II                                                                             "Cognito,ergo;sum"       

        "BE GRATEFUL"   

                                              

                                                 

    (Book 2 / Chapter 1 / Part 1)      

   -EPSILON ORIONIS-       

                                                                                                                                  

                  7:30 A.M. / FRIDAY, MARCH 21, 2014 / DAY TWO                 

                                

         Our Father who art in Heaven.  Hallowed be Thy name.  Thy Kingdom come.  Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread and Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: Amen.                                                                                             (The "LORD'S PRAYER")            

                                                       DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA               

                                           

               Day two!  For breakfast this morning Daisy and I had our dry Dog food mixed with in with cold leftovers and that new Spam-type meat and, thank You God and Everyone up there for Daisy being around to be my best friend.  She makes me really want to prove females are just as good as males in many things and I want her admiration.  Heathcliff the Rooster crowed.

               Hey God!  As You know, Daisy correctly predicted the Sun would "Rise" at 6:56; or one minute earlier than yesterday.  It will "Set" at 7:06; one minute later than yesterday, a pattern which will continue until the "Summer Solstice."  Well! Twelve hours of light again today! 

              Ah!  Just like yesterday, the air is so clear and is giving me a lot of energy to begin this second book.  Last night Dais was astounded at what I did yesterday, and realized just how long these three books will need to be.  But, as our boss's mom says, "Rome wasn't built in a day."

                   

SUNRISE OVER THE DESERT     

          

                  Daisy and I hid all the full notebooks I did yesterday in the file cabinets we found them in originally.  Dais will keep an eye on them, even in the unlikely event our boss comes outside today and then cleans the garage.  I have a lot more empty notebooks, and pens and pencils too.    

             Ah!  I smell Sage.  Warm weather makes the Arthritis in what Dais calls her "old bones" feel better and gives her a "Joy of Life," or "Joie de Vivre" in French.  Like her, I now also see each day's first rays of Sun coming over the eastern horizon as being sent from Heaven.  

                 Even though it was cold, and for the last month Daisy has been sleeping in the house for its  warmth; she "Kept me Company" and slept out here last night.  Elvira, our "Sanctuary;" is one of the most comfortable couches in history.  Someday I'll try to sleep inside the house.

                                                              WOMAN RUNNING ALONG THE BEACH   

           

              Someday when I get over my fear of being trapped I'll see Mr. Steve's office.  Daisy says in the morning when he starts his day at about six o clock one of the first thing he sees is the image of the girl running along the beach with a rock formation out in the water.  Dawn's barking.

           Daisy thinks, because my favorite color is royal blue; I'd really like the picture our boss has on his "Desktop" screen.  He has a big twenty three inch wide "Monitor" hooked up to his computer.  Looking at the picture of the girl running on the beach is relaxing for Mr. Steve.

          When the time comes when I'm not afraid to ride in our Cars "Barny" and "Theodora," and our Truck "Rex" too; I'd like to go to a beach and see how it smells.  And I know Daisy for sure would really like that too.  It's so weird to think about something like "Salt" water. 

                                          

ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)

        

                   Oh!  All of a sudden that song by Vivaldi, "La Primavera;" just popped into my head and that makes me feel a sense of "Rhêma."  I mentioned a few times in book one how that's a Greek word from the New Testament which many say means "The Living Word."  Dawn's barking.

             Sitting here on Elvira, and looking out from the Patio; I feel so good right now!  The air is so clear and all of the colors out in the desert behind the Sheds seem bright again this morning.  The sky is so blue, and I can see a small group of what looks like Finches flying to the east. 

                  Looking at that painting of Vivaldi in my Encyclopedia, as I hear La Primavera; makes me think of how he died poor.  Boy!  No wonder Mr. Steve likes his song so much as it's giving me a lot of energy to start my day and write this second book.  I really do like Vivaldi's wig.

 

BONNIE FEEDING CHICKS

 

         Bonnie and Clyde just flew in from being out in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  Now Bonnie is about to throw up some food from her stomach so she can feed her new Spring babies.  Clyde took up his position on the Patio roof to keep watch in case there might be danger.               

       The chicks up there are chirping and, as usual; that one is way louder than the others.  In that way he, or she; reminds me of Daffy next door.  Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave about that Bird and he, being a "Hupa" Indian; jokes we should maybe name that baby "Loud Mouth."      

        Because Mr. Steve's father jokes "The squeaky wheel gets the grease," he understood what Miss Susan at work's customer from the South told her his Grandmother used to say, "A closed    mouth don't get fed."  Like Mr. Steve's parents, she grew up during the "Great Depression."        

              

KANSAS       

         

          I look forward to someday hearing this good song Daisy told me about called "Carry On My Wayward Son," by that band KANSAS I mentioned yesterday.  Our boss and Mr. Dave in      New Mexico talked about "Carry On" one time.  KANSAS is such a good band Dais thinks.         

        Daisy and Millie both heard Carry On, and Dais says it's inspiring just like Vivaldi's La Primavera.  It gives that good "Rhema" feeling I wrote about yesterday in book one.  To see his    reaction I guess Mr. Steve played it for that kid Jason, and he was really impressed alright.           

          According to Daisy Carry On starts out with some of that "Acapella" singing I mentioned yesterday.  When the music starts there are many time and tempo changes, like how GENESIS'S "Musical Box" does.  Some are loud and fast, other slow; all "very melodic" Mr. Steve thinks.                                          

"THE URANTIA BOOK"

   

          In book one I mentioned "The Urantia book," which tries to unite spirituality and science.  No matter where he went Daisy heard, that Guitarist Jimi Hendrix carried it and a copy of the    Bible with him.  Bonnie and Clyde finished feeding their babies so flew out into the desert.            

         As I said yesterday, the Urantia logo is three circles, which represent "infinity," "eternity" and then "universality."  Mr. Steve was told by this lady KANSAS'S Guitarist Kerry Livgren,      who wrote Carry on my Wayward Son; has read The Urantia Book.  Heathcliff crowed.                

       Our boss told Mr. Dave about he, Sandy and their friends Chris and Lisa; seeing KANSAS play at the "Shrine" Auditorium near downtown Los Angeles.  Mr. Dave joked about how he was "so jealous" because that was the early 1970's.  Two chubby Wrens just flew bye right now.                                        "SHRINE" AUDITORIUM                                                 THE KINKS                      

               

          Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about that band KANSAS until later today, I feel like writing about them now too.  Daisy says they're one of our boss's favorite    bands.  The desert behind the three Sheds is beautiful right now, and the air is so clear too.           

         I wrote yesterday how Mr. Steve, Sandy and Chris and Lisa saw KANSAS play before that other band the KINKS.  Compared to KANSAS they didn't seem nearly as talented.  I guess Mr. Steve's friend Chris thought the KINKS "mistakenly" let KANSAS "Open Up" for them.             

      Daisy heard Mr. Dave call KANSAS' music "Symphonic" Rock, and our boss thought that was a good description.  He told Mr. Dave Carry On My Wayward Son was made a year or two    after he saw KANSAS play, which he thinks was in 1974.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.                   

   KANSAS                                                                  PHIL EHART 

PHOTO BY MICHAEL PUTLAND                                                                                                                                                                          

    

           Our boss told Mr. Dave KANSAS' Drummer in 1974 used a small five piece "Kit" with one bass drum.  He's like CREAM'S GINGER BAKER or Neil Peart of RUSH in "making music and not just keeping time" Mr. Steve thinks.  The Violinist makes KANSAS unique he says.          

        Daisy noticed, like on Carry On My Wayward Son for instance; when the Violinist sings "Harmonies" with the Organist their voices blend well.  Mr. Dave even compared how good they sound together with those three brothers from the BEE GEES.  I smell Libby in her Corral.         

         Mr. Dave read that KANSAS' song "Carry On" was almost not even on the album it came out on.  It's a good thing it did Daisy heard, because it was a big "Hit."  Libby's over there in her Corral, walking around very slowly near the long fence that separates our two properties.             

    

THE "PRODIGAL" SON (BOOK OF "LUKE")

                         

           Hey Lord!  According to what Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about, Mr. Steve thinks KANSAS' song Carry On My Wayward Son might be about that "Parable" You told to    Your "Disciples" in the "Book of Luke."  It's called the "Prodigal Son."  I really like Libby.         

         Someday Lord, as of course You already know; I want to read those different stories You told people in order to teach them lessons.  Daisy and Millie heard some of them from all the tv    shows they got to watch together before Millie was killed by that Truck.  Heathcliff crowed.          

         Daisy says in the Prodigal Son, this selfish boy demands from his father his "Inheritance," even before the father dies.  He then loses the money "partying and gambling" Mr. Steve's father thinks.  But his dad welcomes, "Forgives" him; after the son "Repents" in admitting his guilt.                                                              

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT  ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)   

          

                  Hey God!  Looking to my right, and seeing the mountains beyond Libby's Corral; makes me think of You right now.  Dais says our boss and his father one time talked about the "Book of Genesis."   Thank You so much God for making the morning air clear and fresh again today.

            My Encyclopedia says God, "So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him, male and female created He them."  Daisy and Millie saw a tv show which said what it says here.  There have been three Christian "interpretations" of the "Image of God."

           I guess God, the first view is You and humans "share characteristics" like "rationality" and "morality."  Some think that phrase "in His own image" means You look like people down here.  But it could mean You and humans both have "Intellect," "Will" and "Emotion."       

                  

                              THE "UNIVERSE"                                               "SPARK OF LIFE"

                                                                           MICHAELANGELO ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)

       

                Hey God!  Daisy says the tv show mentioned how the Jewish view of how to interpret You is that, You don't in any way have features like humans; You "Bestowed" a "special honor" You did not give to the "rest of creation."  A little Sparrow carrying a twig in its mouth ran bye.

           It says here that first Christian way of interpreting You God is called the "Substantive" view.  The second way is a "Relational Understanding," where a "relationship" between people and You or between people; are the most important things.  Daisy and I kind of like this one. 

          Hey Lord!   I guess the third way Christians have interpreted God is called a "Functional" view.  Daisy thinks this third way is a "feeling" that makes you want to "do right" as kind of like You Guys representatives down here.  Daisy says our boss kind of likes the last two views.       

                                                              

   THE "TWINS"       

                                

          Ah!  A slight breeze just suddenly brought in the scent of the Twins.  Like yesterday, the first day of Spring; Heathcliff began announcing the day a lot earlier than he usually does or did during the cold days of Winter.  Ah!  And there he goes crowing again over there next door.           

          Daisy, who's had a lot more Springs than I have; was kind of surprised last night that we haven't heard Cleo and Leo the Robins so far this year.  Often Robin's cheery voices are the first wild Birds you hear around here in the morning.  I can hear the Hens clucking right now.             

           One time Dais heard that lady Miss Susan say Robins have been called the "harbingers of Spring."  In book one I wrote a little bit about what are called "Migratory" Birds.  I guess many Robins fly to warmer areas for Winter but then come back when the weather's better.                    

LEO AND CLEO

PHOTO BY ROBIN ARNOLD

          Oh my God!  Just by total coincidence, as I'm mentioning Cleo and Leo who would I notice over there sitting quietly?  It's them but normally you usually hear a Robin before you see them.  I really feel like hiding all my materials and running up front to tell Daisy the good news.              

       Dais says Miss Susan, who used to run the local Newspaper called "News Plus;" told our boss Mr. Steve Robins are "songbirds" from the "Thrush" family.  They're the "State Bird" of three States; Connecticut, Michigan and Wisconsin.  Wow!  But they're being quiet right now.      

         I guess Miss Susan said that our Robins here where we live don't migrate every Winter.  A lot of Robins don't mate for life but Cleo and Leo seem loyal to each other.  In cities, lights make Robins sing earlier in the morning and higher-pitched because of all the loud noise.                                                        ROBIN'S NEST                                                            BENJAMIN                      

        

        Oh! Just as I'm about to mention how Miss Susan said girl Bronze Cow Birds lay eggs in other Bird's nest; Benjamin ran bye.  I guess they sneak in, use their beaks to break all the other Bird's eggs; and then lay their own.  Sometimes they'll push the old eggs out of the nest.                

         Dais told me Miss Susan said sometimes Robins don't even notice the Cow Bird eggs but if they do then just throw them out of the nest and down onto the ground below.  I wrote in my first book how some girl Birds lay light blue eggs.  Benjamin just flew out into the back desert.             

          One time, when she was still with her first owner; Daisy noticed Robins acting really weird and it turned out they were drunk from eating some "Fermented" berries.  Daisy told me about  alcohol and how it makes you feel what they call "Drunk."  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.          

     

"BRAVO" COMPANY       

           

           Oh my God!  Bravo Company of Quail has babies and I see Laverne and Shirley over there in the dirt with them.  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are drinking water from the basin      below the Mulberry tree.  The early morning sunlight is reflecting brightly off the surface.            

          I feel like hiding all my materials and running up front to tell Daisy but, I'm sure she'll see them when they go up front to eat the Bird seeds Mr. Steve spreads out below his office window.  This is so great!  Seeing them makes me feel so happy and gives me energy to start book two.        

          Yup!  Sure enough, Laverne and Shirley are now herding their babies around the northeast corner of the house; over there to my left at the far end of the Patio.  They'll go eat the food our    boss puts out for them, and that's when Dais will see them.  That will make her feel good.              

  

 ELEANOR FARJEON (1881-1965)                                  "CAT" STEVENS              

          Daisy's told me about a 1970's song called "Morning Has Broken" by a guy named "Cat" Stevens.  She and Millie, who I replaced when she died; heard it on Mr. Steve's Boombox when    he was cutting weeds one time.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye.              

        Seeing the Sun above the eastern horizon, behind the three Sheds; make me really want to hear that Cat Stevens song someday.  Hey Lord!  As You know, Daisy says our boss played it for    his mom and she liked it.  She called it "poetic" and said Cat Stevens' voice is "calming."              

        I guess, in 1931 or the year before Mr. Steve's father was born; Morning Has Broken was originally written as a "Hymn" by a girl named Eleanor Farjeon.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he read YES'S Rick Wakeman played piano on Cat Steven's version.  I smell Sage.                                                            

        EARLY MORNING             

         

         Thank You God for Daisy.  Last night she explained to me what Mr. Steve meant when he jokingly used the term "Soap Opera" to say what our lives aren't.  One time Dais heard our boss and Mr. Mike talking as he watered the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard.                    

                Mr. Randy used to live in the State of "Arkansas," where this big company called "Tyson Foods" is located.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii's relatives are originally from Arkansas, but moved up to "Wisconsin;" and Daisy heard Mr. Mark wrote a song about it.  I want to hear  it someday.  

           I guess Tyson Foods, who began in the 1930's during the "Great Depression; is one of the biggest "Food Industry" companies in the whole world from what Daisy heard.  They "Process" and "Market" Pig, Cow and Chicken meat.  Mr. Steve has eaten a lot of their food. 

                  

              UNITED STATES OF AMERICA                                                  MR. RANDY

             Yesterday I looked at a lot of maps and right now I'm seeing the one which shows where all of the fifty American States are located.  I've noticed how Arkansas is kind of near Texas where Mr. Steve's brother Rock lives with his sons Rocky Jr. and Jacob.  I smell some Mesquite.

               I guess, from what Daisy overheard Mr. Randy say as our boss watered the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; that company Tyson Foods "Operates" entire towns.  Mr. Steve's father thinks the U.S. economy needs them a lot.  Two of the Pigeons are now flying bye.  

                Mr. Randy, who I've mentioned also lived in the State of "Florida;" told our boss that "at times" the humidity in Arkansas can be "killer."  I wrote yesterday how, in 1995; Mr. Steve and his friend "Armando" visited the State of Florida.  Leo and Cleo the Robins are singing.  

                            

MOODY BLUES        

            

                  Daisy says one time she heard our boss and Mr. Randy talking on the phone about that band from England called the MOODY BLUES.  I guess, they're mainly from the 1960's; when both of them were still in Grade School.  Mr. Randy really likes some of their songs.

             According to Dais, who one time listened a good MOODY BLUES album called "Days of Future Past;" there's good flute playing on a few of their songs.  Mr. Randy thinks they were one of the first "Progressive" Rock bands to do a "Concept" album.  I smell some Creosote.

            Boy!  Someday I really, really want to hear some MOODY BLUES songs, especially that one Dais told me about called "Nights in White Satin."  I guess it's a song about a boy who wants to be with his girlfriend and has flute playing on it.  There's a vapor trail up in the sky.

           

"SERGEANT PEPPER"S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND (1967)     

              

            Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Randy talk about how, when Days of Future Past came out in 1967; it had to compete against that BEATLES album "Sergeant Pepper."  And, the "White Album" came out the following year.  Boy!  I feel so good breathing in the fresh air!

            I wish I had a uniform like the ones the BEATLES wore in 1967.  Of course, I'd want one like Paul McCartney wore; while Dais would take one in the color of George Harrison's.  Daisy says the MOODY BLUES also have another good song about being a Singer in a band.

            From what Dais thinks, the MOODY BLUES album Days of Future Past is about a day in the life of a guy.  It starts out with a song about the morning called "The Day Begins" or "Dawn is a Feeling."  Oh!  Right now all of a sudden I think I might know what that means.

 

                                                                  "VAPOR TRAIL"

    

                    I just glanced up from down here on the Patio, and see another vapor trail being left behind by a Jet.  I feel so good right now and feel like running around but I'd better not just try to calm down and focus on doing my work.  I'm so glad I have you around Elvira.

             Daisy told me, on the MOODY BLUES album; there are songs about the early, middle and end parts of a day.  I guess Mr. Steve thinks that album is a "fusion of symphonic and rock" influences.  Musicians know how this thing called the "Neapolitan Chord" is used on it.

             Our boss told Mr. Randy he once read that, back in 1967 Nights in White Satin was only a "moderate" success.  But in 1972, when he was in 11th Grade at Sylmar High; it became a hit.  That song is an example of an early use of one of those "Mellotron" keyboards I guess.      

                                                                     

                                                               MARK "THE BIRD" FIDRYCH (1954-2009)

              Well God, yesterday You Guys were up there with me so, my first book went much better than I expected.  But now, I sure hope I don't suffer what's called the "Sophmore Jinx;" where you do great the first time out in doing something but bad on the second time.  I smell Sage.

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about a Baseball Pitcher named Mark Fidrych who, as a "Rookie" in 1976; had a really tremendous first year for the Detroit "Tigers."  But then, because of injuries, he never did good ever again.  Mr. Steve has drawn the Tiger's logos.  

          I guess, that guy Mark Fidrych's nickname was the "Bird;" because he kind of looked like "Big Bird" on a good show Dais told me about called "Sesame Street."  That band called QUIET RIOT had a great first album but the second didn't sell as well.  I love the scent of Sage!   

                                              

HEATHCLIFF II       

             

               Heathcliff just crowed again, which makes me wonder if we'll hear him today as much as we did yesterday?  His voice makes me think of, and feel; that Greek word "Rhêma" again.  Mr. Steve and his father have read Rhêma most likely means the "Inspired" living word.

          As I said yesterday a few times, Mr. Steve thinks of the word Rhêma as partially having to do with music.  But others say it can mean any "Spiritual Interaction."  Oh!  A black Cow Bird used the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to run out into the eastern desert.   

          Hey God!  As You know, last night Daisy and I talked about how Rhêma could just be any way You decide to show what You're thinking to us down here.  We're both positive You've sent us messages in dreams sometimes.  And our boss Mr. Steve has wondered about it too.

                            

 "AWEN"               

                           

               Yesterday I said the concept of "3" would be a part of my books, mainly because our boss Mr. Steve thinks it can often be important when you look at, or think about; some things.  A few years ago he drew this "Awen" logo Daisy told me.  Boy!  The air is so clear again today.

                A picture in this Encyclopedia shows the Awen logo, which I notice is three circles around three lines and three dots.  It says here "awen" is "derived" from the Welsh word "awel," which means "breeze."  Ah!  Thank You so much God for giving us all the fresh air to breath. 

            I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell "Apparel" and "Promotional Products" to Auto Dealerships.  Mr. Steve has been selling "Honda" things to that guy Mr. Phillip from the country of "Wales" for years.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.

                                            

"FOGHORN LEGHORN" AND FRIENDS      

          

                Someday I want to see this cartoon about a big Rooster named "Foghorn Leghorn," who talks and acts like a pushy Southern Politician from what our boss told Mr. Dave in New Mexico.  An old Hen likes Foghorn Leghorn but he doesn't like her back.  I like Heathcliff's voice.

            Daisy says that talkative Foghorn Leghorn fights with a Dog.  One time he snuck up on that Dog as he slept and hit his rear end hard with a paddle.  So the really angry Dog chases him but Foghorn Leghorn stands just "Out of Range" of how far the Dog's rope let him go. 

            Another time Foghorn Leghorn tricked this baby Chicken Hawk into believing the Dog is the real Chicken to be hunted and eaten.  He didn't like it when the really smart baby Rooster with glasses told him he wanted his job.  Only one Rooster is allowed for each group I guess.    

                                               

                                                                                             "HOLY SPIRIT"  

                               

                Hey Holy spirit!  I feel the breeze making the chimes ring.  Wow!  What a coincidence that I'm reading how some people describe Awen as, "Life's flowing Spirit."  I guess Daisy heard our boss tell his mom on the phone one time how some people try to "tap into the divine."  

                It says here some think the Awen's three circles, around three lines and three dots; might represent "Love, Wisdom and Truth."  Others believe it's "Nature, Knowledge and Truth."  One time Daisy told me our boss likes to think of that round Awen logo as symbolizing "Hope."   

               Hey God!  As of course You already know, it says here that some people think Awen might represent, "Land, Sea and Sky."  Some of the "Welsh, Cornish and Bretons" think of Awen as being "poetic inspiration."  Hey!  That sort of sounds kind of like the idea of "Rhêma."      

                                        

                                                                                           "WIND CHIMES"

                                                                                                                  

             Yesterday I mentioned a few times how, in Greek; the New Testament word "Rhêma" can be translated to mean "The Living Word."  But, our boss wants to also think of some music as a  way of inspiring good feelings.  Boy!  Thank You God for all the sounds chimes make.                    

           Looking at the chimes up there to my left, in a weird way; they're kind of becoming like my friend.  The sounds those chimes make gives me a sense of calm which of course I need to feel  more.  Blinky, Dawn and Rosie's scents just came floating in from over there to my right.              

           Those chimes were given to Mr. Steve by a lady who knew his favorite Baseball team used to be the Oakland A's.  So, when she was at a wind chimes shop here in California; she got the      one that was green and gold.  I'm beginning to really like the color green a lot more.                         

                                                        UFO                                                           

   

          Sometimes when the wind blows the chimes make what sounds like "Melodic" music.  Last night as we looked up at the night sky Daisy told me about that 1970's British band I mentioned  yesterday called UFO.  Mr. Steve has described their songs as being "melodic hard rock."             

         Tomorrow I'll write about some of the best Guitarists our boss has seen play in person.  He told Mr. Dave in New Mexico he wishes he could've seen Michael Schenker, who wrote the songs "Doctor, Doctor" and "Rock Bottom" when in UFO.  Daisy says they're such good songs.             

       Over the years our boss plays people Michael Schenker songs from his less known period after he left UFO.  They're always impressed by the "Riffs" in "Captain Nemo," and "Armed       and Ready."  Mr. Dave in New Mexico heard that Michael Schenker has "Stage Fright."             

              

          "PHENOMENON" (1974)           

                                                

            Dais told me about how our boss still has one of those vinyl records of a 1974 UFO album called "Phenomenon."  She says the album cover shows a painted black and white photo from the 1950's.  Grandma and Grandpa Trujillo had a Car like the one in the picture I guess.               

        According to Daisy, on the UFO album cover a girl is taking a picture; but doesn't even know that the man standing on their lawn behind her is seeing a real U.F.O. up there in the sky.    Boy!  Last night the sky was so clear and beautiful.  A Crow's cawing out there in the desert.        

           Boy!  If I ever do happen to see a U.F.O., I sure hope Mr. Steve and Daisy are around too; for what they call "Moral Support."  But, like Daisy's said a few times; seeing a U.F.O. might be kind of dangerous because they probably have good weapons.  A Train just whistled faintly.              

JETHRO TULL

                      

         Hearing the Train right now over there to my left reminds of how someday I want to hear that JETHRO TULL song called "Locomotive Breath."  Daisy says, of course I would really like  the flute in it but; the piano playing and singing are good too.  Now two Crows are fighting.          

       I guess JETHRO TULL played Locomotive Breath at the concert Mr. Steve and that girl Angela saw at the Forum.  The guitar playing in that song does kind of sound like a Train Daisy    thinks.  Oh!  All of a sudden I'm hearing JETHRO TULL'S good song "The Third  Hoorah!"      

       Daisy says, the U.F.O. shown on the UFO album cover looks pretty real to her.  That's the album that had those two songs "Doctor, Doctor" and "Rock Bottom" on it.  One time Mr. Dave    said he's always liked the way that guy Michael Schenker used "Vibrato" on his guitar.                           

MICHAEL SCHENKER      

PHOTO BY MICK BURGESS           

         

         This good tv show Dais and Millie saw said, even though UFO is an English band; Michael Schenker's German.  He's known for playing those "Flying V" shaped guitars, and I guess our    boss likes his "yin yang" looking black and white one.  Libby's over there in her Corral.                

        Daisy says Michael Schenker, with his older brother; was originally in that German band the SCORPIONS.  Guys like Randy Rhodes, Eddie Van Halen and METALLICA'S Guitarists;    were all influenced by Michael Schenker.  I smell Libby's scent coming from over there.                

       Our boss played Michael Schenker's song "Into the Arena" for that kid Jason.  Mr. Steve thinks on that one song you can sort of hear the history of Rock and Roll.  The first solo sounds    "1950's," and then the lead guitar gradually gets more "progressive" and modern sounding.                             

      IRON MAIDEN                 

              

             Dais told me the guy talking on the tv show mentioned how IRON MAIDEN always start their concerts by playing UFO'S song Doctor, Doctor.  And they even did one of those "Cover"    versions of it.  Ah!  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.             

        Our boss and Mr. Dave think some early 1970's Michael Schenker and DEEP PURPLE songs influenced the fast-paced "Galloping" style of later bands like IRON MAIDEN.  I can see   Libby over there walking slowly near the fence of her Corral, and now I smell her too.                  

           Ah!  All of a sudden I'm hearing the flute in that song "Musical Box" by GENESIS.  Boy!  It makes me feel calm hearing it in my mind.  Oh!  Now I'm hearing CANNED HEAT'S song      "Goin Up The Country," which really makes me feel like getting up and dancing right now.          

                  

2014 HYUNDAI "GENESIS"      

              

           Daisy says there's a Car call "Genesis."  One time Mr. Steve and a "Hyundai" customer  talked about it and also the band, because it turned out that Parts Manager's wife also liked the    early GENESIS albums the way Mr. Steve does.  Libby's scent just now floated over here.             

        According to what Dais heard that time, the Genesis is a "Luxury" Car and words like "Premium" and "Executive" are used to describe them.  I guess, they've been made since 2008;    and have four doors.  The Monarch Butterfly is flying out into the desert behind the Sheds.           

          I'm really looking forward to someday hearing those first GENESIS albums.  Daisy says our boss played a song called "Dancing with the Moonlit Knight" for that kid Jason.  He really    liked the "dark" sounding keyboards, and the "Tapping" technique the Guitarist uses.                    

CAPTAIN "NEMO"                                                  "NAUTILUS"        

ARTWORK BY RÉGIS DROULEZ                                                                                                                                                                           

  

          Daisy says Michael Schenker's song called "Captain Nemo" is based on a character in one of those 19th century "Science Fiction" books.  He's a real Captain, who built a totally amazing    Submarine called the "Nautilus."  A Freight Train just whistled faintly to my left over there.        

        A good movie Dais got to see about Captain Nemo was called "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."  It's based on that Science Fiction  book , and I guess Captain Nemo is an Indian Prince who really hates British "Imperialism."  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye.        

      This Dictionary says an Indian Prince in the 1800's was called a "Raja."  Oh!  "Nemo" is Latin for "no one," like in the "Odyssey" when that guy Odysseus told the Cyclops his name was "Nobody" to trick him.  A boy Lizard is chasing a girl Lizard near the Mulberry tree.                    

      

JULES VERNE (1828-1905)    

                      

       Yesterday I mentioned the French Writer Jules Verne.  In the 1860's he wrote that book about going down all the way into the center of Earth.  According to what Daisy heard, our boss  has read some of the books written by Jules Verne and the British Writer H.G. Wells.                    

         Daisy told me Captain Nemo, who's really smart; is so mad at the British for stealing his Kingdom.  So in the 1870's, forty years before World War I; he builds a Submarine to live totally underwater, "Off the Grid" so to speak.  The Nautilus even had a good Library I guess.                

          It says here "primitive" metal Submarines were tried in the 1860's during the American Civil War.  And, those first "Ironclad" type Ships fought each other too in that war.  A little Bird  carrying a big twig in its mouth is running bye out there in the dirt in front of the Sheds.                              

          GIANT SQUID ("ARCHITEUTHIS")              "20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA"                                                                                                                                           

            I'm tempted to write about these things called "Giant Squid" but, I'll just wait and do it this afternoon.  Daisy says Captain Nemo's Submarine was attacked by a Giant Squid.  And one time Captain Nemo helped this one Whale which was being attacked by another Whale.                

        Our boss told Mr. Ralph one time he thinks it could be that many of the "Sea Monster" stories in history have been cases when a Giant Squid swam up from the deepest Ocean, to then    attack a Boat or Ship.  Usually they don't do that I guess.  But sometimes they might.                     

         Mr. Doug, who knows a lot about things having to do with the Ocean; read in a book the biggest "proven" Giant Squid was over forty feet long.  But some think there are probably some females who are sixty feet from "End to End" as they say.  Heathcliff just now crowed.                            

2014 LINCOLN "MKX NAUTILUS"

      

        One time Daisy and Millie were laying in our boss's office and heard him and a customer talk about a Car called a "Nautilus," just like Captain Nemo's Submarine.  I guess, like a lot of    vehicles; it's been sold under a few different names and brands.  I like Heathcliff's voice.               

         Dais heard the "Lincoln" Parts Manager tell Mr. Steve how the "MKX" is "assembled" in both China and Canada, come with good Stereo systems; and are either "front" or "four wheel    drive."  I can hear Heathcliff's Hen's over there clucking away and they sound so happy.               

          I mentioned in book one how Mr. Vic, besides knowing a lot about Aviation because he used to be a Pilot; has also studied the history of Naval warfare.  He knew about the writings of that    little hunchback guy Homer Lea.  He studied the Word War II war in the Pacific Ocean.               

                 

"BATTLE OF HAMPTON ROADS"  (MARCH 8-9, 1862)    

PAINTING BY HENRY BILL             

         

            My Encyclopedia says the first "naval engagement" between "metal" Ships took place in March of 1862; or second year of the Civil War.  Over two days, two "Ironclads" tried to destroy each other in the Harbor of "Hampton Roads," Virginia.  I really like Heathcliff's voice.               

           Back in 1862 the Union's "Monitor," with a "Rotating Turret;" fought the Confederacy's "slope-sided" warship called the "Merrimack" to a "draw."  A good painting shows the Rebel      "Merrimack" destroying a wooden Ship.  But canon balls are just bouncing off each other.           

        Jules Verne got his idea for Captain Nemo's Ship in 1867, after seeing a "model" of the French "Plongeur," or "Diver;" the first "mechanically" powered Submarine.  In 1864 the South tried a "manually" powered Submarine but it sank and everyone drowned.  A Crow cawed.         

        

RATT (ROBBIN CROSBY / 1959-2002 / ON LEFT)       

       

            I'm still thinking of that guy Michael Schenker.  Yesterday I wrote about how our boss one time met RATT'S Guitarist Robbin Crosby, whose father wrote books Mr. Steve and his parents  read when they were San Fernando Mission Tour Guides.  I can smell some old Mesquite.             

          Daisy says Robbin Crosby, who died already even though he was four years younger than our boss; was kicked out of RATT.  That's what Mr. Steve's customer near San Diego told him a  while back.  And the guy who replaced him, for only a short time; was Michael Schenker.              

         Even though Daisy likes Hard Rock, and her favorite band is AC/DC; she's told me a few times how she also really likes "Gospel" music too.  The same energy she gets from watching that little guy Angus Young, she also gets from some lively Gospel songs too.  Heathcliff crowed.           

                        

                                                    REVEREND JOHN NEWTON (1825-1807)

                                                                ARTIST UNKNOWN             

                                 

                Yesterday I mentioned the tv show about "Gospel" music Daisy saw and it talked about an 18th century English "Cleric" named John Newton.  Hey Lord!  Dais says he wrote that one song "Amazing Grace" which I want to hear.  Boy!  I really love the wig he wore back then.

           Hey Lord!  I guess that guy John Newton was a Sailor on, and later the Captain of one of those "Slave Ships."   I guess for a while, even though he was an English white man; he himself was a Slave in Africa.  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are right now flying toward the east. 

          Lord!  John Newton was a bad person but finally accepted You; which his mom had prayed for.  So he changed, became a Protestant "Preacher;" and was one of those "Abolitionists."  His friend John Wesley, who I mentioned yesterday; started those "Methodist" Protestants.

                                       

                                                                                     "SLAVE" TRADE ROUTES                                           

                                                

                In book one I wrote a little bit about the African "Slave Trade."   That was when, from the 16th through end of the 17th century, Europeans like John Newton sailed down to Africa to trade things like guns for slaves sold by other Africans.  A Duck is quacking over there.  

          The map of the Slave Trade routes shows a three-part voyage where, after picking up all of the slaves; the Ships took them to places like the U.S.  Then, those same exact wooden Ships, who needed wind to move forward; took things back to Europe.  More Ducks are quacking. 

               Hey God!  Daisy saw that other tv show about slavery which said slavery, in every part of the world; has always existed since ancient times.  And it wasn't just "Civilized" societies which kept slaves because "Indigenous" cultures had them too.  I like how Ducks sound. 

      

                                                               "AFRICAN" SLAVES

   

             I mentioned yesterday in my first book how Mr. Steve, and his father too; think slavery is "Officially" gone.  But, in the "Real World;" it's just not called slavery now.  Oh!  This picture in my Encyclopedia shows some chained slaves guarded with a gun by another black guy.

            Daisy says one time she heard our boss and his dad talking on the phone.  And one of the things they discussed was how, if you have no "Control over your own Destiny" when it comes to making money; then in a way you're kind of an unofficial slave.  I smell some Juniper.

            The caption below the picture of those slaves says their horrible trip over to America was called the "Middle Passage."  Many died, and the bodies were just dumped out into the Atlantic Ocean.  Mr. Steve told his friend Grant how some slaves were killed to collect insurance.

 

                                                 FREDERICK DOUGLASS (1818-1895)

                 Yesterday I wrote a little bit about that guy named Frederick Douglass, who was a slave in the 19th century but then escaped to become one of those Abolitionists.  I mentioned how he was born in that town of "Córdova" in the State of Maryland."  A Duck is quacking. 

                 The caption below this picture of Frederick Douglass describes him as a, "social reformer, writer and orator."  As I said yesterday, no one knows exactly what day he was born on but they know it was in the month of February.  And it's known he died on February the 20th.

                 Daisy helped me put together this list of important dates.  Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton, ex-girlfriend Harriet, father, Grandma Córdova and Steph's boyfriend Rich; were all also born in February like Frederick Douglass.  Anyway, I'll come back to Frederick Douglass later. 

                                                                     

                                                            KARL MARX (1818-1883)

                 

           In book one I wrote about that guy Karl Marx.  He wrote a few books about "Capitalism" versus "Socialism" or "Communism; and talked about "Wage Slaves."   In this second book one thing Daisy has me scheduled to write about is the history of what's called "Organized Labor."  

          Dais told me the tv show about Gospel music said John Newton mainly wrote the "Lyrics," or words; to that song Amazing Grace.  Later, someone else put it to the "Melody" which is very well known now.  Boy God!  Someday I really, really would like to hear that song myself.

             As You now already Lord, someday I want to hear Gospel songs because Daisy thinks I'd like not just the happy music; but also all of the praying and dancing too.  That sure does kind of sound appealing to me alright.  Dais senses Awen and Rhêma in some of those Gospel songs.

                                                                              19TH CENTURY "SLAVE PLANTATION"

                                    

               I'll mainly write about Gospel music tomorrow in my third book but today I'll mention a few things too.  Daisy told me, what people think of as Gospel music now started back in the 19th century at the time of the Slaves here in the American South.  Heathcliff crowed over there. 

                  I've mentioned how the first black Slave was brought to what is now "New England" way back in the year 1619, or early 17th century.  Hey Lord!  Daisy told me that tv show talked about Slave "Praise Houses."  Boy!  I really love breathing in all this new Spring morning air.

             According to what Daisy remembers from the tv show about Gospel music, the Slaves in the 19th century sang these songs called "Spirituals."  Hey God!  She thinks they were praying in "Imploring," or asking; for Your help in their hard lives.  They "Praised Your Power."

                     

                                                                SUNRISE OVER HIGH DESERT    

                                                                     

           Hey God!  Oh!  Thank You for another great day by the way.  The tv show said how John  Newton's "Hymn" Amazing Grace is mainly about Your forgiveness and a souls "Redemption."  But Daisy told me that first you have to admit guilt for all of the bad things you've done.               

           God!  Daisy thinks singing Amazing Grace is asking for Your "Graceful Mercy" to make a sad or difficult life down here more bearable.  I guess, it can be a "Spiritual" or "Secular" song. Those "Folk" Musicians back in the 1950's and 1960's really liked it according to Dais.  

              This Encyclopedia says there are two "strains" of Gospel music, one which started back in the 18th century by white people like John Newton; the other one the Slaves created.  Daisy says she feels Rhêma and Awen in some of the songs from both types.  Heathcliff is crowing.

         

                                                                       GENESIS

        

                 Oh!  All of a sudden I'm hearing the flute part in GENESIS'S song "Musical Box," and that makes me feel good.  Daisy told me one time our boss jokingly told that kid Jason it's "Art Rock."  Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and moving toward the north.

                Now I'm hearing the hard rock middle part of Musical Box, which is giving me energy.  I like how that song starts out slow and then has a few different parts to it.  Daisy says that when GENESIS played Musical Box live the Singer wore a mask to make himself look really old.

                I've mentioned Mr. Steve likes songs that have different sections or parts to them so, that's probably why he likes Progressive Rock.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear the GENESIS song about the giant Hogweed plant.  Daisy thinks to her it's just as good as the Musical Box.  

                         

                                          "SISTER" ROSETTA THARPE (1915-1973)

       

                 Oh what the heck!  I suddenly just feel like mentioning this one guitar-playing girl named Rosetta Tharpe.  Daisy told me her nickname was "Sister," and she did Gospel songs during the 1930's Great Depression and then when World War II was going on.  I smell Mesquite.

                 That tv show said Sister Rosetta Tharpe's electric guitar playing "techniques," and also the "Distortion" she used; influenced countless later Musicians in many "styles" of music.  Daisy says, even though she was playing religious music; she heavily influenced Rock & Roll.  

             Later today I'll write about a 1950's Record Label called "Sun," where I guess that guy Elvis did some songs.  He and other Musicians who worked there, like Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins for example; liked Rosetta Tharpe.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.     

      

            "SUN" RECORDS                   CHUCK BERRY          1960'S BRITISH GUITARISTS

                 According to Daisy, that lady Rosetta Tharpe's way of playing electric guitar influenced 1960's British Guitarists like Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Eric Clapton.  I wrote in book one how all three of them were, at one time or another; in the YARDBIRDS.  Dawn's barking. 

                Yesterday I mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve likes original forms of music but prefers "Heavier" later versions.  I guess the tv show about Gospel music said Chuck Berry admitted he played a louder, faster and more aggressive form of Rosetta Tharpe.  I really like Dawn! 

                  Daisy told me Chuck Berry said he even copied his "Duck Walk" dancing from Rosetta Tharpe.  But she wore a dress so couldn't be as limber as he was.  Rudy the Roadrunner just ran through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back eastern desert.  

  

                                                                          AC/DC

                         

                     Someday I want to hear more AC/DC'S songs.  I've heard a few of them but not the one about the girl Rosie next door was named after.   Last night, as we discussed book one and looked up at the beautiful Stars; Dais was kind of praising old Rosie more than usual I noticed. 

              All of a sudden I'm hearing AC/DC's song "Thunderstruck."  Daisy says in the Video it shows how talented a Dancer Angus Young is.  I guess in one part he even dances on his knees as he's playing his guitar at the same time too.  The four Pigeons are flying toward the east.  

             I'd like to see Angus Young "Duck Walk" like Chuck Berry.  Dais says in the Video from 1977 when they play their song about that girl Rosie he even plays guitar while doing this kind of Indian style dance, but backwards.  That was when first Singer Bon Scott was still alive. 

                                                                 THE "THREE STOOGES"

                   I just thought about how those guys the "Three Stooges" were Jewish.   Daisy says one time she actually saw Angus Young, on his side on the ground; play guitar while spinning around in a circle the way "Curly" and "Shemp" used to do sometimes.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

              During the 1930's Great Depression, when most people were so poor; at least the Three Stooges were lucky enough to have jobs.   According to Daisy, I guess when Curly spun around on the ground; he was imitating a dead Chicken with its head cut off.  Wow!  What talent!      

             One time our boss joked with Mr. Dave on the phone how Curly and Shemp, who were "Moe's" brothers in real life; were the world's first "Break" dancers.  I'd wear Angus Young's suit and hat.  Hey!  If I could learn to break dance, maybe we might even make money. 

               

YOUNG RASCALS     

        

                Daisy says Angus Young dressing like a "Schoolboy" isn't the first time a band did that as a "Gimmick."  She and Millie one time saw a Video of this 1960's band from New Jersey called the YOUNG RASCALS, or "RASCALS" for short.  Frida and Diego are flying bye. 

                 When Dais and Millie saw the YOUNG RASCALS  video that kid Jason was visiting and really liked their song "Good Lovin."  Daisy noticed how our boss pointed out how the YOUNG RASCALS' had a Jazz drummer.  She and Millie liked how he twirled his sticks a lot.  

                 Mr. Steve said the YOUNG RASCCALS, RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS and HALL AND OATES; were "Blue-Eyed Soul." Daisy told me how that means white guys making what would normally be black music.  The RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS are from "Orange" county.  

            

2014 KIA "SOUL"

       

                Mentioning "Soul" suddenly makes me think about that Car with that name Daisy told me about.  My Encyclopedia says it's a "Kia," which I guess is a South Korean country.  Dais says a Kia Parts Manager one time talked with Mr. Steve about hats with Soul logos on them.

           Daisy says that Parts Manager told Mr. Steve the Soul was "Designed" here in Southern California and based on a "Cancelled" Volkswagen proposal.  It's a "Subcompact Crossover" Sports Utility Vehicle.  The smell of the two Twin Joshua trees just came floating in. 

           Those Kia Soul's are called "Box" Cars according to what Dais heard, and I can see why in looking at a picture of one at a Lake.  I guess they five doors on them, and are "Propelled" by wheels that turn in the front instead of the back.  I wish I could smell a real Lake.  

                                                  

                                                               FRANCE A. CÓRDOVA

 

              Hey God!  A long white vapor trail up there in the sky makes me think about the physical world You created about fourteen billion years ago.  And that makes remember how I forgot to write more about that Scientist France A. Córdova.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.     

                Daisy says our boss admires Miss Córdova and saw a 2012 Video of her last speech as the "President" of an Indiana College called "Purdue."  I guess, back in the 1970's; Mr. Steve's mom for a short time wore her hair in a similar style as in the picture of her.  I like Heathcliff.

                Besides having our last name, Dais and I are proud that a female like Miss Córdova could be so smart.  This Encyclopedia describes her as being an "astrophysicist" and "administrator."  Oh!  No wonder her first name is France because I guess she really was born over there. 

      

                                           MR. JULIO WITH WIFE AND DAUGHTER

                Mr. Steve read Mrs. Córdova's mom thought they would have a boy so embroidered "F," for "Frederick;" on the baby clothes.  When it was a girl it was changed for "Francoise."  Mr. Julio embroiders the things Mr. Steve, and Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell.  

                Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Miss Córdova was the oldest of twelve children and I guess her Mexican-American father graduated from "West Point."  She went to this one Catholic High School in Los Angeles called "Bishop Amat."  The scent of Sage is strong again today

           I mentioned in my first book how, for 9th and 10th Grades; our boss went to "Alemany" Catholic High School.  Daisy says he told Mr. Ralph on the phone one time about Miss Córdova and they discussed people from Bishop Amat.  Boy!  This is going to be a good day.

    

                                                  MRS. CÓRDOVA WITH HUSBAND

     

                  In the Video of her final speech as President of Purdue University in 2012 Daisy noticed how she mentioned her husband.  They met "Rock" climbing, and when you do that someone is needed to save you if you accidentally fall.  She joked about how that was her husband.

                  Today Daisy has me scheduled to learn more about the big College up there in Northern California called "Stanford" University.   Miss Córdova went there and, like Mr. Steve's mom at C.S.U.N.; graduated "Cum Laude."  As I said yesterday, that's just Latin for "With Praise."

                  Daisy says Mr. Steve was amused to read Miss Córdova, born eight years before himself; as a kid read "Nancy Drew" books.  He read the "Hardy Boys."  But when he found out that one of the neighborhood girls read Nancy Drew, he "developed" an interest in them too.  

      

                    NANCY DREW                     THE ARCHIES                THE HARDY BOYS

               Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph how some of his male friends made fun of him for reading those Nancy Drew books.  They did the same in finding out he read "Archie" comics.  But, he's never really cared too much what other's think Daisy says; and to this day he's the same. 

               Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how the "original" Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys books were written back in the 1920's and 1930's.  He thinks one reason teenagers like them is because they want to be "self-sufficient" and "independent" from adults.  Heathcliff crowed.

           I guess Mr. Ralph, who also read some of those Hardy Boys "Detective" books too; used the phrase "wish fulfillment" to describe them.  Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Miss Córdova got a "PhD" in physics and worked for N.A.S.A.  And she went down to the South Pole.  

              

 "PULSAR" STAR        

         

               The caption below this good diagram of a "Pulsar" says it's a "highly magnetized rotating compact star."  And because "Rotating" is just another way of saying to spin on an axis; it turns round and round as we do down here on Earth.  Miss Córdova knows about Pulsars.

          Daisy one time heard our boss and Mr. Doug talking on the phone and they remembered their friend Mark Ritter who died.  Mark Ritter said, and the diagram shows too; "Radiation" shoots out of two ends of the round Pulsar star.  I smell the little baby Cholla cactus. 

          I guess, to a person looking through one of those telescopes from so far away Mark Ritter said; you only see the light when the spinning star's radiation "beam" points at you.  So it looks like it's pulsing.  Mark Ritter compared it to one of those coastal "Lighthouses."  

                                   

              NEIL ARMSTRONG (1930-2012)                  JOHN WOODEN (1910-2010)

                            

                 As I said before, that lady Miss Córdova was President of Purdue University in the State of Indiana.  U.C.L.A.'s famous Basketball coach named John Wooden, who Mr. Steve met; went to Purdue.  And so did Neil Armstrong who was the first man to walk on the Moon.   

               Daisy says our boss told Mr. Doug he thinks, being a "Physicist;" it must've been kind of intimidating when Miss Córdova met Neil Armstrong.  I'll bet she also admires Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein.  One time, in a "Meet and Greet;" Mr. Steve's parents met Neil Armstrong. 

            Mr. Steve noticed, like he and his father; Miss Córdova's read some of the things Thomas Merten wrote.  Also like them, she went up to "Masada" over there in Israel.  He also heard she taught at U.C.S.B. where, as I've mentioned; his sister Susan went to for a few years.    

                                      

                                                                "ARBORVITAE"                                                                                                                   

           Wow God!  The scent of the Arborvitae bushes back here is really strong this morning.  It's only the second day of Spring and, just like yesterday; I'm already smelling things around here earlier in the year than usual.  Some Ducks are quacking over there but Daffy's louder.

         Daisy is kind of like me in sort of wanting to see certain things as signs that this might be a really good year coming up.  Boy!  The Sunrise this morning was so beautiful just like yesterday. The Birds out in the desert, also like yesterday; sound happier to me for some reason.

        Today, like yesterday; there will be about twelve hours of sunlight so I've got plenty of time to write twelve chapters again.  I feel so lucky to be alive right now and can't wait to learn many new things today too.  I just now noticed how greener the Arborvitae bushes seem today. 

   

FLYING PIGEONS  

                                 

            Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.  Seeing them gives me energy in starting this second of what I now know will be three really long books.  Last night Daisy couldn't believe what I did, and again today I plan on using well the approximately twelve hours of new Spring sunlight.

            I felt like celebrating when Dais said last night that, "at this rate" you'll be just as smart as Mr. Peabody.  Hey God!  Like Daisy, I really want to believe that You're giving me a "Gift of Grace" in learning how to read and write.  Boy!  The morning is so beautiful again.  

            Hey God!  Right now, absorbing the sunlight; I have the feeling of being glad to be alive and not having to worry so much.   As You of course obviously know, Mr. Steve "Rescued" me from the field my first owner abandoned me into.  So thank You again for having him do it.

       

                                                                     GOLIATH       

PHOTO BY MATT JEPPSON           

                     

                  I see Goliath over there in the dirt flicking his tongue out to taste the air.  Oh!  That now  suddenly reminds me about how yesterday in my first book I missed on my outline the subject of the ancient Roman Goddess "Angitia."  So I can just find out about her right now instead.

                According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, one of the things Angitia was the Goddess of was "healing."  I guess, way back then in the ancient world; Snakes like Goliath were "associated" with "healing magic."  Ah!  I think Goliath just pulled in my scent.

                Yesterday I mentioned how the ancient Romans "absorbed or adopted" many Greek Gods but then just gave them some new names.  But in Angitia's case her Greek name was the same.  It says in the caption below a picture of her that the Latin word for "Serpent" is "angius."  

                  

                                 "ANGITIA"                           EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)

                   

           A picture shows a statue of Antigia, who that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about; standing next to this big Snake wrapped on a tree trunk.  Oh!  Just as I feel the Sun warming me I see how the Romans believed Antigua was the Sun's Granddaughter.  I really like her helmet.

           I mentioned in book one how Mr. Steve believes in what's called the "Sacred Feminine." But, Daisy says he thinks of it mainly in terms of "Spiritual Healing;" while Antigia was prayed to for "Physical" healing.  Goliath crawled out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  

                Hey Blessed Mother!  It says here that Antigia was also seen by the ancient Romans as a "Nature" or "Mother Earth" Goddess.  Other ancient cultures, like in "Crete" or down there in Egypt for example; also had Goddess's who were symbolized by Snakes or Serpents. 

                           

     FRIDA AND DIEGO            

           

       Oh!  I just glanced up from doing my work over here on the Patio.   Frida and Diego the two Bluebirds are standing over there on a log Mr. Mike cut with his Chain Saw.  Just like the other    Bird couples around here, you can tell they're best friends.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.           

     Thank You God for giving me Daisy and our boss as my best friends.  As Dais says, we're so lucky to all have each other because there are many Dogs and people who are all alone.  And I do know what she means because I remember how I felt living homeless out in that field.                    

   Andy and Helen the Ground Squirrels just ran out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds Manny, Moe and Jack.  They went through the two vertical slots on each side of the gate in doing it.  Their new Spring babies must be sleeping safely down there in the burrow.                        

                                       PAUL / LINDA MCCARTNEY AND FAMILY

          

              Seeing Frida and Diego over there reminds me about this song Daisy told me about.  It's by that guy Paul McCartney, and I guess is a love song to his wife about Bluebirds.  It was written in the early 1970's I guess, or; just a few years after that band the BEATLES had broken up.  

            According to what Daisy says, that song "Bluebird" is Paul McCartney playing one of those "Acoustic" guitars.  Dais, and that other Dog Millie who I replaced; one time saw a concert on tv where Paul McCartney played it.  I've mentioned before how Paul McCartney is left-handed. 

            Diego and Frida just took off and are now flying out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  I can see a lot of other Birds zipping around in every direction.  Ah!  The unique scent of the two Twin Joshua trees out there behind the Sheds just floated into both of my nostrils.  

                                                                                         

            THE "TWINS"                          

                                                         

        Ah!  Suddenly smelling the two Twin Joshua trees out there reminds me of yesterday at this exact same time of morning.  I sure do hope that's a good sign about today being another really "Productive" day.  Boy God!  As You know, I really want to believe it's an "Omen."

       Sitting here on the Patio makes me really appreciate just how fortunate I am to be alive and able to smell, see, hear, touch and taste everything around here.  Boy!  There's no other place on Earth that can make me feel as good as right here on my couch Elvira.  I'm so lucky!  

       Looking at my book two outline that Dais helped me put together makes me think about how I'm scheduled to learn a lot about World War II and the American Civil War today.  But, just as I did yesterday; I'll also write about other things too.  Oh!  The chimes are now ringing. 

                                                          

                                                                      "BELIEF"     

                                                                                      

            Holy Spirit, I sure hope it's You here again to help me just like yesterday.  I'll need all the help I can get from up there to guide me again today in writing this second book.  Well, I'll make a quick Sign of the Cross, say a prayer; and then begin my twelve hours of work.   

            Last night, as I finished book one; Daisy, Dawn and Blinky were barking so I hid all of my materials and ran up front to find out why.  It turned out they were barking at that one skinny man who pushes a wheelbarrow past our house out on the road.  Heathcliff crowed. 

           One morning Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mike he thinks that skinny man is out looking for what they call "Recyclables" because he probably has no other way to make money.  Thank You God for Heathcliff's voice.  It gives me energy to start working on this second book.  

      

                         DAWN                                    BLINKY                                        ROSIE

                  

             Dawn's barking.  Yesterday I mentioned how Dawn, who's blind in one eye; was the leader of their pack until one day little Blinky "Took Over" in a peaceful "Coup d' État."  So, now Mr. Steve nicknamed Blinky "Short Biggie;" and then Dawn became our "Big Shorty."     

         Rosie's old like Daisy but, as I said in book one; Dais seems a lot younger.  Rosie's just like Libby the Horse, who I see eating hay over there to my right in her Corral.  They're both really careful in how they walk around and, at times; even seem to be afraid of falling down.  

         In book one I wrote about how the United States is in an economic "Recession" and here in California we're in a "Drought."  Mr. Steve admires that skinny man pushing the wheelbarrow and says at least he's not lazy.  Mr. Steve keeps good wheelbarrows up in the Garage. 

  

  ANDY AND HELEN 

 

                 Oh!  Andy and Helen are playing.   They're taking a break from guarding their babies, who are probably asleep in the burrow; but I know they're still alert for any danger.  I just now picked up Andy and Helen's scents which are blended together like just one Squirrel. 

           Seeing Andy and Helen makes me feel so good in knowing that I have a place to live where I'm a part of this small community.  I suddenly feel like running up to the front yard and wrestle with Daisy.  Hey God!  I sure hope someday I'll have a boy Dog to wrestle around with.

           I'll bet right now Dais is up there laying on the cement slab in front of the Garage licking her paws so her Arthritis feels better.  As I mentioned yesterday in book one, Mr. Steve puts one of those "Bufferin" pills in her food.  I just love breathing fresh air in through my nose!    

                                   

                                                                          MORNING IN THE HIGHDESERT

                                                                                                                           

                Heathcliff crowed again over there next door and, like yesterday; he started announcing the day way earlier than usual this morning.  Hearing him now reminds me of the very first time I ever heard his energetic voice.  As I've said, Daisy explained to me what a Rooster is.

           Dais says there's a good cartoon about a really clever orange boy Cat named Heathcliff.  I so want to to see it someday.  Daisy,  and Millie were in the Living Room and saw a really funny Heathcliff cartoon about how he so cleverly and skillfully "Acquires" his own food.

          As I said a few times yesterday, I can't wait for the time when I've finally gotten over my fear of getting trapped in an enclosed area.  Then I'll be able to go into the house like Daisy and see a lot more tv.  But being homeless kind of made me more cautious than other Dogs.  

           

HEATHCLIFF / SONJA   

                       

         According to what Daisy says, that Cat Heathcliff gives gifts and gets food for his girlfriend named "Sonja."  She's a white Cat and is so lucky because Heathcliff really likes her and is one of those good male providers I wrote about in book one.  I smell new Spring Sage.

        Daisy told me in the Heathcliff cartoon there's a Bulldog named "Spike" who's not as smart as Heathcliff and is kind of mean sometimes so I guess Heathcliff tricks him.  But this other Dog named "Chauncy" is nice.  He and Heathcliff even lick each other's faces like we do.

        As we ate breakfast I thought of all the work I still have to do again today and tomorrow, or another twelve hours of sunlight for twelve chapters in three sections.  I felt so good as our boss wiped the sleep from my eyes and examined me.  That's Daisy's favorite part of the day.

     

AUSTIN, SUSAN, DALTON                                       BILL COSBY SHOW         

        

                 I mentioned a few times in my first book how, in the 1980's; Mr. Steve's sister Susan was a "Set Decorator" for a few different tv shows like the one with that guy Bill Cosby in it.  I'd like to see that show someday and I know for sure so would Daisy too.   I smell some Juniper. 

            Daisy heard our boss telling a customer about Heathcliff, and I guess that Parts Manager told him Bill Cosby's character's first name on the tv show was "Heathcliff."  Mr. Steve didn't know that.  Samson and Delilah the Raven's are flying together over Libby's Corral.  

           According to Dais our boss told the Parts Manager about that 1847 book by Emily Brontë called "Wuthering Heights," and how our Heathcliff and his father got their names.  Boy!  I feel so good right now!  Thank Everyone up there for helping me feel the way I do right now.

           

                      HUELL HOWSER                                                   "PINK'S" HOT DOGS

              

                 Oh!  Because lately Mr. Steve has been throwing pieces of Hot Dogs to us in our fun game of catch, I just thought of something.  Yesterday, when I wrote about the color pink; I missed on my outline the subject of  a Los Angeles restaurant.  Donald and Daisy are both quacking. 

                Someday I want to see some of those Huell Howser episodes Daisy and our boss's parents like so much.  I guess, in one of Huell Howser's segments he visits a restaurant that our boss has eaten at called "Pink's."  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just ran bye in front of the Sheds.   

           Dais told me it said on Huell Howser's tv show Pink's began during the 1930's as this Hot Dog "Street Vendor" during the "Great Depression."   But in 1946, the year after World War II ended; they moved into an actual building which they're still in I guess.  I can smell Libby.

       

                  ORSON WELLS (1915-1985)                         OZZY OSBOURNE WITH FAMILY

                According to the Huell Howser segment, some famous people have eaten at Pink's over the years.  Orson Wells went there, and Dais told me so has BLACK SABBATH'S first Singer Ozzy Osbourne's family too.  Mr. Ralph said he's been to Pink's a few times and liked it a lot.  

            Yesterday I mentioned how, when he was still with Miss Harriet; sometimes they watched that one tv show called "90210."  Daisy heard an episode of that show was filmed over at Pink's.  Boy!  Writing about food is making me hungry, even though we had another big breakfast.  

            I guess, from what Daisy heard; Pink's mainly sells Hot Dogs but also makes things like Hamburgers too.  Dais told me all about this drink called "Lemonade," made from a fruit called "Lemons."  I guess lemons are yellow but sometimes the drink itself can be pink in color.

  

"LEMON" SHARK

                

                  Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the subject of Sharks until this afternoon, I feel like talking about "Lemon" Sharks now instead.  Dais heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talking about them.  Boy!  I love breathing in all of this fresh morning air.

             I guess, from what it says here in this Encyclopedia; Lemon Sharks can grow to be eleven feet long and live for about twenty years.  Mr. Steve said they "live in groups" near coastlines of the "subtropical" areas, and sometimes attack humans; but "rarely."  Heathcliff crowed.    

             It says here how Lemon Sharks "yellowish" color is an "adaption," good "camouflage" for living in "shallow waters with sandy-colored sea floors."  Mr. Steve read they mainly hunt at night and, as it says here too; usually go to the same area every year to breed.  I smell Sage.      

  

RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS       

           

                 Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave one time talking about Pink's, and how it's located in the "Fairfax" District of Los Angeles.  Mr. Dave said he's been to the campus of "Fairfax High School," where that band RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS went to.   A little Lizard ran bye.

           Mr. Steve, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen, when they worked for the sports teams back in the mid-1980's; made sales in the "Fairfax" district where Pink's is located.  Mr. Steve sold Boxing season tickets to a Barber near Pink's one time.  Ducks are quacking but Daffy is louder. 

           Boy!  Even though my favorite color will always be royal blue I think, I'm really starting to like the colors pink and yellow.  When I was homeless out in that field, one thing that gave me a good feeling was to look and smell all the different wildflowers.  Pink is such a good color! 

                 

                   SAM / YOLANDA                    

     

            I've mentioned how pink has become "Associated" with Breast Cancer.  Mr. Steve's Sister in Law Yolanda survived that because she's a very strong-minded person.  And she had her good family around her, to give her support.  And it worked because now she's as good as ever.  

           Dais heard our boss and his mom remember how, when Miss Yolanda was going through the "Treatment"  for cancer she had to shave her hair off.  Because of that, Mr. Steve's brother Sam "Shaved his Head" too.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying over Libby's Corral.

           Mr. Steve loves it when a customer tells him "I trust your discretion so just put something together for me."  Sometimes it's for Breast Cancer events so he "Incorporates" pink into the order.  One time, instead of royal blue Ford ovals on hats; Mr. Julio just made them in pink.        

                                

                                                                                                             PINK    

                  

                In book one I also forgot to write about this girl Singer named PINK.  Daisy and Millie, when Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha was visiting; saw a tv show about her.   A customer in the city of "Philadelphia" told our boss PINK is originally from the State of "Pennsylvania." 

                 Daisy noticed from the tv show how that girl PINK at times colors her hair pink.  She and her husband have two kids according to what it said on that one tv show.  A black Cow Bird just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to scoot out into the eastern desert.   

               Writing about Hot Dogs kind of makes me hungry, even though we had our big breakfast this morning.  I really believe we should start a restaurant like Pink's, but only for us Dogs.  It's possible we could make money, and one good "Fringe Benefit" is we could eat the leftovers.

                                                                                                                                   MADONNA                                            STEPHANIE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                       

            Daisy told me the tv show about PINK said, as a kid growing up in Pennsylvania; she once dressed up as that other girl Singer named MADONNA  and did one of her songs.  When she was a young girl Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie did the same exact thing too.  I can smell Sage.

              I mentioned yesterday in book one how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie is a really good cook and so is his Sister in Law Yolanda.  I guess Stephanie would like to start an actual restaurant some day.  Stephanie and Miss Yolanda have been influenced by Mr. Steve's mom's cooking.

          Mr. Steve told his Niece on the phone running a restaurant is hard.  In 1986 a restaurant customer in San Fernando who he sold advertising to for "The Sun" joked that it's "like being a Boxer trying not to get hit."  He said, "You just have to adjust from moment to moment." 

         

"PINKIE"     

PAINTING BY THOMAS LAWRENCE          

         

              Yesterday I wrote about that one painting at the Huntington Library called "Pinkie."  In looking at the picture of it I can see why Mr. Steve's mom likes it.  I forgot to mention in my first book how the girl it shows was named Sarah Moulton.  She's eleven in the painting of her.

           Oh wow!  My Encyclopedia says that painting was made in 1794, and Sarah Moulton died the very next year.  I guess "Pinkie" was the nickname her Grandma called her.  Her family was really rich because her English father was one of those "merchants," and was very successful.

           It says here, that girl Sarah Moulton was born on her father's "plantation" down there in Jamaica; but the painting of her was done while she was back in England.  Boy!  You can really tell how talented that Painter Thomas Lawrence was.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.        

         

ELIZA BETH BARRETT BROWNING (1806-1861)

DRAWING BY HULTUNG GETTY

      

               I just looked up a "Victorian" era English girl Poet named Elizabeth Barrett Browning.   She was the Niece of Sarah Moulton, and it says here how she was the "oldest of twelve" kids in her family.  Her husband was a pretty good Writer too, and they lived over there in Italy.

           Elizabeth Barrett Browning was in "chronic" pain for "most" of her life.  Hey Lord!  She really believed in You, was one of those "Abolitionists" who didn't like Slavery; and was against "Child Labor."  I guess her husband published her very last poems after she died in 1861.    

                Wow!  According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, that American Writer Edgar Allen Poe "highly admired" the poetry of Elizabeth Barrett Browning.  And, so did that other Poet Emily Dickinson too.  Hey!  I wonder if a Dog like me could ever learn to be a Poet?

  

RUSH LIMBAUGH

 

             Usually when Mr. Steve comes outside to do yardwork he plays music on his Boombox, but sometimes he listens to what I guess is called "Talk Radio."  One time he told Mr. Randy how that "form of radio" was "invented" by a guy named Rush Limbaugh.  Heathcliff crowed.

            Dais told me how our boss's "Clock Radio" automatically goes on at at either five thirty or fifteen minutes to six, depending on which time it's "Set" at.  He then listens to that guy Bill Handel until Rush Limbaugh comes on at nine.  I smell Blinky, Dawn and Rosie over there.

           As he brushes his teeth and gets ready for the new day; our boss listens to La Primavera Daisy says.  Because he has customers back east and there's that three hour "Time Difference" I wrote of in book one, Daisy says our boss makes phone calls in the morning.  I smell Sage.

     

SUNRISE OVER THE DESERT     

        

            Sometimes Mr. Steve begins making phone calls right away, but on other days he comes outside to do a little yardwork.  That's what he did today, probably because he feels good about this being our new year; and he also likes to look at and feel the Sun coming up.   Me too!   

            One morning, as he and Mr. Mike loaded Rex the Truck with things to take to the dump;  they were listening to that man Rush Limbaugh.  Mr. Mike likes listening to him and thinks he's funny when he jokingly says things like, "Talent on loan from God."  That is kind of funny.   

            All of a sudden I'm again hearing in my head Vivaldi's song La Primavera.  Last Summer one time our boss played it for Mr. Randy, who now also really likes it too.  Daisy told me how, over the years he's played it for other people; who now also listen to it in the morning too. 

      

                                                      ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)

      

      In hearing Vivaldi's song La Primavera this morning Daisy and I understood a little more why it makes our boss feel good and think about Rhêma.  It sure is giving me energy now and I'm feeling happy just to be alive.  The Sun is hanging above the eastern horizon to my front.        

       Hey God!  I feel lucky You gave me this couch Elvira to sit on back here in our Patio, and I feel so lucky to have her.  There's no other place in the world where I'd rather be right now that's for sure.  A lot of Birds are zooming around out there in the desert behind the three Sheds.            

       I mentioned yesterday how "La Primavera" means "The Spring" in Latin and, that guy Antonio Vivaldi lived during Europe's "Baroque" period.  He was from Italy.  Boy!  Every time I look at Vivaldi's picture I like even more the wigs people wore back in the 18th century.                

   

DEVO 

   

       I feel so good right now because my favorite band DEVO'S song "Blockhead" just popped into my mind.  Mr. Steve played a lot of DEVO songs this morning and that makes me like them even more now.  Boy!  I really, really like how DEVO dresses so totally professional.                      

        DEVO, who are from Ohio; have songs that make me feel good, and right now are giving me energy to work as hard today as I did yesterday.  Even though I haven't heard all of their songs I  think DEVO'S an "Intellectual" and  "Clever" band.   And I really like how they look.                 

        This morning as I listened to all of those DEVO songs I felt inspired and couldn't wait to get started on writing this second long book.   DEVO'S music makes me think of Rhêma.  Daisy says if I can write about some of the ideas in their songs our boss will be very impressed.                       

             

"SISYPHUS' CURSE" 

                          

      I really like DEVO song "Snowball."  Mr. Steve thinks it might be influenced by that one ancient Greek story about the King named "Sisyphus." I mentioned him in my first book and in books two and three I'm scheduled to learn again a lot more about the ancient world.                    

        Yesterday I wrote how, because of his "Deceitfulness;" King Sisyphus was "doomed" to roll a big rock up a hill for eternity.  When he got to the top it would roll right back  down, so he had to start all over and roll it up again.  I guess that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about Sisyphus.        

       I was so happy when my boss played CANNED HEAT'S song "Going Up The Country" on his Boombox this morning.  I think it's replaced JETHRO TULL'S "The Third Hoorah" as my    all time favorite song which makes me want to dance.  I sure wish DEVO used flute.                       

        

CANNED HEAT                                            THE ANIMALS

         Right now I'm, all of a sudden; hearing in my head Going Up The Country and I really like CANNED HEAT'S Singer on that song.  Besides flute, his voice is the reason why I like that song  so much but now, like my boss; I'm beginning to like the drums too.  Heathcliff just crowed.         

       Looking at the eastern horizon behind the three Sheds makes me think of that song by the ANIMALS called "House of the Rising Sun."  The singing and organ playing is so good!  Mr.        Steve played it on his Boombox this morning and I'm looking forward to hearing it again.             

       Yesterday I wrote about that kid "Jason" who's learning to play guitar.  Dais and Millie one time heard our boss tell him how House of the Rising Sun is an old "traditional Folk song" that  has been done by many different musicians over the last century.  I smell Libby over there.           

       

BOB DYLAN         

              

          I guess in the early 1960's Bob Dylan did a version of House of the Rising Sun, but it's not like the ANIMAL'S version.  I wrote yesterday about Bob Dylan being originally from the State    of "Minnesota."  Mr. Steve likes how he often combines "seriousness with humor."                      

        As I said yesterday, Mr. Steve appreciates original forms of music like "Blues," "Folk" and "Reggae."  But he prefers "Heavier" and more aggressive versions of those styles.  So that's why he likes the ANIMAL'S version of House of the Rising Sun better than Bob Dylan's.                       

        Daisy heard our boss and his customer Mr. Phillip talk about how the ANIMAL'S are from the northeast England city of "Newcastle."  I guess, the POLICE'S bass player/singer "Sting" is  also from there too; and so is AC/DC'S second Singer Dais says.  Mr. Phillip is "Welsh."                

   

                           MR. STEVE'S PARENTS                                      SAM'S FAMILY                                                                       

         Oh!  I just thought of how this a good place to mention about that guy Bob Dylan being born on May the 24th, which just also happens to be Mr. Steve's parents "Wedding Anniversary" too.  I totally forgot to say it yesterday in book one.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.                     

         In my first book I mentioned a few times how Daisy helped me put together not only my three long outlines, but also the list of important family dates I'm comparing things to.  And, in    May; Mr. Steve's brother Sam and his Sister in Law Yolanda were born.  I smell Sage.                   

         Besides just Mr. Steve's brother Sam, and his wife Yolanda; his two Nephew's Austin and Jacob were also born in the month of May.  And so was his Niece Raqquel.  Well, back to writing about that song House of the Rising Sun which I'm still hearing in my head right now.                   

                                      

  THE ANIMALS       

             

        I mentioned a few times yesterday how one reason why Mr. Steve likes 1970's "Progressive Rock" music is because many of their songs have sudden changes in what's called "Tempo" and  "Dynamics."  He enjoys the unexpected.  GENESIS'S song "Musical Box" is like that.                   

        The ANIMAL'S Singer and Musicians are so great!  Daisy says our boss likes playing House of the Rising Sun on drums because it gives him a chance to practice playing on that big "Ride"  cymbal.  Heathcliff is crowing over there and that really makes me feel so good right now.             

      Daisy one time heard a tv show use the word "lamentation" to describe some Blues songs.  And my English Dictionary says that means, "To mourn, feel or express sorrow."  Yup!  That is    kind of how Dais and I feel when we heard the ANIMAL'S House of the Rising Sun alright.                       

SUN HOUSE (1902-1988)      

             

        Oh!  This is a good place to mention an old Blues Guitarist named Sun House.  Somehow, when I wrote about Blues music yesterday in book one; I totally missed him on my outline.  Daisy told me how, on a tv show about Blues; it said he influenced a lot of other later Guitarists.             

         Hey Lord!  As You know already of course, from what Dais heard on that one tv show, Sun House was a Christian "Preacher" and "Church Pastor" over there in the State of "Mississippi." Anyway, I'll come back to him later when I write about Muddy Waters.  I smell Sage.                    

        Yesterday I wrote about those three 19th century English Writers called the Brontë sisters.  They're kind of like my "Role Models."  As I've already said a few times in my two books, our      Heathcliff and his father were named after that character in Emily Brontë's "Novel."                    

        

                                            ANNE, EMILY, CHARLOTTE BRONTË

PAINTING BY BRANWELL BRONTË          

          

             Someday I hope to read some books like the ones those three Brontë sisters wrote.  That's why writing my three books is giving me good practice at learning how to read and write.  Aha!  I knew I was smelling Cher and there she is crouching below Theodora's Creosote bush.

            Cher is sitting perfectly still, but I have really good eyes; so see her clearly even when she is totally motionless.  If I know her she's just hoping a Mouse, Lizard or maybe even a Bird; will come into range so she can kill and eat it.  Boy!  We had such a good breakfast this morning.

            I'm thinking about Emily Brontë's kind of sad life.  Her mother died when she was three and she only lived to be thirty.   As I wrote in book one, her dad who was Irish; was a "Curate" in the Protestant Church of England and that means he was sort of like a "Parish Priest."       

                                                                                  

SANDY                                           EMILY                                         HARRIET     

         

       Yesterday in my first book I wrote a few things about Mr. Steve's three ex-girlfriends named Sandy, Emily and Harriet.  I'll do the same thing today when I write about Mr. Steve's life.  I just have a strong feeling this is going to be a really good day just like yesterday was already.       

      As I wrote in book one, Mr. Steve's girlfriend Emily grew up in New York City but has been living out here in Los Angeles for a long time.  Daisy thinks, like Emily Brontë; she sounds like a very smart person.  She still works over there at U.C.L.A. in the "Athletic Department."

         Oh!  Mentioning U.C.L.A. reminds me that I somehow missed a lady named Judy Chicago on my book one outline yesterday.  So I can just write about her now because she went to College at U.C.L.A.  Cher the Cat is still over there near Manny but now her eyes are totally closed.

             

                                                               JUDY CHICAGO       

            

                Dais heard Mr. Steve talk to his mom on the phone about an Artist named Judy Chicago, who really is from the city of  "Chicago."  She's mainly a painter but also does other types of art too.  Oh Boy!  Heathcliff just crowed over there, and sounds as happy as he was yesterday.

             I guess "Chicago" is not that lady's original last name.  Mr. Steve was told by a customer in Chicago she's Jewish and her brother and husband are also Artists too.  Her Art Exhibits at times are what they call "Collaborative," which means she works with other Artists too.

                  Mr. Steve was told Judy Chicago has a place in Belén where, as I mentioned a few times yesterday; is the town in New Mexico where his parents grew up around.  As I also wrote in book one, Dais says our boss still has "Relatives" in and around Belén.  I love Heathcliff's voice!

                                                                        

                                                          MR. STEVE'S MOTHER

           

      Mr. Steve says Judy Chicago is smart and at U.C.L.A. was in the "Phi Beta Kappa Society." During the 1970's she was even a College teacher here in California.  Yesterday I mentioned how my boss's mom graduated College from C.S.U.N. with a 4.0. "G.P.A." in Art History.

      As I wrote in book one, G.P.A. stands for "Grade Point Average."  And, according to what it says in this Greek Dictionary; "Phi Beta Kappa" would be translated as "Love of learning is the guide of life."  Hey!  That's what Mr. Steve's teacher Sister Rita Joseph thought too.

      Hey God!  I want learning to be my guide because then Mr. Steve will like me more and never want to get rid of me.  As I wrote yesterday, Mr. Steve and his mom had those Art Exhibits in the 1990's here in California.  Judy Chicago has had them all over the whole world.

            

BELÉN (NEW MEXICO)  

       PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                

                      

             As I wrote in book one, Belén where Judy Chicago now lives is about the same size as our town of  Piñon Hills; both having about seven thousand people.  I've mentioned how Belén means "Bethlehem" in Spanish.  And in Hebrew that would be translated to be "House of Bread."

           Belén, as I said yesterday; was established way back in the middle of the 18th century just like Los Angeles.  New Mexico was "Colonized" by the Spanish in the early 17th century, "Alta" California "Settled" later in mid-1700's.  Cher just now woke up and yawned really wide. 

             New Mexico, "Nuevo Mejico" in Spanish; became part of Mexico in 1821 whey they broke away from Spain.  Then in 1848 after the "Mexican War," along with what is now Arizona; it became an American "Territory."  Cher jumped down from Manny and is jogging away.       

             

             NEW MEXICO                                          "RIO GRANDE" RIVER           

         

                 My Encyclopedia says New Mexico and Arizona became "States" in 1912, and the city of Belén was "incorporated" six years later.  In the late 19th century "merchants and tradesmen" came to the "Rio Grande" Valley, and the area "began to grow."  Heathcliff crowed.

           Belén's first "Post Office" in 1873 was run by a German man named John Becker.  Daisy heard our boss's father tell him how before that people had to go to "Los Lunas" to get mail.  I guess, the Railroads came in about 1880;  and Belén's first school appeared five years later. 

           Wow!  It says here how, by the year 1900; there were less still than a thousand people in  Belén.   The first Bank opened in 1903, and a Newspaper was "established" three years after that.  Bernard Jacobson, a "lumber yard owner;" was elected Belén's first Mayor in 1918. 

       

"WAR HEROES MEMORIAL ("JARALES")

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA         

              

            Yesterday I wrote about the "War Heroes Memorial" back there in New Mexico that Mr. Steve's parents were involved in getting built in the late 1980's.   It's in "Jarales" near Belen, or  where Mr. Steve's dad grew up; and his brother "Casey's" family lives.  Dawn's barking.

           Boy!  All those guys the memorial celebrates must've been really brave to get a celebration of their lives made.  They'll be remembered forever.  Daisy says, if we ever have to defend these two acres; we'll just have to try hard to keep our "Presence of Mind" and not be panicking.

           I just thought of that man General Marquez, who was the one responsible for getting the "T-33" Jet Plane on the pedestal near the memorial.  As I said in book one, he's an "Air Force" General and he and our boss's father have been lifelong friends.  I smell Blinky over there.

           

LIEUTENANT GENERAL LEO MARQUEZ (1932-2011)    

        

            I guess that guy General Marquez, who Daisy heard one time is called the the "Father of Maintenance and Logistics" for the U.S Air Force; is twenty six days older than our boss's dad.  Both graduated from "Belen High School" in 1949.  Both of their wives are named "Stella."

           Just like Mr. Steve's parents, General Marquez and his wife had five kids too.  One time Daisy and Millie heard that General Marquez's wife fell down and broke her leg.  Mr. Steve's parents visited the Marquez's during that time when they were living in "Albuquerque."

           I wrote yesterday how "Logistics" is how an army gets its food and supplies, which is what General Marquez was good at.  But even before that, he was an actual Pilot who "Accumulated" over two thousand hours of flying Jets.  A flock of Birds is flying to the east way up there.

                                                                                                       

            F-86 "SABRE"                                           F-102 "DELTA DAGGER"     

         

           According to what Daisy heard our boss and his father talking about one time, before he was a General Mr. Marquez flew some of those F-86 "Sabres" I mentioned yesterday.  That was in the mid-1950's, just after the "Korean War."  Later, he flew F-102 "Delta Daggers." 

           I guess, General Marquez flew some "Combat Assignments" during the "Vietnam War."  Heathcliff just crowed over there and I can also hear some of his Hens happily clucking away all  around him.  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie all standing on the other side of the fence.

         Dais says "Kirtland" Air Force Base is near the city of "Albuquerque."  From what she heard our boss and his father talk about one time, in 1995 it was going to be "Shut Down" but General Marquez helped to keep it open; which saved people's jobs.  Blinky's very brave!

                                    

            "WRIGHT" BROTHERS                       COLONEL ROY C. KIRTLAND (1874-1941     

               

            From what Daisy and Millie heard, Kirtland A.F.B. near Albuquerque is named for a man from the State of "Montana" named Roy Kirtland.   As an Army "Colonel," he was one of the earliest Pilots, and even got to fly those "Wright Brothers" very first Plane.  I smell Sage.

           Daisy heard our boss talking on the phone with his father about getting that War Heroes Memorial built.  Even though it's located in Jarales, there were also people from the towns of "Bosque," "Casa Colorada" and "Pueblitos" involved in it too.  Dawn's barking over there.

          Mr. Steve's father thinks there are "less than" one thousand people total" in all four of those small towns back there in New Mexico.  As kids, when they visited Belén; my boss and his brothers and sisters noticed its size compared to Los Angeles.  I like how Blinky sounds.

"VIETNAM" WAR

                                                                                                                                                    

                 One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking with his dad about General Marquez, and how he also knew how to fly Helicopters too.  In Vietnam his Helicopters were shot down two times, once in January of 1968; during the famous "Tet Offensive."   Mr. Cliff  fought in that battle.

            Mr. Steve, during dinner once at his parent's house down there in Sylmar; heard General Marquez talk about his Helicopters being shot down.  He said, in "both cases" he was hit in the "gearbox" and had to "land in the trees."   All four of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.

            Hey God!  General Marquez and his wife Stella think You saved his life in Vietnam.  The   The idea for that War Heroes Memorial began in the kitchen of this man Ruperto Baldonado, who lives in Bosque with his wife "Flora."   General Marquez worked at the "Pentagon."      

   

Mr. AND MRS. BALDONADO

("BOSQUE," NEW MEXICO)

         Daisy heard Mr. Steve's dad say Mr. Ruperto and his wife helped him a lot on that War Heroes Memorial.  They have a twenty acre farm in Bosque.   And I guess Mr. Ruperto also has a Barber Shop on their property.  Mr. Steve's dad called their help "invaluable" Dais says.              

          Oh!  Cher just pounced on and ambushed a Lizard.  She just bit and killed it, and is now taking the dead body under Moe the middle Shed to eat it without any interruptions or someone trying to steal it.  Sometimes jumps up on one of the Shed's roofs to eat things she catches. 

          Poor Lizard but, as Daisy jokes; someone has to be the food for the other things like Cher who live around here.  Boy!  It would be so bad to be eaten as someone's food.  I mentioned a few times in book one how our boss has always had a fear of being eaten by something like a Shark.  

         

                  SAMSON AND DELILAH                      

                                                       

               Oh!  I just glanced up from working down here on my couch Elvira.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye up there in the morning sky, moving to the north; my left.  Heathcliff just crowed.  Wow!  That makes me think of  another time he crowed as Samson and Delilah flew bye.  

                 Daisy's noticed how girl Raven's seem to lay their eggs earlier than Crows in this month of March.  Dais says Raven eggs "Hatch" in about three weeks and then the baby's will come out. I just picked up Blinky, Dawn and Rosie's scents, and I'll bet they're standing near the fence.  

            One time Miss Susan, who used to run our local Newspaper "News Plus;" describe a baby Bird which is ready to fly as a "fledgling."  And I just looked it up in my Dictionary, and that's exactly what that name does mean alright.  Donald and Daffy are quacking over there.

   

                                                               CROW / RAVEN

           

           As I wrote yesterday in book one, Crows sometimes "Migrate" around and gather in groups while Raven couples "Stake Out" a territory and stay there.  Raven's seem to be more playful in the mornings.  Both Crows and Raven's, like Dais and I too; are curious about things. 

           In the case of Samson and Delilah we can easily tell who they are mainly by seeing how big Samson is.  But Daisy and I have both noticed that Raven's flying is a lot smoother than Crows in the way their wings flap.  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just zoomed bye right now. 

            As I wrote yesterday in my first book, Crows and Ravens sound different when they talk.  I guess, from what Dais heard; Miss Susan described a Crow's voice as a "high-pitched yap" while Raven's "croaking raaawk" is lower in tone.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.       

                                                       

"MILKY WAY" GALAXY         

                                            

               Staring at the sky last night made Daisy and I realize God how powerful You must be.  And we thought about how big the "Solar System" we're part of must be.  And yet, our "Milky Way" Galaxy is only a tiny part of the "Universe" You created fourteen billion years ago. 

          Boy! It's too bad we won't be able to see the "Constellation" Orion until next Winter.  But, I want to think like Daisy and say it's something to look forward to.  I wrote a little about Orion in book one and how it's always been important to so many cultures down here on Earth.

          Mr. Steve and Miss Susan discussed those three pyramids in Egypt.  Yesterday, in my first book; I wrote about how they're "Aligned" in the same exact pattern as the three "Belt" Stars of Orion.  And so are the three other pyramids down there in Mexico at "Teotihuacan." 

                                               "GIZA" PYRAMIDS                       "ORION"                     CONSTELLATION                                         

                      

         Yesterday in book one I mentioned how the three Stars in Orion's belt are called, from left to right; "Alnitak," "Alnilam" and "Mintaka."  But Mr. Steve jokingly calls the three of us their Latin names  "Zeta," "Epsilon" and "Delta."  I'm Zeta, Daisy's Epsilon; he's Delta.                      

         Hey God!  As I keep saying, I can't wait to someday read the Bible.  Dais heard our boss tell Miss Susan one time how he read Orion is mentioned three times in the Bible and it's in Homer's Odyssey too.  That guy Tolkien called Orion Middle Earth's "Menelvagor" I guess.                        

        Last night God, as You know; Daisy told me again about that one tv show.  It said life down here on Earth may have begun when one of those big "Meteors," like the one that killed most of  the Dinosaurs; flew down and crashed into us.  Heathcliff is crowing again over there.                   

         

  SHOWER"                       "METEOR"                    "STRIKE"           

           

       God!  According to what Dais remembers from the tv show, it's possible billions of years ago Meteors may have hit the Earth.  They penetrated down deep into the ground, just like the    "Asteroid" that almost killed off the Dinosaurs sixty five million years ago.  I smell Sage.              

        Daisy says, from what she recalls; all those Meteor "strikes" could have "deposited" this thing called "Phosphorous" into the Earth's "Crust."  I guess phosphorous is necessary for life.    Boy!  I'm so glad I have this English Dictionary for spelling hard words correctly.                           

       As I mentioned a few times yesterday, Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died; was very  interested in things like "Geology" and "Reptiles."  When he first met our boss back in the mid-1970's, at "Laser Images;" he was reading about "Astronomy."  Sage smells so good.                     

       

  LIGHTNING 

              I mentioned a few times in book one how we sometimes have cold Winter storms up here in Piñon Hills.  But I don't mind those as much as the scary "Thunder" storms we have in Summer. Even since living homeless nothing terrifies me as much as "Thunder and Lightning" does.          

       Daisy says some Scientists think maybe repeated lightning strikes "released" phosphorous from Earth's crust.  This could've "Jump Started," or "Lit the Fuse;" which "Sparked" life into existence.  Hey God!  As You know already, Dais believes You caused that to happen.                      

        Yesterday I mentioned that movie Daisy saw called "2001, A Space Odyssey."  It was made in 1968, when Mr. Steve was thirteen; and is partly about a computer named "Hal" who becomes smarter than even the people who created it.  Ah!  I love breathing in new Spring air.                                                  

       RICHARD STRAUSS (1864-1949) AND FAMILY        

                                   

           Mr. Steve likes the music in that movie 2001, A Space Odyssey.  Hey God!  Daisy told me yesterday at this time she thought of that song "Also Sprach Zarathustra."  To her and our boss that song has now come to kind of represent Your "Power and Majesty," or "Rhêma."                  

          Also Sprach Zarathustra, as I said in book one; was written by that German Composer  Richard Strauss.  He was influenced by Friedrich Nietzsche's book "Thus Spoke Zarathustra."    I guess Zarathustra is Nietzsche's name for that ancient Persian guy named "Zoroaster."              

         God!  I feel so good right now because the weather this morning seems to be even better than it was yesterday which was the very first day of Spring.  I just have a feeling this is going it be as productive a day as yesterday so thank You so much for that.  Heathcliff crowed.                                                                                                               

 FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1844-1900)

                                                          

            I'm thinking of my first owner dumping me out in that field.  God!  I was homeless until You had Mr. Steve go rescue me.  I mentioned before how I've adopted that quote by Friedrich    Nietzsche as my personal motto, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger."        

            As You of course already know God, I want to agree with Daisy.  She thinks if living out in that field didn't kill me, then nothing can; unless I let it of course.  A small Garter Snake crawled through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.                         

         Mentioning that movie 2001, A Space Odyssey suddenly makes me think of this Car Daisy heard our boss talking about on the phone with his customer Mr. Phillip.  I've mentioned before  how Mr. Phillip, who's from "Wales; is a "Honda" Parts Manager.  A Duck is quacking.                                

2014 HONDA "ODYSSEY"      

         

           Like most "Automobile Companies," even though Honda is Japanese I guess they also sell Cars all over the world.  I'll bet they got the name "Odyssey" from that old ancient Greek story I mentioned yesterday.  And an odyssey is a "Journey" so the name fits perfectly for a Car.             

        This Encyclopedia says Honda's Odyssey is what they call a "Minivan," and they've been made since 1994.  Daisy heard they're called other names too in different parts of the world.  Mr. Steve's ex-customer in the State of "Alabama" says some of the Odyssey's are built there.             

         In book one I wrote a little bit about those two old Greek stories called the "Iliad" and the "Odyssey."   They were actually "Poems" that were "Recited" to an audience, mainly because in those days most people didn't even know how to read or write.  Boy!  I'm so lucky.                         

  

     THE "ILIAD"                               HOMER (?)                          THE "ODYSSSEY"

                                                                                                                                                                                                       ARTWORK BY LUOIS-FREDERICK SCHUTZENBERGER

         As I mentioned yesterday, that guy "Homer," maybe in the 8th century B.C.; wrote the Iliad and the Odyssey.   The Iliad was about the ten year long "Trojan War," while the Odyssey is about King Odysseus's ten year journey home.  Edith Hamilton wrote about those books.              

           During the Trojan War that Greek guy "Achilles" was killed by being shot in the heel of his foot by an arrow.   But before that happened, he killed a Trojan named "Hector;" and then dragged the body around in a Chariot.  Dais says our boss knows a man named Hector.                 

           Yesterday I talked about that one band from San Fernando CAULDRON, who were later called ACHILLES HEEL.  Oh!  In book one I forgot to mention LED ZEPPELIN'S song called "Achilles Last Stand."  Daisy told me it's a long song with a few "changes of tempo" in it.                                               

LED ZEPPELIN     

        

            Someday I want to hear that song Achilles Last Stand.  Dais says it has kind of a Middle Eastern sound to it.  Mr. Steve was told Jimmy Page says it's his favorite LED ZEPPELIN song    and I guess has even compared his guitar "Solo" to the one he did on "Stairway to Heaven."        

           Boy God!  Last night the sky was really clear and Daisy, even though she's going blind; said the sight made her feel so good.  That Writer Homer was totally blind, just like Mr. Grant's Dog "Miggie;" who has such sky blue eyes.  Miggie also sees through her sense of smell.                

          Oh!  I missed things yesterday on my outline, one being the "Mercury," the closest Planet to the Sun.  I was so mad at myself last night when I realized the things I'd somehow missed on    my book one outline.  But calm Daisy, said to just do them today or tomorrow instead.                              

                     "SOLAR" SYSTEM                                                      "MERCURY"                          

                            

             My Encyclopedia shows the Planets which "Revolve" or "Orbit" around the Sun in our "Solar System."  The caption says Mercury is the smallest Planet, travels closest to the Sun; and like Earth is one of four "Terrestrial" Planets with a "rocky body."  Some Planets are "Gas."      

           I guess Mercury has no Moons at all, and takes only eighty seven days to go around the Sun; compared to our three hundred and sixty five.  And, it "Rotates" on it's "Axis" only three    times  during those entire eighty seven days.  Some Ducks are quacking but Daffy's louder.           

       Wow!  It says here, when parts of Mercury faces the Sun it can be over eight hundred degrees; while the other side can have a temperature of two hundred degrees below zero.  Of all    the Planets in our  Solar System, Mercury has the smallest "tilt" on its axis.  I smell Sage.                          

ROMAN GOD "MERCURY"     

    

            I looked up the ancient Roman "Deity" named "Mercury," to the Greeks before that  "Hermes."  It says here the "swift-footed" Mercury, "Messenger of the Gods," was prayed  to by "travelers and tradesmen."  In "Astrology" Mercury at times represents "spell casters."              

             Mercury was named after the Planet, which moved across the night sky way faster than any of the other Planets in the Solar System.  Daisy saw a good cartoon about Mercury, and says wings on his helmet and shoes allow him to fly around.  She thinks I'd really like his helmet.         

            This Encyclopedia says the ancient Chinese called the Planet Mercury the "Hour Star." To the "Pre-Columbian" Mayans in what is now Central America, Mercury is symbolized by an Owl; who they called the "Messenger to the Underworld."  I can now smell some Creosote.                                                                 

         VIKING GOD "ODIN"          

                               

          Yesterday I said a few things about the Vikings.  According to to this one Encyclopedia, the Vikings "associated" the planet Mercury with their Deity "Odin."  I wrote a little bit in my first book about how Odin has those really loyal Wolves and Raven's out there working for him.          

     I guess, to Vikings; Odin's also associated with Wednesday.  To the Hindu's, over there in India; the planet Mercury "presides" over Wednesday too.   Oh!  Just as I mention Odin's two    Ravens I can see Samson and Delilah flying bye way way up there in the high blue sky.                  

        A tv show Dais saw said Ravens were Apollo's "messengers" to the ancient Greeks, and spies for Odin.  Daisy says she can kind of understand why some cultures see the Ravens and Coyotes as symbolizing a "connection" between "material and spiritual."  Both are really smart.                                    

                     THREE "GREAT" GODS                 VIKINGS                     "LONGSHIP"                                                                      

ARTWORK BY RASMUS WEINHARDT                                                                                                                                                                                  

    

         The tv show said, like our boss too; Vikings saw "significance" in the number "3."  They believed in the three "Great" Gods, "Odin" who symbolizes "Creation,"  "Thor the Protector;" and "Loki" the "God of Destruction."   Two of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.             

         My Encyclopedia says in "Norse" mythology, or the "Sagas;" many of the periods of time are "in three's."  And, Odin had three brothers; and ruled the "third generation" of Gods.  Edith Hamilton mainly wrote about Greece and Rome, but also dealt with the Vikings too I guess.          

        It says here Odin had three special possessions, a "magical" spear and a golden ring.  Oh wow!  Odin's third unique thing he owned was a Horse that had eight legs on it.  I would pay to    see a real eight-legged Horse, and know for sure Daisy would be willing to do that too.                         

THE "VIKINGS"  

            

        Wow!  Maps in this one Encyclopedia show where Scandinavian Vikings sailed to in their famous "Longships."   And, you can really tell how "Far and Wide" they traveled; from the 8th  through 12th centuries.  Oh!  Just as I mention Odin's Horse I smell Libby over there.                   

          It says here Vikings also saw importance in the number "9" too.  They believed in the nine "Worlds" or "Realms," as symbolized by this big tree called "Yggdrasil;" which had three roots on the bottom.  I can see Libby right now walking around slowly over there in her Corral.             

         I mentioned yesterday how Daisy told me about that miniature Viking Longship our boss has sitting on a counter in the kitchen.  It's so realistic I guess and it even has sails and all of the    things associated with their engineering.  Libby's scent sort of makes me feel good.                                                                     

           VIKING "LONGSHIP"  MODEL                    

              

           As I mentioned yesterday in book one, in the late 8th century A.D.; Vikings from what are now the Scandinavian countries of Denmark, Norway and Sweden sailed out and began "raiding    and trading" with much of Europe.  Dawn's barking.  I really like how her voice sounds.             

         You can see on one of the maps how some Vikings made it all the way over here to what is now called "North America."   And that was about four centuries before Christopher Columbus made his "World Changing" 1492 first voyage.  Vikings often liked to fight Daisy thinks.              

           Daisy says Mr. Ralph knows a lot about this award called the "Nobel Prize," which I guess is given out to people who do things to help "Mankind."  A tv show Dais saw said it's named for Alfred Nobel, who invented "Dynamite." I can smell little Blinky standing next to Dawn.              

       

ALFRED NOBEL (1833-1896)

COLORIZED BY TIM TOMPKINS

 

      This Encyclopedia calls Alfred Nobel, who was from Sweden; an "engineer, chemist and inventor."  The tv show said he spoke six languages, had eight brothers and sisters; and didn't      like it when he was criticized for inventing dynamite.  I like the painted photo of him.                    

    Mr. Ralph thinks dynamite "benefitted" the world.  I guess, Alfred Nobel read his own "Obituary;" which was mistakenly printed by mistake.  It said how his invention was a weapon    in war, which is wasn't.  So when he died he left his money to pay for the Nobel prizes.                  

        One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking on his regular "Land-Line" phone with Mr. Dave in New Mexico about Vikings.  Mr. Steve read, Vikings already lived in an "extremely    harsh" environment but; then it got even worse.  So, Mr. Steve thinks; they decided to raid.                                       

VIKINGS "POST" BATTLE      

            

          A black and white drawing in this Encyclopedia shows Vikings right after a big battle.  Daisy says one time Mr. Dave, who was in the Navy; talked about what is called here a "proto" Scandinavian wooden "vessel."  Boy!  I think I might just learn how to draw someday.                  

            Daisy told me that one tv show about Vikings said the first "Pre-Viking Age" Ships known are from about 1,500 B.C. in what is now Norway.  But, over two thousand years; the building of  Longships evolved through "Trial and Error."  I suddenly smell some Beavertail cactus.                

        I guess, for a long time Viking Ships were limited because they weren't strong enough to "Stand up Under" unusually severe weather or wind.  And they couldn't "withstand" the weight and "pressure" of a Boat with a "Mast" and "Sail."  That's what my Encyclopedia says.              

         

             VIKING "COASTAL RAID"                                VIKING "BATTLE CHARGE"                                                     

          As I've written before, in the late 8th century A.D. Vikings began to sail over to England.  That's when they attacked that one Christian Monastery at "Lindisfarne."  So, obviously by then their Longships were "Well-Developed" so to speak.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.                  

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave, around 700 A.D.; someone from Scandinavia must have noticed how the Ships down there in the Mediterranean Sea were built.  They had long what are  called "Keels" from front to back along the bottom.  So they could use a mast and sail.                  

          I guess, for a few centuries the low profile and way Viking Longships were built; allowed them to sail or row in deep open Oceans or up shallow Rivers too if necessary.  This gave them a  lot of "Range" which they took advantage of.  Now the other two Pigeons flew bye too.                                                                 

          VIKING SHIP BUILDING A "LONGSHIP"              

                                  

          This Encyclopedia says the Vikings used a "Clinker" system of "overlapping" layers in "assembling" their Ships.  Oh!  So, that way it was way harder for water to push its way through and flood in to drown you.   I really love it when there are diagrams or drawings to look at.           

          Ah!  Now I understand better what they were talking about that one morning when our boss and Mr. Mike talked about our house having a roof made out of overlapping "Tiles."  So it's the same type of system Viking Shipbuilders used way back then.  I can smell a Lizard.               

       Even though our boss's favorite Actors are Charlton Heston and Peter O'Toole, Daisy's noticed he and his parents also like the old movies with Kirk Douglas in them too.  I wrote in my first book how he played that Gladiator "Spartacus."  And also Vincent van Gogh as well.                      

"THE VIKINGS" (1958)  

   

          Dais and Millie one time heard our boss and his mom talking about that guy Kirk Douglas, and how he played in so many good movies.   Daisy says one of them was about Vikings, and she    and Millie really liked it a lot.  A Lizard standing on the wall is over there doing pushups.       

      I guess, in that movie Kirk Douglas plays a guy who's so "Vain" he's the only Viking not having a full beard.  And that's mainly because he doesn't want to cover up his "handsome" face from what Daisy told me.  And he is good looking alright she and Millie both thought.                    

         This is interesting.  It says here Vikings, among many other "products;" sold Slaves too.  As I mentioned yesterday in book one, slavery has always existed and still exists today; but it's just not called slavery anymore Mr. Steve and his father think.  Daffy's quacking over there.                                       

VIKING SELLING A SLAVE GIRL 

ARTWORK BY TOM LOVELL            

         

           This good painting shows a Viking "negotiating with Persian merchants" for a Slave girl.  The caption below says Europeans mostly sold captured "Slavs" to Muslims.  I just glanced up in time to see a small group of Sparrows flying over Libby's Corral and moving to the east.               

           I've mentioned before how the "Institution" of Slavery was only "Officially" ended in the mid-19th century.  The Lizard ran down the side of the wall, and then went behind our water gray bucket over there near the sliding glass door.  Daffy has such a loud and unique voice.           

          When that guy Karl Marx wrote about "Communism versus Capitalism," he wrote about "Wage Slavery."  If you are "Beholden" to someone else, or do not have control over "Your own Destiny;" then in some ways your kind of like a Slave.  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees.                           

 VENICE, ITALY      

                 

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about that Italian city of "Venice."  It said, before it was "eclipsed" by the fall of Constantinople in 1453; Venice was one of those wealthy Italian "City-    States" during the Middle Ages.  But there was no such thing as the country of "Italy" then.         

            I guess, for so many years "businessmen" from Venice used to sell a lot of Slaves.  It says here in this Encyclopedia Venice was a "major hub" for the "slave trade," but it was against the rules to sell  Roman Catholics.  I wonder if that rule would apply to us Catholic Dogs too?             

       Sometimes Daisy jokes how we're kind of like those "Unofficial" Slaves I've mentioned before, but don't mind because our boss Mr. Steve is not mean.   His Niece Samantha one time      went with some kids from her Lutheran school to visit Venice.  She liked it a lot I guess.                                                                              

VENICE      

                         

         From what that tv show said, it was okay for Venetians to sell as Slaves any "Pagan" or "Greek Orthodox" Christians they caught after any wars.   Besides the ones they bought from    around the Mediterranean Sea, they bought Slaves from Vikings and German tribes too.               

          Wow!  Pictures in my Encyclopedia show what Dais told me, how Venice is built on water like that Aztec city of "Tenochtitlan."   So, instead of roads; you get rowed around on those Boats called "Gondola's."  Andy's over there sniffing the air in protecting he and Helen's babies.            

       Until 1453, when the "Ottoman" Turks conquered Constantinople to end the Byzantine Empire; Venice  had a "Good thing Going" as they say.  They were rich, but then those "Trade    Routes" to the east got blocked.   Like Mr. Steve's father often says, "Nothing lasts Forever."         

PIGEONS ON PATIO ROOF

      

          Oh!  I just heard the sound of Pigeons cooing up on the Patio roof right above me.  Either Lucy and Ricky or Fred and Ethel must've flown from the west and landed up without me even    noticing them.  Two vapor trails are crisscrossed with each way up there in the morning sky.        

        Daisy says the tv show about Venice mentioned how that was where Antonio Vivaldi was from.  My Encyclopedia says, like his father; Vivaldi was a really good violin player.  Boy!  The    sound of Pigeon voices always makes me feel good.  Birds are flying around over the desert.     

          I guess, for most of his life Vivaldi trained poor orphan girls to be Musicians; and some of them became very famous.  Daisy says, even though people in the early 18th century wore wigs,  Vivaldi was nicknamed the "Red Priest" because of his red hair.  The Pigeons just flew away.                                

      13TH CENTURY EUROPEAN WARSHIP        

                            

        Mentioning Gondola's makes me think of how a strength can become a weakness, or an advantage can turn into a disadvantage.  Looking at the picture of a 13th century Warship; the    caption below it says that's part of what happened to the Vikings too.  Heathcliff crowed.              

          Viking Longships were "Flexible" so adapted to extreme weather in a big, deep ocean, and their "Streamlined" or "Shallow Draft" meant; they could also go way up rivers too.  They were  light so could even be carried over land.  Boy! I wonder if there were any girl Dog Vikings?           

         In "Ship to Ship" battles taller European "floating fortress" warships provided "platform towers" on the front "prow" and rear" stern" for soldiers to shoot arrows down.  A Longboat's    "Low Profile" strength became a weakness; a blessing became a curse.  A Crow cawed.                 

                                     

VIKING TRAVELS ("ATLANTIC" OCEAN)                                LEIF ERIKSSON (970-1025)                

                                                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY HANS DAHL

     

          Most people think, in 1492; Christopher Columbus' and his three Spanish Ships were the first "Europeans" to find out about the "New World."  But my Encyclopedia says the first ones were actually the Vikings at the end of the 10th A.D.  Daisy saw this good tv show about it.            

          It says here a "Norse explorer" named Leif Eriksson was the first European to "set foot" on North America.  A good painting shows it and I notice how Leif Eriksson is holding an axe like the one Mr. Steve has in the living room next to the fireplace.  Ah!  Two Crows are fighting.           

           The tv show said what it also says here.  In the 1960's Archaeologists proved there was a Viking "settlement" in what is now "Newfoundland" in the country of Canada.  And it was most  likely established in "about" 990 A.D., but only lasted for about fifty years or so I guess.                

             

          "L' ANSE AUX MEADOWS" ("NEWFOUNDLAND," CANADA)           

PHOTO BY RUSS HEINL

  

           That guy Leif Eriksson named the land he found "Vinland," and Dais says that's mainly because his men found grapes.  Wow!  One of those "Bird's Eye View" photos shows what the      caption says is a rebuilt "replica" Viking house where Leif Eriksson was.  A Crow cawed.              

        I guess that Viking house is located on the "L' Anse Aux Meadows," which in French is "The Bay With Grasslands."  The Indians and Vikings fought and Leif Eriksson's brother was    killed I guess, so eventually the Vikings retreated back to Greenland.  I can smell Juniper.             

           Daisy told me some people think L' Anse Aux Meadows was just a "way station" for fixing Ships, and the Vikings sailed further south along the East Coast.  They might've even made it all  the way down to the area near the "St. Lawrence" River.  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.         

                                                                  

            CAROL GOODMAN                

                                               

       Daisy says last year our boss did some artwork for a pretty girl who told him about a book written by a lady from New York named Carol Goodman.  I guess some of the characters in that one book are three Ravens.  Oh!  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.                     

        That girl, who lives up in Wrightwood; said Carol Goodman likes the writing of the Brontë sisters.   I wrote about them yesterday and a little bit earlier in this first chapter.   I can smell the clump of Joshua trees over there to my right right near Libby the Horse's Corral.                          

       Mr. Steve told the girl how Heathcliff, and his father too; got their names from Wuthering Heights.  And, he mentioned how his old girlfriend was named Emily; just like Emily Brontë.  I    guess that girl said Carol Goodman's daughter is also named Maggie just like me too.                    

          

        CROWS                                                                       COYOTE              

              

            According to what Dais heard our boss and that girl from Wrightwood talk about sitting in the living room, Ravens and Coyotes have sometimes represented the "Link" between "Dark    and Light" in literature.  Ah! I just smelled some Sage.  Boy!  That makes me feel good.                 

           The ancient Romans really believed in "Omens" and things like that, so looked closely at how Crows and Ravens acted.  Daisy and I now both want to believe in "Signs" too.  Speedy the  Squirrel just now ducked underneath Moe the middle Shed and I can really smell him.                  

          Crows and Ravens touch beaks sometimes when they meet each other I've noticed.  And I've also noticed how people have that ritual where they "Shake Hands" in greeting each other.  Daisy and I often smell each other's rear ends or mouths when we first come together.                                                

ANCIENT GREEK FUNERAL STONE     

GETTY MUSEUM                 

         

            Dais one time heard our boss and Miss Susan talk about a Greek "Funeral Stone" he and his mom saw at the Getty Museum near the beach.  It shows a man shaking hands with his wife,  and was put  up near his grave.  I've mentioned how there are two different Getty Museums.        

       The Getty beach Museum is a copy of  a Roman "Villa" buried in ash when, in 79 A.D., "Mount Vesuvius erupted and destroyed the town of "Pompeii."  Mr. Steve, his mom and Niece Cristina saw the exhibit downtown about that famous event.  I'm afraid of volcanoes.                   

        Mr. Steve told Miss Susan the "custom" of shaking hands "may" have started in ancient times.  In Greece Soldiers did it to show they weren't armed.  Then, in the Middle Ages Knights    actually "shook" the hand; to "reveal" any possible hidden weapons in the other guy's sleeve.          

"CREATION"

        MICHAELANGELO  ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)

  

      Hey God!  I wrote yesterday about the 1985 trip to Rome when my boss's Tour Group from St. Ferdinands saw Michaelangelo's "Sistine Chapel."  He liked the section showing Your finger almost touching the first man Adam's finger.  That's kind of like Your hand shaking I guess.         

       Mr. Steve once did some artwork for a German lady and they talked about how the Germans shake hands more than most people.  In German it's called "haendeschuetteln" I guess.   Boy!  I  sure am glad I have this good German Dictionary to look things like that up and get help.             

      The German lady said there's what's called an "Etiquette" for handshaking in her country.  For instance, the male has to shake hands with a female who's present before he does it with any  other males.  Max the Hummingbird just whizzed bye right in front of the three Sheds.                                                                             

        ADOLPH HITLER MEETING FANS             

                           

   The caption underneath this one picture in my Encyclopedia says it shows that guy Adolph Hitler shaking hands with a young girl.  The German lady said a person "higher in rank," or an  older person; is supposed to "initiate" handshakes in Germany.  I smell Sage.                                 

       Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Susan how the handshake "motif" back in ancient Greece was called "dexiosis."  And according to this Greek Dictionary that would be translated as meaning    "connectedness."   I would never have been able to spell that by sounding it out.                             

   Mr. Steve read one time that the custom of handshaking was also done by people in ancient Mesopotamia too.  He and Miss Susan talked about how people in Asia, like Japan for instance;    bow when they meet.  In Korea and Taiwan they also nod as they bow I guess.                                 

    

     "DALAI LAMA"       

            

           A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows the "Dalai Lama," who's from that area I wrote about in book between China and India called "Tibet."  I notice how he holds his hands.  Andy    and Helen used the vertical slots on the sides of the gates to run into the desert.                               

          Dais says that our boss told Miss Susan he read, in the "Hindu" religion; the people greet each other by bowing.  And, as they bow; they press the palms of their hands together with their two thumbs then pressing against their chest.  It's called "Namaste" Daisy thinks.                          

         Mr. Steve was told by this a man from China how, where he grew up; it was the custom to greet people by making a "fist" with one hand while using the other hand to "cup" the hand.    I smell some new Spring Sage.  Boy!  I'm beginning to really like that smell a lot more.                                                

      THE "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)          

                       

        Yesterday I mentioned how Mr. Steve did this "Research Project" on the "Black Death" pandemic, where the "Bubonic Plague" killed about half the population of Europe.  It was what  they called "Transmitted" through Fleas.  Crows are squawking out in the desert.                          

          As I wrote in my first book a few times, Mr. Steve thinks that someday there might be a worldwide "Pandemic." And one reason he believes that is because people are now traveling way more.  He thinks a pandemic may also "trigger" a worldwide economic depression.                        

           I mentioned yesterday how Mr. Steve's first girlfriend Sandy's mom was a Nurse and said there are "Germs" everywhere.  I guess she told Mr. Steve and Sandy a person can pass on more  germs by shaking hands than even by kissing.  I wonder what a "Microscope" is?                           

                                                     WORLD WAR I                                      

                                                                                                         

     Yesterday I mentioned the pandemic that probably began here in the United States, in the State of "Kansas" in 1917.  Then, the American Soldiers spread it over to Europe while fighting alongside British and French Soldiers during World War I.  The Crows are still arguing.               

       Eventually the "Influenza Virus" that "Infected" the American, British and French troops floated over and made their German and Austro-Hungarian enemies sick too.  In that pandemic  the virus was transmitted through the air.  Dawn's barking at something next door.                        

     As I wrote in my first book, when the First World War ended; surviving Soldiers carried the sickness back home to their different countries.  The virus then infected the public and ended up killing about fifty million people worldwide.  Now Blinky's barking over there too.                                        

    GRANDPA /GRANDMA TRUJILLO        

                

        What is now called the "Spanish Influenza" pandemic at the end of World War I killed about one million Americans.  As I wrote in my first book, Grandma Trujillo was four years old    when that pandemic happened.  I can smell one of the Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.               

          As I've wrote yesterday, even though she was so young in 1918 at the time of the Spanish Influenza; for the rest of her life Grandma Trujillo feared being accidentally buried alive.  That    guy George Washington also had that fear too.  Many people were buried alive then.                      

           Boy God!  It would be so scary to be buried before you were even dead.  Grandma Trujillo a few times made Mr. Steve and his mom promise they would not let that happen to her.  I guess she mentioned it again a week before dying Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Randy one time.             

         

WORLD WAR I

          Yesterday I wrote about how gas was used, or "Deployed;" by both sides in the First World War.  Thousands and thousands of Soldiers, like that guy Adolph Hitler for instance; were gassed in the Trenches and many died.  But I guess Hitler only went temporarily blind.                              

      I mentioned in book one how Hitler "trimmed" his "Handlebar" mustache into its more famous form so a Gas Mask would fit tighter on his face.  But the gas got through anyway and he was blind for a few months.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying bye.                       

         One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his father as they discussed Hitler's World War I "Jack Russel Fox Terrier" Dog named "Fuchsl."  I wrote in book one how in German Fuchsl means, "Little Fox."  I smell new Spring Mesquite.                                                 

EVA BRAUN / ADOLPH HITLER

            

          Dais says Mr. Steve told his dad of a tv show about Hitler and his girlfriend Eva Braun.  It mentioned Hitler's World War II "German Shepherd" Dog named "Blondie."  And, in this good  black and white picture of him and that girl Eva Braun; you can even see their two Dogs.              

         I guess, during the First World War; Hitler got his Dog when Fuchsl chased a Rat into the German trenches from that "No Man's Land" I mentioned yesterday.  Daisy says there's a story about how one time Fuchsl the Dog even saved Hitler's life.  Dawn's barking over there.                

        From what Daisy heard our boss say, while "Off Duty;" Hitler was teaching Fuchsl a trick but then Fuchsl ran away so, when Hitler chased him a mortar shell came flying down and blew  up where they had been.  Ah!  Now little Blinky's barking too.  Two Pigeons flew bye.                    

BLINKY    

        

        Boy!  Now little Blinky's barking too and, as usual; sounds so brave in the way he warns everyone not to come onto their land.  I'm really starting to like how he smells.  I mentioned how Mr. Mike thinks Blinky might be partly a Jack Russell Terrier, just like Hitler's Dog Fuchsl.         

          I guess, during the First World War; Dogs were kept in those trenches because they could hear artillery shells coming before the Soldiers.  And they were able to smell the deadly gas early  too.  Some people think Fuchsl was actually a really skinny "Pit Bull" Daisy told me.                     

         Dais says Fuchsl had been stolen by the time Hitler was blinded by gas late in the war.  He had been offered two hundred "Marks" for Fuchsl but said to the guy, "I would not sell my Dog for two hundred thousand Marks."  Boy!  I hope Mr. Steve feels that way about us too.                                  

BLONDIE   

  

          All of sudden, mentioning Hitler's Dog Blondie reminds me about that one band from New York City called BLONDIE.  As I've written, they have a pretty girl Singer who Daisy jokes; our  boss enjoys looking at as much hearing her sing.  I want to hear BLONDIE  someday.                    

        One time Dais heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Dave in New Mexico and they discussed BLONDIE'S Drummer.  As a good Drummer himself, who plays a single bass drum; I  guess Mr. Dave thinks BLONDIE'S Drummer is talented.  Speedy Gonzalez ran bye.                     

        Dais and that other Dog Millie one time heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about epidemics and pandemics.  Mr. Dave had the job at the Veteran's Hospital for a while, and is interested in    that subject too.  The dust Speedy raised is still floating above and around the back gate.                               

                MAGGIE                            CÓRDOVA                            DAISY                        

         

              One time Dais and Millie heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Grant.  Mr. Steve told him there are two types of "Virus's," the "Influenza" type and the "Corona" version.  And I guess both types can at times be "transmitted" between people and animals like us Dogs.              

           I just used my English Dictionary to look up the word "Zoonosis" and that's what they call it when a person transmits a virus over to us pets.  It's more common for an animal to pass a virus  to a human.  Dawn and Blinky are barking at something over there to my right.                   

             Learning about the subject of "Epidemics" and "Pandemics" is interesting because I can't wait for Mr. Steve to read my books about thinks he's studied too.  And Daisy thinks he'll    really be impressed if I do a good job in my finding out about things he may not know.                  

  

1918 "SPANISH" FLU PANDEMIC

           In that huge post-World War I pandemic Mr. Steve says well over fifty million people may have died.  He thinks, back then; many poorer countries probably didn't have the "Luxury" of    counting the multiplying dead.  They just had to the "Dispose" of the rotting bodies fast.               

          Dais says our boss told Miss Susan, in the pandemic which happened right at the end of the First World War; this thing called "Heard Immunity" eventually happened.  Sandy, Mr. Steve's   High School girlfriend; had a mom who as a Nurse knew about that.  Dawn's barking.                  

          I guess, Heard Immunity happens when the "Immune System" of a person who survives a pandemic "Adapts" and can fight off that sickness later.  Daisy told me about those shots called    "Vaccines" that shoot medicine in you with a needle.  In England it's called a "Jab."                       

"REFUGEES"

   PHOTO BY NICOLAS ECONOMOU                                                                                                                                                                          

          Daisy says our boss Mr. Steve thinks someday a pandemic may cause millions of desperate poor people to try to come into America as a "Last Resort" so to speak.  Poor people, right now    in 2014; are desperately trying to get in from what Dais heard.  It's already an "Issue."                 

        Mr. Steve's father thinks it's possible another world economic depression, like the 1930's "Great Depression" for example; might trigger mass migrations.  Or, what if another huge world war breaks out and a lot of the trade and things like that are stopped?  Heathcliff crowed.             

          I just glanced up and notice Andy over there sniffing the air in his alert guarding of their burrow from any possible danger.  Helen's down there taking good care of their new babies, so      they'll have a better chance of surviving once they come out here to live.  I can smell Andy.            

              

 HOMER LEA (1876-1912)         

                

           From what Daisy heard our boss tell his dad one time, that little guy Homer Lea studied about the countless times in history when a stronger group makes weaker groups move.  That's    what happened in the centuries before the original Rome in Italy fell.  Dawn's barking.                 

         It's so impressive to me how someone who was a hunchback, as Homer Lea was; could write his books on military history.  He knew about how some of the northern Germanic tribes    got pushed or what my Encyclopedia called "displaced" in the 400's A.D.  I like Dawn.                  

          Last Summer Dais saw a tv show about how, because of war; there are a lot of desperate "Syrian" people trying to escape.  She says our boss sold some things to this Tow Truck Driver,    who was one of them.  He proudly said how his daughter is going to College at C.S.U.N.                 

        

TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS 

       

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about how that guy Tom Petty has this good song about "Refugee's."  I've mentioned before how someday I really want to hear some Tom Petty      songs.  Daisy told me he did a good song about that one girl from Alice in Wonderland.                  

         Mr. Steve, and his father too; think we're lucky to be living in the United States in 2014.  America now is the richest country ever, and one reason is because we won the biggest war of all  time; so get to "take full economic advantage of that" Mr. Steve thinks.  I smell Mesquite.             

         Our boss thinks in history it's "normal" for the "have" countries to "exploit" the "have not" groups.  That makes me think about what Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha said that one time      when she was a little kid, "It's just not fair that life is not fair!"  I kind of agree with that. 

 

ESCAPE INTO EGYPT

EIKON BIBLE ART

          Hey Lord!  I kind of agree with Daisy when she says You and Your family were refugees. You Guys had to hide over in Egypt when that guy King Herod tried to kill You as a baby.  Up in  the sky right now a small flock of Birds is going over Libby's Corral and moving to the east.         

        If I could borrow Mr. Peabody's time machine and go back in time Blessed Mother You know I would want to smell You, and I know for sure Dais would definitely want to go with me      too.  Oh!  And I'm pretty sure Mr. Steve would want to go to.  I can smell Libby over there.           

           Daisy says Lord Mr. Steve and Miss Babette at work talked about that holiday, the "Feast of the Holy Innocents;" dedicated to all of the boy babies King Herod had put to death trying to  kill You so You wouldn't be the "King of the Jews."  Ah!  The morning air is so clear now.            

                                              

"VISIGOTHS SACK ROME" (410 A.D.)      

ARTWORK BY NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC /1962)

        

        That painting showing those "Visigoths" in 410 A.D "sacked" the city of Rome.  That was when the original western part of the Roman Empire in Italy began to fall after being around for over a thousand years.  Then only the eastern "Byzantine" Roman Empire was left after that.      

        Dais heard Mr. Steve's father say there were a lot of refugees in the 5th century A.D.  The painting shows how scared the Roman women are of the Visigoths; who it says here referred to    themselves as "Western" Goths.  And the name "Ostrogoths" would mean "Eastern" Goths.        

        Original Italian Rome began in the 8th century B.C. with that story of the twins "Romulus" and "Remus."  Rome became really powerful but, in 410 King "Alaric's" Visigoths "pillaged and looted" the actual city.  Ah!  I can smell the Twin Joshua tress out there behind the Sheds.                                                              

"INVASIONS" OF ROME

(100-500 A.D. / BOTH WESTERN AND EASTERN EMPIRES)

         By 410 A.D. ancient Rome had been around for about twelve hundred years.  Because of that guy Constantine the Great, it also now existed over in the east too.  But, no matter how good their Soldiers were at killing people; it was always necessary to defend Rome's borders.                 

          A map shows the groups surrounding 5th century Rome, which was almost always at war. Rome conquered a huge empire, but then had to occupy and defend it; and you can see how far    those "Vandals" went.  That hunchback Homer Lea said war was more common than peace.        

          Dais and Millie saw a tv show about ancient Rome which said at first those Visigoths, like the Germans and Russians in 1939; were allies.  But the Romans betrayed them and the starving Visigoths were so poor they had to trade children for Dogs to eat.  So they just revolted!                                                      

       "VACCINATION"         

              PHOTO BY SARAH TEW                      

                      

          God!  It's too bad life is not fair!  Mr. Steve and his dad think, if history "Is any Guide" as they say; when another giant pandemic breaks out those preventative vaccine shots will be given  first only to the rich countries.  Ugh!  A picture shows how painful getting a shot must be.              

          As I wrote yesterday, in 1918 the "Influenza" did not begin in Spain but most likely started here in American soldiers training to fight in Europe.  But most of the governments "Censored"  the news from the public.  I smell the little baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt.                       

    Just like later in the Second World War, it just so happened that, during World War I; the country of Spain was what's called "Neutral."  So it was okay for Newspapers to write about the  things like the flu which were happening there.  That's how it became the "Spanish" flu.                        
                    

   HARRY HOUDINI (1874-1926)     

                          

        In book three tomorrow Dais has me scheduled to write a lot about World War I.  And I'm going to write about this Jewish man named Harry Houdini.  His parents were from "Hungary"  and he might've been a "Spy" in the First World War.  Speedy Gonzalez just now ran bye.            

       My Encyclopedia describes Harry Houdini, who's real last name was "Weiss; as an "escape artist" and "illusionist."  Dais saw this good tv show about him, and says he could get out of any  situation no matter how many ropes or chains were locked onto him.  I smell some Mesquite.        

      Daisy told me, on that tv show about "Houdini;" it said before he became an escape artist he was an entertainer on "Vaudeville."  I wrote a little about vaudeville yesterday in book one when I talked about those three funny guys called the Marx Brothers.  They were Jewish too.                              

        "SEANCE"           

                            

        On the show about Harry Houdini it said, just like Daisy and myself; he believed in ghosts.   Someday I'd like to go a "Séance" ritual where you can "Summon" or talk to the "Spirits" of the dead.  Oh!   I wonder if we could even communicate with the spirit of Molly the Mule?                  

       I guess, after his mom died; Houdini promised to have séances and keep in touch with her.  But she never showed up Daisy says, even though her son kept on trying his hardest to reach her.  Houdini died on "Halloween," October the 31st, also Grandma Trujillo's birthday too.                  

     That tv show said, after the tremendous death and destruction of World War I and then the Spanish Flu pandemic; many people in the 1920's wanted to contact people they knew who had    died.  So they did a lot of those séances.  A little Bird with a twig in its mouth ran bye.                    

           

"HOUDINI"

    

        Wow!  Pictures in my Encyclopedia show situations Houdini got out of, and in one of those photos he's about to be dunked upside down into a tank of water.   And, in another; he has locks and chains on him.  I smell Theodora's favorite Creosote bush over there near Jack.                       

         Daisy told me that tv show said Houdini's family came to America and lived in "Appleton," Wisconsin.  I guess Mr. Steve, before the recession; had a customer there.  I've mentioned earlier  how his friend Mark in Hawaii grew up in Milwaukee, which is also in Wisconsin too.                    

     My English Dictionary says the word "Occult" mean, "hidden, secret or mysterious." And this other definition is, " Having to do with mystic arts such as magic or astrology"  According to Dais that guy Harry Houdini was very interested in things having to do with the occult.                 

      

MORNING LIGHT ON CHOLLA'S                                 WREN IN CHOLLA'S                  

   

        Ah!  I just glanced up and see that one little Wren Bird I saw yesterday.  And again today it looks like it's fond of that patch of Cholla cactus which is just behind the three Sheds out there in the eastern desert.  It's amazing how Wrens don't get stabbed by Cholla cactus needles.                

       Daisy says the tv show said, back in the 1920's; there were many phony séances where these people called "Charlatans" took advantage of others.  But Houdini, who knew all of their tricks; totally exposed them as "frauds" and fakes."  He what they call "Debunked" them.                       

      According to what Dais saw on that tv show about Houdini, some people use a special thing called a "Ouija Board" ("Wee-Gee") in their séances.  This helps them contact the spirits of the  dead.  Speedy Gonzalez the Ground Squirrel ran bye right in front of the three Sheds.                  

                

    "OUIJA" BOARD         

                          

          I'd like to go to one of those seances but Dais says you have to be careful because sometimes by accident a mean spirit called a "Demon" will show up instead of who you were trying to call.    Oh!  I've mentioned before how I'm afraid of demons.  I'd only want to meet nice ghosts.               

       I guess, when he was an entertainer in Vaudeville; one of the things Harry Houdini did was use "Sleight of Hand" to do "Card Tricks."  Daisy heard our boss Mr. Steve tell his friend Ralph on the phone how for a while his Nephew Jacob in Texas did card tricks.  I smell Sage.                   

       Anyway, I'll come back to Harry Houdini later.  And, over the next two days; I'll also learn a lot about other things having to do with the subject of "Magic."  As I said yesterday in book one, even though Mr. Steve doesn't really believe in mysterious powers; Daisy and I sure do.                 

         

SAMSON AND DELILAH             

           

        Samson and Delilah the Ravens are standing near Moe the Shed.  You can tell Samson is really protective of Delilah.  Daisy says we have to be protective of our boss, even if we have to "run through a wall"  to do it.  If he's gone then we're gone so what difference does it make?        

        I said in book one how, because of his big size, Mr. Steve had named Samson "Goliath."  But then Delilah arrived so, Goliath became Samson; and the Gopher Snake was named Goliath instead.  Samson and Delilah just lifted off and are flying away toward the northeast.                     

          Dais says our boss told that girl from Wrightwood about the Shoshone Indian man he met over there at the Phelan Library.  I mentioned him a few times yesterday.  Daisy says he told our  boss some Native-American Warriors "watched Ravens closely" before going into a battle.           

           

"RED WINGED BLACKBIRD"

PHOTO BY MIKE COHEN                   

                

          One of our boss's customers in Michigan told him about "Red Winged Blackbirds," which his wife studies.  I guess, they look like smaller Crows; but the males have these red and yellow    feathers on their wings.  Female Blackbirds, just like our Finches; are kind of dull in color.           

       Daisy heard that Parts Manager tell our boss how in his area Blackbirds are "associated" with Spring.  Males flap their wings and spread their tail feathers to "mark" their territory, and  also attract girl Blackbirds.  Oh!  I can see Fanny and Freddie flying over Libby's Corral.             

        The Parts Manager said male Blackbirds are "very territorial," and will fight "anyone and anything" in defending their area.  Their loud voices, when they say "conk-ah-reee;" are "very    distinct and recognizable"  that Parts Manager told our boss.  Libby's standing over there.                                      

"EPAULETTE" SHARK      

       

          Daisy heard our boss and his customer talk about those "Epaulette" Sharks I mentioned yesterday.  That's because Blackbird's red and yellow feathers are on their wings, next to their      shoulders; so look like military dress uniform epaulettes.  I'd love a uniform with epaulettes!        

        Mr. Steve told the Parts Manager in Michigan about Mark Ritter who died, and how he knew about things that live in Australia; where Epaulette Sharks live.  I guess, Epaulette Sharks  are called "Carpet" Sharks because they live in shallow water.  They're only three feet long.         

           Epaulette Sharks wiggle and kind of walk on land if they have to.  Mr. Steve one time met this guy who had a small Epaulette Shark in a salt water Fish Tank.  Daisy noticed how Mr. Steve faxed some line drawings of different things for one that Parts Manger's kids to then color.                                                             

 WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616)               EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849)           

              

          In book one I mentioned how that Writer William Shakespeare, in his play "Hamlet;" wrote about Ravens.  And two hundred years later that other guy Edgar Allan Poe wrote a poem about a Raven too.  I can now smell the Twin Joshua trees out there in the eastern desert.              

          Daisy says that Shoshone man at the Phelan Library told our boss in Japan's "Shinto" religion Raven's are seen as messengers from the spiritual world.   As I've said before, the ancient Greek Deity Apollo used them for that same thing too.  Fannie an Freddie are flying bye.               

           One time Dais heard Miss Susan tell our boss about these black Australian Bird's called "Magpies."  I guess they're kind of like Crows but also have some white feathers too.  Ah!  I see    Cher the Cat slinking around behind the three Sheds and I can just tell that she's hungry.                

                      "MAGPIES"                                                                  AUSTRALIA                           

  PHOTO BY TOBY HUDSON                                                                                                                                                                                            

   

          Dais heard Miss Susan say Magpie Birds are smart and, like our Mockingbirds; imitate other Birds.  But, I guess what's even more amazing; is how they  mimic us Dogs and Horses too.  Wow!  Boy!  I'd really really like to hear a Bird that could do something like that alright.              

         Miss Susan saw this tv show about Magpie's which said males become overly aggressive protecting their nests in Spring.  I guess, on that tv show an Australian lady said she and her kids one time heard a Magpie imitating the sound of a Fire Truck's Siren.  I'd like to hear that!            

          Yesterday was the first day of Spring, or what they call the "Vernal Equinox" up here in the "Northern Hemisphere."   And as I said yesterday, that means the Sun rises to the east and    sets  to the west "Directly" above Earth's "Equator."  Daffy's quacking about something.                                                                                 "VERNAL EQUINOX"                       WINTER (NORTHERN HEMISPHERE)                                                                                     SUMMER (SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE)

                                                                                                                                                                                        I'm looking again at the two good "Diagrams" showing how, and why; we have "Seasons" down here on Earth.  As I wrote in book one, the two days of "Equinox" in the Spring and Fall in the Northern Hemisphere; are in March and September.  I can smell some Joshua trees.                

        I guess when Australia where the Magpie Birds live is in the hotter days of Summer we're having our colder days of Winter.  I've mentioned how the Summer and Winter "Solstices" are    the longest and shortest days of each year.  There are a few thin white clouds up in the sky.           

        Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss talking on the phone to Mr. Dave in New Mexico about the seasons.  The "Equator" is the "imaginary" line that goes all of the way around the      middle of the Earth, "equidistant" from the North and South "Poles."  Ah!  I love fresh air.           

2012 SUZUKI "EQUATOR"

     Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about a "mid-size" pickup Truck, made by the Japanese company "Suzuki;" called the "Equator."  I guess, according to Dais; it was only made from 2009 through 2012.  Suzuki is primarily known for the making of good Motorcycles.             

         When Mr. Dave worked at Mr. Steve's company, doing the same job as Mr. Steve and Miss Babette, Susan and Karin; he sold mainly to "Motorcycle Shops."  But, after the 2008 economic  recession many Motorcycle shops went "Out of Business."  That really hurt Mr. Dave I guess.      

       Oh!  I see that boy Finch "Finley" again, sitting in the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.  I told Daisy about him last night, and she says maybe he'll have better luck today in his  attracting of girls.  I named him after Charles O. Finley, the Baseball Oakland A's owner.                                                        

FINLEY   

PHOTO BYRON NIEBRUGGE

     

           Mr. Ramon, the Auto Mechanic up on Highway near our house; would really like looking at Finley because his favorite color is orange.  And, so would Mr. Steve's mom too; because she    also likes bright colors like orange.  Libby's over there eating hay from her food troth.                   

         Hey God!  Thank You for making colors because I totally agree with Daisy who thinks it makes life better.  I can tell, as she goes blind; Dais now tries to appreciate things like that more and more.  Oh!  Finley just zipped off and is now flying fast right over Libby's Corral.                  

           Sitting here on my couch Elvira, while looking at the eastern desert behind the Sheds; is making me think of the Sun.  I've mentioned how, our Earth is tilted at a 23 degree angle to the    Sun as it "Rotates" or spins; while "Revolving" around the Sun.  Dawn's now barking.                                                 

        FLASHLIGHT DEMONSTRATION

                 (SUMMER-LEFT / WINTER-RIGHT)               

                             ARTWORK BY CLAY ATCHISON                  

                           

             I really like when there's an image to go along with the writing in my Encyclopedias. A good painting shows why it's hotter in Summer than Winter.  The caption says the Sun goes even "higher" in the sky during Summer.  Daisy and I have noticed that exact same thing.                     

             The reason why Summer is so hot here in Piñon Hills is mainly because, when the Sun's "path" is higher up in the sky; it shines down more "directly" and "intensely" on our two and a  half acres of land.  Earth's 23 degree tilt toward the Sun determines many things alright.              

          Both of my nostrils just picked up the faint scent of that old Rosemary bush out in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  Is that You making me think of You Blessed Mother? If it is I'm so glad You might be thinking of me too because I'll sure need Your help again today.          

         

THE "ANNUNCIATION"       

            

           Hey Blessed Virgin!  Writing about how Mercury was the Roman Deities messenger makes me think about the Angel Gabriel who was sort of like God's messenger.  The Angel Gabriel flew down here and told You and Your Cousin Elizabeth about you both would have babies.                  

          Blessed Mother!  Dais told me our boss and his father have talked to Mr. Hussein at Coffee & Cream about how in the 7th century A.D., the Angel Gabriel came down again; this time to tell the Prophet Muhammad about Islam.  Mr. Hussein has read the "Koran."  I smell Sage.               

          Yesterday I wrote about that "Fasces" symbol used since even before the ancient Romans.  A Fasces is a "bundle of reeds wrapped around an axe" and represents "Unity," "Strength" and "Authority."  As I said yesterday, it's where the 20th century term "Fascist" comes from.                                    

MERCURY TEN CENT "DIME" (1916-1945)        

   X        

         According to my Encyclopedia, from 1916 through 1945; the U.S. ten cent coin was what they called a "Mercury Dime."  It showed the head of "Lady Liberty" on one side and a Fasces on the other.  I guess many people "mistook" Liberty's hat for Mercury's "winged helmet."          

         Daisy says our boss and Mr. Grant have old coins, and some are Mercury Dimes.  It says here, from 1945 until now; Liberty's image was "replaced" by Franklin Roosevelt's profile.  I'll    learn a lot more about President Roosevelt, Hitler and that other guy Stalin in this book.               

         I'm scheduled to find out about the American Civil War and World War II in this second book and, just like yesterday; will have about twelve hours of Sun to complete twelve chapters.  It'll be hard again but, as Dais says; now I know I can do it.  Thank You for Daisy God!                                        

     FREDDIE MERCURY (1946-1991)

PHOTO BY GUS STEWART         

       

          I just thought about that band from England QUEEN.  Their Singer was named Freddie Mercury, even though that wasn't his real last name.  Daisy told me she heard he was actually      born on this big island called "Zanzibar" which is located off the east coast of Africa.                    

       As I said in book one a few times, when I get over my fear of enclosed areas I'll go in Mr. Steve's bedroom to listen to music and watch tv.  Dais saw a commercial for Mercury Insurance  Company on tv one time.  Jack the Jackrabbit just streaked bye in front of the Sheds.                    

         Yesterday I wrote about how, back on October the 4th of 1957 during the "Cold War;" the Russians or "Soviet Union" launched their "Sputnik" Space Program.  This really, really scared a lot of Americans.  Mr. Steve's brother Rock was born thirteen days later in 1957.                         

        

"MERCURY" SPACE PROGRAM ASTRONAUTS  

       

         My Encyclopedia has a picture of seven Astronauts from that American "Mercury" Space Program.  In 1958 the "Space Race" began, and "N.A.S.A" was created "in response to" that       Soviet "Satellite" Sputnik.  One Astronaut then was John Glenn who our boss's parents met.       

         The caption below the color photo of those Astronauts describes Mercury as being the first American "human spaceflight program."  Before anyone was sent up into outer space there were twenty "unmanned" flights I guess.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye over the three Sheds.            

          It says here those Astronauts in the color photo were called the "Mercury Seven," and they ended up making six "manned" flights.  In these next two long books I'll find out more about the  "Cold War" I've mentioned before.  Oh! Now the other two Pigeons just flew bye too.                                       

2010 MERCURY "MARINER"

          

        Daisy says there used to be a "Brand" of Car called "Mercury."  She heard our boss one time talking on the phone about making hats, with Mercury logos on them; even though "Ford" stopped making Mercury in 2010.   Andy the Squirrel is over there guarding their burrow.          

         According to Dais, one of the Mercury Cars was called a "Mariner," which is just another name for a "Sailor."  She says one time she and Millie watched a Baseball game on tv and one of the teams was called the Seattle "Mariners."  I can't wait to see a Baseball game on tv.                  

             Oh! Before the U.S. sent those Mercury Astronauts like John Glenn up into Space they shot a "Chimpanzee" named "Ham" there first.  Daisy saw a tv which called Ham a "Guinnie Pig,"    or the "Canary in the coal mine."  We still haven't figured out what those saying's mean.                                  

"HAM" THE CHIMPANZEE (1957-1983)

       

        Oh wow!  Black and white photos of that boy Astronaut Ham shows him wearing a good helmet and later holding a 1961 Newspaper announcing what he did.  Boy!  It must feel so great    to be thought of as being one of those actual "Hero's."  Heathcliff just crowed over there.              

           I've mentioned a few times how, unlike Daisy; I'm afraid to go all of the way in our house.  But, I overcame my fear of going in the garage; so know a helmet like the one Ham wore is on a shelf.  I guess our boss has Grandpa Trujillo's yellow work helmet in the guest bedroom.             

          The Mercury Program began under President Eisenhower, but in 1961 President Kennedy was in power; when the "Gemini" Program replaced it.  The third program to put up Americans into Outer Space was "Apollo."   Oh!  Ham was born in 1957 like Mr. Steve's brother Rock.                               

JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATED (NOVEMBER 22, 1963)

         

          Yesterday I wrote a lot about President Kennedy getting shot while he and his wife named "Jackie" were "Campaigning" in Texas.  That was two years before Ham the Chimp's flight in    1961.  Oh yeh!  1961 was also the same year of that failed "Bay of Pigs" invasion of Cuba.             

        Wow!  I guess, Ham the "Astro Chimp" trained for "eighteen" months; learning to push some of those "levers" I mentioned yesterday.  Oh! Much of his training was done back there in  New Mexico.  Ham's flight was called "Sub Orbital," and lasted only about sixteen minutes.         

          Hey God!  The caption below a picture of Ham calls his chair inside of  the Space Rocket a "couch."  Thank You so much for having our boss buy Elvira from Mr. Mark before he and his    family moved to Hawaii.  This has to be the most comfortable spot in the whole world!                   

              

AFRICAN "NATIONS"   

         

              I guess Ham the Chimp was actually born in the country of "Cameroon," which I notice on a map has a flag with dark  green, red and yellow vertical stripes in it.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii    thinks African countries should "unite" like in that European Union.  I really like flags.                

              My Encyclopedia calls Cameroon a "crossroads" nation in Africa, located in between the west and central sections.  So, like other countries in history, such as Israel or Poland; that makes it "Strategically" located.  Ah!  The air is so clear again today, which makes me feel so good.         

           By the mid-15th century, Portuguese Ships could sail southward down the west coast of Africa; and showed up in Cameroon I guess.  By the late 1500's, and then the early 16th century; the Portuguese started that Slave Trade I've written about before.  A Crow's cawing faintly.                                                      SLAVE "TRADE"                                 CAPTURED AFRICAN SLAVES             

              

         Back in the 1400's, the Portuguese called the Cameroon area "El Rio dos Camaröes;" or "The Two Rivers of Shrimp" in English.  In 1884, it became the German colony "Kamerun;"      and after World War II it was divided up between France and England.  I smell Sage.                  

         It says here, since 1961 Cameroon has been its own independent country.  I've mentioned how, for a while; Mr. Steve was giving money to a charitable organization in the African country of "Malawi."  He once bought and sold some things to a man from Cameroon Daisy told me.        

          Wow!  Ham the Chimp was shot up to 157 miles above Earth going about 5,800 "Miles per Hour."  They wanted to see, besides what happened to his body; if he could do the things he was  trained to do.  So, you could kind of say Ham the Chimp helped get America to the Moon.                                

    "LAIKA" THE "COSMONAUT"                          "APOLLO"  MOON LANDING PROGRAM   

              

         Yesterday I wrote about that one brave Russian boy Dog named "Laika."  In November of 1957, the month after Mr. Steve's brother Rock was born; Laika was sent up into Outer Space to circle all around the entire Earth.  Boy God!  It's too bad little Laika had to die though.                 

        The Apollo Program began under President Kennedy, and made it up to the Moon in 1969 when President Nixon was "In Office" so to speak.  Boy!  Laika looks so brave, like Blinky; in his nice "Cosmonaut" helmet.  Oh!  Dawn's now barking at something over there next door.               

       Ah!  A nice breeze from out in the eastern desert just came in with the Twins' scent.  That reminds me of another time when that happened as I was hearing Dawn barking.  Oh!  And now Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye too just like that other time too.                                          

  "NEWS PLUS"                       THE "TWINS"                             MR. DON                

                                  

           Daisy and I heard Miss Susan tell Mr. Steve how in the 19th century paper made out of  Joshua tree wood was taken to England, meant to be used for Newspapers.  But "thankfully" it    "didn't work out" she said.  Our boss told Mr. Phillip from Wales about Joshua trees.                    

           In our local Newspaper called "News Plus," which Miss Susan used to run; Dais says one time there was an article by this man named John M. Swisher about Joshua trees being used for  making paper.  I've mentioned before how that guy Don Fish Jr. now operates News Plus.             

           Boy!  Dais is probably right in being glad Joshua tree wood turned out not to be good for making paper.  If it had been there might not be any Joshua's left and we would've never gotten  to know our local trees like the Twins.  And that would've been pretty terrible we think.                                 

"ANTELOPE" VALLEY                              "RAVENA" PULP MILL (1884)  

            

         Miss Susan said back in 1884 one of those "Mills" I wrote about yesterday was built in the "Antelope Valley" area now called "Soledad Canyon."   It was the "Ravena" mill.  This Spanish Dictionary says that "soledad" can mean, "solitude, or maybe a "sad and lonely spot."                  

       In my first book I mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives, with his wife Yolanda and their kids, Mathew, Sammy Jr. and Raqquel; over there to our west in the town of "Littlerock."   I guess, from what Daisy says; that pulp mill only lasted for two years.                  

         Daisy says Mr. Swisher wrote about how that paper company cut down this really old sixty five foot tall Joshua tree, whose "trunk" was five feet in "diameter."  Wow!  That is a pretty huge tree alright.  Boy God!  I can't even imagine a "Six-Story" tall Joshua tree like that.                       

             

"PANAMA" CANAL (COMPLETED 1914)

            

         Miss Susan read Mr. Swisher found it "strange that vast forests of Canadian and eastern trees, closer to England; weren't "sought first" to make paper.  This map shows the "Panama      Canal."   It saved time and distance going from the "Atlantic" to the "Pacific" Oceans.                 

        Wow!  The map really shows how, before the Panama Canal was built; it was more than twice the distance for Ships to go back and forth from New York City to California.  Miss Susan said that man William Mulholland was an "advisor" on the building of the Panama Canal.           

          I guess Mr. Swisher wrote about how, also back in the 1800's; there was another mill built in a  a "gully" between Phelan and Wrightwood.  Yesterday I mentioned how gulley's are like a    dry narrow "Ravine," in Spanish called "Arroyos."  We have some of those around here.                                             

FRANK ZAPPA / CAPTAIN BEEFHEART 

        

        In my first book I mentioned a few times how those Musicians Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart went to Antelope Valley High School before moving down to Los Angeles.  I'll write a    lot more about them over the next two days.  The scent of a Juniper bush just floated in.               

       As I said a few times yesterday, someday I really want to hear songs by Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart.  Dais told me, even though their music isn't nearly as "Melodic" as songs like GENESIS'S "Musical Box; they're unique.  "Avante Garde" is how they're described.                  

        Daisy says, in Mr. Swisher's News Plus article; he thought it was possible the mill between Phelan and Wrightwood might've been "connected" to an 1867 battle between some white men    and Indians. That was only two years after the American Civil War.  Daffy's quacking.                                        

CALIFORNIA INDIAN WARRIORS

       

           Daisy heard Miss Susan tell our boss and Mr. Mike how, in the 1920's; some old Joshua trees from the "Lucerne Valley" were "harvested."  I guess, the saw blade broke when it hit lead bullets and arrowheads inside.  So possibly it was from that 1867 battle Mr. Swisher wrote.           

             I mentioned yesterday how the High School over in Phelan is called "Serrano," and their sports teams are called "Diamondbacks."  Daisy says our boss likes how they use royal blue as    their primary color, with white and yellow the secondary colors.  Wow!  That sounds good.           

         The "Serrano" Indians were living up here in the late 18th century, when those Spanish Priests first showed up in our area.  Like other Native California tribes, over the years since then  some Serrano's died of disease.  Others were killed by the Spanish, Mexicans and Americans.       

       

"SERRANO" INDIANS

     

               The ​​Spanish name for the ​​​​​"Serrano" Indians came from the Priests noticing how quite a few of them in our area mainly lived up in the "San Bernardino," and also in our "San Gabriel" mountains.  All four of the Pigeons are right now flying over Libby's Corral over there.                 

         "Mountaineer" is Serrano in Spanish, but I guess they call themselves "Taagtam" or the "People."  That older Shoshone man at the Phelan Library told our boss how they also use the      name "Yuhaaviatam," or "People of the Pines."   I can't wait to someday go to a Library.             

        Daisy says that Shoshone man also told our boss how, the Serrano's are "related" to the Cahuilla" and "Tongvan" groups.  They speak languages "based" on the one the Aztecs spoke      down there in Mexico.  Libby's totally unique and distinct scent just floated in over here.                    

2010 MERCURY"MOUNTAINEER"

         Daisy heard our boss and a Ford customer talk about a "Mercury" brand Car called the "Mountaineer."  Mr. Steve told him about the Serrano Indians.  That Parts Manager said they      stopped making Mercury vehicles in 2010, and the Mountaineer had some "tire problems."          

          Hey God!  As You know, someday both Daisy and I would really like to smell, hear and see an actual sporting event in person; if You ever gave us a way.  But, if You decide not to grant us    that selfish wish it's totally okay.  Daisy says the "atmosphere" seems to be very exciting.             

         When he was in High School at that one Christian school "Paraclete," Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew played a Football game against Serrano High.  So Mr. Steve went there to see the game    with his brother Sam and his Sister in Law Yolanda.  I just noticed Libby looking at me.                

       

"SERRANO" HIGH SCHOOL (PHELAN)

     

           According to Daisy, a few years ago Mr. Steve drew the Serrano Diamondbacks logo, but as the Arizona Diamondbacks professional Baseball team in Phoenix.  They use the same emblem but the color scheme is different.  The Baseball team's primary color is red Daisy told me.             

         It seems like that lady Miss Susan knows a lot about different things and Dais agrees with me on that.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez just zoomed through the space in the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.  One of these days he might accidentally hit his head on one of the pipes.               

             Dais says our boss told Miss Susan one of his parent's first dances was to a "Country" song called the "Tennessee Waltz."  It was sung by Patti Page who worked for "Mercury Records."  I guess Miss Susan knew Patti Page was from "Oklahoma" and had ten brothers and sisters.                                                                

PATTI PAGE (1927-2013)

 

       Oh!  I just looked up that girl Singer Patti Page and it says in my Encyclopedia she died about a year ago.  Wow!  I guess her version of the "Tennessee Waltz" is "rare."  At one time, in 1951 it was "number one" on three different "Charts;" "Country," "Pop" and "R & B."             

        Daisy says our boss told Miss Susan he read, when Patti Page recorded Tennessee Waltz; they couldn't afford to hire "Backup" Singers so she just "Overdubbed" her own voice.  And it    wasn't even the main song released.  It was what they call the "B" side for another song.               

           Mr. Steve told Miss Susan his customer in Oklahoma said he read Patti Page never needed to "rehearse" any song more than twice before "getting it right." One time on a tv show about Patti Page it said talked about her other song.  It's about a hill where some Mockingbirds live.                  

PATTI PAGE      

           

        Daisy says Miss Susan told our boss she heard Patti Page loved Dogs.  Tomorrow in book three I'll write about a lady named Doris Day, who also liked us too.  As a kid Mr. Steve and his    friends talked to Doris Day on the phone a few times according to what Dais heard one time.        

           I guess Patti Page also had a good song about this Dog for sale in a window.  Mr. Steve told Miss Susan his mom's Girl Scout troops used to sing that song.   As I mentioned yesterday a few times, our boss's mother for years was a Girl Scout leader who loved to teach kid's things.             

          Hey God!  Miss Susan read how, even though her family was really poor because it was the 1930's Great Depression; Patti Page joked about how her three brothers and seven sisters were    "poor in money but rich in love."  To save some money they couldn't listen to the Radio.                                                                               

     EDDIE ROBINSON  (KANSAS CITY "A'S")  

                                     

            Dais says our boss's customer in Oklahoma told him about a 1950's Baseball Player from Texas named Eddie Robinson, who played for the "then" Kansas City "Athletics."  I guess, he      and Patti Page "Dated."  Boy!  I'm kind of curious about what a real date would be like.               

         In my first book I mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's favorite Baseball team was the "now" Oakland "A's."  That Parts Manager in Oklahoma told him Eddie Robinson fought the    Japanese in World War II.  Like Mr. Steve's girlfriend Sandy's father, he was in the Navy.            

          That Parts Manager said Eddie Robinson rarely "struck out" and one time, as a member of the Chicago "White Sox;" hit this ball "over the roof" of "Comisky Park."  Babe Ruth, Lou    Gehrig, Ted Williams and Micky Mantle did that too.  Frida and Diego are flying bye.                                         

MARY FORD (1927-1977) / LES PAUL (1915-2009)

    

           I guess, from what Dais heard our boss tell Miss Susan; many people have "Covered" that song Tennessee Waltz after Patti Page.  Les Paul, who had that guitar named after him; and his    wife Mary Ford; played it.  But Daisy says Mr. Steve's parents still like her version the best.          

          Miss Susan said Patti Page's Tennessee Waltz is the best-selling song ever in Japan, and was used in a movie called "The Right Stuff."   Patti Page died in "Encinitas" which is about twenty  five miles north of San Diego.  Mr. Steve used to have a customer near Encinitas.                           

      My English Dictionary says a "Waltz" is a "Ballroom" dance whose "sliding" and "gliding" "light" moves are done in a "rolling fashion."  Daisy says our boss has waltzed and says it has      three steps for the boy and girl to do.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.                          

  

"WALTZ"

           Boy!  A  good picture in this Encyclopedia shows people waltz dancing and it looks like it would be so fun.  Daisy heard our boss's sister Susan really likes to dance, and one way is called      Country "Line Dancing."  I wonder if a Dog could learn to line dance?                      

  Hey God!  I guess that Singer Patti Page really believed in You too because Daisy heard Mr. Steve and  Miss Susan talk about it.  Patti Page used to say, "Only God knows what the future      holds."  As I've mentioned before, Grandma Trujillo used to say, "Only God knows."                    

    Reading about waltz dancing suddenly reminds me about how the BAND'S last album was called "The Last Waltz" and was one of those "Live" concert recordings.  Yesterday in my first  book I wrote about that guy Bob Dylan.  The BAND was one of his best bands Dais says.                         

BOB DYLAN                                                                       THE BAND         

                                                                        

         As I mentioned in book one, in the mid-1970's Mr. Steve and his friend named Chris; saw a Bob Dylan concert at the Forum.  And the BAND was still with him then.  As I've said yesterday, THE  BAND'S Drummer, just like in the EAGLES; sings "Lead" on some of the songs.                 

         Right now, all of a sudden; Antonio Vivaldi's song La Primavera popped into my head.  And in looking toward the east, I can see Birds zipping all around out there in the desert; behind the    three  Sheds.  That reminds me of other times when this exact same thing has happened.                

     Dais told me about a really good QUEEN song called "Bohemian Rhapsody."  It was written by that guy Freddie Mercury, who plays piano and sings on it.  According to what Dais says, our  boss thinks the guitar solo on Bohemian Rhapsody seems to  be really "well thought out."                                              

                 FRANZ LISZT (1811-1886)                          GEORGE GERSHWIN (1898-1937)                                                                              

            My Dictionary says a definition of "Rhapsody" is, "An instrumental composition of free, irregular form; suggesting improvisation."  And, another meaning is, "To stitch together."  Max the Hummingbird just flew bye and is now going out into the back desert behind the Sheds.          

           Mr. Steve likes some Classical Music rhapsodies Dais says.  The "Hungarian Rhapsody" was written in the 19th century by Franz Liszt.  George Gershwin wrote "Rhapsody in Blue."      That  guy Liszt, who was a friend of Richard Wagner; sure has an unusual haircut I think.           

         Daisy told me our boss read Freddie Mercury said Bohemian Rhapsody was three songs "stitched together."  Daisy thinks it's part Opera and then a Hard Rock song.  Mr. Steve always  likes songs with "Call and Response" singing patterns, which I guess it also has in it too.                                                  

        BEACH BOYS             

                                            

           Dais heard our boss tell that kid Jason one time how he wonders if Freddie Mercury was at all influenced, in the 1970's; by the BEACH BOYS' 1960's song "Good Vibrations?"  It was a sort of rhapsody that had a few different sections or parts too.  Dawn's barking over there.           

          Seeing the full gray water bucket on the Patio floor over there near the sliding glass door for some reason suddenly makes me feel fortunate.  This  little Sparrow is drinking from the full  water basin below the Mulberry tree.  Oh!  Now it flew away and is going out into the desert.        

          In book one I wrote about "Shock" Rock and mentioned how Mr. Steve plays drums to a song called "Halo of Flies," by that band from Phoenix called ALICE COOPER.  I guess, from    what Dais says; that song is kind of like a rhapsody or musical "Suite."  I hate all Flies!                         

      ALICE COOPER BAND             

                                    

         I wrote yesterday how the ALICE COOPER band's Singer, who now really is named Alice Cooper; is like that one Wrestler called the "Iron Sheik" who Mr. Steve took pictures of back in  the 1980's.  Both of them "Play the Part" of a mean "Villain" to entertain an audience.                 

        As I mentioned in my first book, Mr. Steve and his dad think some entertainers purposely try to get people to hate them so they'll pay to see them.  Mr. Steve's father kind of agrees with an old saying, "Controversy sells Tickets."  Dawn's still barking at something over there.                   

        This afternoon I'll learn and write about another Wrestler named "Gorgeous" George.  Mr. Steve read the outrageous way that Boxer Cassius Clay, later Muhammad Ali; acted was due to    Gorgeous George's influence.  He even wore white shoes which was very rare then I guess.                   

ALICE COOPER

PHOTO BY DAVE HOGAN

         As I said yesterday when I found out about "Shock Rock," the word "Macabre" is a word used to describe ALICE COOPER concerts.  Daisy saw part of one on tv and told me the Singer  named Alice Cooper looks scary alright.  He even has a belt with a skull for the buckle.                 

         I mentioned a few times in book one how Mr. Steve is interested in the subject of "Horror."  So, that's probably why he likes Alice Cooper because; here in this one Encyclopedia he's called  the "Father of Shock Rock."   His "stage act" is described as being "fantasy horror."                    

      Mr. Steve thinks, as far as "Gimmicks" go; Alice Cooper's "Persona" is clever.  Tomorrow I'll write about a 1970's band called the NEW YORK DOLLS who dressed up like girls.  Before  he died, their tall blonde-haired bass player Arthur Kane became a Mormon Daisy told me.          

                        

      "SCREAMING" JAY HAWKINS        ARTHUR BROWN                    MARILYN MANSON              

        Yesterday I wrote about how, since that guy "Screaming" Jay Hawkins in the 1950's; there has been Singers or Performers who shocked audiences.  Dais says in the 1960's that English guy Arthur Brown sang with a fire going right on his head.  Boy!  I'd really like to see that.                 

       Dais says Marilyn Manson uses "Fascist" imagery to shock.  Hard Rock bands like WASP, the PLASMATICS, WHITE ZOMBIE and "SLIPKNOT; tried to shock.  Our boss Mr. Steve saw that band in full costumes called GWAR down at the Hollywood Palladium that one time.             

         I guess Daisy noticed the other members of ALICE COOPER dressed up kind of weird but it's mainly the Singer who's the most noticeable by far.  Oh!  Goliath the Gopher Snake just used the left vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Daffy's quacking.                                          

 KILLER (1971)   

    

         What a coincidence that, just as I'm about to write about that one ALICE COOPER album Daisy told me about; I just would happen to see Goliath.  That early 1970's album called "Killer" has Halo of Flies on it I guess.  I can now smell the unique scent that Goliath left behind.               

         The first time Mr. Steve ever heard Killer was at his friend Alex's house in Granada Hills.  It had just come out and Alex pretended to be angry at his younger sister for writing on the red    album cover in some really thick black ink.  But I guess he was just "Kidding" as they say.           

       Alex, who had a good Stereo like the one Mr. Steve has now; knew our boss did lettering.  And that ALICE COOPER album cover does have terrible childlike writing on it so at first our    boss "Fell for It."   Dais thinks, except for the lettering, the red album cover is pretty good.           

                                      

                 ALICE COOPER                    

                         PHOTO BY MARIO ANZUONI                                 

                                          

      Daisy, probably because her favorite color is red; really likes the album cover for ALICE COOPER'S Killer.  She says it shows a "close up" picture of a Rattlesnake tasting the air with its tongue the way Snakes do.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds flew over the top of the house.               

       I guess, from what Dais saw on that one good tv show; the Singer Alice Cooper brings this really huge "Boa Constrictor" Snake up there on stage with him during parts of a concert.  He    also carries a cane, and at other times a crutch.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.                

        Wow!  It says here in my Encyclopedia how those "Boa's" can grow to be as big as eighteen feet long, but most are only about ten feet.  That's still pretty big and I wouldn't want to have to fight one.  Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died knew a lot about Boa Constrictor's.                                                           
        SOUTH AMERICA                          "BOA CONSTRICTOR" SNAKE    

             

       The caption below a picture of two guys holding one of those Boa Snakes says, they can "adapt" to a "variety of environments;" but prefer "Tropical Rain Forests."  And they "range"  from the country of Argentina all the way up to northern Mexico.  Heathcliff crowed.                    

          Dais heard our boss tell that kid Jason he thinks the ALICE COOPER band may have, in some ways; influenced later Punk music.  Not so much in the sound but, in their "rebellious;" or "disaffected" attitude.  A little Lizard on the wall over there is now doing some pushups.               

        I guess Alice Cooper's real original first name in life was "Vince."   And, like Mr. Steve's brother Rock at Alemany High School; he was a "Cross Country Runner" in High School.  Daisy says our boss has known a few guys named Vince, which is just shorthand for "Vincent."                                                               

       ALICE COOPER            

                                         

         Yesterday in my first book I mentioned how Mr. Steve's two brothers, back in the 1980's; ran in the "L.A. Marathon" a few times.  Oh!  There's a two-headed picture of Alice Cooper in this  Encyclopedia.  Dawn's barking and I can smell Blinky standing next to he and Rosie.             

        As I wrote in my first book, some people call that guy Alice Cooper the "Father of Shock Rock."  In the picture he has two heads on one body which is sort of like that three-headed Dog "Cerberus" who I've learned a little bit about so far.  The Lizard just skittered away.                     

        Daisy says our boss told Jason, in real life; Alice Cooper is not a rebel against his parents.  As a "Gimmick," or a "Publicity Stunt;" his outrageous "Theatrics" were meant to get attention for the band.  I guess, the truth is he really likes and admires both of his parents a lot.                                 

                 MARX BROTHERS                              LENNY BRUCE (1924-1966) AND FAMILY

          

        Yesterday I wrote about how Comedians "Groucho" Marx and Lenny Bruce are buried at the Jewish cemetery in Mission Hills where Mr. Steve's boss Steve Banks was buried.  Groucho    Marx went to ALICE COOPER concerts and liked their "Act."  I smell some Creosote.                 

      From what Daisy heard our boss tell that kid Jason, not only did Groucho Marx enjoy the ALICE COOPER concerts himself; he took his friends Jack Benny, Bob Hope and Mae West to  see them too.  They all considered ALICE COOPER to be a kind of modern "Vaudeville."            

        When the ALICE COOPER band moved from Phoenix to Los Angeles a lot of people, unlike Groucho Marx; did not understand what they were trying to do.  One of those was Frank Zappa but, he hired them precisely because he didn't really "Get It."  He just knew it was weird.                              

CAPTAIN BEEFHEART                                        FRANK ZAPPA           

                                   

       Before moving to Los Angeles, as I've written; Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart were classmates at Antelope Valley High School to the northwest of us.  Mr. Steve heard how Captain   Beefheart's father drove a "Catering Truck."  Wow!  What a great idea to make money!              

       When they were growing up in the 1960's, on Hagar Street in Sylmar; one of the neighbors was a man who drove a Catering Truck too.  But sadly, he was killed when his Truck full of food was hit by one of those really big Trucks I've mentioned.  A Raven is clucking nearby.                    

     Yesterday I wrote about Mr. Steve's customer in Missouri named "Bob."  He also went to Antelope Valley High School.  Someday when I get over my fear of riding in Cars, or Trucks like  Rex; Daisy and I would like to visit Littlerock.  Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family live there.           

                          

                         SAM / YOLANDA                        SAMMY JR. / SAM / MATHEW / RAQQUEL 

                                                                                     YOLANDA 

       

       Yesterday I mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's brother Sam, and wife Yolanda; have three kids.  Mathew's the oldest, his younger brother is Sammy Jr.; and  Raqquel's the youngest. All are pretty good Athletes from what Daisy heard, and they're talented in other ways too.  

                

                     

JONATHON SWIFT (1677-1745)

             

      Yesterday I learned about that English Writer Jonathon Swift who, in the 18th century; wrote "Gulliver's Travels."  As I said, some think he was the best "Satirical" Writer in  history.  I kind of like those white things Protestant "Clerics" wear hanging from their necks.                     

          Jonathon Swift was Irish but not Roman Catholic like most Irish.  In fact, he was a Priest in Henry VIII's Protestant Anglican religion.  Oh!  I looked up just in time to see Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flying happily together out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.                  

          Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area; I really want to go in the house to watch more tv like Daisy does.  Then, I can see that one movie she told me about    based on Jonathon Swift's book Gulliver's Travels.  Boy!  That's going to be so great!                    

                     

   SAMANTHA /MISS PEGGY                           ROCKY JR. / ROCK / JACOB      

                                                                                  STEPHANIE / RICH / CRISTINA      

                                                                   

         Oh!  My Encyclopedia says Jonathon Swift was born in November, like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha and his Nephews Rocky Jr. and Sammy Jr.  And he died on October the 19th, or two    days after Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday.  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus over.               

         In Mr. Steve's family the most important dates, mostly birthdays; are in the fifth month of "May."  And, Mr. Steve's parent's Wedding Anniversary is on the the 24th of May.  Oh wow!  I just noticed how the morning sunlight is making the baby Cholla shine over there in the dirt.       

        Our boss, and his Nephew Mathew too; were born in July, which is the seventh month of the year and is when it gets really hot around here.  Then, for about the next three months Mr. Steve often takes afternoon naps or those "Siestas;" because it's so hot.  But today it won't be hot.                                             

GRANDPA / GRANDMA CÓRDOVA

  

          I've mentioned how Grandma Córdova, whose best friend was her husband; was born on the 24th of February, which is the day after Mr. Steve's father was born.  So people joked about    how You God gave her a gift.  A group of Birds is flying toward the east up there in the sky.           

        I'm still thinking about Alice Cooper, who uses "Theatrics" and satire to entertain.  This Spanish Artist Salvadore Dalí appreciated  his "Bizarre" concerts.  Mr. Steve's mom studied his  "Surrealistic" work back in College at C.S.U.N. but it wasn't her "Cup of Tea" as they say.          

          Ah!  I just glanced up from over here on the patio in time to see what I think is one of those "Garter" Snakes crawling out into the back desert.  It went through the left vertical slot on the    side of the gate to do it.  Boy!  Someday I'd really like to see and hear Alice Cooper songs.                        

             SALVADOR DALÍ (1904-1989)                                      PABLO PICASSO (1881-1973) / FAMILY                                                                                                       

            A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a black and white photo of that guy Salvador Dalí.  The caption says he's in front of one of his color paintings to create a "contrast."  Daisy says our boss has often used "Contrast" in art for years.  I smell Theodora's favorite Creosote bush.          

             Mr. Steve's mom, like "Dalí" and Pablo Picasso; studied post World War I "Surrealism;" which was influenced by this 1910's "Art Movement" called "Dada."  Dada replaced "Realism"    with "dreamlike"  or "subconscious" images.  Daisy says Sister Wendy did a segment on it.        

         I guess Mr. Steve's mom, who does appreciate Dalí's "Draftsmanship;" prefers realistic images.  But Dais says one of the big "Abstract" paintings she did in College is hanging above the washer and dryer in our Utility Room.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.                                                                    

                                  DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ (1599-1660)                                 

                                            SELF-PORTRAIT                                                  

                                                                                               

         In the picture of Salvador Dalí I notice his mustache.  My Encyclopedia says he wore it that way because he admired the 17th century Spanish Painter Diego Velázquez, who I mentioned in    book one Mr. Steve's mom likes too.  The four Pigeons flew bye and one is carrying a twig.            

         It says here "Velázquez," who lived during the early "Baroque" era; was "probably" a Jew who "converted" to be a Roman Catholic like we are.  Oh!  All of a sudden I'm hearing Vivaldi's   song La Primavera.  Boy! That song gives me energy just like it gives to Mr. Steve too.                  

         Diego Velázquez lived during the Spanish "Golden Age" of King Philip IV.  That was about a century after Christopher Columbus' first voyage.  New Mexico was being "Colonized" then,    English people were settling New England; and the bloody "Thirty Years War" took place.                                        CHARLES V (1500-1558)                                                                   PHILIP IV (1605-1665)        PAINTING BY TITIAN                                                                                                                                                                     PAINTING BY DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ

                

         Aha!  No wonder Diego Velázquez wore that type of mustache.  My Encyclopedia shows a good portrait he painted of King Philip IV, who's mustache is like Salvador Dalí's.  I guess Philip IV was the Great Grandson of that other really powerful "Habsburg" King Charles V.                  

          Tomorrow in book three is when Daisy and I decided I'd write the most about the 1500's or 16th century, when the Muslim "Ottoman" Empire fought a lot of wars against Christians; like    Charles V.  Frida and Diego are drinking water from the basin below the Mulberry tree.               

         I guess a "Handlebar" mustache like King Philip and Velázquez wore in the 1600's goes in and out of "Fashion."  I've mentioned how Adolph Hitler, as a Soldier in the World War I; wore his like that but trimmed it to fit on a Gas Mask better.  I now can smell Frida and Diego.             

                 

   MAURICE RAVEL             ADOLPH HITLER              ROLLIE FINGERS

         In my first book yesterday I wrote about the good song called "Bolero," which was written by that guy from France named Maurice Ravel.  Back in the mid-19th century, he also wore his    mustache in the same style as Diego Velazquez and King Philip.  Frida and Diego flew away.         

        As I've said a few times, since he's been ten years old Mr. Steve's favorite Baseball team has been the Oakland "Athletics;" or "A's."  And, as I've mentioned before too; in the 1970's an A's  "Relief" Pitcher was named Rollie Fingers.  He grew one of those Handlebar mustaches.               

        Mr. Steve, and his dad; think the 16th century was so important.  Columbus' 1492 discovery of the New World "accelerated"  the "Age of Discovery."   The "Renaissance," which began in    the 15th century; was still going on.  The "Protestant Reformation" began in the 1500's too.                                           

         ÉDOUARD MANET (1832-1883)

           SELF-PORTRAIT                 

                           

      Two of Mr. Steve's mom's favorite Painters are that guy Velázquez and Édouard Manet.  I guess "Manet," in the 19th century; told people how he thought Velázquez was the best Painter    ever in history.  Boy!  I really like his round hat and would definitely wear one like that.                

         Below a self-portrait of Édouard Manet, who was French; the caption describes his painting as "Modernist."   I guess, he was one of the first Artist's to "portray modern life" and his work    was an important "transition" between "Realism" and "Impressionism."   Dawn's barking.         

         I just thought of that lady "Sister" Wendy, who I mentioned in book one; and still wears the "Old-Fashioned" style of Nun's uniform.  Daisy would love to meet her and so would I because I  hear she's a very smart person.  Plus, she seems like a really friendly person too Dais says.                                                                            

        "SISTER" WENDY BECKETT              

                                          

         Sister Wendy, like our boss's mom; knows about the history of "Painting" and even had that tv show where she traveled to Museums and explained things.  Wow!  What a great job that would be I think.  Oh!  I'll bet Mr. Peabody would be really good at doing that job too.                  

          Hey Lord!  As You know, Sister Wendy became a "Celebrity" by accident when someone who worked in tv over there in England read something she wrote.  In a picture she looks like a    very friendly person.  And Mr. Steve and his mom think she was really nice in person.                   

       Dais noticed that Sister Wendy might have bad teeth.  I mentioned a few times in book one how, Daisy is starting to have bad teeth too and tells me to chew softly; so my teeth will last a lot  longer.  Mr. Steve and his friend Mr. Grant knew a girl named "Wendy" in "Law School."           

      

SISTER WENDY'S TRAILER

       

          Daisy says our boss one time told Mr. Ralph on the phone how Sister Wendy in some ways kind of reminds him of that other Catholic Nun Sister Rita Joseph.  Daisy heard Sister Wendy's    one of those "Hermits" who mainly just prays and reads.  She lives in a Trailer I guess.                 

         I mentioned yesterday how Sister Rita Joseph was "Scots-Irish."  Daisy heard Mr. Steve's Scots-Irish customer tell him Sister Wendy said, had she known how much time it took to make a tv show; she probably would not have agreed to do it.  The four Pigeons just flew bye.                    

         I guess our boss told Mr. Ralph, who's also Roman Catholic like us; Sister Rita Joseph and Sister Wendy sort of "physically" resemble each other.  And, I'll bet Sister Wendy is one of those "Lifetime Learners" Sister Rita Joseph used to talk about.  Daisy thinks she is alright.                                            

      SISTER WENDY THINKING        

           PHOTO BY REX                     

          

          I feel like finding out more about Sister Wendy right now.  Oh!  My Encyclopedia says she was born in 1930, so is two years older than Mr. Steve's father.  I guess she's "retired" over there  in England now.  Mr. Steve's mom thinks she probably prays and "does a lot of thinking."            

          The caption below a picture says Sister Wendy was born down there in "South Africa" and one of the Colleges she "attended" was in that city called "Liverpool, where the BEATLES grew up.  Her father was a "Physician."  I guess she was a "School Teacher" in South Africa.                

         Hey Blessed Mother!  It says here how Sister Wendy was a member of the "Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur," who were "dedicated to education."  Aha!  So she was like Sister Rita Joseph    alright in saying you should never, ever stop learning.  Heathcliff crowed over there.                                                                   

COLLEGE PROFESSOR         J.R.R. TOLKIEN (1892-1973)            WITH FAMILY        

    

          Oh wow!  I guess at a College Sister Wendy went to,  J.R.R. Tolkien was a member of the "Board" which examined her "Final Exams."  And, she must've done pretty good; because he      even offered her a job at that same College.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds just flew bye.              

           Daisy thinks one reason that guy Tolkien liked Sister Wendy is because she was so good at knowing different languages the exact way he was too.  As a School Teacher in South Africa one thing she taught was Latin.  So I'll bet she knows the other Latin influenced languages too.           

         Hey Mother Mary up there!  As You know already I'm sure, Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how Sister Wendy knew since she was just a little girl she was going to become a Nun and dedicate her life to You.  Boy!  The air is so clear right now, and that makes me feel so good.                                                

"MONET ON HIS STUDIO BOAT"                     "MELON AND PEACHES"       

PAINTINGS BY EDOUARD MANET

   

        Daisy overheard our boss tell Mr. Ralph his mom liked how that guy Edouard Manet used the color yellow.  I mentioned in book one how she used to mix her own oil color paints and could even reproduce the same exact tones much later if needed.  I smell a Lizard around here.              

         In looking at two of that guy Manet's painting I now understand better how good Painters can make you appreciate the way light "Falls" on things.  His painting of this one other French Painter named Claude Monet makes me feel kind of warm inside.  He paints good fruit.                

       Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see Laverne and Shirley leading their new babies out into the back desert.  They're now streaming "Single File," through both openings on either side of      the gate.  A Train whistled over there to my left, or north; near to that California Aqueduct.                            

   GEORGIAO KEEFE (1897-1963)     

  

           I like how the sunlight is making things look right now, and that reminds of how that lady Georgia O' Keefe and our boss's mom; like New Mexico's sunlight.  Mr. Dave now likes it too.      Georgia O'Keefe shares November the 15th as a birthday with Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha.         

         Hey Lord!  I'm still thinking of that Singer Alice Cooper, who Daisy heard is one of those "Born Again" Christians I've mentioned before.  Daisy was in our boss's bedroom and saw a tv    show about the ALICE COOPER band.  Boy!  I can really smell Theodora's Creosote bush.          

          As You know Lord, Dais thinks it was Your help that allowed Alice Cooper to quit drinking and taking drugs; which is very hard to do I guess.  That's why Mr. Steve's family is so proud of his brother Sam who also quit drinking too.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.                           

           ALICE COOPER AND FAMILY            

                       PHOTO BY RON GALELLA                               

                                                  

          Hey Lord!  As You know, according to that tv show on Alice Cooper; his wife also helped him quit wanting to drink.  Mr. Steve thinks her trust and respect was probably more important to him than drinking alcohol.  I'll bet he wouldn't ever want to disappoint his own family.             

          Daisy says our boss thinks, when Alice Cooper quit drinking; he smartly "Redirected" or "Channeled" his "Addictive" nature into playing Golf.  Mr. Steve believes Golf can also become  addictive too in searching for never possible perfection.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.              

 I've mentioned how Mr. Steve says he isn't good at Golf, except for just "Driving" the Golf balls.  He jokes that, as far as people like Alice Cooper is concerned; playing Golf is a lot "safer"  than drinking that's for sure.  I wonder what Daisy's doing up there in the front yard?                                                          

                                             MR. STEVE'S PARENTS                                                                                    

 PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA                                                                                     

                                                                                                                                                    

           I've mentioned how how Mr. Steve's parents are best friends who've been married for fifty nine years.  They don't always agree on everything but, because they have "Trust and Respect"    for each other; they at times "Agree to Disagree" as they say.  Ah!  Little Blinky's barking.           

       Daisy says, in the tv show Alice Cooper said he and his wife still go on "Dates."  As I wrote yesterday, our boss's parents still do the same exact thing too.  As I wrote in book one, they used  to sometimes drive down to the Hollywood Palladium and dance to Big Band style music.              

         According to what Daisy heard our boss tell Jason, Bob Dylan thinks that Alice Cooper is an "underrated" and "underappreciated" song writer.  And Mr. Steve read in a Magazine article how John Lennon of the BEATLES liked the song "Elected."  Ah!  I smell some Manzanita.                                  

   IRON MAIDEN                                                              METALLICA

           

          Yesterday I wrote about Mr. Steve, ever since hearing the KINKS' song "You Really Got Me" when he was about ten years old; likes Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.  One time he was told that IRON MAIDEN'S Drummer is also a Born Again Christian just like Alice Cooper is.             

            Mr. Steve heard METALLICA'S Singer also quit drinking, maybe because the trust and  respect of his wife and kids was too valuable to him.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran out into the back  desert behind the Sheds.  He zipped through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.              

          In chapter three Daisy has me scheduled to write in detail about the American Civil War, which our boss knows a lot about.  So, of course I'll look up that guy Ulysses S. Grant; who I've    mentioned before.  He also really needed the trust and respect of his wife and kids I guess.                       

               JIMI HENDRIX                       JANIS JOPLIN                    JIM MORRISON            

                              PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                             

                                                                                                      27             

          As I mentioned yesterday when I wrote about that one "Grunge" Rock band from Seattle called NIRVANA, tomorrow I'll write about the "27 Club."  That's what they call this group of   Musicians who died at the very young age of twenty seven.  Dawn's barking over there.                

         Daisy says on the tv show about Alice Cooper he said one time he came into a room where Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin and Jim Morrison were in.   All three of them ended up being  in the    27 Club.  Anyway, tomorrow in my third book I'll be coming back to this particular subject.         

      Oh!  I just thought of something.  Yesterday, when I learned about "Pirates;"  I forgot to write about that Scottish Writer Robert Louis Stevenson.  Daisy heard that, back in the late 19th century or 1800's; he wrote one of the most famous books ever written about "Buccaneers."                                                           

        DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE (1886)

                          

          One night Dais and Millie were in the living room and watched this good movie based on another book written by that guy Robert Louis Stevenson.  It's called "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde"    and I guess is about a Doctor over there in England.  All four of the Pigeons are flying bye.            

         Daisy told me the tv show said, ever since he quit drinking; that guy Alice Cooper has had to become a "Split Personality."  In real life he's the average person but as an "Entertainer" he's a "Bigger than Life" performer.  Now he's learned to keep the two parts totally separate.              

      In that movie about Robert Louis Stevenson's story the Doctor drinks this thing called a "Serum."  It turns his nice friendly personality into this really mean monster.  My Encyclopedia says an "allegory" is when something is used in a story to make a "broader statement."                

           

 ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON (1850-1894)   

          

         Daisy heard our boss one time talking on the phone with Mr. Ralph about that guy Robert Louis Stevenson's book "Treasure Island."  I guess, whenever people have turned Robert Louis    Stevenson's books into plays or movies they add and change a lot.  I smell some Juniper.                

         My Encyclopedia says Robert Louis Stevenson was born on November the 13th and died on December the 3rd.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's Nieces Samantha and Stephanie were born    on November 15th and December the 4th "Respectively."  A Train just now whistled faintly.         

    Oh!  What a coincidence that Blackbeard and his girlfriend Anne Bonny the Crows just happen to be flying bye right after I mention the topic of Pirates.  Some day I want to read that    book about Pirates by Robert Louis Stevenson called "Treasure Island."  I smell Sage.                  

MR. RICK   

   

         Yesterday I wrote about our boss's friend Mr. Rick, who also went to St. Ferdinand's in the 1960's.  Rick's Italian-American family moved to Los Angeles from the city of Pittsburgh.  So, as I've said; his all time favorite sports team is the Pittsburgh "Pirates" Baseball team.                     

         Most Italians, just like most Hispanic families too; are Roman Catholics like us.  That's why Mr. Steve and Mr. Rick were able to meet each other as kids.  Over the next two days, according  to my book two outline; I still have a lot more to learn about some of the different religions.          

       Well, it looks like this is the end of chapter one, which is good because I'm a little bit thirsty and want to go drink some water.  So, I'll hide everything and go do that.  Heathcliff just crowed, and I can also hear and now smell too all of his girl Hens; who sound so happy again today.                   

II   

(Chapter 2 / Book Two)

8:30     

     

   

MORNING SKY      

          

           Ah!  I feel so great right now!  I pulled everything back out and now can't wait to do this second chapter, which according to my outline will 

        Well Everyone up there, it looks like this is going to be another good day; that's if You all will that of course.  I sure do hope You Guys will help me down here on Elvira just like You did    yesterday.  I'd say it's about eight thirty based on the Sun and how the shadows are looking.        

       Oh!  I forgot to mention how QUEEN'S lead Singer Freddie Mercury's family were in the "Zoroastrian" religion.  In 1991 when he died; though he wasn't religious; Freddie Mercury was buried in a Zoroastrian funeral.  As I've said, Nietzsche called Zoroaster "Zarathustra."                                                              

      ZOROASTER (?)     

                             

       From what is says here in this Encyclopedia, Zoroastrians believe in three things, having good "thoughts," good "words" and doing good "deeds."  Even though he wasn't religious that  guy Freddie Mercury wanted a Zoroastrian funeral for some reason.  Heathcliff crowed.               

           I guess, no one really knows when Zoroaster lived but, it might've been in the 7th century B.C.  It says here Plato "mentioned" him, and the religion he started was "dominant" in ancient "Persia," and still has followers in modern "Iran."   Here in California too Daisy heard.               

         Dais told me our boss and that girl who knew about Classical Music talked about how, in some ways; Zoroastrianism "influenced" the later religion of Islam.  Zoroastrians also pray five  times a day, and cover their heads while doing it too.  Boy God!  I feel so happy again today.                                                                          

 ABU ISHAQ (1029-1087 A.D.)         

            

            I just looked up an 11th century A.D. Muslim Astronomer named Abu Ishaq who lived in that Spanish city of Córdoba I wrote about yesterday.  I guess, he watched the Planet Mercury    closely.  I just noticed a little Lizard over there, standing on the wall doing some pushups.             

          Wow!  That guy Abu Ishaq's real name, "Abu Ishaq Ibrahim Ibn Yahya al Zarqali;" was so long.  My Encyclopedia describes him as an "inventor," probably like those later guys Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla who I'll write about today.  He made some "precision instruments."        

          All of a sudden I just thought about that thing called "Astrology."  Daisy saw this tv show about it and, even though our boss doesn't believe in it; she thinks there "might be something to it."  It's described here in this Encyclopedia as being belief in "divinitory practices."                     

 

"ZODIAC" OF THE "HOROSCOPE"

      

           Mr. Steve one time told his Niece Cristina he knows wanting to believe things are "fixed" can be "reassuring."  And reading about a better future might help some people deal with stress, but it's not a good idea to "base" everything you do on a "Horoscope."   Heathcliff crowed.          

         Our boss understands why thinking positively is good, but that doesn't guarantee a good result.  There's a reason why Astrology is called a "Pseudoscience," and Newspapers put those    "Disclaimers" right below the section he says.  Anyway, I'll come back to this subject later.           

          Right now, sitting here on my couch Elvira; the Sun's warmth is making me feel so alive.  And in my head I'm suddenly hearing Antonio Vivaldi's song "La Primavera."  Mr. Steve played it really loud on his Boombox this morning when he came outside to feed us our breakfasts.                                               

   "SERENGETI" WATERING HOLE               

                                                          

           A Lizard is over there standing on one of the big boulders Mr. Steve has piled around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  Sunlight is reflecting off the surface of the "Shiny" water.  So far    this morning I've seen a few Bugs and different Birds drinking water from that "Basin."               

         Yesterday I mentioned how Mr. Cliff jokingly called the water basin below the Mulberry tree a "mini Serengeti."  What he meant was that things who normally aren't around each other will share water just like over there in Africa.  That one Lizard just ran down the wall.                  

       Oh!  Mentioning Africa now reminds me that I totally forgot to write about those things called "Hippopotamus's" yesterday.  They usually live in the water or around the Water Holes in the Serengeti.  Two little Wrens just flew in, and are now taking turns drinking some water.                                                

       HIPPOPOTAMUS         

                    

           Oh my God!  According to what it says in the caption under a picture of a Hippopotamus in this Encyclopedia, some males can grow to be three tons!  So, that means six thousand pounds in weight total!  Those two little Wrens who were drinking some water just darted away.               

        It's interesting how, it says here in my Encyclopedia that "Hippo's" at one time lived all over the whole world.  Wow!  I guess, some of their ancient "Fossils" from "thousands" of years  ago; have even been found even in what is now England.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.              

         Ah!  My Encyclopedia says what Dais heard.  It is true that those huge giant Hippo's have special nostrils that aim upward, and can even close when they go under the water.  Wow!  And    it's also true that Hippo's are all able to "hold their breath" for about five full minutes.                                        

              "SEA WORLD"                    

                                    

        Oh!  I can't wait for my first big break after chapter four, so I can run up front; and tell Daisy Hippopotamus' aren't related to Pigs at all.  It says here how their closest "relatives" are    actually Dolphins and Whales!  Yesterday I wrote about "Sea World" in San Diego.                       

           In the early 1970's, when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited with their Uncle Marty's family in San Diego; they went to the Zoo and Sea World.  Daisy and I, but only from a distance  of course; would kind of like to smell a Killer Whale.  Dais says they would kill us for food.           

          I've mentioned how Uncle Marty is Mr. Steve's dad's brother.  A medical "Corpsman" in the Vietnam War, he then got an "M.B.A." College degree from Harvard.  It was that Corpsman from Canada who "Saved" Mr. Steve's father's "Frostbitten" feet during the Korean War.                            

     "VIETNAM" WAR           

                                                          

         Daisy's the one who told me our boss still has his tattered old "Draft Car" from 1973.  Mr. Cliff fought in the Vietnam War and, if that war had lasted another year; Mr. Steve would've had to go fight in it too.  Anyway, I'll be learning more about that war in these last two books.              

          Oh!  I just thought of that guy Anthony Bourdain.  As I said yesterday, he's a "Chef" from New York City and from what Daisy heard; is a good Writer too.  He has that tv show like Huell  Howser's and Rick Steve's so gets to travel all around the world and eat all types of food.              

       I guess, in one episode Anthony Bourdain went to South Vietnam so of course ate some of their good food.  Wow!  I totally agree with Dais when she joked about how it must be great to be paid to eat as much as you want with no limit.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny just flew bye.            

                         

        ANTHONY BOURDAIN                 

                                 

           I've mentioned in my first book how Mr. Steve's mom used to cook a lot when her five kids were growing up.  But, unlike Anthony Bourdain who cooks at a big Restaurant; she made food    mainly for her family and their friends.  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.            

       Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell his mom a while back he had a dream about her soft, thick and fluffy flour tortillas.  He also mentioned how a lady he sold things to volunteers to feed  Victorville's homeless.  That big Dragonfly who was hanging around here yesterday flew bye.       

        Mr. Steve told his mom how, on a "much bigger scale;" that lady from Victorville uses this recipe for "Potato Soup" very similar to what she used to make.  And her "Arroz con Pollo," or    "Rice and Chicken;" also resembles his mom's too.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.         

                      

     STEPHANIE / RICH                             SUSAN                              SAM /YOLANDA                                                                                                                        

            Yesterday I mentioned a few times how there are a lot of good cooks in Mr. Steve's family.  His Niece Steph and Mr. Rich are both really good cooks like that guy Anthony Bourdain, whose tv show they love to watch Dais heard.   Mr. Rich even cooks meat slowly under the ground.         

         Mr. Steve's sister Susan back in Connecticut, and his brother Sam and wife Yolanda over there in Littlerock too; cook really good food according to Daisy heard.  Mr. Steve likes how the females in the family make things like his mom did when they were growing up.  I smell Sage.      

        Daisy says Mr. Steve one time told his brother Rock in Texas how it seems like all three of his kids, Stephanie, Rocky Jr. and Jacob; have good "business sense."  Rocky and Amber are a    really good team too in the running of their business.  And Jacob also seems to be smart too.                                  

DRAGPIPE (2002)                                           MR. RICH                    

                      

          Yesterday I wrote about how Mr. Rich, who some people call "Richie;" grew up back east in the State of "New Jersey."  He played guitar in that Heavy Metal band DRAGPIPE, and Mr. Steve listens to the album they put out in 2002.  Mr. Rich's parents are from down in "Cuba."      

         Stephanie and Rich make a good team.  They've developed their business selling what Mr. Rich cooks slowly.  Once a week they go and sell the food at that "Farmer's Market" in "Santa Clarita."  All four of the Pigeons just now flew past Libby's Corral over there to my right.         

        Mr. Rich, being so good at working with his hands and things like that; sets up that big tent where Steph can then sell the food.  He just provides the "Platform" for her to "Execute" their    business.  She's probably much more comfortable working "with the public" Daisy thinks.           

      

HIPPOPOTTAMUS      

        

          After chapter one, I not only drank some water out of the water bucket; I went pee too.  As I did it in the northwest corner of our property I saw Goliath crawl bye out in the desert.  Oh!  I  forgot to write a few more things about those big Hippos who live over there in Africa.                   

       Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show that said some Mammals, like Hippos, Dolphins and Whales; have evolved to live in water so their nostril's face upward.  This lets them go up to the    surface, and not have to "expose" their whole heads by sticking them out of the water.                   

        Oh!  It says here Hippo's are also like Dolphins, and Whales in being able to sleep in water by using only "half" of their brains.  Hey!  I'm kind of like that too because of when I was living  homeless out in that field, and couldn't "Afford the Luxury" of deep sleep.  I smell Sage.               

                 

       "PREHISTORIC" WHALE         

PAINTING BY ALBERTO GENNARI

    

           Wow!  A really good painting shows what Whales used to look like millions of years ago, when they first went from land out into the Oceans.  And now, they could never go back; but it    doesn't matter because they get way more food out in the Oceans Dais thinks.  I smell Sage.          

           I just glanced up at the now high blue sky and see that there are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there.  That reminds me of another time when Dais and I looked at vapor trails as    we smelled Sage.  I so feel good right now, and have a feeling this will be another good day.           

           It says here how Hippopotamus' spend about eighty percent of the time in water, mainly because they have "sensitive skin;" just like Mr. Steve and his mom.  For "as much as" sixteen    hours a day they sleep.  A Hippo opens it's mouth really wide and has "razor-sharp" teeth.                            

HIPPOPOTAMUS      

           

         Oh wow!  A picture shows boy Hippo's yelling at each other and the caption says they'll fight over a girl Hippo.  Daisy says Mr. Steve met this man at the Sylmar Library who knew a lot about Africa.  He said Hippos can at times be extremely "aggressive and unpredictable."              

         Another photo shows this man running from a Hippo.  The guy at the Library, who was from South Africa; said Hippo's can "cut you in half" if they get you in their powerful jaws.  On  land Hippo's can run from twenty to thirty miles per hour even if they look fat he said.                  

      Daisy told me how that man at the Library said Hippo's "herd" together for protection against things like Lions or Crocodiles.  Even though he said, they have a "short fuse" and are "nervous by nature;" so can become very violent themselves.  I'd like to smell a Hippo.                 

                       

          "RHINOCEROS"               

                                     

           I guess, from what it says in my Encyclopedia; Hippo's are like those other things in Africa called "Rhinoceros's" in having "poor eyesight."  So, that man from South Africa thinks; both    are aggressive to "overcompensate."  Oh wow!  Rhinos could stab you with their nose horn.         

          Dais says that man saw Hippo's have really bloody fights.  One time a little Bird landed on the back of a male in a group of resting Hippo's.  It "startled" him, he got really angry; so tore a huge hole right out of the neck of the "unfortunate" smaller Hippo who was next to him.               

         Oh, what the heck!  Even though I'm scheduled to learn and write about World War I in book three tomorrow, since I'm writing about Hippopotamus's; I might as well talk about a big    Italian cannon called "Hippopotamus" now.  I know Dais would want  to smell a Hippo.               

                           

    EUROPE (WORLD WAR I / 1914-1918)                 

                                                      

          When the First World War broke out in 1914, as I mentioned yesterday; France, England and Russia were against Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey.  In 1917 the U.S. came in on      the side of England and France.  At the very end of 1917 the Russian Revolution happened.          

       My Encyclopedia says in 1914 Italy actually had a "treaty" with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, but Mr. Steve's father thinks they switched sides believing the "Allies" were more likely to win that war.  Then they'd get more of those "Spoils" I've mentioned.  Heathcliff crowed.         

           Germany and Italy only became "Countries" in the late 19th century but, since the time of Napoleon I early in that century; Italians thought some of their land "had been stolen."  Today    Daisy has me scheduled to learn about "Nationalism."  Our boss thinks it's very important.                                              

WORLD WAR I ("ALPINE" CAMPAIGN)     

           

          A good picture shows Italian Soldiers climbing up the "Alps" mountains to fight against the Austro-Hungarians.  It says here they fought in some the most "brutal" conditions in history, so "thousands" would die from the "extreme weather" and "avalanches."  A Crow cawed.            

           Dais and Millie one time were in our boss's bedroom and saw a tv show about the Italians in World War I.   Many people know about what happened in the battles on the border of France and Germany, but the war on Italian Austria border was just as horrible.  It was very cold.           

            Adolph Hitler fought on the "Western Front" in World War I while Benito Mussolini saw combat in battles against Austria-Hungary.  Both were wounded, Hitler was gassed.  But Hitler loved being in a war whereas Mussolini didn't like the hardship, pain and suffering at all.

                              

                                                             2013 "AVALANCHE"  

                                    

             I guess, from what Daisy told me; an avalanche is when mud or snow is pulled by gravity to fall from higher places to a lower area.  She told me there's this big "Chevrolet" Truck called "Avalanche." She and Millie heard our boss talking with one of his customers about it.                  

           The Parts Manager told Mr. Steve how all those Avalanche Truck's were made in Mexico and were only built from the years 2001 through last year.  He said there were two "generations" of  Avalanche's.  All four of the Pigeons are flying together out into the back field right now.          

           Dais heard our boss say "Full Size Pickup" Truck when talking about those Avalanche's.  They must be big because, I guess they can carry five or six "Passengers;" and have four doors    like our Theodora and Barney Daisy thinks.  Mr. Steve has sold a lot of Chevy Truck hats.            

                        

  MR. STEVE'S FATHER (LEFT) / "KOREAN" WAR  

           

               Yesterday I mentioned how Mr. Steve's father fought in the Korean War and he often did it in really hot or cold weather.  He got that "Frostbite" in his feet, and the Doctor's wanted to cut    them off but luckily for him; he was able to keep both of them.  A Crow is cawing faintly.              

          It says here the "Alpine Front" in the First World War was called the "Guerra Bianca," or "White War;" by the Italians.  It was the biggest war ever fought in all of history at the "highest altitude."  Those big battles were fought at "twelve thousand feet above sea level" I guess.            

     During the five years of World War I about "nine million" Soldiers died, and twenty one million more were "wounded."  Up in the Alps each side lost "half a million" dead and had to dig amazing tunnels to live underground from what Dais heard.  Now two Crows are fighting.            

                                        

                        WORLD WAR I        ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944)        WORLD WAR II                               

                                                                                  

          Later today I'll write about that guy Erwin Rommel.  In World War I he was sent by the Germans to help the Austro-Hungarian Soldiers fight the Italians way up there in the mountains between Austria and Italy.  Two Pigeons just flew bye and are now going over Libby's Corral.      

           In the Second World War Erwin Rommel became one of the best Generals in history, just as smart "Strategically" and "Tactically" as Robert E. Lee.  In North Africa, the British feared    him; so called him the "Desert Fox."  I guess he really knew how to use "Armor," or Tanks.         

           Boy!  I'm so tempted to write about Erwin Rommel now.  But I'd better just wait and do it later today.  I mentioned yesterday how Erwin Rommel, that Painter Georgia O'Keefe; and Mr.  Mark in Hawaii were all born on November the 15th like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha too.                                                               

          "HIPPOPOTAMUS" GUN ("ADAMELLO" RIDGE)          

                    PHOTO BY STEFANO TORRIONE                             

                                

          It says here, in 1915; Italian Soldiers died and "broke bones" getting this huge Howitzer canon up to the top of a mountain.  I guess they called it the "Hippopotamus" because it was so    heavy carry.  In book one I mentioned how Howitzers shoot at a higher "Trajectory."                    

          Mr. Steve read that, when the First World War ended in 1918; the Italians just left the big canon up on the mountain and it's still there.  During the Mexican War Robert E. Lee was given that hard job of lifting artillery up a mountain before a battle.  Libby whinnied over there.           

         Oh!  That big Dragonfly just zoomed in and landed on a boulder around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  I heard it coming in my right ear from over there near Libby's Corral.  But, it's    too late because all the water in the basin is now all gone and has absorbed into the ground.                          

                                                               THE BEATLES       

                       

             Seeing the Sun to the east makes me remember Mr. Steve playing that BEATLES' song "Here Come the Sun" on his Boombox.  Daisy likes that song, which our boss thinks has Indian influences in it; and now so do I too.  I've mentioned before how the BEATLES are British.  

           Here Comes the Sun, which uses one of those "Moog" synthesizers; has a "Clapping" part and mentions a "long cold lonely Winter."  We had a cold Winter around here too in Piñon Hills. Daisy told me how years ago our boss used to play his drums along to Here Comes the Sun.

           The BEATLES 1967 album was called "Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band."  In the picture I like the BEATLES colorful uniforms, would definitely wear the blue one; and know for sure Daisy would like the red one.   I really, really like how shoulder epaulets look. 

                 

   "SERGEANT PEPPER'S LONELY HEART'S CLUB BAND"

PHOTO BY PETER BLAKE             

                     

              I guess the 1967 BEATLES album shows the BEATLES posing in front of a big collage of people they thought were important.  I mentioned yesterday in my first book how Mr. Steve did a BEATLES logo line drawing, and has created many collages over the years.  Dawn's barking.

          Oh!  One image behind the BEATLES was of that guy Aldous Huxley who lived in Llano.  I wrote about him yesterday, and know he'll come up over these next two days too.  I've mentioned before how he was George Orwell's French Teacher at Eton College over there in England. 

           Daisy says this tv show called that 1967 BEATLES album cover a "pop art classic," with "Surrealistic" elements.  Mr. has a vinyl copy of that album and thinks every song is good.  Hey Lord!  You were originally in the collage but they decided against You and Mahatma Gandhi.     

          

HITLER IN ORIGINAL COLLAGE

         

               Dais told me how the man on the tv show said that guy Hitler was also going to be in the BEATLES album cover too.  But, I guess they decided it might be way too "controversial."  Mr. Steve thinks some of Adolph Hitler's "aesthetic" taste is still influencing things in art.

           Writers like Stephen Crane, Edgar Allen Poe and H.G. Wells are shown on the BEATLES' big collage, ans so is Marilyn Monroe too.  The tv show said the BEATLES' songs on that album were "musically innovative" Dais told me.  I'll learn about Stephen Crane in chapter three.

            I guess, in the final version of the album cover picture that guy Albert Einstein ended up being blocked out by John Lennon, and the Actress Bette Davis is behind George Harrison.  Mr. Steve was told it took about three hundred hours of work to make that album.  I smell Sage.   

                    

"WATTS TOWERS"                                  SIMON RODIA (1879?-1965)

      

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Chris about these things called the "Watts Towers."  I guess, for about thirty three years, from 1921 through 1954; this Italian man named Simon Rodia built seventeen tall towers.  He's also in the BEATLES collage too.

            I've mentioned before how Mr. Chris, who grew up in "Watts" right near Simon Rodia's sculpture; gets us things we need like Daisy and I's blankets for instance.  Daisy says it was Mr. Chris who got us that amazing refrigerator machine.  Dais and I both really like Mr. Chris! 

            One time Mr. Steve told Mr. Chris about that girl Judy Baca, who was his Art Teacher at Alemany High School; and supervised the creation of that "Great Wall" mural I wrote about in my first book.  Judy Baca grew up in Watts too.  Frida and Diego just flew bye right now.                                         

JUDY BACA                                                         MR. RALPH        

           

           Judy Baca moved from Watts to Pacoima, where Richie Valens and Mr. Bobby are from too.  Mr. Ralph, from what Daisy heard; at one time worked in Watts for the city of Los Angeles.  Boy God!  I really love my blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice; who Mr. Chris got for me.            

          All of a sudden I just thought about how good my three blankets feel and smell after Mr. Steve washes and then dries them in those astounding Washer and Dryer machines.  I just now    noticed Andy over there sniffing the air.  He's alertly guarding the entrance to their burrow.         

          Dais says our boss told Mr. Ralph about this "Photo Exhibit" he and Miss Harriet saw at down at the Watts Towers in the late 1980's.  The pictures were taken in Africa by that other Mr. Dave from when he lived in "Kenya."  I've mentioned how Mr. Dave's a good Photographer.                                        

  MR. DAVE                                             GIRL IN KENYA       

                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY DAVE BLUMENKRANTZ

       

           I guess, our boss has this Kenyan flag Mr. Dave sent him from Africa.  Mr. Ralph called the Watts Towers' area "South Central," and said the Watts Towers are called "Nuestra Pueblo" or "Our Town" in Spanish.  Simon Rodia is next to Bob Dylan on the BEATLES' album.               

           Mr. Steve has photos taken in "Kenya" by Mr. Dave, and show a man with Elephantitus" of the foot.  Mr. Steve's says his "enlarged" foot is "grotesque," and he shows them to depressed  people and asks, "Would you trade places with this guy?"   They have Hippo's in Kenya. 

         One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking on the phone with Mr. Chris about this Singer named Barry White.  Like Mr. Chris, he was from Watts and from what Daisy tells me he sang "Love Songs."  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral moving to the east.                                     

BARRY WHITE (1944-2003)

        PHOTO BY MICK HUTSON

      

          I guess, that guy Barry White ended up living in "Sherman Oaks," near to where Mark Ritter's parents used to live.  Mr. Chris heard Barry White was in gangs, but one time when he    was in Juvenile Hall heard Elvis on the Radio and decided to change his life.  I smell Sage.            

         Mr. Dave over in New Mexico jokingly called Barry White the "Walrus of Love," mainly because he was a big sized man.  Daisy saw a picture of him and noticed for a time he had kind of a unique looking beard and one of those long braided ponytails.  A Train whistled faintly.              

       A lot of Barry White's fans were female from what Dais heard, and the man on a tv show described Barry White's voice as "velvety and soulful."  His "lush ballads" were popular in the    1970's when Mr. Steve was with Miss Sandy.  A small little Lizard just went running bye.                

        MR.MARK                                                  "SOUL TRAIN"   

           

         One time Our boss was talking with Mr. Mark in Hawaii about that tv show he used to go dance on called "Soul Train."  I guess, from what Mr. Mark said; Barry White sang on that show a few times back in the 1970's.  Dawn's barking and I smell Blinky and Rosie next to her.              

       Mr. Mark jokingly called Barry White the "King of Love Songs," whose tunes Mr. Chris said were "timeless."  Dais says the man on that tv show described his voice as "baritone," and    his songs as being "orchestrated."  Libby whinnied over there and I just picked up her scent.       

         I remember that one late afternoon when we heard Mr. Chris tell our boss, who's the same size as he is; Barry White was "built like" a Football Lineman.  He and his wife of many years,    who's also a Singer too I guess; had two kids and were good parents.  A Train whistled faintly.                          

                  LUTHER VANDROSS (1951-2005)                                   MISS HARRIET                                                                        

          Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mark in Hawaii he and Miss Harriet saw this Singer named Luther Vandross at the Forum one time.  Like Barry White, he also sang Love Songs and was a    big sized man too.  A few before that Mr. Mark had met him at the Forum according to Dais.        

        A few years ago a guy told Mr. Steve Luther Vandross was born in New York City on the  same day in 1951 that guy General MacArthur and his wife were given one of those "Ticker-Tape Parades in the city.   And that was April the 20th, which had been Adolph Hitler's birthday.          

         That man also told our boss how Luther Vandross, who's already died; was hired to sing in two of those "Super Bowl" Football games.  Daisy heard Mr. Mark says he did a few songs with people like Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross and Barbara Streisand.   And also "Cat" Stevens.                            

                                    MID-MORNING HIGH DESERT                                        

    

        Ah!  I love to take in deep breaths of fresh mid- morning air through both nostrils of my nose.  Like yesterday at this time the air is so fresh and is making me really appreciate the warm  weather.  Last year at this time I remember how cold it was on these first two days of  Spring.       

          Oh!  I just noticed, when I wrote about that Simon Rodia and his Watts Towers; I was also  supposed to talk about this other man in Florida named Edward Leedskalnin.   My Encyclopedia says, like Simon Rodia; he was an "immigrant" too.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye.                

        It says here, over a "twenty year period;" that man Ed Leedskalnin built this thing called the  "Coral Castle" back in "Homestead," Florida.  A tv show Dais and Millie watched with Mr.  Steve said what he did "seems to almost defy physics."  Andy's over there sniffing the air.              

                              

                      "CORAL CASTLE"                                EDWARD LEEDSKALNIN (1886-1951)                              PHOTO BY MONICA 666                                                                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

             Mr. Steve's customer near Miami one time joked how Ed Leedskalnin's Coral Castle in Homestead is "not a castle," and "isn't made out of coral."  Mr. Steve told him that joke about    the Medieval "Holy Roman Empire" not being holy, Roman or an empire.  I smell Mesquite.        

          I guess, in 1920; that guy Mr. Ed came to America from "Latvia."  Dais heard he was "dumped" by a girl he was to marry, so built his Coral Castle to take his mind off of that; and  not be depressed.   Mr. Steve was also kind of sad when Miss Harriet broke up with him too.         

           Wow!  My Encyclopedia says that guy Ed Leedskalnin "quarried, sculpted and erected" "over one thousand tons" of Limestone to make his castle, and didn't use any cement.  Latvia is    one of the northern European countries near the "Baltic Sea."  A little Finch flew bye.                  

                                 

      BUILDING "TOOLS"         

                                   

            I guess Ed Leedskalnin was five feet tall and weighed one hundred pounds.  So some think he must've had "Magical" powers to have done what he did.  But, one morning our boss told Mr. Mike he thinks he most likely simply knew how to use tools; and what they call "Leverage."        

         Mr. Steve joked it was "hard work" and not "mysticism" that created Coral Castle.  I've mentioned all those six "Mechanical Devices" people use, and how Thomas Edison said his work  was, "One percent inspiration and ninety nine percent perspiration."  Heathcliff crowed.              

         Writing about those two guys Simon Rodia and Ed Leedskalnin makes me think of a giant World War II German "Crane."  It was captured by the Allies and after the war was shipped to  "Long Beach" Harbor where it was used until 1992.  Now it's down at the Panama Canal.                                     

         WORLD WAR II                                                             LONG BEACH HARBOR (1980)          

  "HERMAN THE GERMAN" CRANE ("SCHWIMMKRAN nr.1")      

                      

         My Encyclopedia has two photos of that huge crane built by the Nazis, which the caption says was renamed "Herman the German" by the Americans.  A black and white picture shows it lifting a big Boat right out of the water.  Frida and Diego just flew over Libby's Corral.                 

         Wow!  This color picture shows Herman the German about to lift that giant wooden Plane called the "Spruce Goose."  I mentioned the Spruce Goose in my first book, and will learn a lot    more about it tomorrow when I write about that guy Howard Hughes.  Daffy's quacking.              

          I mentioned yesterday how the World War II Nazi Navy was called the "Kriegsmarine."  It says here Herman the German is a three hundred and fifty ton "floating crane."  I guess it was    used to lift those heavy "U-Boat" Submarines out of the water so they could be worked on.                                           

ROMAN ENGINEERING      

 ARTWORK BY PETER CONNOLLY                                                                                                   PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                   

       

         I wrote about how ancient Romans used engineering to first conquer and then occupy an area.  In many of the places they conquered big bridges and water Aqueducts are still standing to this day I guess.  Mr. Steve and the St. Ferdinand's Tour Group saw them in Italy and Israel.        

         During a war, machines like those "Catapults" allowed the Romans to knock down walls; and their arrow firing crossbow "Ballista's" killed at a longer range.  Being conquered by a guy  like Julius Caesar was bad but then you got modern things too.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.       

         Oh!  I just thought about something I totally forgot to write about yesterday in book one.  It's a math "Formula" called the "Fibonacci Sequence" and, since the 1200's; has been used in a lot of areas like music, art and architecture.  Ah! I can smell some of the Beavertail cactus's.                                              

 LEONARDO DA PISA (1170-1240?)         

                

      I just looked up this Italian Mathematician named Leonardo da Pisa.  As I've written, in Spanish "de" in front of a last means "from."  In Italian "da" is used in the same exact way too.  Like Mr. Steve, it says here Leonardo da Pisa "saw much significance" in the number 3.                

         Leonardo da Pisa "introduced" the Fibonacci Sequence to Europe even though it was first thought of way back in 6th century A.D. India.  It's definition is, "When any number is the sum    of the two preceding  numbers.  Some examples would be, 0+1=1, 1+1=2, 1+2=3, 3+2=5 etc.           

       Daisy told me Mr. Grant knows about that Fibonacci Sequence.  It says here Leonardo da Pisa was, "One of the most talented of the western mathematicians to emerge from the Middle      Ages."  Unlike his dad and Grandma Trujillo; Mr. Steve says he "just gets bye" in math.                                                                      

LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)  

            

         I guess that guy Leonardo da Vinci, who lived during the late 15th and early 16th century "Renaissance;" used the Fibonacci Sequence in drawing the human body.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Grant it was part of the "plot" in a book called the "Da Vinci Code."  I smell Sage.           

        Mr. Steve's mom studied the Fibonacci Sequence in College at C.S.U.N., and so did his his sister Susan for "Interior Design."  Their dad taught people to be "Stockbrokers" and used it in their study of "Technical Analysis" in "Market Replacement Levels."   Dawn's barking.               

        My Italian Dictionary says "Fibonacci" means "Son of Bonacci."  Leonardo da Pisa is also known for, in the "Western" world; "replacing the ancient Roman numbering system" with the "Hindu-Arabic" system "now used" in banking and accounting.  It's way better I guess.                                      

      FIBONACCI        

                            

           In my first book I wrote about how, in the 1980's; Mr. Steve took pictures of bands from Los Angeles like WALL OF VOODOO.  But, one band also around then he didn't take pictures    of was called FIBONACCI.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are now flying bye.           

         Mr. Steve was told by that girl Jennifer, who  I mentioned yesterday; that FIBONACCI's "Art Rock" music is a "mix of influences."  Some of their songs have Jazz, Progressive Rock and New Wave "elements" in them she said.  Ah!  I just smelled the baby Cholla cactus over there.     

          That girl Jennifer told our boss how FIBONACCI sometimes use some "unusual" musical instruments on some of their songs.  They at times play things like mandolins, clarinets and use a Mellotron.  I wrote yesterday in book one about those Moog Synthesizers and Mellotrons.                                        

    BEATLES                              MOODY BLUES                   KING CRIMSON        

                    

           One time Daisy and Millie heard this BEATLES, on the Sergeant Pepper album; about a field of strawberries.  I guess a Mellotron is used to create an "Atmospheric" feeling.  Daisy says    other British bands, like the MOODY BLUES and KING CRIMSON; use Mellotrons too.           

          I'm still thinking about how the Fibonacci Sequence uses 3 numbers in it.  In this second book Dais has me scheduled to write about that guy Nikola Tesla, who believed 3 was a "part of    nature's code."   Hey God!  Some people call 3 a description of the "Divine Proportion."               

         Daisy says that girl Jennifer said there were actually two bands called FIBONACCI, the one I mentioned; and another "Folk" band.  Andy's taking a break from guarding their burrow, and going to the bathroom behind Manny.  Helen's now guarding the burrow entrance.                                                                                          

         "LEANING TOWER" OF PISA            

                                    

           In 1985, when Mr. Steve and the Tour Group from St. Ferdinands went over to Italy; they did not get to see the city of "Pisa" where Leonardo da Pisa was from.  If they'd gone they could  have seen a "Bell Tower" that "Gravity" is making gradually lean over.  I smell Mesquite.            

        Oh wow!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows that Bell Tower in Pisa, and it is leaning to one side alright.  Boy!  I sure hope it never falls over.  The caption says that tower was built from the years 1173 all the way through 1372 A.D., so that just means during the Middle Ages.              

           Yesterday I mentioned a few times how both Germany, and Italy too; didn't become actual "Countries" until later in the 19th century.  Until then Italian cities, such as Pisa and Florence; were like ancient Greek "City-States."  Andy's now back guarding the burrow entrance.                                                      

         JOHN HANCOCK TOWER (BOSTON)           

                 PHOTO BY STEVEN DONALDSON  ( A VIEW ON CITIES)                          

                            

             Writing about the Leaning Tower of Pisa makes me think of a "Skyscraper" in the city of Boston named after that one Founding Father John Hancock.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan and her    boys Dalton and Austin live near Boston.  And so does Mr. Grant's sister Amy too I guess.             

            A customer in "Rhode Island" told our boss about about "engineering flaws" in the John Hancock skyscraper, which was built in the 1970's.  I guess one time really strong winds damaged and almost blew over the "John Hancock Tower."  Donald and Daisy are both now quacking.       

           Daisy says sometimes our boss's sister and her sons use Boston's Airport when they come out here to visit California. Someday Dalton wants to be a Pilot like his father according to what Daisy heard him tell Mr. Steve on the phone one time.  I smell a Lizard somewhere nearby.           

                                               WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756-1791)                                     TOOL                                                        

           I'm still thinking about the Fibonacci Sequence.  That girl Jennifer heard Mozart used it in some of his music and, I guess this  band called TOOL even wrote a song using that sequence    of three numbers.  Boy!  I kind of wonder what that TOOL song would even sound like?                

           I feel like writing about a band called OINGO BOINGO.  Dais says our boss saw them at that place called the "Country Club" in "Reseda."  It's near "Tarzana," where Mr. Steve's sister  Susan's old Condominium was totally destroyed in that big 1994 "Northridge" earthquake.          

            I've never heard OINGO BOINGO but Dais saw our boss play drums to their song about a "Lad" who did bad things.  Mr. Phillip, that Welsh Honda Parts Manger; says in the "U.K." males are "Blokes."  Mr. Steve really likes the drumming at the beginning of that song.                                                                           

 OINGO BOINGO      

           

          Daisy told me that girl Jennifer seems smart.  She's kind of like Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Harriet in knowing a lot about music.  She mentioned how OINGO BOINGO'S Singer has red or orange hair.  They have a really good "Horn Section" in OINGO BOINGO Dais noticed.               

           That guy bill Handel, who Mr. Steve often listens to on the Radio in the mornings; said he went to High School with OINGO BOINGO'S Singer.  He mentioned how their name came from this one old tv show called "Amos n' Andy."  I can smell Theodora's favorite Creosote bush.         

          I like how the name OINGO BOINGO sounds so Daisy jokes, if I started a band; it could sound and look like DEVO but with a name like OINGO BOINGO'S.  Our boss told Mr. Dave he can only "approximate" how OINGO BOINGO'S Drummer plays.  He's really good I good.         

  

            CAB CALLOWAY              DUKE ELLINGTON            DJANGO REINHARDT       

                    (1907-1994)                              (1899-1974)                                (1910-1953)                                                                                                            

         According to what Daisy heard that girl Jennifer say, OINGO BOINGO was originally what's called a "Musical Theater Troupe."  And I guess, during the first period; their full name    was  the MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE OINGO BOINGO.  Dawn's barking at something.             

        Daisy noticed how Jennifer used the words "cabaret" and "avant-garde" to describe the songs the first version of OINGO BOINGO did.  She said they performed live music few do any    more. I mentioned those guys Cab Calloway and Duke Ellington yesterday in my first book.         

           Later this afternoon Dais has me scheduled to write about that band from England called BLACK SABBATH.  And I'm also going to write about this other guy named Django Reinhardt  too.  The MYSTIC KNIGHTS played some of his songs I guess.  I smell Beavertail cactus.                                                BLACK SABBATH                                                       FRANK ZAPPA                   

                

       Daisy heard our boss and that girl Jennifer discuss how Frank Zappa liked the MYSTIC KNIGHTS OF THE OINGO BOINGO.  This Dictionary says the term "Avant-Garde" means,    "Leaders of a new movement, especially in artwork."  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.               

        According to what Dais heard, the "MYSTIC KNIGHTS" were "Contestants" on a 1970's tv show called the "Gong Show."  Very "Unusual Acts" had the goal of not getting "Gonged" or  kicked out before you finished.  I just picked up Libby's scent from over there in her Corral.        

     Just like Mr. Steve met his friend Rick at St. Ferdinand's, Mr. Steve's sister Susan met her friend "Tammy" there too.  I guess Tammy's boyfriend, back in the 1970's; worked for the man    who "Produced" that old Gong Show.  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.                                                                                                       

DREAM FRONTIER  

                PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                          

           

            Daisy says one time, at "Madame Wong's West;" Miss Harriet was given an assignment to review a band from West L.A. called DREAM FRONTIER.  Their leader was named "Andrew" and he became a friend of theirs.  I guess he sang and played the guitar on all of their songs.         

        Mr. Andrew, who one time bought this acoustic guitar from OINGO BOINGO'S Singer; wrote DREAM FRONTIER'S songs.  Daisy thinks our boss thought his band was good and had a few "catchy" songs.  That Robin Bird Finley is sitting alone over there on the Mulberry tree.        

       Back in the early 1990's Mr. Grant built Andrew a computer for his "Tape Duplicating" business.  Mr. Grant, who's also  a Lawyer; knows a lot about computers.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve graduated from College at C.S.U.N. but "Flunked Out" of Law School.                                                                             

DREAD ZEPPELIN      

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA           

         

            Dais says our boss and Harriet also saw DREAM FRONTIER at that one Nightclub down in Hollywood called "Club Lingerie."  Another L.A. band Mr. Steve and Harriet saw play there    was called DREAD ZEPPELIN.  All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.                   

      Mr. Steve hasn't seen Mr. Andrew for a while, and at times thinks about he and his wife "Anna;" and their kids "Daniel" and "Valerie."  Dais thinks I'd like DREAM FRONTIER, and  DREAD ZEPPELIN; whose Singer dresses and sings like Elvis Presley.  I smell Creosote.              

         Someday, when I get over my fear of enclosed areas; I want to hear DREAD ZEPPELIN.  Dais says they do "Reggae" style LED ZEPPELIN songs.  That one kid Jason, who plays guitar;  really liked DREAD ZEPPELIN'S version of the "Immigrant Song" about the Vikings.                 

    

HURRICANE "ANDREW" (FLORIDA / AUGUST, 1992)

  

      Even though it's not on my outline right now, mentioning Mr. Andrew suddenly makes me feel like writing about a famous "Hurricane" storm that hit the State of Florida back in 1992.  I  guess it was named "Andrew" too.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye up there.              

       Wow!  Two pictures in my Encyclopedia show the damage Hurricane Andrew did.  Not only did the 175 mile per hour winds bring in a lot of water from the Atlantic Ocean, they also totally  destroyed many of the houses too.  Ah!  I just love breathing in fresh air through my nose.             

       Mr. Steve and Harriet first met Andrew, and his band DREAM FRONTIER; in 1988.  And in 1992 they all talked about the storm that hit southern Florida.   Hurricane Andrew hit Florida kind of near to where that one man Edward Leedskalnin had built his "Coral Castle."                  

          

"HURRICANE ANDREW" 

         

        Boy!   I just love it when my Encyclopedia's have maps and things like that to go along with the writing parts.  A map shows Hurricane Andrew's "route," and the caption says how it began as a "Tropical Storm" out in the Atlantic Ocean.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds flew bye.            

        It says here Hurricane Andrew happened in August of 1992 and was a "Category 5 Event." I guess that means it was really, really strong.  I mentioned a few times yesterday in my first book how Mr. Steve's mom, and sister Celina who died; were both born in the month of August.            

     I notice how, by the time Hurricane Andrew went through the "Bahama" islands where in 1492 Columbus first landed; it was a "full-blown storm event."   In this "Satellite" image, taken  from out there outer space; you can see how big it was when it went bye southern Florida.                        

HURRICANE "ANDREW"

PHOTO BY MICHAEL FREIFELD                                                                                                               PHOTO BY RON MAGILL                        

        

         Oh my God!  Pictures show how Hurricane Andrew "effected" the Animals in Florida too.  It says here wind "destroyed" a "facility" where "Burmese Python" Snakes were kept, so they    escaped out into those "Everglades."  I guess "Burma" is a country  in "Southeast Asia."              

        Wow!  An unbelievable photo shows two men, who recaptured a Python after the storm was over; holding it so it can't get away again.  The caption says Burmese Pythons can grow up to be  eighteen feet long.  Wait until Daisy sees this photo, as we're both kind of afraid of Snakes.            

       Another picture shows pink "Flamingo" Birds "riding out" the storm in a Zoo bathroom.  Mr. Steve took pictures of Flamingos and when I get over my fear of going down the Hallway I'll see the Flamingo photo his mom had "Matted" and Framed."   It's in the hall bathroom.                       

"SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE (FEBRUARY 9, 1971)        

        

        Yesterday in book one I wrote about how Mr. Steve, and his family; survived that "Sylmar" earthquake.  One time Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick, who's family was also able to make it  through the earthquake too; talk on the phone about it.  Heathcliff just crowed over there.            

     The "Magnitude" 6.4 Sylmar earthquake happened back in 1971, in the early morning of February the 9th.  It only lasted about half a minute whereas, I guess; it took Hurricane Andrew a full day to pass over the whole State of Florida.  Two Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.       

       Even though Hurricane Andrew caused way more "Property Damage," 27 "Billion" versus only 550 "Million;" sixty five people died in Sylmar whereas in 1992 fifty four were killed.   I've    mentioned how one billion is equal to "one thousand millions."  I can smell a Joshua tree.             

                              

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT

     

           A breeze just blew in the scent of some Joshua trees out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  Boy God!  We're so lucky that You're having us live up here in the High Desert.  We now wouldn't want to live anywhere other than right here in San Bernardino County.             

          Yesterday in book one I mentioned how in 1994 Harriet met another guy so, because she's an honest person; broke up with Mr. Steve.  For about a year, Mr. Steve then "Went out With"    Debra; who had a pretty little girl named "Talia."  Mr. Andrew "Introduced Them."                     

        Tomorrow in my third book I'll write a lot about that Football Player O.J. Simpson, who was born on July the 9th just like Mr. Steve.  Mr. Steve thinks he killed his second wife back in 1995.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye and I heard him coming from my right.                                         

       O.J. SIMPSON ("BRONCO CHASE")                          "SEPULVEDA PASS"                                                         

                   

         I'm tempted to write about that guy "O.J." now but I'd better wait and do it according to how Daisy and I made my outlines.  I guess, back in 1995; the Los Angeles Police chased him in    his Ford "Bronco" Car.   Wow!  A good picture in this one Encyclopedia even shows it.                  

          Dais says on the Sunday when the Police chased O.J. Simpson our boss was driving to West L.A. to visit Debra and Talia.  He knew something was different by how empty the #405 Freeway was on that particular day.  Anyway, I'll come back to O.J. Simpson again tomorrow.                  

        I mentioned how OINGO BOINGO'S Singer sold that guy Andrew an acoustic guitar.  At the time both lived in Topanga Canyon.  Back in 1972 Mr. Steve and the girl in his class went to that good "Barbeque" in Topanga Canyon and got to meet CANNED HEAT'S Singer.                                                                                                                                                          JOHN AVILA ""FOOD FOR FEET"                                       BILLY ZOOM                                      

              PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                             

                                                     

          Daisy says OINGO BOINGO's bass player is a Mexican American guy named John Avila.  Mr. Steve thinks he's really talented and one time he and Harriet met him outside this Nightclub in North Hollywood called the "Palomino."  That's where they saw Billy Zoom play too.                

          I guess, when our boss and Miss Harriet talked with John Avila in the Palomino's parking lot; he was loading up equipment into the trunk of a 1968 Chevelle.  Mr. Steve told him about his two Chevelle's.  A flock of Birds is flying toward the northeast way up there in the high sky.          

        John Avila is a friendly person Mr. Steve says.  On the night he and Harriet met him they were there to review his band FOOD FOR FEET.  The Drummer in FOOD FOR FEET is also in  OINGO BOINGO too, and Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave how he's a really talented Drummer.                                             

METALLICA (ROBERT TRUJILLO IN MIDDLE)

        

            Another good Mexican-American bass player from Los Angeles is Robert Trujillo, who's in that Heavy Metal band METALLICA.  I mentioned a few times in book one how "Trujillo" is Mr. Steve's mom's "Maiden" name.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there.                 

         Daisy says our boss was told Robert Trujillo has a young son who's also learning to be a bass player just like his father.  I'll learn more about "Thrash Metal" over the next two days.  I   glanced up in time to see Rudy the Roadrunner jogging bye in front of the three Sheds.                 

         About a month after meeting John Avila in the Palomino parking lot our boss was at his brother Rock's Condominium in Sylmar.  For some reason, the conversation turned to OINGO    BOINGO.  I just looked up and see Theodora over there sitting in her favorite Creosote bush.                                  

   THEODORA     

     

           When Mr. Steve mentioned John Avila and his Chevelle Rock said, "I'm pretty sure that's the same guy who borrowed my camcorder the other day."  Yesterday, I wrote about how Rock    did the Video's for weddings he and Mr. Steve worked on together.  I can smell Theodora.             

        Daisy says our boss thinks it was probably John Avila who borrowed his brother's video  recorder.  If it was him he knew Rock's neighbor's family at the Condominium complex.  Daisy    told me how that same exact camcorder is now "packed away" in one of the hallway closets.         

          Mr. Steve wasn't sure if Theodora was a girl, but when he named her she carried twigs for a nest and, even though she doesn't mind being looked at; was so "aggressive" like the Emperor  Justinian's wife who she's named after.  Theodora's curved bill is almost as long her head.             

FLYING PIGEONS   

   

         Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  Oh!  That reminds me of another time I smelled Theodora's bush while seeing Pigeons.  I hear Theodora totally unique voice over there as she's now singing. Thrasher Birds, who run as much as fly; have kind of short little wings but extra long tails.           

       I used this Spanish Dictionary to look up "Cuicacoche," which means "Songbird."  Mr. Esteban, the Worker; said that's what Thrasher Birds are called down Mexico.  Thrasher Birds, though not as much as Mockingbirds; at times imitate or "Mimic" some of the other Birds.        

        I just looked up another John Ávila.  But this John of Ávila lived in the 1500's and was a Catholic Priest who's described here as an "author" and "mystic."  Dais says our boss told Mr.    Ralph he was told how that earlier or first John Ávila saw a lot of importance in dreams.                                                            

 SAINT JOHN OF ÁVILA (1499-1569)

  PAINTING BY EL GRECO         

                    

            Oh!  "Saint" John of Ávila is called the "Apostle of Andalusia."  Yesterday I wrote about the area of southern Spain called "Andalusia," and how the city of "Córdoba" is located there.  I guess that guy Saint John of Ávila was one of those "Converso" Jews I mentioned before.             

         I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that St. John of Ávila died in that city of Córdoba?  And I guess, from what it says in my Encyclopedia; he also "founded" a "Seminary" in Córdoba too.    As I wrote yesterday, a seminary is a school where you go to learn how to become a Priest.            

         In book one I mentioned how the title of my three books is "Cognito, Ergo; Sum" which that French philosopher Réne Descartes said way back in the 17th century.  In Latin it means, "I  think, therefore; I am."  Theodora jumped down from her Creosote bush and then ran away.                                            

                     SAINT TERESA (1515-1532)                   SAINT IGNATIUS (1491-1556)                     

                                                             PAINTING BY A.J. VALENTINI                                                                                 PAINTING BY PETER PAUL RUBENS                                                                                   

          

         Mr. Steve and his father think sometimes females don't get the credit they deserve.  Saint Teresa, in the area of what they call "Self-Knowledge;" is one example of that happening they      think.  I hear Dawn barking, and I can also smell Blinky standing next to her and Rosie.                

          Réne Descartes lived after St. Teresa but his phrase Cognito, Ergo; Sum could have easily been written by her.  That's what Mr. Steve and his father think.  I guess, from what it says in my Encyclopedia; that girl St. Teresa also came from the Spanish city of Ávila like St. John.                

      It says here St. John of Ávila was a friend of St. Teresa, and another Saint named Ignatius Loyola.  I guess St. Ignatius was was a "Basque" Soldier, who became a Priest; and "founded" the "Jesuit" order of Roman Catholic Priests.  A Train just whistled over there to my left.                                                             

        "LOYOLA MARYMOUNT" UNIVERSITY       

                      

          Dais and Millie one time were laying in our boss's office and heard him tell Mr. Ralph on the phone about walking around the campus of this Catholic College in West Los Angeles called  "Loyola Marymount."  Two of the Pigeons are flying over the top of the house right now.              

          I guess that College was named after St. Ignatius because, in the 16th century; he started schools too.  There's also this Catholic "boys" High School in Los Angeles, and schools all over    the country too; called Loyola.  Loyola is the name of a castle in Spain Daisy told me.                     

          Daisy heard that Loyola Marymount is near "L.A. International Airport" and from some of the buildings you can even see the Pacific Ocean.  On the campus they have a "Chapel" which is just as nice inside as a bigger Church.  Boy!  I'd really like to smell an Ocean someday.                                          

  KOBE BRYANT          

                  

          Mr. Ralph said the Basketball Player Kobe Bryant is Roman Catholic like us.  I guess one time our boss met a lady who's son was excited about going to a "Clinic" held by Kobe Bryant at Loyola's Gym.  So Mr. Steve told him, "Remember, shuffle so you don't cross your feet."               

               Because he doesn't often watch professional sports anymore, Mr. Steve has only seen Kobe Bryant play a few times.  But, he's heard he was raised in Italy; so it's understandable why he's    Catholic and speaks Spanish.  Daisy says Kobe Bryant is a really great Basketball Player.              

         Mr. Steve was told Kobe Bryant has daughters and one is a good Basketball Player like her dad.  And, probably because of his daughter Daisy thinks, Kobe Bryant even "Promotes" girl's    Basketball a lot to other people he sees.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.                                                                                  HOWARD HUGHES (1905-1976)           

                                       

            Dais and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talk about how part of Loyola Marymount campus used to be buildings of the "Hughes Aircraft" company.  Tomorrow in my third book I'll write a lot about that man named Howard Hughes.  A Robin is singing out in the desert.               

           Our boss told Mr. Ralph how Mr. Grant, as a "Locksmith;" worked for a company whose buildings, at one time; were also part of Hughes Aircraft too.  Mr. Grant has many skills besides being a Lawyer.  I can now smell, and also see; Libby standing over there in her Corral.                

         I guess, Mr. Grant and our boss one time talked about how, while recovering from one of his Airplane crashes; Howard Hughes made "Recommendations" for his Engineers to make a      few "Improvements" on the then existing Hospital bed.  That was in 1946.  I smell Sage.                

    

MODERN HOSPITAL BED                              POPE JOHN PAUL II

 

         Mr. Steve thinks, because Howard Hughes was what's called a "tinkerer;" having to be in the Hospital for a long time probably made him think about ways to make Hospital beds better.    Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich is a tinkerer too.  Mr. Steve says he's not.           

          All of a sudden, for some reason I just thought about that guy Rick Allen who plays drums for DEF LEPPARD.  He took existing technology and adapted it for his purposes because of how he lost his left arm in that Automobile accident.  Howard Hughes' bed was made for his body.      

         I just thought of Mr. Eddie.  As one of those "Buskers," even though he was born with no arms; he still plays drums and sings over there in the Phelan Stater Brothers parking lot.  Just as DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer had to adapt, so has he too.  Mr. Steve admires Mr. Eddie a lot.                                                 

EDDIE SPAGHETTI

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA      

        

           Looking at Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds right now makes me think of other times I've thought of  Mr. Eddie while looking at them.  Mr. Eddie uses what they call "Prosthesis" arms to play his drums, but mainly uses his feet.  Mr. Steve and Mr. Randy admire his courage.                 

         Mr. Eddie also sings along to some "Pre-Recorded" music of famous songs with all of the "Vocals" removed.  Daisy told me how our boss, and Mr. Randy too; always puts money in Mr. Eddie's plastic bucket.  I can suddenly smell the big Mulberry tree over there right now.                

           I'd like to hear Eddie Spaghetti play and sing that song called "Ring of Fire."  In book one I wrote about how our boss likes Johnny Cash's original version, but actually prefers WALL OF VOODOO'S heavier cover version from the 1980's.   Dawn and Blinky are both barking.                           

RICK ALLEN (DEF LEPPARD)    

          

          In book one I wrote about how, back in 1986; our boss and his friend named Steve saw DEF LEPPARD'S one-armed Drummer play.  Rick Allen, who's right-handed like Mr. Eddie;      lost his left arm in that Car crash.  So he "Adapted" and "Relearned" how to pay drums.             

             Mr. Steve admires how that guy Rick Allen built his own "Semi-Electronic" drum kit.  It has four "Foot" pedals to "Trigger" sounds of parts he used to play with his now gone left arm.    Mr. Eddie and Rick Allen are both good examples of what that guy Friedrich Nietzsche said.        

         Both Mr. Eddie and DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer Rick Allen have a light touch and what they call "Fast Feet."  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave Rick Allen and Eddie Spaghetti have    "nimble" feet.  Later this afternoon I'll learn about Tony Iommi and Django Rheinhardt.             

                  

STEVE APPLEFORD       

           

         Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave about a Writer named Steve Appleford.  He's the one who went with Mr. Steve to that DEF LEPPARD concert down at the "Sports Arena.  Not only is he a talented Writer, Steve Appleford is also a skilled Photographer from what Dais heard.           

            According to Daisy, Steve Appleford is a friend of that other Photographer Dave who had the exhibit at the "Watts Towers."  I guess Mr. Steve hasn't talked to either of them for years but at times sees their work in Newspapers or on the Internet.  Oh!  I hear some Pigeons cooing.         

          Steve Appleford wrote a review of DEF LEPPARD'S concert for the "Los Angeles Times" Newspaper.  And from what Daisy says, he's also written for some other famous "Publications;"  like the "Rolling Stone" magazine for example.  Boy!  Pigeon voices make me feel so good.                                

          ROLLING STONES' BOOK        

                                

         According to Dais, Steve Appleford is such a good Writer; he even got to write a whole book about that band the ROLLING STONES.   And, I guess he's "Interviewed" or taken pictures of  other famous people too.  Oh!  The Pigeons are now flying back out into the desert again.              

      I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve is about six feet tall.  He told Mr. Dave on the phone that Steve Appleford is taller than he is.  Daisy also heard him say how, before the big economic    "Recession" of 2008/ 2009; he had a customer back in Pennsylvania called "Apple Ford."             

         It's only the second day of Spring so, there aren't any leaves on the Mulberry trees but; this Summer they'll give us shade when it's so hot.  What little water is left in the Mulberry tree basin over there is reflecting sunlight.  A Wren is standing on one of the boulders around the trunk.                                                                              "FRUITLESS MULBERRY" TREE     

                                  

        Daisy says Miss Susan, who ran the "News Plus" local Newspaper; told our boss one time how Mulberry trees are very "hardy."  They can survive in really hot or cold weather like we at times get up here in the High Desert.  Libby, who's looking in this direction; just whinnied.           

         According to Miss Susan, there are about 150 types of Mulberry trees in the world.  On the east coast, where Mr. Steve's sister Susan and her son's Dalton and Austin live; their Mulberry    trees have fruit on them while ours out here don't.  Libby has such a distinctive smell.                    

       One time Dais heard Miss Susan say in China Mulberry tree bark is used for medicine and "Silk Worm" food.  Oh!  Little Blinky's barking.  Daisy joked around with me last night when I told her about how Blinky's scent is more and more beginning to be very attractive to me.                                                            

ANDY AND HELEN          

                                      

       This Winter when it snowed Daisy and I noticed how Jack the Jackrabbit, and Andy and Helen the Squirrels; hung around our Mulberry trees.  Daisy thinks they might've been low on    food so ate tree bark.  I can smell Theodora the Thrasher Bird's Creosote bush over there.            

        Piñon Hills Squirrels mainly live down in the ground, and sleep during Winter; but a few times this Winter Andy and Helen were up in the Mulberry tree.  Daisy and I shared body heat    this past Winter.  Boy!  It was very cold at night but now it's Spring so, Happy New Year!             

         Oh!  A Lizard is standing in the dirt over there near the Mulberry tree.  Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died said "Cold-Blooded" Reptiles have to "absorb" sunlight in the morning so their muscles have energy to move around.  The Lizard just ran and hid under this rock.                                                         

                  HIGH DESERT LIZARD                  

                                                             

       Dais says Mark Ritter, who knew a lot about Aviation, Reptiles and Rocks; also knew about growing grapes to make "Wine."  He joked that on "foggy" or "overcast" mornings grapes are    like Lizard's in taking longer to "wake up."  Hey!  We're like that too on cold mornings.               

      I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's "Clock Radio" automatically goes on at fifteen minutes to five in the morning.  He usually gets right up but jokes how he "procrastinates" on really cold      mornings.  Daisy and I now both like to get up early too just like our boss usually does.                  

        Oh!  Laverne and Shirley, with Bravo Company and the new babies; are over there near the Sheds.  This is the only second day of Spring, yet both Able and Bravo Companies now have    what Daisy calls "Little Ones."  Daisy will say she wants to think it a good sign.  Me too!                                                 

                                                                                            "ABLE" COMPANY"  

                                                                                                                     

          I just love that sound of chirping Baby Quail!   Someday if I ever have my own babies I'll be guarding them really good the way Laverne and Shirley are doing right now.  I wonder if Daisy saw Bravo Company this morning when they went to the front yard?  I sure hope she did.  

       Daisy told me about how our boss named Laverne and Shirley after two girls who were best friends on a tv show from the 1970's.  Daisy and that other Dog Millie saw it and thought it was funny.  Oh!  Rudy the Roadrunner is sauntering bye right in front of the three Sheds. 

       I guess the original Laverne and Shirley lived in the 1950's when Mr. Steve and his brother Rock were born.  And they were from the city of Milwaukee like Mr. Steve's friend Mr. Mark in Hawaii.  Daisy says our boss told Miss Babette he still has a few customers in Wisconsin.  

              

                                                      "LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY"

                   

              Dais says Laverne and Shirley on the tv show have accents like Mr. Steve's friend Eddie in Lake Los Angeles and his Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Rich.  I wrote yesterday how Mr. Eddie's from New York City's Staten Island and sells things for us.  Mr. Rich grew up in New Jersey.

           From what Daisy told me, that girl Laverne has the letter "L" on the front of her shirts.  If Dogs ever start to wear clothes I'd definitely want an "M" on all of my things.  My favorite band DEVO has the name of the band right on the front of their professional yellow uniforms.   

             On Laverne and Shirley, Dais says their friends are named "Lennie" and "Squiggy."  And I guess Squiggy is one of those "Greaser" guys I mentioned yesterday in my first book.  Mr. Mike kind of chuckled when he overheard our boss call me "Squigmire" on that one morning.   

               

                                                                SUSAN / AMBER

          

              I've mentioned how, in the mid-1980's and early 1990's; Mr. Steve's sister Susan was a "Set Decorator"  for some tv shows like "Bill Cosby" and "Roseanne."  She and her sons Dalton and Austin live back east in Connecticut but come to visit California.  I smell some Mesquite.  

             Mr. Steve's brother Rock, and his son's Rocky Jr. and Jacob; sometimes come from Texas to California.  "Rocky Michael" is married to a girl named "Amber" who's a "Beautician."  Mr. Steve says Rocky and Amber seem to have good "heads for business" which he doesn't. 

            Boy!  Writing about tv shows makes me want to hurry up and get over my fear of going all the way down the hallway in our house to go in the three rooms.  Then I can watch as much tv as Daisy gets to do right now.  Hey God!  As You know of course, I can't wait for that time.

                             

                                                 "A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN"    

               

             Dais says that girl Laverne also "Directed" movies.  One called "A League of Their Own" was about two sisters on a female Baseball team from the time of World War II.  I'm tempted to write about it now but I'd better just wait and do it tomorrow according to our schedule.

          One girl in A League of Their Own was named "Betty Spaghetti" Daisy says.  That's just like our Eddie Spaghetti who plays the drums in Phelan.  Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha Tom Hanks, who was in A League of Their Own; was born on July the 9th just like he was. 

          One thing Daisy liked about that tv show about Laverne and Shirley is how the girls helped each other.  They work at the same Beer company and, like most families and friends; sometimes will disagree and argue about things.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.

   

ANDY AND HELEN

 

            Andy's over there guarding their burrow.  He and Helen were playing earlier, and then took what Daisy jokingly calls their "ritual dirt bath; and then "Groomed" each other.  But right now they both went right back to taking care of all their new Spring babies down there.

           The Sun makes me think of  how my Encyclopedia says a 18th century  Jewish Rabbi Baal Shem Tov said, "The world is new to us every morning.  This is God's gift and every man should believe he is reborn each day."  In Hebrew, "Shahar" means "darkness;" and "dawn" too.  

           It says here Baal Shem Tov's real name was Israel ben Eliezer, and he and his wife and children lived in the "Ukraine" area of Russia. That was in the "Baroque" period, and also when the Enlightenment began.  I'll write about Ukraine, and World War II; in this second book.

                                                     

                               ISRAEL BEN ELIEZER / "BAAL SHEM TOV" (1698-1760)

                         

               According to what is says here, that guy Israel ben Eliezer is known as the "founder of Hasidic Judaism."  Hey God!  He believed every "act" should be done "in the spirit" of prayer or worship to You.  Wow!  And that's just what Daisy thinks we should try to do too!

            Hey Mr. Baal!  If You just happen to be up there listening to me I do want to tell you how both Daisy and I totally agree with your idea that everyone should always try to make a "direct connection" with God.  According to this one Encyclopedia I guess it's called "d'vekut."

            Your idea Mr. Baal, about "appreciating each day" reminds me of Chief Tecumseh, who believed in that too.  For the British back in the War of 1812; Chief Tecumseh fought against the United States.  Donald and Daisy are both quacking over there next door.      

                    

                                                      CHIEF TECUMSEH (1768-1813)   

                                                                                                                               PAINTING BY BENSON JOHN LOSSING    

                  

            I just thought of that Chief Tecumseh quote again, "When you arise in the morning give thanks for food and the joy of living.  If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself."  Hey God!  As You of course already know; Daisy and I are thankful for things.

              Daisy says our boss used to have this customer in "Arkansas," who was part "Cherokee" Indian and said their word for being grateful is "Otsaliheliga."  That Parts Manager said it can  mean to "remember your blessings."   Mr. Dave also believes in that exact same idea too. 

           Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy, who lived for a time in Arkansas; some of the Cherokees went to Oklahoma and Arkansas even before President Andrew Jackson's "forced Indian removals" of the 1830's.  Max the Hummingbird just zipped bye.  I heard him coming from far away.

                                        

                                                          "CHEROKEE" WARRIOR

   PAINTING BY DAVID WRIGHT        

      

          A painting shows a Cherokee Warrior with his face painted red holding a gun, and one of those "Tomahawks;" to club things with.  Boy!  I don't think I'd want to fight him in a war, and I see he has a nose ring.  There are eight hundred thousand Cherokees in the U.S. I guess.                

           Mr. Steve's customer in Arkansas told him, about a thousand years ago; some really smart Cherokee women created a new type of Corn.  I've written about how, for thousands of years in  Native-American groups; females planted while males did the hunting.  Dawn's barking.               

         It says here the Cherokee people are called one of the "Five Civilized Tribes" who lived in the "Southeast" part of what is now the United States.  They not only "Farmed," but also lived    in one spot instead of being nomadic.  Wow!  They even have an "Alphabet" for writing.                         

2014 JEEP "CHEROKEE"    

       

      Daisy says our boss and his customer in Arkansas one time talked about how, since 1974 when they both were just out of High School; the Jeep company has made Cars with the name of  "Cherokee."  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, and going toward the east.             

           I guess, in 2014 Jeep Cherokee's are what's called "Crossover" Sports Utility Vehicles; but at first were "Full Size" and then "Compact" later.  The Parts Manager said there have been five "Generations" of Cherokee vehicles in that "Line."  Those Cars are named for the Indians.          

        Aha!  I knew I was smelling Angeline and her new baby Quails, and there they are standing in the dirt near Manny the far right Shed.  It is kind of strange how they're not with the rest of    Able Company for more safety.  Libby just neighed and whinnied over there in her Corral.                                       

 ANGELINE WITH BABIES     

               

         Oh!  Angeline is leading her babies into the back desert through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.  I now see Able Company, and Angeline and her babies will follow them out into the back desert.   Boy!  It's a lot of responsibility to have to take care of so many kids.            

                That Jewish lady told Mr. Steve "Hasidic" Jews often have "a lot of kids" in the same way some Mormon families do.  I just looked up and see Blackbeard and Anne Bonney flying back in from the desert.  Boy!  Just like it was yesterday, the air is really clear so far again today.               

           I've mentioned before how Crows are good mates, who both collect material; and build the nests.  Daisy told me a tv show said girl Crows prepare the nest for her "Hatchlings."  Over in England when two men are friends they sometimes call each other "Mate" Daisy heard.                                              

HIGH DESERT CROW

                            

             Oh!  An unfamiliar Crow is standing over there.  Boy!  It would be so weird to live in an egg before you're even born.   I wonder why a group of baby Crows is called a "Clutch?"  That    one Crow just lifted off and is now flying out into the eastern desert behind all of the Sheds.          

             Dais says for the first month of their lives, the girl Crow is the one mainly responsible for taking care of the babies; who have to grow up really fast once they're born.  Oh!  Bonnie and      Clyde just flew in.  Their babies just woke up and I can tell they're really hungry for food.            

             Sometimes more than one generation of Crows will share a nest Daisy noticed.  When a girl Crow needs a break, to go to the bathroom or something; the boy Crow protects all of new      baby Crows.  Yesterday in book one I wrote about how Crows are different from Ravens.              

  

FANNIE AND FREDDIE     

         

            Fannie and Freddie are flying toward the southwest up there in the sky, and as they often do, are talking to each other as they go along.  Crow couples clean each other's feathers and help each other.  That Dragonfly who's been hanging around here just whizzed bye right now.              

           Daisy says one time a girl Crow lost the top part of her beak somehow, but survived with the help of the boy Crow.  Like Friedrich Nietzsche said, "That which does not destroy me only    makes me stronger."  Bonnie's now throwing up some food and feeding her babies up there.         

         At times Crows let Ants crawl on them Daisy told me.  She thinks the Ants probably get something good out of it, but the Crow gets between its feathers cleaned.  And I'm sure the Crow  can eat some Ants too!  I just now noticed a long white vapor trail way up there in the sky.            

            

"PILOT" FISH WITH "OCEANIC WHITE TIP" SHARK

          

         Yesterday I mentioned those "Symbiotic" or "Mutually Beneficial" relationships.  Some Insects eat things from flowers, then accidentally spread the pollen stuck on them to other areas; so there will be baby flowers.  Daisy told me things like that happen out in the Ocean's too.           

           Mr. Steve, and a Florida customer who likes to Fish; one time talked about "Pilot" Fish.  I guess, they eat the "Parasites" off off of Shark's skin; and in return get to eat the leftover scraps from Shark kills.  Daisy told me our boss's dad sometimes jokes about "Quid Pro Quo."             

           Dais heard our boss and the Parts Manager talk about how that guy Ernest Hemingway in his writing used Pilot Fish to represent or symbolize "Opportunism."  The Parts Manager said in some parts of the world Pilot Fish are used as "bait" to catch other Fish.  Dawn's barking.            

             

    ERNEST HEMINGWAY (1899-1961)                 EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)          

      

       Daisy heard that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about this ancient Greek story where Apollo punished a Sailor by turning him into a Pilot Fish.  Another Fish that hangs around Sharks and    things like that are called "Remora's."  I can smell Blinky over there standing next to Dawn.        

      I guess, those Remora Fish have "Suction Cups" on the top of their bodies; which can be attached to Sharks, Rays, Turtles and things like that.  So, they get to save energy by just being    pulled along in the water by whatever it's connected to.  That's what Dais heard our boss say.      

         My Encyclopedia says "ray-finned" Remora's are also called "Sucker" Fish too.  Dais says they're good swimmers when they need to be.  It says here Columbus may've seen Pilot Fish on    his second voyage in 1493.  That pretty orange and black Monarch Butterfly just went bye.           

                                               "REMORA" FISH                                       WITH "GRAY REEF" SHARK      

PHOTO BY PAULA JONES                                                                                                                                                                                         

                     

            Wow!  This picture shows a "Remora," and I see the suction cup.  It says here the ancient Romans believed they could "stop a Ship," and in Latin "remora" is to "delay."  As with Pilot      Fish, Sharks don't eat Remora's because they also eat all of those parasites on their skin.               

       The Parts Manager in Florida joked Remora's are the "hitchhikers of the sea's."  Daisy thinks the "drag" in water must be less, because it would be so hard up here to always be pulling extra weight around.  I just noticed good old Libby over there, walking slowly in her Corral.        

          Daisy says our boss thinks Remora's are an example of Charles Darwin's idea of "Natural Selection."  Over thousands of years, to "Survive;" their head has "Evolved" and "Adapted" to its particular environment by creating the suction cup.  Mr. Mike called it "Velcro" I guess.                               

"MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE"

                          

         Hey God!  Daisy says the Jewish lady called You "Master of the Universe," and told our boss how that 18th century Ukrainian guy Baal Shem Tov's name translates to be; "one with a      good reputation."  Oh!  I wouldn't mind if that was my name.  In fact, I'd sort of like it a lot.        

         Hey Mr. Baal!  The lady said your followers believed you were "descended" from King David, like You too Lord.  Daisy heard our boss and his father talking about how now, in 2014;    Ukraine is an area where a war might just break out.  I'll learn more about Ukraine later.             

          Boy!  I'm so tempted to learn more that guy King David right now but, I'd better just wait and do it according to my outlines.  My boss jokes he might've been the first "Blues" Musician in history.  He was first a Shepherd, Poet, Warrior; and then ended up being the King of Israel.                                           

 ANCIENT EGYPTIAN GODS        

                             

           Dais heard our boss tell his mom about the ancient Egyptian Goddess "Isis," who I wrote a little bit about yesterday.  She told all Her "Followers" to see every day as "Sacred;" like Baal  Shem Tov and Chief Tecumseh said to do.  Two of the Pigeons just flew in from the desert.            

          Hey God!  Seeing the Sun behind and above the three Sheds makes me think of You.  This has been another good day, where I learn new things; and practice my reading and writing.  Ah!  I can hear those two Pigeons cooing up there on the patio roof and that makes me feel good.          

          I just just picked up the scent of the Pigeons.  I think it's Lucy and Ricky, but they kind of  smell the same as Fred and Ethel.  Oh!  They just now suddenly lifted off from the patio, and are  now flying together over the top of the big Mulberry tree; towards the northeast direction.            

                                   

                                                               "HASIDIC" JEWS

          

           Oh wow!  A photo is my Encyclopedia shows a "Hasidic" family.  I like the hats the males are wearing, and the caption says "payos" are "side locks" men wear in their hair.  Even though I'm  a girl, I'd definitely wear one of those rounded hats like the ones in the family picture.           

             For some reason I just thought of the time last Summer when that Bobcat was "Snooping Around" our back fence behind the three Sheds.  It had a really unique scent, and it was Blinky next door who first smelled it.  Oh!  I see Cher the Cat slinking bye behind our three Sheds. 

           Of course Daisy and I barked at that Bobcat, and so did Blinky and Dawn too; even old Rosie contributed some good barking to the situation.  After just a few minutes that wily Bobcat finally "Got the Message" so to speak, and ran off into the night.  Boy!  It was so much fun! 

            

DESERT BOBCAT 

                      

                   I remember that one other time when Dawn scared a Bobcat, which jumped up into the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.  Finley the boy Finch has been hanging around in that clump.  Boy!  How do Bobcats or Birds sit right on Joshua tree's without being stabbed?      

             What an exciting that night was too!  But Mr. Steve came outside and lured us up into the front yard by feeding Daisy and I as a distraction away from the Bobcat.  When it saw that the "Coast was Clear," the Bobcat jumped down from up in the Joshua trees.  It then ran away. 

             Hey God!  The "Waning" Moon will get thinner and thinner over the next few nights.  As You know already, Daisy and I really like looking at the night sky and thinking about all of You Guys up there in Heaven.  Ducks are quacking but Daffy's way louder than everyone else.

                          

"CHOLLA" CACTUS 

                                             

              The Cholla cactus' out in the back desert are glowing, and so is that new baby Cholla in the dirt over there to my right.  The Sun, which is giving me energy right now;, will rise on the eastern horizon more to the left each day.  I smell Cher the Cat hiding underneath Manny.     

            Boy!  Last night Cher caught three things to eat, two Mice; and that smelly Rat we heard really fighting back before she killed it.  At night those Owl Birds also come out to eat, and last night Dais and I heard and smelled one of them.  Oh!  Cher just ran out into the desert.

            Last night this big Scorpion went underneath Elvira but, as Daisy says; if you leave them alone they'll leave you alone too.  As I've mentioned before, I'm kind of afraid of some Bugs who live around here near us.  I wonder if that Scorpion is still down there right below me!

                

     MAGGIE CÓRDOVA       

                              

            Daisy knows I'm sort of nervous about this second book because today I'll write about the American Civil War and World War II, which our boss knows about.  But, like she says; I'll just do the best I can the same way I did yesterday.  I now smell that new baby Cholla cactus.

            Boy, as I've mentioned before; my three outlines are kind of long.  When Daisy and I put them together I was afraid to start writing my books, so I stalled by adding more and more new things; until Dais forced me to just go ahead and start.  Max the Hummingbird flew bye.    

           Last night Daisy and I reviewed my book two outline before saying our prayers and going to bed.  I was too excited to sleep much so when Blinky started barking at that Bobcat I was awake.  Again today Max is alone, so it must be that 99 is way too busy building their nest. 

          

                                                                      METALLICA

                    

               Someday I want to hear METALLICA'S song "Enter Sandman," which has one of the bedtime prayers we say at night.  Daisy really likes that song, but says the Video about that kid's nightmare is so scary.  Daisy and I believe in the Sandman even though Mr. Steve doesn't.

             I suddenly feel like saying that bedtime prayer, "Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep.  If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take." Then we add on, "If I should live for other days I pray Thee Lord to guide my ways, Amen"

            Later today I'll learn about the Nazi German's 20th century "Blitzkrieg" tactics, used to conquer most of Europe in 1939 and 1940.  Dais says METALLICA have a song about Blitzkrieg and the RAMONES do "Blitzkrieg Bop."  METALLICA's Bassist's last name is "Trujillo."  

                  

 "DRAM CATCHER" CRIB ("OJIBWE") 

            PAINTING BY GEORGE CATLIN                

                              

               Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about "Dream Catchers," which Daisy told me are round hoops with a webbed net woven inside; and feathers around it.  The Shoshone man at the Phelan Library said they protect the baby from bad dreams.  So, I can just mention them now!    

            A painting shows an Indian baby in a "Cradle" with a tiny Dream Catcher hanging above its head.  Our boss has a bigger Dream Catcher.  I mentioned in book one how Abraham Lincoln liked a poem called, "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Power That Rules the Earth."

            When our boss gave money to St. Joseph's Orphanage in South Dakota, the Indian kids made and sent him Dream Catchers to say thank you; or "Pilamaya" in their language.  He gave two of them to his Nieces Cristina and Samantha.  Boy!  I'd like to hang one over this couch.

         

"DREAM CATCHER"

             

                Our boss read Mr. Dave information on the back of a package holding a bigger Dream Catcher.  It came from St. Joseph's, and talked of the "Legend of the Dream Catcher."  It said how Indians from the "Great Plains" say the air is filled with both "good and bad" dreams. 

            The back of the package says Native Americans believe the, "good dreams pass through the center hole to the sleeping person."  The "bad dreams are trapped in the web, where they perish in the light of dawn."  All four of the Pigeons are now flying over Libby's Corral.

            Daisy told me one time a Lakota Sioux girl he met told our boss what it also says on the back of that package.  Dream Catchers were usually, "hung in the tipi or lodge and on a baby's cradleboard."  The scent of Theodora's Creosote bush just floated into my left nostril. 

                                                                                                                               RONNIE JAMES DIO (1942-2010)

                                                                                                                                                                             PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                        

            Later this afternoon Dais has me scheduled to write about that British Heavy Metal band BLACK SABBATH.  Their second Singer Ronnie James Dio, who Mr. Steve once took pictures of; used to make the "Metal Horns" hand gesture.  Ah!  I can smell a Lizard around here.

           Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how "Dio," as a little kid; saw his Italian Grandmother use the Metal Horns symbol to "ward off" other people's "Evil Eye."  And, I guess she called it the "Malocchio."  I now see the Lizard standing over there on the wall doing some pushups.

           In 1988 at the Forum, Mr. Steve took pictures of Ronnie James Dio.  Dais told me he died, and our boss noticed in his Obituary that his birthday was July the 10th, while his is on the 9th.  I'll learn some more about Ronnie James Dio, and the history of the "Evil Eye" too; later.  

                                        

"CREATION"          

MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)          

                   

              Hey God!  I feel like writing about "The Lord's Prayer."   That's Daisy's favorite prayer so now I'm starting to like it too, but the "Hail Mary" is still my favorite prayer Blessed Virgin;  and I think I'll say it right now as a matter of fact.  Ah!  I can hear Leo and Cleo singing.

                Looking straight ahead at the horizon beyond the three Sheds, Birds are flying all round in every direction over the eastern desert.  A brown girl Finch just landed on a boulder below the Mulberry tree but it's too late because the water's all gone now.  It doesn't see me over here.

            Dais told me over the years our boss has been to a few Protestant Christian weddings and things like that.  Protestants also say The Lord's Prayer but add on the words; "For Thine is the Kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen."  The Finch flew away.

            

                                                 SAINT JEROME (347-420 A.D.)

PAINTING BY DOMENICO GHIRLANDAIO 

                

                  Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says Saint Jerome was a "scholar" who "translated" the Scriptures, including the "Lord's Prayer" You said; from Hebrew and Greek into Latin.  Boy!  He must've been smart alright to have been able to do that.  I can smell some older Sage.

            In one of my Notebooks Mr. Steve wrote down "The Lawyers Prayer." Daisy says it's a joke, meant to prove a Lawyer can "Over-Complicate" language; so you then have to pay them to interpret "Legalese."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye right now.

            Instead of saying "Give us this day our daily bread," The Lawyers Prayer goes; "We now respectfully petition, request and entreat that due and adequate provision be made this day and date first above inscribed, for satisfying of the petitioners nutritional requirements, and for the organizing of such methods of allocation and distribution as may be deemed necessary and proper to assure the reception, by and for, said petitioner of such quantity of cereal products (hereinafter referred to as "bread") as shall, in the judgement of the aforesaid petitioner, constitute a sufficient provision for satisfaction of said petitioners nutritional requirements." 

                              

HEATHCLIFF II WITH HENS  

            

                Heathcliff just crowed and, like yesterday he started announcing the day way before the Sun even came up this morning.  He's probably like us over here in being extra happy it's now Springtime.  I can hear Heathcliff's Hens clucking and they also sound really happy too.

            Oh!  Jack the Jackrabbit zoomed bye but, like yesterday, today I'll resist the temptation to chase him.  Jack now ran around the northeast corner of the house at the far end of the patio over there to my left.  Some dust he raised is still lingering and floating in front of the Sheds.  

                It was hard to sleep last night because I could hardly wait to start work today.  I didn't have to do my ritual food dance below Mr. Steve's office window this morning because he came out and started doing yard work before sunup.  And he gave us a lot of food for breakfast.

           

                                                                  URIAH HEEP  

            

                Hey God!  This morning as he cut weeds with his scraper Mr. Steve played that URIAH HEEP song "Sunrise" loud on his Boombox, and the beautiful singing and organ playing made us think of You.  I kind of like the shoes people wore back in the 1970's.  I'd wear them. 

             Daisy heard our boss say how one time he and his friends saw this URIAH HEEP concert down there at the "Palladium" in Hollywood.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave Uriah Heep is the name of a character in one of that guy Charles Dickens' books.  The four Pigeons just flew bye. 

            Someday God, as You know; I'd really like to have a Boombox like the one Mr. Steve has so I could listen to more songs by DEVO.  And I'd also want to hear that AC/DC song about the girl named Rosie.  Boy!  How could anyone have even thought of how to make a Boombox? 

      

 HIGH DESERT ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)

         

            Oh!  I'm hearing Vivaldi's song "La Primavera" again, which makes me feel "Uplifted" and "Inspired." That other song "Thus Spoke Zarathustra" gives me the same exact energized feeling too.  I want to think I'm beginning to understand "Rhêma" and "Awen" better.

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell that kid Jason, who's learning to play guitar; a URIAH HEEP song called "Sympathy" is a "Shuffle."  In playing it on drums it's kind of hard to "consistently sustain" the bass drum part with his foot Mr. Steve said.  Some small Sparrows flew bye. 

          A slight breeze just floated in from out in the eastern desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds; and now the chimes hanging from the patio roof are tinkling.  Hey God!  Right now    the Sun's warmth makes me feel grateful to be alive.  I smell Andy and Helen the Squirrels.                                

 ANDY AND HELEN        

             

           Oh wow !  I just now noticed Andy and Helen standing over there on their favorite rock.  I guess, they're taking another break from guarding their new babies; but I know they're still alert for danger.  I'll bet they're wondering why I'm spending so much time here in the patio.  

           Hey God!  Dais, and me too; was so happy our boss again mixed in that Spam meat with the dry food for breakfast.  We wonder if Spam comes from a Cow, Pig or Chicken.  I can see our filled gray water bucket over there near to the sliding glass door going into this dining room.   

           As usual, Mr. Steve filled up the basin below the big tree just to my front with water.  The sunlight reflecting off of its surface was so pretty and, as I've said before; made it kind of look a little bit like a miniature Lake.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye and are going to the northwest.  

                                              

                                                       NIKOLA TESLA (1856-1943)  

              

             Over the next two days Daisy has me scheduled to find out about that guy named Nikola Tesla who invented things.  Like my boss he thought 3 was important, and in the late 1800's came here to work for Thomas Edison.  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows him with a Pigeon.  

             As I mentioned yesterday, it was Nikola Tesla who invented the "A.C." electrical system. A.C. stands for "Alternating Current," while "D.C." is "Direct Current."  The band AC/DC got their name from their sister's sewing machine which had this plate on it saying "A.C-D.C."

             Dais says you can tell our boss likes talking to his parents, and trusts and respects them even though they don't always agree on everything.  His parent's relationship is an example of how to be a couple who support one another.  They're "Helpmates" but also best friends too.  

                       

MR. STEVE'S MOM       

       

            Mr. Steve's mom worked hard when he and his brothers and sisters were growing up.  She loves music, like Nikola Tesla she likes to hum; but didn't listen to the Radio because she wanted to hear her kids if they called out for help.  Hey! I kind of wonder if us Dogs could hum?

            In my Dictionary a definition of "Maternal" is, "motherly instinct."  Daisy says over the years Mr. Steve has had dreams where he's sitting at the kitchen table working on something as his mom does things like cooking.  And, as she moves around; she's humming to herself.

            Yesterday I mentioned how our boss thinks his mother "resembled" the character Mary Tyler Moore played on tv; especially the second show from the 1970's.  Mr. Steve's mom "Ran a Household," and all of her Girl Scout troops too; the way "Mary Richards" ran an office. 

  

MARY TYLER MOORE

   

             From what Daisy told me, in her show from the 1970's Mary Tyler Moore played the part of an "Organized" and happy Secretary for this kind of mean man.  Our boss told Mr. Mike his mom, as a Housewife or Girl Scout leader; resembled that character.  Libby just whinnied. 

            Daisy says our boss chuckled when Mr. Mike joked about how his mother seemed to have "eyes in the back of her head."  And, it was a good thing she did he said; because she saved him from making a few mistakes alright.  Mr. Steve values his mom's "perspectives" on things.  

           Wow!  What a coincidence that, just after I mention Nikola Tesla who do I see?  All four of the Pigeons are coming back in from being out there in the back desert, and are now going over the top of the house moving to the west.  For some reason seeing them makes me feel good.      

                                        

MIKE TYSON    

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                    

          

            In these last two books Daisy has me scheduled to find out about that Boxer Mike Tyson.  Mr. Steve was told he grew up in New York City and as a kid raised Pigeons up on the roof of a building.  Dais saw a tv show on Mike Tyson and says he usually knocks the other guy out.

            Mr. Steve thought Mike Tyson was a nice person on that night he sat next to him in the late 1980's.  Dais thinks he just acted mean in order to scare his "Opponents," which he did from what the tv show said.  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left, or to the north.  

            Daisy heard our boss's father, who boxed in the Marines; thinks Mike Tyson "destroyed" opponents as a "Heavyweight" who "swarmed" opponents the way Henry Armstrong did.  And, not only was he more powerful; he was faster too like Blitzkrieg in war.  I smell Mesquite.  

              

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA

     

             Mr. Steve's parents have been married for about fifty eight years, but have been together for even longer than that I guess.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve's father broke his nose while Boxing in the Marines.  I just looked up and can see two long vapor trails way up there in the sky.

             Daisy is so right.  It seems obvious when they visit us how much our boss's parents have what's called "Unconditional" love for each other.  Even when she was just fifteen Dais says, Mr. Steve's mom knew already she was going to be with Mr. Steve's father; who was eighteen.

            Mr. Steve's parents, when she was only nineteen; got married when Mr. Steve's dad was discharged from the Marines after the Korean War was over.  Some other people thought she was foolish for waiting for him but she didn't care.  She just "followed her instincts" to guide her. 

                                                              

                                                           MR. STEVE'S MOTHER

    

          Mr. Steve's parents met on April the 8th and Miss Emily's birthday is on the 9th.  Because she was waiting for Mr. Steve's dad to return from the Korean War she turned down a few guys for dates.  But, she was really nice to them; and told them the truth about her situation.  

          Mr. Steve says his parents "look out" for each other.  They always support one another but that doesn't mean they agree all of the time on everything.  They have never given the other one a reason to lose any of the complete trust and respect they've built up over the many years. 

          For some reason I just thought of the 16th century Italian guy Niccolò di Machiavelli, who wrote that book "The Prince."  It's a "handbook for power," and was meant to tell a "Leader" how to be "Effective."  He discussed whether it's better for a leader to be "loved or feared?"    

    

NICCOLÒ DI MACHIAVELLI (1469-1527)

PAINTING BY SANTI DI TITO

            Daisy says our boss and his father have copies of Machiavelli's "Treatise" The Prince.  My Encyclopedia calls Machiavelli the "Father of Modern Political Philosophy."  Since the 1500's a lot of famous leaders, like Adolph Hitler for example; have read The Prince.  Dawn's barking.

           Machiavelli said a good leader must know when to be a "Lion or a Fox," when to use an "Iron Fist or Velvet Glove;" and when to "Caress or Annihilate."  Dais heard The Prince is not a long book at all, and in fact it's called a "treatise" right here.  Three Sparrows zipped bye.  

           I guess Machiavelli thought, when dealing with most people; it was usually more effective for a leader to be feared rather than loved.  Indecent people are not motivated by being loved and some of them see kindness as a sign of weakness.  Love is more effective with decent people. 

           

"THE GODFATHER"      

       

            Daisy told me about that movie "The Godfather."  It's about the Mafia and in it the man who became the leader thought about what Machiavelli said.  Mr. Steve's mom used kindness to motivate her Girl Scout troops.  But, in the Mafia I guess; fear is usually way more effective.     

            As a Girl Scout leader our boss's mom was always "Firm but Fair." and she had almost no examples of a girl "Acting Up" or causing problems.  Later today in chapter six Dais has me scheduled to learn about the history of American "Organized" crime.  Daffy's quacking.  

            Hey Blessed Mother!  Our boss thinks, at least in his mom's case; love was more effective as a leader because few want to disappoint her.  Robert E. Lee was the same way as a war leader.  Daisy thinks to this day it would "kill our boss" to see disappointment in his mom's eyes. 

                               

               GEORGE LINDSEY (1928-2012)                       

                                                       

           Yesterday in book one I mentioned how Mr. Steve's mom had this one friend named Mrs. Lindsey, who was also a Girl Scout leader.  Her husband George Lindsey who played the part of "Goober" on The Andy Griffith Show.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there. 

           Boy!  Someday I really want to see the Andy Griffith Show.  Daisy and Millie saw it and it's about a small town in "North Carolina," where Goober works at a Gas Station; and is really nice to everyone but doesn't seem very smart Dais told me.  An orange boy Finch flew bye.

          In the Andy Griffith Show "Sheriff" Andy lives with his son "Opie," and his Aunt "Bee;" who's a really good cook Dais says.  If we lived with her we'd probably have good leftovers in our food bowls she jokes.  Boy!  I wonder if Mr. Steve will go back to giving us snacks today?  

                  

          OPIE /AUNT BEE / SHERIFF ANDY                        MISS BEATRICE         

                                                                                                          

             As I wrote yesterday in book one, Mr. Steve's mom's best friend is her Cousin "Beatrice," whose family lives in "Pico Rivera."  Daisy thinks that Aunt Bee on the Andy Griffith Show's full name is Beatrice too.  that guy Christopher Columbus's wife was also named Beatrice. 

             I mentioned in book one how Mr. Steve's father says if a person has one good friend "in a lifetime" they're lucky.  His best friend was that man Mr. Garcia who worked with him on a lot of community projects but died a few years ago.  Thank You God for Daisy being my friend.

            Hey Lord!  As You know already of course, Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie has started saying "I love You" a lot lately; and now other's in the family are saying it too.  Mr. Steve's mother likes that and is grateful for the "Gifts of Grace" she thinks You've given her in life.  I smell Sage.    

                             

   STEPHANIE / DAUGHTER CRISTINA         

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA        

                                  

              Hey Blessed Mother!  Mr. Steve has a hard time saying "I love you" all the time.  I love Daisy and should tell her more, and in fact that's exactly what I'm going to do after chapter four when I take my first big break of the day and go up front to visit with Daisy.   I can't wait!     

              Last night Daisy and I went over book one sitting below a beautiful clear sky ceiling of Stars. Hey God!  Last night made us better understand why some "Native" People up here in the desert "Sense" You in the Universe You've created.  Boy! Thank You for creating all of us! 

             Hey God!  Daisy and I felt so good this morning as Mr. Steve cleaned our eyes and did his daily checking of our ears and stomachs.  As usual, then we ate breakfast and for the second day in a row some of that delicious Spam was mixed in.  Thank Everyone up there for our food.  

                                               

  CRUCIFIXION    

                   

            Well Lord!  As You know of course, I've been thinking about this day for a few months now because You may've died on a Friday.  Hey Lord?  Did You cause Daisy to have that dream last night about when You were killed by the Romans?  She wants to think so and I do too.  

            Hey Lord!  Now I'm supposed to write about how our boss read You might've been born on April 17, 6 B.C.  But first, I'll talk about the subjects of "Weekends;." and will come back to You afterwards.  Ah!  I love inhaling air with my nose so thank You again God for the air.

           Mr. Steve likes Friday's because of the two day weekends; even though he works on those days too if necessary.  In a few minutes I'll write about this good movie Dais saw called "Ground Hog Day."  In that movie every single day is the exact same as every other day Daisy says.  

                                                                                                            FLOCK OF BIRDS             

                                                                                      

            Mr. Steve likes the weekends because, if he wants to sleep late he can; especially on cold Winter mornings.  But, as Dais and I know well; he rarely sleeps late and almost always gets up early in the morning.  That one time when he got the "Flu" was an "Exception to the Rule."    

           Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his father about how that one holiday called "Labor Day" came about.  This Encyclopedia says it was created in 1894 after thirty "striking" Railroad workers were killed by the U.S. Army.   Oh!  A Freight Train just whistled faintly.

           It says here celebrating a "workers holiday" in America began after the "brutal clashes" between those Railroad workers and "authorities."  Boy!  I'll bet it really hurts to be shot with a gun.  Yesterday, and in these last two books; I'll learn about "Bullets" and things like that.

          

                                                        "RAILROAD STRIKE" (1894)              

                                                                                   

          My Encyclopedia says in 1894 the workers were poor, and wanted better pay and "working conditions;" which I guess were really, really bad.   So they went "On Strike."  In the second half of the 19th century "waves of poor immigrants" could be easily "exploited by employers"

          I mentioned in my first book how the "Industrial Revolution" began in England at the end of the 18th century, when big factories replaced many of the workers.  Then, in the early 1800's; that English "Luddite Revolt" broke out "in reaction to" Weaver's losing jobs.  I smell Sage.

          After the American Civil War ended in 1865, until the end of the 19th century; those men called the "Robber Barons" came into power.  Andrew Carnegie's company made steel, John D. Rockefeller got millions of dollars taking oil from the ground.  Two Pigeons just flew bye.    

       

KARL MARX (1818-1883)  

    

           Karl Marx, who wrote about Capitalist versus Socialist systems; didn't like how the poor people being "Taken advantage Of" by the rich.  Workers were "Proletariat," business owners "Beorgiouse."  Daisy heard our boss and his father talk about being "Worked to Death." 

           In the second half of the 19th century, when all those Robber Baron guys were making the most money; it was pretty common for a really tired worker to accidentally get killed or maimed and then just "Let Go."  A tv show Daisy and Millie saw said sometimes it was kids killed.

          Daisy says we should be thankful we live in the United States in 2014.  In much of the rest of the world it's still like it was here in America during the time of those Robber Barons.  If you get "Permanently" injured for life, or even killed; it's "Too Bad!"  You just get "Laid Off." 

  

"STEEL FACTORY"

            Daisy told me in our boss's office, on the bookshelf behind his desk; are some books about Philosophy and things like that.  On the bottom level is this book called "The Annals of Labor," which describes the terrible "Working Conditions" in the 19th century.  It was bad I guess.  

            Over the years Mr. Steve has known a few people who were "Machinist's" of one type or another.  And, he's had some jobs working around machines; so knows how dangerous they can be. The Guitarist in the band BLACK SABBATH accidentally cut a few of his finger tips off.

           Mr. Steve and his dad one time talked about how, in the late 19th century; there were no "Regulations" or rules about doing business.  You could do any "Dirty Trick" to "Eliminate the Competition," or create a "Monopoly."  Dawn's barking, and I smell Blinky next to him.     

        

THEODORA     

        

           Theodora the Thrasher Bird is sitting in her Creosote bush.  In 1973 Mr. Steve got a "Full Time" job at a company that "Printed" color Restaurant "Menus."  They worked ten hours a day, four days a week.  Mr. Steve liked that because he got Fridays off to do his artwork.  

           One of Mr. Steve's jobs was to put ink in the machines, and then clean it out at the end of the day.  Parts of the machines had powerful "Rollers," which our boss was warned about by a "Demonstration" using a rag which got sucked right in.  It "Made an Impression" on him.   

           Daisy heard one day our boss showed up for his morning "Work Shift," and people told him about how a guy on the night shift had his "Pony Tail" ripped right out of his head when he got too close to the rollers on the machine.  Mr. Steve, back in 1973; had long hair too.

                                      

                                                 CORNELIUS VANDERBILT (1794-1877)   

                         

           Daisy has me scheduled to write about those 19th century American Robber Barons later today but, I can mention Cornelius Vanderbilt now too.  My Encyclopedia says he owned Boats and later Railroads.  Mr. Steve did art for a nice lady who went to "Vanderbilt" University.

           It says here Cornelius Vanderbilt's Great-Great ancestor came to New York City in 1650, as one of those "Indentured Servants" I mentioned yesterday in book one.  That's where you're a Slave for a while but eventually are "Set Free."  A Train just whistled faintly over to my left.    

           In chapter three I'll learn a lot about the American Civil War.  In late 1862 the "Battle of  Fredericksburg " Virginia happened, and in it Robert E. Lee beat the Union General Ambrose Burnside.  Daisy heard, before the recession; our boss had a customer near Fredericksburg.  

    

    AMBROSE BURNSIDE (1824-1881)

          

             I guess, the term "Sideburns" was named after Ambrose Burnside because of the way he wore his beard.  That guy Cornelius Vanderbilt wore "Mutton Chop" sideburns too I see.  In his twenties, for a short time; Daisy says our boss wore sideburns like Cornelius Vanderbilt. 

            My Encyclopedia says "Vanderbilt" is a Dutch name from Holland.  That Painter Vincent van Gogh, who I mentioned yesterday; was also from the "Netherlands."  Oh!  It says here that Ambrose Burnside was born on May 23 which is also Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday.      

            Just like yesterday, when I look a person up I see what their birthday is and compare it to the list of Mr. Steve's family dates Daisy helped me put together.  As I mentioned, his family has a lot of birthdays in May.  And, Mr. Steve's parents "Wedding Anniversary" is on May 24th.

                              

                                     MR. STEVE'S PARENTS / GRANDMA CÓRDOVA

                                             ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION / "CÓRDOVA" FOUNTAIN)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA             

          

            When Daisy and I put together our three long outlines we were kind of impressed at how Mr. Steve's parents "Care For" each other.  Daisy told me Mr. Steve once used the phrase "Alter Ego" to describe their relationship.  All four of his Grandparents were the exact same way.

            According to my Latin Dictionary, "Dimidium animae Meae" means; "Half of my Soul" in English.  That's also how someone once described it when a couple is fully "committed" to one another no matter what.  And that's exactly the way Mr. Steve's parents are right now.

            Jacob, Mr. Steve's brother Rock's son; was born on May the 26th and his Niece Raqquel in Littlerock celebrates the 30th as her birthday.  That guy Cornelius Vanderbilt was born on the 27th of May.  Boy! I sure do wish we knew when my birthday was so we could celebrate.  

       

                                                        NANCY /RONALD REAGAN

HULTON ARCHIVES / GETTY IMAGES           

                      

             Over the next two days I'll learn about that guy Ronald Reagan, who was the Governor of California before being American President in the 1980's.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Mike how Ronald Reagan and his wife "Nancy" remind him of his parents.  I smell some Sage.

             Daisy and I both noticed how, to this day; Mr. Steve's parents still sometimes hold hands. I guess Mr. Steve said Nancy Reagan was criticized for openly "Promoting" her husband but she didn't care and said, "If he had sold shoes I would have pushed shoes."  Dawn's barking.

            Mr. Steve's mom is like Nancy Reagan Dais thinks, because she does "whatever it takes" to help her family.  Mr. Steve, his mom and sister Susan visited the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley to see an exhibit about Genghis Khan.  Ah!  I smell  Andy and Helen's baby's.        

            

BABY SQUIRRELS        

                                           

               Oh!  I just now noticed Andy and Helen's cute little baby Squirrels over there near to the burrow's entrance.  Andy and Helen are right over there, and definitely won't dare "Stray" too far away.  Those Squirrel babies are so big already as this is only the second day of Spring.       

             I wasn't going to write about Cornelius Vanderbilt now but, it's okay since I'm writing about the "Railroad Strike."  He was a "business magnate" called the "Commodore."  He died right before that 1894 Strike, when all of those striking workers were killed by the Army.      

           Boy!  It would be so great to have a school named after you! Dais says the lady who went to Vanderbilt University told our boss she didn't appreciate, and "took for granted;" her College  years just like Mr. Steve says he did.  Anyway, I'll come back to Cornelius Vanderbilt later.                           

                                                GROVER CLEVELAND (1837-1908)     

           

            This is interesting how I guess, to make it up to the workers; President Grover Cleveland "declared" a "national holiday" in honor of those thirty workers killed in 1894.  The picture of Grover Cleveland has been "Painted."  Mr. Steve used to color black and white prints.

            I guess from 1861, and then all of the way through 1933; there were only two "Democrat" Presidents.  Woodrow Wilson was one of them and he was in office before, during; and after the First World War.  And it says here how the only other one was that guy Grover Cleveland, 

           Oh!  Jack the Jackrabbit is standing near Manny the far right Shed.  He doesn't see me but just smelled me over here so is now running away.  Wow!  It's amazing how he runs so fast when he goes through the vertical slots on either side of the gate without hitting his head.

                                   

              ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865)                FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)

PHOTO BY MATHEW BRADY                                                                                                                                      

                            

             It was Abraham Lincoln who started the many years of Republican domination when he was elected in 1860.  But his election "triggered" the outbreak of the Civil War.  As I mentioned yesterday, before they were called "Republicans;" they were called the "Whig" Party. 

            Franklin Roosevelt became President in 1933 during the Great Depression.  Mr. Randy noticed how Democrats have been in office during the Civil War, both World Wars; and Vietnam too.  But Republicans, George Bush Sr. and Jr.; started the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

            Mr. Steve thinks males often need female "Influence" in their lives, whether as a mother or partner.  As I've said before; President Lincoln liked that one poem; "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle is the Power That Rules the Earth."  The baby Squirrels went back down the hole.

  

           ABRAHAM LINCOLN          WOODROW WILSON       FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT                                                                               

     As I wrote yesterday, a lot of people don't know that after Woodrow Wilson had a "Stroke" his wife became the real President "Behind the Scenes" as they say.  So, you could say she was      the only female American President.  That's what Daisy thinks and now so do I too.                        

    Today I'll write about World War II so will deal with Adolph Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Winston Churchill and President Roosevelt.  Hitler and Roosevelt were called "Momma's Boys."  When    Mr. Steve learned to ride a Bike the very first person he wanted to show was his mom.                   

      I'll bet Mr. Steve knows that, according to this one Encyclopedia; that guy Grover Cleveland is the only U.S. President in history to "serve" two "non-consecutive" terms.  Boy!  That is kind  of unique alright.  I can smell one of the Manzanita bushes way out there in the desert.                                            JOHN ADAMS / JOHN QUINCY ADAMS          GEORGE BUSH JR. / GEORGE BUSH SR.                                 

           Later today Dais has me scheduled to write about how twice in American history there has been a father and a son as President.  One was John Adams and his son John Quincy Adams, the other time was the two George Bush's.  I see Libby walking around over there in her Corral.

          When I write about George Bush Sr. and Jr. I'll find out about the two wars in Iraq, and also the Afghanistan war.  Mr. Steve has met a few guys who fought in that 1991 "Desert Storm" war to kick Saddam Hussein's Iraq out of "Kuwait" which he had invaded.  I smell Libby.   

          This is very interesting.  My Encyclopedia says President Cleveland tried to "appease" the angry workers by "establishing" Labor Day but, he didn't want to it be on May 1st because that date in 1894 was then "associated" with "Karl Marx-type Communism."  Heathcliff crowed.

                                           

             "HAY MARKET AFFAIR" (MAY 3, 1886)                 

                                                                                                           

             It says here President Cleveland decided to celebrate "Labor Day" on the first Monday in September.  Another reason he didn't put it on May 1 was because it would remind everyone of a 1886 "brutal crackdown" in Chicago of "labor agitators."  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.    

               In 1894 May 1 was "International Workers Day," which "commemorated" this 1886 riot where workers and Police died in a Chicago Hay Market.  Some "Anarchist" speakers "worked up" the crowd, a bomb exploded; and then a "melee" broke out.  I like how Libby smells.  

          After the "Hay Market Affair" workers were arrested, a few "Put to Death;" but the ones killed in the riot became "Martyrs of Chicago."  Most workers now have "eight hour days" and "weekends off.  My Dictionary says a definition of anarchy is, "disorder and violence."

    

                                                                                     EMMA GOLDMAN (1869-1940)    

   

                  Dais and Millie one times saw a good tv show about the history of American "Organized Labor."  It talked about people called "Anarchists," and this one Russian Jewish immigrant girl named Emma Goldman.  She had a Newspaper called "Mother Jones" Daisy told me about.

            In College Mr. Steve and his sister Susan read about Emma Goldman.  It says here in my Encyclopedia she was a "political activist" known as a "writer and lecturer."  Daisy noticed how the Federal Government really hated her because of how she "advocated" for poor workers. 

            That girl Emma Goldman, who lived mainly in New York City after coming from Russia I guess; got angry when she heard about what happened back in Chicago in 1886.  She started to write and "Lecture" against people like the Robber Barons.   A Train just whistled faintly.     

 

 ALEXANDER BERKMAN TRIES TO KILL  HENRY CLAY FRICK (1892)

DRAWING BY W.P. SNYDER     

    

                 Daisy told me the tv show talked about how in 1892 Emma Goldman's boyfriend, named Alexander Berkman; tried to kill a man who worked for the big steel company in Pennsylvania. But his gun "misfired."  He then tried to stab the guy but wasn't strong enough Dais says.

            It says here that guy Alexander Berkman ended up going to prison for fourteen years.  He and Emma Goldman were "deported" or kicked out of the U.S. during World War I, because of how they were so against that war.  Samson and Delilah are now flying toward the northeast. 

            I guess, from what Daisy noticed; our boss was impressed when the man on that tv show said Emma Goldman arrived in America with only a sewing machine.  I wrote in book one about "Ellis Island" and the other poor "Ashkenazi" Jews.  The immigrants had almost no money.      

           

"HOPE"        

          

        Well Lord!  It's back to writing about You again and now I'll write about why some people think You were born on April the 17th of the year 6 B.C.  As I said yesterday, our boss Mr. Steve does not believe in "Astrology" but Dais and I want to.  I smell a Lizard around here. 

       As You know Lord, Mr. Steve likes Library's.  Yesterday I wrote about the Shoshone Indian man he met at the Phelan Library.  Daisy says he once met a Jewish man at the Sylmar Library who "made a good case" for You being born on April the 17th and not December 25th.    

       That man said Lord, for one thing; in Your time a Shepherd would only be "out in the fields keeping watch over their flocks at night" in the Spring.  Baby Sheep called "Lambs" are born in Spring and need protection against Wolves.  I know Saint Joseph protected You as a kid.

           

"CHRIST THE PROTECTOR"          

              

           John the Baptist called You the "Lamb of God" Lord!  Daisy told me for a short time our neighbor's had some Sheep over there, and she still occasionally hears them and Mollie in some of her dreams.  She heard how you can eat Sheep, and baby Lambs taste pretty good too.

           The Jewish man at the Sylmar Library said most Jews don't believe in Astrology but some do.  One of the times when ancient Israel was conquered the Babylonians "Hauled Off" most of the Jewish "survivors" as prisoners to "Babylon."  Aha!  I see the Lizard I've been smelling.     

           I guess, the ancient Babylonians in "Mesopotamia" were like the pre-Columbian Mayan and Aztec cultures; in closely studying the night sky.  Daisy says the man at the Library thought some of the captive Jews "exiled" in Babylon probably started to believe in Astrology then.

       

          "DEAD SEA SCROLLS"                    "DEAD SEA"                          "QUMRAN" AREA   

             

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about Mr. Steve's 1985 visit to Israel and how the Tour Group saw some of the "Dead Sea Scrolls" in a Jerusalem Museum.  As I said in book one, they're old "Documents" found in some caves near the "Dead Sea."  The Lizard is now doing pushups.  

           Hey Lord!  Were You one of those "Essenes" who hid all of the Dead Sea Scrolls from the Romans in the caves near their town "Qumran?"  Some scrolls were from Your time, and a few dealt with Astrology I guess.  They were found in 1947, only two years after World War II. 

          The Jewish man at the Library thought, when the ancient Jews "returned from exile" in Babylon; they could've just brought Astrology back to Israel.  It's too bad the Romans ended up killing all the Essenes.  That Lizard ran down the wall and went behind the water bucket.

                                      

"ARIES"       

                        

              Hey Lord!  If You were born in April, that would make You an "Aries;" which the Jewish man reminded our boss in Astrology is symbolized by a Ram.  And a Ram is a boy Sheep.  It says here how Aries are all born between today March the 21st, and April the 20th a month away. 

           Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily's birthday is April the 9th so she's an Aries too.  Our boss said Mr. Andrew in that band DREAM FRONTIER was also born on April the 9th.  As I wrote yesterday, there are twelve "Signs" of the "Zodiac;" depending on what date you were born.     

          We should buy a Lamb that Dais and I could raise and protect.  As I mentioned yesterday, Sheep are important in the history of New Mexico; and as a kid Mr. Steve's Grandpa Córdova had to guard some Sheep.  Of course we wouldn't eat that pet Lamb.  No way!  Ugh! Ugh!

  

LAMB OF GOD

                  Daisy says Mr. Steve's customer in Virginia said told him about a "Groove Metal" local band called LAMB OF GOD.  Their Singer is in what used to called "Czechoslovakia," sitting in jail because a fan died at one of their wild concerts.  It's now called the "Czech Republic."

            I guess Mr. Steve has never heard any LAMB OF GOD songs, but told Mr. Dave one time he would probably like them because that Parts Manager said they're "influences" were BLACK SABBATH, METALLICA; and PANTERA too.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell little Blinky.

            Mr. Steve told that Parts Manager he's Catholic, and has wondered if the guys in LAMB OF GOD are religious; or anti-religion.   I guess the Parts Manager said, from what he heard; the name is mainly so people wouldn't think they were a "Satanic" band.  I like Dawn's voice.   

                

"JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS"  

                        

           A picture in this Encyclopedia shows a scene from a movie about the ancient Greek story called "Jason and the Argonauts."  Dais and Millie saw it on tv one night when they were in the    living room.  Daisy says that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about Jason and the Argonauts.               

         It says how here one reason a Ram is the Aries symbol is it represents a "flying Ram" in Jason and the Argonauts' "search" for the "Golden Fleece."  Daisy has me scheduled to find out  about that story when I talk about this man named Ray Harryhousen.  I smell Mesquite.               

         This Dictionary says fleece is Sheep's "wool," and I guess wool is fur.  One time Dais and Millie heard our boss say "fleeced" to describe when someone is "fooled" by "dishonest" people into into losing money.  Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell things made of fleece.                                   

ADOLPH HITLER(1889-1945)

    

           Hey Lord!  That guy Adolph Hitler, who I'll write a lot about today and tomorrow; was an Aries because his birthday was April 20.  I mentioned how Mr. Steve and his father think Hitler    was one of, if not the most; "influential" person in the 20th century.  Heathcliff just crowed.         

         This is so interesting.  My Encyclopedia describes Aries as often having "fighting spirit."  Yup!  That sure does sound like Hitler alright because, not only did he fight in World War I; in    1939 he and Stalin conquered Poland and started the biggest war in history Mr. Steve says.           

          Oh!  A "key phrase" for Aries is "I am."  Wow!  I wonder if I'm Aries?  Lord?  The man at the Sylmar Library thinks the "early Christians" began celebrating Your birthday in December  because the Roman "Gentiles" they were trying to convert already had a big holiday then.           

            

 LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519)    

SELF-PORTRAIT           

          

            That Italian Renaissance guy Leonardo da Vinci's birthday was April the 15th so, he was an Aries too Lord.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye in front of the Sheds and left behind some dust floating in the air.  I can see Andy over there alertly guarding the entrance to their burrow.           

           I've mentioned before how Dais thinks, if our boss could use Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" Time Machine he'd probably travel back to the 16th century.  But, he would also like to see what  New Mexico was like when his Grandparents were kids.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.           

         Hey Lord!  Daisy says every few months a new group of young Mormon "Missionaries" come to live for a while here in Piñon Hills.  Some of them used to come over to our house but not anymore I guess.  Daisy says she and Millie noticed how they always wear really nice suits.                                       

MORMON TEMPLE (SALT LAKE CITY)       

               

          Yesterday I mentioned that one huge Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah.  Lord, Mr. Steve was invited to see those teenage brother and sister get "Baptized" at the smaller Mormon    temple in Phelan.  Dais says, in all white robes; they got totally dunked under the water.                

           I guess Lord, in a Catholic "Baptism;" they just pour a little water on your forehead.  But the  Mormons get your whole body wet just like how John the Baptist did when he Baptized You.  As You know, Mr. Steve's St. Ferdinand's Tour Group visited the Jordon River in 1985.                 

           Hey Lord!  Dais and I would like to get Baptized.  That would be so great, even though I'm afraid of deep water; because I don't now if I can swim.  Daisy told me, all you have to do is just  keep "paddling" and move your legs back and forth which will keep you from sinking down.                             

                                              

BAPTISM OF JACOB / STEPHANIE CÓRDOVA

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA         

                         

         I guess us Catholics get Baptized as babies, and Mr. Steve said it's meant to be a happy occasion to celebrate.  You have a party where there's a lot of good food Daisy says.  Boy!  That sounds so fun and is what I would really want to do if I'm ever lucky enough to be Baptized.         

            One of the Mormon Missionary's who came to our house said Latter Day Saints also think You were most likely born in the Spring Lord.  If we could borrow Mr. Peabody's Time Machine  I know for sure we'd go see when You were born.  Back in 1985 Mr. Steve visited Bethlehem.        

          Looking to the east beyond the Sheds, puffy white clouds are above the desert.  I see some Crows circling around out there, so they must've spotted something dead down on the ground.  Yup!  They're all diving down to the ground below and squawking and cawing at each other.       

                 

"BURIAL OF CHRIST"

PAINTING BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH

                             

               Oh wow Lord!  When I looked up Joseph of Arimathea, I see a good painting of You being buried; and everyone looks so sad.  Mr. Steve's father says Joseph of Arimathea, who let You be buried in his tomb; was obviously rich?  The Crows are now fighting out there in the desert.

            Hey Lord!  Daisy thinks Joseph of Arimathea must've really believed in You, and it says here he was a member of the "Sanhedrin."  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's parents already have Crypts at the "Mission Cemetery."  I just thought of our little cemetery near the driveway.     

            Boy Lord, and Blessed Mother!  Dais and I would love to go back in time to smell, hear and touch You Guys.  We'd definitely lick Your faces too, in order to get to know You better; so then You'd be inside us.  Daisy and I at times have wondered if You Guys ever needed a Dog.  

       

                                                        IGGY AND THE STOOGES

      

              Yesterday I wrote a little bit about that one band from Detroit called IGGY AND THE STOOGES.  Dais says they have a good song about wanting to be a Dog.  She told me it has this    steady, driving beat, and a piano that keeps on playing just one note over and over again.              

             Boy Lord!  Even though we're perfectly happy here in Piñon Hills, it would be so great to be Your Dog.  Someday I want to hear that song about the Dog, which Daisy heard came out in    1969; when our boss was fourteen.  Mr. Dave in New Mexico likes the sleigh bells in that song.      

             Tomorrow Lord, Daisy has me scheduled to write about that girl Mary Magdalene; who our boss and his dad think might've been Your wife.  I feel like doing it now but I'd better just do it according to Daisy's original plan.  But I think I will write now about Joseph of Arimathea.  

          

                                   JOSEPH OF ARIMATHEA (DATES UNKNOWN)  

                

            Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says Joseph of Arimathea is "mentioned" in the four New Testament Books of Mathew, Mark, Luke and John.  Mr. Steve and his Grandma Córdova talked about him in 1985 when visiting Jerusalem's "Church of the Holy Sepulcher."  I smell Sage.    

            Lord!  Daisy says our boss's father thinks, if You hadn't been buried on that one Friday; the Romans would've probably just thrown Your dead body in a Garbage Dump that was outside of Jerusalem.  Or they might've just burned Your "Corpse" like useless trash.  Oh wow!

              Is there a "Holy Grail" cup Lord?  Daisy says You supposedly drank wine from it at the "Last Supper."  If we had it we'd never sell it, even though we could be "Set for Life."  Daisy, Libby and Rosie could drink from it to maybe get Your power; and possibly live longer too.   

                         

       JUAN PONCE DE LEÓN (1474-1521)              HERNANDO DE SOTO (1500-1542)                                                                                                   ARTWORK BY BLAKE Z                            

            

              Hey God! Is there such a thing as a "Fountain of Youth?"   In the 16th century that guy Ponce de León looked for it in "Florida" I guess.  And then, thirty years later; Hernando de Soto  explored the Southeast part of what would later be the United States looking for it too.   

              I was supposed to write about Ponce de León yesterday, before the section on Hernando Córtez; but somehow didn't notice it on my outline.  Last night Daisy told me not to panic, but to just look for a place to insert it today instead.  And I think this would be a pretty good time.

             My Encyclopedia says how, in 1513 or about twenty years after Christopher Columbus' first voyage; Juan Ponce de León sailed up from the Caribbean Ocean to explore what he called "La Florida."  That's the State of "Florida" region now.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.

                   

16TH CENTURY SPANISH EXPLORATIONS (NORTH AMERICA)

           

            Hey Lord!  I guess, La Florida is Spanish for "Land of Flowers;" and a map shows three of the 1500's Spanish explorations.  Oh!  It says here Lord Ponce de León's three Ships arrived in Florida during Your Easter season or "Pascua Florida."  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.

            Daisy says our boss told Mr. Randy some people think Ponce de León went up to Florida to find the Fountain of Youth.  But others doubt that story and think he might've just been there to capture Indian's to make Slaves.  A Freight Train whistled faintly over there to my left.

           It says here Ponce de León went up to Florida because the Native Caribbean Indians had told him stories about a Fountain of Youth.  But, the problem with that is; they told him it was in this other place called "Bimini."  Two vapor trails are crisscrossed way up there in the sky.

         

NORTHERN CARRIBEAN SEA  REGION         

                

                There's a good map in this Encyclopedia that shows Bimini.  The caption says it's the area where where the "Bahama" Islands are "closest" to Florida's "mainland."  Dais told me that our boss has a "Ford" and "Sterling" Truck dealership customer near to the city of "Miami."

           Aha!  I knew I was being looked at, and now see Jack the Jackrabbit resting over there in the shade of Theodora's favorite Creosote bush.  Behind the three Sheds, out there in the eastern desert; I see a few Birds zipping about.  And I can also hear some Finches singing happily.

          From what Daisy says, our boss used to have more customers in Florida.  But some went "out of business," and others decided to use only "local" vendors; often a person who buys Cars or Trucks from them.  Auto Racing is a really popular thing back there in Florida I guess.

       

      JEFF GORDON            

                                                          

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about "N.A.S.C.A.R." racing.  Dais says our boss sells racing things to a guy back in in Florida, whose favorite Driver is Jeff Gordon; who resells them at the "Daytona 500."  N.A.S.C.A.R just stands for the "National Association of Stock Car Racing."     

            As I've said a few times already in these first two books, when younger Mr. Steve had two 1968 "Chevelle's;" the last one an "S.S." or "Super Sport" version.  Jack is sprinting toward the northeast corner of the house to my left.  He'll go up front to see what's going on up there.

            I just thought of that guy Edgar Cayce, who I guess was sort of like a more modern day Nostradamus.  He predicted the future, just like those "Sybil" girls did in ancient Greece; at the town of "Delphi."  Ah!  I just picked up the slight scent of a Lizard somewhere around here.

         

"BIMINI"          

            

         Wow!  Three pictures in this Encyclopedia show Diver's swimming above what looks like huge blocks on the bottom of the Ocean.  The caption says it's "Bimini."  Daisy says the man on a tv show said how Edgar Cayce predicts the "remains" of "Atlantis" would be found there.           

           Later today Daisy has me scheduled to write about the "Advanced" society of Atlantis.  It was supposedly an island, destroyed in a huge disaster; and now no one even knows where it used to be.  Aha!  I just noticed a small little Lizard over there standing perfectly still in the dirt.          

         Some believe Atlantis was in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean but Edgar Cayce thought it would be found in Bimini, to the west of Florida.  And in those photos it does show Divers above  what looks to me like big, huge fallen blocks from a gigantic wall.  I can smell some Sage.                                                                                  

         EDGAR CAYCE (1877-1945)                                          ATLANTIS (PLATO)                                                                                                                              

           The caption below the picture of the Divers at Bimini says Edgar Cayce predicted what's left of  Atlantis would be discovered in the late 20th century.  And then, in 1968; they found all of those giant blocks in Bimini's waters.  Wow!  It sure seems like it would be Atlantis alright!          

           Daisy heard that guy Plato wrote about the Atlantis society.  I guess Edith Hamilton, who I've mentioned before; wrote about ancient Greece where Socrates, Plato and Aristotle lived.   Up in the sky I just noticed this small flock of Birds, all flying together toward the northeast.              

          Oh what the heck!  I feel like mentioning a little bit about Atlantis now too.  Daisy says our boss thinks, "if there was an Atlantis" it was probably not in the Atlantic Ocean at all; and Plato    might've simply been referring to the second century B.C. Bronze Age "Minoan" culture.               

               ATLANTIS?                PALACE OF KING MINOS           ANCIENT GREECE      

       

         This Encyclopedia says Minoan culture, mainly located on the island of "Crete;" was the first European "advanced" civilization.  It was named for King Minos of that old story.  Wow!  It says here Minoan buildings had "plumbing" and things like that even way back in 2,000 B.C.      

           Yesterday I mentioned the small "Dormant" volcanoes near us here in Piñon Hills.  It says here Minoan society was "totally destroyed" by a huge "volcanic eruption."  Oh!  I just noticed    Rudy the Roadrunner jogging past the Sheds, but again today I won't chase him at all.                  

         Mr. Steve, his mom and Niece Cristina saw that one downtown exhibition at the "Science Center."  It was about "Mount Vesuvius," in Italy; exploding in 79 A.D.   The "Natural History    Museum, where Mr. Steve and his mom had their Art Exhibit; is near the Science Center.                                                     WORLD WAR II (GREECE / "CRETE" / 1941)                  

             

          In early 1941, just before they attacked their ally the Soviet Union; Hitler's Germany used "paratroops" to take the island of Crete and conquer Greece.  In the same month the Nazis also  used "Blitzkrieg" tactics to overwhelm Yugoslavia too.   Dawn and Blinky are both barking.         

         Daisy has me scheduled to learn a lot about the American Civil War and World War II in this second book, but I'll refer back to things I wrote yesterday; like the "Mexican War" of 1846-1848 for example.  Tomorrow in book three I'll really learn more about the First World War.        

         I'm still thinking about the Fountain of Youth.  My Encyclopedia says, as early as the 5th century B.C. the Greek historian Herodotus mentioned it; so Ponce de León might've heard of  it that way.  Dais and I kind of want to believe in things like Atlantis and the Fountain of Youth.                               

                                                                               HERODOTUS (484-425 B.C.)  

         

             Hey Lord!  As You know, Dais told me our boss once met that older man from "Scotland."  He knew a lot about Joseph of Arimathea, the Holy Grail; and Mary Magdalene.  I guess, some people like our boss think Mary Magdelene might've been Your wife.  Daffy's quacking.   

           I can tell Daisy was in a good mood this morning, and slept "Soundly" last night out here on Elvira.  I didn't sleep much but I'm not even tired at all, and even though I'm working I can still be alert for intruders today.  I see Andy over there guarding their burrow entrance.  

           Boy!  I kind of feel like taking an early big break and go up front to visit with Daisy.  But, I'd better just wait and do after Part One or chapter four.  I know for sure that she's up there in the front yard wondering how it's going back here with me working on this second book.

                                      

                                            WREN IN CHOLLA CACTUS PATCH

                                                                                        

          I just glanced up and see a Wren sitting on the branch of that Cholla cactus right behind the back fence.  Inside of my head, I'm still hearing that URIAH HEEP song "Sunrise;" and it's making me feel glad it's Spring.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye, but still no 99.               

         Thinking about songs like La Primavera or Sunrise gives me energy and makes me really appreciate being alive.  And having these three books to work on gives me a project to focus on and keep busy.  Mr. Steve jokes how some people need a project to stay "out of trouble."               

           Hey God!  I think I've made the final decision to "Take the Plunge," and go all of the way down the hall on Sunday.  Then I can go into Mr. Steve's bedroom to watch tv, and listen to way more music.  I can't wait to see the different DEVO Videos that Daisy has told me all about.       

         

ALBUM COVER ARTWORK BY ROGER DEAN      

              

                 One time, when Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom; he played URIAH HEEP songs on his Stereo.  Dais noticed all the "Fantasy-Themed" artwork on URIAH HEEP'S album covers.  Mr. Steve told that kid Jason they were done by a British guy named Roger Dean.

           Mr. Steve's mom, who knew she'd just paint over them later; allowed Mr. Steve to draw a boy with a sword standing on a rock from URIAH HEEP album cover; on his bedroom wall.  He also drew a man holding a lantern from a LED ZEPPELIN album.  Libby just whinnied.   

           I guess, Mr. Steve wishes he'd taken some pictures of his bedroom walls; when all of those drawings were on them.  But, eventually they were just painted over and covered up so now the walls are back to being just white.  At first Mr. Steve's father didn't like drawing on walls.

            

ROGER DEAN         

             

               I guess that guy Roger Dean, back in the early 1970's when Mr. Steve was a teenager; did the album cover art for other bands too.  He did some artwork for other British bands like ASIA and YES too.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying bye out in the back desert.   

            Mr. Steve can "Copy" or "Duplicate" things, and admires people like Roger Dean who can come up with ideas "right out of their heads."  That guy Mr. Hussein from Egypt, who did paintings showing Kobe Bryant and Michael Jackson; is good at "Portraits."  I smell Sage.       

           Daisy says our boss has an old vinyl record of a British band called ATOMIC ROOSTER. Sometimes, he shows people the album cover; because the artwork was done by that guy Roger Dean.  But it doesn't look anything like the fantasy images he's now so famous for doing.

               

ATOMIC ROOSTER         

             

        From what Daisy told me, she thinks that band ATOMIC ROOSTER have a good piano player; even though she's only heard a few of their songs.  Ah!  A nice breeze just came in from    my right side, and Libby's scent floated in with it.  And so did Dawn and Blinky's too.                    

            Andy's over there sniffing the air to make sure Goliath or Cher aren't around.  Boy!  For some reason I have one of those feelings of Déjà Vu because another time I watched Andy as the smells of everyone next door came over here.  Ah!  Now I can also smell Andy over there.

            Looking out into the eastern desert beyond the Sheds, the Sun's position hanging above the horizon makes me think it's about nine o clock.  Wrens, Finches and Sparrows sound happy.  The air is so clear, and I can smell that one clump of Joshua trees just to the right of Manny.  

  

                                                    EMERSON, LAKE AND PALMER

                Usually those "Three Piece" bands our boss likes have bass, drums and guitar; but back in the 1970's there was a unique British Progressive Rock band called EMERSON, LAKE AND    PALMER.  They used bass, drums and keyboards.  I can smell that one older Sage bush.               

             Daisy told me some "E.L.P." songs use a guitar but most don't, and in a lot of their songs there's no singing.  I guess, our boss thinks all three members of E.L.P. are really talented; and so does Mr. Dave too.  The four Pigeons flew in from the desert and landed on the patio roof.             

         Mr. Dave, and our boss; both think E.L.P.'S Drummer was so good.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave Carl Palmer was a member of ATOMIC ROOSTER at one time, and Keith Emerson was in a band called the NICE.  The Pigeons are all walking around up there above me down here.          

                

                                                                        "TARKUS"  

                      

           Dais heard our boss and his mom talk about a 1970's E.L.P. album called "Tarkus."  The cover shows a World War I Tank that's part "Armadillo," and I guess Mr. Steve also drew that Tank on his bedroom wall too.  Andy's over there guarding he and Helen's burrow entrance.        

          Mr. Steve has described some of E.L.P.'s music as "symphonic" Rock.  Dais told me they do a version of a Bach song, and also play "Hoedown" and "Fanfare for the Common Man" by Aaron Copeland.  I smell that clump of Joshua trees over there near Libby's Corral.                     

          I'm mainly scheduled to learn about "Blues" music tomorrow in book three.  But right now for some reason I sort of feel like doing a little bit today too.  Daisy says our boss has some    Blues albums, and he told his sister Susan some are old 78 R.P.M. versions so can't play them.            

         ROBERT JOHNSON (1911-1938)     HOWLIN WOLF (1910-1976)     JOHN LEE HOOKER (1917-2001)                            

           Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about Robert Johnson, Howlin Wolf and John Lee Hooker.  Yesterday I mentioned how John Lee Hooker died on the exact same day as Grandma    Trujillo.  ZZ TOP's song "La Grange" is just a heavier version of his song Mr. Steve thinks.         

          As much as Mr. Steve likes "Traditional" Blues he prefers heavier styles, like what came from Chicago in the 1950's; when he and his brother were born.  In the 1960's Blues influenced    British bands like FLEETWOOD MAC and the ROLLING STONES.  I can smell Juniper.          

           Some people joke white people can't play "authentic" Blues music because they've never felt the hardships of black Americans.  Our boss told Mr. Dave of a funny song called "Can Blue Men Sing the Whites?" by a British group BONZO DOG DOO DAH BAND.  I like Juniper.                    

        BONZO DOG BAND               CANNED HEAT                 STEVIE RAY VAUGHN     

       

              Right now I'm suddenly hearing one of my favorite songs, "Goin' Up the Country" by CANNED HEAT; who were influenced by Blues.  I can't wait to someday hear their other good song "On the Road Again," even though it doesn't have any flute in it.  Daffy's quacking.

              Daisy says On the Road Again does have harmonica, and the guy sings in the same way he does on Goin' Up the Country.  Daisy told me our boss's favorite CANNED HEAT song is that one called "Let's Work Together."  Now Donald and Daisy are also quacking too over there.

              I've written about how just a few weeks before he died in a Helicopter crash Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck, who play electric Blues; at the "Sports Arena."  Anyway, I have a feeling I'll come back to the subject of Blues in this second book.      

                           

SUNRISE OVER THE HIGH DESERT

      

              Looking at the Sun makes me think about this morning, and now I'm hearing suddenly URIAH HEEP'S song Sunrise again.  I can't wait to someday hear it again because right now I think I feel that energizing sense of "Rhêma."   A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral.  

              Boy!  It's too bad the only time I can hear music is when our boss comes outside.  Dawn's barking over there and I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing right next to her.  Blinky has such a confident way he walks around.  Daisy told me about the BEE GEES song "Staying Alive."

             Hearing that song Sunrise makes me think about Charles Dickens, who wrote the book  URIAH HEEP got their name from.  A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows him sitting in a good chair.  Oh!  Now little Blinky is also barking too, and he sure sounds so brave to me. 

        

CHARLES DICKENS (1812-1870)  

         

                Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I mentioned Charles Dickens; I smell a Beavertail cactus.   In the picture he's holding one of those "Top" hats made from a Beaver.  Our boss told Mr. Ralph, in the 18th and 19th centuries; other types of hat were also made of Beaver too.

              Heathcliff crowed!  He crowed more than usual yesterday and Dais noticed it too.  And so far today he's still crowing over there, which I kind of like because it gives me energy to write this second what I know for sure is going to be another long book.  I'll just have to work hard.

              All of a sudden I just thought of  that band from the city of "Chicago" with that name.  I wrote about them and their Guitarist Terry Kath yesterday when I mentioned how Jimi Hendrix told them they were a "great" band, and "he's better than me."  Wow!   That is good alright.   

       

           CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY                          TERRY KATH (1946-1978)

             

                One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about CHICAGO'S Guitarist Terry Kath.  Daisy heard that he accidentally shot himself in the head, because he thought the gun was unloaded; which unfortunately for him was very incorrect.   Too bad!  Daisy says he was so talented.

           Mr. Steve used to have a customer who told him how his brother met Terry Kath before the band came out here to Southern California.  He said Terry Kath was big in size, at least six feet two inches tall; and had some "noticeably large feet."  Andy's over there looking at me.

          Dais heard Mr. Steve dreamt he saw someone shoot himself.  Miss Sandy's mom, a Nurse; knew about what they call "Rapid Eye Movement," or just "R.E.M." for short.  It's the period of  "deepest" sleeping when, even though they're  closed;  your eyes move back and forth.                                      

                                                                          R.E.M.

         

            One time Dais and Millie saw another tv show about a band from the State of "Georgia" called R.E.M.  Daisy says they have some good songs our boss has tried to play along to.  In this second book I'll be finding out about Georgia, especially during the time of the Civil War. 

             I'm tempted to start learning about the American Civil War now but, I'd better just wait and do it in chapter three the way Daisy and I have planned.  A lot of important things happened in Georgia during that war.  In 1972 Mr. Steve went on his dad's business trip to Atlanta.

            Hey God!  As You know, R.E.M. have a song Daisy liked; even though it's about "Losing" religion.  I guess it has one of those mandolins like STEELEYE SPAN use in some of their songs too.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye and moving together toward the eastern horizon. 

     

ROD STEWART (1970'S)

    

          Someday, mainly because of my name of course; I really want to hear the 1970's song Dais told me about called "Maggie May."  It's sung by Rod Stewart when he was in a band called the  FACES.  It also has some mandolin in it, which our boss told Mr. Dave is his favorite part.            

          Daisy says Rod Stewart, who our boss was told began as one of those street "Buskers" like Mr. Eddie over in Phelan; probably wrote Maggie May about a girl he liked.  Rod is short for the name "Roderick," which is Mr. Steve's brother Rock's real name too.  Heathcliff crowed.              

       From what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about, the FACES' Guitarist named Ronnie Wood; is now in the ROLLING STONES.  Mr. Dave really likes his "Slide" guitar on this other FACES' song called "Stay With Me."  Mr. Steve likes that guitar part too Dais told me.                             

     LINDISFARNE                                 VIKING RAID (793 A.D.)

                                                                                        PAINTING BY TOM LOVELL

      

                   Mr. Steve read the guy who played the mandolin on that song Maggie May was in a band called LINDISFARNE.  They got their name from that area the Vikings raided back in 793 A.D. Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave LINDISFARNE play "Folk Rock" like STEELEYE SPAN.

             A painting of the 793 Viking raid on the Monastery at Lindisfarne shows a Viking about to kill a Monk, who's holding up a cross for protection; with an axe.  A guy behind that Viking is trying to stab him with one of those pitchforks like the one Mr. Steve has.  I smell Creosote.

            Hey Lord!  I guess those Vikings burned the Monastery, killed or took survivors as Slaves; and stole anything valuable from LINDISFARME.  What they really wanted was the things made of precious metals like gold or silver.  Daisy says our boss has a replica Viking axe.  

                               

                                                                                                           RUSH     

              

                 Dais says our boss seemed "impressed" when the man on the tv show said how the four guys in R.E.M. "shared royalties" equally from the sales of their songs.  Daisy heard RUSH, that Canadian band; do that exact same thing.  Mr. Steve thinks it shows everyone is not greedy. 

             If I were ever in a band I'd want to share everything equally too, because then everyone would be happier and "Get Along" as they say.  I wonder if DEVO, or the BEATLES; shared the money?  Smelling some older Juniper right now suddenly makes me remember last Spring.  

                I just now thought about this girl Singer named Jewel.  I'm not really scheduled to write about her until tomorrow in book three, when I talk about that 1970's Singer Joni Mitchell; but I can mention her now too.  Daisy told me our boss says Jewel sounds like a smart person. 

                                      

                                                                         JEWEL     

        

               Mr. Steve was told by a customer in Escondido that girl Jewel grew up in "Alaska."  But she was "discovered" and "made it" when living homeless near San Diego.  That Parts Manager  said she was very smart in negotiating the "Recording Contract" she eventually agreed to.   

            Our boss found out that girl Jewel was born on May the 23rd and, according to my list of dates; that's also Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday too.  Wow!  I guess for a time she was one of those "Busking" street Musicians like Mr. Eddie.  Frida and Diego just flew bye right now.  

            Daisy heard Jewel's family, before going to Alaska; were Mormons in Utah.  Daisy says our boss was impressed when he heard Jewel turned down a "Million" dollars, knowing it was just one of those "Loans;" or "Advance Against Future Earnings."   Dawn's now barking. 

            

                             WILLIE NELSON                                               BRIAN MAY

           

                Yesterday I mentioned how QUEEN'S Guitarist Brian May thinks of the guitar he and his father built as female, while Willie Nelson considers his old guitar "Trigger" to be male.  It's named after Roy Rogers smart Horse with the same name.  I can smell Libby over there.  

                Daisy says the Parts Manager told our boss Jewel named her acoustic guitar "Bird."  And one reason she did that was because it reminded her of the Song Birds she used to hear as a kid in Alaska.  Max the Hummingbird whizzed past and I heard him coming from far away.

            Mr. Steve has only heard Jewel a few times, but senses she writes "Philosophical" lyrics like Joni Mitchell.  He noticed she has a unique way of playing guitar so wants to hear more of her songs and I do too.  Daisy thinks, based on that tv show; she seems like a nice person.   

  

                                                                         FOCUS    

        

               Daisy thinks, because I like flute so much; I'd really like a 1970's song "Hokus Pokus" by the Swiss band FOCUS.  Besides flute that song has amazing "Yodeling" singing in it too, in one part the Singer who also plays organ; whistle sings.  Mr. Dave mentioned "breath control."

                  FOCUS' Singer, who's the one who plays flute; is so versatile and totally unique in how his voice sounds according to Dais.  That customer in Escondito told our boss Jewel can yodel really good too.  Ah!  A slight breeze just floated in from out in the desert behind the Sheds.

            I guess, from what our boss told Mr. Dave one time; FOCUS also have a good Drummer. A big Lizard just ran through the thinner left vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Oh!  The green chimes are starting to ring and that makes me feel so good.

                                      

2014 FORD "FOCUS"    

          

                   One time Daisy heard our boss talking a "Ford" customer. That Parts Manager was a young twenty one year old kid in his first "real" job.  He wanted to order Baseball caps with all the "Individual" vehicle logos on them, and one was "Focus."  I love the sound of chimes.

            Usually, especially in a bad economy; it's easier to sell "non-specific" things.  Mr. Steve told that kid it was better to just put "generic" logos with the word "Trucks" below the oval, and simply "F-Series" instead of all the different F-Series vehicles.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.   

            Dais says one time our boss found out another Ford customer had kids who liked to color, so "Faxed" him some of the line drawings he's done.  Most were cartoons or sports logos of their favorite teams, but one was the Focus; because of the good lettering.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

                           

FRED, ED, TED      

           

                Oh!  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are sitting on that same Mulberry tree branch they seem to like.  Dais says our boss doesn't know if they're boys or girls, so jokes if they're girls we could just call them "Molly," "Polly" and "Dolly."  The chimes up there stopped ringing.

               Later I'm going to write about another Singer named Dolly Parton.  Dais says she sang a song with Jewel one time and our boss kind of likes her "strong personality."  Hey God!  From what Daisy heard, Dolly Parton believes in You; just like we do down here in Piñon Hills. 

          Mr. Steve thinks Jewel had "Common Sense" in turning down the "Advance."  And Dolly Parton was smart in refusing "Publishing" rights to Elvis Presley, when he wanted to "Cover" a  song she wrote.  Fred, Ed, and Ted just took off and are now flying out into the desert.   

  

                         DOLLY PARTON                                       HUELL HOWSER (1945-2013)

     

                   All of a sudden I just thought about that guy Huell Howser.  Yesterday I wrote about how he, like Dolly Parton; was born in the State of "Tennessee."  But as I mentioned yesterday, his tv show deals with interesting places in California; which our boss's parents really enjoy a lot. 

            Dais says our boss was told Huell Howser's first name is a combination of his parents two first names "Harold" and "Jewell."  When Mr. Steve talked to him on the phone those times he was friendly.  As I mentioned yesterday, he complimented Mr. Steve and his mom's artwork.

            I guess a tv show about Dolly Parton said she and her eleven brothers and sisters grew up poor.  So, now that she has money; she give books away to kids who can't afford them.  Mr. Steve also does that too, and gives "Socks" to homeless people like Mr. Mark over there in Phelan.  

   

                                                  GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO 

      

                 Daisy heard Dolly Parton say "God only Knows," just Grandma Trujillo and that Singer Patti Page used to do.  Hey God!  Dolly Parton, just like Mr. Steve's mom; "Hopes" to see You in people.  Daisy and I would sure like to know our own future's but, we also trust in You too. 

                 I just thought about the different "Art Exhibits" Mr. Steve and his mom had in the early 1990's.  As I wrote in my first book, the artwork had to do with the "Alta" California Missions; which were established back in the 18th century.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye. 

            Boy!  It's pretty good how, for a full year; Mr. Steve and his mom's art was "Shown" at the  "Natural History" Museum downtown.  Huell Howser saw it and wanted our boss and his mom to give him a tour of the San Fernando Mission for his tv show.  Daffy's quacking.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

                                  "CONVENTO"         SAN FERNANDO MISSION          EAST GARDEN

                                    DRAWING BY  STELLA CÓRDOVA                                                                                                              PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                  

                   As I wrote in my first book, Mr. Steve's photography and his mother's artwork on the Missions was also "Exhibited" in other places too.  It's too bad Mr. Steve and his mom never got to give Huell Howser that Mission tour.  And now it's too late because he died last year.

                  Daisy says, in the early 1990's when our boss and his mom had the "Art Shows;" that man George Bush Sr. was President.  In 1991, when Mr. Steve was still with Miss Harriet; the "Desert Storm" war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq was fought.  A Train whistled faintly.

              Mr. Steve admires how Dolly Parton would not "give away" the Publishing Rights for that song she wrote and Elvis wanted to sing.  After a year of their artwork being shown down there at the Natural History Museum they wanted to make it "Permanent."  I smell Sage. 

                

       MR. STEVE'S MOM /  MR. STEVE                    L.A. NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM

         

             Mr. Steve and his mom were both "Flattered" when the Natural History Museum wanted to make their art a permanent exhibit down there.  The problem was, they would have to give all of that artwork to them.  Speedy Gonzalez just whizzed bye right in front of the Sheds.

             Dais is so right!  If our boss and his mom had gone ahead and just let the Natural History Museum keep the artwork, we wouldn't have so much of it to look at in our house.  Speedy right now zoomed out into the back desert through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate. 

            Seeing the dust Speedy stirred up floating into the air suddenly reminds me of other times when he used the vertical slots on the side of the gate to run into the desert.  Oh wow!  And now I hear Heathcliff crowing too.  So that really gives me one of those feelings of "Déjà Vu."

  

                                                                 "CHAPEL BELLS"

PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

  

                  So far I've only been able to see some of Mr. Steve and his mom's art, but someday I'll see the other things in parts of the house where I've always been afraid to go into.  Also, maybe I can see the good web site Mr. Grant built with all of the photos and art on it.  I can't wait!    

                 When Dais and I go in the living room on Saturday mornings to watch cartoons I see the big painting of the S.F. Mission bells done my our boss's mom.  I also get to see that tall painting she did of Saint Ferdinand III, where she put in Mr. Steve's face on it.  Libby whinnied.

                 One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking on the phone with his mom, and they were remembering the exhibit at the Natural History Museum.  Dais has told me about the two really big paintings done by our boss's mom which are in his bedroom.  I really like Libby.

                                       

                                         "PAGE " MUSEUM ("LA BREA TAR PITS")

              

               According to what Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Grant on the phone, the Natural History Museum is "associated" with that "Page" Museum I wrote about yesterday.  It's in a part of Los Angeles called "Hancock Park," and the "La Brea Tar Pits" are there too.  Dawn's barking. 

           The Page Museum is where they show animal bones dug up from the time of the last Ice Age.  Mr. Steve as a kid went there on Field Trips, he and his mom have been there;  and he and Miss Harriet visited it too.  Boy!  I'd sure like to go to that Museum and see all those bones.

               This girl who worked at the Natural History Museum told Mr. Steve and his mom it's the "biggest museum of its kind on the west coast."  It has things having to do with 4.5 billion years  of plant and animal history.  But it shows things like Mr. Steve and his mom's artwork too.    

                                      

                                  WILLIAM S. HART (1864-1946) WITH HORSE "FRITZ"

             Tomorrow in my third book I'll write about the "William S. Hart" Museum in the town of "Newhall," which is kind of near Sylmar.  Mr. Rick's family built a house near there.  Dais says that Museum is associated with the Natural History Museum and has "Cowboy" things.   

             I'm tempted to write about this Actor named William S. Hart now.  Daisy says, like Roy Rogers; he had a really smart Horse.  His boy Horse was named "Fritz," and he even wrote this book about the "Stunts" he and his boss did together in some of those old "Silent" movies.    

        Daisy told me our boss and the girl at the Natural History Museum had a discussion about pandemics.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve, in College at C.S.U.N; did a "Research" Project on the 14th century "Black Death."  That's when maybe half of Europe died.    

                                                   THE "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)

   

           I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve thinks that someday there will be another big  pandemic.  Daisy says he told that one kid Jason who plays guitar he thought of it one time when he heard R.E.M.'s song about the world ending "as we know it."  A Crow is croaking faintly.        

            When Daisy and Millie were listening to our boss play drums along to Jason's guitar, Dais heard them talk about Guitarists Mr. Steve's seen.  Our boss played vinyl records, cassettes and C.D.'s of some of those Guitarists.  Now that Crow is out there fighting with another Crow.           

           Tomorrow I'll learn about Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page; and Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Mr. Steve saw Eddie Van Halen, QUEEN'S Brian May; and Billy Zoom of X play.  Oh!  And, in    the late 1970's; he and Sandy saw that guy Randy Rhodes play in QUIET RIOT a few times.                

                                                             RORY GALLAGHER

          

             I just thought of when, in the mid-1970's; Mr. Steve and Sandy saw that Irish Guitarist Rory Gallagher play a good concert at the Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood.  They went with their friends Chris, David and Dale.  As I wrote back in my first book, Mr. Dale still plays guitar.

             Mr. Dale grew up in Sylmar but now lives up in Northern California near the border going into the State of Oregon.  In the early 1970's; he also went to Sylmar High at the same time as when Mr. Steve and Sandy were there too.  Donald and Daisy are quacking right now.

             One time our boss told Mr. Dave how Rory Gallagher played an old "beat up" Fender "Stratocaster," whose body paint had been "worn off" or "eroded from years of use.  You could tell how much Rory Gallagher had played it.   I wonder if that guitar was a boy or a girl?  

  

                      (YEAR BOOK)                         DALE TEWES                                (SYLMAR HIGH) 

    

             Mr. Steve played a "Live" Rory Gallagher album for that kid Jason.  Daisy noticed how, before Rory Gallagher started playing electric guitar in that concert; he first sang and played the mandolin on a song about going back to his Irish hometown.  Ah!  The air is so clear now. 

             I just glanced up to see this Lizard standing on the wall near the sliding glass door going into the dining room next to the kitchen.  Oh!  It was doing Lizard pushups, but now ran down the wall; and then out into the dirt near this patio.  I feel so comfortable here on Elvira. 

            All of a sudden the sound of JETHRO TULL'S song "The Third Hoorah" just came into my thoughts.  It has such good flute playing in it and that's why, even though I haven't heard a lot of songs; it's one of my favorite ones so far.  I also rally like the bagpipes in that song too.

                          

"A PASSION PLAY"   

                  

             In 1973, when Mr. Steve and that girl Angela saw the JETHRO TULL at the Forum; it seemed like JETHRO TULL'S music is  influenced by the "Middle Ages."  Our boss joked with  Angela he was surprised they don't play mandolins more Dais heard.  The air is so clear.               

               Daisy says our boss told Mr. Ralph how Angela was an intelligent person who knew a lot about European "Medieval" and "Renaissance" history.  Mr. Steve took her to the "Renaissance Fair" where people wear costumes.  Boy!  I'd dress up like a Dog from the Middle Ages.    

               Ah!  I'm still hearing that song The Third Hoorah!   The flute makes me feel happy and want to dance right now.  I can't wait to someday see a real bagpipe being played because of how Daisy described it.  Boy!  I so want to dance but I'd better not because I have work to do.

                      

                                        JETHRO TULL                                                 

                                

            Oh well, maybe Goin Up the Country hasn't replaced The Third Hoorah as my favorite song which makes me want to dance.  In the mid-1980's, when he and Mr. Mark worked for the Forum; Mr. Steve told Miss Helen about that JETHRO TULL concert.   Heathcliff crowed.

            Wow!  Now all of a sudden I'm hearing STEELEYE SPAN'S song "Jigs, which is really right now making me feel like dancing.  Daisy says our boss thinks, in 1973; STEELEYE SPAN was a "perfect" "Opening Act" for JETHRO TULL.  Mandolin's sound really good too.

            As I wrote yesterday, Mr. Steve jokingly calls my dancing an "Irish Jig."  I can't wait to someday hear more songs by JETHRO TULL, and STEELEYE SPAN too but; first I'll have to overcome my fear of being trapped inside a house.  Boy!  I so feel like dancing right now.

                 

                                                                 STEELEYE SPAN

          

             Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how STEELEYE  SPAN play electric "Folk-Rock" like that other band LINDISFARNE.  Jack the Jackrabbit just used the right vertical slot on the side of the back gate to zoom out into the back field.  He's now disappeared into the desert.

             You can tell our boss thinks STEELEY SPAN'S girl Singer, who plays "Spoons" on that song Jigs; is talented.  And, he likes looking at her Dais jokes.  STEELEYE SPAN'S "Gaudette" is one of those "A Capella" songs with only singing and no musical instruments playing.  

             In 1973 Mr. Steve was a 12th Grade "Senior" at Sylmar High, and that girl Angela was in the 10th Grade.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph Angela had a good vinyl Record Collection.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, and moving toward the northwest. 

                           1968 CHEVELLE                                                   "SUPER SPORT" VERSION   

              

                 In 1973 Mr. Steve and Angela went to the JETHRO TULL concert in his first dark green 1968 Chevelle.  That's the one Mr. Steve's father bought for him from his friend Mr. Rick.  In the late 1970's he bought his second 1968 Chevelle, which was a royal blue "S.S." version.

                That girl Angela knew Mr. Steve was one of the few kids at Sylmar High School who had a Car, so that's one reason she asked him to take her to the JETHRO TULL concert.  I guess she liked listening to cassette tapes on the Car Stereo.  They played the "Aqualung" album.

               Daisy told me  STEELEYE SPAN have another Jigs song with a mandolin which I would really like.  She and Millie one time saw this good tv show about a "Bluegrass" Musician named Ricky Skaggs.  Besides just guitars; he's also good when playing one of those mandolins too.  

    

                                                                    RICKY SKAGGS

                The tv show said Ricky Skaggs is from the State of "Kentucky."  Dais thinks if I were to hear more songs with mandolin, I might change my mind about flute being my favorite musical instrument.  Ricky Skaggs also plays the banjo and a fiddle on some of his songs I guess.

            Hey God!  The man on the tv show also talked about Dolly Parton believing in You.  Ricky Skaggs said, "The spirit of God lives within me."  At times God, Dais and I have wondered if the grass is really blue in Kentucky.  I know for sure Daisy, and me too; would like to smell it.    

                According to what it said on the tv show, Ricky Skaggs started playing music when he was only seven years old.  Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph on the phone Bluegrass music makes him feel good and alive.  Over the years he's been to a few "Outdoor" Bluegrass concerts.

    

THE WHITE STRIPES

   

              The tv show on Bluegrass music said, back in the 1990's; Ricky Skaggs made an album with that guy Jack White.   Yesterday I wrote about how he and his Drummer wife used to have a band called the WHITE STRIPES.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye up there.

              I mentioned in my first book how Jack White, who's originally from the city of Detroit; was born on July the 9th just like Mr. Steve.  Daisy told me our boss, and his Niece Samantha; really like the WHITE STRIPES' song "Seven Nation Army."  Dawn's barking over there.

                Dais says the tv show said Ricky Skaggs, besides making his own music; also "Produces" albums for other Musicians.  One time he did that for Dolly Parton I guess.  Boy!  In this chapter I seem to be writing about a lot of Musicians who are from the Southern part of the country. 

                  

  B-52'S       

        

           Dais and Millie saw another tv show about that band from Georgia called the B-52'S, who have a song about a Lobster our boss plays drums to.  I guess the B-52'S also have another song about a Planet called "Claire."  Like R.E.M., the B-52'S are from a city called "Athens."

           Yesterday I wrote a little bit about the ancient Greek "City-State" of  Athens, and some of the people who lived there; like Socrates and Plato for example.  And, I'll learn more about that old city today; and also tomorrow in my third book.  Heathcliff just now crowed over there.

           The tv show said the B-52's are not named after the American Bomber, but for a 1950's girl's "Hairstyle" the two girls in the band wear.  Daisy told me it means the hair is puffed out a lot more than usual.  She jokes I might look pretty good if I had a royal blue wig in that style. 

                   

                                 JOHN LENNON / YOKO ONO  WITH CHILDREN    

             

              Daisy says John Lennon of the BEATLES was shot in 1980 by a crazy fan outside of he and his wife Yoko Ono's Apartment in New York City.  A picture shows them walking with their kids in the 1970's.  One of the girls in the B-52'S sings in the style of Yoko Ono Dais heard.

              I guess some people made fun of Yoko Ono's "Warbling" singing, but the girl from the B-52'S liked it.  Mr. Steve chuckled when the tv show said the B-52's listened to that guy Captain Beefheart who, with Frank Zappa; grew up in the Antelope Valley.  I smell some Mesquite.    

             The B-52's are like that 1960's L. A. band the DOORS, who also don't have a bass player.  At the "Starwood" after a SLADE concert Mr. Steve and Sandy met the DOORS Ray Manzarek as his band "Rehearsed."  He was really friendly and even gave Sandy a broken tambourine.  

  

                                                                     THE DOORS

      

            Andy's sniffing the air guarding their hole which reminds me how, just because we sleep at night that doesn't mean Daisy and I are not alert.  Last night we got up a few times to go to the bathroom and make quick jogs around our land on the roads we've carved out.  I smell Sage.       

             A Lizard is standing on one of the boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  But it's way too late because all of the water that was in the basin has now sank down and absorbed into the ground.  Ducks are quacking but Daffy's voice stands out more than the others.

             Last night Mr. Steve ate one of those Chinese fortune cookies, and the advise inside said, "Now is the time to enjoy trying something new."  Hey God!  Daisy thinks You might have been sending me a message through that cookie.  We should invent Dog food fortune cookies.

              

  MORNING SKY        

              

            Seeing the Sun hanging up there in the morning sky for some reason makes me think of that one skinny man who pushes a wheelbarrow up and down the road in front of our property. Daisy and I are both familiar with his scent so know he's not a threat.  I'm glad it's Spring.  

            Even though we know the skinny man is harmless we still have a duty to let him know not to come on our two acres.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie also do their obligatory barks too.  Actually, it's just kind of fun running back and forth along the long front fenced protecting our land.

            My Spanish Dictionary says "flaco" means "skinny."  Running back and forth up near the front fence gets Mr. Steve's attention, and last night when we barked at the skinny man; he came out and then gave us a really huge dinner.  Sometimes he jokingly calls me "Flaco."   

   THEODORA 

             I just noticed Theodora over there in her favorite Creosote bush near Jack the big Shed.  Miss Susan said Creosote bushes can live here in the desert for many years.  I'm still thinking of our breakfast this morning, and how as usual I finished by food way before Daisy did.

                   As I've said, because of living homeless out in that field, I'm in the habit of eating do fast because I worry about someone stealing my food.  I'm trying to eat slow and enjoy food the way Daisy does but it's really hard to do.  Oh!  Bravo Company is going out into the back desert. 

             I never look at Daisy's food bowl because she'll growl at me. When she snarls like that she seems mean but she's not.  I see our gray water bucket over there to my right, near the sliding glass door going into this dining room.  Thank You God for giving us enough food and water.

                               

       JACK        

            Aha!  I knew I was smelling Jack the Jackrabbit and sure enough there he is standing out in the field behind the Sheds.  It's weird seeing him being so still.  Daisy was so proud of me for not chasing Jack, Speedy or Rudy yesterday because it proves I can have good discipline. 

            Looking to my left toward the far northern end of the patio I see my collection of things to chew on.  I was so tempted last night to chew on my new green rubber ball.  But Dais told me to keep it as an "incentive" to finish my books, and save it as a "reward" for this Sunday.  

            As I wrote in book one, one important thing Daisy is trying to teach me is how to have more "Patience."  She believes, because our boss doesn't think "Instant Gratification" is a good thing; we should try to be like that too.  "Smart" phones can be good and bad he tells people.  

                       

MAGGIE /  DAISY CÓRDOVA    

                                                                     

                  I want to take go up front to smell and lick Daisy's face, to find out what she's been doing so far this morning; but I'd better just wait until after Chapter four.  She's my leader and I need her advice and help.  She's still number one in the "Pecking Order" and I like it that way.  

                 Oh!  I'm hearing The Third Hoorah again, and it really makes me feel like singing right now.  I've mentioned before how sometimes me and Dawn next door like to howl.  Boy!  I think The Third Hoorah is starting to become my favorite song which makes me feel "Rhêma."

           Now, all of sudden; I'm thinking about the "Cadence" style singing on a part of DEVO'S song "Blockhead."  I really love DEVO!  I can't wait to someday see a lot more tv, and one of the things I'm looking forward to is seeing the one DEVO concert; when they acted like robots. 

         

"SANTA FE" RAILROAD COMPANY      

               

             A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.  And that now reminds me about how Mr. Steve's family took Train trips to and from New Mexico in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  Mr. Steve sometimes dreams about things he saw as they went across the State of Arizona.

             I mentioned in book one how Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo, from 1928 to 1975; worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad Company.  And, for fear of losing his job;  he never "missed a day" even though sometimes he was sick or injured.  Dawn and Blinky are barking over there.    

            Most of the time Mr. Steve's family stayed with both sets of Grandparents, but sometimes with their Aunts and Uncles.  Our boss has fond memories of Uncle Gill and Aunt Nelly's house, and also Uncle Casey and his wife Ruth.  Aunt Lydia and Uncle Fenny were really nice. 

                                 

                                         "ADOBE"  (SAN FERNANDO MISSION)    

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                   

            

              In Belén, even in the mid-1970's; some houses were made out of those "Adobe" bricks I mentioned yesterday.  The San Fernando Mission, where Mr. Steve and his parents were Tour Guides; had buildings built with adobe bricks covered in white plaster.  A Train whistled.

              Daisy says our boss has fond memories of New Mexico when he visited his relatives.  A while back he had this dream about helping his Grandpa Trujillo in his Garden, where he grew tomatoes and things like that.  I glanced up and see Libby eating some hay in her Corral.

             On the other side, or "en otro lado" in Spanish; of Grandpa Trujillo's garden lived his sister "Martina" and her husband "James."  Aunt Martina was Grandpa Trujillo's sister, and Uncle James was Grandma Trujillo's brother.  All survived the1930's "Great Depression." 

          

                                               GRANDPA / GRANDMA TRUJILLO

                 

            My Spanish Dictionary says "Tia" means Aunt and "Tio" is Uncle.  One time Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Randy how Aunt Martina and Uncle James used to have this black three-legged Dog.  Mr. Steve was always totally amazed at how that Dog "got around" on three legs.

             I guess that Dog was missing his left rear leg, but could run and keep us with the other Dogs.  After hearing about Aunt Martina and Uncle James Dog, I had a dream where I had only three legs too.  I asked Dais to "Interpret" the dream because she knows about such things.

            In that dream I was so scared I wouldn't be able to adapt to living with three legs.  Daisy thinks my dream might mean how I'm worried about our boss getting rid of me if I don't "Keep Up" as they say.  A slight breeze just blew in from out in the desert behind the Sheds.    

                            

"HOLY SPIRIT"    

                                             

              Wow!  The green chimes hanging from the Patio roof are ringing just as I'm looking up the word "Portend;" which is defined as being "an omen."  Hey God!  As You know already, I was thinking of naming this second book "Laudato Si," Latin for "Praise Be To You."   

             Dais always says we're two very lucky Dogs, so that's the main reason I decided to name this second book "Be Grateful."  As I said yesterday a few times, Mr. Steve says there's "no such thing" as a perfect life.  I hear Dawn barking, and smell little Blinky standing next to her.

             Last night I had that dream where Mr. Steve proudly hugged me for being smart.  I kind of "half expected" for my bad Angel Lilith to show up and ruin it but she didn't.  Hey Stanley!  I need to thank you for always watching over me and being such a good Guardian Angel.     

             

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT     

                               

              Hey God!  Looking at the eastern desert behind the Sheds makes me think about how Mr. Steve's favorite time of day is when the Sun first comes up.  And now Daisy and myself love that time a lot too.  The scent of some Joshua trees around here just came into my nose. 

             Dais says our minds are clearer in the morning.  Life coming back after the darkness of night almost seems like a miracle sometimes.  No wonder so many of the historical cultures, like the ancient Egyptians for example; saw so much significance in the Sun returning with life.    

            Mr. Steve usually goes to bed about nine, and that's when Daisy and I "Turned in Early" last night too.  At first I couldn't sleep because that Mockingbird kept chirping.  Dais thinks boy Mockingbirds might chirp, even at night; in order to impress girl Mockingbirds somehow. 

                

"JOSHUA" TREES ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS BEHIND)

                   

            Looking to my right I see the San Gabriel  mountains beyond Libby's Corral.  Last night that skinny man pushing his Wheelbarrow showed up at a perfect time, as I had finished book one and was hungry; because we hadn't had any snacks all day long.  I smell Joshua trees.

            I'll bet Dais is up there near our boss's office window so can see if he get up from desk to come outside.  Mr. Steve worked up there near the front fence for half an hour this morning, and then went back in the house.  It's Friday so he'll call some of his Auto Dealership customers.  

           Even though it's only the second day of Spring it got kind of cold last night.  Dais told me a poem she heard says, "April showers bring May flowers;" and I've noticed she likes poems that rhyme and now I'm beginning to like those type of poems too.   I might try to write a poem.  

                              

     PIGPEN             

                                      

           Aha!  I knew I smelled Pigpen, who's looking at me from his hole near the Mulberry tree. He's sniffing the air and better be careful; even though I haven't seen either Goliath or Cher so far today.  Daisy and I both have at times wondered what Gopher meat would taste like.

           "From here on in" as they say, the snow will start to melt and fill up the local creeks up on the San Gabriel Mountains to our southeast; near Wrightwood.  I've mentioned how, sometimes; the winds are really strong in Piñon Hills.  Pigpen just retreated back down into his hole.  

           Oh!  Seeing Pigpen reminds me of how I keep on forgetting to talk about this thing called a "Wombat" when I write about Australia.  Daisy told me how a good tv show called it the world's largest "burrowing animal."  This one Encyclopedia says some grow to be seventy pounds.   

   

WOMBAT

          Wow!  A picture shows a girl holding a Wombat and they're big alright.  Another photo is of a girl Wombat with her cute little baby.  It says here, there three "types" of Wombat; who've  "adapted" to living down there in Australia.  I guess Mark Ritter knew about Wombats.               

         Wombats look like bigger versions of this other thing called a "Hamster" Dais says.  Their name comes from the language of these Native Australian people called "Darug."  Just like the    Kangaroo, they have a "pouch" for carrying babies; but it's in back so dirt won't get in.                

     Oh!  It says here what the tv show talked about.  Wombats have "evolved" a "protective shield" on their rear ends which are used to block the burrow entrance from things trying to kill and then eat it for food.  I see Libby walking around very slowly over there in her Corral.                   

BADGER /COYOTE COOPERATION

  

                  The tv show said when Europeans first saw Wombats they thought they might be a form of  "Badger."  I mentioned yesterday how, in order to survive; sometimes Badgers and Coyotes will cooperate and work together in hunting.  I see Andy over there guarding their burrow. 

              Daisy told me wild packs of Australian Dogs called "Dingo's eat Wombats.  But, if the circumstances are just right; the Wombat can use it rear shield to break the facial bones of the Dingo's.  Like Badger's; they have powerful legs with sharp claws for digging or fighting.    

             Dais is right to say I'm lucky to have this writing project.  As I said a few times yesterday in book one, it gives me a chance to impress Mr. Steve so he'll like me more.  This is turning out to be such a good start and, hopefully; will again end up being another very productive day. 

          

VIEW FROM OFFICE WINDOW

                      

            I wonder what Mr. Steve is doing?  He's probably working and watching the Birds eat the Bird seed from his office window.  In Winter he uses that big, wide silver shovel to clear snow and make an area big enough to spread out some Bird seed, Chicken scratch and Rabbit pellets.

            Because this is our boss's New Year, now it's Daisy and I 's too and we're both now looking forward to the warmer and warmer weather.  It was "Chilly" last night but the sky was so clear to look at Stars.  A little Sparrow just hopped bye and it's carrying a twig in its mouth. 

            Bonnie and Clyde's babies have been so quiet today so far.  They're up there sleeping in the nest near the patio ceiling, and I'm sure their parents are out getting some food to bring back for them to eat.  I've mentioned how Daisy's never seen so many babies this early in the year.    

                 

   CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT 

                                           

            Pretty soon, on some mornings or evenings; Mr. Steve will walk out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  He likes walking on Primavera Road, to see if there are any Coyote or Mountain Lion tracks; which there usually aren't.  A line of Ants marching along below me. 

            It's amazing all the things I've leaned so far in these first two books.  I'm now beginning to understand why Sister Rita Joseph said, "If you're not learning, you're not fully living;" and might even be mentally dying."  Daisy and I now really want to believe in what she said.

            I've mentioned a few times how, other than going in the living room to watch cartoons on Saturday mornings; I'm still afraid to go in other parts of the house like Daisy does.  Daisy told me about how Millie liked that one cartoon called "Peanuts."  Boy!  Ants are so amazing.

               

             "PEANUTS"               

                                          

                 Someday I'd like to see that cartoon Peanuts.  Dais says a "Beagle" Dog named "Snoopy," who is owned by a bald-headed kid named "Charlie Brown;" does a "Happy Dance" just like the way I do my Irish jig dance.  Andy's over there sniffing the air in guarding their burrow.

            I sure do hope someday they start showing Peanuts on Saturday mornings so I'll be able to see it.  Now Daisy says, they only show it at night on holidays so; I'd have to be able to go into the house at night.  A group of what look from way down here like Sparrows are flying bye.  

           Daisy says that Dog Snoopy can read, write and play piano.  Because I just sort of like the way it sounds, I was going to name my three books "Things I've learned After it was Too Late;" but then Dais told me Snoopy already gave that title to one his books.  Boy!  Too bad.  

                                             

  "CHARLIE BROWN FARMS" ("LITTLEROCK")    

                                  

            All of a sudden I just thought of that unique store called "Charlie Brown Farms," which is over in "Littlerock; where Mr. Steve's brother Sam and his family live.  It has things in it that aren't anywhere else.  You can even buy a suit of armor, or some Buffalo hamburgers there.          

            Last night Daisy says I showed "focus" in writing book one yesterday.  For about twelve hours she told me, I was disciplined and finished my task; and I'll do it again today.  Daisy says our boss is going to be so proud of me when he finds out exactly what I've accomplished.     

            Looking around from over here on Elvira makes me think of last night, when we were looking up at the sky; and Daisy told me again about those "Shelter" jails for Dogs.  Hey God!  She thinks we should be grateful You gave us a home, and I am.  Heathcliff just crowed.  

               

    ANIMAL "SHELTER"          

             PHOTO BY DAVID PORRAS                              

                            

              How terrible it must be Daisy says, to die in a cold shelter; especially if you've been loved in the way both of us are now loved.  I now can't even imagine how bad it would be to not have a place to guard.  Two of the Pigeons are flying in from being out there in the back desert.

             The Pigeons landed up on the patio roof above me, and are now  walking around; but I can't yet see their shadows like I will this afternoon.  I just now noticed one of those long white vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.  

             Boy!  Daisy and I are so lucky to have this two acres to watch over, even though at this point Dais says our boss is not likely to get rid of us even if we did a bad job.  And she says, when he reads my three long books; then he'll really like me.  And he'll like her for helping me.

                              

                                                                     DORIS DAY   

          

              I'm not scheduled to write about a lady named Doris Day until tomorrow, but feel like mentioning her now too.  She was an Actress and after she retired started rescuing animals like Daisy and I who no one wanted.  The Pigeons are flying back out into the eastern desert.

           I guess, at one time Doris Day had a place in "Chatsworth," which I mentioned yesterday is in the San Fernando Valley; kind of near Sylmar.  As a kid Mr. Steve and some of his friends used to call and talk to Doris Day who was very friendly.   I can smell some new Mesquite. 

           I'll come back to Doris Day tomorrow.  Roy Rogers' family, before they moved up here to "Apple Valley;" lived in Chatsworth too according to Miss Susan.  Bravo Company of Quail, using the two vertical slots on either side of the gate, are streaming out into the back desert.

  

                                                    SECOND "BOER" WAR (1899-1902 

     

           Mentioning those Dog Shelters makes me suddenly think about prisons for people.  When we were putting together my three outlines, Daisy and I decided I'd learn about "Concentration Camps" tomorrow in book tree.   But I can quickly say something about them today too.

           Most people associate Concentration Camps with Nazi "Death Camps" from the time of World War II.  But Daisy saw this tv show that said the first ones were actually created in  one of those "Boer" wars I mentioned yesterday in my first book.  Libby just whinnied over there.

          As I mentioned yesterday, the two Boer Wars down in "South Africa" were fought between England and those Dutch settlers called "Boers."  My Encyclopedia says England was the first one to "confine" civilians in camps.  That guy Winston Churchill fought in those wars I guess.     

                                    

"MONARCH" BUTTERFLY

       

            Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see the Monarch Butterfly fluttering bye.  Daisy also saw it yesterday up there in the front yard and, as I've said; she heard seeing a Butterfly brings good luck.  I now really want to believe that too and yesterday I sure did have good luck alright.

           This morning my jig below Mr. Steve's office window worked perfectly.  It was still dark but he came right outside to clean our eyes, check our stomachs; and then feed us.  As usual, he put one of those miraculous Bufferin pills in Daisy's food; to help her with her arthritis.    

             Hey God!  Looking at the desert behind the Sheds makes me thing of the joke Daisy told me, "Every new day is a gift from God and that's why they call it a present."  At first I didn't get that joke but then Dais explained it to me so now I think it's kind of funny too.  I smell Sage.

                            

"HOLY SPIRIT"   

      

            Ah!  A breeze is ringing the chimes, and in also seeing and smelling things right now Holy Spirit; I just thought of the Chinese concept of "Chi."  As You know, Daisy thinks Chi might just be just another way of describing You.  Oh!  Two of the Pigeons are flying over the desert.     

                  Hey Holy Spirit!  My Encyclopedia says Chi means "life force" in Chinese, and that sure does kind of sound like You alright.  Daisy says our boss read, over in China; Chi is "central" in things like medical or mental treatment.  Now the other two Pigeons are also flying bye. 

            Mr. Steve read the Chinese even use Chi in deciding where to build their houses and other buildings.  Us Catholics Dais says, sometimes get a Priest to come over and "bless" a house after it's been built.  I guess that man Confucius, who I've mentioned before; talked about Chi.

       

                                                           CONFUCIUS (551-480 B.C.)

           

                 I notice in a painting of that guy Confucius how his sideburns and beard are pointy.  Dais  has me scheduled to learn about Confucius tomorrow but I can do it now too because it will fit in here as well.  As I said yesterday, Confucius was an ancient Chinese Teacher and Philosopher.  

           This Encyclopedia calls Confucius' teachings "secular morality."  As I said in book one, secular means "not connected to religion;" but I guess some people think of Confucius' "World View" as being based on "Religious Foundations."  Boy!  I really love breathing fresh air.

            That German word "Weltanschauung" means "World View," and was important to some German Philosophers; like Emmanuel Kant.  For people like Hitler, Roosevelt and Stalin; it was really important in how they "Perceived, Interpreted and Interacted" in the real world.  

 

   "HOPE"    

       

            Hey Lord!  That lady Sister Clara Joseph told her class about the "Reciprocity" in Your "Golden Rule" to; "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."  She mentioned how that guy Confucius valued the same general idea too.  Fred, Ed and Ted just zoomed bye.

            This Encyclopedia says Confucius taught, "What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others."  And he also said; "Never impose on others what you would not choose for yourself."  I can now hear Dawn, and little Blinky too; barking about something over there next door.  

            Ah!  I knew I was smelling Cher the Cat, and sure enough there she is going through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Her "Body Language" is telling me she's hungry.  Cher has that totally determined look of wanting to kill something. 

                  

                                                                        "T'AI CHI"         

                              

                Daisy saw this tv show about a Chinese form of exercise called "T'ai Chi;" or "T'ai Chi ch'uan." My Encyclopedia says a "form" of T'ai Chi is "Qi Gong," and T'ai Chi "dates back to" the 15th century A.D. in China.  All four of the Pigeons just flew out into the back desert.   

             I guess, in the 1400's a "Taoist" Monk created T'ai Chi as a "series" of "poses," which imitated the movements of Cats; or Insects like Praying Mantis's.  T'ai Chi is based on the idea of "balancing" the "opposite forces" of the body, or "Yin and Yang."  Heathcliff crowed.

            Balance makes it easier for "Chi," which can also mean "energy;" to flow through the body.  Mr. Steve was told, by this Chinese lady; the slow breathing that goes with all the "fluid" movements in T'ai Chi makes it like a "moving meditation."  I kind of like that idea!  

                                 

"BALENCE, HARMONY, EQUILIBRIUM"        

               

                 The Chinese lady said Qi Gong is when you try to live your life by balancing the forces of Chi; which in T'ai Chi combines religion, culture and medicine.  Goliath the Gopher Snake just crawled into the back desert through the gate's left vertical slot.  He must've been hiding.

           Oh!  In other words, T'ai Chi is good for the mind, body and spirit.  I wonder if Dogs could do T'ai Chi?  Maybe Dais and I could learn it, and then start a school to teach other Dogs how to do it too; because I really think some type of Dog school might be a good way to make money.    

           This one Encyclopedia says how other "cultures" have similar ideas to Chi.  In Hinduism it's "Prana" while the "Tibetan" Buddhists call it "Lung."  Hey Holy Spirit?  As You know, Dais thinks You're kind of like our own Chi; and I have a feeling she might just be right on that.  

      

                                                                "DALAI LAMA"      

                                                           

           A while back Dais and Millie were in our boss's bedroom and saw the tv show about that man the "Dalai Lama."  Daisy thinks he's like a Buddhist Pope, and seems very friendly.  Like Chief Tecumseh, and that guy Baal Shem Tov; he says you should be grateful for each day.     

         Boy!  It's too bad Pope John Paul II died because I know for sure Daisy and I would really like to sniff him.  But the Dalai Lama's still alive so maybe we can smell him someday.  Like our  boss, the Dalai Lama believes in making every day "Productive" from what Dais heard.                

       It says here what Daisy told me when she said the tv show mentioned how the name Dalai Lama is a "Title" like our "Pope."  Oh!  He was born on July 6th which is three days before Mr. Steve's birthday.  And, just like our boss's mother too; he was born in the year 1935.                                                   

       POPE JOHN PAUL II (1920-2005)      

         PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                      

                         

           In 1985, when Mr. Steve's "Tour Group" from St. Ferdinand visited Rome, people in the group "Looked Forward" to seeing the Pope at "Vatican Square."  Someday I look forward to    seeing the pictures Mr. Steve took of Pope John Paul II.  Dais says one shows him waving.             

          Wow!  Even though the Dalai Lama was born in 1935 like Mr. Steve's mom, he's been the leader of the Tibetan Buddhists since 1950; when he was fifteen!  A "Monk" is like a Priest for us Catholics Dais says; even though we have Monks too.  I just looked up the word "Exile."              

            I guess China doesn't want Tibet to be "Independent," so they kill Tibetans like the Dalai Lama.  Tibetans want far"greater autonomy" for their "Himalayan" region.  Hey God!  Maybe China doesn't want Tibet to be free because Communists don't believe in any religion.   

                                                                  

                                            "SELF-IMMOLATION" ("SAIGON" / 1963)                                                          PHOTO BY MALCOLM BROWN                                    

                   

            Oh my God!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a Monk burning himself up to protest what South Vietnam was doing to Buddhists!  Boy!  Daisy is so right in saying how we're lucky to live in a time of peace.   Fannie and Freddie just flew bye, and are  going out into the desert.  

            I guess, from what Dais told me, our boss says many cultures have ideas that are like Chi.  My Encyclopedia says in ancient Greece it was "Pneuma," Jew's call it "Ruah;" while over there in Hawaii where Mr. Mark's family lives they use the word "Mana."  A Train just whistled. 

           Hey Holy Spirit!  I think I feel the spirit of Chi as I take in full deep breaths of fresh air in both nostrils.  I have a feeling this is going to be a another good day so thank You for guys for my opportunity to learn so many new things.  These first two chapters have gone kind of fast.  

                 

       THOMAS MERTON (1915-1968)     

             

             Another spiritual person like the Dalai Lama was this other man named Thomas Merton.  He was a Catholic "Monk" who was born in France according to this one Encyclopedia.  But his mom brought he and his brother here to live in America.  I can smell a Lizard nearby.     

          Hey God!  As You know, Mr. Steve has that book about Thomas Merton which says, until he was eighteen; he was an "Agnostic" so didn't believe in You.  I guess, his mom died when he was six years old.  Aha!  A little Lizard is doing pushups standing over there on the wall.

         Daisy thinks one reason our boss read about Thomas Merton is because his father gave him that book about him.  Mr. Steve's parents, knowing they're getting old; are giving Mr. Steve a lot of things like books or old photos.  Thomas Merton wrote about the subject of "Spirituality." 

                    

                                                       DOROTHY DAY (1897-1980)   

                  

                Yesterday I wrote a little bit about that lady Dorothy Day.  Like us she was also a Roman Catholic and, even though my Encyclopedia says she died in 1980; Mr. Steve and his dad still read the Newspaper she created and wrote for called the "Catholic Worker."  I smell Sage.

           This Encyclopedia says Dorothy Day started "The Catholic Worker" back in the 1930's, during the Great Depression.  Her "Organization," to this day I guess; helps poor people who need help.  She's described here as having been a Writer and one of those "social activists."  

           Hey Lord!  I guess that guy Thomas Merton was "turned down" when he applied to be a "Franciscan" Priest.  So I guess he just became a "Trappist" Monk instead.  That Lizard on the wall ran fast down to the ground, and is now skittering out into the dirt near this patio.

                  

                  ALDOUS HUXLEY(1894-1963)                        "LLANO DEL RIO" RUINS

                                                                                                                 PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

 

                   This is interesting.  It says here Thomas Merton "admired" Aldous Huxley, who used to live with his wife over there in "Llano" for a while.  I've mentioned before how "Llano del Rio," before World War I; was one of those Socialist "Utopian" communities.  Heathcliff crowed. 

              Ruins near the #138 Highway are all that's left of Llano del Rio.  I'll learn more about Llano del Rio over the next two days.  I guess our boss gets gas at this place in "Pearblossom," which is near Llano.  Mr. Eddie, who sells things for Mr. Steve; has lived in that small town.   

              No wonder Mr. Steve likes some of the ideas of Thomas Merton.  There's a quote here in my Encyclopedia he, and his mom; would agree with, "Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time."  Boy God!  That sort of sounds like what I'm doing down here.  

                                 

                                              DALAI LAMA / POPE JOHN PAUL II    

                

              Another reason why our boss most likely admires that guy Thomas Merton is because of what it says here.  He was a "proponent" of  "interfaith" understanding. He even met with the Dalai Lama a few times.  I really like this picture of Pope John Paul II with the Dali Lama.

             Thomas Merton was a "Trappist" Monk so, had to take one of those "Vows of Silence."  Daisy thinks that might just mean Monks would rather only focus on praying, without any noise.  Daisy thinks Monks, probably like many American Indians; learned to use "Sign Language."  

            Oh wow!  According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, Thomas Merton died in a bathtub, being accidentally "electrocuted" when a "Fan" fell in the water.  At the time he was in that Southeast Asian country "Thailand."  Mr. Steve at times likes to sit in the bathtub too.

                                                                                                                                          PRESIDENT JEFFERSON DAVIS (1808-1889)              

        

           For some reason, all of a sudden I just thought of that guy Jefferson Davis, the President of those eleven "Confederate" States who broke away from the United States.  He was from the    State of "Mississippi."  I'll mainly learn about the American Civil War in the next chapter.           

           Oh!  This is a good time to talk about the U.S. Army "Camel Experiment" of the 1850's.  I was supposed to write about it yesterday in my first book but missed in on the outline.  Jefferson Davis, as the U.S. "Secretary of War" in the 1850's; supported bringing Camels back here.           

          Dais says this tv show said Jefferson Davis really didn't want to be leader of the southern "Rebel" States in 1861, but did it out of a "sense of duty."  Mr. Steve thinks he had an "almost    impossible" job during the war because of the Confederacy's disadvantages.  A Crow cawed.             

"GIZA" PLATEAU (EGYPT) 

 

        One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his father about the 1850's Camel experiment.  I guess, Camels were bought in Egypt; and then shipped over here to the east coast  of Texas.  Ah!  I suddenly picked up little Blinky's unique scent coming in from my right.            

      In the 1850's, based on how they had been used in Africa and the Middle East for many years; some people wondered if Camels  could be used as "Pack Animals" over here too.  It was    mainly Mules and Horses doing all the hard work up until then.  I can see Libby over there.         

         Most of the Camels stayed in Texas, but some were sent to the New Mexico "Territory." Some of those were marched out here to California. Daisy heard our boss tell his father Mules      and Horses drowned trying to cross the "Colorado" River.  But not the Camels I guess.                 

      

U.S. ARMY "CAMEL CORPS" (1857)

PAINTING BY BOB BOZE BELL        

       

             From the Colorado River the Camel caravan moved west, going by just to our north; but uf course there was no Piñon Hills then.  I guess, those Camels went to the "Fort Tejon" area; to the south "Bakersfield."  I've mentioned before how the name tejon is Spanish for "Badger." 

             Daisy says our boss used to have a customer in "Permian Basin" Texas, and he told Mr. Steve about one of those 19th century Camels falling off a cliff near where his Auto Dealership is located.  Theodora the Thrasher Bird just ran bye, but is now flying out into the desert.

             Mr. Steve told his father one time a few Camels living near Fort Tejon were actually used in combat against some "Mojave" Indians.  Our boss thinks that must've been like 1519, when Cortez's sixteen Horses were first seen by Indians in Mexico.  Daisy heard Camels smell bad. 

 

 MONGOLIAN "BACTRIAN" CAMEL

     

              My Encyclopedia says "Dromedary" Camels have one hump, while "Bactrian" Camels have two.  Mr. Steve rode that Camel in 1985 when the Tour Group visited "Jericho" in Israel.  He and his sister Susan talked about how big Camels are and how high you are up in the air.

              I guess in 1860, a year before the American Civil War started; some of the Camels were sent to downtown Los Angeles.  From what Mr. Steve told his father, in the 1850's it was proven that Camels carry more weight than a Horse or Mule.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.

             It says here Camels, unlike Horses or Mules; can go for "days on end" without needing to drink water.  That guy William Wing Loring, who Mr. Steve studied in College at C.S.U.N.; saw a Camel easily stand up from its knees with a really heavy load.  He was amazed seeing it.