C.S.U.N. with a 4.0. "Grade Point Average."  As I've written about, she got a B.A. in "Art History" and ended being what's called "Summa Cum Laude."  And in Latin that means, "With Highest Praise."    

                                        

                                                    "THE MIRACLE WORKER" (1962)

        Dais says our boss, even though he was only seven when the movie about Helen Keller came out; was influenced by it.  It made an impression on him.  Yesterday I mentioned how his father doesn't really like it when people begin to think of themselves as simply "Victims." 

        Hey God!  Dais thinks, just like You sent Mr. Steve to rescue us; You probably sent that girl Anne Sullivan as a Guardian Angel to teach and "Take care Of"  Helen Keller.  I've mentioned about how Mr. Steve's parents think of that girl Maria as a "God Send."  I smell Sage.

        According to Daisy, that girl Anne Sullivan taught Helen Keller to live without being able to see or even hear.  Hey God!  Was it You, who gave Anne Sullivan the courage and patience; to be able to teach Helen Keller?  Boy!  Dais and I really want to believe it was You alright.

                           

         HOMER LEA  (1876-1912)         FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1844-1900)                   DOUG FLUTIE 

      

          I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how I admire the little hunchback Homer Lea for overcoming his disability to write books on military history.  And my favorite Football player Doug Flutie was a great Quarterback despite his small size.  I like to smell Sage.

          Yesterday I wrote how I do believe in the Friedrich Nietzsche quote, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger."  Helen Keller must've believed that I think.  Earlier today I wrote about Douglas Bader, who was a World War II Pilot; without even any legs.

              Glancing up from doing my work I see a small flock of Birds flying bye way up there in the sky.  They're moving towards the northeast over the desert and even above them are some thin white clouds.  Thank You God for making these first two days of Spring good weather.

  

                                                      PETE TOWNSEND (THE WHO)

                 All of a sudden writing about Hellen Keller makes me think of that one English band the WHO.  I wrote yesterday about Daisy telling me of their album about a boy who was blind, deaf and what they call "Dumb" but played "Pinball."  Dumb just means he can't talk Dais said.

                  Someday I really want to hear that WHO album "Tommy" because Daisy says it has a lot of good songs on it about that boy.  And I'd also like to play Pinball which Daisy described to me and it sounds fun.  Mr. Steve's Uncle "Celedon" back in New Mexico was pretty good at it.

                  Oh!  According to what is says here in this one Encyclopedia, the WHO'S album Tommy was "released" on May 23rd of 1969.   And in looking at my list of dates I can see how that's Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday.  And the 24th is their parents "Wedding Anniversary."

                 

                                                         ANGELINE  WITH BABIES

                         

              Ah!  I just noticed Angeline and her new Spring babies standing over there in the dirt near Manny the far right Shed.  So I'll bet the rest of Able Company are around here somewhere.  It's so great how Bravo Company have also already had babies so early in the year too.

          Yup!   The rest of Able Company is now coming back in from the eastern desert.  They're all streaming through the two vertical slots on either side of the gate and I know they'll go hide underneath one of the Sheds.  Angeline and her babies are now joining in with them.

          As I've written, we spells our Angeline's name different from the "Original" girl she was named after.  When Mr. Steve noticed her, it just so happened he'd read an old article about the 1980's L.A. "Celebrity" whose name was spelled "Angelyne."  I smell some Mesquite.

                                                       

                                                                                                         "ANGELYNE"                             

    

               Dais says the Magazine article our boss read when he first noticed Angeline the Quail said Angelyne drove around Los Angeles in a pink "Corvette.  Back in the 1980's Mr. Steve saw her in it down in Hollywood a few times.  His old girlfriend Harriet met Angelyne one time.

           A picture shows Angelyne and her Corvette in front of a Donut Shop with a really gigantic donut up on its roof.  Wow!  I wonder how heavy that big donut is and, what if it fell  through the ceiling?  If we had a real donut that big it would be enough food for a whole year I'll bet.

           Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy, in the mid-1980's; he was sent to take pictures of another Donut Shop near International Airport called "Randy's Donuts."  It also has a really huge donut sitting on its roof too.  The L.A. band RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS filmed there one time.

            

                                                "JAMES MONROE" HIGH SCHOOL ("NORTH HILLS")    

       

            One time our boss did artwork for this guy from the San Fernando Valley Dais says.  He said he went to "Monroe" High School in the 1960's, and so did that girl Angelyne too.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran into the desert through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate. 

                  I guess Mr. Steve has been to Monroe High School a few times, on Friday nights to see the Football games and other times to play Baseball or Soccer on the fields there.  He "Sprained" his ankle badly one time.  Daisy says he's drawn the Monroe High School "Vikings" logo.

            Angeline and her new babies, as part of Able Company of Quail; went underneath Manny the far right Shed.  And they're still there.  But, I guess Bravo Company has been under Moe the middle Shed all this time and are now coming out; being led by Laverne and Shirley. 

                              

                                                               DOUG DECINCES   

                                  

                  In the 1980's this Baseball player named Doug DeCinces played for the Angels.  He went to Monroe High School and, in his professional career; also played with the Baltimore "Orioles" and St. Louis "Cardinals."  Daisy heard he was what they call a "Third Baseman."

           To my left at the far end of the patio Bravo Company is now going around the northeast corner of the house.  Even though they're going up to the front yard I'll bet there isn't any of the Bird seed our boss spreads on the ground left.  But there's still water in the Bird Bath. 

                 One time Mr. Steve was "In the Stands" watching a Monroe High Football game with his girlfriend Sandy.  As they sat in the "Bleachers" his friend Chris listened on a small Radio to a David Bowie concert going on at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.   Heathcliff crowed.

                                          
                                                     JAMES MONROE (1758-1831)

           DRAWING BY GILBERT STUART                       

                                      

                 I guess Monroe High School was named after James Monroe, who was the fifth President of the U.S.  And before that, according to this Encyclopedia; he had been Governor of his home State of Virginia.  Bravo Company's scent just filtered over here from my left.

          As a Revolutionary War soldier that guy James Monroe fought against the British and was even wounded.  It says here he was President from 1817 to 1825 and it was him who "signed" the "Missouri Compromise" which I wrote about yesterday.  The Dragonfly zoomed bye.

               The caption below a drawing of James Monroe says he "helped negotiate" the "Louisiana Purchase" I've written about.  Oh!  He's the only person to hold two Federal "Cabinet" offices "simultaneously."   He was the American "Secretary of State" and "War" at the same time. 

                                

"CROSSING THE DELAWARE" (1851)

PAINTING BY EMANUEL LEUTZE                   

                  

                 Wow!  In my Encyclopedia is that famous painting of George Washington and his army "crossing" the Delaware River, in freezing cold; on Christmas day in 1776.  And the caption says the guy behind him is James Monroe holding the flag.  Heathcliff just crowed again.

           The painting shows George Washington on the way to totally surprise-attack and kill the German "Hessians" working for the British during the Revolutionary War.   His "Continental" Army won the "Battle of Trenton."  You can tell by the painting how cold it was then.

           Daisy says our boss's parent's, back in the 1980's; were visiting New York City and got to see that painting "Crossing the Delaware" at the "Metropolitan" Museum.  Mr. Steve's mom, as a good Painter herself; admired it a lot.   Blackbeard and Anne Bonny just flew bye.      

                       

                                                            MR. MARK / SONS     

                            

                  President Monroe sent American blacks back to Africa to "establish" the country of "Liberia."  Mr. Mark over in Hawaii thinks the African nations should "Unify" like a "Union."  He and our boss have talked about Karl Marx's ideas of "Collective" power Daisy says. 

            I notice how the Liberian flag sort of looks like, or "Resembles;" the U.S. flag.  Yesterday in book one I mentioned how Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln; thought that all of the black people should be returned to Africa.  And many "Abolitionists" agreed with them.

              James Monroe is now known for the "Monroe Doctrine."  I guess he warned all the other countries, mainly from Europe; not to "Meddle" in the "Affairs" of countries in what would be considered Columbus's "New World."  It was our "Sphere of Influence" alone he said.  

                                                     

     HEATHCLIFF II            

                                                                 

            Heathcliff crowed again!  Daisy's right in saying that hearing him makes us feel good on these first two days of Spring.  Thank You so much God for Heathcliff's voice and also giving us these two acres to guard in order to make Mr. Steve happy and want to keep us.    

           As I've said, Daisy says before I came to live here Heathcliff sometimes crowed during the middle of the day but not as much as yesterday and today.  I sure hope she's right and one of his Hens had babies so he's overly happy!  I smell Sage which makes me feel happy.

          Boy!  I feel so "Invigorated" in hearing Heathcliff crowing.  Six more chapters to go today in book two, two more in this second part.  And like yesterday, which was the "Vernal Equinox;" I have about twelve hours of new Springtime sunlight in order to write my book.

                                                  

    PITTSBURGH "PIRATES" /OAKLAND "ATHLETICS"         

                                               

          I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's favorite Baseball team is the Kansas City, or now Oakland  "Athletics."  As I've said, since 1965 when he was ten; he's "followed" the "A's."  That's mainly because their "Primary" color was green like his S.I.B.L. Little League team the "Pirates."   

          Yesterday I wrote about how Mr. Steve's friend Rick's favorite team is the "Pirates" who are from Pittsburgh.  The A's and Pirates are in different leagues so rarely play each other.  But my Encyclopedia has a picture of an A's Player sliding into second base against the Pirates.

         When that man Charles O. Finley bought the then "Kansas City" A's in 1960 he changed the team colors from what our boss called "dull" navy blue to green, with white and yellow as secondary colors.  The green was "bright" green.  Charles Finley called it "Irish Kelly." 

  

                     PIRATES                                    PENGUINS                               STEELERS

           

            Mr. Rick's favorite Baseball team is the Pirates.  Their primary color's black and, like the A's; use yellow and white as their secondary colors.  Some of the Ducks are quacking over there but Daffy's voice is always louder.  If I'm ever on a team I hope the colors are royal blue.

           A picture shows the Pirates wearing "flat-topped" Baseball hats.  Daisy heard some of the Major League teams wore them in the late 1970's.  Players way back in in the late 19th century wore hats like that I guess.  Mr. Steve save a few of them according to what Dais told me.

          Boy!  It's so interesting how all three professional Pittsburgh sports teams use the "Color Scheme" of black with white and yellow.  I kind of like Daisy's idea that every city has to to that because then you'd have more loyalty to that city.  But Mr. Steve doubts that will ever happen. 

      

                                                                       MR. RICK    

        

             Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's office and heard him talking about Baseball with Mr. Rick.  Even though he and his family now live out here in California, Mr. Rick still "Roots" for the Pittsburgh sports teams.  Other people here in Los Angeles are like that too Dais heard.

           Mr. Rick follows the Pirates, and in Football season the "Steelers."  Over the years I guess Mr. Steve's brother Sam, who lives in Littlerock; has also come to like the Steelers too.  He does not give Christmas gifts any more, but when our boss did he gave them Steelers-themed things. 

               Base only on the pictures I've seen; if I'm ever on a team I'd want the uniforms to be like the Dodgers.  Their primary color royal blue is my all time favorite color.  Daisy says many don't notice how the Dodgers also use a little bit of red which of course is her favorite color by far.

  

                                            STYX                                        "HADES" (CROSSING THE RIVER STYX)

      

         Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick talking about this good song called "Blue Collar Man," by that band from Chicago I've mentioned before called STYX.  Mr. Steve and his sister Susan,    in the late 1970's; saw that one STYX concert at the Forum in Inglewood.  Dawn's barking.          

       I can't wait to someday hear some of those STYX songs Daisy's told me about because she thinks they're so good.  I've mentioned how they're named after that one River in that ancient      Greek story of that "Underworld" called "Hades."  Edith Hamilton wrote about it I guess.          

        According to Dais, STYX write some good catchy songs.  She heard Mr. Rick says how Blue Collar Man is one of his favorite songs.  His original hometown of Pittsburgh, just like other steel manufacturing cities in the Midwest; have been called "Blue Collar Towns."  I smell Blinky.                                

  MR. PHILLIP 

   

         Dais heard STYX'S song Blue Collar Man is about a guy who doesn't like being without a job and having to get what they call "Unemployment Benefits"  Mr. Phillip from Wales one time called it being "on the dole" I guess.  A dole might be some type of list from what Dais thinks.      

        Our boss and Mr. Rich one time talked about how STYX have two good Guitarists, and an Organist too.  Dais heard the bass and drums rhythm section are brothers so "fit well together."  STYX have a song about a "Beauty Contest" like the ones Mr. Steve's sister Susan was in.            

     STYX also have good lead singing with blended harmonies by the two Guitarist's.   Daisy thinks they're not as good as those three brothers in the BEE GEES but are still really good in      their own way too.  Mr. Dave one time even used the words "very impressive" she told me.                                                                                  

      ANDY AND HELEN               

                                                                    

                Oh!  I just noticed Andy and Helen over there standing on top of their favorite rock, and I guess they're taking a break from guarding and protecting their new Spring babies down there in the burrow.  Even so, if I know them, which I do by now; they're still alert and not being lazy.    

          As I've mentioned before, Daisy says, even though our boss doesn't really "follow" Popular Culture entertainment anymore; he'll like it if I write about things from the times when he did.  Ah!  I can now smell Andy and Helen.  It's funny how they're scents are blended into one.    

          Wow!  Heathcliff cowed.  And that suddenly reminds of this time last year when he crowed as I was smelling Andy and Helen standing on their rock.  Oh!  And, like last year; right now the four Pigeons just flew back in from being out in the desert and are landing on the Patio roof.  

THE FOUR PIGEONS    

      

                 Hey God!  Thank You for the really good feeling I'm having right now in seeing all of our Pigeons.   Daisy is so right in always saying we're blessed in having these two acres to live on and guard.  Andy and Helen ran over to their burrow and went back to taking care of the babies.    

            A Freight Train just whistled faintly to my left, out in the northern desert.  Dais heard the railroad track near the "California Aqueduct," which I've mentioned a few times over these last two days; is taking things down to Los Angeles.  Ah!  I can hear the Pigeons cooing up there. 

           Dawn and Blinky are barking and their blended scents just floated in to me sitting over here on Elvira.  A little Sparrow just went running bye, and now took off and is flying away; with a twig in it's mouth.  That Train whistled again but this time it's not nearly as loud as it was. 

                                                                                                                "TRAVEL TOWN" MUSEUM     

                                                            

        Oh!  Hearing that Train reminds me about how yesterday I totally forgot to write about a Train Museum in Los Angeles called "Travel Town."  It's in "Griffith Park" which I mentioned in my first book.  Daisy told me our boss described it as a "Mock" Rail Yard to Mr. Mike.  

        Mr. Steve and his High School girlfriend Sandy visited Travel Town.  And they also went to see the L.A. Zoo, Gene Autry Museum, the Observatory and Greek Theater which are also in Griffith Park.  Daisy told me about a really good Huell Howser segment on Travel Town.

       I wrote in my first book how Mr. Steve named Andy and Helen after two characters on the Andy Griffith tv show.  And I've mentioned a few times that Mr. Steve's mom was a Girl Scout leader and one her friends was married to "Goober" on that show.  The Pigeons flew away.

                                          

                                       "LEMMY"  KILMEISTER (MOTÖRHEAD) 

                                              

             In book one I wrote about how, back in the late 1970's; Mr. Steve's brother Rock worked as a "Counselor" at a "Boy's Camp" in Griffith Park.  His nickname was "HAWKWIND" just like the band that guy named "Lemmy" was in before MÖTORHEAD.  Dawn's now barking.

        At the "Rainbow" in Hollywood Mr. Steve told Lemmy about his brother's nickname and he said, "Oh yeh.  A good band that."  At least that's Mr. Steve thinks he said but his British accent was "Thick."  Lemmy and Mr. Steve both have some real Nazi hats and also helmets too.

           One time Sandy and Mr. Steve visited Rock at the Boys Camp and they went swimming in a pool.  When they were young kids Mr. Steve and Rock went to a Catholic Youth Organization or "C.Y.O." Camp in Griffith Park.  Andy's over there alertly guarding their burrow entrance.

   

LEMMY    

      

                 One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Rich about some of the different "Brands" of guitars.  I guess, one of the companies that makes guitars is located right here in Southern California.   Andy's scent just came floating in over here to the Patio.

           Dais says that company down there in "Orange County" is called "Rickenbacker," and I guess Lemmy from MÖTORHEAD plays one of their bass guitars.  Oh!  My Encyclopedia says, in 1932; Rickenbacker built the first "electric" guitar.  Mr. Steve's father was born in 1932.

          Mr. Rich said, besides Lemmy; Paul McCartney started using a Rickenbacker bass after he left the BEATLES.  RUSH'S Geddy Lee, and Steve Howe from that band YES also use them.  Mr. Steve likes the shape of those bass guitars Daisy heard.   Andy's looking at me right now. 

                          

ADOLPH RICKENBACHER (1887-1976)    GEORGE BEAUCHAMP (1899-1941)

    

             This Encyclopedia says "string instrument manufacturer" Rickenbacher in 1931; started in "Santa Anna" and was named for a "Swiss" immigrant named Adolph Richenbacher.  He and George Beauchamp were "partners."  A picture shows that first "electrically amplified" guitar.  

          Mr. Rich says that first electric "Steel" guitar was used in "Hawaiian" music.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii knows about the three types of steel guitars, where you slide a steel "bar" on the strings while "plucking."  The four Pigeons are now flying toward the east over Libby's Corral. 

         Daisy heard Mr. Mark and our boss talk about how the first electric guitar, and some of the ones they have now, are called "Resonator" types.  I guess, there are also ones you play on your "lap," and another version with a "pedal."   Country music uses those pedal ones Dais said. 

 

EDDIE RICKENBACKER (1890-1973)

           

                 Oh!  Adolph Rickenbacher's Cousin was that World War I Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker.  He was a "Flying Ace," and a "Colorized" photo shows him with his Plane.  Mr. Steve read that girl Frida Khalo, whose father was a Photographer; colored black and white prints and images.

            Wow!  Eddie Rickenbacker, who I'll learn about tomorrow; shot down twenty six German Planes, and won a "Medal of Honor."  He was also a Race Car Driver and "head" of "Eastern Airlines."  Dais says Pilots then tied scarves around their necks to keep blood in their heads.

           Daisy says our boss and Mr. Rich talked about this 1950's "Double Necked" Rickenbacker guitar.  Mr. Steve read Adolph Rickenbacher, and his Cousin; "Anglicized" their name because the German's were the "enemy" in World War I.   They also changed the spelling too.   

      

GREGORY "PAPPY" BOYINGTON (1912-1988) 

        

                 Oh!  I just noticed that, when I wrote about the "Pacific" Theater earlier, I missed this Marine Corps Fighter Pilot named "Pappy" Boyington.  He tied Eddie Rickenbacker's record of twenty six "Kills" by shooting down Japanese Planes in World War II.  Dawn's barking.

             Ah!  In looking at this Encyclopedia I notice how that guy Pappy Boyington was born on December the 4th just like Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie.  Daisy heard our boss one time talking with his father about Pappy Boyington.  I guess Mr. Steve's parents met him at a Banquet.

            It would be so great to be one of those "Aces" like Eddie Rickenbacker and later Pappy Boyington.  Everyone would like you and name things after you, which from Dais heard is what happened to Pappy Boyington.  I can smell little Blinky and Rosie standing next to Dawn.  

           

VMF-214 "BLACK SHEEP" SQUADRON

                                                                                                                   PAINTING BY ROY GRINNELL

        

                  It says here in 1943 Pappy Boyington was the leader of Pilots in what everyone called the "Black Sheep Squadron."   They flew F4U "Corsairs," and a really good painting shows Pappy Boyington shooting down a Japanese Fighter Plane.  I smell that little baby Cholla cactus.

            Daisy heard our boss's father told him how "Pappy" is a nickname based on the fact he was older than everyone else in the unit he commanded.  And another one of his nicknames was "Gramps."  Wow!  Pappy Boyington got one of those "Medals of Honor" I've written about. 

            Mr. Steve had a customer in Northern California who said Pappy Boyington, who grew up in "Washington" State; died in "Fresno near him.  Like that other guy Audie Murphy, I guess Pappy Boyington is buried in that "Arlington Cemetery" which Mr. Steve visited in 2008.   

          

P-40 "FLYING TIGERS" (CHINA / 1940-1941)

           

      Daisy heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave one time about those "Volunteer" American Pilots who helped China fight Japan before World War II.  They were called "Flying Tigers" for the way they painted their Planes.  The baby Cholla's scent makes me feel good right now.            

          Our boss told Mr. Dave how, as a kid; he built a model of the "F-40" Airplane flown by the Flying Tigers.  Dais heard he also had a model of a blue "bent winged" Corsair" like the ones      Pappy Boyington used in the South Pacific.  But, both were lost in the 1971 earthquake.                

       Mr. Dave read one time that Pappy Boyington was part "Brule Sioux" Indian.  It says here how, in 1944 he got "shot down" and was a prisoner until after World War II was over.  Before    he went over to the South Pacific he also fought the Japanese in the "Burma" campaign.               

     

  CLAIRE CHENAULT (1893-1958)       

         

           The leader of the Flying Tigers in China was Claire Chenault.  Our boss one time told Mr. Dave how, before the recession; Claire Chenault's Grandson was his customer at this "Honda" dealership in Texas.  They talked about his Grandfather a few time from what Daisy heard.

           According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, once the U.S. came into the Second World War after the attack on Pearl Harbor; Pappy Boyington went back to be in the Marines again.  All four of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.  They're moving toward the east.

           Mr. Steve's mom said, when they met Pappy Boyington at the Banquet; his wife was very nice too.  I've mentioned a few times before how Mr. Steve and his family have been to a few of those fancy dinner events over the years.  A Sparrow ran bye holding a twig in its mouth. 

                                

          CAST             "BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP"      ROBERT CONRAD       

          

         Mr. Dave told our boss he liked the 1970's tv show based on the life of Pappy Boyington's time fighting the Japanese in the South Pacific.  Mr. Steve read that the real Pappy Boyington      and the men in the VMF-214 said it was kind of "exaggerated."  I can smell some Sage.                 

          I guess, from what Daisy heard in the tv show Pappy Boyington had a Bulldog; but in real life that wasn't true.  Our boss told Mr. Dave about the blue Corsair model he built when he was a kid.  Samson and Delilah are coasting toward the northeast way up there in the sky.                    

         According to what our boss told Mr. Dave, Pappy Boyington said in real life his time in the Pacific Theater was more like "hours of boredom with short periods of excitement." Mr. Steve's   dad  father says that's why Soap Opera's don't "reflect most people's lives."  I like Sage.                        

"THE WILD WILD WEST"

                 Boy!  Someday I really want to see that one other good tv show Daisy told me about.   It's called "The Wild, Wild West," and the same Actor who played Pappy Boyington was the main character.   Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are playing tag out there in the desert.

           Daisy says Mr. Dave joked The Wild, Wild West is "James Bond in the 19th century."  It was "set" in early 1870's America, when Ulysses S. Grant was President.   Just like James Bond, the "Secret Agents" have many ingenious "Gadgets" to use as tools against the evil bad guys. 

          Mr. Dave remembered how each episode of The Wild, Wild West began with a title using the phrase "The Night."  I guess, from what Dais heard; it was kind of like a "Science Fiction" tv show about "Espionage" and things like that.  Fannie and Freddie just flew toward the north.

         

"THE WILD, WILD WEST"                                              CAROL KAYE                

                                

            I've mentioned that lady Carol Kaye a few times already in these first two books.  She was a "Session" Musician who, in the 1960's "Anonymously" played guitar or bass on many famous songs like Richie Valens "La Bamba."  She played bass on The Wild, Wild West "Theme."

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave how, as a kid; he had his mom watch the opening of The Wild, Wild West episodes when the theme song was playing.  He knew she'd find it so clever the way the Artist's edited the cartoon characters movements.  And she sure did alright.   

           Mr. Dave jokingly described The Wild, Wild West as "007 riding a Horse."  The Secret Agents always "Foiled" the bad guys plans, or protected President Grant Daisy heard.  One of their biggest "Villains" is named "Dr. Loveless," who's a really smart little "Midget."

        

"STEAMPUNK"    

       ARTWORK BY GASI                                                                                                                                                                                 

       

         Daisy one time heard a customer explain to our boss what this thing called "Steampunk" is.  I guess, it's "Science Fiction" movies and things like that mainly set in 19th century England; during the time of Queen Victoria.   A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.                   

       That Parts Manager described Steampunk as, "alternative Victorian history" before the time of electricity; where steam powers many ingenious things.  Daisy heard him use the word      "fantasy," and also the phrase "a subgenre of science fiction."  I smell Goliath around here.         

       I just glanced up in time to see Goliath crawling out into the back desert through the left vertical slot on the side of the gate.  And Andy's over there watching him do it, making sure he doesn't come near the burrow.  Goliath must've been underneath one of the Sheds I guess.                                          

                      JULES VERNE (1822-1905)                         H.G. WELLS (1866-1946)      

            

             According to what Daisy heard that one Parts Manager tell our boss, Steampunk is kind of influenced by those two Writers H.G. Welles and Jules Verne; who I've written about before.  I'm looking forward to someday reading some of their amazing stories.  Heathcliff just crowed.

          Daisy says our boss's customer told him how some Steam Punks wear those heavy "Jack" boots like the ones Hitler's "Storm Troopers" wore.  I guess, back in the the 1970's some of the Punks here and in England went around in those too.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.

         Ah!  I just love breathing in fresh air through my nose because it makes me feel so alive and grateful to be sitting here on the Patio.  Thank You again God for supplying me with Elvira to be my friend.  A flock of from way down here looks like Pigeons is flying toward the northeast.  

                                                               

  "FREIGHT" TRAIN           

                                          

              Another Train just whistled again out there in the northern desert, to the left of where I'm sitting here on my couch Elvira.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies who are sleeping up there in the nest near the Patio roof.  Heathcliff crowed and I also hear his Hens clucking away.

          Boy God!  Thank all You Guys up there for helping me do these what have turned out to be really long books.  But I now love looking things up and learning new things, while at the same time practicing and practicing writing.  I'll keep working hard today again like yesterday.

         I'm now pretty positive I'm more right pawed, but there have been a few times where I did a few things with my left paw when the right one got kind of tired.  I want to be like our boss in being able to do many things either right or left-handed.  Boy!  Then he'll really like me.

              

FRONT AREA OF PROPERTY

           

                  All of a sudden I just now thought about the idea of someday riding in our Car's Barny and Theodora, or Rex the Truck.  I think I'll try Theodora first but Dais says I would like Barny too. Even she doesn't ride around in Rex because it's way too high to get her up into the cab.

            There's a slowly extending vapor trail way up there in the sky, moving to the south.  Oh!  I heard a Train whistle just like another time we were seeing a vapor trail.  Hey God!  As You most likely already know right now, I've decided to try going for a ride in Theodora the Lincoln!          

              Boy!  No matter how many times I think about it, the more it amazes me that there those who could even figure out how to invent and then make things like Cars or Trains?  It's just as amazing to me that people learned to create metal things.  That Train whistled faintly again.

                            

                                                  SAM /YOLANDA AND FAMILY   

            

       I can tell that Train to my left, or north of us; is moving towards the west where the towns of Pearblossum and Littlerock are located.  As I've said a few times in my first two books, the town of Littlerock is where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family.  I smell Sage. 

      Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Randy one morning how the railroad tracks that go bye us here in Piñon hills also go bye right near Mr. Steve's brother Sam's house in Littlerock.  As I've said a few times, Sam and Yolanda have three kids.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.     

      From what Mr. Steve told his friend Randy, all three of Sam and Yolanda's children are good athletes in sports like Baseball and Volleyball.  But I guess they inherited that ability from their parents who were both also good athletes.  I think I'll write about Baseball now.  

                  

                                                                   J.GEILS BAND   

                            

        One night Daisy and Millie were in our boss's bedroom and heard him play a vinyl record by a band from the city of Boston called J. GEILS BAND.  I guess Mr. Steve's brother Sam likes their music and saw them in a concert.  Dais says their harmonica player is really good.               

         Daisy says our boss played the J.GEILS BAND record for that kid Jason who plays guitar.  It's one of those "Live" albums I've mentioned.   I guess it was recorded in 1972 when Mr. Steve was an 11th Grader at Sylmar High.  On one song the guitar sounds like a Chicken.                      

      That kid Jason is thinking about starting one of those fresh water Fish "Aquariums" I've mentioned before.  Mr. Steve gave him advise because for all of those years he kept Aquariums at his houses in Sylmar.  I guess Mr. Steve's Sister-in Law Yolanda has a beautiful Aquarium.            

                                     "FRESH" WATER AQUARIUM                                  "RED TAIL" SHARK                    

                 

          Mr. Steve told Jason about "fresh" water Sharks, which are "related" more to "Carp" than "salt" water Ocean Sharks.  As a kid our boss was fascinated when he found out there was    such a thing as a "fresh" water Shark.  It's more related to "Carp" than Ocean Sharks.                

           I guess Mr. Steve really liked how "Red Tail" Sharks, similar to the "salt" water Ocean Sharks; have "rigid dorsal fins" on their backs.  They also have "torpedo-shaped" bodies, flat      "pectoral" fins; and powerful "caudal" fins to make them agile.  Heathcliff just crowed.               

           Our boss says Red Tail Sharks, who are from Southeast Asia; can live a long time and get really large.  They're "active," and Mr. Steve says some are "cautious and flighty;" while others  can be aggressive.  They can either swim fast or "cruise" around slowly when they want to.          

          

"BALA" SHARK         

             

            Daisy says our boss told Jason about "Bala" Sharks.  They also live in fresh water and are shaped like Red Tails but I can see from the picture how they're silver and black.  I guess they're more "peaceful" than Red Tails, but are "Schooling" rather than a "Solitary" Fish.                      

           Bala Sharks, also from Southeast Asia; can also grow big so you have to have a large tank. Both Red Tails and Bala Sharks will jump right out of the tank so it's good to have some floating plants to discourage them.  There's such a thing as an "Albino" or white Red Tail Shark.              

        Mr. Steve told Jason you have to make sure you have a good "filtration" system on a Fish Tank.  And, it's way better for the Fish if there's some "water movement;" because that makes a lot more "Oxygen."  Red and Bala Sharks need good places to go when they feel like hiding.                                  

      P-51 "MUSTANGS" ("RED TAILS")                          "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN"                              PAINTING BY COLIN PARKER                                                                                                    

                                                   

            Tomorrow in book three Daisy has me scheduled to learn about those World War II Pilots called the "Tuskegee Airmen."  Even though they were black at a time when most white people    thought them inferior; they were allowed to fly Planes.  Boy!  The sky is so blue right now.            

        I guess the Tuskegee Airmen, as "Escort" Fighters to protect Bombers; flew those P-51 "Mustangs" I've mentioned.  Like the Fish, they were called the "Red Tails" because the rear of  their Planes were red.  Ah!  I'm hearing CANNED HEAT'S  song "Goin Up the Country."            

        I've written about how Mr. Steve likes songs with different parts, especially ones that go from soft to loud; and maybe back to soft.  That's why he likes "Prog" Rock bands.  And, besides the flute in it; it's one reason why one of my favorite songs is GENESIS' "Musical Box."               

  

JOHN LEE HOOKER (1912-2001)

      For some reason writing about music suddenly makes me think again about that one old Blues musician named John Lee Hooker.  I wrote yesterday how, he died on the exact same day,    June 21, 2001; as Mr. Steve's Grandma Trujillo.  A Train just whistled faintly.                                 

       According to my Encyclopedia, John Lee Hooker was born on August 22. I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Mr. Steve's mom's birthday is the 20th of August.  That one Train whistled again and, for some reason; it suddenly reminds me of last Summer.                        

     Ah!  I see Goliath the Gopher Snake using the left vertical slot on the gate's side to crawl out into the back desert.  So, he must've been hiding under one of the Sheds or, maybe near the piles of wood that Mr. Mike cut up with his loud chain saw.  I didn't even smell him at all.                      

                       

                                           BILL MAZERSOKI (1960 "WORLD SERIES")

                             

            I'll write about the Pittsburgh Pirates later this afternoon but I feel like writing about them now too.  I mentioned yesterday how Mr. Steve's friend Rick's family came from Pittsburgh in 1961.  Daisy says our boss drew the Pirates logo which was hard because the face.

        The Pirates "Franchise" is one of oldest in Baseball.  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a player named Bill Mazeroski "joyously circling" the bases after hitting a "game-winning" Home Run to win the 1960 World Series.  That's what the caption below the picture says.

        Boy!  I really love to celebrate too!  Because of Mr. Rick, my boss saw the Pirates play a few times over the years; so they watched Bill Mazeroski take Infield practice.  They both think that, as a Second Baseman; he had by far the quickest "Hands" they ever saw in person. 
                            
         

                                                     ROBERTO CLEMENTE (1934-1972)

                                                      

        Mr. Steve says the best Baseball player he ever saw play in person was Roberto Clemente who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  He was from that Caribbean country Puerto Rico."  In this Spanish Dictionary it says that name would be translated to mean a "Rich Port."  

        Like Ritchie Valens who I wrote about yesterday, Roberto Clemente was killed in a Plane crash.  He was delivering supplies to earthquake victims.  A Mexican man told my boss Roberto Clemente, who's in the Hall of Fame; was married in one of the cities called "San Fernando."    

        I'll write more about Roberto Clemente when I write about the city of "San Clemente." In their subjective opinion, Mr. Steve and his friend Rick think Roberto Clemente was even better than Willie Mays or Mickey Mantle, who were also really good too I guess.  I smell Sage.

                                 "SAINT FERDINAND" CHURCH

       PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                          

                                    

          Mr. Steve was five years old in 1960 when Bill Mazeroski hit that Home Run.  His brother Rock three and Rick six.  As I've said, in 1962 Rick's family moved from Pittsburgh out here to Sylmar and Rick and his sister Michele became students at Saint Ferdinands.  

          I've mentioned how, because of their friendship; Mr. Steve is interested in the history of Pittsburgh.  As I wrote in book one, Pittsburgh is unique in being the only American city where all the pro sports teams wear the same "Color Scheme;" black, white and yellow.

         Mr. Steve says Bill Mazeroski's "ball transfer" on a "Double Play" was like a Magician's "slight of hand."  He plays Softball and has fast hands but nothing like Bill Mazeroski.  He sells to a "Mitsubishi" Parts Manager named "Joe" in Pittsburgh who's a Pirate's fan.  

             

                                                       HARVEY HADDIX JR. (1925-1994)  

                                 

       I just looked up Harvey Haddix Jr., a good left-handed Pirates Pitcher.  In 1959, the year before Bill Mazeroski's Home Run; Harvey Haddix "threw" what they call a "Perfect Game."    That means not even one "opposing" team batter got "On Base" against him in the game.            

      Mr. Steve says a Perfect Game is better than a "No-Hitter."  There are nine "Innings" per game and three "Outs" per inning so, to win; you have to get twenty seven outs.  And what's so    amazing about Harvey Haddix's Perfect Game he lost 1-0!  I can smell some Mesquite.                  

  Wow!  I guess, not only did Harvey Haddix pitch a nine inning Perfect Game, he threw a Perfect Game for twelve innings!  But, in the 13th inning; he finally gave up a hit and it ended      up costing him the game.  Mr. Steve's father, in New Mexico; still remembers that game.                                                                                                                    

                     LEW BURDETTE (1926-2007)                   

                                                                                  

          Our boss one time talked with Mr. Rick about the Harvey Haddix game.  In that game he "faced" the "Braves," who were then located in the city of "Milwaukee."  I've mentioned a few    times in my books how Mr. Mark's family are in Hawaii; but he's originally from Milwaukee.      

         My Encyclopedia has a picture of another guy named Lew Burdette; the opposing Pitcher to Harvey Haddix in 1959.  And even though he gave up "Hits" and had a few Pirate runners get on base that day he himself pitched a "Shutout."  He didn't give up any "Runs" either.                 

         I guess, in 1959 Harvey Haddix "dominated" the Braves "Lineup" so much; this powerful "Home Run Hitter" named Eddie Mathews was ordered to do what they call a "Sacrifice Bunt."  That means he purposely made an out.  He sacrificed himself to "Move the Runner" along.                                                                                                                                                                                              HANK AARON  (ATLANTA "BRAVES")                                         

                              

         Yesterday, and this morning; I wrote about the 1971 trip Mr. Steve took with his father to Atlanta.  The Braves were from Atlanta then and, as I mentioned; my boss went to one of their    games and was that guy Hank Aaron hit a Home Run.  I can smell new Spring Sage.                      

        Mr. Steve says in 1959 Harvey Haddix "played chess" with the Braves' hitters.  He didn't throw hard but, smartly; "mixed up" and "located" his two types of pitches.  Even Hank Aaron  went hitless and it didn't matter that the Brave's were stealing the Catcher's "Signs."                    

        Unlike most "Franchises," such as the A's; the Pirates have only "Represented" one city.  The Braves were originally in Boston, near where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons.  In 1959, the "Milwaukee" Braves were in their second World Series in a row so weren't weak.          

              

     MR. MARK / SONS TAJ, DYLAN     "BIG ISLAND REPORTER"         MR. MARK / WIFE KIM               

        

          I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Mark, Miss Kim; and their boys Taj and Dylan live in Hawaii.  Someday I'll read Mr. Mark's "Internet" Newspaper, and hear some of the songs he's    done as his one man band BLUE TURBAN STONE.  Miss Kim grew up in "Oakland."                 

          As I've written before, our boss met Mr. Mark back in 1984 when he and their friend Helen worked for the company that owned the Forum, and the teams who played there.  They all sold    "Season Seats" and "Advertising."  Samson and Delilah just flew out into the desert.                     

        One time Dais and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking with Mr. Mark about all of the different Milwaukee sports teams, like the Baseball "Brewers" or Basketball "Bucks."  I've mentioned      how Mr. Steve doesn't really "Follow" sports anymore.  He watches "Highlights" I guess.            

     

                        DAWN                                       BLINKY                                       ROSIE

             

          Dawn is barking over there next door.  When I took my pee break I noticed all three of our neighbors Dog's scents so they must've been near Libby's Corral this morning.   Hey!  I can even hear old Rosie barking too and I haven't heard her bark in kind of a long time. 

          It's about one thirty judging by the Sun and shadows.  This morning they were longer and leaning toward me but now they're starting to lean away from me sitting over here in the Patio on my couch Elvira.  Boy!  It's so weird to hear Rosie's voice as she rarely barks.  

         Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  It's so amazing how, at full speed; he runs through the vertical slots on the sides of the gate without his head hitting the metal pipes.  The strong scent of a Beavertail cactus just floated in.  

                      

"BEAVERTAIL" CACTUS    

                    

         Yesterday in book one I wrote about that one "Tongva" Indian lady Mr. Steve met over at the Knights of Columbus Hall in San Fernando.  I mentioned how she told our boss in Tongvan the word for those Beavertail cactus' is "Naavot."  And us Dogs are called "Woshii." 

         The Sun up there in the sky is now almost all the way over on the west side of the house so the three Sheds are fully in sunlight.  Max the Hummingbird zoomed bye and, like yesterday; his girlfriend 99 isn't with him.  Dais is probably right and she's busy making their nest. 

         I've gotten a lot done so far today but I still have a whole half a day left and there are still so many things on my outline to cover before dinner tonight.  Again no snacks for us today so far.  Ah!  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just ducked underneath Moe the middle Shed.

          

    "RED-HEADED" WOODPECKER 

               PHOTO BY ROLAND GORDAHL            

                              

           Ah!  I just looked up and noticed a red-headed Woodpecker standing on the side of the big Mulberry tree.  Seeing so many things that live around here on the very first two days of Spring makes me want to believe it's an omen for this new year.  Dais agrees with me.    

       Daisy likes looking at Woodpeckers and so do I.  Some Woodpeckers have black heads but Miss Susan says the red-headed ones mostly live up in the San Gabriel Mountains to our south, especially in the forests around Wrightwood.  Woodpecker beaks must be hard.  

       Mr. Mike said Woodpeckers use their beaks as "chisels" and "crowbars" to dig in the wood. Dais says Miss Susan told our boss they do it for three things; find Bugs to eat, dig out a big hole for a house to live in, or send signals to the other Woodpeckers.  I smell Mesquite.  

                                                                                    

                                           MR. MIKE HOLDING DEAD WOODPECKER

                                           

           Daisy says one morning our boss and Mr. Mike found a dead Woodpecker who accidentally flew into the house and broke its neck.  Mr. Steve took pictures, then buried it in our Graveyard near the driveway, where Lucy, Millie and Blackie are buried.  A Duck is quacking.

        Ever since Dais pointed it out to me I'd never noticed that Woodpecker's feet are different from other Birds.  Instead of three toes in front and one in back, Woodpeckers have two toes that go out to the sides and one that extends strait backward.  They have sharp claws.  

       Daisy says our boss thinks Woodpecker feet are evolved to hold tighter onto the tree as they dig out the wood. Mr. Mike thinks their long stiff tail feathers push down on the tree to form a "three-pronged tripod" for better "leverage."  Fannie and Freddie flew bye.  

                                     

                                                   WINNIE /WOODY WOODPECKERS

                                       

        I've mentioned a few times how I'm still afraid to go down the Hallway in the house but I go in the Living Room on Saturday mornings so Daisy and I can watch our Cartoons.  We like this one really funny Woodpecker named "Woody."  His girlfriend is "Winnie."

        That Woodpecker Woody has a unique laugh and Daisy really likes his song too.  He always cuts his way into the Cartoon and then says, "Guess Who?"  One time I even had a pretty good dream about Woody Woodpecker and he was laughing a lot in that dream.   

            Daisy thinks boy Woodpeckers at times hammer their beaks on the side of trees to impress the girl Woodpeckers.  That red-headed Woodpecker just took off and is now zooming out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  I see a few other Birds flying around out there.

  

                                                                        MR. DAVE

           I've written about Mr. Steve's friend "Dave" who moved to New Mexico and now lives in the city of "Taos" with his girlfriend "Julianne."  As I mentioned a few times yesterday, Mr. Dave is a really good Drummer and he and Mr. Steve used to work together.  I smell some old Sage. 

      What a coincidence that as I smell some Sage, I just happen to be mentioning Mr. Dave. As I wrote in book one, he mailed us some New Mexico Sage which Daisy says our boss burns in the house sometimes.  I just noticed a Lizard standing on the wall near the sliding glass door.

       Mr. Dave's "Hupa" tribe from Northern California admire Woodpeckers he told our boss.  Dais heard him say they even make "Capes" from their feathers.  As I've said before, our boss and Mr. Dave hear "Syncopated" drum beats in Woodpecker's digging out their holes.   

 

    "BRAVO" COMPANY         

           

        Ah!  I just noticed Bravo Company is back and Laverne and Shirley are teaching their new Spring babies how to scratch in the dirt to look for food.  They're near the clump of Joshua trees to the right of Manny the Shed.  Boy!  Seeing and hearing baby Quail makes me feel good.

        I'll bet Bravo Company came back because all of the Bird Seed below Mr. Steve's window is gone now.  But there's probably still some water left in the Bird Bath up there.  All of the water in the basin below the big Mulberry tree is now totally absorbed down into the ground. 

        That Lizard is still over there standing on the wall near the sliding glass door going into the dining room near the kitchen.  And now it's doing some of those pushups Lizards do.  Oh!  It just suddenly ran down the wall and then went behind the gray water bucket.  I smell some Sage. 

  

CALIFORNIA INDIAN TRIBAL / LANGUAGE GROUPS

          I've mentioned a few times in my books how Mr. Dave has studied about the "Indigenous" Indian cultures who have lived here in North and South America for thousands of years.  He's read about the last Ice Age and those Clovis type peoples.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.               

        A Motorcycle zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road, the dust it raised is floating in the air back there.  The sound is fading as that Motorcycle moves toward the northern part of the desert behind our house.  A Sparrow with a twig in its mouth ran bye out there in the dirt.            

     Last night as Dais and I went over the work I did in book one I realized that I forgot totally to write a few things yesterday.  I wrote about the town of "Solvang," but didn't mention a parade    they hold there.  And I didn't write about the "Chumash" Indians from that area.                          

  

                                                           "SOLVANG," CALIFORNIA

   

     Yesterday I wrote about how Mr. Steve's mom used to take her Girl Scout troops on "Field Trips" and one was to Solvang.  As I said in book one, Solvang is a town meant to look like a 19th century "Danish" village and Mr. Steve's been there a few times.  Ah!  I can smell old Sage.          

    As I said in book one, Solvang is near the city of "Santa Barbara" where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went College for a few years.  I mentioned Santa Barbara a few times yesterday and will write about it again in my last two books.  It's a city that's important to Mr. Steve's family.           

      A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows Solvang's "annual Cowboy parade."  The caption says it's now held to raise money for breast cancer "research" and famous people, like the Actor named Clark Gable; have ridden in it.  Libby's walking around over there in her Corral.                   

        CLARK GABLE                 WALT DISNEY               RONALD REAGAN   

         Dais heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about Solvang's parade, and how Walt Disney and Ronald Reagan rode Horses in it.  Mr. Steve has seen a few parades with Horses in them and has ridden some Horses too.  Max the Hummingbird, who I heard coming; just now zoomed bye.       

        According to Daisy every year over in Phelan they have a parade, but it's not as big as the Rose Bowl parades our boss has seen.  The "Phelan Phun Day" parade has really good Cars and people ride Horses in it too I guess.  Boy!  I'd sure like to someday smell a real parade.                   

        Mr. Steve once did paperwork for a lady who went to College at U.C. Santa Barbara like his sister Susan.  She told him about a "Chumash" Indian gambling "Casino" near Solvang.  Ah!  I just picked up Libby's unique scent in my right nostril, which makes me feel pretty good.                

    "CHUMASH"                 INDIAN CASINOS           "VIEJAS" CASINO

             I've mentioned some of the American Indian tribes who have lived in what is now "Alta" California for thousands of years.  Mr. Dave's "Hupa" band is one of those, and another is the Chumash people who run the gambling Casino near Solvang.  I can smell old Mesquite.      

          Mr. Steve told that lady who went to U.C.S.B. about 1993, when he and his brother Rock worked with their father at the "Viejas" Indian Casino; run by "Kumayaay" Indians.  As I said yesterday, that Casino is east of "San Diego.  "Viejas" means "Old Woman" in Spanish.

          Just as "Pre-Owned" sounds better than "Used" when selling a Car; Mr. Steve and his dad joke "Gaming" just sounds better than "Gambling."  I wouldn't ever gamble money because Mr. Steve and his father, who "Know the Numbers;" thinks it's dumb to do.  Dawn's barking. 

                                                   

                       "SAN SALVADOR"                       JUAN RODRÍGUEZ CABRILLO (1499-1543)

                         

           In my first book I wrote about how, after Christopher Columbus made his famous voyage in 1492; the Spanish began exploring the "New World."  In 1542 that guy Juan Cabrillo was one of the first "Europeans" to visit the "Alta" California coast.  I really like how Mesquite smells. 

       It wasn't until about three centuries after "Cabrillo" sailed his Ship the "San Salvador" up here to California that this area was "colonized" by the Spanish.  That's when that guy Father Serra came up here and established some "Missions."  I wrote about it back in book one.  

       When the Spanish "Settled" here in the the 18th century the Chumash Indians lived mainly in the central coast area of California.  As I said a few times in these first two books, alta is the Spanish word for "upper" while "baja" means "lower."  Samson and Delilah are flying bye. 

   

                                                          "CHUMASH" CULTURE

                                                                                                  PAINTINGS BY OLGA FERNANDEZ                                                                                                       

     

           There are some good paintings in my Encyclopedia of how the Chumash Indians lived back in the 18th century when the Spanish first showed up here in California.  The caption says they called themselves "Samala."  And I guess the Spanish named some of them "Barbareño's."   

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about how the Chumash Indians, in some ways; were kind of "similar" to the "Tongva" bands as both fished out in the Pacific Ocean.  A Freight Train just whistled faintly way out there in the northeast desert.

        I guess Mr. Dave told our boss here in Southern California there are places with Chumash names, like "Malibu," "Castaic" or "Simi" Valley.   Mr. Steve's been to all of those three areas.  He and his family used to have a Racing Boat and went water skiing on the "Castaic Lake."  

   

                                    "TONGVA" INDIAN VILLAGE ("GABRIELINO'S")

PAINTING BY MARY LEIGHTON THOMSON

 

              The Shoshone man at the Phelan Library said, in "Antelope Valley" where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family; at one time there were Chumash villages.   Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart both went to Antelope Valley High.  Heathcliff just now crowed over there.

               A good painting in my Encyclopedia shows a "Tongva" Indian village from the time before the Spanish arrived in the late 18th century.  It says here how the Spanish called the Tongvan's "Gabrielinos."  I hear a Robin chirping happily and that makes me feel so good right now.   

          Yesterday, when I wrote about Solvang; I forgot to talk about this other town in the Santa Barbara area called "Santa Ynéz."  I guess Michael Jackson the Singer had a Ranch near there.  According to my Spanish Dictionary Santa Ynéz would translate as "St. Agnes" in English. 

                                                         

                                                   HUELL HOWSER (1945-2013)

               

                Daisy and Millie saw this Huell Howser segment where he visited the Solvang and Santa Barbara area.  He went to Santa Ynéz.  It's interesting how Huell Howser is from the State of "Tennessee," but does his tv shows about California things.  Some Sparrows are chirping.

            Huell Howser, who died last year; was born on October the 18th or day after Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday on the 17th.  I've mentioned before how how his first name combines his parent's names, his mom's name being "Jewel;" just like that Singer.  I like Sparrow voices. 

           I guess, on that segment Huell Howser visited a Museum in Santa Ynéz where some 19th century "Stage Coaches" are kept; and he even rode in one.  Daisy says our boss rode on Stage Coach's at "Knotts Berry Farm."  Someday I'd really like to go to Knotts Berry Farm. 

                               

                                                    SIX HORSE STAGE COACH   

                   

              Daisy noticed on that Huell Howser episode how he ate at some Restaurants in Santa Ynez which are about one hundred years old.  Boy!  Mentioning food is making me kind of hungry and reminds me how lucky we are to have enough food.  Dawn's doing her obligatory barking.    

             One time Dais and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Ralph about the Spanish Mission at Santa Ynéz.  In 1824, right after Alta California had become a part of independent Mexico; I guess some Chumash Indians killed a few Spanish people there.  I smell Blinky over there.

          That "Chumash Revolt" was kind of like when, in 1775; those "Kumuyaay" Indians near Sa Diego Mission killed the Franciscan Priests.  At that time the Mission's up here were still part of "New Spain."  I've mentioned a few times how Mexico broke away from Spain in 1821.  

               

                                                     "SANTA YNÉZ" MISSION  

                    

            According to what Dais heard, by 1824 the Chumash Indians knew how to use modern guns and things like that.  Mr. Steve read, in 1818; this one French Pirate working for the country of "Argentina" sailed up to Alta California.  Heathcliff is crowing over there next door.

        I guess that Pirate was about to attack and "Raid" the Santa Barbara Mission just like the Vikings used to do eight centuries earlier in Europe.  But the Priests "Supplied" the Indians with guns so that Pirate decided not to do it and just kept sailing bye.   I smell Juniper.   

            Daisy says that our boss told Mr. Ralph how the Chumash Indians who revolted against the Priests running the Santa Ynez Mission were helped by some other Indians called the "Yokut." The sky is so clear right now and the air coming in from the desert is so fresh-smelling. 

            

                    BUILDING A BRICK WALL                                        "RED" BRICK

                                                                                                                 

                   Looking at that one a picture of the Santa Ynez Mission reminds me about the subject of "Bricks" in history.  In book one I mentioned how in New Mexico Mr. Steve's four Grandparents lived in houses made of "Adobe" bricks.  All of the Missions were also made of adobe too.

             A picture in this Encyclopedia shows a man building a brick wall, and I notice how he's using one of those little shovels Daisy told me is called a "Trowel.  Our boss has one of those milk crates with a few different sizes of trowels in it.  I see a vapor trail way up there in the sky.

            One time as they loaded Rex the Truck Mr. Mike joked about how, unlike so many things nowadays; bricks will likely never get "Obsolete."   There are ancient buildings which still exist that were built thousands of years ago.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye.   

    

"MAHABODHI" TEMPLE, (INDIA)

            

        Daisy says one time our boss sold some things to a man from India who told him about a brick Temple in India.  Hey Mr. Buddha!  If you're mind reading me, I guess it was built on the spot where you achieved "Enlightenment."  This Encyclopedia says it was built in 260 B.C.           

           The man from India knew how in that world's oldest book, "The Epic of Gilgamesh;" the bricks symbolize "Immortality."  In that old book the King of "Uruk" had his name "Stamped"  onto each "Kiln-Fired" brick to build things Dais heard.  I can smell some Creosote.                      

         In Iraq Saddam Hussein used bricks, with his name stamped on them; to rebuild one of those ancient Mesopotamian "Ziggurats" according to that Indian man said.  After the Sylmar earthquake Mr. Steve helped Mr. Bernal and Mr. De la Cerda rebuild brick walls.                          

               

    FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT (1867-1958)                        "CORNWELL HOUSE"

              

                 I've mentioned before how our boss's sister Susan studied "Interior Design" in College so also knows about the "Exterior" of buildings too.  That guy from the State of Wisconsin Frank Lloyd Wright used bricks in houses he designed.  Some of the Ducks are quacking.

            A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows a house in "Waimea," Hawaii that Frank Lloyd Wright designed.  Frank Lloyd Wright knew how a simple thing like a six-sided brick changed human history.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Mark in Hawaii is from Wisconsin.

           I again notice, in looking at my Encyclopedia; how that man Frank Lloyd Wright died on April the 9th which is also Miss Emily's birthday too.  Oh!  I wonder if maybe we could invent bricks with Dogs and Cats names on them?  Then we might even make some money!                                               

                  "SOLAR" SYSTEM                                                       "SATURN"   

                        

           Last night, as Dais and I sat under the beautiful clear sky and looked up at the Moon while going over my outline for book two; we thought about that unique Planet "Saturn."  It's named after the ancient Roman God of wealth and agriculture.  I smell some old Sage right now.

        Wow!  Saturn has "Rings" around it.  This Encyclopedia says Saturn is the 6th Planet from the Sun, is mainly made of gas, and is the second biggest Planet in the Solar System.  It's winds go over one thousand miles per hour and its daytimes last only about ten hours it says here.

        I guess Saturn's rings are made of "ice particles, dust and rocky debris."  Saturn has a lot of Moons orbiting around it, caught in it's "gravitational pull."  From what is says here, one of the Moons is named "Titan;" just like those ancient Greek Gods that I've mentioned before.  

                                       

                                                    CHRISTIAAN HUYGENS(1629-1695)

                                                                                                                   

            I just looked up this 17th century Dutch man named Christiaan Huygens, the "founder of mathematical physics."  With a "Telescope" he studied "Saturn," and its Moon "Titan;" named after those giant ancient Greek Gods Edith Hamilton wrote about.  I love how Sage smells.

           Earlier today I wrote about how Daisy and I really like looking up at the Moon at night, and how sometimes I even howl when the Moon is full.  The Earth only has that one Moon but, according to this one Encyclopedia; Saturn has over fifty Moons.  Wow!  Heathcliff crowed.       

              Hey Lord.  I notice how that guy Christiaan Huygens spells his first name.  It says here he was a friend of that philosopher Baruch Spinoza, and invented the first "Pendulum" clock.  Mr. Steve's parents have a wooden pendulum clock in the kitchen at their house in Sylmar. 

     

GIOVANNI CASSINI (1625-1712)

   

                Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about Astronomy, and it mentioned a "contemporary" of that guy Christiaan Huygens named Giovanni Cassini.  He was Italian but spent a lot of time in France too I guess.  Boy!  I love the wigs people used to wear in the 17th and 18th centuries.

          My Encyclopedia says Giovanni Cassini also studied Saturn and its Moons.  Sometimes he used telescopes to "observe" Mars, and was one of those Engineers in the field of "Hydraulics." Dais heard in 1997 the "Cassini Project" sent out Satellites to Saturn to study all the rings.

          The tv show mentioned how Giovanni Cassini was the first in what turned out to be a "long line" of Astronomers.   Oh!  It says here, with that other Scientist Robert Hook; it was Giovanni Cassini who "discovered" Jupiter's "Great Red Spot." The Monarch Butterfly flew bye.

     

LOUIS XIV (1638-1715)

PAINTING BY JEAN LEON GEROME                                                                                          PAINTING BY HYACINTHE RIGAUD

  

               I guess that guy Mr. Giovanni worked for King Louis XIV, who I've side before ruled in  France for seventy two years.  That 18th century period, called the "Age of Enlightenment;" was also called the "Age of Absolutism" too.  The people had almost no political power at all then.

           King Louis, who Dais heard was kind of short so wore high heeled shoes; wanted everyone to call him called the "Sun King."  I've mentioned before how in French it would be said as, "Le Roi Soleil."  I picked up the scent of Bravo Company out there in the field behind the Sheds.

           Mr. Ralph told our boss there's a Comic Book character called the Sun King, and also a French play with that same name.  That British band the BEATLES have a good song called the Sun King from what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about.  Heathcliff just crowed.     

                                                                       

        BLESSED VIRGIN MARY                 

                                                                           

         Oh!  I can smell Rosemary and I hope You made that happen Blessed Mother.  On my long break this morning Daisy encouraged me in Your name and said she thinks You're guiding me in my work again today.  Boy!  I can't wait for our boss Mr. Steve to read my three books. 

            Out in the eastern desert on our dirt road I hear one of the kids going bye on his Motocross Motorcycle.  And now, behind the three Sheds; I see the dust rising up in the air.  Today is Friday so maybe that kid is off of school already even though it's only about one thirty. 

        Hey Mother Mary!  As You know of course, both Daisy and I like being Roman Catholics.  As I mentioned yesterday in my first book, us Catholics like images and statues of You and the other Saints associated with Christianity.  I smell Libby over there in her Corral. 

                                                         

       "MULBERRY" TREE BARK              

                                                           

        Hey God!  I'm looking at the Mulberry tree right now and in studying the bark I see why Mr. Steve and his mom see You in the patterns of nature.  Looking up at the high blue sky I also feel Your presence.  Thank You for again for bringing me over here to live. 

        In my first book I wrote about how Mr. Steve has been to Jewish "Synagogues" and Muslim "Mosques."  And he's also seen the inside of Churches from all three of the Christian traditions. Rudy the Roadrunner is jogging bye in front of the Sheds but I won't chase him.

       Yesterday, when I mentioned the Lutheran Church in the town of "Solvang;" I wrote about how "Protestants" are like Jews and Muslims in not having statues, paintings or "Icons" in their Churches.  Daisy sometimes jokes about how nature is kind of like our "Place of Worship."               

    "CÓRDOBA" MOSQUE (EXTERIOR)                         "IBERIAN" PENINSULA  

                                                                                

               In book one I wrote a lot about our last name and I learned about the gigantic Church over there in Córdoba, Spain.  At one time it was a Muslim Mosque.  Hey God!  It's interesting how in the religion of "Islam" they see You in really complicated "Geometric Patterns." 

           I've mentioned how we're Roman Catholic and like looking at "Images" or "Icons" in our religion.  But in "Islam" they do not believe in images, so instead "Channel" their creativeness in art toward very complicated and intricate patterns.  Fannie and Freddie just flew bye.

          Yesterday I wrote about that Egyptian man named "Hussein," who's family operates their Sylmar Coffee Shop called "Coffee & Cream."  Mr. Hussein is a really good "Portrait" painter, which Mr. Steve thinks is one of the most difficult things to do.  I smell some Manzanita.  

   

                                                   MR. HUSSEIN ("COFFE & CREAM")

 

                Mr. Steve's family have become friends with Mr. Hussein, and sometimes they talk about Egypt.  Our boss told him about Dr. Makar at the "San Fernando Pet Hospital," who's Egyptian too.  Mr. Hussein did a "Realistic" portrait of that good Basketball Player Kobe Bryant.    

           Yesterday I somehow forgot to write about a Dutch Artist named M.C. Escher.  Daisy says our boss and his mom like his "complicated" artwork, which was "influenced" by Muslim art he saw when visiting that giant Church over in Córdoba.  Dawn's barking about something.

           This one Encyclopedia says how M.C. Escher's art often "incorporated overlapping and interlaced lines" like the ones he saw up on the walls of Cordoba's "Great Mosque."  Two words used to describe his paintings are "repetitive" and "interlocking.  Two Wrens just flew bye.   

       

                                                          M.C. ESCHER (1898-1972)  

           

        Yesterday, when I wrote about that one other Painter Vincent van Gogh; I mentioned how a Dutch person in from the country of the "Netherlands."  One area of the Netherlands is called "Holland."   My right nostril is still picking up Dawn and Blinky's scent.

        Earlier today I wrote about how, in 1940; the Germans used "Blitzkrieg" tactics to conquer the "Lowland" countries of the Netherlands and Belgium.  And Hitler also conquered Denmark, Norway, France and Luxembourg too.  That one big Dragonfly just zoomed bye.

         One time when Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom they listened to an album by a 1970's English band called MOTT THE HOOPLE.  That album has an "Escher"  painting on the front.  I guess, as a teenager; Mr. Steve drew the Lizards in that one painting.

                                                                                                      

                    MOTT THE HOOPLE                                                        IAN HUNTER

                                                     ARTWORK M.C. ESCHER                                                                                                                               PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

           One time Dais and Millie were in the house and heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Dave over there in New Mexico.  They discussed Escher's artwork and I guess Mr. Dave is    familiar with some of it.  Daffy and Daisy are quacking about something over there.                      

        According to what Daisy overheard, back in the early 1990's Mr. Steve and Harriet were sent to see a concert by MOTT THE HOOPLE'S then "Former" Singer Ian Hunter.  Daisy says  he has orangish-colored curly hair and wears dark sunglasses all the time.  I smell Sage.              

        Miss Harriet is a good Writer and, unlike our boss; still goes to concerts and other things like that.  I guess, the Ian Hunter concert took place at the "Palace;" down there in Hollywood.    Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye, and are now going right over Libby's Corral.            

        

           THE "PALACE"                                                 "CAPITOL" RECORDS           

                                     

         Wow!  This Encyclopedia says, what is now called the Palace; has been around since way back in 1927.  And, that was only two years before the "Stock Market Crash;" when that Great    Depression period began.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye out there in the desert.                        

           The Palace is across the street from the round "Capitol Records" building.  It was there that the companies President, when he met PINK FLOYD said; "So boys, which one of you guys is Pink?"  The name is actually a combination of two old Blues Musician's names.                          

         It says here the Palace has had a few names over the years, like "El Capitan, "Avalon" and  the "Hollywood Playhouse."  It's described as having been made in "Spanish Baroque" style.  As I looked up before, the name El Capitan just means "The Captain" in Spanish.                               

          

  MICK RONSON            

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                    

                

        On that night of the Ian Hunter concert at the Palace David Bowie's former Guitarist, named Mick Ronson; was in the band.  Someday, I really want to hear that song "Suffragette        City" which Daisy told me about and likes a lot.  Mick Ronson played guitar on that song.            

            This is interesting.  It says here in 1952, or three years before our boss was born; that man Richard Nixon made a famous speech on tv.  It was filmed on the the Palace's stage, and he said    he wouldn't give back a Dog named "Checkers."  Checkers was a gift to his family.                        

         Dais explained how people with power, like Politicians; aren't supposed to take any gifts or anything that might look like what they call "Influence Peddling."  Oh!  That "Lawrence Welk"  show I wrote about yesterday was filmed for a time at the Palace.  Heathcliff crowed.                     

           NIXON SPEECH                   LAWRENCE WELK                          R.E.M.             

             

        Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph on the phone how, back in 1995; he was invited to see that band R.E.M. at the Palace.  But, he was obligated to take pictures of one of those "Quinciniera's" I've mentioned before.   Boy!  I'd sure love to have a special ceremony celebrated just for me.             

        Daisy says our boss told Mr. Ralph it was too bad he didn't get to see R.E.M.   In the early 1960's his parents danced at the Palace and Hollywood Palladium nearby.  I've mentioned how    his Grandparents really liked Lawrence Welk's tv music show from back in the 1950's.                  

         Ah!   Speedy Gonzalez is standing under Theodora's favorite Creosote bush over there near Jack the big Shed.  He's sniffing the air so most likely knows I'm over here on the patio sitting on Elvira.  No doubt he's probably wondering why I'm spending so much time back here.                  

                                              LILLITH                                                     STANLEY           

                                                  

         I felt good when Daisy said she was proud of me for being so disciplined in not chasing Rudy the Roadrunner or Speedy Gonzalez again today.  My bad Angel Lilith, either yesterday or so far today too; hasn't even tied yet to tempt me at all.  I can't waste any time.  None!                   

       Thank You Stanley for being such a good Guardian Angel in protecting and watching over me. I haven't sensed You around yesterday or today but know You're looking out for me.  Oh!  I  just noticed Flies hovering around Libby and I sure do hope that's not a bad sign.                          

       A small flock of Birds way up there in the afternoon sky is flying bye, all moving as a group in a northeasterly direction.  Oh!  For some reason, some of the clouds right now; kind of look to me like a geometric image M.C. Escher might like.  Maybe that's just what I want to see?              

             

JOHN COLTRANE (1926-1967)

PHOTO BY CHUCK STEWART                  

              

         Writing about M.C. Escher makes me think of something Daisy says our boss read about a Jazz Music song called "Giant Steps."  It was by a saxophone player named John Coltrane, who was from the city of Philadelphia.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye way up in the sky.                

       Mr. Steve thought it funny when he read Giant Steps described as "musical M.C. Escher." Mr. Dave laughed when he told him that because, according to Dais; it's a really fast-paced song alright.  A Train just whistled faintly; to the north, or the left of me over here on Elvira.                 

        My Encyclopedia calls John Coltrane "one of the most influential saxophonists in history."  I guess, some of his music is called "free jazz;" because the Musicians "Improvise" as they play  the song they're doing.  I'm at times doing that too so far in writing these first two books.                                        

JAZZ               

                      

      Dais says our boss has a few customers down there in the State of Louisiana.  And one Parts Manager named "Raymond" knows a lot about the subject of "Jazz" music.  I guess, from what Dais told me; that guy "Ray" thinks 3 is at times kind of important in Jazz music history.             

   This one Encyclopedia describes John Coltrane's song Giant Steps as, "A milestone for jazz musician's progress, given the difficulty of improvising its rapid progression of chord changes      that progress through three keys shifted by major thirds, creating an augmented triad."               

     Boy!  That sounds kind of complicated and hard to understand.  I guess it was some late 19th century black Musicians who created Jazz in New Orleans by combining Blues and Ragtime with European military band style marching music.  The 1920's is called the "Jazz Age."                      

                

"CÓRDOBA" GUITARS         

             

          Yesterday in book one I wrote a lot about the history of our last name since the 8th century A.D.  One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve telling Miss Susan at work about our last name, and how  there's a company which makes Córdoba "Acoustic" guitars.  Heathcliff just crowed.                   

         According to Dais, our boss told Miss Susan the Córdoba acoustic guitars have been made since 1997.  They're light weight "Hand-Made" Spanish-style guitars using "Nylon" strings for a "Warmer" sound.  Daisy one time told me how there are also some Córdoba ukuleles too.             

          Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled to write more about Spanish "Flamenco" music when I learn about people called "Gypsy's," or "Roma."   In the 1970's Mr. Steve, and his friend Chris;  saw a guy named Carlos Montoya play guitar at a place in Van Nuys called "Busch Gardens,"                            

     SPAIN ("ESPAÑA)                                      CARLOS MONTOYA (1903-1993)

              

        Even though I'm mainly going to write about Carlos Montoya tomorrow, I kind of feel like mentioning him a little bit now too.  He plays acoustic guitars.  Daisy says our boss's friend Chris played guitar and was what they call "Blown Away" seeing Carlos Montoya play in person.          

        I guess Carlos Montoya, who Mr. Steve said was "dexterous; was from that city in Spain called "Madrid."   After watching him play just one song that guy Chris whispered, "I think I'll  give up playing the guitar."  He was just joking but it was totally amazing Mr. Steve says.              

       Not only did Carlos Montoya, who is right-handed, skillfully play guitar, he used the little finger on his hand to "Tap" and create the sound of a "Snare" drum.   Anyway, I'll come back to Carlos Montoya in book three tomorrow.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there.                                          

"CASSEL'S" MUSIC" (SAN FERNANDO)            

                

           Writing about Carlos Montoya suddenly makes me think about this music store in the city of San Fernando.  They sell musical instruments there and Mr. Steve one time bought his Niece    Samantha a shiny royal blue acoustic guitar there.  Boy!  Royal blue is my favorite color.               

          I guess, from what Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone, Cassell's has been in business since all the way back in 1948.  Wow!  That's only four three years after World War II    ended and two years before the Korean War began.  Fannie and Freddie are flying bye.                 

        Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph discussed about how one brand of musical instruments they sell over there at Cassel's are Córdoba's.  Over the years our boss has bought things like his drum      sticks at Cassell's.  He bought some "Maraca's" and a "Tambourine" there Daisy says.                 
                                                    
RITCHIE VALENS (1941-1959)                             WAYNE'S WORLD" (1992)               

                  

       Yesterday I wrote about that 1950's Musician from Pacoima named Ritchie Valens.  Mr. Steve was told one time that he bought a guitar from Cassell's Music.  And in 1992 they filmed a part of this funny movie Daisy told me about called "Wayne's World" in Cassell's.                         

           Someday I want to see that movie Wayne's World.  Daisy thought it was really funny and I guess it's mainly about these two good friends who listen to music, and have a really professional tv show.  A small group of what looks like Finches are flying toward the northeast.                          

        According to what Dais told me, in that movie Wayne's World, those two guys play drums and guitar.  One of them buys a white Fender Stratocaster from Cassell's Music.  I've written in  my books over the last two days about the different "Brands" of "Electric" guitars.                       

   

                                   BREWERY                    "BUSCH GARDENS"           BIRD SANCTUARY                                      

           Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about that place called Busch Gardens until tomorrow, when I write about the best Musicians our boss has personally seen in    concerts; I can do it now too.  Some of the Ducks are quacking at something over there.                 

        Daisy one time heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with Mr. Dave about seeing Carlos Montoya at Busch Gardens.  Our boss told him about how, back in the mid-1970's; for he and his friends it was a "cheap date" to take their girlfriends to.  I can smell some Mesquite.                      

          I guess, because in the 1970's there were gas shortages and Mr. Steve was driving his first 1968 Chevelle; going only to Van Nuys was perfect.  Sandy liked walking around the gardens and there was good food there.  Plus, a lot of pretty Birds and flowers were all over the place.                                                   

"BUSCH GARDENS"

PHOTO BY CRAIG BAKER

           Daisy heard that at Busch Gardens, which was mainly a "Brewery" for making beer; the gardens had Lakes where you could even take Boat rides all around to see the different things.    That one Dragonfly just zoomed bye.  I heard it coming from over near Libby's Corral.                 

      Our boss and Chris, while waiting to see Carlos Montoya; saw what they thought was a pretty good "Magic Show."  But, when they went to where Carlos Montoya would be playing;      the same guy who did the Magic Show was now the Janitor.  His uniform was different.                 

       Daisy says Mr. Dave laughed when our boss told him about the Magician because one time, for a short period; he shaved off his beard and worked at "Universal Studios" while wearing a    uniform.  He had just hoped no one who knew him would see him.  Heathcliff crowed.                                        

     BUSCH GARDENS TRAM                                "CLYDESDALE" HORSES  

PHOTO BY CRAIG BAKER                                                                                                                       

  

             I smell Libby, and that reminds me about how our boss told Mr. Dave he and Sandy one time saw some of those huge "Clydesdale" Horses pulling a big Wagon around Busch Gardens.    It was impressive seeing how giant those Horses are.  Some weigh two thousand pounds!               

            Dais says there was one of those "Trams" at Busch Gardens, which took you around and also let you look inside the Brewery to see how beer is made.   They gave free beer but Mr. Steve  has never liked the taste of beer.  Besides, he and Sandy were too young to get alcohol.                   

           I guess Mr. Dave knows a lot about "Landscaping" and things like that from what Daisy can tell.  So he's very interested in places like Busch Gardens.  Since moving back there to New Mexico from California Mr. Dave has noticed our last name "Córdova" is more common.             

            

  MARTY CORDOVA            

   PHOTO BY TOM HAUCK                       

                   

           Oh!  All of a sudden I just remembered how I was supposed to write about this guy named Marty Cordova yesterday, but missed it somehow.   So, I'll do it now instead.   Marty Cordova,    which is also the name of Mr. Steve's Uncle; was a Major League Baseball player I guess.              

          Daisy heard our boss talking with a customer in Nevada, who said Marty Cordova's from Las Vegas.  He doesn't speak Spanish, so pronounces our last name in the "Anglicized" version so doesn't "Accent" the first "o."  Marty Cordova played nine years in the Major Leagues.          

         According to Dais, in 1995 for the Minnesota "Twins;" Marty Cordova won the award as the American League "Rookie of the Year."  That means he was the best first year player in that league.   Ah!  Both of my nostrils just picked up the strong scent of the Twin Joshua trees.             

          

2014 HYUNDAI "ACCENT"           

                

        Mentioning the accent mark over the first o in our last name reminds me of how I was supposed to talk about a small Car Daisy heard our boss his customer talk about one time.  It's    from South Korea and is called "Accent."  I've said before how South Koreans live near us.          

            Dais says that one "Hyundai" Parts Manager told Mr. Steve the Accents have been made since way back in 1994, and from 2002 have been the "longest running small family Car in North America."  Accents are "very reliable vehicles he said.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.                   

          Oh!  This is interesting.  My Encyclopedia says Accent is short for, "Advanced Compact Car of Epoch New Technology."  I guess, Accent's motors are in front of the driver; and it's the    two front wheels which propel you forward on the road.  I can smell Blinky over there.                  

  

MARTY CORDOVA (ORIOLES")

PHOTO BY ROBERT LABERGE

          In looking at pictures of that guy Marty Cordova batting I notice how, even though he doesn't put an accent mark over the first "o" in Cordova like we do; he does spell it with a "v" instead of a "b."  Oh wow!  he was born on July 10th, the day after our boss's birthday.               

          Daisy says that Parts Manager up there in Las Vegas said Marty Cordova's career was what they call "injury prone."  But he was smart because, when he "Signed" with the Twins; he made sure they agreed to pay for his College if he "Didn't make It."  Dawn's barking.                  

           According to what Dais heard, Mr. Steve's customer told him about how Marty Cordova, now that he's "Retired;" came back to live in Las Vegas.  I guess he works for this one Internet company and is sometimes involved in "Wresting" events.  Now Blinky's guarding too.                  

    

MARTY CORDOVA ("TWINS")

   

           Oh wow!  In this one Encyclopedia there are pictures of two of Marty Cordova's Baseball Cards.   Boy!  It would be so great to have an actual Baseball card with your image on the front.  One of Marty Cordova's cards has his signature on it but it's kind of hard to read I notice.            

           Both of Marty Cordova's cards show him with the Minnesota Twins, where I guess he had his best years.  Daisy says that Parts Manager said he "finished" his nine year career with a .274 "career average" which is good.  I see a few long vapor trails up there in the high blue sky.           

         From what Daisy heard, one time that guy Marty Cordova hit Home Runs in five straight home games at the "Metrodome," that indoor Stadium where the Twins played for a long time.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye and going toward the northwest.                      

        CHICK HEARN / MIKE TYSON (1988)                     CHICK HEARN (1916-2002)                 

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA             

             

          In book one I wrote about that "Broadcaster" named Chick Hearn who "Coined" many of the "Terms" like "Slam Dunk" for Basketball.  I mentioned yesterday how, in the 1980's; he also broadcast Boxing matches at the Forum.  Mr. Steve took pictures of those "Cards."                       

         Dais heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Mark, when they discussed how that one movie "Wayne's World" takes place in "Aurora," Illinois; where Chick Hearn and his wife were originally from too.  Fred, Ed and Ted came in from the field and flew over top of the house.         

       I'm still thinking about that guy Ritchie Valens from Pacoima.  Daisy told me our boss was told, like Jimi Hendrix; Ritchie Valens was left-handed.  But, because left-hand "Strung" guitars are more rare, he just went ahead and learned to play on a right-handed instrument.                                                                       

       RITCHIE VALENS' GRAVE ("MISSION" CEMETERY)                    

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA              

                               

          A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows the graves of Ritchie Valens and his mom at the Mission Cemetery.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's parents have "Crypts" near Ritchie Valens'    grave ready for when they eventually die.   Hopefully that won't be for a while Dais says.               

        Oh!  I just noticed how, on Ritchie Valens' gravestone; it says he was born on May 13th.  And, in looking at my list of dates; I see how Mr. Steve's Sister-In-Law Yolanda's birthday is on May the 12th.   I've mentioned how there are a lot of important dates in May on my list.                

           I also now notice how Ritchie Valens' mom died on October the 18th and over the last two days I written about how Mr. Steve's brother Rock in Texas was born on the 17th of that month. Ah!  It says here that Ritchie Valens had his "Funeral Mass" at St. Ferdinand's Church.              

  

    DON MCLEAN                                                   NEWSPAPER (1959) 

  PHOTO BY CHRIS WALTER                                                                                                                                                                              

         Yesterday I wrote about how Ritchie Valens died in a famous 1959 Plane crash that also killed Buddy Holly and that other Singer called the "Big Bopper."  It was in really freezing cold    weather.  And, I guess Ritchie Valens was actually afraid of flying; just like I am too.                      

           In 1971, when Mr. Steve was in 10th Grade at "Alemany;" this guy named Don McLean wrote a song called "The Day the Music Died."   I've never heard it, but Daisy says it's about the 1959 Plane crash.  Rudy the Roadrunner just sprinted bye right in front of the Sheds.                    

          Oh!  I just noticed in this one Encyclopedia that Ritchie Valens' first band was called the SILHOUETTES and their very first concert was on October the 19th of 1957.   So, that means it happened when Mr. Steve's brother Rock was only two days old.  I smell some Mesquite.               

  

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

            Over  the last two days I mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve, and his friend Mr. Ralph; know that guy Bobby Chacon.  In the 1970's, and 1980's; he was twice a "World Champion" in    Boxing but now has brain damage due to Boxing and taking drugs too.  Daffy's quacking.             

         Daisy says our boss told Mr. Ralph he and Mr. Bobby cleaned his Grandma Trujillo and sister Celina's graves, looked at his parents' Crypts and Ritchie Valens' grave; and walked over to see Mr. Rick's son Gino's grave too.   I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.               

       I've written about how Mr. Bobby is a"Associated" with Pacoima.  But actually, his mom Gloria and Stepfather live in Lake View Terrace.  He, and Mr. Steve; have been to events at the San Fernando "American Legion" Hall.  Ritchie Valens once played there back in 1958.                                                                        

"CORDOVA" HIGH SCHOOL LOGO

          

          I'm still thinking of our last name.  I notice Córdoba guitars are spelled with a "b" like in Spain.  It's interesting how except for maybe Canada, every North, Central and South American country has a town or city named either "Córdoba;" or "Córdova" the way we spell it.                 

          Dais says our boss used to have a customer in "Cordova," Tennessee.  The Parts Manager went to "Cordova" High School, and I guess the "Wolves" primary team color is dark green; with gray and white their secondary colors.  There's also a Cordova, Alabama too I guess.             

        The Parts Manager said a Major League Pitcher named Doyle Alexander went to Cordova High School in Alabama.  He and our boss talked about a big "Oil Spill" near Cordova, Alaska, and Mr. Steve told him about "Rancho Cordova," close to Sacramento.  I can smell Andy.                                                                                  

                    MIKE GARCIA (1923-1986)                    BOB LEMON (1920-2000)                        

                        

       I'm still thinking of Baseball.  In book one I wrote about Bob Lemon who, in the 1950's; made the Hall of Fame as a Pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.  But he was born in the city of San Bernardino, which I've mentioned before; is to the south of us up here in Piñon Hills.                   

         Mr. Steve's father liked the 1950's Cleveland Indians and admired this Mexican-American Pitcher named Mike Garcia.  He was from an area of Los Angeles called "San Gabriel."  Like      Bob Lemon, I guess Mike Garcia fought in World War II and was right-handed too.                       

      Yesterday I wrote about Satchel Paige and how, until after World War II; black Baseball players could not play with white players.  So they had to just play in the "Negro" Leagues.  But, in 1946; the Brooklyn Dodgers hired that guy from Pasadena named Jackie Robinson.                                                                         

"SATCHEL" PAIGE (1906?-1982)

    

        As I've mentioned, "Satchel" was a nickname and Paige's real first name was "Leroy." Dais  says our boss and his brother Rock knew a Leroy in High School but he died a few years ago in a really bad Car accident.  A Train just whistled faintly way over there to my left.                              

      I wrote yesterday how Satchel Paige got his nickname because, when he was young; his job was to carry the "Luggage" to and from Trains.  He was paid by how many things he loaded and unloaded.  Two of the Pigeons are flying out to the eastern desert behind the Sheds.                     

      Daisy thinks Satchel Paige was so smart.  He cut two long branches off a "Satchel" tree and hung them over his shoulders to carry more things at once, so people joked that he looked like a  "walking Satchel tree" walking back and forth.  I can smell the Arborvitae tree.                                                   

           GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO                   

                     

         I've mentioned a few times in my first two books how Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo's job in Belén, from 1928 through 1974; was also to carry "Baggage" to and from Trains.  And, even if he was sick or injured; he never missed a single day of work.   He was afraid to lose his job.               

       Because of his job I guess Grandpa Trujillo got very strong.  So he could lift a lot of weight and had what are called a "Blacksmith's" arms.  Four kids all pulling at once couldn't beat him at "Arm Wrestling," even as he smoked a cigar while doing it; and smiling at them.                     

       Mr. Steve thinks Satchel Paige was a great Pitcher.  My Encyclopedia says in 1948, after so many years in those "Negro Leagues;" with the Indians he became the "oldest" Major League "Rookie" in history.  No one knew how old Satchel Paige was because he wouldn't say.                                                       

    JACKIE ROBINSON (1919-1972)

                  

           1948, three years after World War II; was Satchel Paige's first year in the "Big" Leagues. That was two after Jackie Robinson became the first ever African-American to play in the Major Leagues.  Samson and Delilah are flying out into the eastern desert right now.                                

           As I said yesterday, in 1948 Satchel Paige was way "Past his Prime" as they say.  But, even at the age of about forty years old; he must've still had enough "Stuff" to pitch Mr. Steve thinks.  A tv show said that guy Babe Ruth thought Satchel Paige was a really great Pitcher.                       

           I guess, when he was young; Satchel Paige "Accurately" threw really hard.  But, when he was older; he had to "Pitch Smart" like that guy  Luis Tiant who I wrote about yesterday.  Some of the Ducks are quacking over there and now Dawn's also barking about something too.                                                             

SATCHEL PAIGE (KANSAS CITY "ATHLETICS" / 1965)

                    

        Mr. Steve has liked the "A's since that time in 1967 when he was twelve and saw that Magazine with an A's Pitcher on the cover.  His SI.B.L. Little League team, ironically named the "Pirates;" also wore green.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just landed on Manny.                          

           As I wrote yesterday, "S.I.B.L." stands for the Sylmar Independent Baseball League."  Mr. Steve, and his brothers and Mr. Rick; all played Baseball for ten years at S.I.B.L.  Oh!  Frida and Diego just looked around really quickly, and then flew back out into the desert.                     

            A flock of Birds is flying bye up there in the blue sky.  From way down here sitting on my couch Elvira it's kind of hard to tell exactly what kind of Birds they are but, I'm pretty sure it's a group of Pigeons.  Ah!  I'm really comfortable being here on the Patio right now.                                        

                   SATCHEL PAGE                             "SPORTS ILLUSTRATED" MAGAZINE

          In 1965, the then still "Kansas City" A's; were bad.  So, as one of those "Publicity Stunts;" their owner Charles O. Finley hired Satchel Paige to come out and pitch for the A's.  From what Daisy and Millie heard our boss say,  they "promoted" him as the "Ageless Wonder."                    

         One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking on the phone with his friend Rick.  I guess they discussed the Negro Leagues, which existed in the U.S. before racial "Integration."  As I've  written before, that was when Black's weren't allowed to mix with the white people.                       

         Mr. Steve and Rick talked about how "Charlie" Finley knew Satchel Paige, as a member of the Kansas City "Monarchs;" had pitched in the Negro Leagues for many years.  But, by 1965 he was about fifty nine years old.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees out there in the desert.                       

        

         SATCHEL PAIGE                             CHET BREWER (1907-1990)

  

              I wrote about how, in the early 1970's; Mr. Steve and his friend Rick drove Rick's then 1968 Chevelle down to "Compton."  They went there so Rick could pitch in front of that former    Negro League player named Chet Brewer.  At the time he was a "Scout" for the Pirates.              

           Chet Brewer, a right-handed Pitcher; was a teammate on the Kansas City "Monarchs" with both Satchel Paige and Jackie Robinson too.  Mr. Steve was Rick's personal Catcher for all those times throwing for Chet Brewer.  He still remembers Chet Brewer as being friendly.            

          Mr. Steve and Rick talked about a time in 1965 when Satchel Paige needed only twenty eight pitches, in three "Scoreless" innings; to "Shut Out" the Boston Red Sox.  He gave up one    "Single"  to Carl Yastrzemski and didn't "Walk" anyone.  Daisy says that's good alright.                       

      LOS ANGELES                                               1968 CHEVELLE

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick talk on the phone about how, when they'd go down to Compton for Rick to "Try Out" for Chet Brewer; they drove Rick's dark green 1968 Chevelle.    That's Mr. Steve's first Chevelle, which his father bought for him later.  Dawn's barking.               

        Mr. Rick, who threw really fast as a right-handed Pitcher; also pitched in front of other Baseball Scouts besides Chet Brewer in Compton.  And Mr. Steve was always his Catcher.  As I said yesterday in book one, that first Chevelle was dark what they call "Forest" green.                  

        Our boss's second 1968 Chevelle was blue with a black vinyl roof.   It had a much bigger motor because it was a "Super Sport" or "S.S." for short.  If  you look in "Hemmings" Magazine Mr. Steve told Mr. Rick, that second Chevelle is now worth a lot of money to some people.            

                          

   BENJAMIN           

                              

           I just noticed Benjamin standing over there on a branch of the Mulberry tree.  It's funny how, like Thrasher Birds; Cow Birds often run on the ground like Roadrunners but can also fly    too.  Oh!  Benjamin jumped down onto the ground and is running toward Libby's Corral.            

          Two "Minor" League Baseball teams in our area have Players trying to make it up to the Major Leagues.  One is the High Desert "Mavericks," and the other team is the Lancaster "Jet    Hawks."  Right now I can suddenly hear Dawn barking faintly over there next door.                      

            I guess the Mavericks play all of their "Home" games at "Heritage" Field, which is in the town of "Adelanto;" about twenty five miles from us over here in Piñon Hills.  Mr. Steve and his  father were given a tour of  Heritage Field.  Speedy Gonzalez just zoomed bye right now.                                 

                                   "HERITAGE" FIELD  (ADELANTO)                                             

                                                                                           

           Dais says, in 1993 our boss and his dad were told how Heritage Field was built in 1991.  It's beautiful and holds four thousand people compared to Dodger Stadium's fifty thousand.  The Mavericks are an "A" ball level "California" League team.  Frida and Diego flew bye.                  

           Heritage Field is a "hitter-friendly" ballpark so Dais thinks that means a lot of "Runs" are scored in games there.  Mr. Steve heard, before 1993 the Mavericks were the "Riverside Red  Wave."  Three little Sparrows just flew out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.            

          Miss Susan told our boss Adelanto began in 1915, or the second year of World War I.  It must've been almost all empty desert way back then I think.  According to what it says here in      this Spanish Dictionary, the word adelanto would translate to be "advance" or "progress."           

                       

EARL HOLMES RICHARDSON (1872-1934)         

                   

         Miss Susan said the person "most responsible" for starting Adelanto was Earl Holmes Richardson, who was originally from Wisconsin like Mr. Mark in Hawaii.  I guess he got rich by inventing one of the first electric clothes "Iron."  His wife suggested that idea to him.                    

         In 1915 Adelanto was "intended to be" one of the very first "planned" communities in Southern California Miss Susan told our boss that time.  After the First World War Earl Holmes Richardson was going to build a Hospital for Veterans.  But he was never able to do it.                   

           Mr. Richardson died in 1934 but the fruit orchards he started "thrived" during the Great Depression after he was gone.  During World War II "George" Air Force Base was located near    Adelanto.  Mr. Steve's dad was born in 1932, then his mom about three years after that.                

            

"ADELANTO"          

              

           According to Miss Susan, Adelanto has thirty thousand people in it compared to our seven thousand over here in Piñon Hills.  Like most High Desert towns since 2008, Adelanto's economy has gone way down; and there are less and less business's.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.             

     I guess, in Adelanto there used to be one of those gambling "Card" Club Casino's I've mentioned before; but it went out of business.   Mr. Steve and his father ate there a few times in    the early 1990's when they would go or come from Las Vegas.  Blinky has a strong voice.               

          Mr. Steve has gone to a "Shooting Range" on the "Outskirts" of Adelanto, but sometimes just drives out into the desert to shoot guns.  The round cardboard cutouts that come with frozen pizzas make really good targets.  Boy!  I can smell Blinky and he smells so good right now.            

              

   GEORGE BRETT (KANSAS CITY "ROYALS")

 

          Mr. Steve was told, for a time this good Baseball player named George Brett's family was "involved" with the High Desert Mavericks.  George Brett, who grew up in "El Segundo" near    "L.A. International Airport;" is in the "Hall of Fame."  He's two years older than our boss.          

        In the 1980's our boss took pictures for the Hockey Kings events held at this Restaurant near El Segundo called "C.J. Brett's."  It was owned by the Brett family.  Daisy heard all four of the Brett brothers were good Baseball players and the oldest one also made it as a pro too.           

        A customer told our boss George Brett and his wife and kids now live in "Mission Hills" Kansas, like that city near Sylmar I've mentioned.  A few months after the 1985 Italy-Israel trip    George Brett's team the Kansas City "Royals" won the "World Series."  Heathcliff crowed.                                      

                        "DRONES"                                   RADIO CONTROLLED "FOCKE-WULF 190"

     

           Miss Susan said George A.F.B. closed in 1992 and she was told that area is now used to test those "Drone" Planes.  People in Piñon Hills also have little Drones, and Daisy says our boss has bought and sold some realistic "Radio" controlled Planes.  Boy!  Nikola Tesla was so right.           

          Daisy says our boss was told by this older lady he helped fill out some legal documents for how the Adelanto area is rumored to have ghosts around there.  He later told that to Mr. Dave      who I've mentioned is really interested in things like that.  Dais and I believe in ghosts too.           

          There used to be a lot of business's in Adelanto but now I guess the offices and warehouses in an "Industrial Complex" are mostly "vacant."  Mr. Rick's Mechanical Contracting business    was located in the "Valencia Industrial Complex" near Magic Mountain."  I smell Sage.                

                      

   "CLEAR CHANNEL" STADIUM  (LANCASTER)    

                      

          That other Minor League team, the" Jet Hawks;" play all of their home games at "Clear Channel" stadium.  Dais says Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew's High School graduation ceremony was held there.  His brother Sam's family goes to games at Clear Channel stadium.                      

                  In 1996 Mr. Rick's company replaced that huge hot water "Boiler" at Edwards A.F.B. in the "Dryden Space Center."  Driving back and forth on the #14 Freeway for three months our      boss saw Clear Channel stadium being built "Day by Day" as they say.  A Train whistled.              

          One time Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick talking on the phone and remembering when they and Mr. Steve's brothers played "Little League" Baseball at S.I.B.L.   That was in the 1960's and 1970's when they were growing up down there in Sylmar.  They were teammates once.            

                 

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT            

                     

       Oh!  Heathcliff just crowed.  Daisy thinks his odd behavior in crowing during the middle of the day is a good sign and I want to believe that too.  Sitting here in the patio on my couch Elvira I smell, hear and see the some of the things out there in the desert behind the three Sheds. 

       Dais says maybe Heathcliff just feels good knowing that the cold weather's over and it's now  Springtime; even though sometimes it still gets cold at night in Spring.  We also have some cold winds which at times come up at this time of year.  Ah!  I just smelled a Lizard nearby.

       I just noticed a little Lizard standing on the wall, near the sliding glass door leading into the Dining Room' right above our gray water bucket.  It's now doing Lizard pushups; up and down, up and down.  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just flew out into the back eastern desert. 

      

"DESERT" LIZARD

               

           I just noticed that big brown Lizard I saw yesterday standing in the dirt to the right of the big Mulberry tree.  It's staying perfectly still because as I've mentioned before, there are things around here like our neighbor's Cat Cher for instance; who would love to kill and eat it.           

           Dais thinks it might be just a coincidence that Heathcliff is crowing in the middle of the day on the exact days I'm writing my three books.  I hope Daisy's right and one of the Hens had some babies so he's just happy.  At times Heathcliff crows during the day but not as much.  

                Sitting here on this couch, looking to the eastern horizon beyond our three Sheds; I see a lot of green and light brown.  Boy God!  I wish every day could be just like yesterday and today. A lot of Birds are swirling around out there above the eastern desert behind the Sheds.

                  

                   1970'S OAKLAND ATHLETICS (CHARLES O. FINLEY CENTER)   

                                           

           Because our boss's favorite team is the A's who wear green, Daisy and I now also want to like green.  But, as I've mentioned,  blue is kind of my favorite color and Daisy likes red.  Back in the 1960's and 1970's, the A's wore bright green; now they wear dark "Forest" green.  

           All of a sudden I'm thinking about the Oakland "Athletics."  As I've said a few times over the last two days, from 1901 through 1955; their "Franchise" was called the Philadelphia A's and wore light sky blue and white uniforms.  The Pirates are a really old franchise too.

          This one Encyclopedia says in 1955, the year our boss was born; the A's moved west to the city of "Kansas City" in the State of  Missouri.  Mr. Steve's customer Bob, who grew up here in the Antelope Valley; now lives in "Bolivar" Missouri.  There's a Kansas City, "Kansas" too.                                                    

             LIBBY                             

                                              

        Aha!  I had a feeling someone was watching me and, glancing to my right; I can see that it's Libby over there in her Corral.  As I've mentioned a few time yesterday and this morning, Libby, like Daisy; is kind of getting old.  Her scent just floated into my right nostril right now.

        I notice that Libby's skinny black tail is swatting away some Flies.  Hey God!  I know I keep on asking You to please don't have so many Flies around here this Summer but, as You know; we really don't like annoying and bothersome Flies.  Dais and I both really hate all Flies.  

       Libby is now walking around.  As I wrote yesterday, Mr. Steve jokes that she walks sort of like an older athlete who runs in a "Flat-Footed" way in order to avoid getting injured.  So each and every step is set down, one after the other; in a solid or "Sure-Footed" manner.    

    

MOLLY (LIBBY IN BACKGROUND)

           

           For some reason, seeing Libby makes me miss Molly the Mule who died.  I remember well how she smelled.  In book one I wrote about when a Coyote or Bobcat would come around and she would kick the back fence of her Corral really hard to warn them to stay away.  

       Hey God!  Remember last Autumn when I could have sworn I smelled Molly over there in the Corral.  But Daisy said that was impossible because the wind had blown away all of her scent long time ago.  I sort of believe in ghosts and hope there might even be Mule ghosts.

       Daisy thinks Libby will die soon too so, we'd better appreciate her the way we didn't do with Molly.  Mr. Steve said he had a dream a while back in which he rubbed Molly's nose and ears the way she used to like so much.  Mules have big teeth that can bite hard if necessary.   

                                        

                                           CHARLES O. FINLEY (ON "CHARLEY O")    

                                                

         Daisy says our boss told Mr. Mike that when Charles O. Finley, who was Irish; bought the A's in 1960 and moved to Kansas City; he not only changed their team colors but also replaced a Elephant with a Mule as their "Mascot."  Ah!  I smell Spring Sage.  I like that.

        Remembering Molly's scent makes me think about the A's mascot named "Charley O."  A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows the A's owner sitting on his back.  As I've said a few times already, Charles O. Finley used to be called "Eccentric" by his many "Critics."

        Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not really scheduled to write so much about Baseball in this seventh chapter, I just kind of feel like mentioning a few things right now.  Besides, I can also write more about Baseball later today and then tomorrow in my third book too.

                      

                                                    CONNIE MACK (1862-1956)   

                    

           My Encyclopedia has pictures of that man Connie Mack who I mentioned in book one.  He owned and managed the A's when they were located in Philadelphia.  A black and white photo of him sitting in the Dugout has been "Painted" in the same way Mr. Steve used to do.  

        As I said yesterday, Connie Mack owned and managed the A's for over fifty years; which is a record.  The painted photo shows him managing the A's and you can see how he didn't wear a team uniform like the other Baseball managers.  Some of the Ducks are quacking. 

         Daisy says one time she and Millie were in the house and heard our boss and his friend Rick talking on the phone about Baseball.  Mr. Steve joked about how, because he managed the A's for so long Connie Mack holds the record for the most wins; and losses too.  I smell Sage.

                 

                               BASEBALL PLAYERS (1869 / A.G. SPALDING ON RIGHT)    

                          

        That time when Daisy listened to our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Rick they discussed how no one really knows exactly how the game of Baseball first "came about."  Mr. Steve read in a book that "Bat and Ball" type games have existed for a long time.  I smell some Sage.

           I guess, according to what Mr. Steve read in his book; in the 1700's the British had this game called "Rounders" which is like Baseball.  In the U.S. Baseball became "Popular" in the 1850's, the decade before the Civil War broke out.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there.

        A picture in my Encyclopedia shows three Baseball Players from 1869, which was four years after the Civil War ended.  The caption says the man on the right is A.G. Spalding, who created a "Sporting Goods" business.  Daisy noticed how our boss has some things from his company.

                 

              ABNER DOUBLEDAY (1819-1893)                       FORT SUMTER (1861)    

    

            Mr. Steve told his friend Rick about this man named Abner Doubleday.  For many years a lot of people believed he invented Baseball.  I wrote yesterday in my first book how the American Civil War broke out in early 1861 when "Confederate" forces bombed "Fort Sumter."

        I guess, in 1861; Abner Doubleday was "Second in Command" at Fort Sumter out there in "Charleston Harbor."  From inside Fort Sumter he "ordered" the first canon to fire back at the rebels on the shore.  Mr. Steve said Abner Doubleday became a General in the Civil War. 

        Dais says she heard our boss tell his friend Rick how, when he and his brother Rock visited the town of "Gettysburg" back in 1977, they were told about Abner Doubleday.  In July of 1861 he led Union troops in that huge three day battle.  The Monarch Butterfly just flew bye.

     

                                                                SAN FRANCISCO   

              

         This Encyclopedia says Abner Doubleday, who was from the State of New York; came out to California after the war.  Wow!  He was "granted" a "Patent" on the "Cable Car" system still used in San Francisco.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve has prepared patent applications. 

             It says here, just like Mr. Steve told his friend Rick; the idea that guy Abner Doubleday was the one who invented Baseball has been "debunked."  He did grow up in "Cooperstown," and in 1839 organized a "neighborhood" Baseball game.  But by then people knew about Baseball. 

           I guess, even though he didn't invent Baseball; during the Civil War the Union troops under Abner Doubleday played Baseball on their time off.  During the Korean War Mr. Steve's father also played Baseball with his buddies.   The Baseball "Hall of Fame" is in Cooperstown.   

                                          TY COBB (1928 / SECOND FROM LEFT)                                1929 PHILADELPHIA "ATHLETICS"                                                                                                                                                        

          Oh wow!  My Encyclopedia has another painted black and white photo but this one is of the 1929 A's.  And another photo shows Ty Cobb when, as an older Player; he went to play for      the A's.  I guess for most of his long career he had played only for the Detroit "Tigers."                 

          Boy!  I really like how that one painted picture looks.  It says here, during Connie Mack's "tenure;" his teams won three championships "in a row" from  1910 through 1913.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye right now, both moving together toward the southeast.                   

         Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig's 1920's New York "Yankees" are some of the greatest teams ever.  I guess their biggest "Rival" in that decade was the A's; who won "back-to-back" world      championships in 1929 and 1930.  Mr. Steve has done line drawings of a lot of the A's logos.          

                                            

HUELL HOWSER ("CALLIGRAPHY SOCIETY OF CALIFORNIA")

                 

           Oh!  Mentioning drawing logos makes me think of Huell Howser episode Dais and Millie saw where he went to a convention for people who do what's called "Calligraphy."  That means, writing in ink using pens; some with thick tips and others with thin ends.  I smell Juniper.             

         I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how Mr. Steve has been doing his own form of calligraphy since he's been a kid, usually in line drawing form.  Daisy says a man on the  Huell Howser segment said calligraphy goes back to the ancient world.  Heathcliff crowed.            

         Daisy told me the man Huell Howser interviewed showed him how you can make writing "implements" out of many things.  Since about 3,000 B.C., in China he said, "Bamboo" wood has been used to make pens.  A lady showed Huell an ancient ink made from ground up Bugs.               

EDWARD JOHNSTON (1872-1944)      

              

          Daisy says a lady told Huell Howser "modern western" calligraphy comes from this man from England named  Edward Johnson, and a German guy named Rudolf Koch.  Daisy says the  Bug ink is reddish purple or maroon.  How did someone figure out to make ink like that?              

         Wow!  What the lady told Huell Howser is so right.  It says right here in this Encyclopedia Edward Johnston and Rudolf Koch are the "Fathers of Modern Calligraphy."  Right now for      some reason hearing Heathcliff's voice makes me feel good and gives me energy to work hard.      

      It says here Edward Johnston, described as being a "craftsman;" began his "studies" of calligraphy using a "broad edged or tipped writing implement."  Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Dave about "formal versus informal" writing in history.  I can smell some Juniper.                              

"AVRO LANCASTER" HEAVY BOMBER

          Oh!  It says here that guy Edward Johnson "redesigned" the "Roundel" symbol.  And I guess a Roundel is those round logos on British Planes and Tanks during World War II.  I guess    our boss has drawn and colored those, and also a few other different national roundels too.           

          Dais told me how, on that one episode; Huell Howser went around to some classes where people were learning how to do calligraphy.  They demonstrated calligraphy, like how to do all of the different "strokes" correctly.  One lady mentioned "hair lines" and "the proper angles."        

          When you do things like calligraphy you develop "a good feel" for "pressure and release" points.  Mr. Steve tells kids "natural ability" is good, but "repetition and practice" is even more important.  Stevie Ray Vaughn "had to have practiced for ten thousand hours" he jokes.                            

"OLD ENGLISH" LETTERING

         

         Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how our boss Mr. Steve has done "Old English" lettering for years.  He told his Niece Samantha about using "flourish" techniques in      order to "enhance" a letter.  And you can do a letter like "D" with different flourishes.                  

         Daisy says Huell Howser talked with one lady about how sometimes "imperfections" are sometimes okay.   Mr. Steve jokes how "overcoming" or even "disguising" mistakes" makes you a better Artist.   Sometimes mistakes can make it "more human and not so programmed."            

        I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve prefers music made with musical instruments over songs created on a computer.  He likes it how some bands even left in imperfections on the songs when they were recorded.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are now flying bye.                                   

"DEMOCRATS" / "REPUBLICANS"

     

           Mr. Steve and his friend Rick talked on the phone about how, in American politics now; the "Democrats" are said to be "Left Wing" and "Blue."  Their mascot is a Donkey.  And the "Right Wing Republicans" are represented as being "Red" using an Elephant as their mascot. 

            Daisy heard our boss joke that the A's had an Elephant as their mascot for many years but then Charles Finley replaced it with a Mule which is a half Donkey.  Oh!  Just when I'm writing about Donkey's I smell Libby over there.  And that now reminds me of Molly the Mule. 

        Mr. Steve's father thinks the colors red and blue should be "reversed" in American politics.  It's the Democrats, more socialistic; who should be represented by red he says, while it would be "more appropriate" for Republicans to use blue he thinks.  I smell the big Mulberry tree.  

                                                  

                                                                 REGGIE JACKSON

     

            In 1977, the year Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited their Uncle Marty's family back in New Jersey; Reggie Jackson went from playing with the A's to becoming a member of the New York Yankees.  He had become a "Free Agent."  Daffy the Duck is quacking over there.  

            As I wrote in book one, for eight seasons Reggie Jackson had worked for Charles Finley, first in Kansas City and then after the A's moved to Oakland in 1968.  He was a part of the teams that won three World Series and five Division titles.  But then he went to the Yankees.

           During the 1977 season Reggie Jackson got in that famous fistfight in the Dugout with his Manager Billy Martin.  But, in the World Series; he hit three Home Runs in one game against the Dodgers.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and she's looking at them.

   

    1977 CHICAGO "WHITE SOX"

           In 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock saw that game at "Yankee Stadium," where the Chicago "White Sox" wore all black uniforms.  It was in the mid-1970's that the White Sox had uniforms with short "Cut Off" pants.  Mr. Steve drew the White Sox logo when he was a kid.       

        Mr. Steve told Mr. Rick he thinks the White Sox trying that gimmick didn't work.  But it shows how Charles Finley's "non-traditional" view of uniforms was influencing the White Sox Owner Bill Veeck in the mid-1970's.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the northeast.             

          Daisy says our boss, who really doesn't follow sports any more; told Mr. Rick he thinks of Charles Finley whenever he sees how colorful and different uniforms are nowadays.  It sure was not like that before Charles Finley showed up.  He was "Mocked" and really disliked then.           

                                              

                                             ARTHUR SCHOPENHAUER (1788-1860)   

                                                        

          Yesterday in book one I wrote about how that German Philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer believed many "true" ideas go through three "phases" before being "accepted."  At first they're "ridiculed," then "opposed."  But eventually they're accepted as "self-evident."

        Mr. Steve thinks Schopenhauer's three part "Formula" applies to A's owner Finley.  Some of his 1970's ideas, like "Color-Coordinated" uniforms, playing the World Series games at night, and the "Designated Hitter;" are now accepted.  Goliath crawled into the desert.

        "Traditionalists" mocked and fought Finley's ideas but now they're "Taken for Granted."  I wrote about my boss getting in a fight for wearing white shoes.  The A's were the first team who wore white shoes but today a lot of players wear many different colors of "Cleats." 

                       

   "SAGE" BUSH                     

                                             

           I smell Sage which is a coincidence because I just looked up "Photosynthesis."  Daisy says Mr. Steve helped a kid do a report on why many plants are green and I guess the main reason is this thing called "Chlorophyll."  Boy!  I'm getting a lot better at looking things like that up. 

          Hey God!  I guess, unlike other "Living Organisms" like us; most plants don't need to go out and get food.  They've evolved to be able to acquire Your energy in photosynthesis by making some food right inside of themselves.  And many plants use their "Leaves" to do that too. 

         My Encyclopedia says that the word photosynthesis is actually Greek and means "Putting together with light."  Oh! I smell a Mouse!  As I mentioned in book one, Mice usually don't come outside in the sun during the daytime but yesterday and today they have been doing it.     

                    

    "FIELD" MOUSE

               

   II

(CHAPTER 8)

2:30

          

        Well, according to my outline for book two; I'll now write more about that town to our west called "Littlerock."  I've mentioned a few times how that's where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his wife Yolanda and their three kids.  I can see the Mouse over there.  

        I wonder why the city of "Little Rock" in "Arkansas" is two words?  Our Littlerock and the Little Rock in Arkansas must have a lot of small rocks.  Mr. Steve wonders why the Mexican town of "Vera Cruz," founded by Córtez in 1519; is now called "Veracruz?"

        Over the last two days in my long books I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's friend Mark in Hawaii's parents are originally from Arkansas but moved north to Wisconsin.  And Mr. Randy lived in Arkansas.  As I wrote yesterday, we have "Dry" and not "Humid" heat.

  

                                  MR. RANDY                                                                      MR. MARK

               Dais says our boss, before the recent "Recession; used to have a few customers in the States of Arkansas and Oklahoma.  But now he only has a few left and, even some of those; don't do as much buying as they used to.  The smell of that Mouse just floated over here right now.

          Someday, when I get over my fear of riding in Cars; I'd like to visit Littlerock. Yesterday I mentioned that unique store there called "Charlie Brown Farms" which sells things that aren't sold in other places.  The Mouse ran under a rock near the big Mulberry tree. 

          Looking up, I just now noticed two long white vapor trails way up there in the blue sky.  A few Birds are darting around over the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  And now, looking to my right; I can see Libby walking really slowly around over there in her Corral. 

       

"CHARLIE BROWN FARMS" (LITTLEROCK)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA       

        

          Dais said our boss says "Charlie Brown's" sells knives, swords, miniature figurines like the ones he's built and those Ostrich eggs I mentioned in book one.  Daisy thinks they probably also sell things like tools used on a Farm too.  Cher the Cat is slinking out into the desert. 

               I guess one time Mr. Steve and his Niece's Samantha and Cristina visited Charlie Brown's.  He got them "Souvenirs" with logos of current bands like GREEN DAY.  They also sell Buffalo hamburgers at Charlie Brown's, like the ones they all ate out on Catalina Island.

        Again today Mr. Steve has stayed in the house and hasn't even come out to give us snacks which is very unusual.  Thinking about hamburgers made with buffalo meat is suddenly kind of making me a little bit hungry right now.  Boy!  I sure hope we get at least one snack today.                                   

                                                                       "PEANUTS"  

          ARTWORK BY CHARLES SCHULZ              

                    

           Someday I really want to see that cartoon Daisy and Millie used to watch called "Peanuts" as Daisy thinks I would really like it.  It's mainly about a bald-headed boy named Charlie Brown  who has a smart Dog named Snoopy I guess.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

                I wonder if that store Charlie Brown's in Littlerock was named for the cartoon character? Daisy thinks it probably was.  Oh! Cher just used the right vertical sot on the side f the gate to come back into the yard.  And she's got a dead Lizard hanging our of her mouth.

          Just before Mr. Steve and his Nieces went to Charlie Brown's they saw a concert by a girl named Avril Lavigne at the Greek Theater in Griffith Park.  In 2005 she was a girl "Punk" Pop singer.  Dais told me about how she has a good song about "Skateboarding." 

                                                    AVRIL LAVIGNE                  

                            

           Dais says that girl Avril Lavigne is originally from the country of Canada.  Tomorrow in my third book I'm scheduled to write a lot more about Canada, especially that east coast "Province of "Quebec;" where they mainly speak French.  Dawn's barking over there. 

       One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom and watched a good cartoon called "Over the Hedge."  It was about a smart Raccoon and Avril Livigne did the voice of a "Possum" named "Heather."  Two of the Pigeons just flew in and landed on top of Moe the Shed.

       Mr. Steve met a girl who said there was this rumor that Avril Lavigne died and was replaced by a "Body Double."  But how could the fake girl sing the songs he asked her?  Besides he joked, there are still some people who seem to want to believe Hitler and Elvis are alive.

  

    POSSUM                                                                  PORQUIPINE

   

          Avril Lavigne played the part of a Possum really good Daisy says.  Yesterday I wrote about how Possums live in Sylmar but not up here.  In Over the Hedge Dais says, three "Porcupines" knew how to drive a Truck.  Boy!  They must be so smart to be able to do that. 

       Porcupines don't live in Piñon Hills either and Dais says they have hair made of spines that will stab you just like a walking Cholla cactus I guess.  This customer up in Minnesota told Mr. Steve Porcupines climb trees and use their hands like Squirrels do.  A Duck is quacking.

       That one Parts Manager in Minnesota says it's not true Porcupines can shoot their "quills" at you.  Sometimes he said, they fall off the tree and accidentally stab themselves.  The word quill was hard to spell.  It starts with a "q" and not a "c" or "k."  And it has two "l's" in it too. 

  

                                                     THE BEATLES (ABBEY ROAD)

PHOTO BY IAN MACMILLAN

        Writing about how some people think Avril Levigne might've secretly died makes me think about how, in 1969; there were rumors the BEATLES Paul McCartney was killed.  I guess that was when the BEATLES made their "Abbey Road" album.  A Crow is cawing faintly. 

       Supposedly, there were "Hints," like Paul McCartney being barefooted on the Abbey Road album cover; that Paul McCartney was dead.  Also, he was carrying a cigarette in his right hand even though he's left-handed.  Mr. Steve, who has that album; was only fourteen in 1969.

       Another "Clue" was, a Volkswagon Car's license plate said "28 IF." But Mr. Steve says Paul McCartney was twenty seven then.  In 1969 "Apollo 11" landed on the Moon.  I've noticed how, over there in England; the Cars all drive on the left side of the road instead of the right.

  

THE COASTERS      

     

                  Daisy saw a tv show about a singing band that began here in Los Angles in 1955, the year our boss was born.  The COASTERS "Toured" from "coast to coast" I guess.  In 1959 they had a song called "Charlie Brown" but the tv show said it wasn't about the cartoon character. 

             One time, back in the 1960's; Mr. Steve's parents saw this Coaster's concert down at that "Hollywood Palladium" I've written about.  Daisy heard our boss's mom remembers, besides the good singing; was the "very impressive" matching pink suits they wore.   Heathcliff crowed.

             The COASTERS' song called Charlie Brown has good saxophone on it Daisy noticed.   I guess, from what she heard our boss tell his mom; in 1987 the COASTERS were the first band to be "Inducted" into the "Rock & Roll Hall of Fame."  Wow!  That is impressive alright. 

                     

                                                                 GOO GOO DOLLS   

                                                                                                                                          PHOTO BY GARY LAMBERT

                                   

           Daisy told me, about a year after they saw Avril Lavigne; Mr. Steve and Samantha went to a concert by a band called the GOO GOO DOLLS.  It was also at the Greek Theater.  I guess the GOO GOO DOLLS are from the city of "Buffalo" which is right near "Lake Erie."   

       Mr. Steve had a customer in a city near Buffalo called "Dunkirk."  The Parts Manager said the GOO GOO DOLLS play at "Nascar" races and some Football games like the "Super Bowl" or Detroit Lions home games.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.

       Dais says that Parts Manager told our boss how the Buffalo "Sabres" Hockey team used a GOO GOO DOLLS song in a Video.  Mr. Steve sent him 1980's pictures he took of the Sabres at the Forum when they played the Kings.  Dais says our boss has some Saber swords.

                               

BUFFALO "SABRES"

PHOTO BY HARRY SCULL JR.

      According to Daisy, our boss has drawn logos from National Hockey League teams like the Buffalo Sabres.  Someday, when I get over my fear of being enclosed; I can see a "Goalie Mask" hanging on the wall behind Mr. Steve's drums in  his Bedroom.  I smell Mesquite.                          

    Back in the 1980's Mr. Steve and his girlfriend Harriet watched a tv show called "Beverly Hills 90210."  That's where Mr. Steve first saw, and heard; the GOO GOO DOLLS I guess.  How in the world could anyone have even invented such an amazing thing like a tv?                               

      Dais says the Parts Manager told our boss how the GOO GOO DOLLS got their name from seeing an advertisement in "True Detective" magazine.  In book three tomorrow I'll write about  a girl band called the GO GO's.  Daisy says our boss plays drums to some of their songs.               

                            

  ROCK/ SAND QUARRY

                                

           Yesterday I wrote about the subject of "Concrete" made from "Cement." I mentioned how sand is used as a "Binding Agent."  On the north side of the 138 Highway, near Littlerock where Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family live; is what's called a "Quarry" where they dig out sand.

        A quarry also digs out rocks and things like that too I guess.  Maybe Daisy is right and they have a lot of small rocks in Littlerock.  As I've mentioned a few times in these first two books, we have a lot of dirt and rocks in Piñon Hills and our long driveway is made out of gravel.

        I've mentioned a few times how, in June of 1985; Mr. Steve and some members of his family visited Italy and Israel.  In book one I wrote about when the Tour Group went to King Herod's "Artificial" concrete Harbor of "Caesarea," on the coast of Israel.  I smell some Juniper.

          

                 PANTHEON                          HAGIA SOPHIA                   SAINT PETER"S

                PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            

                        

            On that 1985 trip, when in the city of Rome; Mr. Steve's group visited the "Pantheon" and also Saint Peter's Basilica.  Both are huge in size and made with concrete.  The only dome bigger is Turkey's "Hagia Sophia," which I've said was built by Byzantine that Emperor Justinian.

         Yesterday I mentioned how it was the ancient Romans who first invented concrete, in order to be able to build big things like buildings or water aqueducts.  Mr. Steve and his father think, because more and more people are moving to cities; it will be needed more.  Heathcliff crowed.

          I wonder if it's true what Mr. Mike said that one morning?  He thinks the world might be running out of the type of sand needed to create concrete, which isn't permanent like stone.  Mr. Rick's company has done jobs which required the removal of old concrete from the job sites.

         

ROME, ITALY   

     

                   I've mentioned few times in these first two books how in June of 1985 our boss and that Tour Group from St. Ferdinand's visited Italy and then Israel.  They mainly stayed in the city of "Rome," and took Buss's around with with one of those "Guides."  I like Heathcliff's voice.

            I wrote yesterday in my first book how Mr. Steve enjoyed hearing the Tour Guide talking about the history of Rome from the Buss.  But he liked just as much walking around the city on his own too.  And he always took that one "Time-Life " book on the city of Rome with him. 

           Dais says our boss likes watching the different Rick Steves episodes where he goes to Italy.  His parents have seen some of those segments and also like them too because it makes them think about 1985.        

   

               

                     "VÖLKSHALLE"                                          "BRANDENBURG" GATE                                                        

        One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Mike about how, if Hitler had won World War II; he was going to rename the city of Berlin "Germania."  And he and his Architect named Albert Speer planned on building the biggest concrete Hall of all time.  A Crow cawed.

        Wow!  A picture shows this model of the gigantic Hall Hitler intended to build.  The caption says, to show the "monumental scale" of the "Völkshalle;" a small model of the "Brandenburg" Gate is shown in the lower right hand corner.  "Völkshalle" just means, "People's Hall." 

        Thank You God for having Daisy find these Dictionaries.  It says in this Encyclopedia how that gigantic building was also going to be called the "Großhalle" or "Great Hall."   And I guess, from what it says here; a third name would've been the "Ruhmeshalle or "Hall of Glory."  

         

             PARIS (JUNE, 1940 / ALBERT SPEER ON LEFT)              

                           

          I wrote how at age nineteen Adolph Hitler was rejected for Art School and told to become an "Architect" as he drew buildings well.   A picture shows him in Paris after all those "Panzer"  mechanized Tanks took only about a month to totally conquer the country of France.                     

         The caption below the photo of Hitler in front of the Eiffel Tower says, when visiting Paris in 1940; he also saw the French Pantheon and Napoléon Bonaparte's tomb too.  He and Napoleon both made the same exact mistake of attacking Russia.  Frida and Diego are now flying bye.         

        Hitler was impressed in 1938 seeing Rome's concrete Pantheon.  Wow!  His hall would've been so "enormous" 180,000 "breathing and perspiring" people inside "most likely" would have created a "precipitating weather system."  And that just means how it would rain in there!                                                 

   "PANTHEON" (ROME)                          "HADRIAN'S WALL" (ENGLAND)

                                                  PHOTO BY MONLITHIC .ORG                                                                                              PHOTO BY ROBERT WILLIAMS                                                                                                                                                                  

         This one Encyclopedia says the interior of the Pantheon in Rome is the world's "largest unreinforced concrete dome."  It was "rebuilt" by the Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century A.D. on the site where two previous buildings had burned down.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.        

          In that same period I guess "Hadrian" also ordered three Roman "Legions" stationed up in northern England to build that famous wall.  A picture shows those "Re-Enactors" dressed as Roman Soldiers standing on it's ruins.  They're holding those "Peelum" spears I notice.                

        I've mentioned before how in Greek the word "Pan" means "All," while "Theos" is how you would say "Gods."  And that's why all of the different buildings around the world are called the "Houses of the Gods."   Now Daffy and the other Ducks are beginning to quack too.                

                

EMPEROR "HADRIAN" (78-138 A.D.)    

            

         One time Daisy and I heard our boss tell Mr. Randy how, on the same day he and the Tour Group visited the Pantheon in Rome; they also went to that "Trevi" fountain.   And they walked around "Piazza della Rotondo" and "Piazza Navona" too I guess.  I smell some Juniper.               

        I guess, Hadrian's Pantheon is the "best preserved ancient building in Rome;" Mr. Steve's mother noticed the patterns and designs its marble floors.  It says here, since 608 A.D. it's been  used as a Church.  Daisy says that English lady Mary Beard visited the Hadrian's Pantheon.        

      It says here the all Roman Soldiers who built Hadrian's Wall, "on the furthest reach of the empire;" used stones and bricks to do it.  Oh wow!  The mortar they used was made of lime, sand and some "animal blood."  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye.  I heard him coming.                                                            

             "GREAT WALL" OF CHINA                

                   PHOTO BY HUNG CHUNG CHIH                 

           

   Mentioning Hadrian's Wall makes me suddenly think about that other famous wall over in China.  Dais says a man from China once told our boss that wall is over five thousand miles long and ialled "Cháng Chéng" in Chinese.  That means "Long City" or "Long Wall."                         

      The Chinese man said it's not true that many of the men who built the Great Wall are buried in it.  And you can't see the wall from outer space he said.  The Great Wall, like Hadrian's Wall; is actually a "series of border fortifications" meant partially to keep out invaders.                        

      Earlier, back in Chapter four; I wrote a little bit about the French "Maginot" Line built after World War I to keep the Germans away.  It was one of the strongest "Defensive Lines" in history but, in 1940; the German "Blitzkrieg went around it.  I smell a new Spring Sage plant.                 

        

BENITO MUSSOLINI / ADOLPH HITLER (1940)

      A picture in my Encyclopedia shows Benito Mussolini standing next to Adolph Hitler.  The caption says it was taken after Germany had defeated France in 1940.  The "Fascists" were at      the "height of their power."  Daisy says our boss has a framed print of that same photo.                 

     Mr. Steve's father thinks, if Adolph Hitler had died after defeating France he would've gone down in history as Germany's greatest leader.  But, he didn't, mainly because of what happened  in the five years after 1940.  Mr. Steve's dad calls Hitler the "biggest gambler ever."                      

       Hitler knew he was gambling.  Mr. Steve read that he told Albert Speer how, if he succeeded in conquering the world; he'd go down in history as the "greatest man" who ever lived.  But if he failed in doing that huge accomplishment he'd be "condemned and despised forever after."                                                                                               

                                                SAMMY JR, SAM SR., MATHEW, RAQQUEL

       (YOLANDA SEATED IN FRONT)      

                                   

           Well, it's back to my book two outline, which says the next thing I'll write a little bit about is Mr. Steve's brother Sam.  As I've mentioned a few times over the last two days, he and and his wife Yolanda live over there to the west of us; in "Littlerock."  Daffy's now quacking loud.

           As I've said, Sam and Yolanda have three kids; Mathew, Sammy Jr. and then Raqquel.   I guess Mathew goes to C.S.U.N. so stays in Sylmar at Mr. Steve's parents house.  Mathew's a good Athlete, and one time our boss told Mr. Rich how he has a "strong throwing arm" in Baseball.

           Mathew "Umpires" some Baseball games, in order to make money; and I guess lately his younger brother Sammy Jr. has been doing it too.  Dais says, when he was young Mr. Steve also umpired but the pay was way lower then he says.   Boy, I'd really like to make some money!

                               

          "MONARCH" BUTTERFLY                  

                           

          I just glanced up and noticed the Monarch Butterfly that's been hanging around here since yesterday.  It's sitting on a the Arborvitae tree in front of the Patio and I can now smell it from over here sitting on Elvira.  I wonder if that's a boy Butterfly or a girl Butterfly? 

       Daisy says one time our boss joked with Mr. Mike about how being a "sports official" can be what they call a "thankless job."  I guess an Umpire or "Referee" is sort of like being a Judge in having to "make decisions."  The Butterfly is fluttering away right now.  

       Mr. Steve said, as an Umpire; at times you make mistakes and everyone seems to be mad at you.  And even when you do your best to be "impartial" or "objective" some mean people in the audience get upset and yell out mean things.  The Butterfly scent is lingering.  

                                              

 "BLOCKING" OR "CHARGING" FOUL?     

        

             Daisy told me Mr. Steve is impressed in how his two Nephews also work as officials in other sports besides just Baseball.  He doesn't think he would be able to do that.  Basketball is at times really hard to "Referee" he says, especially on "Charging" plays; or "Judgement Calls."  

         Sometimes Mathew and Sammy drive all the way to Las Vegas to officiate Football games.  I mentioned Las Vegas yesterday when I wrote about how Mr. Steve's family was involved in the "Gaming" industry back in the early 1990's.  Gaming just sounds better than "Gambling."  

        Sammy Jr., and his younger sister Raqquel; live over there in Littlerock with their parents. Both are good Athletes like their parents were, and older brother still is.  Someday, if I get over my fear of riding in Cars; Daisy and I can go to Littlerock and meet their Dogs Tito and Ozzy.

        

                                                              "LLANO DEL RIO"   

   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                    

               

              I suddenly feel like writing more about that place "Llano del Rio," which I've mentioned a few times in these first two books.  It was a Socialist "Utopian" community that existed for only a few years at the beginning of the 20th century.  The only thing left of it are "Ruins" I guess.

          Daisy told me you can see Llano del Rio's ruins in the desert, as you drive by; on the north side of the #138 Highway.  Our boss sees them in going back and forth from Sylmar, or when he visits his brother Sam's family over there in Littlerock.  Libby's scent just came floating in.  

         I've mentioned that Aldous Huxley lived in Llano, and how Llano del Rio means "Plains of the River."  Llano del Rio worked for a while, but eventually failed; and our boss and his father think that's because most people want to "Own" things.  I own things like my rubber balls.

    

                                   STALIN / ROOSEVELT / CHURCHILL ("TEHRAN" / 1943)

                    

            That guy Winston Churchill, along with President Roosevelt and Joseph Stalin; is said to have "Saved the World" from Fascism.  Yet he joked about how Democracy is the, "Worst form of government, except for all the others."  A Train just whistled faintly over to my left. 

            Mr. Steve's dad thinks Winston Churchill's quote could equally be "Applied To" how one looks at Capitalism.  It's far from perfect, often lending itself to greed; but it's better than all the other economic systems.  Socialism like at Llano del Rio "really doesn't work" he thinks.  

           I've mentioned before about how one reason why Mr. Steve and his father prefer a mix of Capitalism and Socialism is because it creates a "competitive atmosphere" where a much bigger "Middle Class" is at least a possibility.  To Daisy and I that sounds pretty good alright.     

         

               THOMAS MORE (1478-1535)                   ALDOUS HUXLEY / GEORGE ORWELL

    

         Mr. Steve's dad thinks Winston Churchill's quote could apply to "Capitalism" too.  In book one yesterday I wrote about Thomas More's famous 16th century book called "Utopia."  Samson and Delilah are flying bye and are going in a northeasterly direction up there.                                 

         Yesterday I also wrote about how Utopia just means a, "better world of the future."  Aldous Huxley and George Orwell wrote 20th century "Dystopian" novels about "worse worlds of the    future."  Thomas More, Aldous Huxley and George Orwell were all Englishmen.                            

    Mr. Steve told Miss Susan, in a way, for many people like his parents; Los Angeles kind of symbolized a "Utopian hope."  But now, because of overcrowding, poverty and things like that; for many of  the people there it's become more of a "Dystopian reality."  Heathcliff just crowed.                      

 UTOPIA        

           

        One time Daisy and Millie heard him our boss tell Mr. Randy about a 1970's band from the city of Philadelphia called UTOPIA.  I guess, they started out as a "Progressive" Rock band; and Mr. Steve has some of their vinyl records.  The scent of Juniper just floated in from the field.        

       Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Randy how UTOPIA is mainly a guy named Todd Rundgren,  who sings and plays a few different musical instruments.  On one of the vinyl records he has blue and pink hair Daisy noticed.  Andy's sniffing the air to see if Goliath or Cher are around.             

         Hey!  I just thought of something!  As a "Gimmick," we could have a singing band made up of Dogs and Cats with our fur in different colors; and of course I'd want to be royal blue.  I'm pretty sure Daisy probably wouldn't ever want to be any color other than what she is now.                          

  NEW YORK DOLLS                                                ARTHHUR KANE        

                       

         Boy!  I'm tempted to write about a 1970's "Glam" band called the NEW YORK DOLLS but, I'd better just wait until tomorrow; when Daisy has me scheduled to do it.  Their Bassist,        Arthur Kane, who died; came out to California and became a Mormon.  I smell old Sage.              

       Daisy heard our boss talk with Mr. Doug about the NEW YORK DOLLS, and how their gimmick of dressing up like girls was copied during the 1980's right here in Los Angeles.  Todd    Rundgren "Produced" a NEW YORK DOLLS album I guess.  A Train just now whistled.            

          Anyway, I'll come back to this subject tomorrow in my third book, when I write about how the  NEW YORK DOLLS influenced later bands. 

  

"MERCER ARTS CENTER" COLLAPSES (NEW YORK CITY AUGUST 3, 1973)

     

But right now I'll go back to writing about "Capitalism versus Socialism."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye. 

                                                                                     

   KARL MARX (1818-1883) WITH WIFE        

                                           

          I've written about that Jewish German Writer Karl Marx.  Mr. Steve and his father read parts of his books the "Communist Manifesto," and "Das Kapital."  Both are about Capitalism    versus Socialism, and really did influence the 20th century; and are still doing so now too.             

         Mr. Steve's father thinks Capitalism can "lend itself" to greediness.  But, "at least it can allow for the creation of a bigger middle Class;" whereas in "all of the other" previous economic systems there "were very often" only two classes, rich and poor.  A Crow is cawing faintly.            

          Llano del Rio wasn't the only 20th century "Utopian" community in California.  In 1985 Lord, as You know; Mr. Steve's Tour Group visited that one Jewish "Kibbutz" near the Sea of      Galilee where You lived.  Daisy told me about how the 1960's "Hippies" had "Communes."                                      

"ZZYZX" ROAD      

              PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                         

                                       

           Since I mentioned Llano del Rio right now, I might as well also talk a little bit about this one other place called ""Zzyzx."  Dais says it's north of Piñon Hills, near the 15 Freeway on the way from California into Nevada; and is pronounced "Zei-Zix." Heathcliff just crowed.

           From what Daisy and Millie heard Miss Susan say one time, from 1944 through all of the way through 1974 Zzyzx was a "Health Resort."  People went there to feel better.  Hey!  I think we should start a Resort for us Dogs and maybe even make a little bit of money doing it. 

          Miss Susan said before 1944 Zzyzx was called "Soda Springs."  Some people  believe those Springs can cure you of sickness and other things like that.  Boy Blessed Mother!  Miss Babette and her family are so lucky to be able to visit You in "Fatima" over there in "Portugal."   

            

          DR. CURTIS SPRINGER (1896-1985)        

                       

             I just looked up Zzyzx and it says here how, in 1944 during World War II; it was started by a man named Curtis H. Springer.  He said he was a "Doctor" but we heard Miss Susan say how  some people think he was "nothing more than a quack."  I wonder what that means?  

        We should take Dais over there to Zzyzx and see if the water would help her Arthritis.  This is interesting.  I guess Curtis Springer and his wife picked the name Zzyzx as a "gimmick," so it would be the last name in any "directory;" and the "Last Word in Health."

       My Encyclopedia says Indians, Spanish explorers and the U.S. Army have "passed through" the area now called Zzyzx.  Mark Ritter who died knew about a prehistoric "Aha Macay" Indian Rock Quarry and their Rock Art near Zzyzx.  I can hear Dawn's barking next door.  

              

"PYRAMID" LAKE          

PHOTO BY JENNIFER ROGERS                    

             

         That Curtis Springer built an "Artificial" Lake at Zzyzx and "Stocked" it with "Tui Chub" which is the only "Native" Mojave Desert Fish.  I guess there are a few type of "Chub." But now the Chub Fish at Zzyzx is only found there so is what they call "Endangered."

        Daisy says, in the early 1980's; Steve's dad bought a Sylmar neighbor's "Speed" Boat.  They took it to "Castaic" and "Pyramid" Lakes, or "Reservoir's;" to "Water Ski" and Fish.  There's a big "Pyramid-Shaped" rock "formation" right in the middle of Pyramid Lake.  

        Someone told Mr. Steve Pyramid Lake has a type of Chub in it but, Miss Susan thinks that's probably not true; even though they do have "Bass" and "Trout" Fish there.  Mr. Steve's brother Rock likes to fish.  Dais says our boss has also been to "Nevada's" Pyramid Lake too.

  

                                                                    HUELL HOWSER 

         

          Dais told me about a Huell Howser episode she and Millie saw where he visited Zzyzx.  Mr. Steve's parents really liked watching that segment too according to what Mr. Steve's mom told him one time.  Boy!  The afternoon sunlight is making the colors seem way brighter today.

          I guess, from what Dais thinks; our boss noticed a "Scene" from Huell Howser's episode on Zzyzx.  Huell Howser, who died; was in the desert on a really hot day with the "Docent" who was giving the tour.  All of a sudden he seemed to realize why the Sun's often been "Worshiped."

         Hey God!  Someday I want to see some of Huell Howser's tv show's about California.  Dais says, out there at Zzyzx in the hot Sun; it may have "Dawned" on him why the ancient Egyptian Pharaoh "Akhenaten" worshiped You in the energy given to us by the Sun.  I smell Sage.

                                    

                               AKHENATEN (1353?-1336? B.C.) / WIFE NEFERTITI     

                                

         As I wrote in my first book God, that ancient Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten, and his wife named "Nefertiti;" are the first "known" people who worshiped just You instead of many other Gods at the same time.  Fannie and Freddie flew bye.  They're talking to each other.  

        I like this one painting in my Encyclopedia that shows Akhenaten and his wife with three of their daughters.  I notice how the Sun's rays, with cute little hands on the ends; are coming down on them.  I guess God that's supposed to represent You giving life.  I smell Mesquite. 

        Hey God!  Akhenaten totally replaced ancient Egypt's "Traditional" religion with a new one he and his wife thought of.  Of course that got a lot of people mad at him.  The caption below the painting says it was taken from a "Bas" Relief carving that was made during his lifetime.

                                              

       THREE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN "PERIODS"           

                          

              I've mentioned before how ancient Egyptian history is divided into three "Periods."  The "Old" Kingdom is when the three pyramids and the "Sphinx" at "Giza" were built.  Then, there was the "Middle" Kingdom; and finally the final "New" Kingdom.  Dawn was barking. 

           This Encyclopedia says Akhenaten "ruled" Egypt as part of the "18th Dynasty," during the New Kingdom.  His original "given" or "birth" name was "Amenhotep IV," or "Amenophis IV as the ancient Greeks called him.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye right now.  

           Hey God!  I guess, after that guy Akhenaten decided to change his name and "impose" his new religion on Egypt; he then built himself that city "Amarna."  Amarna replaced "Thebes" as the "Capitol" city.  That also got a lot of the other people really, really mad at him I guess.

          

                                                   ANCIENT EGYPTIAN PRIEST  

ARTWORK BY CRYSTALINK                        

                     

         Hey God!  Yesterday I wrote about how Akhenaten replaced the Egyptian "Polytheistic" religion of many Gods with his own "Monotheistic" religion of only You in the form of the Sun.  So all of the Egyptian Priests hated him for doing that.  Heathcliff is crowing.

         A good painting in this one Encyclopedia shows an ancient Egyptian Priest, who was said to "speak to the Gods;" explaining something to a Pharaoh.  Daisy saw a tv show about Akhenaten. It said that, back then in ancient Egypt; there were some female "Priestess's" too. 

         Because Akhenaten replaced their old religion the Priests totally hated him.  As I wrote in book one, his idea of "Worshiping" only You God may have "Influenced" the later Jews.  He and his wife wanted to worship only the "Aten," which basically just means You up there. 

                   

                                                                                     AKHENATEN'S "AMARNA"

 

            This Encyclopedia says that, during the almost twenty years where Akhenaten "Ruled" in Egypt; Amarna became the most import city in Egypt.  A painting shows Boats sailing in and out of Amarna's harbor.  And a good map shows where Amarna was located back then.   

          Hey God!  As of course You already know, there are times when the sun absorbs into me and I think I can feel You sink in.  So, I suppose if I were living during Akhenaten's time I'd probably want to believe in You as Aten.  I'm pretty sure Daisy would believe in that idea too.

       When it's so freezing cold up here in Piñon Hills during the Winter, Daisy and I sure "Look Forward" to Summer.  But in the Summer's blazing heat we appreciate cool weather.  I now like when Mr. Steve wets us with water on hot days, which Daisy enjoys because of her fur.                                                              

                                                 TUT ANKH AMEN ( 1342-1325 B.C.)

                 

             As I said yesterday in book one, someday I'll go in the Kitchen to see that one big "Glossy" picture of the Pharaoh "King Tut."  Dais told me our boss put it on the front freezer door of that amazing "Refrigerator" machine.  A little Garter Snake just crawled under Manny. 

         From what Dais heard our boss and his mom talking about on the phone one time, that big picture of King Tut is the lid covering the front of his coffin.  It's made of pure gold so has to be worth a lot of money Daisy thinks.  Mr. Steve's mom has a good book on King Tut. 

             Daisy told me that picture of King Tut's "Death Mask" is attached to the refrigerator with magnets our boss has acquired over the years.  Some of them were given to him by his old boss Steve Banks who died a few years ago.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now. 

                

                                      STEVE BANKS (1958-2009) WITH WIFE RONNA

                

              I've mentioned how Steve Banks is buried at a Jewish cemetery near "Mission Cemetery" where Mr. Steve's Grandmother's, sister Celina, Mr. Rick's son Gino are buried; and where his parents have "Crypts."  Ritchie Valens and his mom are really close to those crypts.  

         Steve Banks and his wife Ronna went on "Cruises" and sometimes brought back magnets as gifts for Mr. Steve, Babette, Julio, Karin and Miss Susan.  As I've mentioned, they also work for the company Steve Banks started and his wife and daughter "Lori" still run. 

        Daisy says our boss also has an Italian "Finger Puppet" Steve and Ronna bought for him.  It looks like that kid "Pinochio" and its arms, legs and head move if you push up on the bottom of the "Pedestal."   That then pulls on strings which are attached to the different parts.  

                                                

HOWARD CARTER (1874-1939)

       

        I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's mother is interested in "Archaeology."  So, she knows that British man Howard Carter, in 1922; "discovered" King Tut's Tomb.  She even has a good book about it Daisy says.  Some of the Ducks are quacking at something over there.               

         I like the painted black and white photo showing that guy Howard Carter working  on King Tut's coffin.  Yesterday I wrote about how Mr. Steve had a "Dark Room" at his  house in Sylmar on Hagar Street.  He sometimes painted "Silk" prints like the one of Howard Carter.                     

     It says here that King Tut "may" have been the son of Akhenaten and Nefretiti, and his real full name is "Tutankhamen;" which can be translated to mean "Living Image of Amun."  Amun was one of the main Egyptian God's Akhenaten replaced.  Three Finches just flew bye.                  

      

FINLEY

  PHOTO BY RON NIEBRUGGE               

           

            Oh!  I glanced up and see Finley the boy Finch over there sitting in that clump of Joshua trees he seems to like so much.  I knew I heard him chirping, and I'm beginning to recognize his  happy-sounding voice.  But still he's alone and hasn't found a girl Finch yet this year.                    

          Mr. Dave told our boss on the phone one time how he's noticed how the Finches back in New Mexico have a much "wider variety" of chirp than other Birds.  Like Daisy, he's also seen    boy Finches get brighter the next year if the don't get a girl.  Finley has faster chirps.                     

         So far, I haven't seen Finley being a part of any group of other Finches.  Daisy says Mr. Dave described Finches as being "social."  As I wrote yesterday, our boss says some Birds are like "schools" of Fish out there in the Ocean.  There's "Safety in Numbers" as they say.                                    

                            "SIR" FLINDERS PETRIE (1853-1942) WITH WIFE HILDA

                

           Yesterday I wrote about Howard Carter's "Mentor" named "Sir" Flinders Petrie.  He had a wife named "Hilda" who was a great partner in his Archaeology.  Flinders Petrie is now known for his "System" of using "Pottery" to "Date" things dug up from the ground.    

          This Encyclopedia says, when Akhenaten died; the Priests "regained" power and right away "re-imposed" the old polytheistic religion.  And one thing they did was try to "erase" anything to do with Akhenaten.  They tore Amarna down and made Thebes the capitol again.

        Over two thousand years later Flinders Petrie and his wife "Dug," or worked on; the "Site" where Akhenaten's city of Amarna had been located.  There wasn't very much left of it I guess.  It's called "Tel-el-Amarna" which, in Arabic; is how you say the word "Mound." 

NEFRETITI / ADOLPH HITLER

  

            In my first book I wrote about how, in the early 20th century; some German Archaeologists found a "Bust" of Akhenaten's wife Nefertiti at Tel-el-Amarna.  They took it back to Germany to put in a big Museum.  Mr. Steve has a few head and shoulder bust statues in the house.   

             Adolph Hitler became "Fuhrer," or leader of Germany in 1933; the same year as Franklin Roosevelt became the American President.  That was during the "Great Depression," when Mr. Steve's father was one; and two years before his mom was born.  I can smell the baby Cholla. 

            In the mid-1930's Egypt wanted Nefertiti's bust back but Hitler refused to return it because he really liked it.  As I wrote yesterday, there are some people who think he might've thought he was the "Reincarnated" Akhenaten.  Both of them were "Totalitarian Dictators."

                                                     

                                            "UMBRELLA" ART ("TEJON PASS" / 1991)

                     PHOTO BY WOLFGANG VOLZ          

                           

        I'm still thinking of the different southern California lakes.  Dais says, to get to Castaic and Pyramid Lakes; you drive north from Sylmar and up the "I-5" Freeway.  In 1991 Mr. Steve and  his mom drove even further north to see an amazing outdoor "Umbrella" art exhibit.                    

        Daisy told me how that outdoor umbrella art project in 1991 was created by this man named "Christo" and his wife "Jeanne-Claude."  They set up hundreds of big yellow umbrellas on hills  overlooking the "Interstate-5" Freeway.  Max the Hummingbird just now zoomed bye.                 

      I guess Christo and and his wife's umbrella art was put up near the "Tejon Pass," or what's called the "Grapevine" region.  That's where mountains turn into desert.  "Bakersfield," where  KORN and that Country Music Singer Buck Owens are from; is near that one region.                   

              

   1850'S U.S. ARMY "CAMEL EXPERIMENT"

           

         I've written about 1857; which was four years before the American Civil War.  In that year the huge 7.9 "Magnitude" earthquake happened near "Fort Tejon."  And later in that same year the U.S. Army brought all of those different Camels out here to Fort Tejon from Texas.                  

       I just thought of that guy William Wing Loring, who Mr. Steve did his Research Paper on in  College at C.S.U.N.  "Loring" was originally from the east coast of Florida, or "St. Augustine;"   "San Agustin" in Spanish.  He saw Camels lift and carry more weight than Horses or Mules.       

       Loring, as I've mentioned before; was a Confederate "Rebel" General during the American Civil War and later worked for the "Khedive" of Egypt after that.  But in the 1850's, before the war; he was in the U.S. Army.  That was also the same period as the "Camel Experiment."           

                                         

(CIVIL WAR)          WILLIAM WING LORING (1818-1886)        (EGYPT)                  

          

            As I've written, as a teenager William Wing Loring fought "Seminole" Indians in Florida and, in 1836; tried to go to Texas to fight Santa Anna's Mexicans.  In the 18550's, like John Bell Hood and George Thomas; he fought "Comanche'" there.  But in 1836 his father said no.             

        In 1847 Loring lost that left arm during the "Mexican War" when, in General Winfield Scott's American army; he was wounded capturing Mexico City.  After the Civil War, on General Sherman's recommendation, he went to Egypt.  He worked for the Ottoman Empire's Khedive.   

           It's interesting how Loring and Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie were both born on December the 4th.  I'll write more about Loring in my books, because he had an eventful life.  Besides being a Soldier for about fifty years, he was also a Lawyer and Politician back there in Florida.                                                        

         PROFESSOR JAMES SEFTON (C.S.U.N.) 

          PHOTO BY LEE CHOO

       

     Yesterday I wrote about Dr. James Sefton, who was Mr. Steve's College "Professor" for the "Pro-Seminar" class.  That was the "semester-long" class where Mr. Steve wrote about the life of that guy William Wing Loring.  Now some of the other Ducks are quacking too.                              

      Daisy says Professor Sefton told our boss he was born up north in the city of San Francisco.  But, when he was about five years old; his father died and he and his mom moved down here to    Los Angeles.  Samson and Delilah are flying out into the eastern desert right now.                           

      As I said in book one, Professor Sefton was friendly but at times kind of abrupt too.  Just like Grandma Córdova, and Claire Rothman who ran the Forum in the 1980's; he was what they call "Firm but Fair."  All three of them would be described as being "Straight Shooters."                    

      PROFESSOR SEFTON                                         MISS EMILY                

         As I said yesterday, Professor Sefton was "Ph.D" Doctor from U.C.L.A.; where Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily works.  He began teaching in 1965, when Mr. Steve was ten and C.S.U.N was called " San Fernando Valley State College."   Wow!  That's almost fifty years!                               

       One time Daisy and Millie were inside of our boss's Office and heard him talk on the phone with Mr. Ralph.   Mr. Ralph knows about Professor Sefton, but has never met him.  I guess, one    time Professor Sefton told Mr. Steve he graduated from Hollywood High School.                             

       Daisy says our boss enjoys talking to Professor Sefton.  Usually it's by phone but every once in a while they meet in his office like the 1970's.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph Professor Sefton, who is like Sister Rita Joseph in being "Intellectually Curious;" is a good photographer.                                         

KORN

                             

         Fort Tejon, where they brought those Camels; is near Bakersfield where that one band KORN are from.  I want to see KORN'S Video for their song "Freak on  a Leash," which Daisy says has singing in it our boss called "scatting."  His one customer called it ""beat boxing."          

           I guess Mr. Steve hasn't heard many KORN songs, but "can tell" their three piece guitar, bass and drums are good.  Mr. Rich says the Bassist at times uses a "slapping," or "percussive" style; which "Flea" from the RED HOT CHLI PEPPERS does too.  I can smell Manzanita.          

          Hey Lord!  Dais told me our boss was told KORN'S bass and guitar players believe in You just like Alice Cooper does.  The Guitarist's tattoo, from the Book of Mathew 11:28 says; "Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."  Oh!  I like that!                                                 

                       "INUIT" PEOPLE                                   INUIT "THROAT SINGERS"                                                                                                 

          Yesterday when I wrote about KORN I forgot to mention a tv show Daisy saw about those "Inuit" or "Eskimo" Indians who live in freezing cold weather way up there to the north.  It said the girl Inuit's do "Throat" singing.  Dais says she and Millie felt "Rhêma" on hearing it.             

         Our boss told Mr. Dave throat singing is "guttural," the Inuit girls use their voices kind of like a musical instrument.  Daisy said on that scatting or beatboxing part of Freak on a Leash it sort of sounds like throat singing.  All four of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral going east.      

      The tv show said a mothers "inhaling and exhaling" throat singing to babies held tight to their chest keeps them "warm and comfortable."  Daisy said Millie thought the way those Inuit girls sing is "hypnotic" at times.  It's not word but just sounds that make the baby feel good.        

                                                       

ROCKY JR. / MISS AMBER

       

         I've mentioned before how, back there in Texas where he lives in the city of "Arlington;" Mr. Steve's Nephew Rocky Jr. is a talented "Tattoo Artist."  He has a good job, and "Makes a Living" doing it.  Smelling the Manzanita right now suddenly reminds me of last Summer.            

         As I've written before, Mr. Steve's Nephew Rocky Jr. has this girlfriend named "Amber."  Daisy heard our boss and his brother Rock discuss on the phone how she's a good "Beautician,"  and both she and Rocky Jr. seem to have good "Business Sense."  Heathcliff just crowed.            

         Ah!  A cool breeze just blew in some fresh air from out in the desert and that's making the chimes hanging down from the Patio roof ring.  Holy Spirit!  That makes me want to believe it    might be You hanging around here again today.  Boy!  The sky is so bright blue right now.                       

 "CRUCIFIXION"

    

         Hey Lord!  Even though we know some people think it's totally dumb to believe You died for us down here in Piñon Hills, Daisy and I don't care.  Believing in You makes us feel so much    better, especially when we feel kind of sad or depressed.  Heathcliff just crowed.                              

           Oh!  The chimes hanging from the Patio roof just began to ring because a stiff breeze blew in from the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  I sure hope that's You Holy Spirit and I think it is because a happy feeling is coming into me.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.                  

        Glancing up from down here sitting on Elvira, I see two "Crisscrossed" vapor trails up in the high blue sky.  Both of my nostrils just detected the strong scent of the Twin Joshua trees out there in the desert.  It came in on that strong breeze which is making the chimes ring.                    

              

STEVIE RAY VAUGHN (1954-1990)    

            

         Tomorrow I'll write about Guitarists Mr. Steve has seen.  One time, at the L.A. "Sports Arena" downtown; he and Harriet saw Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck.  Stevie Ray Vaughn      died in a Helicopter crash about a week later.  Daisy says he can even play behind his back.           

            Hey Lord!  Dais says Stevie Ray Vaughn told the audience You helped him quit drinking and taking drugs.  I guess those guys in KORN feel the same.  Mr. Steve's family are so proud of  how our boss's brother Sam's wife Yolanda has helped him stay "Sober" for all these years.          

           That Guitarist Stevie Ray Vaughn was from Dallas, Texas.  I've mentioned how Arlington, where Mr. Steve's brother Rock lives with his sons Rocky Jr. and Jacob; is in between Dallas and Fort Worth.  That one other band called PANTERA is also from the Dallas area too.                                                                                                               

                 JIMMY PAGE                          BILLY ZOOM                               BRIAN MAY               

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          Mr. Steve thinks Guitarists, like LED ZEPPELIN'S Jimmy Page, QUEEN'S Brian May or X'S Billy Zoom; make it look easy going back and forth playing "Rhythm or Lead." He's played people Stevie Ray Vaughn's "Scuttle Buttin" as a good example.  Randy Rhodes did that.              

           I can't wait for tomorrow when I write in more detail about the best Guitarists Mr. Steve has seen play.  In the 1970's Mr. Steve, Sandy and their friends saw that guy Randy Rhodes do      concerts and rehearse for QUIET RIOT, down there in Van Nuys.  I can smell Blinky.                   

          Daisy saw a tv show about QUEEN'S Brian where he said he admired that Irish Guitarist Rory Gallagher.  Mr. Steve and Sandy saw both play.  Daisy thinks Brian May and his dad must be smart in being able to build his red girl guitar.  I smell Rosie standing next to Dawn.                 

                                                                  

                                                           JEANE-CLAUDE / CHRISTO   

                                         

                I just now suddenly thought of that guy Christo and his wife Jeane-Claude again.  Daisy heard Miss Susan say she was "jealous" of Mr. Steve and his mom because they got to see their 1991 outdoor "environmental" or "kinetic" umbrella art.  I smell some Creosote.

           Christo was "Bulgarian" while his wife, born on the same day he was in 1935; was from French "Morocco."  Mr. Steve's mother was also born in 1935 too.   I wrote in book on how the ROLLING STONES' Keith Richards and Bobby Keyes were born on the same day.    

           Like Mr. Steve's parents, Christo and his wife have been together for over fifty years.  I've written how "Zeitgeist" is German for "Spirit of the Times" and has been used to describe their art.  Their "raison d' être," French for "Reason to Be;" is their "Communal" art. 

        

                                                                                              MR. DOUG / MISS SUSAN 

                Daisy says many years later our boss found out that Mr. Doug and Miss Susan also drove up there in 1991 to see Christo and his wife's umbrella art.  I've mentioned a few times how Miss Susan, who died; was very artistic.  Just like Mr. Steve's mom, she made "Crafts." 

                 A Bunny Rabbit just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to hop out into the back desert.  As often happens with Bunny Rabbits, because they can stay so still; you don't even notice them until they move.  Sometimes Daisy and I smell them before seeing them.

                 Boy!  Someday I'd like to try to make some crafts the way Mr. Steve's mother used to do with her Girl Scout troops.  And, as I've said before; if I turned out to be good at it then maybe I could teach other Dogs to do it too.  We could make money by having a Dog art school!

                                      

                             ALBUQUERQUE "BALLOON FESTIVAL" (OCTOBER)      

                        

            I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's parents are from New Mexico.  For some reason writing about Christo and his wife's umbrella art makes me think about the "Hot Air" Balloon events that take place in October near the city of Albuquerque.  The sky is so blue.

        I'd be afraid to go up in a Balloon but I've said before how Daisy would like to fly around like Underdog.  Mr. Steve told Miss Susan he thinks October is New Mexico's best weather.  I've said a few times how Mr. Steve's brother Rock and Niece Cristina were born in October. 

       Dais says our boss met a man who flew a Balloon in New Mexico.  He'd like to go to Turkey to fly a Balloon in "Cappadocia" or "Anatolia."  That's where they have these amazing soft rock or "Sandstone Towers" that, over thousands of years; have pushed up from ground. 

                                          

                                            "CAPPADOCIA" ("ANATOLIA," TURKEY)

                              

           Oh wow!  A picture shows how those soft rock "Spires" in Turkey lifted up hard stones on top of them.  The caption calls them "Hoodoos" or "Tent Rocks" and other names for them are "Fairy Chimneys" or "Earth Pyramids.  I smell one of the older Mesquite bushes.

          Hey Lord!  I guess, in Cappadocia; early Christians carved "networks" of tunnels to hide from Romans and later Muslims trying to "kill or enslave" them.  Herodotus wrote about them.  Daisy told me how that guy Rick Steves flew in a Balloon when he visited Turkey. 

        This Encyclopedia says Hoodoos are "tall, thin rock formations" that "protrude" out of the ground.  In book three Daisy has me scheduled to write more about the last "Ice Age" that I've mentioned a few times already.  So I'll also learn about the "Great Lakes" too.  

            "GOBLIN VALLEY" (UTAH)                                "ADOBE TOWN"  (WYOMING)

 

         Wow!  Pictures in this Encyclopedia show Hoodoos in the U.S.   Mr. Steve's customer in the State of Wyoming knows about Hoodoos and said the ones near him were "eroded" by wind and water over thousands of years, leaving harder rocks on top.  A Duck is quacking. 

        As I've written before, the last Ice Age ended about 10,000 B.C.  And that's when the people who were later called American Indians crossed the Bering Strait from Siberia into the area now called Alaska.  Then they "Migrated" southward down into North and South America.

       The gigantic "Glaciers" that covered up North America had blocked the Siberians for a long time.  But when they melted and "Receded" it allowed people to enter into what after the time of Christopher Columbus was called the "New World.  A little Finch just flew bye.

            

                                      "LORETTO" CHAPEL (SANTA FE, NEW MEXICO)

          

            Writing about the New Mexico Balloon Festivals makes me think of the "Loretto" Chapel in the city of Santa Fe.  Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk on the phone about it and I guess it's a "Gothic" style Catholic "Chapel" built in the late 19th century.  I smell Sage. 

           When Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited their Uncle "Gil's" family in Albuquerque they went to see the Loretto Chapel.  It's now famous for a "Spiral" or "Helix" shaped staircase inside.  Two of the Pigeons just flew back in and landed up there on the Patio roof.  

             Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Dave, who I guess is a pretty good Carpenter; that the spiral staircase in the Loretto Chapel was made without using nails.  Maybe it's built so well that "Gravity" just holds everything "In Place" as they say?  I smell those Pigeons.

                                                                    

                                                    RELATIVES IN NEW MEXICO

             I mentioned in book one how Mr. Steve's father is the oldest of five kids and his brother Gil is the second oldest.  As I said yesterday, Uncle Gil and Aunt "Nellie's" kids are named "Joy" and "Gil Jr."  The Pigeons are walking around and cooing up there on the roof above me.

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave that time how he and his brother Rock both have good memories of visiting New Mexico when they were growing up.  Mr. Steve says that the first time he ever fired a gun was at his Uncle "Casey's" house in Jarales.  I smell the Pigeons.

            As I wrote in my first book, Uncle Casey and Aunt "Ruth's" kids are named "Randy," "Doreen," "Shirley" and "Casey Ray."  Except for Casey Ray, they all had kids and are good parents.  It makes me feel good seeing the shadows of the Pigeons walking up there.

                                                           

                      LEW WALLACE (1827-1905)                HENRY MCCARTY / BILLY "THE KID" (1859-1881)

    

            In Santa Fe Daisy says our boss and his brother also saw the "Governor's Palace," where in the 1870's as New Mexico's "Territorial Governor;" that guy Lew Wallace's family stayed.  He wrote "Ben Hur" there.  Billy the Kid fought in the "Lincoln County War" in that period.  

          My Encyclopedia says Lew Wallace was from "Indiana" and, as I've written about; was a General during the American Civil War.   Oh!  He was was born on April the 10th, and died on the 15th of February.  The Pigeons are now flying back out into the desert behind the Sheds. 

          Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's former girlfriend Emily was born on April the 9th while his other girlfriend Harriet's birthday is February 19th.  Boy! I sure do wish I could figure out a way to know what my birthday is.  Dawn's barking. 

                            

                 AUSTIN / SUSAN /DALTON                            RICH / CRISTINA / MR. STEVE'S PARENTS 

        

           I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton back in Connecticut was born on February the 11th.  Our boss's dad's birthday is February the 23rd, and Grandma Cordova's was the 24th.  Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich was born on February 16.

                My Encyclopedia says that man Lew Wallace's father was Indiana's Governor and they both were Lawyers.  One time Daisy heard our boss talking on the phone to Mr. Grant, who's a Lawyer too; and they discussed Lew Wallace.  Benjamin the black Cow Bird just ran bye.       

                 I guess, when the Civil War broke out back in 1861; Lew Wallace was made a General by the Governor of Indiana.  But at the "Battle of Shiloh" Mr. Steve has read that he got to the fight late on the first day but did good on the second day.   I can smell the baby Cholla cactus.

 

                                           "BATTLE OF SHILOH" (APRIL 6-7, 1862)

PAINTING BY THURE DE THULSTRUP        

      

                 Earlier today I mentioned the Battle of Shiloh and how it was that guy Ulysses S. Grant who led the Union troops.  At that point, April of 1862; I guess the war had been going for about a year.   That "Western" Theater battle was one of the bloodiest battles of the war.

               Mr. Steve thinks Lew Wallace was made a "scapegoat" for how bad the first day went at Shiloh.  It's also called the "Battle of Pittsburgh Landing."  General Grant sent Lew Wallace an order which somehow was misunderstood or never arrived.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

              Daisy says today they have Radio's to send messages on a battlefield but, back in the mid-19th century; they still had to write out the messages.  And then, you still have to send them to be delivered and hope the messages "Get Through" as they say.  I like Heathcliff's voice. 

   

                               ADOLPH HITLER (1ST COMPANY BAVARIAN "LIST" REGIMENT)

   

                 I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how that guy Adolph Hitler was what's called a "Dispatch Runner" in World War I.  His job was to deliver messages because, like at the Battle of Shiloh; there weren't Radios used then.  Hitler earned two "Iron Crosses."

            Boy!  Whenever I look at the pictures of Adolph Hitler from the time he served in World War I his Dog "Fuchsl" always catches my attention.  Yesterday I mentioned how Hitler and the men in his company named that Dog.  In German Fuchsl just means "Little Fox." 

            That Fuchsl looks like a brave Dog!  Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Randy on the phone one time how Fuchsl, and all of the drawings Hitler did; were stolen during the war.  I just saw Rudy the Roadrunner use the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the desert. 

          

                      BRITISH UNITS                      WORLD WAR I               GERMAN "LANCER"

        

          As I've said, in the First World War Hitler trimmed his "Handlebar" mustache back into the form everyone knows.  And he did it so a "Gas Mask" would fit better on his face.  Even then toward the end of the war he was gassed and went temporarily blind.  I smell Sage.  

          Back in 1862 at the Battle of Shiloh Mr. Steve read the "Courier" taking General Grant's written message delivered it to another Officer who then lost it.  So, there was a "Mix Up" about which road to take in getting to the battlefield.  Plus, all of the roads were muddy.

                I've mentioned how, during the Civil War; both sides had "West Point" educated Officers who didn't like "Appointed Political Generals" like Lew Wallace.  Even though Lew Wallace had been a soldier during the Mexican War but never saw combat.  He was mainly a Lawyer. 

                                                                          HENRY W. HALLECK (1815-1872)                ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885)

               Daisy says our boss thinks it wasn't Lew Wallace's fault for what happened on the first day at Shiloh.  But General Grant's "Western Theater" boss Henry Halleck blamed Wallace.   It was easier to criticize Lew Wallace than it was to hold a West Point graduate "Liable."

           I guess for the rest of the Civil War, until 1864 when a Rebel army under Jubal Early tried to capture Washington D.C.; Lew Wallace didn't see much combat.  But his outnumbered troops held off Jubal Early and saved the city.  Oh!  They did it on July 9th, our boss's birthday. 

         Abraham Lincoln was killed by John Wilkes Booth on April 14, 1865.  On April 9 Robert E. Lee, to end the war; had surrendered his army to General Grant at "Appomattox."  I've written a few times how Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily's birthday is on April the 9th too. 

       LINCOLN "CONSPIRATORS" HUNG                         HENRY WIRZ (1823-1865)

WASHINGTON D.C. / JULY 7, 1865)                                                 ("ANDERSONVILLE" PRISON)    

           Oh!  This is so interesting.  According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, that guy Lew Wallace was one of the Judges at the 1865 trial of the four "conspirators" who helped John Wilkes Booth assassinate President Lincoln.  They were hanged on July the 7th. 

           During the Civil War many Union prisoners were "Held" at a place down in the State of Georgia called "Andersonville" Prison.  I guess a lot of them ended up dying of starvation and disease.  Andersonville's "Camp Commander" had been named Henry Wirz.

           Mr. Steve wonders if part of Henry Wirz's problem at Andersonville Prison was he barely had enough food for his own men, "Let Alone" the prisoners.  With his side losing in the war, he had the bad luck to have been "in the wrong place at the wrong time."  He was Swiss.                                  

                                                "BEN HUR"  CHARIOT RACE SCENE

   

                Yesterday I wrote about how one of Mr. Steve's favorite Actors is that guy named Charlton Heston.  In 1959, when Mr. Steve was four and his brother Rock two; Charlton Heston was in the movie "Ben Hur" which was based on Lew Wallace's book.  Heathcliff just crowed.

                 I can't wait for the time when I'm not afraid to go all of the way down the Hallway in the house so, like Daisy; I can see things like that movie Ben Hur.  I wrote in book one about all the Chariot Race scenes Daisy described.  Ah!  I can smell Libby over there to my right.  

          As I wrote yesterday, Daisy thinks; if our boss could use Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" time machine he might just go back to talk to that guy Billy "The Kid."  For some reason she says, it seems like he identifies with with him somehow.   People "Picked" on Billy the Kid. 

            

                                   HENRY MCCARTY (A.K.A. WILLIAM BONNEY)     

            

          In the late 1870's that bloody "Lincoln County War" took place in New Mexico Territory.  I've mentioned before how Billy the Kid fought in it and his real name was Henry McCarty.  He and his brother came to America from Ireland with their mom, who died really young. 

          Daisy says our boss read about Lew Wallace's wife "Susan" who was just as smart as her husband he thinks.  She was a writer too and Lew Wallace "Illustrated" her books.  As the U.S. "Ambassador" to the "Ottoman" Turkish Court in the 1880's she went with him.

         Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how the name Susan is important in Mr. Steve's life.  Not only is his sister named Susan, but so is the girl at work who he trained to be a sales person.  And there's Miss Susan who used to run our local Newspaper "News Plus."

                                                  

           "MINISTER" TO TURKEY  (1881-1885)                      SUSAN WALLACE (1830-1907)

        

                I guess Mr. Ralph knows a lot about that guy Lew Wallace and his wife too.  Daisy heard our boss talking on the phone with him and they discussed how Susan Wallace, who was one of eight kids in a "Quaker" family; "Edited" her husband's books.  I smell some Sage.

               According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, after Lew Wallace was finished as "Minister" to Turkey; his wife wrote about their travels.  This customer back in Indiana told our boss she also wrote about their time in New Mexico Territory.  Sage makes me feel good.

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone how that lady Susan Wallace was a good Singer and even played a few musical instruments too.  And her husband built their own violins and things like that.  From what it says right here, the Wallace's had just one son.

        

                                                  WILLIAM WING LORING (IN EGYPT)

 

                 William Wing Loring, based on who Mr. Steve wrote about in College; worked for Egypt's "Khedive" from 1866 through 1879.  At that time Egypt was still part of the Ottoman Turkish Empire.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.

           My Encyclopedia says Lew Wallace was the U.S. "representative" to Turkey from 1881 through 1885.  So, that means he probably never met Loring.  Tomorrow in my third book I'll be learning a lot about World War I so will find out about Ottoman Turkey ending. 

              In 1985 Lord, when they were traveling on bus's to see all the different things over there in Israel, Mr. Steve and the Tour Guide Chaim talked about Lew Wallace.  Chaim had heard of him but not that much.  He went home and looked he and his wife up in his Encyclopedias.  

                                              

"CRUCIFIXION"    

     

               Hey Lord!  Thank You for letting the Romans and Jewish Sanhedrin in Jerusalem kill You for our sakes.  Daisy says she can tell from when she and Millie watched that movie Ben Hur how Lew Wallace knew a lot about Your life.   Boy!  I want to see that Charlton Heston movie.

           Mr. Ralph knew that Susan Wallace "finished" writing her husband's "Autobiography" after he died before completing it.  Then she died soon afterward.   Oh!  That sounds kind of like how Ulysses S. Grant finished writing his own "Memoirs" and then died right away.

           I just thought about this "Hyundai" Car named "Santa Fe," which Daisy heard our boss talk about on the phone with that customer in Georgia who I mentioned this morning.  Hyundai is mainly a Korean company but they build the Santa Fe in Georgia.  I smell Mesquite. 

  

                                                                                        2014 HYUNDAI "SANTA FE"

            Daisy says the Santa Fe is one of those "Sports Utility Vehicles," or "S.U.V." for short.  In 2014 there are two versions from what the Hyundai Parts Manager back there in Georgia said.  I know Daisy, because her favorite color is red; would like the picture in my Encyclopedia.   

                  That Hyundai S.U.V. really was named after the city in New Mexico according to what the Parts Manager said.  Mr. Steve told him about the times he visited Santa Fe.  Daisy says that guy said someday he'd sure like to bring his wife and kids out here to see the "Southwest."

            Our boss and his mom one time talked about going to the annual Belén "Fiesta's," which are always in August just like her birthday.  I guess a lot of towns in New Mexico have Fiestas.  I think we should have Dog Fiesta celebrations here in Piñon Hills, and maybe make money.  

  

2014 FORD "FIESTA"

       

                    According to what Daisy overheard our boss and one of his customers talking about, the Ford company makes a small Car called a "Fiesta."  I guess it's even smaller than our Barny up there in the front yard.  All four of the Pigeons are now flying right over Libby's Corral.

             Oh wow!  Those Fiesta's must be small because here in this Encyclopedia it says they're in the "Supermini" class of Cars.  The Parts Manager told our boss how they've been out since 1976, when Mr. Steve and Sandy were going to Valley College.  Heathcliff just crowed.       

           Hey Lord!  I agree with Daisy in thinking it's interesting how that guy Lew Wallace wrote a "Novel" where You were a "Background" character in the story.  Mr. Steve likes his book but prefers the Charlton Heston movie better.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye.

              

            TURQUOISE                          SANTA FE                 ART/ JEWELRY MART         

             TURQUOISE LADY / RED RIVER                                                                                        PHOTO BY LYNETTE MCDANIEL                   

         

        One time Daisy heard our boss's mom talking on the phone about jewelry they have.  Mr. Steve told her he still has the silver watch his father gave him, with the "Turquoise" on it; but he never wears things like that.  Daisy says turquoise is kind of bluish green, or greenish blue.           

         Mr. Steve's parents have walked around Santa Fe, and even bought a few things at the area where the Indian's sell their beautiful art.  Daisy says she can tell Mr. Dave, since going to live in New Mexico; has learned a lot about "Pueblo" Indian culture.  Heathcliff just now crowed.          

      Daisy heard our boss's mom say she read a book which talked about the "atmosphere and ambience" of Santa Fe.  They also talked about the blue sky in Spring, which others have said      was like what that guy Van Gogh was attracted to in southern France.  Hens are clucking.                                               

GEORGIA O' KEEFE (1887-1986)

PAINTING BY MICHAEL A. VACCARO             

                   

                  Mr. Steve's sister Susan took their mom to that Georgia O'Keefe museum, where a lady they met mentioned the "New Mexico sunlight."  Mr. Dave says he likes the smell of Piñon wood burning.  Mr. Steve's parents like Santa Fe's mixture of Spanish and Native influences.

            Daisy told me, Santa Fe blended some "Pueblo" Indian style with buildings from the time when New Mexico was a "Territory;" before becoming a State in 1912.  Mr. Dave says he's come to love the green Springtime grass on the hills in New Mexico.  Frida and Diego flew bye.

            I guess, Mr. Steve sold some things to a man from "Hobbs," a city near the border of New Mexico and Texas.  He said he really misses New Mexico's "Cottonwood" trees, and the "yellow chamisa bushes."  Daisy told me she heard Mr. Dave one time called chamisa a "shrub."     

               

                        "ACOMA" PUEBLO                               

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA          

         

                Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Dave his Uncle Gil and Aunt Nelly for a time had a house with all of the modern, but made to look on the outside like a Pueblo.   Mr. Steve told his mom he remembers a bright orange Summer sunset he saw there one time.  Dawn's barking.

           I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how the Spanish "Colonized" or settled New Mexico in 1598.  Santa Fe began in 1610, and my Encyclopedia says it's the "oldest capitol city" of any American State.  That was even before those "Pilgrims" landed in "Plymouth."

          That big "Nuevo Mejico" Indian revolt happened in 1680, but the Spanish took the area back thirteen years later; when the first known "Córdova" is documented.   Hey Lord!  I guess the people of New Mexico have always liked Your ideas.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.   

                                 

                                                                                          FATHER AND SON     

             

           Hey Lord!  You know how Daisy and I have wondered if You were a "Carpenter" who knew how to work with wood because Your dad taught You what to do.  Hey God!  Thank You so much for creating wood.  Boy!  How could anyone have even thought of how to make pencils?

           I don't know why but, for some reason; writing about wood makes me suddenly think about the subject of "Gospel" music.  Yesterday I wrote a little bit about that Singer James Brown who was from the State of "Georgia."  Fannie and Freddie are flying back out into the desert.

        Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone one time he thought James Brown not only "influenced" Gospel music, he also "made an impression" on "Soul" and "Funk" Musicians as well.  Mr. Steve thinks he was "at least" as good a Dancer as that guy Michael Jackson was.  

         

    JAMES BROWN(1933-2006)                      MICHAEL JACKSON (1958-2009)

    

            Someday I really look forward to seeing Michael Jackson doing his dance where he goes backwards.  Daisy says it kind of does look like someone might be able to dance, if they were up there on the Moon with no "Gravity."  Some of Heathcliff's Hens are clucking over there.

                 Daisy thinks the best Dancer she and Millie ever saw was AC /DC's  Angus Young, who in some songs dances by skipping or hopping along as still keeps on playing his guitar.  One time he even did a backwards Native American type dance.  And all the time he plays good guitar.

           According to what Dais told me, that one guy from the 1950's named Chuck Berry used to do a dance people said was imitating how a Duck walks.  He also plays his guitar while doing it. Daisy says Stevie Ray Vaughn can play guitar behind his back and sing at the same time too. 

                    

                ROSETTA THARPE(1915-1973)                                     CHUCK BERRY   

       

         Oh what the heck!  Even though Daisy and I agreed I'd mainly learn about Gospel music tomorrow, I feel like doing it now too.  Daisy says Chuck Berry admitted his guitar playing and    dancing was influenced by that lady Rosetta Tharpe.  I mentioned her earlier this morning.          

         Dais says the tv show she saw about Gospel music talked about "Sister" Rosetta Tharpe's "lively and energetic" performances.  She was around during the 1930's Great Depression and    then later after World War II.  Samson and Delilah are coasting bye, going toward the east.          

         This morning I mentioned how there are two what they call "Strains" of Gospel music.  In the first type that one 18th century Protestant Christian guy John Newton wrote his famous song "Amazing Grace."  That style of Gospel music began and continued on in white communities.     

           

                18TH CENTIRY "SLAVE TRADE"       JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807)        18TH CENTURY "SLAVE SHIP"

      

                 I wrote earlier how that English guy John Newton, as a boy "Went to Sea" as they say.  He was captured and made a Slave by some black Africans but was rescued, and later became a "Captain" of some Slave Ships himself.  I love the wig he's wearing in the painting of him.

            Hey Lord!  Daisy told me how the tv show mentioned how John Newton didn't believe in You, but when he did became one of those "Abolitionists" I've written about before.  I guess, the tv show said he died just a few months after Slavery was ended in England.  Dawn's barking.

           Daisy says the man on the tv show talked about how after the Civil War at one of those Colleges set up for the newly freed black people; a singing group was started.  My Encyclopedia says the school was called "Fisk" University.  I smell Blinky and Rosie standing near Dawn.                              

"FISK JUBILEE SINGERS" (1870'S)           

             

               A picture shows the "Jubilee Singers," who the caption says were one of those "Acapella" groups I've talked about before; where there are no musical instruments and only singing alone.  If Dawn and I ever started a howling band that's what we'd probably be.   I like Dawn.   

          Hey Blessed Mother!  Someday I'll hear STEELLEYE SPAN'S acapella Latin Christmas song "Gaudette," about You giving birth to our Lord.  My Dictionary says "jubilee" means, "A time of rejoicing and happiness," while "gaudette" is "to rejoice."  I like Blinky's smell.  

              Wow!  It says here those Jubilee Singers, who were "mixed race Mullato's" from the State of "Tennessee;" went to England and got to sing for Queen Victoria herself.  I guess, those songs they sang for her are called  "Spirituals."  Two of the Pigeons are flying over the desert.   

                   

  "PENTECOSTALISM"        

             

                 Hey Lord!  Daisy told me the tv show said how, at the end of the 19th century; that type of Protestant Christianity called "Pentecostalism" began.  I guess they believe in a "Personal" experience with You, Your Father; and especially You too Holy Spirit.  Daffy's quacking.

             According to what Dais heard Holy Spirit, Pentecostalists see a lot of importance on that time You came down to Earth; or "Descended" on the Apostles.  They sing a lot at their religions ceremonies Daisy noticed.  Now Donald and Daisy, and some other Ducks too; are quacking.

            It says here there are two main types of Pentecostals now.  Daisy says one time Mr. Ralph told our boss he's noticed lately how it seems like some of the Mexican immigrants are joining Pentecostal churches these days.  Blackbird and Anne Bonny are flying toward the east.     

            

THE "GOOD NEWS"  /  "HEALING"        

                

                 Hey Lord!  As You know of course, Daisy was the one who told me the word "Gospel" is Greek for the "Good News."  Hey God!  She noticed on the tv show when that black lady told this other guy, for her family; Your love is "healing."  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.

            Dais also thought about it Lord when, the man said for him a belief in You and "what You represent;" is a "conviction."  One time Mr. Steve met a smart older lady from "Pacoima," and she knew a lot about the history of what she called "spiritual" music.  I see Andy over there.

            Our boss met the lady at the newer, bigger Sylmar Library.  She thought, back in the 19th century; African influence on spiritual music "scared white people."  So now she said, instead of using drums; people "clap instead."  Andy's sniffing the air right now, and looking all around.

                

       CHARLES ALBERT TINDLEY (1851-1933)           

                

            Daisy says the tv show mentioned a man named Charles Albert Tindley, who's father was a Slave.  I notice, he was born before the Civil War; and died the same year President Roosevelt and Adolph Hitler came into power. Mr. Steve's father was just one year old back in 1933.

            It says here what the tv show said too, how that guy Charles Albert Tindley was called the "Prince of the Preachers."  He was a "self-educated" Methodist "Minister," and Daisy says he was "so smart" he also taught himself "Hebrew" and "Greek" too.  I smell Andy over there.

            I guess, Charles Albert Tindley was not only a "Cleric;" he also wrote Gospel songs too.  Mr. Steve and the lady at the Library talked about how his songs, like "Stand By Me," and "We Shall Overcome; were used in the 1960's "Civil Rights" movement.  Andy's looking at me.

                

CALIFORNIA HIGH MOJAVE DESERT           

                 

            I've mentioned before how our boss and his father don't enjoy singing like most other people seem to do.  Mr. Steve doesn't even like singing during the Catholic Mass, preferring the reciting of prayers; or listening to one of those "Sermons."  Boy!  I feel so good right now.

           Daisy says the tv show on Gospel music mentioned, in the 1920's; Charles Albert Tindley's type of songs became a "Style."  By then a lot of black people had moved out of the South, and had settled in big cities.  Charles Albert Tindley lived for most of his life in "Philadelphia."

          The lady at the Library told our boss 1920's Gospel music "adapted" to blacks living  in cities instead of "Agrarian" or "Rural" areas.  She said Charles Tindley became "Pastor" of a Church where he'd worked as one of those "Janitors."  Oh!  His wife was named "Daisy."           

       

                       WASHINGTON D.C. (1920'S)             K.K.K.             "BIRTH OF A NATION" (1915)                        

       

               Mr. Steve and the lady at the Library talked about how, back in the 1920's when Charles Tindley was writing his songs; the "Ku Klux Klan" were really popular.  And, as I wrote earlier, there were a lot of people here in California who were in the "K.K.K."  Dawn's barking.

            In 1915, with World War I going on; that "Silent" movie "Birth of a Nation" came out.  Charles Tindley was in a march protesting it, when a white "Mob" beat up he and many of the other demonstrators too Dais heard.  Daisy likes that one BLACK SABBATH about a mob.

            I just looked up this other man named Thomas A. Dorsey, who I guess was influenced by that guy Charles Tindley's music.  Wow!  He's called the "Godfather of Gospel."  Libby's over  there walking around slowly, near the back of her Corral; where Primavera Road goes bye.       

         

    THOMAS A. DORSEY (1899-1993)    

    

                 Hey Lord!  Daisy says the lady at the Library told our boss what it mentioned on the tv show too.  Thomas Dorsey had been a "Secular" music when he became a "Baptist," and then he just "Adapted" Blues and Jazz to do Gospel music.  Libby's scent just floated in over here.

             Dais heard that lady from Pacoima told our boss Thomas Dorsey became Martin Luther King's favorite Musician.  She said his songs, during the "really hard times" of the 1930's Great Depression; "gave people hope."  Thomas Dorsey is described as being an "Evangelist."  

             The tv show on Gospel music showed how Thomas Dorsey's singing audiences used a lot of that "Call and Response" technique.  Daisy says our boss liked how Stevie Ray Vaughn used that technique on "Texas Flood."  Only he does it with his own singing and guitar playing.    

                 

 MAHALIA JACKSON (1911-1972)              ELVIS PRESLEY (1935-1977)          

               

               The lady from Pacoima told our boss she and her family were "inspired" by the singing of a lady named Mahalia Jackson, the most popular Gospel Singer ever.  Mr. Steve told the lady he was once told that guy Elvis thought her voice was amazing.  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.

           Dais says this one man on the tv show described Mahalia Jackson's singing as a "force of nature."  That lady at the Sylmar Library liked how she could sing "with power," or with a "soft touch."   She said her husband's favorite song was when she actually sang "The Lord's Prayer."

          One of Mr. Steve's customers in Louisiana told him Mahalia Jackson was born in the city of "New Orleans."  Her family was really poor from what Dais heard, and thirteen people had to live in just one house.  Mahalia Jackson was a member of Thomas Dorsey's church I guess.

                                

       MARTIN LUTHER KING (1929-1968)           

               

         Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Mahalia Jackson became so famous she even got to sing for President Eisenhower and later President Kennedy too.  In 1963 when that guy Martin Luther      King made his "I Have a Dream" speech, she sang before he spoke.  She was a "Baptist."                

                Daisy says the tv show mentioned how Mahalia Jackson's mom died when she was only five.  It says here she and her family moved north to "Chicago" during the "Great Migration" of the 1920's.   That was when a lot of black people "fled poverty" by moving from the South.

           Mr. Steve's customer down there in Louisiana told him he heard Mahalia Jackson was raised by a really "strict disciplinarian" Aunt who "did not allow" any secular music like Blues or Jazz to even be played in her house.  Dawn's barking.  I like smelling Blinky next to her. 

                        

"DUKE" ELLINGTON (1899-1974)

    

                Dais heard the Parts Manager in Louisiana tell our boss how "Duke" Ellington wanted to record with Mahalia Jackson.  She told him she did not do secular music.  But, he knew she liked to cook, so went over to her house and let her do that for him; and she "changed her mind."

           The lady at the Sylmar Library told Mr. Steve her family also liked the songs of this man named James Cleveland.  Like Mahalia Jackson, he also grew up singing at the "Pilgrim Baptist Church" in Chicago where Thomas Dorsey was Minister.  Donald and Daisy are quacking. 

           My Encyclopedia says James Cleveland is called the "King of Gospel," and he also mixed "traditional gospel with elements of soul, pop and jazz."  Daisy heard one of his songs, and says he has kind of "gravelly" sounding voice.   Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.

            

             JAMES CLEVELAND (1931-1991)                          ARETHA FRANKLIN                                                                      

                  I guess, that man James Cleveland, who was a good piano player too; wrote songs that had those singing "Choirs" in them.   It says here how he " co-wrote" some songs with this other Gospel Singer named Aretha Franklin.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus growing out there.

             The tv show mentioned how that girl Aretha Franklin, whose father was a famous Gospel Singer himself; was born in "Memphis," Tennessee.  But her family moved north and settled in "Buffalo," New York, and then "Detroit," Michigan.  I just noticed Andy looking at me.

             It says here Aretha Franklin's mom died when she was only ten years old.  So she and her brothers and sisters were "raised" by her Grandmother in Detroit.  The lady from Pacoima said that other girl Mahalia Jackson also helped "bring up Aretha and the other children."   

              

                                                                         MR. RALPH / SON RORY                                                                                

          

               Daisy one time heard our boss talking to Mr. Ralph about this Church in Pacoima called "Christ Memorial."  Hey Lord!  I guess it's one of those Pentecostal type churches, and the lady at the Library was a member of that "Congregation."   Samson and Delilah just flew bye.

           Mr. Steve as the Photographer; and his brother Rock doing the Videotaping; worked at an event at Christ Memorial in the late 1980's.  They met and shook hands with the two "Pastors," Andraé Crouch and his sister Sandra; who are twins.  They were friendly Dais overheard.

           I guess our boss told Mr. Ralph he was "impressed" by the talented singing of the choir at Christ Memorial.  And the people in the audience were also singing and clapping too from what Dais heard.  She thinks Dawn and I would probably really like to howl at one of those events.   

  

ANDRAÉ / SANDRA CROUCH

                   From what Daisy heard, that guy Andraé Crouch's nickname is the "Father of Modern Gospel."  Years later our boss was told that he, like himself and Sandy in the mid-1970's; went to "Valley" Junior College in Van Nuys.  All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.

            Mr. Ralph told our boss how Andraé Crouch and his choir from Pacoima got to play for that guy Johnny Carson on his late night tv show.  I mentioned earlier today how a man named Fred de Córdova was the "Producer" of the "Tonight Show."  A Train whistled faintly. 

             I guess Andraé Crouch over the years has worked with such people like Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and that girl Madonna.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say how Elvis, Paul Simon from Simon and Garfunkel and Bob Dylan sang some of the songs he wrote.  I can smell Libby.

             

                   ELVIS                                 STEVIE WONDER                   SIMON / GARFUNKEL       

     

        Andraé Crouch is so lucky because he has one of those stars down there on that Hollywood "Walk of Fame."  It would be so great to have one of those.   Ah!  Speedy Gonzalez zoomed bye, and then ran around the northeast corner of the house at the far end of the Patio over there.         

         I guess Andraé and Sandra Crouch's father was also a Pentecostal Minister when they were growing up down there in Pacoima.  Mr. Ralph has heard that for a long time the Crouch family also had a "Dry Cleaning" business too.  Some dust is still floating in front of the Sheds.            

        Dais heard Mr. Ralph say Andraé Crouch worked on a movie called "The Color Purple," a tv show called "The Jeffersons," and also that Walt Disney cartoon "Lion King."   In the mid-      1980's, at her "Beauty Shop" near the Forum; Mr. Steve met the Actress from the Jeffersons.       

     

               BILLY PRESTON (1946-2006)                                         "LET IT BE" CONCERT                                               

      

                Mr. Ralph and our boss talked about this other Musician named Billy Preston, who was a good friend of Andrae Crouch's.  He played keyboards on the BEATLES last album "Let it Be," and also in their final concert up on the roof I mentioned this morning.  Heathcliff crowed.

            Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the BEATLES where the man said they were not getting along at the end, in the late 1960's.  George Harrison even quit for a little while.  But that guy Billy Preston's "pleasant personality" was a "ray of sunshine" in a "dark atmosphere."

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph about a job Mr. Rick's company did in the mid-1990's.  It was to repair parts of a public swimming pool, damaged in that 1994 "Northridge" earthquake; which totally destroyed Mr. Steve's sister Susan's condominium.  The pool was in "Val Verde." 

            

                            ANDRAÉ CROUCH                       VAL VERDE POOL (1939)                                           

               Our boss told Mr. Ralph that lady over at the Sylmar Library said Andraé Crouch began playing piano at the age of eleven, and wrote his first song only three years later.  And that was when his father was preaching in Val Verde.  Daisy heard Val Verde has mountains around it.

           I guess Val Verde, Spanish for "Green Valley;" is even smaller than us here in Piñon Hills. It has only about three thousand people in it, and during the time of "Segregation" was a town blacks could go on vacation.  Daisy heard swimming pools in L.A. didn't allow blacks then. 

          Mr. Steve met some nice people from Val Verde when Mr. Rick's company was doing the work on that swimming pool, which was originally built back in 1939; the year World War II began in Poland.  In 1924 Val Verde was called "Eureka Villa."  I smell the baby Cholla.     

  

CALIFORNIO "VAQUERO"  (LATE 1820'S)    

                                                                                                             PAINTING BY JAMES ALEXANDER WALKER

     

                 Mr. Steve was told by this nice lady in Val Verde how, during that "Californio" period after Mexico had broken away from Spain; the area was a "settlement" near a gold strike.  But it "didn't last long" she said.  I just looked up and see Libby walking around in her Corral.

           I've mentioned before how that one famous late 1840's "Gold Rush" was not the first gold discovered here in California.  In 1842 that guy Francisco López found small amounts of gold in "Placerita" canyon near Sylmar.  I've mentioned a few times how "Oro" is gold in Spanish.

           During the period when Mr. Rick's company was working on the pool at Val Verde I guess Mr. Steve enjoyed the drives back and forth in the beautiful canyon going to the town.  On those often early morning drives he saw Hawks, Coyotes and things like that.  He liked the smell too.  

        

                   VAL VERDE AREA                       MR. RICK                          VAL VERDE POOL

               Daisy heard Val Verde is near where Mr. Rick used to have his business in the "Valencia Industrial Complex."  So every morning, at about six; Mr. Steve looked forward to the drive out to Val Verde.  I've mentioned before how he drove that little Ford "Ranger" Truck then.

           According to what Daisy and Millie heard, Mr. Rick told our boss that in 2007 the Police "raided" a big "Cock Fighting" operation in Val Verde.  Oh!  Goliath is crawling out into the desert by going through the right vertical gate slot.  And Andy's keeping an eye on him.

          Dais says, just like how some Dogs are forced to fight so people can gamble; there are also Roosters who have to fight and slice each other with sharp razor blades attached to their feet.  Ugh!  That would really hurt!  Mr. Steve doesn't like people who gamble on things like that.

  

BOBBY CHACON

         Oh!  I missed mentioning Mr. Bobby when I wrote about Andraé Crouch.  That time when they visited "Mission" cemetery and were looking at Ritchie Valens grave Mr. Steve said to him,  "He's probably the only person from Pacoima more famous that you."  Heathcliff crowed.            

       Dais heard our boss and his father talking about how, when Mr. Steve told Mr. Bobby he's the second most famous person from Pacoima his eyes got wider.  It may never have dawned on    him about that.  But Andraé Crouch was pretty famous too according to what Daisy's heard.        

       Ah!  This is the end of chapter seven so I'll visit Dais but, I forgot to write about that guy Hank Williams earlier when I talked about how "Rock and Roll" began in the 1950's.  Daisy says some say his 1947 song called "Move It On Over" was the real beginning or Rock and Roll.                       

HANK WILLIAMS SR. (1923-1953)

           A tv show said, besides Move it on Over's Rock and Roll type "Bluesy Backbeat;" Hank Williams leg movements on stage was a "low key" version of Elvis.  That song came out in 1947,  only two years after World War II.   Heathcliff crowed, and his girls are clucking over there.         

        Daisy says the man on the tv show mentioned how Hank Williams 1948 song "I Saw the Light" is now a "Country Gospel standard."  Hey God!  As You know, I look forward to hearing  that song because Dais thinks I would really like it.  Heathcliff's voice makes me feel good.            

        Well, this is the end of chapter seven, and I need to go pee so will hide everything.  Boy!  I can't wait to take my second big break after chapter eight to visit with Daisy.  I hear Heathcliff's Hens over there clucking away, and they sure do sound really happy for some reason.