III     

                                      "Cognito, ergo sum" 

I AM BECAUSE WE ARE / AT ONE WITH? / "NO MATTER WHAT!"

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               "SISTINE" CHAPEL (MICHAELANGELO)                                           

                                                                                     (Book 3 / Part 1 / Chapter 1)                       

                                                               -DELTA ORIONIS-

                               7:30 A.M. / SATURDAY, MARCH 22 /  DAY THREE  

       To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under Heaven.  A time to plant and a time to sow, a time to laugh and a time to weep, a time to dance and a time to mourn, a time to speak and a time to keep silent, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for peace and a time to make war, and a time to be born and a time to die.  (Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2)

                                                                                   DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Lord!  Daisy and I just finished breakfast.  And as You Guys know of course, it didn't seem to taste as good today; even though our boss  mixed in Spam.  I'm again back here on Elvira but, feel sad because before feeding us Mr. Steve gave us really, really  bad news.  Heathcliff died last  night; which now explains the quiet this morning.  So, Dais was so right about her "Hunch."        

          Birds are chirping, I smell Sage; and the Sun is beautiful.  We knew something was wrong this morning when Heathcliff didn't crow, and now we know why because; our boss "Broke the Bad News" to us before breakfast.  Heathcliff's girl Hens are totally quiet this morning.

          Right now I can hear Dawn sad howling and I feel like doing it too but, as Daisy suggested; I'll write this third book in honor of Heathcliff.  Maybe, on my big break after part one; I'll go to the south fence and sad howl too.  Wow!  This is the third day of Spring, and our new year. 

PAST / PRESENT / FUTURE        

                   Hey God!  Because of how I feel this morning I don't have as much energy.  Daisy joked I should think of AC/DC'S Angus Young and try to get some of the energy he "imparts" to others watching him play his guitar.  Oh wow!  I can now really hear Heathcliff's Hens clucking!

              Daisy says "nothing last forever" but until now I've never, deep down in my "Hearts of Hearts;" wanted to believe it.  Oh Boy!  But now I sure do because I'm already starting to worry about what tomorrow morning will be like with no Heathcliff.  Ugh!  I can't believe it!

              Years ago God, that Mormon lady joked, "The only constant thing in life is change;" the "only thing that never changes" is You.  Sister Rita Joseph told her class the same thing, saying how You're the same "yesterday, today and tomorrow."  I really, really want to believe that!   

                                                                   SINGING ROBIN   

    PHOTO BY NANCY PEARSON        

            Oh my God!  I heard a Robin singing and now just noticed it standing on one of the thin branches of the Mulberry tree.   Cleo and Leo were up way earlier than usual, chirping happily in maybe making up for Heathcliff being gone.  That Robin is making me feel "Rhêma."  

            In my two other books I wrote about how, in the Bible; the Greek word Rhêma is thought to be translated as meaning "The Living Word."  But how I feel hearing that Robin right now is suddenly making me feel really alive.  Mr. Steve and his mom think music can be Rhêma.  

                  Hey God!  Early this morning Daisy and I were wondering why the Robins were singing so much.  Hopefully, maybe You're having them do that in order to make us feel a little better  not having Heathcliff around anymore.  I wonder if the Robins realize Heathcliff is gone?

                                                                                                            THE KINKS

                     I'm scheduled to write more today about that English band the KINKS, but yesterday I totally missed things I was supposed to say in the morning.  I've said before how some of their songs give our boss a happy feeling of Rhêma.  All four of the Pigeons are flying to the east.

             Someday I want to hear some KINKS songs, especially "You Really Got Me" and "All the Day and All of the Night."  Dais says one time our boss told his mom about their song called "Waterloo Sunset."  He described it to her as being like "Impressionistic" painting in sound.

            Daisy says the KINKS have a song which says "I feel good from the moment I rise," and another one which she thinks is about gratitude; as the lyrics say, "Thank you for the days."  As I wrote yesterday in book one, our boss associates the KINKS with certain things in his life.    

                                                              "COURTING" ROBINS

                                                                                                                                           PHOTO BY DEAN WOOD       

           Ah!  I just glanced up and see Leo the Robin offering Cleo some Worms to eat.  Daisy says that lady Miss Susan, who ran the local "News Plus" Newspaper; joked one time about how boy  Birds must prove they're "good providers."   Daisy says our boss's father was one of those.           

         That other singing boy Robin in the Mulberry tree just chased a female.  Oh!  Now Leo is showing off for Cleo by puffing out his throat feathers and shaking his wings.  Right now Speedy the Squirrel just sprinted through the right vertical gate slot to zoom out into the desert.               

        Wow!  I'm having one of those "Déjà Vu" feelings I've been mentioning over the last three days.  Last year Speedy did the same exact thing as Daisy and I watched from over here sitting in the patio on Elvira.  And, Leo was giving a good Worm to Cleo and she appreciated it.                   

FINLEY /FEMALE FINCH

           Oh my God!  I just noticed Finley the boy Finch standing over there on the dead branch Mr. Mike cut off the Mulberry tree.  And, a girl Finch is with him; even though right now it kind of looks to me like she's totally ignoring him.  Daisy calls that playing "hard to get."                      

          I'm so tempted to hide everything right now and run up front to tell Dais the good news about Finley but, I'd better just wait and do it after my first big break.  Even though I'm still sad about Heathcliff, I have to do like Daisy says and be even more disciplined.  I smell Sage.              

        Finley and his new possible girlfriend just took off and are now flying out into the back desert.  Hey God!  Seeing Finley right now suddenly makes me feel happy and gives me energy to do this third and final book.  In fact, I now really want to do this book in Heathcliff's honor.                                                 

WOMAN RUNNING ALONG THE BEACH

           Someday I want to see that "Desktop" image our boss has on the big twenty three inch wide "Monitor" for his computer.  It shows a girl running along a beach with one of those "Rock Formations" out in the water.  Oh Boy!  I really do wish I could hear Heathcliff again.                   

       Daisy says our boss likes looking at the picture of the girl running on the beach because seeing water makes him relax.  When he starts working every morning in his office it makes him feel good seeing that familiar image he's been looking at for years.  I'll get to see it someday.         

       Oh my God!  I can't believe Heathcliff won't be around any more to tell us about the new day coming in.  It's going to be so weird, and I can tell Daisy's thinking about it too; but says all    we can do is just keep on going and be thankful to You God for today.  Dawn's barking.                                                                                

     THE "TWINS"       

        Ah!  I smell the Twins and that makes me feel a little better.  Hey God!  As Mr. Steve did our daily check, cleaning up our eyes and feeling our ears and stomachs; he told us about Heathcliff.  Heathcliff's crowing, more than usual lately; now seems like a signal or something.  

        Boy!  I'm so lucky at least I still have Mr. Steve, Daisy and Elvira too.  And right now, seeing the Sun hanging above the eastern horizon behind the three Sheds; makes me appreciate the old South African saying Daisy heard about, "I am, because we are."  Dawn's sad howling

        I wonder if Heathcliff knew he was dying?  I'll bet Daisy, to make her Arthritis feel better; is up there in front of the Garage licking her feet and thinking about this sad "Turn of Events."  In some ways I kind of really don't feel like writing today but, Dais thinks I should so; I will. 

                                                                        BELIEF"

        Oh!  A slight morning breeze just brought in the scent of Andy over getting ready for the new day of guarding the burrow.  Ah!  And now, those green and gold chimes hanging from the Patio roof are ringing.  Boy!  I hope that's a sign of You showing up down here Holy Spirit!           

          Hearing the chimes is giving me that good feeling of Rhêma again.   A girl one time told our boss Rhêma can be any sound which gives a feeling of "interaction with the spiritual" and now I think I better understand that idea.  Ah!  I just love breathing in fresh air through my nose.          

         Hey God!  Fannie and Freddie just flew bye and, as usual; were talking to each other.  I've mentioned a few times how our boss, even though he mainly feels Rhêma in words and music;      thinks You could send messages through any sound.  Mr. Dave believes in that too I guess.                                   

     CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT          

         I just looked up the word "Portent" in my English Dictionary and it says that one of the two definitions is, "A signal of an event, often ominous; in advance."  And the other meaning  is,  "An omen or hint of something to come."  Boy!  This is another beautiful morning!                        

           Hey God!  I keep hoping and hoping that I'll all of a sudden hear Heathcliff's voice coming from my right over there next door.  But I know that's not going to happen.  I sure hope Roosters are allowed to go up there to Heaven because we sure want to believe Heathcliff's there.                

       Wow!  I just thought of that one 1970 "Triple" album by George Harrison made after he left the BEATLES.  I was scheduled to write about it in chapter twelve later today but I think I'll do  it now instead.  Boy!  It's so hard to believe we'll never hear and smell Heathcliff again.                 

GEORGE HARRISON ("ALL THINGS MUST PASS")

         One time Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how he had a vinyl record copy of George Harrison's triple album "All Things Must Pass," but sold it to a girl.  That girl and her husband were going to buy a turntable and play it for their three daughters and son.  I smell Sage.              

           Dais says the picture on the front of George Harrison's album shows him with really long  hair.  She heard Mr. Ralph say the reason he put so many songs on one album is because he had    them "stored up" from when he had been in the BEATLES.  Ah!  Sage smells so good.                   

          I guess, when he was still in the BEATLES Paul McCartney and John Lennon wrote most of the songs.  They didn't really give George Harrison a chance to record songs he was writing.    It was like there was one of those "Quotas" where he got one song per album Daisy heard.                  

                     ALLMAN BROTHERS                                   GEORGE HARRISON / RAVI SHANKAR                                                                                     

          Daisy says one time our Chief and Mr. Rich talked about George Harrison's  All Things Must Pass.  I guess, it was one of the first "Post-BEATLES" albums, and the way he played the   "Slide" guitar became his "Signature" sound.  I've written about Duane Allman before.               

           Mr. Ralph thinks George Harrison's guitar playing "had to have been influenced" by the two years in the late 1960's when he didn't even play guitar.  Instead, he learned to play the much more complicated Indian "Sitar."  Daisy says a man named Ravi Shankar was his Teacher.           

          Hey God!  As You know, Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Ralph say he read how the "Theme" of George Harrison's album All Things Must Pass is, everything in the "Material" world is only  temporary and short lived; except for You.  And "Hope and Meaning" can be found in You.          

HIGH DESERT "WARBLER"

PHOTO BY TOM BENSON

           Oh my God!  That yellow Bird over there must be one of those "Warbler" Birds Daisy's told me about.  This is the first one I've ever seen because there weren't any around last year.  I    feel like hiding everything and running up front to tell Dais but, I'd better just keep working.       

           Wow!  Those Warblers really are yellow just like Daisy said.  I guess, their talking sounds like they're saying "Sweet, Sweet" and, unlike other Birds; both males and females are colorful. Miss Susan told our boss Garter Snakes and Crows try to steal and eat the eggs in their nest.        

            Daisy says when Warbler Birds defend their nest they make these hissing type sounds and become really aggressive.  Boy!  I'm so tempted to go tell Daisy about this but I'll just wait and do it on my first big break after chapter four.  Oh!  The Warbler Bird flew out into the desert.                          

         CREATION              

          It's unbelievable God that we'll never hear Heathcliff's voice ever again.  His crowing is such an important part of all of our lives around here.  Tomorrow morning will be so weird and,  in a way; that thought suddenly kind of makes me shudder and feel like crying right now.             

        Well, I kept from crying and I'm thinking God how I can't wait to someday hear George Harrison's album.  Hey Lord!  Daisy told me about that one song called "My Sweet Lord."  It's    partly about how all of the different religions should try to just get along and not fight.                  

       Daisy says on My Sweet Lord some of the Singers sing the Christian praise "Hallelujah," and then later change it to the Hindu "Hare Krishna;" and finally this "Vedic" prayer.  That's    what she heard Mr. Ralph say.  Vedic religious books are from ancient India I guess.                                  

"BELIEF"     

          From what Dais heard Mr. Ralph tell our boss All things Must Pass's main subject is the "transitory nature of life."  So George Harrison, who died in 2001 I guess; most likely believed    that almost everything in this physical or temporal world has a "Life Span."  I smell Sage.           

          Hey God!  Looking at the Sun hanging over the eastern horizon right now makes me think of how one time our boss told his mom how George Harrison wrote the lyrics, "Sunrise doesn't    last all morning."  So that's why I want to appreciate it right now.  A Train whistled faintly.          

         Lord! George Harrison blended religious references in My Sweet Lord; even in "Hebrew."  Mr. Ralph read that song was inspired by the old hymn "Oh Happy Days," written in praise of    that Hindu God "Krishna;" who I've written about before.   Boy!  I want to hear Heathcliff.         

         CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY                           TERRY KATH (1946-1978)                                                                 

        Hey God!  I don't know why but, mentioning Heathcliff makes me think about that one band CHICAGO'S Guitarist Terry Kath; who accidentally shot himself  with a handgun that he thought was unloaded.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell little Blinky standing next to her.                   

           In my first two books I've mentioned how that guitar player Jimi Hendrix said he thought Terry Kath was "better than me."  I guess he also told the band he thought their idea of organ      and horns combined with bass, drums and guitar was "great."   I really like smelling Blinky.        

          Our boss told Mr. Rich he read late 1960's and early 1970's CHICAGO described as being "adventurous" and "inventive."  Daisy heard one Writer even called the music, especially Terry Kath's "howling" guitar; as being "free-wheeling" and "daredevil."   I like Dawn too.                   

  CHICAGO / TANGLEWOOD" / 1970                              STEVIE RAY VAUGHN (1954-1990)   

          ( TERRY KATH IN BLUE)                                                                                                       

         On Thursday in book one, the day before yesterday; I mentioned how over the years Mr. Steve has shown people Terry Kath's  guitar solo on CHICAGO'S song "25 or 6 to 4."   It was      from a 1970 concert in a place called "Tanglewood."  Boy!  I wish Heathcliff would crow.              

          Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rich, who plays guitar; people's "reactions" to seeing Terry Kath use one of those "Wah-Wah" pedals is "often jaw-dropping."    No wonder Jimi Hendrix      liked him so much he says.  Terry Kath uses "Distortion" and "Sustains" notes beautifully.           

          When Mr. Steve's shown the Video of Terry Kath's solo to people who play guitar it's often the same reaction as when they see Stevie Ray Vaughn on "Texas Flood" at the "El Mocombo."  They can't believe it.  Especially when Stevie Ray Vaughn plays guitar behind his back.                 

GEORGE BENSON     

         Mr. Steve was told, as a kid Terry Kath was influenced by those early 1960's instrumental "Surf" song by the VENTURES; and that guy Dick Dale.  He also studied the playing of this guy from "Pittsburgh" named George Benson too.  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.          

         Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rick one time talk about George Benson because Mr. Rick's family are from Pittsburgh too.  I guess, in the mid-1970's Mr. Steve and Sandy went with friends to see George Benson play at the "Greek Theater."  That's down below the "Observatory."           

        George Benson is one of those "Jehovah's Witness's" I guess, and our boss was told he and wife with their seven kids live in "New Jersey" now.  George Benson is mainly a "Jazz" guitar player but does a lot of other styles too.  The four Pigeons are flying toward the northeast.                

JEFFERSON AIRPLANE                                            MAMAS AND PAPAS     

                                                 PHOTO BY JIM MARSHALL                                                                                                                           PHOTO BY GUY WEBSTER                                                                                           

         Dais one time heard our boss tell Mr. Rich, who's from New Jersey where George Benson's family now lives; George Benson did instrumental versions of the 1960's songs "White Rabbit"    and "California Dreaming."  He likes them both.  A small Lizard just ran bye on the wall.            

     George Benson's version of the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE'S song White Rabbit is done in "Flamenco" style.  Our boss told Mr. Ralph about it, and when he listened to it thought it really    good.  In fact, Mr. Ralph even likes it better than the original which has some singing in it.            

        I guess, George Benson is a Jazz Guitarist who's also has added "Soul" and other influences into his songs.  Mr. Steve says George Benson was influenced by Django Reinhardt, who I wrote about yesterday.  I'm scheduled to learn more about the "Roma" people later this afternoon.          

BRIAN MAY      

          Daisy says our boss was told one time how George Benson was also influenced by that guy from back in the 1920's and 1930's named Cab Calloway.  I guess, George Benson's father built    him a guitar just like QUEEN'S Brian May's did for him too.  Dawn's barking over there.             

        All of a sudden, in seeing and feeling the Sun above the eastern horizon; I'm hearing that one BEATLES' song "Here Comes the Sun."  Boy!  What a good song that is, and right now It's making me feel good just remembering it.  I can't wait to someday hear it again in real life.           

         I mentioned yesterday how Here Comes the Sun was written by that guy George Harrison. Daisy heard it's about George Harrison being happy when a long cold Winter is finally replaced in Spring by the warmer weather.  That's why we celebrate our New Year's day  now too!              

  GEORGE HARRISON                      STEVIE WONDER                             JOHN DENVER           

          Hey God!  All of a sudden, looking at the eastern horizon behind the Sheds; makes me think of songs having to do with the Sun.  Daisy thinks, because we feel or sense Your power in the Sun; many Musicians must've been influenced by that.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.                

          Daisy heard George Harrison actually wrote two good songs about Sunrise.  Someday I want to hear the other one, and look forward to hearing Stevie Wonder's song where he tells this girl she's the "sunshine" in his life.  A flock of Birds is flying bye way up there in high sky.            

            According to Dais John Denver did a good song where he talks about how good it feels to have the Sun falling onto you.  Hey God!  Sitting down here on Elvira for the last three days has  made me appreciate that too.  Daisy says CREAM has a song about sunshine as being love.           

  DAWN                                    BLINKY                                     ROSIE     

          Dawn's still doing her sad howl over there to my right.  Ah!  Blinky just started to bark too and I'm pretty sure I know why.  Oh my God!  Now I know something's going on here because I can now hear old Rosie, who hardly ever, ever barks; also adding a voice to Dawn's.

          I've mentioned a few times in my first two books how Dawn and I both have three howls; to warn others not to invade our land, and our happy and sad howls.  The Sun, just like the last two mornings; is in almost the same exact position right now.  And again it gives me energy. 

          Because this is the third day of Spring, the Sun came up at fifty five minutes past six; and will go down at seven minutes past seven.  So, again, I'll have about twelve hours of Sun to work with.  But God, I kind of feel like taking "The day Off " and working tomorrow instead.

    TECUMSEH (1768-1813)      

         ARTWORK BY OWEN STAPLES               

                Hey God!  I just thought of that guy Chief Chief Tecumseh, who fought and was killed; in the War of 1812.  He said to gratefully appreciate each day and he was so right about that.  Ah!  The early morning air is so clear right now, which kind of makes me feel a little bit better.

           As You know God, Dais and Millie one time saw that good tv show about the War of 1812. It said Chief Tecumseh left behind many quotes about "Dying Well."  When we put together our outlines Daisy and I liked them but now, with what happened to Heathcliff; they fit better.

            Chief Tecumseh said, "When your time comes to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way."  I can hear some Robins singing happily.  

"WAR OF 1812" (1812-1815)        

                 I guess Chief Tecumseh also said, when you know you're going to die; "Sing a noble death song, and die like a hero going home."  Oh!  That's kind of like how, before that 1876 "Battle of the Little Bighorn;" Sioux Warriors yelled "Hoka Hey."  That's "It's a good day to die!" 

            The map of the War of 1812 shows how one of the most important areas where the U.S. and England fought battles was in the "Great Lakes" region.  I'll learn about those giant Lakes later today.  Dawn's howling over there and that makes me feel really sad right now.  

            In 1812 Chief Tecumseh, who was "Shawnee;" was totally against the American States expanding to the west and taking the Indian's land.  That's why he fought on England's side. He was able to get some of the other Native tribes to unite and fight the Americans too.      

                              "BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANS"       "WAR OF 1812"          ANDREW JACKSON

                 As I've written about in my first two books, the War of 1812 was when that guy Andrew Jackson did good but; before that the British burned the White House in Washington D.C.  Oh!  I just noticed Andy over there guarding their burrow entrance.  I smell some Mesquite.

            In my Encyclopedia there are other Chief Tecumseh quotes, like when he was trying to convince the other Indian tribes to unite together he said, "A single twig breaks, but the bundle of twigs is strong."  Daffy was quacking alone but now the other Ducks are quacking too.

            Chief Tecumseh told the other Native people to, "Let us form one body, one heart, and defend to the last warrior our country, our homes, our liberty and the graves of our fathers."  I guess he also said, "Show respect to all people, but grovel to none."  I love fresh air!

THE "PENTAGON" BUILDING (WASHINGTON D.C.)        

PHOTO BY DANIEL ROSEN                  

         Writing about the War of 1812 makes me suddenly think of a huge building Mr. Steve and his family saw in 2008.  On that trip to Washington D.C., from across the "Potomac" River in the "Arlington" area; they could see the "Pentagon."   A flock of Birds is flying toward the east.         

         In the War of 1812 the British burned the "White House."  And in 2001 the Pentagon was damaged when one of those "Hijacked" Airplanes was crashed into its west side.  The Pentagon    was built during World War II, and is the main headquarters of the "Department of Defense."    

      This Latin Dictionary says the word "Penta" means five, and the building in Washington D.C. has five "sides," five above ground "stories" and five "ring corridors" inside.  Dais heard our boss's father say the Pentagon is the "world's biggest office building."  Heathcliff crowed.

LIEUTENANT GENERAL LEO MARQUEZ (1932-2011)

          Over the last two days I've written about that one guy General Marquez who, until he died three years ago; was a good friend of Mr. Steve's parents.  Like our boss's father, he was born in 1932 and graduated in 1949 from "Belen High School."  Ah!  The air is so clear right now.            

         I've mentioned before how both Mr. Steve's dad and General Marquez have wives named "Stella," and five children.  Daisy heard our boss and his mom talking on the phone about a visit his parents made to General Marquez Washington D.C. office.  I wish Heathcliff would crow.       

         Hey Heathcliff!  If it is possible for Roosters to go up to Heaven, and you just happen to be mind-reading me right now; maybe someday Daisy and I will see and smell you again.  

DONALD RUMSFELD

          I just thought of Donald Rumsfeld, who Mr. Steve heard was born on July 9th like himself, but in 1932 like his father.  He was a Navy Pilot, and now lives in "Taos," New Mexico just like Mr. Dave and Miss Julianne.  So I guess Donald Rumsfeld in Astrology is a "Cancer" too.             

         Daisy heard in 2001 Donald Rumsfeld, as "Secretary of Defense; was in the Pentagon when that one Plane crashed into it.  I guess, besides President Bush Jr.; he also worked for Presidents  Ford and Nixon too.   Under him that "B-1" Bomber was first developed and then created.           

      Looking to the east and the Birds flying around out there in the desert behind the Sheds makes me suddenly appreciate our lives here in Piñon Hills.  Hey Everyone up there!  Please help me again today.  I just have this feeling I'm probably going to need it even more today.                  

                               MR. MARK                                          MODERN AFRICA                    

                Writing about Chief Tecumseh's idea of the different Native-American tribes uniting is kind of like Mr. Mark in Hawaii's thinking the African countries should band together for more power.  Ah!  A breeze is making the chimes ring.  I sure hope that's You Holy Spirit! 

           Oh!  I like this other thing that Chief Tecumseh said, "Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart."  And that probably means to make sure every day is productive and not wasted, which we totally agree with one hundred percent.  I smell some Creosote.

           Last night, as we talked about Heathcliff dying while looking up at the beautiful night sky; Dais and I thought about how Chief Tecumseh was killed in battle in 1813.  His ideas are similar to Karl Marx's "Collectivization" theories.  But in that case it was all the Worker's uniting.  

THE "UNIVERSE"     

                   Hey God!  Last night as Dais and I sat in shock about Heathcliff, and looked up into the night sky; we wondered if there's maybe another place in the vast Universe where there are Dogs like us.  It's hard to believe there's only life way down here on Earth.  Dawn's howling. 

             According to my Dictionary the definition of the word "infiniti" is, "An unlimited extent or amount of time, space or quantity;" or "boundless."  Andy's over guarding their burrow, and is looking right at me sitting over here on Elvira.  He must know Heathcliff is gone.

             Last night as we stared up into the sky and thought about Heathcliff, I think it made us, especially Daisy; think about our own "Mortality."  Right now I really don't feel like working, but I'll just go ahead and try to do as much as I can.  Maybe we'll watch cartoons today? 

2014 INFINITI "QX80"    

                   Daisy says there's a Car brand called "Infiniti."   One time she heard our Chief talking on the phone with one of his customers whose dealership sells those type of vehicles, and I guess Infiniti's are the "High End" or "Luxury" line of "Nissan."  So they're from Japan.

              According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, those Infiniti Cars have been made since 1989.  And I guess, they're sold not just over here in North America; rich people in China and the Middle East also buy them too.  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.

              I kind of hope our boss will call us to go in the house to watch cartoons.  Then I'll have a perfect excuse not to work today because right now, at this exact moment; my "Head is not in it" as they say.  Daisy thinks I should just dedicate it to Heathcliff and keep working for him.                                       

SIGNS OF THE "ZODIAC"       

                 Hey God!  I sure do wish I knew what the future is for the three of us down here.  That's why, even though I'm not supposed to write about "Astrology" until later this afternoon; I kind of feel like doing it right now instead.  I so wish I knew what has happened to Heathcliff.

            I said yesterday how Mr. Steve, even though he doesn't believe in Astrology; tells others he can understand why some feel "reassured" in thinking things are "fixed."  He knows reading a "Horoscope" describing a better future "relieves stress" for some people.  Dawn's barking.

          Mr. Steve told Miss Susan at work thinking positively is good, but it's not good to live life based on a Horoscope.  I guess Newspapers always put those "Disclaimers" at the bottom of their Astrology sections, calling Astrology "Entertainment."  It's even called a "Pseudo-Science."     

FIRST FOUR "CIVILIZATIONS" (c. 4,000 B.C.)        

                 Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about "Astrology versus Astronomy."  It mentioned how all four of the original "Civilizations" I've written about "searched and studied" the night skies; "looking for meaning."  All four of the Pigeons just flew bye over Libby's Corral.

           It says here how "settled" cultures, like those "Babylonians" over in "Mesopotamia" for example; wanted to know when to "plant and sow" crops.  Their survival "depended on it."  Hey God!  I'll bet maybe they were looking for any messages You might've been sending out.

          I'll bet those ladies Joanne Fletcher, Edith Hamilton and Mary Beard, in their studies of  Egypt, Greece and Rome; know about how those ancient societies looked for messages in what my Encyclopedia calls "natural phenomena."   Andy's over there looking at me right now.

       CLAUDIUS PTOLEMY (c.100-170 AD.)        

                 Daisy says the tv show talked about the 2nd century Roman Scientist Claudius Ptolemy, or just "Ptolemy" for short.  It says here his ideas on Astronomy and Astrology "influenced" many later "thinkers."  I guess he lived in that one Egyptian coastal city called "Alexandria."

          The tv show said, even though he really influenced Astrology, Ptolemy did not believe in other things like "Numerology."  Oh!  The word "Geography" is based on a book he wrote, and besides influencing many areas; he's known for being a music "theorist."  I smell Andy.   

          I've mentioned before how, after Alexander the Great conquered the region; the Greek and Egyptian cultures were combined.  And Ptolemy lived in that blended culture.  Earlier in history before his time that girl "Cleopatra" was the last "Ptolemaic" Pharaoh."  Andy smells good.    

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (1564-1616)     

PAINTING BY JOHN TAYLOR / THE CHANDOS PORTRAIT          

           I guess the tv show mentioned, in Queen Elizabeth I's 16th century England; Shakespeare described two "Star Crossed" lovers.  Daisy says in that book "Dante's Inferno" the Astrologers were punished.  They had to walk all around in Hell with their heads twisted backwards.

          Until 18th century Astrology was considered one part of Astronomy.  Even guys like Galileo and Kepler believed in it, and thought of it as a "serious science. "  But, I guess what they ended up discovering through Astronomy "disproved" many of the things in the area of Astrology.

         The tv show said until the the late 13th century A.D., right before the  "Renaissance;" all of the Doctors used Astrology in their "everyday medical practices."   In the 16th century that guy Nostradamus, who was a Doctor; knew a lot about Astrology.  A little Lizard just ran bye.     

SIGMUND FREUD  / CARL JUNG                                         1960'S HIPPIES                          

         (1856-1939)                (1875-1961)                                                                                                                   

        I've written about Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, Doctors who helped people's "Mental" problems instead of "Physical" ailments in the 20th century.  Carl Jung is now known for kind of starting what they call "Psychological Astrology."  That's what the tv show said I guess.                

        Daisy says the tv show also mentioned how the 1960's "New Age Hippies," like Carl Jung; were also responsible for a "Revival in Interest" of Astrology.  Mr. Steve likes this song by that      one singing group the FIFTH DIMENSION.  Daisy told me about "The Age of Aquarius."            

        I guess, that guy Carl Jung used Astrology to "Supplement" his Science.  He for a time was friends with Sigmund Freud, but then they disagreed about some of the things having to do with their studies in that field called "Psychoanalysis."  Samson and Delilah just now flew bye.                

THE POLICE      

                Oh!  This Encyclopedia says Carl Jung wrote a lot about what's called "Synchronicity."   Daisy heard that's sort of like "Déjà Vu," when what might just be a total "coincidence;" feels important somehow to that person at that one moment.  Boy God!  I think I've felt that.  

            Daisy told me about how she thinks that band from England called the POLICE have a song called "Synchronicity."  Wow!  The morning is so beautiful right now, Birds are flying all around; and the colors are so bright too.  Ah!  I love breathing in fresh air through my nose.

           Someday I'll hear the POLICE'S song our boss likes about the guy stranded on an island.  He wrote a rescue message on a piece of paper, put it in a glass bottle; then floated it out into the water.   What a good idea that is, and if I were ever in his situation I'd definitely do that too.   

"DARK MATTER"        

ARTWORK BY SAKKMESTERKE               

              Oh!  This is probably a good place to talk about what they call "Dark Matter" and "Dark Energy."  I was supposed to find out about it yesterday, when I wrote about the "Fundamental Forces" that govern the Universe; but somehow missed it.  Oh!  Rosie barked again! 

                 On that one tv show Daisy saw it said 96% of the "observable" Universe is made up of Dark Matter and Dark Energy.  My Encyclopedia says Dark Matter is "hypothetical" so can't be seen but, is "implied" by "astrophysical observation."  Is Rosie barking for Heathcliff?

           I guess, one thing you can look at are the ways Dark Matter effects gravity" but does not seem to "interact" with the "electro magnetic field."  As I've mentioned before, those are two of the fundamental forces.  Boy! I want to go over to the south fence and howl with Rosie.       

"BIG BANG?"        

                 Hey God!  Are You the force behind what some think of as Dark Energy?  It says here in my Encyclopedia Dark Energy is the, "unknown form of energy" that "affects" the Universe on the "largest scale."  Yup!  I knew Daisy would notice Rosie barking so she's barking too.

            I guess people who know about Dark Energy say it shows the Universe is "Accelerating" in it's expansion since the time of that "Big Bang" first event I've written about.  That happened about fourteen billion years ago.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye.

           The scent of our new little baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt just floated into me over here on Elvira.  Boy!  It doesn't seem fair God how, just when this new year is about to get going; something like Heathcliff dying happens.  Ah! I like how a baby Cholla cactus smells. 

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT HAWK  

            Ugh!  I just glanced up and see a Hawk hovering up there in the sky looking down at me sitting here on Elvira.  Oh my God!  I wonder if maybe that might be Heathcliff up there coming back to life in the form of a Hawk?   And that definitely is a new and unfamiliar Hawk too.

           Wow!  If "Reincarnation" turns out to be true I would want to come back to Piñon Hills in the form of something like a Hawk.  If that idea of living an honorable life so you can come back in a higher form is true Heathcliff would definitely qualify.  He was a really good Rooster! 

           The Hawk lifted and then flew over the Sheds and out into the back desert.  Boy!  I'm so tempted to hide everything and run up front to tell Dais about the new Hawk but, I'd better not. Besides, she would probably say you can only come back as a baby if Reincarnation is true.    

ANDY AND HELEN    

               Aha!  I knew someone was looking at me and I see Andy and Helen over there standing on their boulder.  I know, even though they're taking a break from guarding their babies down in the burrow; they're very alert for Goliath and Cher.  Dawn is still sad howling over there.

              Oh!  This is a good time to talk about "Franklin Canyon," a place in Los Angeles that Dais heard our boss and his mom talking about.  One time she and her Girl Scout troop went over to hike around there.  I totally missed Franklin Canyon yesterday on my book two outline.

             Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how Andy and Helen are named after two characters on that "Andy Griffith Show."  Mrs. Lindsey, whose husband played "Goober" on that tv show; also took her Troop to Franklin Canyon too.   I smell Andy and Helen. 

   "ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW"         "FRANKLIN CANYON"                        "GOOBER"  

                Daisy says in one of his episodes a smart lady told Huell Howser Franklin Canyon is in those "Santa Monica" mountains, the "San Fernando Valley" to the north; and "Beverly Hills" to the south.  Another lady told Huell Howser how William Mulholland used to own the land.

           According to what Dais and Millie heard, the "Opening Scene" to all of the Andy Griffith Show episodes was filmed at one of the Lakes inside Franklin Canyon.  Mr. Steve and his mom talked about how it's surprising how few people know about Franklin Canyon.  I smell Sage. 

          Mr. Steve told his mom he once sold a few things to a lady in "Studio City," which is near Franklin Canyon.  I guess, from what Dais and Millie heard; that one road I've mentioned before called "Mulholland Drive" is kind of close to that area too.  I like how Andy and Helen smell.   

                                                           "CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON"

              Mr. Steve and his mom talked about the "Monster" models he built as a kid, all destroyed in the 1971 earthquake.  Some were from those 1930's "Horror" movies, but one was from this other 1954 movie "Creature From the Black Lagoon."  It was filmed at Franklin Canyon.

           Daisy thinks we'd both like how Franklin Canyon smells, based on what she  saw on that Huell Howser segment.  There are forests like those near us in "Wrightwood," and also a few Ponds and Lakes too.  One man told Huell Howser there are Turtles who live in a Lake.

          Oh!  Daffy's quacking over there, which reminds me how Dais heard there are Ducks who live in Franklin Canyon.  Mr. Steve's parents liked a movie called "On Golden Pond," and some of the scenes were filmed in Franklin Canyon.  Andy and Helen just ran back to their hole.      

                                  ROLLING STONES                                        SIMON & GARFUNKEL    

            Daisy says one of the smart ladies told Huell Howser how, back in the 1960's; bands like the original ROLLING STONES and SIMON & GARFUNKEL used pictures on album covers taken over in Franklin Canyon.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell Blinky and Rosie next to her. 

            I guess one time our boss and Mr. Dave, who has hiked in Franklin Canyon; talked about a 1960's tv show filmed there.  It was called "Combat!," and was about this World War II army unit after D-Day pushing the Germans back toward their country.  Blinky has a nice scent.

           According to Dais our boss told Mr. Dave how, in 1964 his father gave him a book he still has on "Military Uniforms."  So he really liked watching that tv show Combat! just to see all of the different uniforms.  That's also why he also liked that other show "Hogan's Heroes."

"COMBAT!"       

                  Mr. Dave said Combat! was a "one hour movie" each week.  Actors, like Telly Savalas, Leonard Nimoy and Ted Knight were on Combat! before being famous.  The Star of Combat!, named Vic Morrow; was later killed in a Helicopter crash on the set of another movie.   

            Boy God!  I feel kind of sad, and don't know if I'll be able to concentrate on this work today. I sort of hope we get to go in the living room to watch our cartoons.  After all, I don't have to finish my third book today anyway and just like Daisy tells me;  There's no "Timetable."

            I don't know why but, for some reason I just thought of that first song I ever heard.  I had only been here for a few days so the sounds terrified me.  I'll never forget that magical moment, but still can't understand how anyone could have invented such a thing as a Boombox.   

                                                                                                     JOHNNY NASH JR.

                          IMAGE BY NASHCO MUSIC            

           Wow!  What a real coincidence that, just as I'm thinking about that very first song I ever heard; I smell Creosote and Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye going to the east.  When I heard that song "I Can See Clearly Now" it made me feel happy.  Thank You God!

           Daisy says before the recession our Chief had a customer near Houston, who knew about how Johnny Nash Jr. wrote and sang "I Can See Clearly Now."  I guess, from what Daisy heard one time; "I Can See Clearly Now" came out in 1972.  Our Chief was seventeen then.

          That one Parts Manager back there in Houston said Johnny Nash was one of the very first "Non-Jamaican" Singers to record "Reggae" music down there in Jamaican.  In 1972 Mr. Steve was in 11th Grade at Sylmar High.  Hearing Daffy quacking now makes me feel better.

                                                                                          BOB MARLEY (1945-1981)

          I guess Johnny Nash is from Texas and worked on a movie with that that guy Bob Marley the Jamaican Reggae singer.  Bob Marley died too just like Heathcliff.  I can't wait to someday hear Reggae music because Daisy thinks I would really like some of the good songs.

          Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  For some reason, seeing them gives me a reassuring feeling; that at least some things are still the same.  I've mentioned how my boss and his mother believe that one old saying, "Life is often what happens when you're planning something else."

                Hey God!  As You know, yesterday I totally forgot to mention that one old saying from the Old Testament; in "Ecclesiastes," "One generation goeth, and another generation cometh; and the earth abides forever."  Boy!  We sure do wish Heathcliff could defy that old rule. 

HIGH DESERT MORING SUNRISE

           Remembering this morning's sunrise, and right now about Heathcliff being suddenly gone forever; makes me think about how magical life is.  Hey God!  As You know, our boss Mr. Steve    doesn't really believe in magic but Dais and I do.  But he does think life itself is a miracle.             

         Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about that guy Harry Houdini until later today, I kind of feel like finding out about him now too.  I mentioned "Houdini" a little bit yesterday.  I can smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie standing on the other side of the fence.             

       It says here in this Encyclopedia how Harry Houdini was a "Hungarian Jew," who was an "escape artist" and "stunt performer."  Daisy saw a good tv show about him that said he was one of those "Vaudeville" Entertainers before becoming famous.  Boy!  Blinky has a good scent.                         

HARRY HOUDINI (1874-1926)        

         I mentioned in my second book how that guy Houdini died on October the 31st, which is "Halloween" and also Grandma Trujillo's birthday too.  According to what the tv show said, he    died in that city of "Detroit."  Daisy says he died from being punched hard in the stomach.           

         Daisy told me how that guy Houdini was in such good shape, he used to let people hit him right in the stomach; and as hard as they could too.  But a few days before he died I guess he was in "Montreal" and a kid slugged him too early.  Dais heard it's called "Sucker Punched."             

         The man on the tv show said, at the time of being punched in the stomach way before he was ready; Houdini also had this broken ankle too.  It says here how, he ended up going to the      Hospital; and there died from "Appendicitis."  Blackbeard and Anne are now flying bye.             

           JEAN-EUGÈNE ROBERT-HOUDIN (1805-871)       

               Daisy told me that guy Houdini got his "Stage Name" from another man, who was his "Idol."  His name was Jean-Eugène Robert Houdin, he was from France;  described here in this Encyclopedia as the "Father of Conjuring."   Some Crow's are fighting over something.

             The tv show said just what it says here too, Robert Houdin's main job to earn a living as one of those guys who made "Watches."  It says here he was an "Illusionist," which makes me really want to see a Magician even more.  And I know for sure Daisy wants to see one too. 

             I mentioned yesterday how Mr. Steve's Nephew Jacob over there in Texas is interested in what they call the art of "Sleight of Hand."  Over the years our boss has met people, mostly guys; who were good at sleight of hand too.  But he's not and knows how much skill it takes to do.   

"MAGIC CASTLE" (HOLLYWOOD)

                                                                                                                       PHOTO BY JOE PUGLIESE

                Oh my God! A picture shows a place down there in Hollywood called the "Magic Castle."  In front of it a Magician is making a girl hang in the air, with nothing below holding her up; and even her dress and sweater is hanging down I notice.  It's called "Levitation" it says here.

            Daisy heard our boss and his mom talking about how the Magic Castle used to be a big house called a "Chateau."  I guess, back in College at C.S.U.N.; Mr. Steve's mom studied both "Gothic" and "Renaissance" styles used on the "Exterior."  It says here in was built in 1909.

            One time Miss Susan at work told our boss she read, the Magic Castle house had "fallen into a state of disrepair;" but was "renovated" in the early 1960's.  It's kind of like a Nightclub with magic being the "Theme."  Mr. Steve has been told they have really good food there.  

HOWARD THURSTON (1869-1936) / HARRY HOUDINI

                 Mr. Steve told Miss Susan at work there was a fire at the Magic Castle a few years ago, but the room dedicated to Houdini was not damaged.  I guess, one of Miss Susan's customers mentioned that one room damaged was named for Howard Thurston.  Dawn's barking.

             Daisy says the tv said Howard Thurston was Houdini's "biggest rival," but they got along and "were friends instead of competitors."  Howard Thurston could make a Car disappear, and was known for that levitation technique.  Boy!  I would love to see a big Car disappear.

             According to what the man on the tv show talked about, in 1926 when Houdini died that guy Howard Thurston was more famous; but now Houdini is way more famous.  I guess Howard Thurston was really good at using playing cards in his "Act."  Blinky has such a strong scent. 

     "HALLOWEEN" (OCTOBER 31)         

                 Oh!  This is a good time to write about the "Holiday" of "Halloween."  I've mentioned it a few times over the last three days, and how Grandma Trujillo was born on that day.  I think it might be kind of significant that Harry Houdini just happened to die on that exact day.

            Daisy says Mr. Ralph has read about the history of Halloween, and she heard him say it was "influenced" by ancient "Celtic Harvest Festivals;" but was "Christianized" in the early days of the Church.  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez just zoomed by right in front of the Sheds. 

           I've mentioned how Halloween is dedicated to "Commemorating" or remembering the dead.  In Christianity it's on the "Eve" of "All Saints Day," and in Mexico it's that "Dia de los Muertos" day I've mentioned before.  Now we'll think of Molly and Heathcliff on that day. 

MAGIC CASTLE PIANO "IRMA"

              Daisy heard a Ghost named "Irma" lives at the Magic Castle, and plays any song you ask her to play on piano; no matter what song you ask for.  Boy!  I wonder if Irma would know how to play "The Musical Box," or "The Third Hoorah!" and Goin up the Country?" 

             Miss Susan from work was told the Magic Castle has a "Program" from a 19th century show Queen Victoria attended.  Daisy says a magical bookshelf opens to show the entranceway to a fancy Nightclub inside.  Oh!  I wonder if that Ghost Irma would know any DEVO songs?

              Andy and Helen are over there sticking out of the burrow entrance.  Now, in tandem; they're both sniffing the to see if Cher of Goliath might be around here somewhere.  Now Helen went back into the hole, to be with the babies; and is leaving Andy to go back to guarding.   

                                                 MR. PEABODY / BOY SHERMAN     

                Boy God!  I just can't believe that Heathcliff won't be around anymore.  But, it does make me feel kind of good knowing Daisy thinks I have the "Potential" to someday be just as smart as Mr. Peabody is now.  Oh!  I would really love to meet Mr. Peabody in person someday!

                 Well, I think I'll do like Daisy says and just force myself to keep going.  She told me about a good song she and Millie heard by that band KANSAS called "Carry On."  Our boss described it to that kid Jason one time as sort of like a "hard rock gospel song" Daisy told me.  

           Thank You God for my couch Elvira because, on a day like today; just being here makes me feel so fortunate.  I looked up and noticed, up there in the beautiful morning sky; how a big flock of Birds is flying bye.  They're all moving in formation toward the northwest.   

                                                                          BEE     

              A Bee whizzed past my head as I sit here on Elvira.  And, in looking up to see Bonnie and Clyde's nest near the patio roof I can't help but think of Heathcliff dying.  Daisy still also wants to think that, even with this really bad "Turn of Events;" it will be a good year anyway.    

         Hey God!  Daisy and I kind of want to hope that it being so warm this early in the Spring and, so many babies being around already; maybe they're all good signs that this will be a good year.  A little Lizard is standing on the wall over there doing pushups.  I smell Mesquite.      

              I mentioned the time Bees flew into the garage, and gathered on the wall above the utility room door; near Daisy's area.  So, our boss put the electric garage door down; but left a small opening on the bottom.  No more Bees came in and eventually the others left on their own.   

"MOTOCROSS" RIDER    

             Oh!  I hear a Motorcycle going bye out there on Primavera Road and can now see the dust rising.  For some reason that makes me feel better.  Boy God!  What will we do tomorrow, when there won't be anyone to "Ring In" the new day and get us all started like we're used to? 

             One morning when he was walking out on Primavera Road Mr. Steve met a kid riding a "Dirt Bike" Motorcycle.  He was from Wrightwood, which I've talked about over the last three days.  Boy!  I really hope to someday be able to smell all new places like Wrightwood.

            Piñon Hills is about 4,000 feet "Above sea Level."  Miss Susan wrote that Wrightwood, an "elevated valley" on the north side of the San Gabriel Mountains; is at an "Elevation" of about 6,000 feet.  Donald and Daisy are over there quacking and that makes me feel a little better.

                                                                                                 "WRIGHTWOOD"    

                 I've written about how, at the end of the 19th century; "Cattle Ranching" came into our area.  And one of the families was named "Wright."  In the 1920's after World War I; Miss Susan wrote about how the area started to develop into a little larger "Community" of families.

             For a while the Wrightwood area was called "Big Pines" because of all the "Pine" trees which are up there.  After the Second World War ended in 1945 Wrightwood became known for snow skiing and Miss Susan says there was even a "Ski School" there.  I smell Mesquite.

            Sometimes, when people visit us; Mr. Steve will drive them to Wrightwood to show them how a desert can be so close to a forest of Pine trees.  Daisy says being in a forest smells and looks way different from our area down here.  The Joshua trees are a lot greener there I guess.  

                                                                                2014 SUBARU "FORESTER"    

            Thinking about Wrightwood makes me remember how Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss talking on the phone with one of his "Subaru" customers.  And they discussed making Baseball caps and T-Shirts with the "Forester" logo.  I do wonder what a forest smells like.

            If I were ever to have a Car I would want it be royal blue, and really shiny too.  But I now appreciate red better after seeing that shiny Car the lady came over here to our house in.  Oh!  I just picked up Libby's totally unique scent in my right nostril, coming  from over there. 

            I've mentioned before how Subaru is one the Japanese companies who make Cars.  Daisy says one of our Chief's customers called the Forester, made since 1997;  a "compact crossover" S.U.V.  Blackbeard and Anne are now chasing each other, "Playing Tag" over the desert.

                                                                                             "BIGHORN" SHEEP

                   This is kind of interesting!  Before it was the Subaru Forester, that S.U.V. was made by another Japanese company called "Isuzu" and was called the "Bighorn;" just like those Rams up in the mountains.  In 1876 "Custer's Last Stand" happened at the "Little Bighorn."

             Oh wow!  I'm having one of those "Déjà Vu" moments, where I feel now like I've already experienced this before.  As You know You Guys, I've been having these feelings for two days.  I keep hoping that Heathcliff will crow and it will turn to have all been just a big mistake.  

             This kind of reminds me of when Mollie the Mule died.  Hey Everyone up there, I don't really feel like writing today but will at least try to "Give it a Go" as that Parts Manager Phillip from Wales might say.  Ah!  A nice cool slight breeze just floated in from the back desert.

                         "SPIRIT OF LIFE"                          

         Boy Holy Spirit!  Thank You for having Dais remind me last night about something I forgot to say at the beginning of book one on Thursday.  Mr. Steve's mom read one time about how the feeling of  Déjà Vu can also mean too; "Energy that you can feel but cannot actually see." 

        Well You Guys, if that's true then Daisy and I have been feeling Déjà Vu for a long time now because we often sense all of You and I'm having that exact feeling right now.  Oh!  I just looked up in time to see Rudy the Roadrunner.  He's jogging bye right in front of the Sheds.    

        Libby's scent just floated in from over there to my right and I can also smell the hay she's eating.  Hey God!  From now on I promise to to take my time and enjoy food in the way Daisy and Libby do.  Starting today I'm determined for sure to start relaxing more when I eat.

"CREATION"     

             PAINTING BY MICHELANGELO ("SISTINE" CHAPEL)                         

           I feel like praying; "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."  Boy!  That makes me feel a little better alright.

          Hey Lord!  More and more I'm starting to understand why The Lord's Prayer is Daisy's favorite prayer. In the Book of Mathew You created that prayer.  Protestant Christians add the sentence, "For thine is the Kingdom the power and the glory, for ever and ever Amen."

          Oh!  I can write about that 16th century Englishman William Tyndale.  I missed him on my outline yesterday when I wrote about King James I.   William Tyndale "Translated" the Bible into English, and Daisy says this  good tv show said King Henry VIII didn't like him. 

WILLIAM TYNDALE (1499-1536)

                 Daisy heard William Tyndale was a Catholic "Friar," and the man on the tv show said he "disapproved" of King Henry VIII trying to get rid of that first Spanish wife for not being able to have a boy baby.  As I've said before, Henry VIII had six wives.  Libby just whinnied.

            It says here William Tyndale had already translated the Bible into English by the time of King Henry creating his own Protestant religion and dumping his first wife.  Henry just used the work done by William Tyndale to make his own English Bible.  I smell some Penstemon.

          Wow!  King Henry stole William Tyndale's translation, then used it for "his own purposes" in making himself "Supreme Head" of his new religion.  Hey God!  So, if you go against him it's like going against You.  Mr. Steve thinks William Tyndale influenced William Shakespeare.  

                        PRESS                         JOHANNES GUTENBERG                 BIBLE

                        (1450)                                       (1450-1465)                                 (1455)      

                On Thursday in book one I mentioned how Mr. Steve and his mother like going to that "Huntington" Library.  That's where they have one of those famous "Gutenberg" Bibles made on Johannes Gutenberg's first "Printing Press."  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.

            King Henry VIII had anyone, like a few of his wives for instance; "Beheaded" if they got him mad.  He's the one who also cut off the head of Sir Thomas More, who wrote that very first "Utopian" novel.  The scent of the Twin Joshua trees just came in on a very slight breeze.

            It says here William Tyndale "escaped England" but was "executed" in Europe anyway.  He was burned up, the way that girl Joan of Arc had been killed but; at least they "strangled" him to death first.  Oh!  His last words were, "Lord!  Open the King of England's eyes."

   KING HENRY VIII (1491-1547)            KING JAMES I (1566-1625)           

PAINTING BY HANS HOLBIEN THE YOUNGER                                                                                                                                                    

                  The most famous English Bible was made during the "Reign" of that guy King James I, who "Succeeded" Queen Elizabeth I in the early 17th century.  Boy!  I love how King James had bows on his fancy shoes.  And I always notice how King Henry VIII had square-toed shoes. 

             Hey God!  This is kind of interesting in how my Encyclopedia says in William Tyndale's Bible he "coined" phrases like, "Let there be light;" and "Salt of the Earth."  Wow!  William Tyndale was only thirty seven years old when he was "Put to Death."  Dawn's barking.

             Mr. Steve and his father both think it was "Authoritarian Monarchs" like Henry VIII who made the American "Founding Fathers" create a government where "Church and State" were separate.  To them it was even more important than things like "Freedom of Speech." 

U.S. "CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (PHILADELPHIA / 1787)

PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY          

                  I've mentioned before how the Founding Fathers thought it was important a "Ruler" be "Accountable" to others.  That's the main reason they created a "three part government" with a set of "Checks and Balances" built into it.  That way it would be harder to have a "Dictator."

                  Daisy heard our boss talking with his father on the phone one time about how, the 20th century produced the three biggest in scale  "Totalitarians;"  Hitler, Stalin and Mao Zedong in China.  Today I'll be finding out more about all three of them.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

            Oh my God!  Charlie Company of Quail are out there in the dirt behind the Sheds, and I see they now have some new babies too.  So now all three coveys have babies yet this is only the third day of Spring.  Boy!  I feel like hiding everything and going up front to tell Daisy.

"CHARLIE" COMPANY

                   Wow God!  Seeing Charlie Company right now makes me feel so good, and temporarily lets me feel better about Heathcliff.  Boy!  I'm so tempted to hide everything and run up front to tell Daisy the good news.  But, I'd better not; because she'd want me to stay disciplined.

             Oh!  I glanced up and see one of those little Birds Miss Susan said are called "Kestrels" sitting on an electrical power line going into our house. Kestrels look like miniature Hawks but are actually "Falcons" Miss Susan says.  Libby just now neighed and whinnied over there.  

                  That Kestrel is holding a dead Lizard in its mouth, which is a good thing because I know Kestrels are like Hawks in liking the taste of Quail.  Chosin must have just felt danger because he's now leading his group out into the cover of the bushes of the back desert.  I smell Sage.   

KESTREL

               Poor little Lizard.  I guess he wasn't fast enough to get away from that Kestrel, who can fly in really fast.  Daisy a I both noticed how Kestrels are good at "Hovering" up in the air and then, just at the exact right moment; swoop down and kill some food down on the ground.

          According to what Daisy heard Miss Susan say one time a few years ago, Kestrels can even hover inside of things like Barns.  I guess, from what Dais says; Miss Susan told our boss that in our area the girl Kestrels are bigger than boy Kestrels.  Daffy's quacking over there.

         Boy and girl Hawks pretty much look the same while you can tell Kestrel couples apart.  All have really sharp beaks and claws that's for sure.  Kestrels have brown and gray feathers and I for sure know one thing, they're really, really brave and courageous little Birds.   

      KESTREL VERSUS RAVEN

           Even though they're small in size, Kestrels are aggressive in defending their territory.  Dais and Millie one time saw a small Kestrel try to steal a Field Mouse Freddie was carrying through the air in his mouth.   A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there, going from north to south.    

         Up in the air Freddie and that Kestrel fought over the Field Mouse, which was still alive.  I guess Freddie was so surprised he dropped the Mouse, it fell all the way to the ground; and then just ran away.  Freddie was really angry, so he and Fanny even chased that little Kestrel.

         As I've said in my first two books, someday I'll get over my fear of being trapped in a house or an enclosed area.  So, then I can watch more Football on tv like Dais does.  The only thing I've seen so far is that one good tv show about Doug Flutie, who's small and tough like a Kestrel.  

ATLANTA "FALCONS"

             PHOTO BY MIKE SULLIVAN                   

             A picture in my Encyclopedia shows two Football players arguing about something.  Under that photo the caption says it's players from the New Orleans "Saints" and Atlanta "Falcons." I guess one time Dais heard our boss tell his mom he drew the logos of both those two teams.  

         In 1971, a few months after the Sylmar earthquake; Mr. Steve went to Atlanta on his dad's business trip.  In my books, I've found out a few things about the late 1864 American Civil War "Battle of Atlanta; and the War of 1812's "Battle of New Orleans."  A Crow just cawed.

         Daisy says Mr. Steve faxed line drawings of the Atlanta Falcons two logos to a customer in Georgia, for his kids to color.  Mr. Steve can draw the original "straight up and down" logo from memory.  He prefers it to the current  "leaning over to the right" logo on the helmets.  

                                                                      DAN MARINO      

              Daisy says our boss has this customer near Atlanta.  But the Service Manager there isn't a Falcons fan.  He grew up in the State of Florida so, his favorite "Professional" Football team is the Miami "Dolphins;" especially that team who went "Undefeated" back in the 1970's. 

         That Service Manager told our boss how his favorite Dolphins' player was Dan Marino who I wrote a little bit about on Thursday.  Dan Marino's family, like Mr. Rick's; is Italian-American from Pittsburgh.  Dais told me our Chief has drawn the Dolphins' old and new logos. 

         I guess you could say Kestrel Birds are sort of like "Midget" Falcons.  As I said in book one the day before yesterday when I wrote about that really small planet "Pluto," another name for little things is "Dwarfs."  That Kestrel ate the Lizard and is now flying into the desert.  

                                                           EDDIE GAEDEL (1925-1961)

             Writing about how small Kestrels are makes me suddenly think about that one guy named Eddie Gaedel.   I've written about how, in the early 1950's as a "Gimmick" or "Publicity Stunt;" he played a game for the St. Louis "Browns."  I can see two long vapor trails up in the sky.

           I wonder if there's such a thing as a midget, or dwarf Dog?  I know there are small Dogs like little Blinky next door for example.  Speedy Gonzalez just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to zoom out into the back desert, and he then darted out of view completely.  

          Boy God!  I can't believe Heathcliff is gone and we'll never hear his voice again.  Looking to the east beyond the three Sheds I see a lot of sunlight and way more green than you would expect to see on only the third day of Spring.  Thank You for inventing all the colors God.

"FREIGHT" TRAIN     

                  A Freight just whistled faintly over there to my left, out there in the northern desert near the California Aqueduct.  A small group of Birds is flying toward the northeast way up there in the sky.  I just now smelled Theodora's Creosote bush over there near Jack the biggest Shed.

            Oh!  Hearing that Train reminds me about how yesterday I forgot to write about this song called "Train Kept A Rolling." So I can just do it now instead.  Dais and Millie one time saw this tv show about AEROSMITH, who I guess did the most famous cover version of that old song.

            Daisy told me the man on the tv show said Train Kept A Rolling was first done way back in 1951 when our boss wasn't even born yet.  It was originally done in the form of a "mid-tempo Jump Blues from it says here in this one Encyclopedia.  All four of the Pigeons just flew bye.    

           JOHNNY BURNETTE TRIO           YARDBIRDS                          AEROSMITH

                 Daisy says the tv show talked about how that song Train Kept A Rolling was "redone" in 1956 by a three piece band called the JOHNNY BURNETTE TRIO.   But the way they did it was in a "Rockabilly" style.  I just glanced up and see Theodora sitting in her Creosote bush. 

            It says here how the JOHNNY BURNETTE TRIO'S version of A Train Kept A Rolling is the first "recorded" example of "intentional distortion" using a guitar.  I guess there were a few earlier Blues songs that did that.  Theodora just now noticed me sitting over here on Elvira.

           According to the tv show, in the mid-1960's; that British band the YARDBIRDS also used to play A Train Kept A Rolling in concerts.  And when the four Musicians who would end up in LED ZEPPELIN first played together that was the first song they did.  Dawn's barking.  

MOTÖRHEAD     

              Daisy says one time our boss and his Niece Samantha talked about that song A Train Kept A Rolling, and how that Hard Rock band MOTÖRHEAD covered it.  I guess Mr. Steve and Mr. Dave have both played along to A Train Kept A Rolling.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.  

              The tv show said Jeff Beck's "fuzz" guitar in the YARDBIRDS version of A Train Kept A Rolling "foreshadowed Heavy Metal."  Dais told me they also described it as "psychedelic Blues Rock."  Mr. Steve has AEROSMITH's second album with A Train Kept A Rolling on it. 

               Oh!  This is a good place to learn about a company called "Gretsch."  A tv show Daisy saw said they make musical instruments, and are known for their "Hollow Body" electric guitars.  I kept forgetting to write about Gretsch when I've written about "Gibson" and "Fender."

                FRIEDRICH GRETSCH (1856-1895)                    GRETSCH "6122 (1966)   

                                                                                                                                         "CHET ATKIN'S COUNTRY GENTLEMAN"  

                  My Encyclopedia says a German man named Friedrich Gretsch started his company in 1883, back there in that area of New York City called "Brooklyn;" where the Dodgers used to be from.  A large flock of Birds is flying bye way up there high in the beautiful morning sky.

            Wow!  It says here what the man on the tv show talked about.  In 1895, on a trip back to Germany Friedrich Gretsch suddenly died at the age of thirty nine; so his wife told their fifteen year old son "Fred" to take over the running of the company.  Dawn's barking over there.

            I guess, not only did Fred turn out to be a really good Businessman, so did his son and the family ever since.  Gretsch makes drums and many other things too Daisy says.  She heard our boss and Mr. Mark talking about their famous electric guitars that so many Guitarists like.  

                                         NEIL YOUNG                                                        WHITE STRIPES

                Daisy says the man on the tv show said, since the 1950's; Guitarists like Neil Young and the guy in the WHITE STRIPES play Gretsch guitars.  Most Gretsch electric guitars are those bigger "Hollow Body's," but Daisy says some look like "Solid Body" types.  I smell Blinky.

            In 1895, with her help; that guy Fred Gretsch made his father's company into one of the biggest "Manufacturer's" of musical instruments.  Daisy says our boss used to have a Gretsch tambourine but gave it to this kid as a gift.  One of his customers has a Gretsch banjo.

               Mr. Steve and Mr. Dave have both seen that guy Billy Zoom of the band X play, so know he also likes Gretsch guitars; as does the guy in the STRAY CATS.   AC/DC'S rhythm Guitarist, and the guy in the WHO; at times play Gretsch.  So does the BEATLES' George Harrison.  

BO DIDLEY (1928-2008)

                  Daisy says her favorite shaped guitar are the square ones that man from Mississippi Bo Didley used to play.  The tv show said in 1946, or year after World War II had ended; Bo Didley made his own guitars.  I just now noticed Andy over there guarding their burrow entrance.

            This Encyclopedia says, in the late 1950's; Bo Didly had Gretsch make his "Rectangle" guitars.  Mr. Steve's customer told our boss ZZ TOP'S Guitarist  has an original "Thunderbird" Bo Didley guitar from that period.  Bo Didley is not his real name, but just a nickname.  

             Boy!  Bo Didley must be smart to build a guitar, just like QUEEN'S guitar player and his father did too.  Mr. Steve's customer said Gretsch guitars are "versatile," and used the words "twang," and "snarl" to describe their sound.  Daisy says he mentioned a "whammy bar."

CHARLIE WATTS

                  Our boss told Mr. Dave, when he saw the ROLLING STONES play back in the 1970's he noticed how their Drummer plays a Gretsch drum set.  And later, in the late 1980's when he took pictures at the Forum; he saw how Phil Collins plays Gretsch.   I smell the baby Cholla.

             Even though I'm really sad because of Heathcliff dying, I feel so alive right now as I sit here on Elvira.  There's bright green everywhere, the sunlight making that color look good.  No wonder to a lot of people in the world green represents Spring and a hopeful renewal of life.   

             I mentioned a few times in my first two books how Mr. Steve's favorite Baseball team was the Kansas City and later Oakland "Athletics."  Their primary color is green and, as in my first two books; today I'll learn more about the "A's" history.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.  

           JIM NASH (1967 / KANSAS CITY "A'S")      

         Looking at the green Arborvitae tree near the Patio makes me think about the Oakland A's.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve began to like them when he saw that one "Sports Illustrated" Magazine with the picture of the then Kansas City A's Pitcher on it.  I like Duck voices.                 

          I wish I could go back to 1967 and see the moment Mr. Steve saw that Sports Illustrated Magazine and instantly became an A's fan, only because his Little League team at S.I.B.L. wore green too.  Right "then and there" the A's were his favorite Baseball team.  I smell Sage.               

          Boy God, I don't really feel like working today but; I sure hope You Guys won't mind if I don't work all day long today.  I can't believe this is book three I'm working on, and I've made it this far.  Boy!  Thank Everyone up there for helping me in making the first two days so great.                                                 

                                      ALBERT KING  /  B.B. KING  /  FREDDIE KING

             Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve sees a lot of significance in the number 3.  And, for some reason; I just now thought about how Albert King, B.B. King and Freddie King are called the "Three Kings of Blues."  I can smell the baby Cholla cactus.

          I guess, those three "Blues Kings" influenced many later American and English Guitarists.  Mr. Steve has a customer in Mississippi, the State where two of them are from; and they've at times discussed the Blues Kings.  And how that guy Elvis Presley was from Mississippi too.

         The Parts Manager said B.B. King was born in the small town of "Itta Bena" Mississippi.  I guess it would be translated in "Choctaw" Indian language as "Forest Camp."  Oh!  Benjamin the Cow Bird just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to run into the desert.    

                             WILLIE NELSON                                                   BRIAN MAY

          On Thursday, in book one; I wrote about how Willie Nelson named his old beat up acoustic guitar after Roy Roger's boy Horse "Trigger."  And QUEEN'S Guitarist Brian May thinks of the electric guitar he and his father built as being a female.  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees.

          I guess, from what Dais overheard our boss tell that kid Jason who plays guitar; B.B. King  called his guitars "Lucille."  And Albert King named his "Flying V" guitar "Lucy."  For some reason, that makes me suddenly think of our Car Theodora who's in the garage right now.

              One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about this QUEEN song called "Tie Your Mother Down."  In 1977 at the Forum they played it, and Mr. Steve thinks they might have even started out the concert with it.   Brian May wrote that song I guess. 

                                                  QUEEN                                                           RORY GALLAGHER

                                                       (1977)                                                                                  ("WHISKY A GO GO" / 1976)

                  Brian May said on Tie Your Mother Down he was influenced by Rory Gallagher's song "Morning Sun."  I've mentioned before how our boss, Miss Sandy and their friends saw Rory Gallagher at the "Whisky A Go Go."   Rory Gallagher, who died; was from Ireland. 

            Over the years Mr. Steve has played Morning Sun for people to see if they recognize the riff as a "lighter weight" version of Tie Your Mother Down.  And he plays them the really heavy riff on PANTERA'S song "Walk" which is similar.  Some people laugh when the hear them.

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he has some Rory Gallagher vinyl records when he was in a band called TASTE.  That song Morning Sun was a TASTE song.  Some people have wanted to buy those albums but so far Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave he still wants to keep them around.    

                              JIMI HENDRIX (1942-1970)                  RORY GALLAGHER (1948-1995)

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                         

             Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Dave talk about how Jimi Hendrix admired Rory Gallagher's playing.  When someone asked him who the best Guitarist was he supposedly said, "I don't know, go ask Rory Gallagher."  All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral.

          I guess, that QUEEN song Tie Your Mother Down begins with an unusual sounding guitar intro.  Mr. Dave said that weird sound is the "Shepherd's Tone," and QUEEN uses it at the end of the album on a song called "Teo Torriatte."  Mr. Dave used the term "auditory illusion." 

           Boy Elvira, it's so good to have you around at times like this.  You make me feel safe and I'd defend you like my boss if anyone ever tried to do something to you.  And, I know for sure Dais would too because she knows how important you've become to us over this last year.  

FINLEY / FEMALE FINCH

PHOTO BYLARRY DITTO

            Oh!  I just noticed Finley the Finch standing over there on the dead tree branch, and I can see how his new girlfriend is not ignoring him anymore.  In fact, she's really trying to get him to throw up some food for her to eat right now.  But Finley's now just ignoring her I notice.

            Boy!  Now, I really do feel like hiding everything and running up front to tell Daisy about Finley but; I'd better not.  I'll just wait and tell her when I take my first big break, after chapter four.  Hey Blessed Virgin Mary!  I sure hope You're up there helping us way down here. 

            Some of the Ducks are quacking and that makes me miss Heathcliff and think about how it's probably going to be really hard not to think about him today.  But, Daisy is so right; and I'll just have to do my best.  I wonder if maybe we'll go in the house to watch Cartoons today?

   "FRUITLESS MULBERRY" TREE

              A little Sparrow just flew in and landed on one of the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree, where the water in the basin is reflecting the morning sun.  It looked around and is now drinking.  Finley and the girl Finch just flew off into the desert behind the Sheds.

          I smell the Arborvitae bush just to my left right in front of the patio.  That makes me feel a little better about today even though I'm still kind of in shock in thinking about how Heathcliff's totally gone.  Now, a Wren landed near the Sparrow; and is also drinking water too. 

          Oh!  Looking at the eastern horizon beyond the three Sheds suddenly makes me hear that song La Primavera by Antonio Vivaldi.  I'm beginning to understand better why Mr. Steve likes it so much.  Taking in a deep breath of fresh air through my nose makes me feel good.  

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

                                                          ARTIST UNKNOWN                                                                                                            PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER                                                                          

         Wow!  I'm having a Déjà Vu feeling again!  Taking in that breath of air suddenly made me remember hearing Beethoven's song "Ode to Joy," which is now giving me the exact same happy feeling I felt then.  And a Finch is drinking from the basin below the Mulberry tree too.                 

         Boy God!  If I could time travel by using Mr. Peabody's Way Back machine I'd want to see what those guys Vivaldi and Beethoven smelled like.  Even though Dais heard Beethoven at times didn't take a bath or clean his hair.  So, "Odds Are;" he might've smelled kind of bad.                   

         Dais saw this tv show that said how Ode to Joy, especially after the fall of that Berlin Wall; is the European "Anthem" symbolizing "Freedom."  Will and Ariel Durant joked Beethoven was a "pessimist trying to convince himself he was an optimist."  Thank You God for Ode to Joy!                                      

FLOCK OF BIRDS  

         Looking up from way down here on Elvira I see a group of Birds flying toward the north.  The Sun is now hanging just above the eastern horizon beyond the back half acre.   I can also see a few Birds zipping around in every direction.  Boy!  I feel so lucky to even be alive today.             

        The shadows are still leaning toward me sitting here on the patio.  Oh! It's a good thing the Wren and Sparrow who were drinking water from the water basin below the Mulberry tree flew away a minute ago.  I just noticed Cher the Cat slinking around behind the Sheds.                          

        I know for sure Cher probably noticed how quiet it was this morning.  And even though our neighbor's give her food to eat, she's often up early trying to catch some extra food too.   And I'm sure she loves how alive with things to hunt and eat these first days of Spring have been.                                                                

  THE FOUR SEASONS ("NORTHERN" HEMISPHERE)   

         Looking around makes me think about how this is the third day of Spring.  The diagram in my Encyclopedia shows how the Earth is positioned now in space.  Speedy Gonzalez just whizzed bye and now the only thing left of his presence is the dust he raised still floating in the air.

         I notice how the Earth's North and South Poles don't point straight up and down but tilt at an angle as Earth spins or rotates on its axis.  At times the top half points toward the Sun, and at other times the "Northern Hemisphere" leans away.  That effects all of the four "Seasons."

        When the Sun is higher and more directly aimed at Piñon Hills it's Summer, while down in the Southern Hemisphere it's Winter.  I guess, maybe Earth's tilt is the reason why the days are longer during Summer and shorter in Winter.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.  

                                                                                                   PLANET "EARTH"

              I guess, the longest day of the year here in Piñon Hills, when the Earth most faces toward the Sun; is the first day of Summer or "Solstice."  The first day of Winter, the shortest day when the Earth least faces toward the Sun here; is called the "Winter Solstice."  Daffy's quacking.

          The day before yesterday was the "Vernal Equinox," so there were twelve hours of light and twelve hours of darkness.  Two times a year, called the "Equinox's; is when the Earth's tilt  doesn't lean either toward or away from the Sun.  And that really effects us in Piñon Hills.   

          I'm sad about Heathcliff but these first three days of Spring makes me feel happier.  I've said a few times how Mr. Steve thinks the first day of Spring is our new year's day.  A customer of his takes his wife and kids on good vacations up to Alaska to see the "Northern Lights."   

                                        "NORTHERN LIGHTS" ("AURORA BOLEALIS") 

                    PHOTO BY MIKE CARLSON           

          This Encyclopedia says, because of the Earth's tilt; the Vernal Equinox up at the North Pole "signals" six months of "continuous" daylight.  That one Parts Manager has been to "Barrow" Alaska.  He told Mr. Steve how, from November through January; it's always "dark night."     

        Wow!  A picture shows the Alaskan Northern Lights.  The caption says they happen when "ionized gas particles" come flying in and hit the Earth's magnetic field "at an angle" up there in Alaska.  This one older lady told Mr. Steve you can also see Northern Lights in Iceland.   

        The Parts Manager says, his wife and kids really like the yellow and green Northern Lights the best but; he prefers the purple ones.  Boy!  I would love to see the blue Northern Lights and I know Daisy would like the red ones better.  Rudy the Roadrunner is jogging bye.

                                                    COUSIN GIL / ROCK AND KIDS 

             I've mentioned a few times over the last three days about how Mr. Steve's parents are from New Mexico.  Many of our boss's relatives still live there.  One, a Cousin named Gil Aaron; is the son of Mr. Steve's dad's brother.  Gil's sister is named "Joylene," or "Joy" for short.

          Dais heard our boss and his brother Rock talking about on the phone about how Gil Aaron is a "Hunting Guide," and does "Taxidermy."  My Dictionary says that's, "The art of preparing and nd stuffing the skins of animals to make them appear lifelike."  Dawn's barking. 

              When Mr. Steve, with Rock and his kids; visited Gil Aaron's business in New Mexico a few years ago.  And when they were there I guess Mr. Steve's Cousin gave him an 8 x 10 color photo he took of the Northern Lights.  He took that picture up there in Alaska Daisy says. 

     GEORGE FRIEDRICH HANDEL (1685-1759)

                       PAINTING BY BALTHASER DENNER                            

         Hey Lord!  I really like that one song Mr. Steve played on his Boombox this morning.  It's called "Messiah" and, the part Daisy and I liked is when a choir sings "Hallelujah."  We thought of You up there in Heaven and had that feeling of "Rhêma" I've been writing about.                      

        This one Encyclopedia says George Friedrich Handel, who wrote Messiah; was a German "Baroque" composer like that guy Vivaldi.  But I guess he lived in England.  I've mentioned how in Europe Baroque means the period between the late 17th and early 18th centuries.                      

       Lord!  It says here Handel's Messiah, written back in 1741; is what they call a three part "Oratorio Choral."  He intended to "glorify the mystery and majesty" of Your life.  I really like    Handel's his long white wig and would for sure definitely wear one like that if I could.                                                                           

             KING JAMES I  (1566-1625)            

                     PAINTING BY PAUL VAN SOMER                            

          It's interesting how Handel's Messiah was influenced by the English language Bible paid for by King James I that I wrote about.  I've mentioned how King James' "Reign," in the early    18th century; is called  "Jacobean."  Boy!  I really like shoes with bows on them.                            

          Oh! I wonder if our boss knows this?  I guess Handel's "original" 1741 version of Messiah was "modest in scale" but after he died others, like that guy Mozart for instance; "amplified" it  in its "sonic dynamics."  I've said before how Mr. Steve likes heavier versions of music.                 

          All of sudden I'm hearing Vivaldi's song La Primavera.  Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says Handel's song is partly about Your raising from the dead and going back up there to Heaven.  I    can see how the Sun is now totally above the eastern horizon behind the three Sheds.                     

                BILL HANDEL AND FAMILY                  SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY                  

          In my books I've mentioned that Jewish guy Bill Handel's morning L.A. Radio show Mr. Steve at times listens to.  I wrote about how Bill Handel and his wife have twin daughters and one looks kind of like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha.  That Dragonfly just zoomed bye.                            

        On Thursday, in book one; I wrote about how Bill Handel's twin daughters had their "B' not Mitzhav" ceremony over there in Israel.  It was held at "Masada" which, as I've mentioned a few times; is King Herod's "Fortress" built up on a mountain.  A Duck is quacking.                       

          I wonder if that German guy Friedrich Handel was Jewish?  I'll bet he was Ashkenazi Jew just like Bill Handel's family and Mr. Steve's two ex-girlfriends, Emily and Harriet; too.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt and that makes me think of Heathcliff.                      

            MARIAH CAREY                            EMINEM                            LEONARD COHEN            

                             PHOTO BY ROB LATOUR                                                                  UNIV. MUSIC GROUP                                                      PHOTO BY FABRICE COFFRINI                                                                                

          Last night Daisy and I looked up at the sky and thought about Heathcliff dying.  Dais told me about a tv show her and Millie saw about sad songs.  One was called "One Sweet Day" sung  by a very talented girl named Mariah Carey and these guys called BOYZ II MEN.                         

        Dais says that tv show played PINK FLOYD'S song "Wish You Were Here" and "Dust in the Wind" by KANSAS.  The BEATLES song called "Yesterday" was on there and so was a song by one of the guys from GENESIS.  A Crow is cawing out there in the eastern desert.                     

        Hearing in my head Handel's Messiah, now makes me think about that one song Dais told me about; called "Hallelujah."  It was by this Canadian guy named Leonard Cohen and I guess that tv show called it a "Secular Hymn."  Now two Crows are squawking out there.                                   

 "MOCKINGBIRD"

       Ah!  Just as I'm about to mention a sad song called "Mockingbird" by that "Rap" singer Eminem, I see a chubby Mockingbird sitting on a tree branch.  I've said before how Eminem was born on October the 17th just like Mr. Steve's brother Rock.  A Duck is quacking.                          

         Hey God!  Dais noticed how many of the songs on the tv show were all about what they call the "impermanence" of life.  And some sang about giving thanks for all the things You've given    us down here on the Earth.  The one Mockingbird is imitating a Sparrow right now.                       

       Daisy noticed some of the songs on the tv show mentioned about wishing you'd told people things when they were alive but; now it's too late.  I guess Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie believes in that one old saying, "Life is too Short."  That Mockingbird just darted into the desert.                                                                      

                                             ST. JEROME (347-420 A.D.)  

                                                            PAINTING BY DOMENICO GHIRLANDAIO    

          I'm still thinking about The Lord's Prayer.  As I wrote yesterday, that one 5th century A.D. scholar Saint Jerome translated into Latin the original Hebrew and Greek "Scriptures."  But his first version of The Lord's Prayer didn't have that last sentence I've mentioned in it.  

          Hey Lord!  St. Jerome was kind of like St. Paul but instead of being hit by lightning he got sick, had a vision; then almost died so dedicated his studies to You from then on.  As I've said, it would be great to have a vision even though it might be kind of scary.  I smell Juniper.      

          As I've written before, King James I sponsored an English version of the Bible and was the one who "Succeeded" Queen Elizabeth I.  As leader of Scotland his title was "King James VI."  His Great-Grandfather was Henry VII and his mother was Mary "Queen of Scots."  

                             ROXY MUSIC                                                   STEELEYE SPAN                                                                                                        

         Hey God!  Did You just make ROXY MUSIC'S song "Virginia Plain" pop into my head?  As usual, it makes feel so good to hear the sound of the oboe.  Fannie and Freddie are flying out into the eastern desert and are talking back and forth with each other as they wing along.             

        Oh!  Now I'm hearing STEELEYE SPAN'S song "Jigs."  Boy!  I feel like dancing but, I'd better stay disciplined; and keep working on this third and final book.  Someday I might learn to  use spoons as a percussion instrument the way the girl from STEELEYE SPAN does.                     

        Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how my favorite musical instrument to listen to is a flute.  But, the more I hear that song Jigs; the more I like the sound of a mandolin.    It's too bad none of the members of my favorite band DEVO play flute or mandolin.                                

                                   "SCRUB JAY"                                      "BLUE BOY"

                                                                                            PAINTING BY THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH

           Ah!  The Scrub Jay "Blue Boy" is standing on a boulder over there.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve named him after that one Thomas Gainsborough painting down at the "Huntington Library" and Museum.  The Scrub Jays are not "Bluebirds" like Frida and Diego.  

          Boy!  I wonder why Blue Boy's girlfriend "Linda" still  isn't with him.  Daisy, who's most likely on the driveway licking her paws for her Arthritis; thinks Linda's probably busy building the nest for this new year.  I'll bet Max's girlfriend 99 is doing the same exact thing too.

          Daisy told me she's noticed how Scrub Jays, who are actually related to Crows and not to Bluebirds like Frida and Diego; also hide food like Crows too.  That's such a smart thing to do, just in case they might need it later.  Some people feed Scrub Jays right out of their hand.    

                                                                                      "SCRUB JAY" NEST

                                                                                              PHOTO BY LIZ MCMASTER   

           Usually when you see Blue Boy you'll see Linda because they often look for food together.  Daisy told me Scrub Jay eggs are blue and the babies are gray and have red on their head when born.  She says Scrub Jays are smart, and imitate Hawks to scare away the other Birds.

           Seeing Blue Boy makes me feel a little bit better, even though I'm still thinking about how Heathcliff is gone.  I know Daisy's thinking about it too.   She says Scrub Jays will re-hide their hidden food, and once saw a boy Scrub Jays guarding as the girl Scrub Jay made their nest.

          Another thing Dais told me was how, like Crows; Scrub Jays will kind of have funerals for a dead friend.  They screech and squawk around the dead body.  Daisy says Blue Boy's girlfriend Linda was named after Linda Ronstadt, the girl Singer who I guess grew up in "Arizona."  

                                                             LINDA RONSTADT

            In my first two books I've mentioned the 1979 trip that Mr. Steve took with his friend Mark Ritter who died.  In Mark Ritter's red Truck they drove through Arizona and New Mexico.  One of Mark Ritter's Cassette tapes they had with them to listen to was by Linda Ronstadt.

         Daisy heard our boss say he and Mark Ritter liked Linda Ronstadt's "eclectic" music, but also thought she was so pretty too.  I guess, she was raised on a Ranch near "Tucson," and one of Mr. Steve's customers described Linda Ronstadt's family as being "Arizona pioneers."     

        One of the songs on the Linda Ronstadt Cassette was called "Blue Bayou."  That's why our boss calls Blue Boy's girlfriend that name.  The song was originally written by Roy Orbison but, according to what Dais heard; Mr. Steve likes Linda Ronstadt's 1977 version much better. 

                    MR. STEVE / CELINA                                    SUSAN, CELINA, GRANDMA CÓRDOVA, 

                                                                                                         MR. STEVE'S MOM, FATHER MAHAN

                                          (JUNE, 1985 / "VATICN SQUARE" ROME)

                One morning as the Sun was coming up and Mr. Steve was watering the trees he told Mr. Mike his dead sister Celina, who died in 2004; also really liked Linda Ronstadt's version of Blue Bayou.  Their mom's Girl Scout troops sang it too.  I keep on hoping to hear Heathcliff.

           On the 1979  trip through Arizona and New Mexico in Mark Ritter's Truck, they spent a night in Tucson.  When Mark Ritter later moved to Arizona, for a few months lived kind of near Tucson.  Blue Boy just flew away right now, and is going over Libby's Corral to the south.

           I've mentioned a few times over the last few days how, after she died Mr. Steve kept many of Celina's things like Video Tapes and Audio Cassettes.  When he hears Blue Bayou he thinks of her now Daisy told me.  He still has a few of Celina's Linda Ronstadt Cassettes in her case.

CELINA CÓRDOVA (1962-2004)

                 Mr. Steve and his mom one time remembered what a talented "Seamstress" Celina was. As a "Dispatcher" for that Long Beach Auto Repossession company in Long Beach.  Hey Lord!  I guess Miss Celina believed in You and Mr. Steve says she's up there with all of You Guys.

            From what Daisy and Millie heard, Mr. Steve thinks his sister might've accidentally taken too many "Pain Killer" and "Sleeping" pills and it killed her.  It was sort of like what that girl Marilyn Monroe might've done.  But, things were going badly in her life our boss says.

            Hey Miss Celina!  If you just happen to be up there mind reading me right now, I want to tell you Mr. Steve and the family miss you a lot; and think of you.  So, as Sister Rita Joseph said; you're still alive "in their heads."  Hearing Linda Ronstadt still reminds our boss of you.    

      HANK WILLIAMS SR. (1923-1953)                              MARIA CALLAS (1923-1977)

        Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss talking on the phone with a customer who's near Tucson.  That guy said Linda Rondstadt, who sang many styles of songs; was influenced as much  by Hank Williams' Country songs as the Opera singing of Maria Callas.  I new smell Sage.           

             Mr. Steve's customer told him Linda Rondstadt's Great Grandfather came to Arizona from Germany in the early 1840's, or even before the Mexican War.  At that time the "Southwest" was still part of Mexico.  So I'll bet Linda Ronstadt's descendants had to learn to speak Spanish.

         Mentioning the city of Tucson makes me think about a Car Daisy told me was named after the city.  Yesterday I wrote a little bit about one of Mr. Steve's customer in Georgia who's a Parts Manager at a "Hyundai" dealership.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying toward the east.

                                                                                2014 HYUNDAI "TUCSON"

                  Oh wow!  I really like how those Hyundai Tucson's Cars look.  As I've mentioned often, I'm still afraid of riding in Cars but; if I ever had one I'd want it to look like the Tucson in this picture.  Boy!  Royal blue is my favorite color, but green and red are pretty good too.  

                  As I said yesterday when I wrote about that other Car called the "Santa Fe," Hyundai is a Korean company.  As with many of the other Auto "Lines," Mr. Steve once did a line drawing of Hyundai's logo.  Frida and Diego are flying toward the northeast, and seem to be happy.

                Dais heard our boss's customer tell him about how Linda Rondstadt's Great Grandfather was "gambling" his family could do better in Arizona than Germany.   Mr. Steve's parents kind of "Took a Chance" coming to California from New Mexico.  I can smell Theodora's bush.      

 "COMMERCE CLUB" CASINO  ("COMMERCE")      

                   I've mentioned how, in the early 1990's; Mr. Steve's family was involved in "Gaming" industry.  That's mainly why, because they "Know the Numbers;" our boss and his father never gamble.  Daisy heard the Parts Manager in Arizona say he and his dad like to play "Poker." 

             Mr. Steve told his customer the biggest "Card Room" in the world is not in Las Vegas, Atlantic City or Monte Carlo; it's the "Commerce Club" right here in Los Angeles.  In those type of Casino's you can only play cards.  Our boss and his dad have been there.  I smell Sage.

             Daisy heard our boss tell that guy no "Slot Machines," or games like "Blackjack;" are allowed in Card Rooms.  But you can play card games, including an Asian one called "Pai gow."   One time a Vietnamese lady told Mr. Steve Pai-gow can be also be played using "Domino's." 

"CALIFORNIO VAQUERO" COWBOY

PAINTING BY JAMES ALEXANDER WALKER       

                  The city of "Commerce," where that big Card Room Casino is located; is in an area that used to be land on one of those "Californio Ranchos" I've written about over the last three days. Those 1830's "Vaquero's" were "Prototype Cowboys."  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

             A lady one time told our boss in the "Old World," in Europe; only "Aristocrats" were "permitted" to ride Horses.  But in the "New World," like here in early 19th century California; "bravery, ability and horsemanship created a "new type of Aristocracy."  Dawn's barking.

            Part of the material Mr. Steve and his parents had to read as Mission Guides was about the different Cow Ranches up here in "Alta" California after Mexico broke away from Spain.  One was the "Rancho San Antonio," where Commerce is now.  Libby's scent just floated in.

LOS ANGELES        

                  I'm looking at the map of L.A. but it doesn't list the city of Commerce, which is just to the southeast of "Long Beach."  You can really see how big in size Los Angeles is when you study the map.  Some Motorcycles zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road, and left dust behind.

            Daisy says Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie sometimes drives his parents to visit with a Priest from New Mexico named Father "David" at the Commerce Club.  They have lunch there.  For some strange reason, seeing the dust lingering in the air out there makes me feel better.

            In 1992 and 1993 Mr. Steve, his brother Rock and their father worked in this other Card Room called the "El Dorado."  From what Daisy heard our boss say one time, it's located in the city of "Gardena;" which on the map I see is near "Redondo Beach."   Libby whinnied.  

"HUSTLER" CASINO ("GARDENA")

          Dais heard our boss one time talking with his brother Rock about how now the El Dorado Card Club is called the "Hustler Casino."  It was bought back in the late 1990's by a man named Larry Flynt.  Charlie Company and all of their new babies are out there behind the Sheds.           

       One time at the El Dorado Casino our boss and his father talked with a man from South Korea.  He told them his family were "Farmers," who moved here in the mid-1960's.   He kind of chuckled when Mr. Steve's dad told him he associates South Korea with "extreme weather."         

         Hey Lord!  The South Korean community up here in our area of the desert are like us in wanting to believe in You.  The lady who runs the Cleaners next to Stater Brothers, and cleans      and repairs the quilt blanket Mr. Steve's sister Celina made; is one of those.  I smell Libby.           

                                                       "MONARCH" BUTTERFLY

             Oh!  The Monarch Butterfly that's been hanging around here for three days is flying bye right now and that makes me feel better.  Daisy thinks Butterflies are a sign of good luck and I kind of want to believe that too now.  Mr. Steve's mom really likes to watch Butterflies.

             I'm still thinking of that painting of King James where he's wearing fancy clothes and the shoes with bows on them.  The more I think about it the more I really do believe someone might be able to make money selling shoes for Dogs.  Boy!  I'd love to have my own good Crown. 

             Hey Lord!  I just thought of how, by the 17th century; there were those three types of Christians.  There were original "Roman Catholics" like us and the "Greek Orthodox."  In the 16th century those different "Protestant" groups I've written about started up in Europe.  

                                                                                                                                  MARTIN LUTHER (1483-1546)           

PAINTING BY SERGIO ANDRES SEGOVIA                             

        Mr. Steve has a few different Bibles, like the King James Bible or the one that guy Martin Luther translated into German.  He keeps most of his books etc. on the bookshelf in the hallway  Daisy told me.  The strong smell of some Penstemon just came floating in from the desert.             

      I just thought of how, a century before King James; King Henry VIII had asked the Pope "Grant" him a "Divorce" from his first wife because she couldn't have any babies.  He wanted a  male "Heir" to run  England after he died.  King Henry ended up having six wives total.               

      When the Catholic Pope said no to him, Henry VIII just created his own religion; calling it the "Anglican Protestant Church of England." Then he "Dumped," or "Got rid Of;" his first       Spanish wife and married a "Brand New" girl.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.                    

                      HENRY VIII (1491-1547)                         ELIZABETH I (1533-1603)                            PAINTING BY HANS HOLBEIN THE YOUNGER                                                                                                                                 

           I mentioned a few times how that lady Queen Elizabeth I was Henry VIII's daughter from his second wife named Ann Boylein; who he had "Beheaded."  Queen Elizabeth was a "Capable" leader our boss thinks.  She was brave in 1588 when England beat Spain's naval "Armada."         

        Someday God, I'd sure like to have my own Bible to read; from "Cover to Cover" as they say.  This one Encyclopedia says King James' Bible was the third English Bible because Henry    VIII and Queen Elizabeth also "commissioned" English Bibles too.  I love the smell of Sage!         

        Famous Englishmen like Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Francis Drake and William Shakespeare  were "Subjects" of Queen Elizabeth I; so are now associated with her "Reign."  A big Lizard just went and hid under one of the large boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.                   

       THE "UNIVERSE"           

       Thinking of Heathcliff being gone makes me realize God how fragile life is and how small we are in the "Overall Scheme of the Universe." Boy!  Daisy's about sixteen years old, so will likely    not be around much longer.  Ugh!  I shudder just thinking about how awful that would be.           

      According to what it says right here in this one Encyclopedia, the "Universe" can be defined as being, "All of space and time and their contents."  And that would include things like planets,  stars, galaxies and many other "forms of matter and energy."  I can smell some Manzanita.          

    Boy Everyone way up there, I sure hope Dogs and Roosters like Heathcliff are allowed to go into Heaven and be with all You Guys.  If it is allowed then I'm positive Heathcliff is up there.  If  you just happen to be hearing me Heathcliff, pray for all of us still down here in Piñon Hills.                    

       OUR SOLAR SYSTEM'S "GALAXY"                          OUR "SOLAR SYSTEM"                                      

          Wow God!  How could anyone like You have even created such a huge in size thing like the Universe?  I've mentioned before how, Scientists think You made it about fourteen billion years ago; and our "Solar System" was formed ten billion years after that.  Dawn's barking.                  

       You created our Universe God,  Mr. Steve and his father think someday our Solar System may die. Over millions and millions of years, the eight Planets gravity may gradually "effect one  another."  In a "Domino Effect;" orbits change; and Planets could crash into each other.               

      This one Encyclopedia says, when our Sun dies; in its "luminous late phase of life" it will become a "Red Giant."  It will expand, burn up the Solar System; and collapse like a "House of  Cards" as they say.   Then, in its "remnant final stage" it will be a dense "White Dwarf."              

                        "VENUS"                                           EARTH'S "MAGNETIC FIELD"            

         I just thought about that Planet "Venus," which this one Encyclopedia calls "earth's sister planet."  The second Planet from the Sun, it's about the same size as us; but is way too scorching hot to have any life able to even survive on it.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.             

        On Thursday I wrote about the Solar System's "Goldilocks" area where Earth is in.  We're just the right distance from the Sun so, it's not too hot or cold to prevent an "Atmosphere;" or      what Stephen Hawking calls the "Habitable Zone."  Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye.            

        This really good painting shows how Earth's "Magnetic Field" deflects the Sun's "Charged Particles" and "Solar Winds," so they don't come down and kill us.  Hey God!  Did You give the  Earth its magnetic field and ozone layer?  Daisy thinks it had to be You who did that for us.                                              

 "CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND"    

        One night Daisy and Millie were in the living room, and saw this really good movie from 1977 called "Close Encounters of the Third Kind."  I guess, it's mainly about U.F.O.'s coming to Earth.  Andy's over there sniffing the air and alertly guarding the hole from Goliath or Cher.       

        Daisy told me, the Aliens try to communicate with the humans by using these five kind of eerie-sounding musical notes.  Dais heard that, some people say there are three different kind of "Close Encounters" with Aliens from Outer Space.  All four of the Pigeons just flew bye.              

           According to Dais, part of the movie Close Encounters is about how the Aliens bring back some people who had disappeared into that "Bermuda Triangle" area.  And, the biggest U.F.O.    Space Ship lands on top of a tall and giant "Butte' called "Devil's Tower."  I smell Andy.               

         "DEVIL'S TOWER" (WYOMING)       

              PHOTO BY CREATIVE COMMONS         

          Mr. Steve's customer in "Wyoming" said a Butte is "kind of like" those "Mesa's" in New Mexico, "isolated" hills with "steep" sides and "flat" tops.  I've mentioned how in Spanish the      word "mesa" means "table."  A group of little Sparrows are flying over Libby's Corral.                

        According to my French Dictionary "butte" means "small hill."  This Encyclopedia says how Devil's Tower in Wyoming is about "twelve hundred" feet tall, and is "approximately" one    mile "around in diameter."  Libby's over there eating some of her hay, which I can smell.              

          There must be a lot of Bears living near Devil's Tower because the Parts Manager told Mr. Steve the "Cheyenne" and "Arapaho" tribes call  it "Bear's House."   The "Lakota" name for it  is "Matho Thílipa," means "Bad God's Tower."  Oh!  Maybe that just means the Devil?                            

     "HOODOOS" (WYOMING)      

        Yesterday in my second book I wrote about the unique "Rock Formations" over there in what is now the country of Turkey.  And, I also mentioned those weird things in Wyoming called "Hoodoos." Some think Devil's Tower is an old volcano but Mark Ritter said it wasn't.                  

         Someday I'd really like to see those "Dormant" volcanoes to the northwest of our house.    But, I know they're not nearly as big as the one over there on the "Big Island" of Hawaii; where  Mr. Mark's family lives.  Ah!  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there.              

         Daisy told me, in the movie Close Encounters a man and a lady actually climbed up to the top of Devil's Tower; to see a giant shiny U.F.O. land on top.  As You know God, it kind of made    Daisy think of You giving Moses the "Ten Commandments" on "Mount Sinai."  I smell Sage.       

   PILLAR OF SALT ("DEAD SEA," ISRAEL)   

           PHOTO BY DAN GALISSINI             

       Hey God!  According to Dais, in the movie Close Encounters that man climbing up Devil's Tower told the lady going with him not to look down.  So it kind of reminded her of that one Old  Testament story of Lot's family leaving their home town.  I can hear some Crows cawing.            

         I guess God, the Angels warned Lot's evacuating family not to turn around and look behind them as You destroyed those cities of "Sodom" and "Gomorrah."  But, in the "Book of Genesis" story; Lot's wife disobeyed You so turned into a pillar of salt.  Mr. Steve went to the Dead Sea.      

   One time Mr. Steve told Miss Babette about what he described as the "desert terrain" all around the Dead Sea, and how hot it was when he and the Tour Group visited that area.  I guess you could even see the salt evaporating from the surface of the Dead Sea.   I smell Sage.                             

2014 G.M.C. "TERRAIN"      

        Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with a "General Motors" customer about one of those Sports Utility Vehicles, called a "Terrain."  The Parts Manager said they first came out in    2010,  and used the term "mid-size" to describe them.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.                

        According to what Dais heard the Parts Manager say that one time, last year Terrain Car "Exteriors" started coming with better "chrome trim;" and their "Interiors" were improved.  I  just glanced up and see two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there.  Andy's looking at me.             

        Well, back to writing about Venus.  I'm so glad I figured out a place to insert the subject of that movie Close Encounters.  As usual Daisy was right in saying I'd find a place to put it in as I  went along.  Boy!  It's really hard to believe we won't hear Heathcliff any more.                                           

"VENUS"     

          This Encyclopedia calls "Venus" the Roman Goddess of "love, beauty and prosperity,"  to the Greek's she was "Aphrodite."  Venus was the "Mother of Rome," and was "worshipped" by many "cults" at "annual festivals."  Julius Caesar said he was related to Venus I guess.                 

        It says here the Goddess Venus represented "balance in life" to the Romans.  She had the power to "temper" the male personality and, before her wedding; a girl prayed to her.  Benjamin the Cow Bird ran bye, and is now flying over the fence on the north side of our property.               

         Alpha Company, with all of their new Spring babies; are using the two vertical openings on either side of the gate to go out into the back field behind the Sheds.   Angeline stands out by how big she is.  One time Daisy watched the tv news about a good Tennis player named "Venus."         

    ARIEL (1898-1981)   WILL (1885-1981) DURANT                    EDITH HAMILTON (1869-1963)                     

        One time Dais heard our boss and his dad talking about how Will and Ariel Durant, and that lady Edith Hamilton; wrote about the Roman Goddess Venus.  Mr. Steve one time told Mr. Ralph to go read some of their different books.  He did and I guess really liked them a lot.           

       A few years ago Mr. Steve bought and sold a few things from a lady who was also named Edith Hamilton.  She was surprised when our boss knew about the Writer, and told him she read the other Edith Hamilton in College.  And her classmates used to joke with her about it.                

         Daisy heard that lady also tell our boss Edith Hamilton's sister was the first female to ever be "appointed" to the faculty of "Harvard" University.  Wow!  That means she must've been as    smart as her sister.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty graduated from Harvard.          

 "BATTLE OF ACTIUM" (SEPTEMBER 2, 31 B.C.)      

          It says here, before his navy beat Mark Antony and Cleopatra's Ships at the "Battle of Actium;" Octavian prayed to Venus as the "Goddess of  Victory."  Daisy heard Will and Ariel      Durant wrote about that huge battle.  I can hear Donald and Daisy quacking over there.                

           Miss Maria, who cleans Mr. Steve's parents house; was born on September the 2nd.  And, the Battle of Actium also took place on that date; but in 31 B.C.  Our boss and Mr. Dave one time talked about the movie "Ben Hur; and how Ships rammed each other back in those days.              

          Blessed Mother!  According to my Latin Dictionary "venia" means "grace" or "favor" in English.  And, I guess "venerari" would be translated as; "To honor or try to please."  Venus's    son named "Aeneas" fought and survived that "Trojan" War I've written about before.                

"BIRTH OF VENUS" 

PAINTING BY SANDRO BOTTICELLI

          I'm now looking at a 15th century Renaissance painting by this one Italian man named Sandro Botticelli.  The caption says it shows Venus being born from the "foam of the sea."  Daisy one time told me about how there's a good band who named themselves RENAISSANCE.            

          Dais says, in College at C.S.U.N; our Chief's mom studied art by Sandro Botticelli.  She likes his Birth of Venus painting and also likes his other work called "Primavera." Oh!  It says      here Blessed Mother that guy "Botticelli" did a lot paintings of You and baby Jesus.                       

        I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Primavera means "Spring" in Latin.  And Primavera is also the name of the dirt road behind Mr. Steve's half acre of desert he owns on the other side of the fence.  I'm suddenly hearing Vivaldi's song "La Primavera."            

     SHOCKING BLUE 

       In 1970, when Mr. Steve was fifteen, a Dutch band named SHOCKING BLUE did a song about a girl named Venus.  Blessed Mother, Daisy says SHOCKING BLUE'S girl Singer's name    was "Mariska" or "Mary" or "Maria."  I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush over there.          

          Daisy says our boss has played drums to the song called Venus and thinks that girl Mariska is pretty.  Their Drummer's left-handed and the guitar player sometimes plays one of those sitars from  India.  Dais and Millie saw a good video made for that song Venus I guess.                             

      From what Daisy heard our boss say, SHOCKING BLUE'S song, later in the 1980's; was "covered" by that British girl singing band called BANANARAMA.  Oh!  I really like the hats    BANANARAMA are wearing in a photo.  I'd definitely wear a hat like that for sure.                     

        STEPHEN FOSTER                            THE BIG 3                             BANANARAMA                                                     

         Hey God!  I'm still having a hard time not thinking about Heathcliff being gone forever.  And I know Daisy, as she licks her paws for her Arthritis; is up there in the front yard thinking about it too.  But, I'll just do what she said to do and focus on this third and final book.                 

           My Encyclopedia says the guy in SHOCKING BLUE who wrote Venus was "inspired" by a 1960's song called "The Banjo Song" by a Folk band called THE BIG 3.  Cass Elliot, who was    later in the MAMA'S AND THE PAPA'S; was in that band.  A Train whistled faintly.                     

         I guess The Banjo Song, was itself  "inspired" by an old 19th song called "Oh! Susanna;" written by that guy Stephen Foster.  I guess, now he's called the "Father of American Music;"      and was from Pittsburgh just like Mr. Steve's friend Rick's family too.  I smell Mesquite.              

"VENUS" THE ENGLISH BULLDOG

(W.W. II / H.M.S. "VANSITTART")

PHOTO BY LT. H.W. TOMBAN

        Daisy saw this tv show about the Second World War that showed a girl Bulldog named "Venus," who was the Captain's Dog on one of those big "Destroyer" Warships.  I guess Venus's Ship took part in operations in the Country of "Norway" in 1940.  It was damaged there.             

          That tv show mentioned how Venus the Bulldog was on H.M.S. "Vansittart.  It fought in the "Mediterranean Sea," near that island of "Malta;" even sinking a German U-Boat Dais told me.  In 1942 Venus's Ship tried to stop supplies going to Erwin Rommel's "Afrika Korps."           

        Oh!  This Encyclopedia says how the "Motto" on that Bulldog Venus's Ship was "Grata Quies Si Merita."  And according to my Latin Dictionary that would be translated to be, "Rest is Pleasant if Deserved."  Wow!  That sort of sounds like something Mr. Steve might agree with. 

                "TRIANGLE" SLAVE TRADE                                "CARIBBEAN" SEA                                                                  

        Oh my God!  I just noticed I forgot to write about that "Bermuda Triangle" area where Ships and Planes mysteriously disappear.  So, I have to do it now; even thought it might not fit in this section perfectly.  Oh well, at least I noticed it now instead of later when it's then too late.       

           Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the Bermuda Triangle and it sounds so interesting.  I guess, at the beginning of that movie "Close Encounters," some men discover World War II era  Planes which supposedly disappeared over the Bermuda Triangle.   Andy's looking at me.             

         My Encyclopedia says what the man on the tv said too, how another name for the Bermuda Triangle is the "Devil's Triangle."  That sounds bad.  Hey God!  I wonder if the area is cursed as being part of that three century long Slave Trade Triangle I've learned about in these books?                                                                                            GRUMMAN TBM "AVENGER"                             

          Daisy heard our boss tell his father how Mr. Dave in Taos is interested in the subject of the Bermuda Triangle, and so was Mark Ritter who died.  I've mentioned how Mark Ritter studied    World War II Planes.  He knew about the Grumman TBM "Avenger" Torpedo Bombers.             

         I guess, in December of 1945 a squadron of Avenger Planes were over in Florida practicing bombing an old Ship out in the Atlantic Ocean.  But on the way back they all disappeared and those were the ones in the movie Close Encounters.  I smell Juniper from behind the Sheds.          

         It is kind of weird Dais thinks, how a Plane sent out to search for the missing Avengers also never came back.  Mark Ritter believed it exploded over the Ocean, and then sank quickly in the water.  The fast moving "Gulf Stream" waters then swept the remains to the north he thought.                          

       VAPOR TRAIL       

         I see a vapor trail up in the sky.  Mr. Dave thinks it's weird the main Pilot in "Flight 19," who led the Avengers from 1947; said his compass wasn't working just before they disappeared.  But Mark Ritter says there are "natural magnetic variations" sometimes.  Dawn's barking.         

           Daisy heard our boss and his father talk about Flight 19.  Mr. Steve's dad thinks the Pilots just got lost through "navigational error," ran out of gas and fell in the Atlantic Ocean; and then sank in the really deep waters there.  Or the Gulf Stream just pushed them way to the north.       

       Some people think the Bermuda Triangle area might just be one of those "Portals" into a "Parallel Universe."  Our boss and Mr. Dave have talked about that BLACK SABBATH song      called "Into the Void."  I can't wait to someday hear it because Daisy thinks it's so good.                

"ATLANTIS"                                                  "BIMINI WALL"

              Mr. Dave read some people think the mysterious disappearances of those Ships and Planes might have something to do with the "Atlantis" Plato wrote about.  Edgar Cayce predicted that    it would be found in the area of the Bermuda Triangle.  Oh!  I think that might just be it!              

        The tv show mentioned how Ships have sunk in the Bermuda Triangle since Columbus's time but it's mainly a post World War II "phenomena."  Mark Ritter used to tell people how bad the weather can get in all of that region.  I've learned a about a few of those big huge storms.        

          Daisy one time heard Mr. Ivan told our boss's dad he read how ocean floor "Methane" can sometimes "decrease the density of water."  Then, I guess a lot of bubbles are all formed; which    might effect the "Buoyancy" of a Boat going bye above it.   So the Boat falls down into a hole.      

   MAX AND 99         

        Oh!  Max the Hummingbird is over there, and is finally with 99 his girlfriend.  Boy!  We're  wondering where she's been over the last two days, and seeing her makes me feel like hiding my materials and running up front to tell Daisy.  But, I'll just wait until my first break.                        

      The sunlight is reflecting off of the surface of the water around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  Oh!  It's a good thing those Birds who were drinking water are gone because Cher the Cat just came out from behind Moe.  And now her unique scent is floating into me.                               

     Wow!  Seeing Cher, who is now using the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the desert; makes me remember this time last year when I saw her do the exact same thing.  Little Blinky's barking.  Hearing his strong voice kind of makes me feel better.                               

                            "OSRICH" VERSUS "HUMMINGBIRD"                              

        As I've mentioned before, Hummingbirds are the smallest Bird in the world; the Ostrich is the biggest.  One flies so fast its wings look like a gray blur, and the other one doesn't even need    wings to fly at all.  Max and 99 are circling around each other, playing near the Sheds.                   

        Ostrich's can grow to be nine feet tall and a Hummingbird is two inches long.  Max is flying backwards right now while 99 is just hovering in the same spot.  Sometimes, when they play like  this; Mr. Steve jokes about how it almost looks like they're dancing with each other.                      

       In book one on Thursday I wrote about that Ostrich ranch near the town of Solvang here in California.  I also mentioned the big Ostrich egg shells Mr. Steve bought, over there at "Charlie Brown's" in Littlerock; where his brother Sam's family live.  I can smell Mesquite.                                

JOHNNY CASH (1932-2003)

         Daisy says one time she and Millie heard our Chief tell Mr. Randy about how he read that singer Johnny Cash had an Ostrich on his farm.  Oh!  I really like the bowtie he's wearing in this black and white picture.  It was taken when he was young in age the caption says.                           

        Mr. Steve said Johnny Cash's Ostrich attacked him, and tried to claw him to death; but it was a good thing he was wearing a thick leather belt with a metal buckle which saved his life.  I've mentioned how, in 1932; Johnny Cash was born three days after Mr. Steve's father.                

          I mentioned in book one how a Trainer at the Solvang Ostrich ranch said an Ostrich's huge claws can be "lethal."  He said their size, and "killing power" too; allows them to not need to fly  like many of the other Birds.  I see a long white vapor trail way up there in the morning sky.         

2014 "BOMBADIER LEAR JET 85"

           One time, as they loaded Rex to go to the dump; we heard Mr. Mike mention these Jets  rich people fly around in.  So Mr. Steve told him about a conversation he had with a customer in  Kansas about the "Lear" Jet company.  Boy!  I just love how the air is so clear again today.          

            Mr. Steve used the word "luxury" to describe the small six to eight passenger Jets made by that Lear company.  Lear began in 1962 when he was seven, his brother Rock five; and Sam    one.  Their sister Celina was born back in 1962, and Susan then came the following year.               

          We heard Mr. Mike say he read about a man named Bill Lear, the one who first started that company for building "private business" Jet Planes for the wealthy.  Mr. Steve has been at    Van Nuys Airport a few times when he saw those Lear Jets.  Thank You for the air God!                                                        

     STEVE FORBES                              "FORBES" MAGAZINE      

            One time Mr. Steve's parents, in one of those "Meet and Greets" I've written about; met a man named Steve Forbes.  He publishes a "Business" Magazine for rich people.  Our boss told    Mr. Mike in "Forbes" Magazine there were always advertisements for those Lear Jets.                  

         For many years every month Mr. Steve's father was sent a copy of Forbes even though he never paid for them.  Mr. Steve says that's so the Salesmen could "puff up" all the "Circulation" numbers to "prospective advertisers."  Paying "Subscribers" are even more important.                

      I guess our boss read how Steve Forbes, who ran for President; has five daughters.  Mr. Steve's father told him he agrees with his idea of a "Flat Income Tax."   Steve Forbes was born in "Morristown," New Jersey where Uncle Marty's family used to live back in the 1970's.                

                                   "BEAVERTAIL " CACTUS             

         The scent of that Beavertail cactus out in the desert is stronger today.  Oh!  I think I smell a Beavertail cactus flower but how can that be because it's only the third day of Spring?  But, then again; some unusual things like that seem to happening over the last two days.                                

       Thinking about flowers makes me think how good it smells when the ground is covered by desert wildflowers.  In my first two books I've mentioned the "Poppy's."  To the northwest of the town of Littlerock, where Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family live; they grow wild.                             

         I've mentioned a few times how that lady Miss Susan, who used to run the local Newspaper; knows a lot about plants and things like that.  When people ask her about "Transplanting" the    wildflowers to their house she tells them it's often hard to do.  A Duck is quacking.                        

"DESERT MARIGOLD"

PHOTO BY S. SAMPSON      

      I can't wait for all the different wildflowers to show up.  I really do like how those yellow "Marigolds" smell and look.  Miss Susan told Mr. Steve how, many wildflowers don't have very    deep "root systems;" and are some of those "Annuals" I've written about before.                           

        Even though those Annual type of flowers die after just one year, Miss Susan said they leave their seeds behind laying on the ground.  The seeds might go down in the ground and make new flowers but a lot of times they don't and just blow away.  Some Ducks are quacking.                       

      Daisy says one time our boss was doing yard work when a lady from down in Los Angeles parked her Car on the road.  She came over and asked Mr. Steve if she could pick some of our      wildflowers.  He said okay and even let her go into our back half acre for Marigolds.                                            

CHARLIE COMPANY

        Charlie Company must've been under Manny, but now Chosin is leading them all out into the desert.  They're going through the vertical slots on the sides of the gate, the babies using the    slightly thinner left opening.   A slight breeze just blew in their scents to me here on Elvira.           

         Hey God!  Did You make it so everyone around here is having their babies way earlier than usual this year?  Seeing, and now smelling; Charlie Company's babies suddenly makes me feel a  little bit better and gives me energy.  Boy!  I sure do wish Heathcliff was still around here.             

     Wow!  I can't believe what both of my nostrils suddenly just smelled right now.  The same exact breeze that blew in Charlie Company's scent also brought in the smell of those light purple wildflowers Miss Susan one time called "Lilacs."  A Train just whistled faintly right now.                              

"LILACS"

            PHOTO BY ROSE MUENKER          

       Ah!  It is Lilac flowers I'm smelling right now and that may be another good sign!  Chosin the big boy Quail is now leading his group underneath Jack the big Shed.  Speedy Gonzalez just  ran through the wider right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.        

         One time Dais and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss how Lilac flowers, back in ancient Greece; symbolized love.  Boy!  I feel like going up front to tell Daisy about the new Quail babies and Lilacs.  Ah!  The scent of old Sage just came floating in to me sitting here on Elvira.                

         Dais says our Chief told Miss Susan about a customer in Massachusetts.  I guess that Parts Manager said he, and his wife and kids; go every year to a "Lilac Festival" in Boston.  I've said a few times over the last three days how Mr. Steve's mom really likes to grow flowers.                                 

"JACARANDA" TREES        

         Smelling those Lilacs makes me think of "Jacaranda" trees.  I've mentioned before how, when he lived down there in Sylmar; there were some Jacaranda trees growing on the sides of the neighborhood streets where our boss's family lived.  Ah!  I can smell some unfamiliar Sage.           

         Hey God!  Daisy and I would like to smell and see some Jacaranda trees, even though Mr. Steve says some people don't like their scent; and even say they "stink."  Mr. Steve and his mom like how they smell but especially like the purple flowers when in "Full Bloom."  I love Sage!       

        Mr. Steve tells people who don't like how fallen off Jacaranda flowers turn sticky, and can damage the paint on your Car, "for only a few weeks a year you get to see a unique sight."  It's so amazing to think of a purple tree.  I'd sure like to see that, and know for sure Dais would too.                    

HUELL HOWSER    

        Daisy and Millie saw a Huell Howser episode about Jacaranda trees here in Los Angeles, and this man said they were originally brought to California in the 1890's from "Bolivia" and      "Argentina."  They "adapted well" to a Mediterranean climate he said.  Dawn's barking.             

         Mr. Steve thinks you just have sweep up the fallen Jacaranda flowers every day during the few weeks when the trees are "Blooming."   A blind lady told Huell Howser in her mind she can    still see the purple Jacaranda's.   She said she even like how the tree trunks looked Dais says.        

         I guess, Mr. Steve's mom has noticed how each individual Jacaranda tree has what she calls "their own timetable for blooming."  Mrs. Lindsey, the other Girl Scout leader; joked how they "marched to the beat of a different drum" like that guy Thoreau said.   I can smell Blinky.                            

HENRY DAVID THOREAU (1817-1862)                 ALBERT EINSTEIN (1879-1955)                

       Daisy says another man told Huell Howser many people see Jacaranda trees as "either a miracle or a mess." Hey God!  He mentioned how that guy Albert Einstein said there were "two ways" to go through life in seeing this physical world.  Two of the Pigeons just flew bye.                 

          Hey God!  Dais heard Einstein used to tell people that, "Either everything is a miracle or it isn't."  Huell Howser was told by a guy he interviewed, Tourists come to Los Angeles just to see    Jacaranda trees; but those who live here often don't like them.   I like how Blinky smells.              

        Mr. Steve was interested when Huell Howser interviewed the "Reverend" from the Church he goes to.   He's the one who called Jacaranda trees a "miracle or a mess."  He said he was an Artist, and when he came to Los Angeles he thought Jacaranda's were a gift from You God.                                         

 "LILACS"      

          From what Daisy heard, that girl Miss Susan who works with our boss told him how her favorite flowers were purple "Lilacs."  She said one reason she likes them is because her mother liked them a lot when she was a girl growing up in West L.A.   Her mom already died I guess.       

          Over the last three days I've learned so much about some of the different colors.  And as I showed a few times, even though his favorite color is still green; Mr. Steve has come to also like    purple too.  His mom was very good at mixing oil paints to match the  shades of purple.                 

         I just thought about how, back in the mid-1980's; Mr. Steve, Miss Helen and Mr. Mark in Hawaii sold things for the company that owned the "Forum in Inglewood."  The Lakers, Kings    and Lazers Indoor Soccer too; all used purple as their "Primary color."  Dawn's barking.                    

                                    PRINCE                                                        MR. MARK                                                                               

         Daisy and Millie one time were in our boss's office and heard a girl on the phone tell him she read the concept of "Rhêma," which I've mentioned a few times over the last three days; is at times "associated" with purple.  Rhêma is Greek for "The Living word."  I smell Blinky.              

          Our boss and Mr. Mark one time talked about how that guy Prince is also associated with purple.  Daisy and Millie one time saw his movie, and heard the song he wrote; called "Purple      Rain."  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are both now flying over Libby's Corral.          

          Someday I'd really like to hear a few Prince songs, and some of Mr. Mark's songs too.  But Mr. Mark's main job for making money to support his family is selling some advertising for the    "Internet Newspaper" he created.  Mr. Mark, like Mr. Grant; knows a lot about computers.             

             JIMI HENDRIX                          TAYLOR SWIFT                         KEVIN DUBROW             

       One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's office and heard he and his Niece Samantha talk about how her Grandma is a really good Painter.  Over the years Mr. Steve has noticed that sometimes Musicians look pretty good wearing purple.  Libby just whinnied over there.               

          I've mentioned before how mixing red and blue makes purple.   Mr. Steve's mom is good at mixing all the different color oil paints to blend colors, and can come back the next day or later    to make colors which match something she had done on that painting before.  I smell Sage.           

        Daisy says our boss and Mr. Julio talked about the color purple, and how it's not a "Stock" color which they keep around like other colors.  When a customer wants something in purple they just order it.   I guess pink used to be like that until it became symbolic of breast cancer.            

  "THE COLOR PURPLE" (1985)

        Another good movie Daisy and Millie saw in the living room one night was called "The Color Purple.  Dais thinks I would really like it because it's partly about how these two friends      overcome their really difficult lives.  That's like Homer Lea, Douglas Bader and Doug Flutie.        

         Daisy told me Millie liked the parts in the movie The Color Purple when the two lifelong friends play this hand clapping game.  Boy!  It sounds like it would be really fun from the way      Dais described it that time.  Hey!  We should invent a paw clapping game for us Dogs!                   

        Wow!  I can't believe it's already the end of chapter one.  That first hour went bye pretty fast considering how sad I am about Heathcliff dying last night.   Thank Everyone up there for giving me help down here.  I'll try hard to finish this third and final book no matter what.                 

          III       

        (CHAPTER 2 / PART 1)

    8:30 

                   VIEW TO THE EAST  

           I just glanced up in time to see a Bee zip out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  Bees really do like flowers so it will be happy when it smells those new Lilacs.  Boy!  It seems like a lot more Birds are now zipping around out there in the back desert behind the three Sheds.                

        Charlie Company's scouts just came out from under Jack and are heading for the northeast corner of the house to my left, at the far north end of the Patio.  This Lizard that was standing on the Patio floor ran out into dirt near the Arborvitae tree.  Boy!  I love how flowers smell.               

       When the "Coast is Clear" Chosin will lead Charlie Company up to the front yard too.  He knows there's plenty of food to eat because of how Mr. Steve spreads the Bird Seed and Chicken Scratch on the ground below his office window.   I see Libby over there in her Corral.                   

         WALT WHITMAN (1819-1892)               ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-1865)        

                                                                                                                                         PHOTO BY ALEXANDER GARDNER

        Smelling those Lilac flower makes me think about how Daisy and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss Walt Whitman wrote a poem about them in the 19th century.  It was "Symbolically" really about President Lincoln I guess.  I kind of like Walt Whitman's hat in his picture.                

          This long line of Ants, on the other side of Miss Emily's coffee table; is marching bye on the Patio floor.  The gray floor makes me think about "Concrete" again.  In my first two books I've    written about concrete a few times, mainly because Mr. Steve in interested in that subject.             

         Wow!  My Encyclopedia says a "Frenchman" made the first concrete "vessel" in 1848 and it was a metal "frame covered with concrete."  As I've mentioned, back in 1848; there were a lot  of wars going on over there in Europe.  My Dictionary says a vessel is, "A Boat or Ship."               

CONCRETE SHIPS

          My Encyclopedia has pictures of "abandoned" concrete Ships.  Mr. Steve had a customer in the central California coastal town of "Aptos."  He told our boss about about a concrete Ship up there which for a few years was used as a "Leisure Park" with a pool and everything.               

          Yup!  Charlie Company just came out from under Jack, and Chosin is now escorting them around the northeast corner of the house; at the far end of the Patio over there to my left.  He's    named after that Korean War battle.   Boy!  Hearing the baby Quail makes me feel good.              

        The first "completely concrete" Ship was built in the late 19th century over there in Italy.  Yesterday I wrote how, on "D-Day" in 1944; the Allies used concrete Ships to deliver the fuel and ammunition.  And then they were used as "Pontoons" for that "Mulberry" harbor too.                            

"NORMANDY" INVASION ("D-DAY" / JUNE 6, 1944)

          A definition of a "Pontoon" is, "A row of Boats or floating objects connected together to form a bridge over which things are moved."  Julius Caesar's Engineers were good at making      wooden pontoons.  Pontoons were used at that Civil War "Battle of Fredericksburg."                    

        It says here concrete is "cheaper" than steel so, in both World Wars when the steel was "scarce;" concrete Ships were built.  But, I guess a concrete Boat needs a thicker "Hull;" so uses way more gas to "propel" it through the water.  I can smell Cher the Cat around here.                  

      Oh!  I guess one "drawback" to concrete Ships, if hit by a torpedo; they sink faster than a regular Ship made totally out of steel.  Wow!  Some Sailors even called them "floating tombs" or "coffins."  Because I don't really know how to swim yet, I wouldn't want to be in the Navy.

        WOODROW WILSON                                FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT     

       In World War I President Wilson "authorized" the building of concrete Ships.  And so did President Roosevelt in the Second World War.  I've mentioned how Woodrow Wilson's wife, after he had his really bad "Stoke; was secretly the "De Facto" American President for a while.            

        I've mentioned Huell Howser's tv show, where he goes around California visiting all of the different places.  He was going to do a show where Mr. Steve and his mother gave him a tour of    the San Fernando Mission.  Cher the Cat is walking out into the desert behind the Sheds.              

Daisy says our boss's customer in northern California told him Huell Howser visited Apsos    to see what's left of that concrete Ship I mentioned.  He described it as a "shipwreck." Daisy says she heard our Chief and his mom have never seen that one particular Huell Howser episode.        

         HUMMINGBIRD            

                 PHOTO BY MICHAEL LEVINE                           

        Oh!  Max the Hummingbird is zooming around trying to impress his girlfriend 99 and he just made that one sound he makes.  He'll zoom up into the sky and show off.  Boy!  It would be    so great if someday a boy Dog ever showed off and then tried to impress me like that.                     

          I've mentioned how boy Hummingbirds "Court" girl Hummingbirds and right now Max is just a tiny spec way up there in the sky, as 99 hovers below.  I wrote about how the Nazi's studied Hummingbirds to figure out how to make Helicopters.  Ah!  I think I smell little Blinky!                

         Yup!  There he goes!  Max is streaking down to the ground with his two wings pinned really tight to his little body, and looks like a World War II German Rocket.  Oh!  I now can hear Dawn sad howling over there next door.  Boy God!  That kind of makes me think of Heathcliff.                                          "JUNKERS JU-87 STUKA"                                               "V-2" ROCKET             

          Wow!  It's so incredible how, just before he hits the ground; Max turns "On a Dime" and veers to one side.  As he comes down he looks like what a German Stuka Dive Bomber must've      looked like during the early part of the Second World War.  Rudy just now jogged bye.                  

          Oh!  Max just did his climb, dive and pass routine again but this time he and 99 flew away together.  Well, back to learning more about Europe in the century after the time of Christopher Columbus.  Queen Elizabeth's British Navy beat that big Spanish "Armada" in 1588.                    

          As I wrote before, in Spanish Armada means "armed."  Hey Lord!  My Encyclopedia says, when King James' English Bible was "published" in the early 17th century; the last sentence of    the Lord's Prayer was included in the Book of Mathew.  Some Finches are chirping.                                                        

           JOHANNES GUTENBERG (1398-1468)                    "PRINTING PRESS"                         

           I've written about how Mr. Steve's father thinks that German man Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the "Printing Press" in the 1440's was one of the most important things to happen in history.  Then, by King James' time; more people could read.  I smell that old Sage bush.  

          Wow!  Our four Pigeons, Fred and Ethel and Lucy and Rickie; are flying in from being out in the eastern desert.  And I see a Lizard over there standing on the wall next to the sliding glass door.  That exact same thing has happened before but I can't remember when it was.

          Thank Everyone up there for helping me take my mind off of Heathcliff dying.  By writing about the Lord's Prayer I sort of forgot for a few minutes about Heathcliff and I'll just go ahead and keep working.  Boy God!  I'm actually starting to kind of feel a little better now. 

                                                       "GUTENBERG" BIBLE      

            I've written about how Mr. Steve and his mom enjoy going to places like the Huntington Library where they have that one Gutenberg Bible.  I wonder what Dais is doing?  I'll bet she's sad too but I know she'd tell me to just be brave and "Stay the Course" as they say.    

           Hey God!  This morning Daisy said I was lucky to have a good project to keep my mind off of poor Heathcliff and she was so right.  I will dedicate this last book to Heathcliff!  Ah!  All of a sudden I'm hearing Vivaldi's song  La Primavera and that's giving me more energy. 

          Another Classical music song our boss Mr. Steve sometimes plays in the morning is called the "Rite of Spring."  I've never heard it but really hope to someday.  Daisy told me it's kind of a long song and I guess it was written by this one Composer from over there in Russia. 

                                                 IGOR FYODOROVICH STRAVINSKY (1882-1971)  

      This Encyclopedia says Igor Stravinsky, in 1913 while living in France; wrote the Rite of Spring.  I guess it's "rhythmic structure" influenced later 20th century Composers.  Dais told me one time about how Millie really liked the way it sounded and made her feel in hearing it.             

        It says here the Rite of Spring is about "Pagan Russia" before they believed in You God.  I guess part of that story is about how a girl is "sacrificed" by dancing herself to death.  Boy!  I've never, ever been so totally tired from dancing that I feel like I'm actually dying.                               

      I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that "Stravinsky" said his song was about, "The mystery and creative power of Spring."  Oh wow!  He also said, "Music praises God in ways better than being in a Church."  Now I really want to hear that song the Rite of Spring someday.                               

"BLUEBIRDS"

PHOTO BY RICK LEWIS

            Oh!  I just glanced up from my work and see Frida and Diego the Bluebirds standing over there.   Like Andy and Helen, Fannie and Freddie or Max and 99; you can just tell they're best      friends.  Boy!  Diego, like other boy Birds; does seem to be a lot more colorful this year.                 

           A Motorcycle just zoomed bye on Primavera Road, and I heard it coming from far away.  As I've mentioned a few times in my books, our dirt road behind Mr. Steve's half acre of desert; runs a north south direction.  Floating dust raised by that Motorcycle is rising in the air.               

         For some reason, all of a sudden I'm hearing this song called "Don't Stop Believing" by a northern California band called JOURNEY.  One time last Summer, as he worked out here doing yardwork, Mr. Steve played it on his Boombox.  Daisy says Millie liked JOURNEY'S Singer.                                                                      JOURNEY                      

          I was supposed to write about JOURNEY, who are from "San Francisco;" yesterday.  Boy!  Daisy thinks Don't Stop Believing is just as inspiring as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy."  Hey      God!  If it's You up there making me hear Don't Stop Believing right now then Thank You.           

            Mr. Dave joked some make fun of JOURNEY for writing "sappy" songs for "overweight girls."  But he and Mr. Steve like them.  I guess, our boss gave Mr. Mark that homeless man his    JOURNEY cassette with Don't Stop Believing on it, so he and Karma could listen to it.                  

        Daisy and I both noticed how our boss used the word "anthem" to describe Don't Stop Believing.  His friend Chris thought the song "structure" unique, because the main "Chorus" is  sung only at the very end of the song.   If I had a Dog band we could howl songs like that.                                                       

"RHÊMA"      

         Daisy heard our boss tell Jason about his High School friend Chris.  I've mentioned a few times how he played guitar.  Chris noticed Don't Stop Believing has two "pre-chorus's, and an    "instrumental pre-chorus;" before JOURNEY sing the actual words "don't stop believing."         

               I like how Don't Stop Believing starts slowly on piano, and then build up in intensity to be soaring and rousing.  Daisy thinks the guitar is good.  That song makes us feel like a prayer going up to You God, so we can feel the spirit and emotion associated with Rhêma and Awen.                  

          Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how our boss's favorite QUEEN album is "QUEEN I."  Dais told me about a song on that album called "Keep Yourself Alive" and in some ways it's kind of like JOURNEY'S Don't Stop Believing.  Mr. Steve likes the drums on it.              

BEE GEES    

           Over the years Mr. Steve has showed people BEE GEES Videos to see their reaction when they hear the three brothers blended singing voices; or in the case of black people realize they're white.  One black girl said the BEE GEES "Harmonies" are a "gift of grace" from You.              

          Dais says the BEE GEES singing is amazing alright, but the actual music on their songs is really good too.  She heard Miss Susan at work say she thought they wrote and sang some of the best "Love" songs in history.  A flock of Birds is flying to the east way up there in the sky.             

          I guess Mr. Steve has been amused when he shows BEE GEES Videos to black people and they realize the BEE GEES are white.  Sometimes their jaws even drop in disbelief and they then laugh or shake their heads.  It is astounding how the BEE GEES singing sounds Dais thinks.                                                                                     

STEVE PERRY   

        Mr. Steve met this girl from Northern California who told him Steve Perry, JOURNEY'S Singer; is Portuguese.  She said the Singer from BON JOVI "admires" him, and so does Brian    May; QUEEN'S guitar player.  A boy Lizard is chasing a girl Lizard around over there.                 

    Back in 1972, when he was seventeen; Mr. Steve and his friend Chris met JOURNEY'S keyboard player Greg Rolie.  He was friendly and asked them where they were from.  Over the    years our boss has also shown people JOURNEY concert Videos just to see their reaction.             

       Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave on the phone one time how he likes JOURNEY before, and after; Steve Perry became their lead Singer.  He used to play along to this song called "She    Makes Me Feel Alright" from their 1976 album.  That was before Steve Perry I guess.                   

 JOURNEY ("LOOK INTO THE FUTURE" / 1976) 

        Daisy says our Chief and Mr. Dave talked about how before Steve Perry JOURNEY was more of one of those "Jazz-Fusion" bands.   Mr. Steve likes that song She Makes Me Feel Alright because it gives him a chance play the High Hat and Ride cymbal.  A Duck is quacking.                 

         As a Drummer, Mr. Dave went and listened to She Makes Me Feel Alright and later said he really liked that song too.  I've mentioned how, over the years; Mr. Steve has played songs from    his past for people like that kid Jason for instance.  He just likes to see their reaction.                     

        I've mentioned a few times in my first two books how Mr. Steve prefers heavier versions of the different styles of music.  Jazz-Fusion is a harder Rock variety of Jazz Daisy told me.  Rudy    the Roadrunner used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go into the desert.                                                                   RETURN TO FOREVER 

          I'm not scheduled to write so much about music now but thinking about that song Don't Stop Believing makes me feel like doing it now too.  Daisy says our boss likes this "Fusion" band from Los Angeles called called RETURN TO FOREVER.  I can smell a Lizard.                              

          Mr. Steve had a customer in New Jersey who knew a lot about Fusion music.  He told our boss RETURN TO FOREVER'S Guitarist Al DiMeola is also from New Jersey.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Rich from New Jersey too.                          

         Daisy says our boss thinks RETURN TO FOREVER'S musicians are good but they don't use a singer.  That guy in New Jersey said Al DiMeola once went up on stage to play guitar with    Frank Zappa, who I've been writing all about.  Aha!  I can see the Lizard now.                                                                      

       AL DIMEOLA      

        Dais told me our Chief has vinyl records by RETURN TO FOREVER, and also one of Al DiMeola's "Solo" albums; called "Elegant Gypsy."  Later today I'll learn about "Gypsy's," or "Roma" people as they call themselves.  The water in the basin is reflecting sunlight.                     

         When Mr. Steve and Chris met JOURNEY'S Greg Rolie in 1972 he was in that band called SANTANA.  I guess JOURNEY was formed in 1973 when our boss was in 12th Grade.  A small    girl Finch flew in to drink water from the basin around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.               

       In 1972 Mr. Steve and Chris were "Roadies" for that keyboard player Gabriel.  They were delivering his "Hammond B-3" organ to a place in Hollywood where it was going to be repaired.  And, I guess it just so happened Greg Rolie had an organ in there at the time too.                                             

            SANTANA (GREG ROLIE UPPER RIGHT)                              SANTANA ("WOODSTOCK" /  1969)                                                                                                                           PHOTO BY TUCKER RANSOM                                                 

          I guess in 1972 that place in Hollywood was also fixing Greg Rolie's Hammond B-3.  Greg Rolie admired Gabriel's "pedal setup."  Mr. Steve told him he liked Ansley Dunbar of England and a few years later, in the mid-1970's he became JOURNEY'S Drummer too.                               

         Mr. Steve remembers Greg Rolie joking that, if he hadn't become a Musician; he probably would've been an "Architect."  Mr. Steve says his mom and sister could've probably made good  Architects too.  Greg Rolie said that he went to High School near San Francisco.                             

      A few years ago this guy told our boss that, in 1972; Ansley Dunbar was the Drummer in Frank Zappa's band.  Mr. Steve and Mr. Dave talked about how he's right-handed and holds his left stick in that "Traditional" grip I've mentioned before.   Donald and Daisy are quacking.                                                 FRANK ZAPPA                                                            ANSLEY DUNBAR                                                                                                           

        That guy also told Mr. Steve how, in the mid-1960's; Ansley Dunbar was in England and tried out for Jimi Hendrix's band.  He did good but, so did the guy who ended up getting the job so; Jimi Hendrix did a "Coin Flip" to decide who to hire.  Ansley Dunbar lost I guess.                    

          Two Pigeons just flew in from the desert behind the Sheds and landed up on the patio roof right above me.  I wonder if all the Pigeons noticed this morning that there was no Heathcliff to    announce the day around here?  Oh!  I hear Heathcliff's Hens cackling over there next door.         

          I see a long vapor trail up in the sky.  Theodora just jumped up into her favorite Creosote bush near Jack.  Wow!  I really kind of feel right now as if that exact same "Sequence of Events" when I was hearing all of Heathcliff's Hens cackling over there has happened before.                                                          

JIMI HENDRIX  ("WOODSTOCK" / 1969)   

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ      

         I just thought about that color Jimi Hendrix at Woodstock print, which is hanging in our boss's bedroom.  Someday, I want to see it.  I've mentioned how that print was given to our boss  by Mr. Rich, and was "Framed and Matted" by Mr. Oimette who died a while back.                      

         Daisy says, when our boss looks at that 11 x 14 inch color Jimi Hendrix print, he thinks of the nice conversations he had with Mr. Oimette at his house in Wrightwood.  Mr. Oimette knew a lot about the history of Jazz music and a few other subjects too.  Ah!  I love how Sage smells.        

          Mr. Oimette knew all about "Hammond B3" organs I guess.  He chuckled when Mr. Steve told him how in the 1970's he and his friend Chris, as "Roadies" for that guy "Gabriel;" had to    move a "B3" from "place to place."  Dais heard our boss tell Mr. Dave how B3's are heavy.                        

       "HAMMOND B-3" ("LESLEY" SPEAKER)  

          A picture of a "B-3" shows a wooden "Lesley" speaker, which Mr. Steve also had to move around; next to it.  When they were growing up in Sylmar; Mr. Steve's friend Tim's mom had a    B-3 in their living room.  The Pigeons, who've been walking around up there; just flew away.        

          I guess that guy Tim's mother also had one of those wooden Lesley speakers too.  "Cones" in it would spin around the faster you played, and her B-3 even had a "Primitive" kind of "Drum Machine."  I look forward to someday hearing some of that band JOURNEY'S songs.                   

         Hey God!  Are You helping me to not think about Heathcliff by keeping me busy writing?  I think it might be working because, in writing about JOURNEY  I totally forgot about Heathcliff.  Oh!  In my mind I'm right now hearing Don't Stop Believing, which makes me feel "Uplifted."    

2014 DODGE "JOURNEY"    

           According to what Dais heard one time, there's a Dodge Car called a "Journey."  It's one of those Sports Utility Vehicles, and one of our Chief's customers told him he got one for his wife to drive her sons "Pop Warner" Football team around.  A Train just whistled faintly.                     

        I guess, that Parts Manager used the words "crossover" and "mid-size" to describe the Journey.  He told Mr. Steve they're made "down in Mexico," come with either two or four wheel  drive; and in parts of the world the steering wheel is on the right side.  Dawn's barking.                

           Wow!  I wrote more than I was scheduled to write about that band JOURNEY, but that's okay because like Daisy has been saying over the last two days; I can "improvise" as I go along.    Hey Heathcliff!  If you're up there mind reading me, we'll add you to our prayers now.                  

THEODORA  WITH  MALE THRASHER    

    Oh my God!  Theodora's over there with what is mot likely a boy Thrasher Bird, who's offering her food.  So Theodora is a girl and we were right all along.  They both just now jumped to the ground from up in the Mulberry tree branches and are running away together.  Wow!         

          Well God, like Daisy says, like it or not we all have to die.  Because she's so old she's been thinking about "Mortality" more lately and so has our boss.  And with Heathcliff gone she thinks we have to really not waste any time and live fully "In the Present" as that saying goes.

          As I've mentioned, our Chief stays busy and tries to make every day productive because he thinks about how short life is.  Dais says he thinks living in the moment, especially if you're doing art or learning; can sometimes take your mind off of life's normal everyday ordinariness.  

HEATHCLIFF II

           Boy You Guys, thinking about mortality really makes me appreciate what Heathcliff was to us and how he seemed so young!  He had "meaning" in his life, to announce the day; just like  a Muslim "Muezzin."  It makes me think about the cycle of "Life, Death and Rebirth."                 

        Mr. Steve says his parents, like countless others; "Sacrificed" trying to make life better for their children.  Our boss and his siblings all have their own houses and, to a large extent; it's  due mainly to the efforts of their parents who didn't want them to be poor.  I smell Sage.               

          I'm so tempted to hide everything and run up front to tell Daisy the news about Finley's new girlfriend and Theodora's boyfriend.  But, I'll wait and do it after chapter four, when I take my first big break of the day.  The Monarch Butterfly just fluttered bye in front of the Sheds.       

"RED TAILED" HAWK        

            Aha!  I knew I was being watched and, sure enough; I just noticed that new Hawk sitting over there on a branch of the big Mulberry tree.  I didn't even notice it flying in which is kind of strange.  Oh!  Now that Hawk is looking at me over here on Elvira in sort of a weird way.             

          It's a good thing Chosin already took Charlie Company up there to the front yard because Hawks love to eat Quail.  Andy's sniffing the air and I can tell he knows that Hawk is there by his body language.   Oh!  The Hawk just lifted off and is now flying out into the back desert.               

      Boy!  Heathcliff being gone makes me think of how our boss's father says there's no such thing as a "life without problems."  Daisy thinks we're so lucky to not have to worry about food, water and a place to live.  Even here, in the richest country in all of history; many are poor.                                      

THE "GREAT DEPRESSION" (1930'S)    

              Mr. Steve's Grandparents were adults during the 1930's Great Depression.  I've written about it before and will write more about it today too.  Life was really, really difficult and; most people and their Cats and Dogs were very poor because of how there so few jobs back then.  

              At St. Ferdinand's Sister Joanne Claire said, having a "sense of purpose" makes life "a bit more tolerable."  Ah!  My right nostril just now picked up the slight scent of some of the new Spring "Roses" over there next door.  I know for sure Daisy is up there smelling this too.

            Hey God!  As You of course already know, I now want my purpose in life to become one of those "Lifetime Learners" Sister Rita Joseph talked about.  I can't wait for our boss to read my books so he'll want to keep me.  But, I still have a lot of work to do today in this book.   

"VAPOR TRAIL" OVER THE DESERT     

             A vapor trail is up there.  Hey God!  Even though I feel bad about Heathcliff dying, I'll just have to do like Dais says; "Hunker Down" and focus as much as possible on what I have to do today.  Even though, we're all still kind of in a "State of Shock" around here I think.        

                  I don't know if it's just me but the Birds; especially the Sparrows, didn't seem to be quite as happy this morning.  I heard a few of them singing, but not like you would expect on this third day of Spring.  Oh wow!  Maybe the other Birds around here noticed Heathcliff missing too?

           Today is Saturday so I have to be ready if Mr. Steve calls us to go watch cartoons.  If he does I've had practice hiding all of my materials.  Our boss doesn't usually make phone calls on weekends unless told to by one of his customers.  Two of the Pigeons are now flying bye. 

              MR. PEABODY / BOY SHERMAN                      UNDERDOG / GIRLFRIEND POLLY 

             Because today is Saturday, for his job Mr. Steve doesn't normally make any phone calls; unless he's told to by a customer.  He didn't do much yard work this morning, and so far; hasn't opened up the front door so we can go in the living room to watch Cartoons.  I smell Sage. 

            As I look around at such a beautiful sunny morning I keep feeling like I want to cry.  Hey God!  As You know, Daisy is now convinced You're sending me some messages through our boss's latest Chinese fortune cookies.  Frida and Diego are both now flying toward the northeast.  

            Last night Mr. Steve's two Fortune Cookies said, "Life gets hard near the summit;" and "Nothing is eternal, not even your troubles."   As You know God, Daisy and I now think You sent  those messages because today is probably going to be way harder.  Boy!  Sage smells so good.

BLUE BOY / LINDA      

                Oh wow!  Blue Boy's over there, and his girlfriend Linda is finally with him.  What really got my attention was the unique kind of screechy and scratchy sound of their voices.  Daisy and I have both noticed a few times how smaller Lizards are one of a Scrub Jays favorite foods.

           I'm thinking about how Scrub Jays sing around the body of a dead friend like a funeral.  They hide, and at times re-hide food; but are smart and will cleverly steal food from the other Birds if they can "Get away with It" as they say.  Scrub Jays imitate Hawks Dais told me. 

           From what Daisy and Millie saw on this tv show, Scrub Jays and Deer have one of those mutually beneficial "Symbiotic" relationships I've written about before.  Deer's let them eat the 
Ticks" from their fur, the Scrub Jays get food.  They even eat inside the Deer's ears I guess.    

                   WIND CHIMES                                                  "RANDSBURG"                

            Oh!  The chimes are ringing now so, this is a good time to write about a small town to the north of Edwards A.F.B. called "Randsburg," where those chimes up there were made.  In the      19th century gold was discovered there but now it's partially one of those "Ghost Towns."            

          Daisy heard our boss tell his mom on the phone one time about the lady who bought him those chimes.  He helped her fill out legal documents and, while in his house; she noticed things having to do with the Oakland A's.  Most of those things were gifts from others.                              

           At the house on Hagar Street that one lady liked the wooden Oakland A's "Coat Hanger" which now hangs near the entranceway to our house.  She also saw the chimes our boss had  near the sliding glass door going out onto the patio.  Miss Emily gave him the coat hanger.                     

"WESTMINSTER MUSICAL WIND CHIMES"

               In my first two books I kept forgetting to write about Randsburg; which that lady and her son were visiting when they went into the chime making business.   I guess they had a lot of    colors but she thought of Mr. Steve.  I'd want blue ones but green looks good too.                            

             Oh wow!  What a coincidence that, just as I'm writing about chimes; a breeze just came in from the desert and is making them ring.  I hope You're making the chimes ring Holy Spirit,    and it would be so great if You were around again today.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.         

            I'm still thinking of that Fortune Cookie.  This English Dictionary says an "Axiom" is a, "Statement universally accepted as being true."  And, my book of "Synonyms" says a "Maxim"  is another way of saying it.  Boy! I sure do hope Mr. Steve keeps eating fortune cookies.                 

DWIGHT YOAKAM

PHOTO BY KEVIN WINTER

            Mr. Steve was told in Randsburg, which has less than one hundred people; they filmed a Dwight Yoakam Video in the late 1980's.  Dwight Yoakam is "Associated"  with that one Country music style I wrote about called the "Bakersfield Sound."  I like his hat and guitar.                       

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Doug on the phone one time how the Dwight Yoakam Video was for a song he "Covered" by that other band the BLASTERS.  He, and Mr. Doug; have both  seen the BLASTERS.  Mr. Steve took pictures of the BLASTERS' Dave Alvin Dais says.                

           Dwight Yoakam was born in the State of "Kentucky."  Mr. Steve heard Johnny Cash liked his music and he's "Opened Up" for bands very different from himself, like LOS LOBOS, X and even HÜSKER DÜ.  I wrote about HÜSKER DÜ back on Thursday in my first book.                     

"CALIFORNIA CITY" ("KERN" COUNTY)      

PHOTO BY CHANG KIM             

       Oh!  Seeing as I just talked about Randsburg, this is a good time to write about another small Mojave Desert town I missed on my outline yesterday.  It's called "California City" and I    guess Mr. Steve bought things from a man who lived there.  He joked it was a "ghost town."         

          Dais heard our boss and that man talk about how California City began in the late 1950's as a "Land Speculation," which turned out to be a partial "Fraud."  The man said they said a      big huge Lake was under the ground there but it wasn't true.  Samson and Delilah flew bye.         

        From what Daisy heard the man say, California City is twenty miles north of "Edwards A.F.B."   It's part of the "Antelope Valley" just like the town of "Littlerock," where Mr. Steve's    brother Sam's family now live.  Andy's scent just floated in over here to me on the Patio.               

"DE ANZA" EXPEDITION (1776)

ARTWORK BY ANZAHISTORICTRAIL.ORG

          I've learned so much about the early history of European "Alta" California over the last three days, and how Father Serra established "San Diego Mission in 1769.  That same year the    Spanish first saw the "San Francisco" Bay.  In 1775 that "De Anza" expedition happened.            

          The man told our boss in 1775 a Franciscan Priest named Francisco Garcés, part of the De Anza expedition; camped in the area where California City is located.  Back east in that year the "Revolutionary War" was about to start.  Motorcycles went bye out there on Primavera Road.    

         I've mentioned before how that guy Juan Bautista de Anza led two hundred and forty men, women and children north into Upper California, to colonize the San Francisco Bay area.  Mr.    Steve told the man from California City he and his parents read about that guy Padre Garcés.                     

"MULE TEAM"

       According to what Daisy heard the man tell Mr. Steve, in the late 19th century there were "Borax" mines to the east of where California City is now located.  And teams of twenty Mules    pulling Wagons used to take it out of the desert.  Borax is salt used to make glass or soap.              

        The man joked California City has only about fifteen thousand people in it, but "in actual size on a map" or "land area;" it's the third largest town / city in California.   Dawn's barking      over there.  I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her, which makes me feel good.              

         They had "such big plans" for California City back in the early 1960's the man said.  Some  people got "partial refunds" of their money in the 1970's.  Dais heard how, now from high up in  the air you can really see clearly the outlines of what was intended to be a very big city.                

"ROSEMARY"

            Oh wow!  I just picked up the scent of some Rosemary bush's.  And now the smell of our neighbors "Oleanders" just floated in too.  Max and 99 will be really happy because it seems like this Spring all of the different types of flowers are coming out way earlier than usual.                     

         Blessed Virgin!  I hope You came in with the smell of the Rosemary bush because, even more than my first two books; I might need extra help today.   Boy!  Taking a deep breath    of fresh air right now makes me feel good.  Some of the Ducks are quacking over there.                  

        Smelling all the new Spring flowers makes me suddenly think about how "Flora" is the ancient Roman Goddess of "flowers" and "Springtime." This one Encyclopedia says they had an "annual" Spring festival called "Floralia."  Two of the Pigeons flew over top of the house.             

                                              "FLORA"                                  "SPRING FESTIVAL"

                                                                        PAINTING BY LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA

               I guess "floris" is Latin for "flowers" or "flourishing, and at the Spring festival people wore bright-colored clothes.  I guess the ancient Greeks called Flora "Chloris."  Mr. Steve one time bought a framed copy of a painting showing another Roman Spring celebration.

              Mr. Steve and his mom saw the real painting of that Spring Festival when they visited that "Getty" Museum near the beach.  The copy is the actual size of the original, about five feet tall and three feet wide.  It hangs in the "Entranceway" of Mr. Steve's parent's house.   

              In 1985 our boss walked around some of the city of Rome "On his Own, apart from his Tour Group.  He went to where the Romans used to race Chariots called the "Circus Maximus." An old Temple devoted to the Goddess Flora was kind of near to the Circus Maximus.

                                                            "OLEANDER" BUSH   

               Smelling those Oleander bushes next door makes me think about how Mr. Steve has such bad skin.  When they did what are called "Blood Tests" on him they found he's "Allergic" to Oleander flowers, peanuts and strawberries too.  Dawn's barking over there.  

              Many people are allergic to egg "Yolks" our boss says.  But he was told by the Doctors that he's allergic to egg "Whites."  I guess Daisy heard he "Knows from Experience" that he can eat eggs and peanuts in moderation; as long as he doesn't "Overdue" it as they say.

             Every day Mr. Steve starts by eating two toasted slices of bread, and drinking a glass of Fruit juice; along with those things called "Vitamins."  If he's out of bread he has one of those flour "Tortillas" I've mentioned before.  His mom makes really good "Fried" eggs.

                                                                       "BACON AND EGG" BREAKFAST     

             Our Chief likes his mom's fried eggs with bacon, her thick flour tortillas; and if she has it green or red New Mexico chili.  It's so weird to think about how eggs come out of girl Chickens just like Heathcliff's group still over there.  Boy!  Writing about food makes me hungry.    

             Now, usually the only time Mr. Steve eats eggs is sometimes when he stays at his parents house in Sylmar.  But, he can never eat even one strawberry or his skin will "Break Out" and get really "Itchy."  I can see a small Garter Snake now crawling out into the back field.  

             I guess, when they told our boss about Oleander bushes; it "Dawned on Him" as to why his skin was so bad when he lived down there on Hagar Street in Sylmar.  He always trimmed or cleaned the Oleander bushes surrounding his house.  He swept up many Oleander flowers.  

     "ROSES" ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION / "EAST" GARDEN      

                                                                    PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA  

                    One time that kid Michael who lived up the street from Mr. Steve called kind of excited. He said, "Mr. Steve!  I was sweeping up Oleander flowers and thought of something."  Speedy Gonzalez just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to run into the desert.

             Daisy says that kid Michael asked, " You know how you joke about many things having two sides?  Well, the prettier the Oleander bushes are when they're all filed up with flowers; the more dead flowers there are to clean up later."  Mr. Steve thought that was funny.

                    Oh wow!  I smell some our neighbor's Rose bushes!  Ah!  Maybe smelling those Roses, and the Oleander's too for the first time this year; is Heathcliff up there trying to send us down a signal or gift?  I wonder if Daisy can smell all of the new Spring flowers up there?  

                                                                                                                POISON

              I guess our boss thought about Michael years later when he heard a song called "Every Rose Has It's Thorns" by that band called POISON.  I've said a few times over the last three days how our boss thinks, the bigger the good, the equal potential for bad.  I smell Sage. 

             Ah!  A breeze came in from out in the eastern desert behind our three Sheds.  I again smell the faint scent of one of the new Rosemary plants I've been smelling for the last two days. Boy, I sure do hope that it's You Blessed Virgin, or Heathcliff, sending us a sign not to be sad.

            Boy God!  I really don't feel like writing today but somehow I just have a feeling I need to at least try anyway.  Daisy thinks I should write this third book in Heathcliff's honor and I think that's exactly what I'll do.  Hey Heathcliff!  I I will try to keep your memory alive!

FINLEY / FEMALE FINCH

            Oh!  Finley's over there again with his new girlfriend.  She was pecking his bill and is now flapping her wings so he'll throw up food for her.  But, he keeps on tricking her and just pretends to do it; so then she'll really want the food from him more and more and more I think.                   

                    By God!  For some reason, seeing Finley over there being so happy makes think about how Heathcliff is totally gone now.  Finley just finally threw up some of the food he was carrying around down there in his stomach.  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.

              Daisy says one time Mr. Dave told our boss he read a Magazine article which said that, over there in Europe; some pet Finches escaped from their cages and now the wild Finches have spread all around.  Oh!  Finley and his new girlfriend just flew out into the back desert. 

FANNY

PHOTO BY LINDA WOLF

                    Hey!  I think I'll name Finley's new girlfriend "Fanny," even though we already have Freddy's Fanny too.  Oh!  We can have Fanny1 and Fanny2 like DEVO'S Bob1 and Bob2, and I'll name Finley's girlfriend after that girl band FANNY.  Yup!  That's what I'll do alright.

             One time Mr. Steve played an old 1970's FANNY Video for that kid Jason.  I've written about how FANNY was one of the first female bands who played their own instruments.  And I guess all four sang too according to what that Video showed of their band "Rehearsal."

            You can really tell how talented FANNY were by the Video but, from what our boss told Jason; they didn't make much money.  Instead, they "paved the way" for later groups like the GO-GO'S who did make money.  Two crisscrossed vapor trails are up there in the sky.     

                        ARTWORK BY TRAVIS MOORE    "WHISKY A GO-GO"           RORY GALLAGHER                   

                                                                                                                                                  PHOTO BY WERNHER KRUTEIN

                  Over the last two days I've written about how Mr. Steve has been to some of the different Nightclubs down there in in Los Angeles, like the "Whisky A Go-Go" for instance.  That's where in the early 1970's he and Sandy saw that guy Rory Gallagher.  A Train whistled faintly. 

            I guess also in the early 1970's Mr. Steve, Sandy and some of their friends saw FANNY at the Whisky.  Over the years our boss has played FANNY for people, to see their reaction to how talented all four of them were back in those days.  But, they never "Made It" as they say.

           According to Dais FANNY is two sisters, the Bassist and Guitarist; and also a Drummer and Keyboardist.  Those two sisters are originally from the Philippines Daisy heard, but came to live here in Northern California with their parents.  I guess they were just young girls then.    

FANNY LIVE     

                  According to Daisy, that kid Jason was very impressed not only at how all four members of FANNY sing; but their musicianship too.  The guitarist older sister plays really good "Slide" guitar on a song called "Ain't that Peculiar."  Oh!  Fanny and Freddy are flying bye.

            Dais thinks I would like this one FANNY song about a Bulldog because of how the girl on keyboards even has this part where she howls like me and Dawn.  Boy!  I would like to see that alright.  Ah!  Right now Dawn's doing her obligatory non-alarm bark over there.    

               One time our boss and Mr. Dave were talking about FANNY'S drummer, who plays the "Ride" cymbal on the Bulldog song.  Daisy likes the piano on that song but noticed how the bass and guitar are also good too.  I've mentioned how David Bowie really liked FANNY.  

CHARLIE COMPANY  

                     Oh!  I just looked up and see Charlie Company over there.  I can tell Chosin, the big male; is watching over the girl Quails with their new Spring babies.  Wow! Seeing, and smelling them too; makes me feel a lot better about doing what I'm supposed to do again today. 

              Boy, I sure do hope one of the Hens next door will give birth to another Heathcliff so we can then call him Heathcliff III.  Things are not going to be the same around here, just like when Molly died.  Ah!  I wonder if Heathcliff came back as a baby Quail in Charlie Company? 

              Yup!  I've decided this last and final book will be dedicated to Heathcliff.  Oh!  Speaking of Charlie Company, Chosin is leading them around the northeast corner of the house, at the far end of the patio over there to my left.  I guess, they were hiding under Jack the biggest Shed.

                                       MR. STEVE'S FATHER ("KOREAN" WAR / 1951)

                 Over the last three days I've written about how our boss's father was in the Korean War.  Chosin, the big Quail; was named after a famous Korean War battle that took place in the cold Winter of late 1950.   I can now smell the scent that Charlie Company left behind. 

           Mr. Steve's dad, as a member of the "First Marine Division;" got to Korea in mid-1951.  North Korea invaded southward into South Korea in early 1950, and almost took the peninsula.  But then General MacArthur made his famous risky surprise landing at "Inchon."

           The North Koreans, who at that time were being supported by Stalin's Soviet Union; had to retreat northward in total panic because MacArthur had "Cut them Off" and threatened to "Annihilate" them.  Samson and Delilah are up there winging their way to the northeast.   

                                                               "INCHON" LANDING" (SEPTEMBER, 1950)

             As I've written about before, from September of 1950; the "United Nations" forces led by the U.S. ended up chasing the North Koreans all the way back north.  But General MacArthur got overconfident and even said the war would be over by Christmas.  He was wrong.

            The Communists in China took power in 1949 and that guy Mao Zedong wanted to help the North Korean Communists.  He told the United Nations to leave North Korea alone and even warned the U.S. not to keep on fighting.  Some of the Ducks are quacking over there.

            In late 1950 the Chinese caught the Americans and almost everyone else by surprise when they invaded North Korea.  General MacArthur wanted to use Nuclear bombs against them but President Truman said no.  Ah!  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus over there.

KOREAN WAR COMBAT

,

            Wow!  This Encyclopedia says in late November of 1950, during the "dead of winter;" one hundred and twenty thousand Chinese surrounded thirty thousand U.S. and U.N. soldiers at the "Chosin" Reservoir.  That was in northeast Korea.  It was twenty degrees "Below Zero."              

         Dais says our boss just happened to be reading about the "Battle of Chosin" when he was trying to figure out a name for Charlie Company's big boy Quail.  It says here that for over two    weeks a "brutal" battle took place in 1950.  Libby's scent just came in from my right.                    

        Some of the Americans surrounded in that "Kill Zone" at Chosin were part of the "First Marine Division" just like Mr. Steve's father.  But he didn't arrive in Korea until mid-1951 so,      fortunately; was not one of the men who fought in that bloody battle.  Dawn's barking.                           

                                                      EVACUATING THE DEAD ("CHOSIN" RESERVOIR)

                                                                       ( NOV.-DEC. / 1950)

               Oh wow!  The caption below this picture says it shows "corpses" of  American Soldiers killed at Chosin being piled onto Trucks.  Mr. Steve's father says Marines don't like to leave any wounded Soldiers behind.  And they don't like to leave behind the dead bodies either.  

              Mr. Steve's dad was told by some of the guys in the First Marine Division how, in order to get more bodies to fit on the Trucks; sometimes the "frozen in place" limbs had to be broken.  It was because they didn't have enough Trucks.  The four Pigeons are flying to the east.

              It says here finally, after seventeen days and nights of "fierce fighting; the surviving U.S. and U.N. troops decided to attempt a "break out" of that "pocket of death."   Then the hard part began.  They had to make an "arduous" one hundred mile long "desperate fighting retreat." 

                                                                      RETREAT FROM CHOSIN RESERVOIR

              Escaping from the Chosin area, the columns of U.S. and South Korean survivors then had to "run the gauntlet."   For most of the way the Chinese, who held the "higher ground;" had the advantage of shooting down on their enemy.  Some Crows are cawing faintly right now.

             The Soldiers fleeing from Chosin were in one of the worst situations any Soldier can find himself in, those trying to kill them from high on hills; themselves being hard to kill.  But, it was one of those "Do or Die" situations; no matter what they had to make it to the coast I guess.   

            Mr. Steve's dad was told, of the approximately thirty thousand Allied Soldiers who took part in that late 1950 campaign; about seventeen thousand ended up as casualties.  Theodora is running bye.  Again today the Sun's warmth makes me feel good so thank Everyone again.    

                                                                                              "VALLEY OF FIRE"

              I've said before how the word "Casualties" just means all of the dead, wounded or what they call "Missing in Action."  A lot of Soldiers at Chosin either froze to death or died of disease. Like Mr. Steve's father about a year later, most got "Frostbite" in their hands or feet.     

             A survivor of Chosin later told our boss's father it was a "frozen Hell on Earth."  They chuckled at how one Officer described what happened not as a "Retreat," but an "advance in a different direction."  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye, moving toward the northeast.  

            In World War II General MacArthur was "Caught by Surprise" in 1941, and Mr. Steve's father thinks he was probably "embarrassed" again in 1950 at being so "overconfident."  So he was totally willing to drop Nuclear bombs on China.  But President Truman said no to him. 

"COTTONTAIL" RABBIT

             I just glanced up and see a Bunny Rabbit over there near the back fence, which for some reason all of a sudden makes me feel good.  Daisy loves Bunny Rabbits and that one seems like it's sniffing around for food.   Andy's guarding the burrow and just picked up its scent.

             Daisy and I are sad but we'll try to get a lot done today anyway.  Dais intends to "Make the Rounds" more often today up there but, it's going to be really hard God not to think about Heathcliff.  Boy!  I can't wait to go tell Daisy about seeing that cute Rabbit over there.  

           Wow!  Just as I'm thinking about how hard it might be today; I  remember that Spanish saying Mr. Frank told our boss, "Querer es poder."  That means, "Wanting is Power," or "When there's a will there's a way."  Miss Susan says Bunny Rabbits are called "Cottontails."

                                                             PHYSICAL REALITY

                   Boy God!  I kind of have a feeling today I'll be thinking about the subject of "Mortality" more than Daisy and I had planned on.  Hey Heathcliff!  We want to hope down here you're up there in Heaven.  If you're mind-reading me it would be so great if you sent us a signal.

            Daisy reassured me Heathcliff, in her opinion; you're up in Heaven because you always did your job well and weren't lazy.  In fact, as far as we can tell; you were a hard worker and if I ever had a house I would want a Rooster exactly like you.  Boy!  Tomorrow will so weird.

           Hey Heathcliff!  Thinking about how hard you worked makes think even more why I have to show our boss I'm a hard worker like you too.  And, even though my heart is not really "Into It;" I have to convince myself to just "Carry On."  The Bunny Rabbit's now gone now.

KANSAS 

               Dais told me about that one KANSAS song called "Carry On Wayward Son," which she says begins with the "Acapella" type singing I've written about.  I guess Millie liked the guitar-    playing.  Our boss likes how most KANSAS songs have many "Tempo" changes in them.              

           Well God, I guess Daisy's right.  "From here on in" as they say, we're just going to have to add Heathcliff to our list of others we pray for at night before we go to bed.  From now on, we'll just have to think of Heathcliff like Molly the Mule and keep him alive in our minds.                      

           God?  As I've said before, some think praying is dumb but we don't care.   Like Mr. Steve said, it may not do any good but it just seems like praying makes you feel better, especially when things are going really badly.  Everyone sometimes needs a "boost in hope" he thinks.                              

"THE WALTON'S"

            Dais and Millie one time saw an episode of that tv show "The Walton's" where, when the oldest daughter was depressed her mom told her she felt "the load was a little lighter" when she prayed.  Mr. Steve would agree with that and so do we too!  Dawn's now barking.                           

            Hey Blessed Mother!  I just now said a quick "Hail Mary" and thinking of You sure does make me feel better alright.  I have a feeling I'll be saying way more prayers today than I did in    the last two days.  And I'll bet Daisy is going to pray a lot more than usual today too.                      

            A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road and it left behind some dust floating up into the air.  I've mentioned before how, as a kid; Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew used to ride Bikes the way they do on "Motocross" Motorcycles.  I can smell some Creosote.                      

"CREATION" / THE "SPARK OF LIFE"

 MICHAELANGELO BUONAROTTI ("SISTINE CHAPEL")

             Hey God!  In 1985 our boss was so lucky in getting to see that "Sistine Chapel" back in Rome.  This Encyclopedia has a picture showing the section of that giant ceiling  painting where Michelangelo painted the moment You gave the "Spark of Life" to Adam.  I smell Sage.

             Wow!  All of a sudden the Sun got brighter above the eastern horizon.  That reminds me of last year at this exact same time of year and all of a sudden I'm having one of those Déjà Vu moments I've been having for the last three days.  Ducks are quacking next door.

            Hey Heathcliff!  Daisy and I will both start praying for you down here and I sure do hope you'll do the same for us if you're up there in Heaven.  Oh!  Maybe, "God willing;" someday we can even meet again.  And we'll promise to think of you so your spirit will survive! 

HIGH DESERT "RATTLESNAKE"

              Aha!  I knew I was smelling a Rattlesnake and sure enough, I see it behind the fence.  Oh boy!  I hope it doesn't find out  Andy and Helen, and all three Quail Companies too; all have new baby's around here now .  Bonnie and Clyde's babies are all asleep up there in their nest.

                   Wow!  Usually you don't see a Snake out in the open like that because Hawks and Crows will try to kill it for food.  Yup!  That Rattlesnake is crawling away.   It wasn't rattling it's tail but was sticking it's tongue out to taste the air, but didn't pick up anything worth eating.  

             If a Rattlesnake bites you and shoots their "Venom" into you it will not kill you right now but eventually will "Kick In" as they say.  So if a bitten Squirrel or Gopher runs away the Snake just "Trails them Down."  Like that saying goes, "You can run, but you can't hide."

                                                            "KOMODO DRAGON"                                                

             A little Lizard is over there standing on the wall near the sliding glass door going into the dining room.  Daisy once saw a tv show about the world's biggest Lizard.  According to this one Encyclopedia, it's called a "Komodo Dragon;" and they live only in "Indonesia."

            I guess Indonesia is many islands and not a single "land mass," and Komodo Dragons live only on one of those islands.  Wow!  It says here Komodo Dragons can grow up to be ten feet long and weigh two hundred pounds.  Fannie and Freddie are flying toward the northeast.  

          Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter knew how those Komodo Dragons eat big Deer after poison in their "Saliva" slowly kills their "Prey."  Like Rattlesnakes, and Gila Monsters too; they bite it and then wait for it to die.  I can see by the picture they use their tongue to taste the air.     

                                                                     "INDONESIA"

            This is interesting.  It says here the first Komodo Dragon wasn't even "discovered" by the Western World until 1910!  Before that there were "rumors" of "land Crocodiles" on some of the Indonesian islands.  1910 was only four years before the First World War started.

            When Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter went to Arizona he thought it was only going to be for a short time.  So, he left our Chief with that "Gila Monster" to "take care of;" until he came back.  But he liked Arizona so much he never came back and Mr. Steve "inherited" it.

            I've mentioned before how Gila Monsters also have venom in their saliva which helps to slow down and eventually kill it's victim.  In College at C.S.U.N. Mr. Steve's mom had a painting assignment which required her to use two "overlapping" images.  Dawn's barking.

                                                    "GILA MONSTER" CLOSE UP

                                                                 PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

             Whenever we go in the living room to watch cartoons I see two painting hanging on the south wall of the dining room area on that side of the house.  Those paintings were done as our boss's mom's College assignment.  A flock of Birds is flying bye up there in the sky.

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his mom about those two paintings.  One shows a Gila Monster and the other has an "Iguana" in the "Foreground."  Mr. Steve's mother copied the image of a picture Mark Ritter took in the Galápagos Islands on his visit.

           The painting of the Gila Monster was made using a close up photo Mr. Doug took of our boss holding his Gila Monster.  In the painting, "At first Glance;" the painting kind of looks like a Dinosaur as it's against an almost "Primeval" type background.  A Duck is quacking.  

                                                                "MARINE IGUANA" 

PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

             Once you look closer, you can see in the painting how it's a Gila Monster being held in a person's hand.  In the painting of the Marine Iguana, once you closer; you notice a Battleship is going bye in the Ocean way down there below the Iguana.  Speedy Gonzalez ran bye.

             I guess the image of that Battleship was taken from a "Wire Photo" Mr. Steve had.  Both of those two paintings, "On closer Inspection;" turn out to show something other than what the viewer might have thought they saw at first.  I just heard a Train whistle faintly.

            It's illegal to keep Gila Monsters because they're so rare Dais heard.  Mr. Steve kept his in a big glass one hundred gallon Fish tank, for six years; until it died.  That Fish tank is here on the patio, to my left; on the other side of the Encyclopedias and legal research books.

                                                                                                   "GILA MONSTER"

PHOTO BY KRZYSZTOF WIKTOR                                                                                                          IMAGE / HELODERMA SUSPECTUM

             Dais heard our boss and Mr. Doug talk on the phone about how Gila Monsters are only found in the State of Arizona.   They're the only U.S. "Venomous" Lizard.  When Mr. Steve had that Gila Monster that one kid Michael and his brothers and sisters all knew about it.

             During the time Mr. Steve had that Gila Monster the neighborhood kids were "Sworn to Secrecy" as they say.  When they went with him to buy Mice to feed the Gila Monster they would say they were for a Snake.  Dawn's barking and I can smell he, Blinky and Rosie over there.

            I guess the kids became kind of "Protective" of  that Gila Monster.  One time when a guy at the Pet Shop asked what the Mice were for Michael said, "What's it to you?"  Mr. Steve said really fast, "A Gopher Snake;" and that worker nodded and put the Mice in a paper bag.

"SILVERBACK" GORILLAS

                                                                                                                            PHOTO BY OWEN TAYLOR

                Those Komodo Dragons were only found in the early 20th century.  I've mentioned before how those African Gorillas weren't even seen by any "Westerners" until the late 1850's.  

            Wow!  My Encyclopedia says some male "Silverback" Gorilla's can be six feet tall and weight up to five hundred pounds.  Boy!  The fights they have to get the girl Gorilla's must really be unbelievable because of how strong they are.  And I notice they have sharp teeth too. 

            I already can't wait to go see Dais up there in the front yard on my first long break of the day.  I wonder if Finley and Fanny2 will go eat the seeds Mr. Steve puts out for the Birds?  If so then Daisy will see for herself how finally Finley's found a girl Finch he can be with.         

                                                                                                                                               "KING FERDINAND III"    

                                                                   PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA    

              I've mentioned before how when we go in the house to watch tv, I see the painting Mr. Steve's mom did of Spain's King "Ferdinand III."  He lived in the 13th century but was made a "Saint" in 1671.  As I've said a few times in my other books, he was "Canonized." 

             That ten foot tall painting of King Ferdinand III is hanging near the kitchen entrance.  I like it because our boss's mom put his face on it.  The paintings of the Lizards are to the left of the King Ferdinand painting.  The Saint Ferdinand III paining was in Art Exhibits.

             Sometimes we watch cartoons on Saturday mornings but probably not today so I won't see the Lizard paintings and King Ferdinand.  When I first saw King Ferdinand the face looked so familiar.  Dais then told me Mr. Steve's mother used our boss's face in the image.

SAINT FERDINAND III (1199?-1252)

PAINTING BY BARTOLOMÉ ESTEBAN MURILLO

           As I've said before, the Muslim "Moors" came across from North Africa in the early 8th century A.D. and conquered most of the "Iberian" Peninsula.  That's where Spain and Portugal are now located.  Frida and Diego flew bye and are now going over Libby's Corral.                        

          King Ferdinand III, from "Castile;" also became King of other Spanish areas and was a "Reconquista" leader in taking back land from the Muslim Moors.  Mr. Steve's mom admits that putting our boss's face on the King Ferdinand III painting was a "Vanity Project."                         

          I've mentioned before how King Ferdinand III was called "Fernando el Santo" and "San Fernando Rey" in Spanish.  That means "Ferdinand the Saint," and "Saint Ferdinand King."    Boy!  It must be great to have so many things named for you like King Ferdinand III.                                

                                                               KING FERDINAND III 

             A painting shows the real King Ferdinand III when he had a gray beard.  Mr. Steve used to have a full beard too and Dais and I've noticed his goatee getting grayer and grayer.  He told Mr. Randy how, the "way he's going;" he'll have no hair on the top of his head soon. 

             The other day a man who bought something form our boss came over and he was big and had a long red beard like a Viking.  Mr. Steve showed him some of his swords and spears and the Viking Statue he painted which is in his office.  Two Pigeons landed on the Patio roof.      

            I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how, not only was the "San Fernando Mission" named for King Ferdinand III; but so was the "San Fernando Valley" and city of "San Fernando" too.   He won a lot of battles against Muslim Moors.  The Pigeons are cooing.

                                                        PIGEONS ON PATIO ROOF

              The Pigeons above me right now are walking around and, as usual; their voices make be feel better.  Oh!  The other two Pigeons flew bye coming from the west, and are now going in the direction of Libby's Corral to the southeast.  The clear air also makes me feel good too.

             Yesterday I wrote about our Chief's articles on that man Mr. Espinoza; who was able to survive the "Bataan Death March" of 1942.  I mentioned before how he was jealous of Birds like Pigeons because they could just fly away free.  Oh!  The Pigeons just now flew away.

            Hey God!  Was it You, and Mr. Espinoza's "Will Power;" that made it possible for him to survive when all those other guys from New Mexico didn't make it?  It would be so bad to have to go through what they did.  I can hear two Crows fighting out there in the desert.  

                                                                   "BATAAN DEATH MARCH" (1942)

                    I just thought of how terrible it must have been when Mr. Espinoza had to march, in the boiling hot Sun; all the way to that place called "San Fernando."  In the Philippines there many Churches and other things named for King Ferdinand III.  I smell some Mesquite.  

             I've mentioned before how, over there in the Philippines; there are towns and roads with our last name too.  That's because those islands were colonies of Spain for over three centuries.  Mr. Grant's wife Miss Lori is from the Philippines so they visit there from what Dais heard.

            Ugh!  I just noticed a Black Widow Spider over there and now see one of those Bugs called "Praying Mantis" too.  I wonder if it eats Black Widows because I know for sure it eats the other types of Spiders.  Boy!  A lot of Bugs like Praying Mantis' are kind of scary looking.  

                                    "BLACK WIDOW"                                                                  "PRAYING MANTIS"                                  

                      I wonder who'd win in a fight between a Black Widow and a Praying Mantis?  It would be a good match I think because a Praying Mantis has those spikes on its arms to hold the Black Widow so it could then bite a hole in the head.  But the Black Widows have poison.

                   Oh!  This is interesting.  This Encyclopedia says Praying Mantis' are Connecticut's "State Insects."  As I've mentioned a few times, Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives back there in Connecticut with her two boys Dalton and Austin.  Blackbeard and Anne flew over top of the house.  

            It says here Praying Mantis' name comes from the way they hold their arms in a "praying position" while waiting to "ambush" and kill their "prey."  I guess "Mantis" is the Greek word for "Seer," or else a "Prophet."  A Freight Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.   

                            "ORACLE"                                                                  "DELPHI"

              Oh!  I wonder if those girls called "Oracles," who predicted the future for people; would be called a Mantis?  Praying Mantis's patiently wait without moving, then "Spring into Action" and ambush its caught by surprise food when it "Comes into Range."  I smell some Sage. 

             I guess some Praying Mantis will even eat other Praying Mantis sometimes.  Dais told me she and Millie saw one turn its head all the way around backward to look over his shoulder.  Oh!  It says here that there are some Praying Mantis who get up to seven inches long! 

            Daisy saw a Praying Mantis catch a Bug right out of mid-air the way Cats can catch Birds sometimes!  That Praying Mantis hasn't moved at all since I've been looking at it from over here on Elvira, and it blends in with d it.  I just noticed that the Black Widow is gone now.

     DESERT "RATTLESNAKE"

      PHOTO BY DEBORAH WALL

             That Rattlesnake I saw earlier is crawling underneath some cover out there in the desert behind the Sheds.  Mr. Steve was told by Mark Ritter how, just like the Sharks; if a Rattlesnake breaks off a tooth another one will just grow right back in.  Wow!  That is impressive.

             Mark Ritter said baby Rattlesnakes already have venom in their their fangs when they're born.  Like other Snakes, they "Shed" old skin every year, can detect another animal's heat from "A Distance;" and stick out their tongues to catch "particles" of scent floating in the air.   

             I suddenly just thought about that René Descartes quote Dais and I decided to use as the title of my books, "I think, therefore I am."  Speedy Gonzalez just ran through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the back desert.  Some Ducks are quacking.   

                                                                          RENÉ  DESCARTES (1597-1650)     

                   I've mentioned before how that guy "Descartes" is called the "Father of modern western philosophy."  I guess he was good in many areas but really good in Math.  In French his quote "I think, therefore I am" would be "Jepense, donc je suis."  Dawn's barking over there.  

             Daisy says our Chief tell his father on the phone how another version of Descartes' saying would be, "I'm thinking, therefore I exist."  Hey God!  This Encyclopedia says Descartes was a "sceptic" with a "Deistic" view of You.  Smelling Blinky right now makes me feel good.

            As You know God, Mr. Steve thinks You created everything but then have taken little part in the world after that; with "hopefully a few exceptions" he jokes.  Oh!  It's Descartes' mother "died in childbirth" when he was about one year old.  And too bad the baby also died.

                                                 "VICTORIAN" ERA CHILDBIRTH

             As I've written about before, Mr. Steve thinks for most of history "Simple daily Life" was often a struggle just to survive.  "Happiness" was a "Relative" thing, not considered a "Right."  And childbirth was one of the most painful and dangerous things a female could do.

            Mr. Steve's mom has told him how a number of Trujillo and Córdova women have died giving birth.  The Doctors now have much better knowledge and equipment than one hundred years ago.  Today people have confidence babies can be born more safely I guess.  

            This one Encyclopedia talks about how that guy René Descartes used his "mathematical method" for "discussing" philosophical questions.  He was important in developing "Geometry" and "Algebra" too. Those things called  "Equations" are also his inventions Dais says.

                                                                                                      "SPARK OF LIFE"                                                                                                                                                                                                                  MICHAELANGELO

                   This is interesting God.  Descartes was a Military Engineer in the Dutch Army when he had one of those "Visions" just like the ones You probably sent down to Emperor Constantine I, the Prophet Muhammad and Joseph Smith.  Boy!  I'd love to have a good vision too. 

            Wow God!  Descartes said You showed him how math could be used in philosophy.  Mr. Steve thinks sometimes You Guys might tell us things through dreams so now Dais and I want to believe in that idea too.  Andy's over there, alertly guarding the entrance to their burrow.

            It says here Descartes shifted the "philosophical focus" of debate from "What is true?" to "Of what can I be certain."  I've mentioned before how over the years our boss has tutored kids in certain subjects, but math is way too hard for him.  Andy's sniffing the air right now.

    FRANCIS BACON (1561-1626)                 JOHN LOCKE (1632-1704)        

                                          PAINTING BY FRANS POURBUS                                                                                     PAINTING BY GODFREY KNELLER

             Now I need to look up a man from England named John Locke.  I was originally going to write about him yesterday when I talked about the American "Founding Fathers," so Daisy said to put it in here because Descartes's ideas  influenced John Locke.  I smell some Mesquite.

            This Encyclopedia says John Locke, the first British "Empiricist" in the "tradition of" Francis Bacon; is called the "Father of Liberalism."  Some of his ideas were a big influence when Thomas Jefferson wrote the "Declaration of Independence."  A Crow is cawing faintly.  

            I guess Empiricist's like Charles Darwin in the 19th century watches, or "Observes;" and "Measures" things.  Oh! I just now noticed Francis Bacon died on April the 9th; Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily's birthday.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's parents met on April 8th.

                                                          GALILEO GALILEI (1564-1642)

         Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about that Italian guy "Galileo," who I guess was a big influence on Descartes.  I've mentioned before how Galileo was the first person who built his own "Telescopes" to look out at the Moon, Stars and Planets.  Some of the Duck are quacking.             

         John Locke thought every person was born as a "Tabula Rasa," which in Latin means a "Blank Slate."  Then, for good and bad; you fill in the blanks during your lifetime.  Hey God!    I guess Descartes thought human "Reason" is "Autonomous" or separate from You.                      

             Descartes idea influenced later 18th century "Enlightenment" thinkers like John Locke, who then made such a big impression on the American Founding Fathers.  Just before Galileo's era that German guy Nicolaus Copernicus lived.  All four of the Pigeons just flew bye.

   NICOLAUS COPERNICUS (1473-1543)            

            Just before Galileo's era that German guy Nicolaus Copernicus said the Earth "revolves" around the Sun, and not the other way around; as Aristotle and the Bible said.  And, by looking    closer at the night skies; Galileo then knew for sure that Copernicus had been so right.                  

         This Encyclopedia says Copernicus was "Prussian" German. As I mentioned yesterday, he was born on February the 19th which is Mr. Steve's former girlfriend Harriet's birthday.  And he died on May 24, which is our boss's parents' marriage anniversary.  I smell a Lizard.                     

          Wow!  Copernicus spoke five languages.  Hey God!  In the 16th century there weren't any telescopes but he still figured out Your "Heliocentric" system in which all of the planets "orbit" around the Sun.  Aha!  I see the Lizard standing on the wall near the sliding glass door.

MODERN EUROPE

             The area where Copernicus grew up in late 1400's is now called "Poland," but in those days was "Prussia."  Later today I'll find out more about 1939, and the beginning of World War II; when the Germans wanted back the then Polish port city of "Danzig."  I smell Sage.

            Copernicus, Descartes and Galileo were good at math.  Copernicus studied all the ancient Greek Philosophers.  Hey God!  Copernicus admitted he wasn't the first one to discover that the planets revolved around the Sun in Your "Solar System."  Theodora just ran bye.  

            That guy "Pythagoras," who I've mentioned before; was the first person to say the Earth went around the Sun.  It says here how he's one of the first "known" person to "put his mind" to math.  Copernicus, Descartes, Galileo, Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein studied him.

                                                         PYTHAGORAS (570-495 B.C.)

             It says here Pythagoras, born on the island of "Samos;" influenced Plato and Aristotle. Like that other guy Nikola Tesla about twenty five years later; he believed understanding "3" was one of the keys to understanding the Universe.  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees. 

            Pythagoras, now "associated" with the "three-sided triangle;" was the first to think of music notes in "mathematical terms."  He noticed all the different sounds anvils made when the  Blacksmiths used different sized hammers to pound and shape metal.  Dawn's barking.

             Wow!  I guess Pythagoras got some of his ideas about 3 from ancient Egypt and studying those Pyramids at Giza.  And he was first to describe physical things in terms of "height, width and depth."  Samson and Delilah are flying right over the top of Libby's Corral right now.

"ZERO"  

           "Numerical Systems" were developed in all the ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia, China, India and the areas now called Central and South America.  I guess a "Number" means "How many?"  But in math you also need something to represent the concept of "Nothing." 

            As I've written about, it was the Mesopotamian "Sumerians" who developed the first known system of "Writing."  The first symbol for "0" is "Disputed" but some say it was created in the Middle East.  Spaces between numbers is how Babylonians indicated "nothing."     

                Zero is important in a "Place-Value" math system, where the value of each number is determined by its place.  333 means three hundreds, tens and ones.  Our boss met this man from India who said he thought the first use of the "numeral" 0 was in 500 A.D. India.

ZERO 

          Oh!  This is kind of interesting.  It says here, so the capitol letter "O" won't be confused with the number "0;" a "slash" or "dot" can be added to make it clearer.  I guess zero is neither a "positive" or "negative" number, but is still considered to be an "even" number.                        

           Any number "multiplied" by zero "equals" zero, and zero is the only "whole" number not "positive."  Boy!  Math seems hard to understand alright.  Over the years Mr. Steve has tutored  kids on how to take the ""Scholastic Aptitude Test" exam before they apply to go to College.        

         Our boss shows kids how to pass the "Essay" and "Comprehension" parts of the "S.A.T." exam.  He admits he can't coach them on the math section.  In High School at Alemany, he only    barely passed "Algebra" and "Geometry" with the help of his friend named "Tom."                                                             

    "KOREAN WAR" (105 "HOWITZER")

              Because Mr. Steve's father was a "Spotter" for artillery during the Korean War he had to be pretty good in math, which he is alright.  And so was Grandma Trujillo, who only went to 4th Grade.  They both loved to sit around the kitchen table just doing math problems.      

              It says here two other English words to indicate zero are "Aught" and Cypher."  Andy is sniffing the air over there as he guards the entrance to he and Helen's burrow.  Because of how he defends it Goliath the Gopher Snake has been very reluctant to go over there now I notice.      

             Oh! I have a little bit more to write about Galileo who, by agreeing with Copernicus on the Planet's movements around the Sun; he got in trouble with the Catholic Church in Italy.  I can tell Andy just now picked up my scent coming from here on the Patio.  Dawn's barking.

   GALILEO WITH DAUGHTER SISTER MARIA CELESTE (1600-1634)

            A painting shows Galileo and his daughter who was a Nun.  The caption says it shows her "leading" her then totally blind father around.  Daisy says our Chief has this book about Galileo and his daughter which I guess he's been reading little by little in one of the bathrooms.

           Mr. Steve has used "Microscopes" and "Telescopes" too.  He has those binoculars in his office which I've mentioned before.  Hey God!  Everyone now knows Earth revolves around the Sun but back then in the early 17th century everyone believed the Sun "rose" and "set."  

           According to my Encyclopedia, that guy Isaac Newton, who lived a few decades later; had ideas which were influenced by Rene Descartes' math.  And I guess he "improved" on Galileo's telescope.  I can hear a whistling Train going bye to my left out there in the northern desert.

                                                           ISAAC NEWTON (1643-1727)

           I guess Isaac Newton was a Scientist but also a "Mystic" too.  He made discoveries about the "nature of light and color" and was the first to prove sunlight is really just a mixture of all the colors.  The strong scent of our neighbor's new Spring Roses just floated in over here.

           Isaac Newton invented this type of math called "Calculus," which Dais heard our boss say is "too hard to understand" for him.  But then again he jokes, he "barely" passed Algebra and Geometry in High School.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral right now.

          It says here Isaac Newton's ideas about "Gravity," and how the Universe operated; were accepted as true for about three hundred years.  Then, at the beginning of the 20th century; that guy Albert Einstein added to those ideas.  A cool breeze just came in from out in the desert.

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT      

            This is interesting.  Isaac Newton later admitted he thought about gravity not because an Apple hit him on the head but because he saw an Apple fall to the ground from a tree. I guess he, like Albert Einstein, was at times just "an average student" when he was a younger kid.  

            Isaac Newton didn't really care about what others thought about how he looked, so wore "wrinkled" clothes and liked wigs because then he didn't have to think about washing his messy hair.  Mr. Steve heard that guy Albert Einstein preferred just plain "functional" clothes.

            It says here, as he got older; Isaac Newton disliked being around others. He became way more "withdrawn," and "recoiled from much of social interaction." Daisy's noticed that our boss Mr. Steve keeps to himself a lot more now, and is not nearly as "outgoing" as he used to be.

GRAVITY / ENERGY                               "THREE LAWS OF MOTION"

              A Diagram shows Isaac Newton's three "Laws of Motion." The first, "an object at rest will stay at rest unless an outside force is applied to it.  An object in motion will stay in motion unless acted upon by an outside force."  Finley and his new girlfriend just now flew bye.

             Newton's second law of motion is, "Acceleration is produced when a force acts upon an object.  And the greater the mass of an object, the greater the force needed to accelerate it."  I can see a lot of Birds flying around out in the desert to the east; behind our three Sheds.

            Isaac Newton's third law of motion is, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction."  In 1705 Queen Anne "Knighted" Isaac Newton, when he died in 1727 he was the first "Commoner" ever buried at "Westminster Abbey."  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.

                                                           QUEEN ANNE (1665-1714)

PAINTING BY CHARLES JERVAS         

           A tv show Daisy saw said Queen Anne not only ruled England, but Ireland and Scotland too; or "Great Britain."  It says here only one of her children survived.  Jonathon Swift lived in her time, and the Pirate Blackbeard named one of his Ships "Queen Anne's Revenge."   

          Dais calls Mr. Steve our "Chief," and for some reason it just sounds even more right to me today.  After all, he is kind of like our General who leads us; and sometimes sort of reminds us of an Indian Chief like that guy Tecumseh.  Mr. Steve jokes we live on a "two acre oasis."

          An "oasis" is, "A fertile place in the desert, due to the presence of water."  The road that goes bye in front of our house is called "Oasis," and Miss Susan thinks there might have been an oasis near us once.  In 1985,in Israel; our boss visited Jericho which is a real oasis I guess. 

   OASIS   

            Daisy told me about a band from England called OASIS.  One time she and Millie were in our Chief's bedroom and saw a tv show about them, and it said two of the members are brothers like the KINKS and SPARKS.  Charlie Company and their new babies are going under Moe.

            Our boss hasn't heard many OASIS songs, but ones he has heard kind of reminded him of the BEATLES; and at other times the KINKS.  "Liam" and "Noel" Gallagher are the brothers in OASIS, and Daisy says they're not related to that guy Rory Gallagher.   Dawn's barking.

           I guess sometimes, like in OASIS or the KINKS; brothers don't get along in a band.  But in other bands, like SPARKS or the ALLMAN BROTHERS; they do get along and don't argue and fight all of the time.  The two sisters in HEART seem to really like each other Daisy says.

VAN HALEN

             This afternoon I'll write about that one band from Pasadena called VAN HALEN.  Their Guitarist "Eddie" is the brother of "Alex" who's the Drummer.  They get along pretty well and even seem like best friends I guess.  Eddie Van Halen is seven months older than Mr. Steve.    

           Mr. Steve thinks he hears early 1960's "Surf" Rock in the first version of the KINKS, and also in VAN HALEN two decades later.  Mr. Steve has been told "Ray" and "Dave" Davies of the KINKS, and the two brothers in VAN HALEN; liked the VENTURES.  Daffy's quacking.

           The music of the VENTURES is a part of Mr. Steve's life.  As a ten year old he drew their logo and jokes he "unsuccessfully" tried to learn the solo on their song called "Wipe Out."  Daisy told me the VENTURES also have a good song about Hawaii where Mr. Mark's family live.

           A customer in Oregon told our boss one time that guy Randy Bachman had to fire his own brother from the band.  Mr. Steve thinks it's normal for some brothers to sometimes argue and disagree like he and his brothers do.  Daisy heard the brothers in PANTERA got along.

BLACK CROWES

                Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking to a customer in Georgia about a band from back there called the BLACK CROWES.  I guess their two brothers are sometimes known for fighting a lot.  Oh!  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are right now flying over Libby's Corral over there. 

            One time our boss and his Niece Samantha talked about the members of the EAGLES not really liking each other all that much.  But, they get along on stage.  I've written about how Mr. Steve had to be on a Little League team with that kid Dean who spiked him the year before.  

          Sister Rita Joseph told our Chief to say extra prayers for a soul in "Purgatory."  And, if it turns out there is such a place, Heathcliff might be there so; tonight we'll say extra prayers for him.  Boy!  I can't wait for my first big break so I can go tell Daisy about that new Hawk.

THE VENTURES

               Over the last three days I've mentioned that band the VENTURES a lot.  Daisy says our boss has a customer in "Tacoma" up there in the State if Washington.  The VENTURES are all from Tacoma, and the Parts Manager's family knew some of the VENTURE'S families.

           I guess, from what Dais heard; Tacoma is one of those "Port" cities like Long Beach I've written about.  The Parts Manager told Mr. Steve how some people up there says the name of their city may be the Indian "Puyallup" phrase for "Mother of Waters."  Dawn's barking.

          Tacoma is along the coast of an area called "Puget Sound," which Daisy heard is about thirty miles to the southwest of that other big city of "Seattle."  Andy's over there looking at me sitting on Elvira.  Right now I suddenly feel pretty good seeing Andy guarding their hole 

"TACOMA," WASHINGTON

PHOTO BY SEAN PAVONE

                According to what Daisy heard that "Toyota" Parts Manager tell our boss, the Puyallup Indians are a part of the "Salish" people; and the name Tacoma may actually be interpreted to mean "Snow Covered Mountain."  Andy's sniffing the air and I can tell he's so alert.

           Dais says the Parts Manager mentioned this big tall mountain near Tacoma called "Mount Rainier."  A good picture in my Encyclopedia shows it in the background of the city, and it's the snow covered mountain the Native peoples referred to.  I can smell little Blinky over there.

          The Parts Manager said in 1929, right after the "Stock Market Crash;" Tacoma had a big "power shortage."  So, for a month; that Aircraft Carrier "Lexington's" engines had to be used to supply electricity.  I've mentioned how Miss Sandy's father father served on the Lexington.      

       2014 TOYOTA "TACOMA"               

                Daisy says one time a man came over to our house to buy some things from our boss, and he was driving a Truck called a "Tacoma."  She told me I would've really liked it because it was royal blue in color and was all shiny.  Frida and Diego just now flew over Libby's Corral.

            According to what that Parts Manager told our boss that one time, from 1995 through 2004 the Tacoma was one of those "Compact" or smaller Trucks I've mentioned before.  I guess, from 2004 on it's now one of those "Mid-Size" vehicles.  Libby's walking around over there.

           Mr. Steve's customer said how you can buy a Tacoma "Pickup" Truck with either two or four doors.  Daisy heard him say that, in the year 2005; the Tacoma was given the award as being "Truck of the Year."  Boy God !  I keep hoping to hear Heathcliff's voice just one more time. 

   THE "UNIVERSE"            

             Hey God!  Mr. Steve wants to believe there's a place like Purgatory and Daisy and I do too now!  If you die with a smaller "Venial" sin on your Soul, and not one of those "Mortal" sins; there should be a place to go.  It shouldn't just be "All or Nothing" our boss thinks.

            Some people call Purgatory "Limbo," Mr. Steve's father jokes it's the military "Brig" or "temporary holding tank" until they figure out what to do with you.  Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Grant how a venial sin is like a "misdemeanor," a mortal sin is the equivalent of a "felony."  

            Purgatory is for those who die with only venial sins on their Soul.  There they "burn off" or "purge" their sins and eventually earn Heaven.  That's why from now on Daisy and I have to says extra prayers for Heathcliff.  In fact, I'm going to say a Hail Mary for him right now.

HIGH DESERT MORNING SKY

            Daisy and I both agree with Sister Rita Joseph who used to say, if you help "give a boost" to a Soul in Purgatory trying to get into  Heaven; maybe someday if you're in Purgatory someone will help you.  I really, really want to believe that idea.  And I know for sure Dais does too.

           I sure wish I could have smelled Sister Rita Joseph but she died. Daisy and I always says an extra prayer for her, even though our boss says she probably went right up into Heaven. But, even if Sister Rita Joseph's doesn't need any more prayers; then some other Soul might!

          To some Christians there's no such thing as a "Middle Ground" in making it into Heaven,  you either make it or you don't!  The Civil War General "Stonewall" Jackson believed that way.  You were either a "God Fearing" person who could be trusted or you weren't and couldn't. 

 "STONEWALL" JACKSON / ROBERTE. LEE   

             Mr. Steve read Stonewall Jackson was more of an "Old Testament" Christian, who saw everything in "black or white." Either you were a God fearing person, who could be motivated by kindness; or you weren't so fear was the only thing you understood.  Dawn's barking.

            Hey Lord!  I guess, Robert E. Lee was more of a "New Testament" Christian; who often saw things in overlapping "Shades of Gray." At times he used fear to "get things done" but most of the time, unlike Stonewall Jackson, gave the "benefit of the doubt."  I can smell Blinky.

           Daisy told me our Chief thinks Robert E. Lee usually believed a person "Innocent until proven Guilty," Stonewall Jackson was "more inclined" to believe a person "Guilty until proven Innocent."  That guy Tomas de Torquemada, who led the "Inquisition;" thought like that.

 ROBERT E. LEE (1807-1870) 

          Dais heard our Chief tell Mr. Dave this one story he  heard that shows you what Robert E. Lee's Soldiers thought of him.  They trusted and respected his decision making, as he had their    lives "In his Hands" so to speak.  Smelling Dawn, Blinky and Rosie makes me feel good.                

         In the story a "Deserter," who left the army "without permission;" was dragged in front of Robert E. Lee who was in his tent doing "paperwork."  Two angry Soldiers were holding the    "Handcuffed" man on either side.  Lee glanced up to look at the man "up and down."                   

          Robert E. Lee is said to have tilted his head down so he could see above his reading glasses on the end of his nose.  He just moved his head slightly, nodding at a stool nearby.  The two men "roughly" sat the Deserter down on the stool, saluted General Lee and then left the tent. 

 ROBERT E. LEE'S FAMILY

            As the story goes, I guess General Lee glanced up from doing his paperwork and saw the prisoner was trembling so said to him; "Don't worry boy you'll get justice here."  The man said, "I know sir, that's exactly what I'm afraid of."  Blackbeard and Anne just now flew bye.  

        Mr. Grant, as a Lawyer; thought that was a funny story because he knows deserters are killed or "Executed" as a punishment.  I've mentioned before how "A.W.O.L." stands for "Away Without Leave."  A Train whistled out in the northern desert, which makes me feel good.              

           In another story, after the Civil War people were attending Sunday Mass when a black guy tried to "Take Communion;" which froze all the white people.  But Robert E. Lee walked up and knelt next to the man.  When he took communion, then all of the other white people did too.            

FLYING PIGEONS

        Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye, flapping together toward the northeast.  Hey God!  Daisy and I now kind of want to believe, like our boss does; You're what they call "Benevolent."  My English Dictionary says that's, "An inclination toward kindness, mercy and charity."              

           Daisy and I God, want to believe You'd want to give most Souls a second chance in such an important thing like "Eternity."  Mr. Steve and his father want to believe a "good and just" God in their minds would not so easily throw away a Soul.  Things are not all "Black and White.          

           Mr. Steve's father jokes how life often seems more "plaid" than anything else.  Just as the Yin and Yang symbol has a black dot in a white teardrop; there's a white dot inside of the black teardrop.  Daisy saw a tv show on Buddhism which mentioned the "transient" nature of life. 

"MAHABODHI"  ("GREAT AWAKENING" TEMPLE

            Hey Mr. Buddha!  If You just so happen to be up there listening in on me down here on Elvira, Daisy and I think You must've been smart in order to start a whole religion.  I guess Your religion has three "doctrines" and "impermanence" is one of them.  Dawn's barking.

            Daisy says Mr. Buddha, that older Chinese lady who came over to our house seemed so smart.  She said her sister and husband visited India's "Mahabodhi" Temple, in the place where You attained "Enlightenment" under the "Bodhi" tree.  I'd really like to smell that spot.

            The lady from China knew a lot about Buddhism, and told Mr. Steve about the big city of "Beijing;" which is where her and all of her family are originally from.  Daisy says, even though they spent only one afternoon together; our boss learned things from her.  Daffy's quacking.

                                                                                                            "LAMA" TEMPLE ("BEIJING," CHINA)

           That Chinese lady told Mr. Steve about this place in Beijing called the "Lama" Temple, which is a "Tibetan" Buddhist Temple.  Actually she said, it's one of those Monasteries;  and her Uncle was a "Fortune Teller" there for a few years.  I smell Blinky standing next to Dawn.

           Hey!  Maybe that lady's Uncle was kind of like those girl Oracles back there in Delphi?  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows how colorful that Lama Temple is.  The lady said she at times dreams of her "Soothsayer" Uncle, and even smells the incense he burned.  I like Rosie. 

           The lady said her Uncle had people pull a wooden stick from a container, then he looked up in a big book what was written on the stick.  This was to find out "in advance" whether there was "danger" or "luck" in a situation she said.  She told our Chief about "Feng Shui."

     "FENG SHUI"                

           Mr. Steve was interested when the lady told him Feng Shui means "Wind-Water," and is used "adapt to the invisible energy flowing all around the world."  Daisy heard, in building a house; Feng Shui is used in "positioning" it.  The lady said "Qi," or "cosmic currents."

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Dave he's not sure about "flows of positive energies," but he thinks it might be true.  That one big blue Dragonfly just zoomed bye in front of the Sheds, and I heard him coming from far away.  A lot of Birds are flying around out there in the desert. 

           Hey God!  Mr. Steve told that Chinese lady it's funny how such spiritual and even kind of superstitious people like the Chinese in 2014 are officially an "Atheist" State.  That lady agreed and thought it "ironic."  I smell the new little Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.

MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976)    JOSEPH STALIN (1878-1953)  

             I've written how, after Lenin died; Joseph Stalin ended up being the leader of the "Soviet Union" in the mid-1920's.  In 1949, or just four years after the end of World War II; Mao Zedong made China Communist.  Between them they killed millions and millions of people.   

          That nice Chinese lady told our boss about how "Suan Ming" means "Fate Calculating."  And, she also told him in the Chinese "Zodiac" there are twelve years; each year is represented by an "Animal Spirit." I smell that clump of Joshua trees over there near Libby's Corral.             

         I just thought of that little hunchback Homer Lea, who wrote those two books on military history.  Vladimir Lenin was influenced by those books I guess.  One time Mr. Steve met a lady    who went to College at "Stanford," and they talked about how Homer Lea went there too.            

 HOMER LEE (1876-1912)         

         Mr. Steve also told the Chinese lady about Homer Lea, and how he  died young and was a "Disabled"" hunchback.  Dais says she was interested when he told some think he got that way    because he was accidentally dropped on the ground as a baby.  He was only five feet tall.               

         Homer Lea went to China and influenced some important people during the civil war they were having.  That Chinese lady told our boss the phrase, "Wu wang guo chi," or "Don't forget    the national humiliation."  It's "important in understanding" China in 2014 she said.                    

         After many centuries of being powerful and advanced technologically, China went down in the 19th century; when the European countries came in and kind of took over.  China became a  poor and weak country.  And, in the bloody 20th century; it didn't get much better I guess.                                

 CURRENT CHINESE MILITARY     

PHOTO BY GOH CHA        

              Mr. Steve's dad thinks, because of  what happened in the 19th and 20th centuries; China's determined never to let it happen again.  So, now they're building a stronger military; that will    be able to "resist outside pressures" as the Chinese say.  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.       

           During the 19th century the British came in and sold "Opium" to the Chinese, which got a lot of people "Addicted."  They even had two what are called "Opium Wars" over it.  In both      cases England won because of better weaponry.  So they "forced bad terms" on the Chinese.        

          In 2014 Mr. Steve thinks, based on what happened over the last two hundred years; China says no one has the right to tell them they can't become a "World Class" military power.  This tv show Daisy saw used the word "sad" to describe China's recent history.  And "tragic" too.                                                                                 "LA NOCHE TRISTE"            

        (ESCAPE FROM TENOCHTITLAN / JUNE, 1520)      

PAINTING BY ARTURO LIMON       

            I'm mainly scheduled to write about Hernan Córtez conquering of the Aztec Empire in chapter three.  But I just thought of "The Sad Night;" or "La Noche Triste." That was when the Spanish Soldiers under Córtez, in 1520; barely escaped from that Aztec city of "Tenochtitlán."   

           That guy Córtez, like Robert E. Lee; was obviously "a good leader."  But, unlike Robert E. Lee; he could be really dishonest.  He and about four hundred surviving Soldiers made it out of Tenochtitlán, and Daisy heard the man on the tv show also call it "The Night of Tears."  

           Hey God!  Did You cause those greedy Conquistadors to drown when they sank into the water because of the weight of Aztec gold they were stealing.  I've mentioned how Tenochtitlán was built right on a big Lake.  I smell Blinky over there standing next to Dawn and Rosie.   

                                   "JAGUAR" WARRIOR   "AZTECS"   "EAGLE" WARRIOR       

             Daisy and Millie saw that tv show about the conquest of the Aztecs.  It said on La Noche Triste Córtez and the survivors got to the mainland, then retreated to the land of their Indian allied the  "Tlaxcalans;" who really hated the Aztecs.  Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye.

            In 1520 the Spanish crossed that "Causeway" bridge leading from Tenochtitlan.  But they weren't "Home Free." Before getting to Tlaxcala they had a battle where Córtez and a few men "hacked their way" to the Aztec leader and killed him, so the Aztecs ran away.  I smell Sage.

            In my books I've mentioned a few times how Córtez's men sailed from Cuba and arrived on Mexico's east coast in 1519.  That was twenty seven years after Christopher Columbus's first voyage.  They named that coastal region "Vera Cruz," or "True Cross;" in Your honor Lord.  

                                                     HERNAN CÓRTEZ (1485-1547)

           Daisy told me our Chief has a replica wooden Aztec "Macuahuitl" axe weapon in one of the corners of his office.  It has really sharp pieces of "Obsidian" glass sticking out the sides and, Daisy says it would be good except the Spanish had steel weapons.  He also has an Aztec club.

          That one good tv show said in 1519 Córtez left Cuba knowing the Governor, who gave him  permission to just "Explore" mainland Mexico; changed his mind and "revoked" the order.  But I guess Cortez sailed from Cuba anyway.  He just pretended he hadn't heard about it.                  

       Cortez knew he was braking the law in 1519, so when he got over to Mexico "scuttled" or sank all his Ships.  That way none of his men could "Chicken Out" and return to Cuba.   It was    like what William Barrett Travis said in 1836 at the Battle of the Alamo, "Victory or Death."             

                                      "WASHINGTON CROSSING THE DELAWARE"

                                                     ("BATTLE OF TRENTON" / DECEMBER 1776)   

                                                                 PAINTING BY EMMANUEL LEUTZE        

            You could say 1n 1776 during the Revolutionary War, that guy George Washington was kind of like Córtez in 1519.  Both took really "Big Gambles."  I've written how, at the "Battle of Trenton;" for George Washington it was either "Do or Die."  A flock of Birds is flying bye.  

           I'm looking at that good painting of George Washington in a Boat.  In 1776 his men totally surprised the German mercenaries the British had hired, who were in Trenton, New Jersey and thought it impossible to be attacked during the really cold Winter.  But they were wrong.

           Mr. Steve's parents, when they saw the painting of George Washington in the Boat in New York City; heard the German-American Painter made three copies of his famous painting.  One was destroyed during World War II.  I guess Allied bombs blew it up in the city of "Bremen."     

                                                          "BATTLEOF TRENTON" 

(DECEMBER 26, 1776)

H. CHARLES MCBARRON JR.

            I like this painting showing the American Soldiers "overrunning" some really surprised German "Hessian" Soldiers in Trenton.  You can see dead Germans and George Washington's men running into the town.  Boy!  It looks so cold and also reminds of this last Winter.

           Besides it being so cold, I guess another thing which made the Germans lower their guard was the attack came the day after Christmas.  I just thought of that letter William Barret Travis wrote to Sam Houston from the Alamo.   He said "Victory or Death" and he died alright. 

          Boy!  I really have to go pee and it's perfect timing because this is the end of chapter two.  I know in the next chapter Dais has me scheduled to learn a lot about how Córtez and his Spanish "Conquistadores" defeated the Aztec Empire.  I sure do wish I could hear Heathcliff crow. 

     CHAPTER 3

       I really like this one map in the Encyclopedia that shows exactly where the Spanish went in their conquest of the New World.  It really gives you a better idea of just how much land they took.  

       Mr. Steve and that German guy whose relative was a Conquistador agreed it was ridiculous how 16th century people sometimes thought.  The Conquistadors, who fought a lot among each other; spent time looking for "Fictitious" places.  That means they don't even exist!  

        Steve thinks the Age of Enlightenment and also the Industrial Revolution in the 18th century were both made easier by having literature created by Johannes Gutenberg's Printing Press.  Johannes Gutenberg must've been a really smart person.

           Christopher Columbus had to make what Mr. Steve would call his "Pitch" to the Spanish King Ferdinand and his wife Queen Isabella.  And in making his  presentations and requests he in part was going by what he had read before that.        

                                                   JOHANNES GUTENBERG (1398-1468)

         Johannes Gutenberg inventing his Printing Press allowed many more people, the "masses;" to read things like the Bibles he printed.  That was one of the things that ended the Dark Ages and helped out the beginning of the Renaissance.

          "Huntington Library."   Gutenberg's Bibles is there.  

        Before the early 15th century each book had to be hand written one letter at a time.  But as I wrote in book one, by using "Movable Type" you could create a whole page and then just press it onto the paper.  Some the first new books were those things called "Novels."

        Hey God!  Because of made up stories in 16th century Novels that guy Coronado looked all over the place for the Seven Cities of Gold up there in New Mexico.  Ponce de Leon wasted time looking in Florida for the Fountain of Youth. 

        California was named after an island in one of those "Romantic Novels" as they were called.  Even Columbus was hoping to find what he thought would be the area where the Garden of Eden was located.  

       After La Noche Triste Cortez and the survivors fled all the way back to the east coast where they could recover.  And for some reason the Aztecs did not "Follow Up" on their victory.  Mr. Steve told us he thinks they should have known that Cortez would come back.   

                                                                    PAINTING BY DANIEL HERNANDEZ

         I guess eventually the Spanish and their Indian allies returned to Tenochtitlan.  There's a good painting   Hey Lord!  I notice how there's a Franciscan Priest who has a Crucifix in his hand and is pointing it at Tenochtitlan for good luck.

        In William Prescott's book it describes how when the Spanish were recuperating on the east coast they built some miniature warships.  Then their Indian allies pulled them on wagons all the way back over to Tenochtitlan.  

        Cortez knew that in order to take Tenochtitlan his men would have to get past the water in the Lake around the Aztec city.  That's why he built those little Ships.  Boy!  I'd sure like to see one of those small Boats.  I guess they even had sails on them and everything.

       many people can't understand why Indians would help Cortez to beat the Aztecs.  And I guess the main reason was because the Aztecs were often cruel and what they call "Bloodthirsty."  They often slaughtered or sacrificed the other Native tribes.

       after much "vicious and bloody fighting" the Spanish under Cortez "took" Tenochtitlan.  Daisy thinks if our Chief could use Mr. Peabody's Time Machine he'd go back to see the siege of Tenochtitlan.  She's probably right.  

       once Cortez "occupied" Tenochtitlan he replaced it with the new city called Mexico City; right on top of the old Aztec city.  From then on the Spanish were established in "Mexico" and that was the end of the once powerful Aztec Empire.  History was made.

                                   GONZALO FERNÁNDEZ DE CÓRDOBA (1453-1515)

     Gonzalo Fernández de Córboba.  He was a famous General and his nickname was "El Gran Capitan" which means "The Grand    Captain" in English.  Many of the 16th century Conquistadors really admired him.                       

       a picture that shows a statue of that guy Gonzalo Córdoba riding a Horse.  The caption below it says the photograph was taken in Cordoba, Spain.  

     Underdog takes a pill too!  Daisy looks forward to her aspirin and is convinced it makes her arthritis feel better.  And as our Chief says, even if it's not doing any good that's okay because if it makes her feel better that's all that matters.  He says "placebo" and "psychosomatic."

     When our Chief puts an aspirin in Daisy's food she thinks of how Underdog carries a "Super Energy Pill" hidden in his ring. I wish I could wear a ring but my toes are way too thick.  And I know Daisy would wear one too but her furry toes are kind of big.  

       Without that pill in his secret compartment Underdog is powerless; just like Samson when he lost all his power because that bad girl Delilah cut off his long hair.  The Viking God Thor's belt gave him his power.  Too bad Samson was tricked by Delilah and then got blinded. 

     Oh my God!  Just when I was writing about the real Samson and Delilah the Crows Samson and Delilah show up!  They're landed on top of Jack the big Shed to my left.  It looks like they have a Lizard they're going to "divide up."   

      Even though the subject of Samson and Delilah was not on my outline I think I'll write about them anyway.  This gives me the perfect excuse.  Daisy and myself we really like that famous Old Testament story.  

      Samson was a Judge in ancient Israel.  I guess You and his family made a deal where if that guy Samson never cut his hair You'd give him what they call "Superhuman" strength like Hercules or Superman.  Samson is looking at me.

       Yup!   That mean girl Delilah helped the Philistines cut off Samson's braids of hair so he lost all of his strength.  Then they blinded him and made him do slave labor.  But I guess the Philistines didn't notice when his hair started to grow back little by little.

      Well God, I agree with You when You gave Samson permission to kill himself and all of those Philistines when he pushed over the columns that held up their Temple.  At least before he died he got revenge on those who plucked his eyes out!  Delilah is looking at me now.

       When Samson pushed over the columns it must've been just like a big earthquake.  We had a small earthquake up here the other day.  Dais and I felt it coming even before it happened.  But it was just what they call a minor "tremor."  Samson and Delilah just flew away.

       earthquake which happened back in 1989.  Mr. Steve once told Daisy and Millie about it a few years ago.  It happened in the Bay Area during the Baseball World Series.

        Oakland A's were playing against their "Cross-Town" rivals San Francisco Giants in the 1989 World Series.  And that big earthquake that happened half an hour before the third game is now called the "Loma Prieta" earthquake.  

      In 1988 the A's had lost the World Series to the Dodgers; where that guy Kirk Gibson hit his famous home run.  Mr. Steve was working for a company called "Pace" in 1989 and had just gotten off of work.  

      In 1989 Mr. Steve had just taken his tie off and was getting out this thing called an "Ironing Board" when that big earthquake hit.  He saw it happening right on tv.  That company called Pace who he was working for is now called "Sam's Club."  

      Mr. Steve was taking off his white shirt when he heard the tv announcer say they were having an earthquake.  He then watched as the broadcast "wobbled" and then went blank.  Then all of sudden an episode of Roseanne, that girl Mr. Steve's sister Susan worked for, came on. 

     From the pictures I see players and fans were so scared by that big earthquake the players went and brought their families right out onto the field.  It says here they didn't even bother to change out of their uniforms when they drove their cars home.

     Dais told me that our Chief says he'll always remember that day in 1989 not just because the A's were playing when that earthquake hit.  He'll always think of how it happened on October the 17th which is his brother Rock's birthday.  

      From what it says here, 1989 was the first time since 1956 when the two teams in the World Series were from the same city; even though Oakland is not a part of San Francisco.  And the A's ended up sweeping the series four games to none.  Oakland had a really good team.

      when the A's were called the Philadelphia Athletics they played the then New York Giants in the 1905, 1911 and 1913 World Series.  The Giants won in 1905 and the A's defeated the Giants the last two times they met.  

      because so many people were not on the roads because they were watching the World Series only sixty three people were killed by the 1989 earthquake. But almost four thousand were injured.  

       in their concerts, that band The GRATEFUL DEAD played a song called "California Earthquake" right after the World Series.  And later in the year I guess they did a "benefit" concert at the Oakland Coliseum where the A's play their home games.

      When the earthquake happened in 1989 the game was being held at the Giants' home stadium called "Candlestick Park."   wind used to really bad there.  Sometimes players hats got blown right off their heads.     

       Samson and Delilah are still eating that Lizard.  There's another Crow circling above them, looking down with envy.

      Looking toward the east I see tall Joshua trees out in the desert behind our Sheds.  But I also see drooping "canopies" of dead Joshua tree branches.  Those branches are dying because of the drought our Chief says.  Joshua trees don't "reproduce" easily.  

      if what little rain we get evaporates too quickly then Joshua tree "seedlings" die before they can grow roots into the dirt.  Joshua trees are important he told us because they shelter things like Moths, Insects, Lizards, Rats, Mice and Birds like Woodpeckers.

       scientific name for Joshua trees is "Yucca Brevifolia" and they're not really trees but what they call "succulents."  And I guess they can grow up to forty feet tall and live for two hundred years.  

      I've never seen a Joshua tree "bloom" but Dais and Millie did.  From what Daisy says they have white and yellow flowers that are in the shape of a bell.  It says here Mormons named them Joshua trees because they thought they looked sort of like "shaggy" Prophets.   

      Another reason why I wanted to write about Samson and Delilah is because Mr. Steve told us about a man he met a while back who had worked for the Travel Agency which "handled" the details of his family's trip to Italy and Israel in 1985.  

      That man told our Chief that now if you go to Israel you can visit the area in Israel where that guy Samson grew up.  They also talked about that 1985 trip to Italy.  It was what they call the "Maiden Voyage" of an idea "Alitalia" Airlines tried. 

     Alitalia is the name of the Airline company which flew Mr. Steve's Tour Group over to Italy.  The Israeli Airline was called "El-al."  Mr. Steve told us that until June of 1985 if you wanted to go to Italy from Los Angeles you flew east and did a "layover" in New York City. 

      You can see on a map that it's a long trip from Los Angeles all the way over to Italy.  So the trip would be divided into two parts so you could rest.  That's what our boss says.  Then you did a second trip over to Milan in northern Italy.  

      That man remembered how, for the first time in history, instead of flying to New York City, the Plane would go north.  Then they flew over the top of the world and then down into Milan; and all in just one trip.  But it was way too long Mr. Steve says now. 

      Mr. Steve told that guy he didn't even remember how many hours that trip to Italy took but he read a whole book on that band The Kinks; and also another book about the city of Rome.  They came back to the United States the same way and it was not a pleasant  trip.

       idea of Alitalia's was what they call "discontinued."  So now I guess, if you want to go to Italy you just do it the regular way.  

     told us about "mind over matter" like Samson pushing the columns down or when a scared mother lifts a car off her husband or kid when it falls on them; is that just You giving them extra strength?  Dais thinks it is.  

     have faith in the power of an aspirin.  She wants to believe by taking that pill in her food it's helping her feet. But it's sort of hard to tell because Daisy never really complains.  I don't complain as much either now!  

     One guy Dais admires is "Popeye the Sailor."  He has a girlfriend named "Olive Oyl" who he protects just like the way Underdog watches out for Polly Purebreed.  He eats this vegetable called "Spinach" which gives him great strength.  

    Popeye likes to punch people like this bug bully with a beard named "Brutas."  But sometimes Brutas hits him too.  But in the end Dais says, Popeye will eat that Spinach and always "come through" to rescue that one girl Olive Oyl.

      I'm hoping they start showing Popeye cartoons on Saturday mornings so I can watch them.  Dais says they're so good.  That other Dog Millie sure liked them a lot. When Mr. Steve gets a sandwich at a place called  "Subway" he asks for Spinach.  

       Dais tells me Popeye always tries to help others and do right.  But that guy Brutas is kind of mean.  But Popeye always ending him up in order to protect Olive Oyl.  Our Chief protects us.  And we protect him too!  Daisy told me that Popeye's a pretty good singer too.

      Someday I want to see how Popeye is so strong that one time he punched a big charging Bull in the nose and when that Bull came back down to the ground he was in the form of packaged steaks and things like.  At least that's was Dais says.  

      Another time Dais says, that guy Popeye had to stop a big Iceberg that was about to run over Olive.  So he ate Spinach and then punched the Iceberg.  And just like the Bull, that Iceberg flew up into the air and when it landed the ice was cut up into ice cubes in ice trays.  

       man named "Wimpy" in those Popeye cartoons.  He never has any money and always says; "I'll gladly pay you Tuesday for a Hamburger today." 

      I wonder if Spinach would work on Dogs?  Boy, if it  did we could mix it into Dog Food and then sell it on the "Open Market" as they say.  We could get rich.  Every Dog would want it and we'd have what's called a monopoly on the "Secret Ingredient." 

      in Phelan there's a new restaurant called "Wimpys."  He goes there sometimes because they have good Hamburgers.  Boy, writing about all this food is making me sort of hungry.  

       If it turned out that Spinach gave strength to us Dogs then maybe it would work on Cats too!  Mr. Steve could apply for the "Patent" or whatever was necessary for us to "market" it to the public.  He's helped other people write Patents, "Copyrights" and "Trademarks."

     In the mid-1990's when our Chief worked for his friend Rick for over two years he had to get up at four in the morning but rarely missed a day.  He's also had a few other jobs where he never missed even one day.  One thing about the three of us; we hardly ever get sick.

         Mr. Steve has had times in his life when he's gone a long time without taking a day off from the job he had at the time.  But there have been days when he didn't feel like working.  So, if his presence was not absolutely necessary on a particular day he'll take a day off.

      One thing our Chief will not do is lie to his boss's like Rick or Steve Banks.  He won't make up a story like he's sick or something.  He'll just tell them the truth and say he just doesn't feel like working that day.  On some of those days over the years he's done yard work.

      One reason Dais and I like getting up early is because Mr. Steve does.  But Daisy's right.  The main reason we like getting up early is for breakfast.  One thing Daisy and I have in common is that we both really love to eat!  

     In New Mexico, from 1928 until the mid-1970's, our Chief's Grandpa Trujillo worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for over forty years. In all that time he never missed a day.  And all of those years of loading and unloading luggage and freight made him unusually strong.

      1929 through the beginning of World War II in 1941 is called the Great Depression.  It was a time of "great hardship" and poverty it says here in this Encyclopedia.  So many people were out of work.  But Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo was lucky enough to have a job.

       pictures of men standing in lines to get some food in these places called "Soup Kitchens."  That's because they were starving so had to accept what's called "charity."  This made them feel really bad and depressed.  

      Hey God!  Did You make Adolph Hitler start the Second World War so America could come out of the Great Depression?  Mr. Steve thinks World War II finally brought the United States economy back; and moved up the timetable for "minorities" to gain their rights.   

      Grandpa Trujillo got up early in the morning for his job.  But he liked it because he got off at mid-afternoon.  This gave him the whole afternoon to work on his own projects like his vegetable garden.  Our boss's friend Mr. Grant has a work schedule like that right now. 

        faint Train whistle to our north.  And just when I'm reading in this Encyclopedia how, because jobs were so hard to find during the 1930's, many of the men became what they call "Hobos" and traveled on Trains looking for work.

     main reason why those men left home to try to earn some money was so that they wouldn't be what they call a "burden" on their families.  Uncle James, who I mentioned at the beginning of book two yesterday, was a Hobo for a few years.   

      whenever Mr. Steve and his brother Rock went to New Mexico as kids they visited Uncle James and Aunt Martina.  Mr. Steve has dreams about the Garden where they grew Chili and other things like that.   They also raised Pigs  Chickens

      as a kid  Satchel Page did the same job his Grandpa Trujillo did.  And just like it made Grandpa Trujillo really strong it turned out to be a benefit to Satchel Page too.  He became one of the greatest Pitchers ever 

      Satchel Page was born on July 7, two days before Mr. Steve's birthday.  He broke the "Color Barrier" in the American League soon after Jackie Robinson did it in the National League.  But by then our Chief told us, sadly; he was kind of "Over the Hill" as they say.

       Dodgers who hired Jackie Robinson as the first black player in the National League, it was this one other team called the Cleveland Indians who made Satchel Page the first black player in the American League.  The Oakland A's are in the American League.  

       nickname "Satchel" came about because Satchel Page was paid by how much luggage he carried to and from the Train.  So he cut branch's from a Satchel tree and put them over his shoulder so he could carry more things at once.  

     Page obviously had what they call "common sense."  Daisy also says he must've been really smart to have thought of using those two tree branches.  And Dais would know because if anyone has common sense it's good old Daisy.  

      Grandpa Trujillo worked at his job from 1928 until he died in 1975. He missed only a few days even though he had some big injuries and at times got really sick.  Our Chief says it just "killed him" to stay home because he was so afraid of losing his job.  

       Grandparents were "products of the Depression" so even when they got old never forgot those hard times.  He thinks the United States could go into an economic Depression if we're not careful.  

        Right now  America is eighteen trillion dollars in debt!  One trillion is one thousand billions.  And every month this thing called the "Federal Reserve" is printing money "out of thin air" as they say.  

      Our boss says the government doesn't want you to say "printing money out of thin air."  The term "Quantitative Easing" just sounds better.  It's George Orwell's "New Speak" he told us.  Daisy and I are a little unclear about what exactly "Reserve Currency" means.

         Dais says the American "Dollar" has been what's called the world's Reserve Currency since it replaced the British "Pound" after World War II.  Since then England has had mostly weak economies.  Part of it is due to the fact that they're too Socialist Mr. Steve thinks.   

      biggest thing that got the United States out of the Great Depression of the 1930's was the "Industrialization" made necessary by having to fight, and win, World War II.  Franklin Roosevelt's "New Deal" was not enough it seems.  

       Mr. Steve  father give President Roosevelt credit for at least trying to do something to get the U.S. out of the depression.  I wrote yesterday about that man Mr. Espinoza who survived the Bataan Death March.  President Roosevelt's work programs helped him a lot. 

      I remember when Daisy and I stood off to the side while our Chief and that worker "Señor" Esteban talked about the Second World War.  Mr. Steve told him that Mexico was lucky that it didn't have to fight in either one of the 20th century's two World Wars.

            But Mexico did have a bloody civil war in 1910 and Daisy says our boss has a book on it  mentions  Francisco "Pancho" Villa.  Pancho is just a nickname from what Dais told me one time.  

                                          FRANCISCO "PANCHO" VILLA (1878-1923)

          during the "Mexican Civil War" the U.S. Government at first supported Pancho Villa's army, the "División del Norte;" or "Northern Division." But then they decided to switch and support the other side.  So Pancho Villa got really mad. 

            I guess Pancho Villa needed supplies but also wanted to get revenge.  So in March of 1916, two years after World War I had already started over there in Europe; his army "Raided" across the southern U.S. border.  Pancho Villa's men attacked "Columbus," New Mexico. 

           Last night Dais and I looked up in my Spanish Dictionary the word "Caudillo."  That's how Pancho Villa is described in the Encyclopedia and it means "Landowner" but Daisy thinks our boss would say "War Lord."  Wow!  His men killed seventeen people back in 1916. 

                       FOUNDING (c.1325 A.D.)           "TENOCHTITLAN"                       1519

                All of a sudden, for some reason; I just thought about the Aztec city of Tenochtitlan.  I've written about how that guy Cortez's Conquistadores, and their Indian allies; destroyed the 16th century Aztec Empire. Dais told me how Millie liked the way the Mexican flag looks.

          in the 14th century; the Aztecs built Tenochtitlan on that Lake when they saw an eagle sitting on a cactus while eating a Snake.  And that cactus was growing on some rocks.   This totally "Fulfilled" an ancient prophesy which described that exact thing.

         As I wrote before, some people think Tenochtitlan might mean, ""Prickly Pears growing on rocks."  The Aztecs, called "Mexica" in the 1300's;" made Tenochtitlan into a "Altepetl" which means it was like an ancient Greek "City-State." 

                                                                                           BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

           Ah!  I smell our neighbors' new Roses Blessed Mother.  That makes me think about those special red and pink Roses, "Rosas de Castilla;" You gave that guy Juan Diego in the 1500's at Guadalupe, Mexico.  Smelling those Roses reminds me of last year during Spring.

           Oh wow!  What a coincidence Blessed Virgin that, just as I'm mentioning You; the scent of Rosemary just blew in from the desert behind the Sheds.  I have this feeling, based on these first three days of Spring; this is going to be a really good year.   

                                GENERAL PERSHING (1860-1948) IN NORTHERN MEXICO (1916)

             in 1916  Pancho Villa's soldiers stole things and burned down part of that town Columbus.  They terrorized the townspeople like Viking raiders, then rode back to Mexico with their "Loot."  Boy!  That guy Pancho Villa sounds kind of mean to me.

            Pancho Villa's cross border attack got President Wilson angry so he ordered that General "Black" Jack Pershing to chase down Pancho Villa and kill him.  Daisy is right in saying it kind of sounds like that movie Major Dundee.  

            A young George Patton went with General Pershing on that one "Punitive" campaign.  In 1916 things like Cars and Airplanes were really new but in Northern Mexico machine guns were mounted on Cars by George Patton.  It was the first "Motorized" warfare in history.   

                                                           GENERAL JACK PERSHING  WITH FAMILY

              in 1915 General Pershing, who was from Missouri; lost his wife and three daughters to a fire where only his son survived so, I'll bet he was in a bad mood after that.  Daisy thinks he probably "Took it Out" on Pancho Villa's men.  Boy!  It would be bad to burn!  

               I guess even thought they spent over nine months chasing Pancho Villa in northern Mexico the Americans were never able to capture him.  But they did kill a lot of other Mexicans.  George Patton tied dead bodies onto the hood of his Car like trophies.  

          Pancho Villa, like Mr. Steve; was the eldest of five children but their father died young. By 1916 Pancho Villa was a "Bandito" who robbed people.  His nickname La "Cucaracha" means the "Cockroach." He said; "It's better to die on your feet than live on your knees."

                                                                       PANCHO VILLA'S CORPSE DISPLAYED 

             Pancho Villas was killed in 1923 so, Sister Rita Joseph turned out to be right when she used to say to her class; "Live by the sword, Die by the sword."  In 1917 the U.S. entered the First World War so attention shifted to Europe. 

        Villa's last words were, ""Don't let it end like this."  was in World War I that both George Patton and Irwin Rommel were first exposed to "Mechanized" technology like Tanks. 

             I guess Pancho Villa was from the Mexican State of "Chihuahua," which suddenly makes me think about that tiny little Dog named "Chino;" who I've mentioned before.   Many years ago Mr. Steve met this elderly Mexican man in Belén.  He fought in Pancho Villa's army.  

                                                                                   "BELÉN," NEW MEXICO

           It was in the late 1960's that Grandpa Trujillo took Mr. Steve with him to visit that man who "Rode" with Pancho Villa during the Mexican Revolution.  Grandpa Trujillo knew because they both worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad.  And they both had big "Gardens."

          That old man, an orphaned teenager when forced to fight for Pancho Villa; "Bartered" or traded the things he grew for things Grandpa Trujillo got from his garden.  Daisy says he showed our boss a real authentic sword from his time in the war.  

          Daisy heard our boss talking on the phone with his father one time and his dad laughed in hearing what that old man told Mr. Steve and Grandpa Trujillo, "No matter which side showed up at your house during the civil war, right or left; "They all stole your Chickens." 

                                               THE "GREAT DEPRESSION" (1930'S)

            I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve and his father believe, no matter who's in power; it's the poor who always suffer the most in times of war and peace too.  And, it's the young who fight and die for old people.  During the Great Depression of the 1930's people starved. 

            After that 1929 "Stock Market Crash" it got very hard to find a job so Grandpa Trujillo never missed a day of work from 1928 through the mid-1970's.  He "Worked Through" injuries and sickness for fear of being replaced.  He joked he'd have to be dead to miss a day.

           I just looked up that 1920's and 1930's New York Yankees Baseball player Lou Gehrig.  He also never missed a day of work because he was afraid of losing his job.  Some people think that, outside of "Power;" he was even a better hitter than his teammate Babe Ruth. 

                               LOU GEHRIG (1903-1941) / "BABE"RUTH (1895-1948)

           "In the Field" Lou Gehrig played "First Base" so, like Mr. Steve; must have been pretty good at catching one bounce "Short Hop" throws.  I've mentioned how Mr. Steve in his life has played every "Position."  But now he plays "Shortstop" for his slow pitch Softball team.

            Lou Gehrig, later nicknamed the "Iron Horse;" held the record for playing in over two thousand "Consecutive" games.  He did it from 1924 through 1941 but his record was broken by that guy from the Baltimore "Orioles" named Cal Pipkin.  

           It says here Lou Gehrig's parents were poor German immigrants and two of his sisters, and one brother too; "died young."  After losing World War I the German economy went into that depression.  Dais says our boss has "Currency Notes" from different places.

                                                                   "WEIMAR," GERMANY (EARLY 1920'S)

             A picture shows some German men going into a store to buy something, and the caption says they're carrying "thousands" of almost worthless "Reichsmark" currency.   Mr. Grant one time gave our boss a real German Reichsmark from the early 1920's.  

            Our Chief has realistic-looking replica "Inflationary" bank notes from the two countries of "Zimbabwe" and "Yugoslavia."  Boy, I sure hope we never have "Inflation" because then the prices "Rises Sharply."  Daisy saw a good tv show about defeated "Post-War" Germany.

            Right after World War II German inflation was so bad some people used the currency as wallpaper.  The tv show said, later in the mid-1920's; American Banks lent money to Germans so the economy got better.  Mr. Steve says some think Nostradamus predicted the inflation. 

                                                            ADOLPH HITLER (1920's)

                As I wrote in book two, after fighting in the First World War, Adolph Hitler stayed in the military and was given the job of spying on political groups.  Germany was in chaos, and there was all that "Street" violence going on.  The "Right" and "Left" really hated each other.  

           One of the Right Wing groups Hitler was sent to see was the "German Workers Party."  Daisy saw a tv show that said he liked their ideas such as Anti-Semitism and Nationalism.  One time he got up and spoke and right away a lot of the members wanted him to be leader.  

                 When Hitler "assumed leadership" of the party in 1921 he then renamed it the "National Socialist German Workers Party" or, as you would say it in German; the "Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartie"  I'm sure glad they just shortened it down to being "Nazi."                     

"POST-WAR" GERMANY

               The Right in post-war Germany believed the German military really didn't lose the war but were "Stabbed in the Back" as they say.  Some of the Politicians who had made peace were Jewish so many blamed them for making peace.  

            Two pictures show how even guys in regular clothes were helping the Police and military fight in the streets against the Communist Left right after World War I.  You can see how some of the people walked around with guns.  

            In 1922 that guy Mussolini, with his "Black Shirts;" had taken Italy by force, so Hitler in Germany Hitler thought maybe he could do that too.  But, as I've mentioned before; his "Coup" attempt failed when the "Bavarian" Police killed some of his followers.  He was arrested.    

HITLER ( EARLY 1920'S)

          A picture shows Hitler about the time of his Nazi's failed 1923 "Beer Hall Putsch.  He was put on trial for "Treason" and could've gotten the "Death Penalty" but instead "used the trial as a platform" to say his ideas.  And it turned out the Judges kind of agreed with what he said.         

          According to what the tv show Dais saw said, Hitler was sent to that "Landsburg" prison I mentioned yesterday but; was allowed to have guests and even wrote his book "Mein Kampf."    One time Mr. Steve's father jokingly described that type of prison as a "Country Club."               

       This one Encyclopedia says, after Hitler was let out of jail; he immediately "reasserted his authority" in the Nazi party.  Giving up "revolutionary" ideas, he changed the movement into a  "reform" party in trying to get power within the law. 

HITLER UPON RELEASE FROM PRISON

         When Hitler got out of jail, the economy was doing pretty good; partly because of those American loans.  It was the "Roaring 20's" here in the U.S.  Hitler warned the Germans that the  loans they got were "lopsided," even "exploitive bad deals;" which I guess they really were.          

           Many thought Hitler was exaggerating but then, in October of 1929; the American Stock Market "Crashed."  The Great Depression happened, those loans were "Called In;" and many    couldn't pay.  Many Germans, like Lou Gehrig's parents earlier; became really poor.                     

        At that point Hitler, to more and more German people; looked like Nostradamus.  Lou Gehrig's parents, like our boss's parents; moved in the hope of better lives.  But later, when their son wanted to be a Baseball player "For a Living;" his mom thought it was a "foolish" idea.         

        Lou Gehrig's family came to Aerica early in the 20th century. were so poor, at first his parents thought of an Athlete as nothing more than a "frivolous entertainer" I guess.  But they later changed their minds.   

                                                                     LOU GEHRIG

PAINTING BY ROBERT LANDSBERG

   My Encyclopedia says what Mr. Steve told us.  Until the Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripkin broke the record for playing in consecutive games Lou Gehrig's streak of 2,130 games in a row seemed an "unbreakable" record for what they call "durability."  

     This is interesting.  As a rookie Lou Gehrig replaced this guy named Wally Pipp at First Base. It was supposed to be temporary but Wally Pipp never got back in and Lou Gehrig went on to be known for never missing another game for fourteen years! 

 picture of Wall Pipp in this one Encyclopedia I notice that he's wearing a white New York Yankees hat.  And it even has vertical pin stripes on it just like his uniform.  Daisy told me our boss has a white 1960's Cincinnati Reds hat.  And it's real too she says.    

 This Encyclopedia says it's "ironic" that guy Wally Pipp was the one who "Scouted" Lou Gehrig when he played College Baseball at "Columbia" University.  And he then recommended that the Yankees sign him.  

       are a few stories as to why Wally Pipp took that day off when Lou Gehrig replaced him.  He was not hitting good so the manager may have just wanted to give him a day off.  Or he might've been hit in the head with a Baseball just before that.

    Lou Gehrig's wife later told a reporter that Wally Pipp may have been at the Horse races on that famous day.  Others said he simply had a headache.  But no matter why he took the day off the facts are he never got back into a Yankee game.   

    Lou Gehrig died of the disease which that guy Stephen Hawking has now.  It' called A.L.S. and is called "Lou Gehrig's disease."  Luckily for Lou Gehrig our boss says, he had a good wife who helped him at the end.  

      Lou Gehrig's wife was like Stepehn Hawking's wife.  Both were "Advocates" who turned out to be good partners.  Thinking of Heathcliff  reminds me that our boss sometimes says how life is really fragile.  Just when you think everything is going good bad things happen.

     Even before I decided to write my three books I wanted to show that a female can do almost anything a male can do!  Dais first gave me that idea.   I remember the feeling that came over me when she said we can be as smart and clever as males and sometimes just as strong. 

     One of the main "Premises" for my three books is that very often females are just as capable as males.  And in this third book I want to try to prove that "once and for all" as they say.  It's just that now I'll do it with what they call a "Heavy Heart."  

        females are half of history.  But because men usually controlled most things they haven't gotten enough credit he thinks.  That's one of the reasons I still want to show other examples of females being so important.  That will impress Mr. Steve I hope. 

      Well You Guys, I'm ready to write chapter two which will start out with things about females in the history of New Mexico.  Mr. Steve thinks in the history of New Spain during the centuries after Christopher Columbus' voyages females played a "vital" part.  

      in the 1540's that Conquistador Coronado was the first European to see the area that would later be called  New Mexico.  But the Spanish did not "settle" New Mexico until the 17th century.  This was when females first came up from Mexico.

      1598 a man named Juan de Oñate led the first "colonial" expedition into New Mexico.  But I guess the first years in New Mexico were very difficult and some of the colonists even went back down to Mexico.  

                                                       JUAN DE OÑATE (1550-1626)

  PAINTING BY GIOVANNA PAPONETTI

      in 1680 some of the Indians in New Mexico revolted against the Spanish and killed many of them.  And that's what it says in this Encyclopedia too.  So, for the next twelve New Mexico was abandoned by the Spaniards. 

      Over the years our Chief has visited some of the Indian "Pueblos" in New Mexico like the ones in "Taos."   In the mid-1990's he and his friend Armando went to this other place called "Acoma."  It's a village that was built high up on top of a mountain.  

     "Mountainair" is a town to the east of Belen.  One time Mr. Steve drove over to Mountainair and saw some Spanish ruins way up in the mountains outside of town.  They're called "Abo."  At Abo the Indians killed the Spanish and then even burned down the buildings. 

      When Mr. Steve went to Abo it was during the Winter.  He was driving an old Chrysler that his father used to keep at their "Condominium" over in Belen.  The weather was what's called "Overcast" so it was kind of gray.  

      Before he drove up the windy dirt road that leads from the town of Mountainair to the ruins of Abo Mr. Steve bought food.  When he got to the ruins he walked around and took some pictures.  Then he came back to eat his lunch in the Car. 

     when was at Abo he read a book he had brought with him called "El Rio Abajo."  It's about the history of central New Mexico near the Rio Grande River; where Belen is located.  

     Abo he sat in the Car and ate lunch.  The view was so beautiful.  The only thing that came in clear on the Car Radio was a College Football game of the Colorado Rams.  So that means it must've been a Saturday Daisy says.  

      Unlike the Saint Louis Rams whose primary color is blue; the Colorado Rams use green as their primary color.  But both teams use white and yellow as secondary colors.  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows two players putting their heads together like real Rams.

           map of New Mexicodoesn't show Mountainair.  But it does show how Belen is south of Albuquerque on the west bank of the Rio Grande River. 

       After the Indian's revolt in 1680 there were only a few Spanish left up in New Mexico.  Most were killed.  But in 1692 the Spanish came back from Mexico City and in the "Re-Conquista" of New Mexico killed many Indians.  I guess Belen was first established in the year 1740.     

      A few years ago Mr. Steve's parents paid someone from New Mexico to research our family. They found out that the first Córdova's to settle in New Mexico arrived in the 1692 re-conquest.  And the man who was the first Córdova in our family was most likely a soldier.

      This is interesting.  The "Junipero Serra of New Mexico" was Fray Francisco de Acevedo.  In the early 17th century he "founded" Missions.  But many Spanish Priests were killed by the "marauding" Indians in 1680.  That Lizard just waddled away from the tree.

      When the Spanish returned to New Mexico in 1692 their re-conquest was like the one King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella did in Spain in 1492.  And in 1692 the Spanish took revenge on the Indians just as Ferdinand and Isabella did to the Muslims.  

      Hey God!  A You know, sitting in his Car at the Abo ruins listening to the Football game, Mr. Steve says he felt so good.  He had a good view of the scenery You created.  But then it started to snow and it suddenly "dawned on" him that he had to get back down from mountain.

      Today most people carry "Cell" phones.  But back then when Mr. Steve went up to Abo they didn't exist or at least he didn't have one yet.  As he drove down the mountain it started to really snow hard.  He made it back to Mountainair as a big storm hit.  The Snake is gone.

      he barely made it to Mountainair "in the nick of time" so to speak; a "close call."  It would've been bad had he gotten stuck in the mud he told Daisy.  

      When he first moved up here to the High Desert Mr. Steve met an older man who told him that before the time of cell phones, on really hot days, sometimes people died in their Cars on the side of the road.  Dais says now almost everyone carries a "mobile" cell phone.  

        he and his brothers and sisters are lucky they've had good male and female "role models;" and not just their parents.  Their mother is a unique person.  She raised five children then went back to college and earned a B.A. degree in Art History. 

      The most impressive thing about our Chief's mom graduating from college Daisy thinks is she did it, first at Mission College and then C.S.U.N., with a perfect 4.0 "Grade Point Average."  Mr. Steve had a 3.1 "G.P.A." so knows what that took.  

      Mr. Steve's mother was always a Girl Scout Leader and is very good at "Crafts" and things like that.  Daisy says we have a lot of her crafts in our house.  Her way of thinking always was, "If you're going to do something then do it right."  

 Mr. Doug.  They've known each other for thirty years and met in the late 1970's through Mark Ritter.  Mr. Doug's wife was named Susan but, like Mark Ritter, she died a few years ago.  Mr. Steve spoke at her funeral.

       That guy Mr. Doug is a decent person.  Mr. Steve told Daisy how he said at Susan's funeral that Doug and Susan's relationship is a good example of "Like Minds" attracting or how "Water seeks its own natural level."  Daisy thinks our Chief misses Mr. Doug's wife Susan.  

      Daisy told me that just like our Chief has some of the artistic things his mother has made over the years; he's also kept the Arts and Crafts Miss Susan made for him before she died.  She says he feels sad when he looks at them.  

      On my outline I also have this other old saying which also applies to our Chief's mother; and Mr. Doug's wife Susan too;  "If a task is once begun, never stop until it's done."  And that's why, even though I feel kind of sad I'm determined to finish this third and last book today.

      Even though Heathcliff's death makes me sort of feel like not working today I owe it to him to at least finish this third book.  Ah!  Just when I was thinking about Heathliff and Miss Susan the Sun's rays just burst through some white clouds up in the sky to the east. 

      Some time back our Chief told us he had a pleasant dream in which some of his Aunts from New Mexico were "by coincidence" at this nice restaurant.  His Aunts Lydia, Ruth, Eloisa, and Dolly talked with him about the past.  Aunt Ruth died a few years ago.  

      The impression his Aunts in New Mexico always gave to our boss was of strong personalities and basically decent human beings.  They all raised decent children and were good partners to our Chief's Uncles.  All of them have been married for about fifty years now! 

        Mr. Steve hasn't been to New Mexico in a while.  He sometimes thinks of his female Cousins Doreen, Shirley, Navora, Macrena and Joy.  All seem to be capable women.  "God willing" he says, someday he might go visit New Mexico again. 

     Not only would our Chief like to see his girl Cousins again; he hopes some day to visit with his male Cousins like Randy, Gil Aaron, Fernando and Michael.  His Cousin Casey Ray died a few years ago so he couldn't see him.  Mr. Steve says he has some "fond"memories of them. 

      Mr. Steve's father, who's the oldest too, had three Brothers; Gil, Casey and Marty.  His Sister Lydia married a good man named Fernando but everyone calls him "Fenny."  All are good men who were excellent "providers" for their families.  

         history of the area now called New Mexico is filled with stories of "hard-working" females.  For many years it has been what they call a "time-honored" tradition that women build the "adobe" houses.  A Train whistled faintly to the north.

      Just like the "structures" the Franciscan Priests built over here in California, for years the buildings and houses in New Mexico were made of adobe bricks of mud and straw.  After that all of the outside walls were then covered over in a clean white "plaster."

      To this day our boss remembers well the adobe houses his Grandparents lived in.  He had a dream a while back about visiting Jarales and hugging his Aunt Ruth and Uncle Casey.  And in that same dream he visited their kids Randy, Doreen, Shirley and Casey Ray.

      Mr. Steve has so many fond memories of visiting Belen.  He recalls the adobe house that his Grandpa Trujillo built.  In that house, on his Grandma's "Hi-Fi," he enjoyed playing  his Kinks albums.  His Grandma influenced his "eclectic" tastes for all kinds of music. 

    Even in the early 1540's Mr. Steve says, when Coronado came through the area called "El Río Arriba"with his army, they "marveled" at the skill of the Pueblo Indian women who built all the structures.  Rio Arriba means "Upper River" in Spanish.  I smell a Cholla cactus.

      The area in New Mexico where Mr. Steve's parents are originally from has always been called "El Rio Abajo."  This is "The River Below" in English.  Of course the river referred to in New Mexico is the Rio Grande River.  

  during World War II the women of New Mexico maintained the adobe houses when the men were "away at war."  They not only had to keep doing the same household chores they always had to do but many of the things the men usually did too.

       Georgia O'Keefe noticed how hard the women of New Mexico worked.  Mr. Steve says both of his Grandmothers were hard workers whose houses were always really clean. 

     The landscape of New Mexico has been called "beautiful but unforgiving" our boss says.  The women, first Native and later Spanish, tried to make "havens" from an often harsh world.  They did it to make the "present meaningful" and the "future hopeful" in unstable times.

     at times New Mexico has been poor.  But in his opinion many of the females have contributed "cultural richness" in spite of "economic poverty."  Someday I want to go visit New Mexico!  Dais does too.  

       I wrote down something Mr. Steve's Grandma Trujillo told him one time; "It's one thing to be poor.  But it's another thing to be dirty."  Mr. Steve's mother is the exact same way he told us.  Her house are always clean.  One of her friends described it as "immaculate."

      According to Mr. Steve females have always been what he calls "Integral" to the history of the "West" and in particular New Mexico.  Of course New Mexico food is unique but many of the women in New Mexico have also been Ranchers and Sheep herders too he says.

    after the Re-Conquista in New Mexico, for over one hundred years, a big problem was "savage" Indian raids.  That book El Rio Abajo describes how brutal they were. 

     You would expect "Apache" and "Comanche" Indians to attack towns like Belen.  But I guess the "Navaho," not known for being warlike, also raided too back then.  Belen had a wall around it in the 18th century. 

               Mr. Steve's sister Susan is as good a Horse rider as most guys he says.  And his Cousin Doreen back there in New Mexico was a good Softball player growing up.  

    during World War II, in the 1940's, there were women Baseball players who for a time even had a League of their own.  Boy, I sure wish I could go back in time to see that. And I know for sure that Daisy would really want to do that too.       

                                                              IRENE RUHNKE (1943)

     picture of one of those girl Baseball players from the time of the Second World War.  They had to wear skirts!  That must've really hurt to slide into a base.  I see my green ball still sitting over there on the patio.  I feel like chewing on it.

      movie about that girls league from the time of the Second World War.  She says Millie liked that movie a lot.  The movie was even called "A League of Their Own" Dais told me.

      in A League of Their Own two sisters are "recruited" to play on this one team called the "Peaches."  The old sister really doesn't want to do but her sister does and convinces her to do it.  The older sister is a really good Catcher 

      A League of Their Own the Scout who represents the Baseball team only wants the older sister.  He tells the younger sister, who wants to get out of her small town, that the only he'll take her is if she convinces her sister to come and play too.

  there's a really sad scene when one of the girl players finds out that her husband has been "Killed in Action;" or "K.I.A."  He had been in the South Pacific fighting the Japanese when he was killed.   

      Major League players didn't get paid as much as they do now.  So girls got paid even less.  But Mr. Steve says back in the 1930's the owners of the New York Yankees had to pay Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig more.  

      If Mr. Steve could go use Mr. Peabody's Way Back machine he'd go back to the 1920's to see the New York Yankees play.  The economy was "booming" in the "Roaring Twenties."  But then the 1930's came and that was the time of the Great Depression.  

      one time Mr. Steve told her and Millie that females can be really good athletes.  So in a sport where size and strength aren't as necessary, like Baseball, he thinks that someday there might even be a professional girl player.  That will so great!  I'd like to see that.   

    girl from Texas whose name was "Babe" Didrikson Zaharius.  My Encyclopedia says during the Depression in the 1930's she played Baseball, Basketball and  Track and Field.  But she was most famous for being a good golfer. 

                        "BABE" DIDRIKSON ZAHARIUS (1911-1956) WITH HUSBAND

        Babe Didrikson's family came from the country of Norway like our boss's girlfriend Sandy's family did.  She married a wrestler named George Zaharius.  The real spelling of her last name was "Didriksen" and her first name was "Mildred."  

      After coming over from Norway that girl Babe Didrikson's family settled in the coastal Texas town of "Port Arthur;" where the 1960's singer Janice Joplin grew up.  It says here Port Arthur is known as what they call an "Oil Town."  That means they drill for oil there. 

    People probably called that girl "Babe" because Babe Ruth was famous then.  But it says here Babe Didrikson's mother had been calling her "bebe" since she was a little girl.  Oh!  Our four Pigeons all just flew past.  

      Even though she grew up in Port Arthur on the coast of Texas, after graduating High School Babe Didrikson moved to Dallas; near where Mr. Steve's brother now lives.  She was a good what they call "seamstress" just like our boss's sister Celina.  She even made her own clothes.

     as a gimmick, Babe Didrikson played Baseball for a time with that Jewish House of David team.  I guess she was good at all sports like bowling and diving; her best sport was Golf.  Mr. Steve once told Dais that Golf is a really difficult sport.

      Dais thinks Babe Didrikson must've been so talented.  Our Chief said Babe Didrikson could even sing and play the harmonica!  She made records.  But I guess Babe Didrikson died young of cancer; in her early forties.  A

  in 1931 Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig played in what's called an "exhibition" game.  That means it wasn't an "official" or "real" game so it didn't count.  In that game a seventeen year old girl named Jackie Mitchel pitched.

      picture of that  girl Jackie Mitchel.  I can see that she was a left-handed pitcher.  Wow!  That girl Jackie Mitchel used a "sinker" to strike out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig too!  They were both left-handed batters.  

   some people didn't believe Jackie Mitchel really struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig.  They said it was just a "stunt" but both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig denied it.  Mr. Steve says he knows from his own experience that females can be good Baseball players.    

                                                               JACKIE MITCHELL

     Both Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig said Jackie Mitchel had a good "drop" ball.  In High School our boss said this girl named Cathy pitched a "Softball" in an "underhanded" style.  But she was right-handed.  Her pitch rose when it was coming up to the plate.  

     girl Cathy threw hard.  Whether batting right or left-handed our Chief says he could barely even "foul off" a pitch against her.  He said it was kind of embarrassing but then his other friends had the same thing happen to them so it wasn't so bad.   

     That one girl Cathy's pitches "really moved" our Chief says.  Later she even went to college at U.S.C. and was a good pitcher when she played for the Trojans.  Mr. Steve told us he's seen other girls who were also good Baseball players too.  

some people say, just like with females, that Jews aren't good athletes.  This is not true he told us.  In the early 20th century this Jewish fighter named Benny Leonard was one of the best Boxers of all time.  He was in the category that's called a "Lightweight." 

                                                      BENNY LEONARD (1896-1947)

       Lightweight weighs between one hundred and thirty and one hundred and thirty five pounds.  This Encyclopedia says that Benny Leonard was not only one of the most intelligent fighters ever; he was a really hard puncher too.  

      According to this Encyclopedia that man Nat Fleischler, who published Ring magazine, said Benny Leonard was the second best Lightweight of all time.  I wonder if Mr. Steve knows this?  Benny Leonard went into the Hall of Fame in 1955; the year he was born.

      have been some really great Baseball players. During the 1930's and 1940's one of the best power hitters in the Major Leagues played for the Detroit Tigers.  His name was Hank Greenburg and he was Jewish. 

      Mr. Steve says he now realizes how fortunate he and his friends were back in June of 1966.  It was then that his father dropped them off at Dodger Stadium so they could see a game where this left-handed guy named Sandy Koufax pitched.  A Finch just landed on Moe the Shed.

      That guy Sandy Koufax was Jewish and is now considered to have been one of the greatest pitchers of all time.   This is interesting.  According to this Encyclopedia Sandy Koufax pitched his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers one month before our boss was born.

      From what our Chief told Daisy and Millie for the first few years Sandy Koufax did not have good control of his pitches.  He "walked" a lot of batters.  But then he realized he didn't have to throw so hard to get batters out.  From then on he "dominated."  The Finch flew away.

       from 1961 through 1966 Sandy Koufax was probably the best pitcher of all time.  Some said it was "unfair" to try to hit against him.  He threw so hard and had a really good what they call "curve ball."  Mr. Steve's friend Rick also had a good "curve."

   from what our boss says, that guy Sandy Koufax only had two pitches, a fastball and a curve.  And he what they call "tipped off" when he was going to throw each one.  That means the batter knew in advance which pitch Sandy Koufax was going to throw to them. 

      When Sandy Koufax threw a fast ball his elbows were tight against his body and when he threw a curve his elbows were sticking out a little bit.  But Mr. Steve told us that it didn't matter.  When he was "on" as they say, no one could hit him.  

       1966 was Sandy Koufax's last season in the Major Leagues.  Wow!  And I guess it was one of the best.  Sandy Koufax won 27 games that year!  This player for the New York Yankees named Yogi Berra said he couldn't understand how Sandy Koufax ever lost any games in 1966.

      But on that day back in June of 1966 Sandy Koufax did lose.  Mr. Steve said he lost 3-0 to this  pitcher named Larry Dierker.  He was on a team from Texas called the Houston "Astros" whose primary colors are orange and navy blue.  Dais says our boss drew their logo once.   

       Larry Dierker pitched a "Shutout" against Sandy Koufax in 1966.  The Astros had Joe Morgan, Jimmy Wynn and Rusty Staub then.  In 1971 our boss saw Rusty Staub, for the Montreal Expos, hit two home runs against the Braves when he visited Atlanta.

      A while back this lady asked Mr. Steve if he knew who Larry Dierker was. He told her about that 1966 game.  She said, in Woodland Hills, she and Larry Dierker attended Taft High School.   She also said he went to college at U.C.S.B. just like Mr. Steve's sister Susan did. 

     first batter that Larry Dierker ever faced in the Major Leagues was Willie Mays.  And he struck him out.  It says here that for a few years Larry Dierker managed the Houston Astros.  

       Sandy Koufax "threw" four games where the other team didn't get even one hit!  And one of those "No-Hitters" was a "Perfect Game" in which not one of the twenty seven batters he faced got on base; not even on a "Walk" or "Error."

     he still remembers the explosive "pop!" when Sandy Koufax's fastball hit the catcher's mitt.  Growing up, when he was his friend Rick's catcher, he heard that same sound at times.  And the palm of his left hand was often bruised too.  Rick threw hard.

    he became so familiar with the "tail" or movement on Rick's pitches that he evolved into his private catcher.  Anyone not familiar with Rick's fastballs wouldn't at first know about this movement.  It would hit the palm of their hand and really hurt. 

      At times Mr. Steve would go with Rick to places like the "Jackie Robinson Field" down in a city called "Compton."  Rick, who's right-handed, would then pitch to Mr. Steve in front of this guy they call a "Scout."  One of the Scouts was a nice man named Chet Brewer.  

                                                          CHET BREWER (1907-1990)

       Chet Brewer.  He pitched in the Negro Leagues for over twenty years; before blacks were allowed to play in the Major Leagues.  Chet Brewer never did get to play in the "Big Leagues."  At the end of his life he lived here in Los Angeles.

       Back in the 1970's Chet Brewer was one of the local Scouts for the Pittsburgh Pirates.  So of course Mr. Steve's friend Rick really wanted to pitch in front of him.  Rick threw hard but never did quite have the "Control" needed to pitch up at a higher level.

      Twice Mr. Steve went down to Compton to catch Rick in front of that man Chet Brewer; who at one time was on the same team as Satchel Paige.  Both were right-handed pitchers for a team called the Kansas City "Monarchs."  

       after he retired as a player Chet Brewer coached and one of the players he taught things to was Jackie Robinson.  This was before Jackie Robinson went up to the Dodgers a few years later.  Chet Brewer seems like a really nice person.      

   Mr. Steve has customers over there in Texas.  One is a big Nolan Ryan fan.  He told our Chief he noticed how Nolan Ryan's fastball also made a loud noise on hitting the catcher's mitt.  Nolan Ryan is from Texas and pitched for the two Major League teams based in the State.  

   Nolan Ryan also pitched for the California Angels, rivals of the A's, for a few years.  Mr. Steve thinks the Angels made a big mistake in letting him go to the Texas Rangers.  He was just as good with the Rangers and later the Astros.

      In 1995 Mr. Steve visited his brother in Texas.  Arlington, where Rock and his two sons live, is where the Texas "Rangers" have their Stadium.  So one of the things they did was go over to see that Stadium.  

     When Mr. Steve and his brother went to visit Texas Stadium there was no game going on.  But a restaurant way up high in right field was open.  So they just went outside and sat in right field in a totally empty Stadium.  

      When they were way up high sitting out in right field of an empty "Texas Stadium;" a seat was pointed out.  It was marked with an "X."  A guy who worked at the restaurant said that seat was hit by Moe Vaughn in what they call "Batting Practice" one time.                       

       Mr. Steve knows about that guy Mo Vaughn.  He was a big left-handed power hitter for the Boston Red Sox.  He did so good that the Angels paid him eighty million dollars to come over to play for them for six years.  I hear Blinky and Dawn barking over there next door.

    saw him take batting practice at "Angels Stadium," that guy Mo Vaughn was definitely strong.  To hit a ball as far as he hit that one in Arlington is amazing when you're way up there sitting next to it and can see how far that is for yourself.

   Mo Vaughn didn't do that great with the Angels so after just two years they traded him to the New York "Mets."  But he then got injured so retired.  I know that Mets is short for "Metropolitans."     

      a few more things to say about that one guy Sandy Koufax.  Mr. Steve says, except for Sandy Koufax,  he's never seen a crowd at a Baseball game cheer for a pitcher just for going out to warm up before a game.

      At the end of my first book I wrote about how our Chief thinks that entertainers have to know when it's time to quit.  Many don't and embarrass themselves.  But Sandy Koufax is an example of a player knowing when to "hang them up" as that saying goes.

     after the 1966 season, Sandy Koufax retired because in order to pitch he had to take drugs to help the pain in his left elbow.   From what Mr. Steve says, he didn't like feeling "high" while pitching so quit; even though he could probably gone a few more years.

     "Yogi" Berra.  I know our boss sure likes him.  Even though he didn't look like a good athlete Yogi Berra was one of the best "Catchers" of all time Mr. Steve says.  And he also said some really funny things.

     Yogi was only a nickname.  His real name was "Lawrence" but another player told him he looked like a "Yogi"because of how he sat on the ground with his arms crossed.  I guess a person who "practices" Yoga is called a Yogi.     

       This is funny!  Yogi Berra, who played for the Yankees, once said; "You can observe a lot by just watching." Another time he said; "It's like Déjà Vú all over again."  Boy!  That guy Yogi Berra was probably fun to be around.

      Aha!  Daisy was right!  She's wondered if Yogi Bear was named after that guy Yogi Berra.  It says here in my Encyclopedia that he was.  Wow!  What an honor it would be to actually have a cartoon character named after you.  

      Daisy will think this saying by Yogi Berra is funny; "The future ain't what it used to be."  He told someone who asked about a Nightclub; "No one goes there now; it's too crowded."  And he said to an opponent one time; "You wouldn't have won if we'd have beaten you."

     says here that in 1942, when the United States was just starting to get involved in the Second World War, Yogi Berra and his friend Joe Garagiola "tried out" for their hometown St Louis Cardinals.  And Branch Rickey was the General Manager then.

    Yogi Berra's friend Joe took the five hundred dollars Branch Rickey offered him to sign with the Cardinals.  But Yogi Berra "turned it down" and Branch Rickey got mad and said that Yogi Berra would never "amount to much" in Baseball.  Boy was he wrong!

    Yogi Berra not only turned out to be one of the best "defensive" catchers in history; but he also became one of the "clutch" hitters ever.  As a member of the Yankees he ended up playing in seventy five World Series games.  

      Yogi Berra once said; "It was impossible to get a good conversation going because everybody was talking too much."  And another time at a St. Louis ceremony held in in his honor he told the people there; "I want to thank everyone for making this day necessary."  

                                                                         PHOTO BY ALAMY

     The last Yogi Berra quote I'll mention is when someone asked him if Joe DiMaggio marrying Marilyn Monroe would be "good for Baseball."  Yogi Berra replied; " I don't know if it's good for Baseball, but it sure beats the Hell out of rooming with Phil Rizzuto."  

       picture of Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio might have been colored the way Mr. Steve used to color black and white photos.  It's kind of hard to tell.  From what Daisy told me, that "Technique" is called "Hand-Colored Tinting."  

      Jim Brown.  Dais says Mr. Steve thinks he was the best Running Back ever.  And, like Sandy Koufax, he "left on top" as they say.  

        From what our Chief says that guy Jim Brown was not only a fast runner but also ran with a lot of power too.  So he could either run "past you" or "through you" as they say.  But he did not want to keep playing Football any more so retired when he was still the best runner.

     after he quit playing Football that guy Jim Brown became an Actor. As I wrote about yesterday, he supported Muhammad Ali when he refused to be drafted into the military.  Jim Brown seems like an intelligent person.   

        Hey You Guys!  I feel a whole lot better than I did about an hour or so ago.  But, "in the back of my mind" as they say, it's hard trying not to think about Heathcliff dying.  Thank all You guys for helping me do my work.  And thank you too Stanley for watching out for me.

      I don't see any Flies around so far today.  But I can see a few Bees and Wasps flying around.  I'll just stay right here keeping to myself and not attract attention.  I wonder what Daisy's doing right now?  I'll bet she's still sad too.  

   Oh! Libby the Horse is looking over at me.  She looks sort of sad somehow.  I'll bet it's because she knows, like Daisy and I both know, that Heathcliff is gone.  I'll bet Daisy's in the garage right now and she's most likely thinking about Heathcliff.  I know how Dais thinks!  

      I wonder if Libby is wondering what happened to Heathcliff?  She has to have noticed, just like we did, that he didn't crow this morning.  Poor Heathcliff.  We'll miss him. I'm going to start praying for him.  I'll never forget Heathcliff's voice!  

      It's a coincidence that just when I'm looking at Libby over there in her corral it says here on my outline that the next subject I want to again write about is Horses.  Some people ride Horses up here where we live; just like they used to do down in Sylmar. 

     "Zorro."  He lived in Los Angeles in the time after Mexico broke away from Spain.  So Alta California was a part of Mexico.  Zorro helped the poor and also Native peoples.  He wore all black.

Chief's nickname was Zorro.  A few years ago at work that Brazilian bookkeeper named Eber jokingly started calling  Mr. Steve Zorro; and then others did it too. 

       first Zorro story was written in 1919, right after World War I.  Zorro fought the Mexican authorities so had to wear a mask.  I like how he wore all black and usually rode a black Horse.  

       first Zorro book was called "The Curse of Capistrano."  Mr. Steve and his mom had an art exhibit down at the San Juan Capistrano a few years ago.  From what he says that area of the California coast is really pretty.  

                                                                  BATMAN (1940)

ART BY BOB KEANE AND JERRY ROBINSON

   says here that in 1939, the first year of World War II, the man who did the first DC comic book on "Batman" said he was inspired by Zorro stories.  A picture of the first Batman comic book is shown right here.  

      in one of corners of his Bedroom near where his vinyl records and cassette tapes are; Mr. Steve has a Milk Crate with Comic Books and things like that in it.  Some of the Comic Books are about Spiderman, Superman, Batman and other characters. 

      Over the years there have been a lot of Zorro movies and things like that.  At least that's Mr. Steve told Dais and Millie.  Ever since the time when movies were "Silent" and didn't have any sound people have been making Zorro movies.  

      in his office, between some of his bookshelves, is a sword like the one Zorro used.  It's called a "Rapier."  The Three Muskateers also used Rapiers, which have skinny pointed blades meant for for "stabbing" and not cutting or "slicing." 

  Daisy and Millie got to watch one of the Zorro movies.  He had a pretty girlfriend and used a Bullwhip like the one our boss has hanging near the door to his bedroom.  At least that's what Dais told me.  

   "Chatsworth;" which is in the San Fernando Valley to the east of Sylmar.  Our Chief has hiked around "Chatsworth Rocks."  Chatsworth is where Roy Rogers lived with his family before they moved up here to the High Desert.

      he had to learn things about Chatsworth when he and his parents were Tour Guides at the San Fernando Mission.  At one time in the late 18th and early 19th centuries the area was a part of the San Fernando Mission.

   "Tataviam" Indians lived in the Valley for 8,000 years.  The Spanish called them "Fernandeños." There were also Native-Amerians called "Chumash" living there in the 18th century when the Spaniards, who called them "Venturaño," first arrived.     

      are caves in Chatsworth Rocks.  Some have ancient cave drawings inside and one of them was used to film some of the Zorro movies.  A friend of Mr. Steve's once found an old "Clovis-type" arrowhead there.                                                           

       I hear a Train whistling faintly to the north.  That reminds me about how Daisy says one time our Chief told her and Millie about a really bad Train crash that happened down there in Chatsworth in 2008.  A lot of people were killed in that one Train crash. 

       Daisy and myself were both rescued because our neighbor's help animals.  That's how Mr. Steve found out about us.  Blinky and Dawn were saved from bad owners and so was Rosy.  And Molly and Libby were too.  Thank all of You Guys for our neighbors.  

    Chief says this one lady named Doris Day rescued animals down there in the San Fernando Valley.  Doris Day was a world famous actress in the 1950's and 1960's.  

after she retired from acting that lady Doris Day lived in Chatsworth and rescued Dogs and Cats.  "I've never met an animal I didn't like, and I can't say the same thing about people."  

     DORIS DAY    MARILYN MONROE  

 talked to her a few times on the phone and she seemed like a really friendly person.  I hear a Finch chirping.

     Doris Day sang a song called "Que Será, Será" which means "Whatever Will Be, Will Be."  I almost renamed this third book with that title.  I guess      

Years ago our boss says he and this other girl named Kerrie called a phone number about getting a free Dog.  It turned out it was Doris Day who answered the phone.  And he thinks she was in Chatsworth but can't remember exactly.  

       Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans had three children die young.  And at that time they lived in Chatsworth like Doris Day.  So their house down in the San Fernando Valley came to have some bad memories. 

   having their three kids die was one of the reasons why Roy Rogers and his wife made the decision to "pick up" and move up here to Apple Valley.  And now Mr. Steve says, there are some streets and places like cemeteries named after them.  

       Roy Rogers and his wife eventually had seven children in their family.  And some of them were orphans who they adopted to replace the three kids who had died.  

      I've never seen any of Doris Day or Roy Rogers' movies but Daisy has.  She told me that both of them make some pretty good good movies; that is, good if you like singing she says.  Daisy and I do like singing and dancing in movies but our boss doesn't.  

                                                          WILLIAM S. HART (1864-1946)

            history of "Western" movies and tv shows.  As I've mentioned in my books, at first there were only movies with no sound in them.  And the first "Cowboy" Star in those movies was William S. Hart. 

          The caption below a picture of that guy William S. Hart says it shows him standing with his  "famous" Horse "Fritz.  Wow!  William S. Hart was born in 1864, the second to last year of the American Civil War.  And he didn't die until the year after World War II had ended. 

          Going down to Los Angeles there's a town on the way called "Newhall" which I guess Mr. Rick and his family live kind of near there.  William S. Hart built this house and ranch right into the contours of  the hill.  Now it's a "Western" Museum which Mr. Steve has been to.

                                            THOMAS A. EDISON (1847-1931) WITH FAMILY

              Yesterday in book two I wrote about the "Rivalry" between those two late 19th and early 20th century "Inventors" named Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla.  I guess Thomas Edison was the one who invented the first "Motion Picture" camera.  

                A picture shows Thomas Edison with his family and I really like the hats people wore back in those days.  Oh!  I just noticed how Thomas Edison died on October the 18th which is the day after Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday.  

               I guess one of the first "Silent" movies made was that "Film" I mentioned on Thursday in book one.  It was called "The Great Train Robbery" and was a Western.  

                                                 THE "GREAT TRAIN ROBBERY" (1903)

                                                             GENE AUTRY (1907-1998)

      William S. Hart's Horse Fritz "Set the Stage" so to speak for Roy Rogers' Horse Trigger.  And there was another singing Cowboy named Gene Autry.  His Horse was named "Champion."  

      Mr. Steve has been to the "Gene Autry Museum" a few times too.  I guess it's right near the Los Angeles Zoo in an area called "Griffith Park."  Dodger Stadium is kind of close by and so is the Observatory where Laser Images did Laserium.  The Greek Theater is nearby.

      The Gene Autry Museum, like Roy Rogers' Museums and William S. Hart's former house, are filled with so many interesting things; most having to do with the "Old West" or making the movies about the 19th century.  Mr. Steve's parents like seeing things like that too.

      parents for a time were involved in the fundraising activities for the Gene Autry Museum.  In the mid-1990's they did similar things for the San Juan Capistrano Mission.  

      Someday Daisy and I really want to visit the Capistrano Mission.  Not only could be see those Birds called "Swallows" but we could see the bronze plaque in the ground which has Mr. Steve's parents names on it.  That's because they donated money to the Mission.

     having a plaque at a place like the Capistrano Mission is probably like having one of those stars on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame."  Years ago Mr. Steve's dad helped raise money so that this musician named Freddy Fender could get a star on Hollywood Boulevard.

     r many years that man Gene Autry owned the Angels Baseball team; the A's big rivals.  I've never seen an Oakland A's game on tv.  

       I did listen to that one A's game on the Radio during the storm.  I wrote about it yesterday. We sat here on the Patio watching lightning as we listened to the A's play the Angels.  Dais and I felt happy sharing the A's game with our Chief.  

        Hey You Guys!  Thank You for that night we sat out here on the Patio listening to the A's game.  It was the night I got over being afraid of thunder and lightning because both Daisy and Mr. Steve were not scared of thunder and lightning at all.  The Chimes are ringing.  

       for many years the Angels seemed like the Chicago Cubs in being "Jinxed."  Mr. Steve's friend Rick jokes that they were a good example of what's called "Murphy's Law."  Whatever could go wrong did usually go wrong.

      When he was young Mr. Steve had no sympathy for the seemingly never-ending bad luck of the California Angels.  This is mainly because he's always been an Oakland A's fan.  But when the Angels finally won the World Series in 2004 he was actually happy for them.

                                                      LYMAN BOSTOCK (1950-1978)

       One of the most extreme examples of the Angels bad luck is a guy named Lyman Bostock.  He was a really good hitter Mr. Steve says.  He also went to C.S.U.N like Mr. Steve.  He was shot and killed in the back seat of a Car in a case of "mistaken identity."  

      All of those years of "misfortune" finally ended for the Angels a few years ago.  But it's too bad their former owner Gene Autry wasn't alive to see it.  He seemed like such a nice person our boss says.  But, at least his wife was still alive  

       It was Daisy's idea to add William S. Hart in writing about singing Cowboys like Roy Rogers and Gene Autrey.  As I mentioned earlier, all three of them had really smart Horses.  

      In 1996 Mr. Steve's friend Rick built a house for his family near Newhall in a town called "Santa Clarita."  Julio, the guy from Mexico who does the embroidery for Mr. Steve's company, also lives with his wife and daughter in Santa Clarita.  

      William S. Hart's s house built into a tall hill was made to take advantage of the breezes that come through that area.  This was before "Air Conditioning."  Wow!  That guy William S. Hart made over seventy silent movies.  

  William S. Hart loved to be near his Horses and Dogs.  His house, which was built in 1924, six years after World War I, was built in a "Tiered" or "Terraced" way up that one hill.  I see the Squirrel over there.

      Oh!  William S. Hart named his house "La Loma de Los Vientos" in English "The Hill of the Winds."  Our Chief told Daisy how many of the rooms in his house have windows that allow the breezes to flow in and then circulate around.  

     I've never felt Air Conditioning but Daisy has and tells me I don't know what I'm missing by being to afraid to spend more time inside our house.  Daisy, who has such thick fur, always goes and sleeps in the house when it's extremely hot outside.  The Squirrel just ran away.

      One time when Mr. Steve and Harriet visited William S. Hart's house.  Harriet liked to learn new things just like our boss.  So she asked questions and Mr. Steve explained to her about how Spanish Colonial buildings are the legacy of the 18th century Franciscan Priests.

      As I mentioned yesterday in discussing that one movie The Wizard of Oz, Mr. Steve says he's never really liked "Musicals."  But he admits, he knows he's in the minority in having this view. His parents generation really like it when a movie has a lot of singing and dancing.

      Unlike most people back then, Mr. Steve really didn't like it that much when Roy Rogers and the other Cowboys sang.  He liked the other parts of the show better.  His friend Mr. Cliff, who doesn't like singing movies either, jokes that they would never be "Broadway" fans.

          The wide-brimmed hat that guy Zorro wore is called a "Sombrero Córdobes" because since the 17th century that style of hat has been made over there in Córdoba, Spain.  Here's a picture of the Beatles in Bullfighter suits.  

   photo of the Beatles when they went to Spain in 1964 to play some concerts.  And Ringo the drummer is wearing one of those Zorro hats from Córdoba.  To Ringo it symbolized Spain.  

     picture of the Beatles in "Matador" uniforms shows that guy Paul McCartney holding a sword.  Dais once told me that just to the side of the fireplace in the living room is a sword just like the one Paul McCartney is holding.  

  Bullfighter "Manolete" often wore Zorro-type hats.  Oh! No wonder.  He was born in Córdoba.  But he was killed by Bull so now the "Matador Museum" over there in Córdoba is dedicated to him.  Manolete was just his nickname.                                                  

                                                          "MANOLETE" (1917-1947)

           Hey!  That Bullfighter Manolete was born on the 4th of July!  So that makes him a Cancer just like our Chief.  

      he has pleasant memories about hiking around Chatsworth Rocks.  He said he still remembers some really nice what they call "Picnics" over there.  Picnics sound like they would be so fun.  But, I like eating any time.

       A lot of people now do this thing called "Text Messaging."  From what Dais says it's typing  out a message to someone on your phone instead of talking to them.  Mr. Steve says he would much rather just call the person so he can hear their voice.  

       Text Messaging is kind of new.  In 2008 when that Train crash happened down there in Chatsworth the "Engineer" was doing it while driving the Train.  So he wasn't paying enough attention to what he was supposed to be doing and accidentally killed people. 

     Just when I'm writing about that terrible "head-on" collision which happened in Chatsworth I hear a Train whistle to the north.  

      I didn't plan on writing so much about Chatworth but but now I'm scheduled to write about these beautiful white Horses from Austria called  "Lipizzans." This Encyclopedia says they're Spanish.  In 1985 Mr. Steve saw the Lipizzan Horses perform at the Forum.

      One afternoon in 1985 Mr. Steve and a friend were working at their office; which was right across the street from the Forum.  They heard that those Lipizzan Horses from the  "Spanish Riding School" were performing that night.  So they decided to go see them. 

 "Lipizza" is a town in Austria and the Lipizzan Horses were first "developed" in the 16th century.  Mr. Steve's interested in the 1500's so I'll bet he already knows that.  

                                                              CHARLES V (1500-1558)

 was during "reign"of Charles V of Spain, who was Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand's son; that two breeds of Horses were mixed or "bred." One from Spain and the other one from Austria. 

          Austrians are a lot like Germans.   Hitler was Austrian and Dais told me that Arnold Schwartenegger, a recent Governor of California; was also originally from Austria.  Vienna, where Hitler lived in "Flop Houses" before World War I; is in Austria.   

     Lipizzans are only "Stallions," or boy Horses.  Oh, this is interesting.  Even though they're born dark in color they eventually turn white.  

      Our Chief says at first those Lipizzan Horses were bred for war but now just do their tricks to show how smart they are.  They even jump up in the air he says!  Mr. Steve's sister Susan had a little Horse named "Dinky."  That Gopher just retreated back into it's hole.

      Susan and Dinky used to jump over things!  And from what Our boss says it seemed like that Horse Dinky was smart and learned things. 

      he read in a magazine how the painter Georgia O'Keefe described the trained "fluid" and "intricate" maneuvers of those Lipizzan Horses as like "watching music move."  

      In early 1945, when the Allies were "closing in on" the Germans and the "tide of war" had turned, the man in charge of the Lipizzan Horses heard that the advancing Soviet army was eating Horses for food.  

      Luckily for that Austrian man in charge of the Lipizzan Hoses, the closest American General to Austria was George S. Patton.  He really liked Horses and never would have killed them for meat. So they rescued the Lipizzan Horses.  Russians sound kind of mean sometimes.

                      GEORGE S. PATTON ON "FAVORY AFRICA" THE LIPIZZAN

      even though they were "technically" within the "jurisdiction" of the Russians, General Patton made the Lipizzan Horses what they call "wards" of the American army.  

   probably the last time General Patton rode a Horse was a few months before he was mysteriously killed in an auto accident.  This was when he rode a Lipizzan Horse named "Favory Africa." 

                                                   EMPEROR HIROHITO (1901-1989)

    Horse General Patton rode back in 1945 was intended to be given as a gift from Adolph Hitler to the Japanese Emperor Hirohito.   picture shows him sitting on another white Horse.  

      I guess some of the Nazis like Herman Göring believed in Animal "Breeding" and one of the Animals they bred was Horses.  In Poland Herman Göring wanted to to "Re-Create" an ancient German forest and populate it with specially bred "fierce" ancient-type Bulls. 

       A number of years ago Mr. Steve met a man who knew about the Nazi breeding programs.  He told Mr. Steve about how over in England they're breeding the Cattle the Nazis resurrected in the late 1930's.  Oh my God!  

        I just looked up "Auroch."  That's what the Nazi Cows and Bulls are called.  I guess all the original Auroch went extinct in the 1600's.  But the Nazis decided to try to bring it back as much as possible.  

    Nazis "exploited" how many Germans celebrate the "mythic past."  This Encyclopedia calls it "Nibelungenlied."  And it refers to the prosperous and happy times.  I guess it's sort of like saying the "Good old Days." 

        The Nazis wanted to recreate the Middle Ages or even back to the time when that guy Julius Caesar described giant Aurochs up there in what would eventually be called Germany.  

         Auroch program.  And they both thought it interesting how to this day some older Germans still refer mid-1930's Nazi Germany as Nibelungenlied.  But that was before World War II of course.   

        picture  Hitler "presiding over" the opening of the "Autobahn."  That's one of the first "Highways" and is still being used today I guess.  In a time when most of the world was in the Great Depression Germany was doing better.

        I'm so tempted to write about the Autobahn right now but I better just wait and do it the order Daisy said to do it.  I'll come back to it later today.  Mr. Steve says even though they lost World War I the Germans were one of the first economies to come out of the Depression.

        Mr. Steve and that one man also discussed about how the Nazis also believed in what they call "Selective Breeding" of people too.  They wanted to eventually breed warriors just like the Spartans did back in ancient Greece.  But they ended up losing World War II.

      The Nazis thought Germans were better than other people; especially Jews.  They killed you if they thought you were weak.  Hitler and the other Nazis believed in what's called "Eugenics."  That means;  "Improving the human species by controlling heredity."

        many of the ideas on Eugenics that influenced the Nazis came from the United States. 

       I've been thinking about taking a chance and going into the house at night to watch tv; and I might just go down the hallway too.  Then I could watch that one funny show Daisy told me about called "Mr. Ed."  Dais thinks it's even funnier than Arnold the Pig's show.

       Even though I sure don't feel much like laughing at this exact moment, I would like to see that show Mr. Ed.  Daisy told me it's about this really smart  talking Horse named Ed who talk's but only to his owner named Wilbur.  

     Mr. Ed gets into a lot of mischief and makes his boss look like kind of a nut to other people; including his wife.  Mr. Steve jokes that most people would probably think he's a nut too for telling us so many things.  But they don't know how smart we are!

      Horse Mr. Ed looks things up in phone books so must be able to read.  And she thinks Mr. Ed even wore glasses sometimes. She said Millie really liked that show Mr. Ed.  Boy, it sounds funny!  

     Mr. Ed the talking Horse is smart Dais says.  He's just like Arnold Ziffel but not only can Mr. Ed read, he talks on the phone and even plays Chess too she says.  Boy, I can't wait until our boss reads my books.  Then I'll be like that Horse Mr. Ed!  

      Daisy says when watched Mr. Ed our Chief pointed out the front "double doors" on Wilbur and his wife's house.  They're the same doors he had on his last house in Sylmar.  Mr. Ed was shown in the early 1960's; the same time our boss's house on Hagar Street was built.

      Sylmar was very rural when Mr. Steve's family moved there in 1961.  Many of the roads were dirt like it is here now.  So People even rode Horses around.  Yesterday evening this guy in a big "Cowboy" hat rode his pretty brown Horse past our house out on Oasis Road.

      When our boss used to visit his relatives back in New Mexico they at times rode Horses in the deserts near Belen.  Seeing that man on his Horse last night wearing Cowboy boots and hat made me want to add Cowboys to the things I want to write about today.  

      Looking at Libby over in her corral makes me think of how hard it must've been to be a real Cowboy back in the 19th century.  Mr. Steve says he had to learn about the history of Cowboys in his studies to be a Mission Guide.  The Spanish brought Cows to the New World.

                                                                      EL "VAQUERO"

    19th century American Cowboy tradition was influenced by Spanish and Mexican "Vaqueros."  Many of the words used in the Cowboy culture come from Spanish.  "Buckaroo" is "Anglicized" Vacuero.  "Vaca" means "Cow" in Spanish.

        During the American Revolutionary War men called Cowboys stole Cows and gave them to the British.  Oh!  In Hawaii the men who take care of the Cattle are called the "Paniolo's" which is the way Hawaiians pronounced "Espanol." 

      in the 19th century there were Cowboys called "Wranglers" who just took care of the Horses.  And I guess some of the best Cowboys back then were Native-American or blacks who were former slaves.     

                                                              NAT LOVE (1854-1921)

   Nat Love.  He was a former slave from Tennessee who, like so many, after the Civil War moved out west to try to earn a living. Even though there was still a lot of prejudice there too it wasn't as bad I guess.

          Nat Love.  In 1876 on the 4th of July he won some shooting, roping and riding contests up in the "Dakota" Territory.  This was just a few days after George Custer and his 7th Cavalry died at the "Little Big Horn."

      in his autobiography Nat Love said he met Billie the Kid and Pat Garrett who killed Billy the Kid.  And he supposedly also met the "Outlaws" Frank and Jesse James and later Buffalo Bill.  He was probably exaggerating our boss thinks. 

     Nat Love moved to Los Angeles and got a job as what they call a "Porter" on passenger trains.  Because Mr. Steve went back and forth to New Mexico on trains he remembers the "Pullman" Porters well.  They were really hard workers he says.

      The first Cattle in New Mexico were brought there by Juan de Oñate in 1598.  Christopher Columbus brought the first Cows and Bulls to the New World on his second expedition.  Oh wow!  It says here there were female Cowgirls in the Old West.

      females took care of farms and ranches when the men were away.  But a few worked on the "Cattle Drives" too.  I wonder if Mr. Steve knows this?  In 1869, about forty years before anywhere else in America, women in Wyoming earned the right to vote.

           One of the things on my outline for this third book are some of Mr. Steve's jobs.  He's had jobs where he had to get up really early; even earlier than he usually does now.  Daisy and I now like getting up when the Sun comes up; mainly because that's when our boss starts his day. 

      In the Summer we have no problem getting up early.  But sometimes during the Winter when the weather is cold it's a little harder to get up early.  Sometimes our boss lays in bed for a while and listens to the radio until he feels like getting up.  We all get up as early as possible.

      Because he knows himself pretty well our boss knows that he "procrastinates' in the shower; especially if it's cold outside.  So when he had jobs where he had to get up and leave even before the Sun was up he took his shower the night before so could get up quickly and dress.   

     I remember when Dais explained to me what a "shower" was.  At first I found it very hard to believe in such a thing.  The idea of standing under a steady stream of warm water for as long as you want to.  But of course then you have to pay for the extra water Dais told me.

      he finds it hard to "moderate" on the length of showers; especially when it's cold outside.  He wants to stay there for as long as possible so makes excuses in his own mind to enjoy the warm water for "a little longer." 

      Dais says we have three bathrooms in our house.  Two of them have showers and there's this thing called a "bathtub" in the bathroom at the end of the hallway.  Sometimes Mr. Steve sits in it and rests while listening to the radio.  

        Even before Heathcliff died Mr. Steve had already been a little sad lately because he heard that this man named "Leopoldo" had died a few weeks ago.  Mr. Leopoldo was originally from a country called "Argentina" but had lived up here for years.  

      Leopoldo told our Chief about "Buenos Aires;" the "capital" of Argentina.  It's near a river called "Rio de la Plata;" or "River of Silver"in English.  In 1536 the original Spanish colony had to eat each other to survive; just like the 19th century Donner Party did.

      Buenos Aires means "good air" in Spanish.  That guy Leopoldo told Mr. Steve about a road in Buenos Aires named "Avenida 9 de Julio." That means "July 9th Avenue" which is our boss's  exact birthday!  They say it's the "widest city street" in the whole world too!

      Avenida 9 de Julio was built to what they call "Commemorate" Argentina's break from Spain in the early 19th century.  Mr. Leopoldo said there's a giant Egyptian "Obelisk" at one end of Avenida 9 and the stone used to make it is from a city in Argentina named Córdoba.

     The United States, and Argentina too, declared their independence in July.  So I guess that would mean that they were born under the sign of Cancer just like Mr. Steve.  

  GAUCHO

PHOTO BY STEVE MCCORRY

        Our Chief and Mr. Leopoldo discussed Cowboys.  Argentina Cowboys are called "Gauchos."  I mentioned them yesterday when I wrote about C.S.U.B., the College in Santa Barbara where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to and whose teams are called Gauchos. 

      Mr. Leopoldo told Mr. Steve that in the country of Chile the Cowboys are called "Huaso's" while in Peru they're known as "Chalanos."  Down in Mexico the men who herd and take care of Cows are "Vaqueros" or "Charros."  A Bunny Rabbit just bounded into the desert.  

         Argentina has people from all over.  Mr. Leopoldo's family went to Argentina from Italy.  In Argentina they were called "Porteños" because they lived in the "Port" area near the water in Buenos Aires; which was settled in the 16th century.  

     Leopoldo was funny.  He told his brother Basilio he'll miss Leopoldo's   sense of humor; just like he misses Mark Ritter's "irreverent" sense of humor. Daisy and I never met Mark Ritter or Mr. Leopoldo.  But I'll write about them so others won't forget. 

      At times that man Leopoldo reminded our Chief of the Bookkeeper Eber who used to work at Mr. Steve's company.  But Mr. Eber was from Brazil which is the rival of Argentina.  Both of them had kind of oddball senses of humor.  

      Our boss sometimes has dreams where people who have died are in them.  A few weeks ago he had a dream where his old boss Steve Banks was in it.  And so was Mark Ritter and that guy Leopoldo too.  They hugged and "exchanged pleasantries" as they say.  

       had a dream about that man Leopoldo where they recalled the time our boss lent him a book about this Italian man named Amerigo Vespucci; who went on voyages to the New World in the years following Columbus's voyages. 

                                                                               AMERIGO VESPUCCI (1454-1512)

     Amerigo Vespucci, like Columbus, went from Italy over to Spain and Portugal to get ships to sail to the New World.  America's named for him and he was the first to prove "once and for all" that Columbus did not find Asia.  

        Amerigo Vespucci was made two voyages to the New World. The first was sponsored by Spain and the second by Portugal.  I know that in those days sailing was really dangerous but he and his crews were able to make it back.  

  in a letter Amerigo Vespucci wrote in Latin he used the words "Mundus Novus" to describe the land he had seen on his two voyages.  That means "New World" in English.  I just looked that up in my Latin Dictionary.  

      reason we live in "America" is because a map maker in the 16th century labeled the new land "Americus;" Latin for Amerigo.   I wonder if Amerigo Vespucci ever knew about that? 

    Mr. Leopoldo had a family and kids but was younger than Mr. Steve.  He was born on July 10th which is a day later than our boss. He told Mr. Steve that Argentina's "Declaration of Independence" from Spain was signed on July 9, 1816.  

      Chief told  Leopoldo about the California Missions and the later "Califorñio" era under Mexico. Mr. Leopoldo told him about "Patagonia" and the "Pampas" where they raise Cattle.  And sometimes they discussed Juan Perón and his famous wife "Eva."

                                                               EVA (1919-1952) / JUAN PERÓN (1895-1974)

      This Encyclopedia says that Juan Perón was President of Argentina in the years right after the end of World War II.  And his wife was named "Eva" but people called her "Evita."  She was an actress who had grown up really poor I guess.  Fannie and Freddie just flew bye.

      movie about that girl Eva Perón.  It says here she helped her husband but really didn't know that much about politics.  The poor liked her.  She helped the "Descamisados" or "Shirtless Ones."

      I guess Juan Perón was put in Prison but released when big crowds demanded it.  Eva Perón played a part in this.  Oh!  Today in Argentina, the day Juan Perón was let out of jail, October the 17th is a holiday.  October the 17th is Mr. Steve's brother Rock's birthday.

      I just used my Spanish Dictionary to look up the Spanish phrase "Dia de la Lealtad."  That means "Loyalty Day" in English and is what they call the holiday in Argentina.  Wow!  I guess Eva Perón died of cancer when she was only thirty three years old.  

      Some critics say Juan and Eva Perón were Fascists like Adolph Hitler and Benito Mussolini. But Dais says she heard Mr. Leopoldo and our Chief discussing it one time and both believed it was not true.  The Perón's just liked the way German-type uniforms looked. 

      Juan and Eva Perón were probably not anti-Semitic.  They allowed some of the Nazis into Argentina after the war but this was mainly because, like in Operation Paper Clip, they were interested in acquiring some of  the German "brain power." 

      Perón's visited Spain right after World War II.  At that time that guy General Francisco Franco was the only Fascist leader left in Europe.  Oh wow!  After Eva Perón died they "embalmed" her body but then had to hide it out of the country.

      Eva Perón's body was in Milan, Italy for a few years.  Then her husband brought it over to Spain.  That man Leopoldo told Mr. Steve that one time he and his wife visited the cemetery in Buenos Aires where Eva Perón's body finally ended up. 

    Juan Peron died in 1974 his and his wife's bodies were taken back to Argentina and buried at "La Recoleta" cemetery.  That's where this Boxer named Luis Angel Firpo, who knocked Jack Dempsey out of the ring once, is also buried. 

      My Encyclopedia says Luis Angel Firpo was a "hard-hitting" Heavyweight whose nickname "Wild Bull."  In 1923, at New York City's "Polo Grounds" where the Baseball Giants played, he  lost to champion Jack Dempsey.                   

    The "Dempsey-Firpo Fight" is now considered to have been one of the most famous fights of all time.   And I guess the main reason is because that guy Luis Firpo hit Jack Dempsey so hard    one time he flew completely out of the ring.              

     Wow!  Luis Angel Firpo was knocked down seven times in the first round before he connected and knocked Jack Dempsey flying out of the ring!  But some people pushed  Jack Dempsey back up into the ring and he knocked out Firpo in the second round.                      

    in the picture there are only three what they call "Ring Strands" around the ring.  Mr. Steve says nowadays there are four.  This makes it safer for the Boxers but harder for the photographers.                         

      This is interesting.  Argentina means "silver coins" in Latin.  And I guess in Spanish it would mean "silvery."  One of the biggest rivers down in Argentina is called "El Rio de la Plata" or      "River of Silver."  I smell a Ground Squirrel around here somewhere.                                             

    Because silver is so important to Argentina that man Leopoldo was really impressed when our boss showed him some of the one ounce silver coins he's bought over the years.  Mr. Steve even     paid him with them when Leopoldo did some work for him.  He was so happy then!                       

There have been some times in Argentina's history when they've experienced what they call "runaway inflation."  This means prices go so high the currency is almost worthless; like what     happened over there in Germany too in the years after World War I.                  

    Mr. Steve told Leopoldo about Eber, the Bookkeeper from Brazil who worked at his company for a time.   told him about how he and Eber had talked about the rivalry between    Argentina and Brazil.                               

    Eber and Mr. Steve, and Mr. Steve and Leopoldo, talked about how the countries of India and  Pakistan are big rivals; kind of like Argentina and Brazil.  But those two countries have Nuclear  bombs and Mr. Steve thinks they might use them some day.                                  

   Mr. Steve told Mr. Leopoldo about how Eber used to jokingly say it's a good thing neither Argentina or Brazil had Nuclear weapons.  Even though he was just kidding; Mr. Eber    thought if Argentina went nuclear Brazil would probably have to do it as well.                                                                                                    

     hadn't planned on writing so much about Argentina but I just felt like it.  Mr. Steve was born back in 1955.  He told us in 1955 the term "Agribusiness" was first used.  That means giant farms Dais says.  

  why leaders like Juan and Eva Peron would want former Nazi's to come to their country after World War II ended in 1945.  Mr. Steve has studied about how the Germans were "at the forefront" as they say, of aviation technology.

      Ritter was interested in the history of "Manned Flight."  So when he met our boss in the mid-1970's at Laser Images that was one thing they had in common.  After he died Mr. Steve got some of his books.  

      One book Mark Ritter left to our Chief was on the subject of Nazi "Cutting Edge" aircraft that never made it past the "drawing board" because the World War II ended in 1945.  At that point in time the Germans had the most advanced Air Force in the world.

       in Operation Paper Clip after the Second World War many Nazi scientists like Wernher von Braun had their record "whitewashed."   Then they were brought to America to help us against the Soviet Union.  

     even though Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union were on our side in World War II, after the war was over we became enemies in the Cold War which lasted all the way up to 1989.  Some of the German scientists were experts in aircraft development.  

          P-210 "VOLKSJAGER"              "TRIEBFLÜGEL"                 HO-229 "FLYING WING"

                                                                  PAINTINGS BY ANDREAS OTTE

      In Mark Ritter's book on Nazi aviation technology there's one chapter on this "tailless Jet fighter" called the P-210 "Volksjäger." It was never built but its "swept wing" concept was later used on other Jets.  Volkjäger means "People Hunter."  

      Oh my God!  Just when I was going to write about that one German Plane meant to take off "vertically" a Helicopter flew bye!  That German "designed" Plane was called the "Triebfügel."  It would have been the first Plane to take off and land going straight up and down.

      Air Show he and his friend Tim went to many years ago they saw this Jet called a "Herrier."  It took off and landed vertically.  Even today he says, most aircraft have to take off and land "horizontally;" except for Helicopters of course.  

      Because they were getting bombed a lot toward the end of World War II I guess the Germans "of necessity" had to develop Planes that didn't need what are called "runways."  But, luckily for the world, the Nazis ran out of time to make many of the things they thought of.  

       Mark Ritter, besides the Me-262 and other Jets, was especially interested in the subject of the "Flying Wing."  During the Second World War it was two German brothers whose last name was "Horten" who first came up with the Flying Wing idea.

                                                                                                    HORTEN BROTHERS

      Horten brothers thought that their "HO-229" would be the Luftwaffe's first Jet "fighter" and "interceptor."  But I guess the Me-262 ended up being that instead.  But the ideas used on both Planes influenced the "post-war" world.

       Hermann Oberth.  He helped the United States get to the Moon in 1969 but during World War II worked on German Rockets. It says here that Hermann Oberth was that guy Wernher von Braun's mentor.     

                                                     HERMANN OBERTH (1894-1989)

      was Hermann Oberth who worked on the Death Ray.  That was the one in outer space that would have used the Sun's rays as a way to burn things from way up there.  It might've won the war for Germany.

      Hermann Oberth fought in World War I against the Russians before the Russians turned into Communists in 1917.  had four children and two died during World War II.  His son was killed in combat and his daughter in an accident.

     unlike Wernher von Braun, the Horten brothers and Hermann Oberth were not part of Operation Paper Clip.  They stayed in Germany in 1945 at the end of World War II.  But a few years later Hermann Oberth and his family did come over here to live and work.  

      Hermann Oberth is the "Founding Father of Rocketry."  Like Wernher von Braun, as a boy he read  Science Fiction books by this one 19th century French author named Jules Verne. 

                                                          JULES VERNE (1828-1905)

       boss likes Jules Verne's books too.  That's because one time when she and Millie were in his bedroom watching tv they says a show about that guy Jules Verne and Mr. Steve was very interested in it.  Aha!  

      Hey God? Jules Verne was kind of a Deist like Mr. Steve.  He didn't think You ever got involved in this physical world either.  But, as You know of course, Dais and I feel better hoping that You do.  I think You're having me do this for a reason.

       Jules Verne married a girl who was what's called a "Widow."  That means her husband had died.  And she had two small children so she married Jules Verne.  Then they had a son of their own. 

       painting in this Encyclopedia of one of Jules Verne's stories.  Daisy's told me about how, in one of the bookshelves in his office, our boss has a Jules Verne book about one of those Submarines called "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea."   

PAINTING BY JONATHON BARRY

    Mr. Steve is interested in anything to do with Giant Squid or Octopus.  So it's no wonder he liked that story Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea.  This picture shows a huge Octopus       attacking the Submarine.  I'd be afraid of a Giant Squid or Octopus.                                              

   I didn't intend to write about that guy Jules Verne.  He wasn't on my outline.  But I just felt like adding him in to my third book.  But now I have a few more things to write about German      advanced aircraft from the Second World War in the 1940's.                                                           

  Hermann Oberth worked on an "upper atmosphere" Rocket meant for bombing New York City.  But, like some of the other "sophisticated" aircraft     the Germans thought of back then, it never went far beyond the planning stages.                                              "SILVER BIRD"              

     Hermann Oberth's "Silver Bird" Rocket would have flown up so high no one could shoot it down in the 1940's.  It could've gone all the way across the Atlantic Ocean to attack the United State's east coast.  That might've won the war for Germany.   

       German "Silbervogel" means Silver Bird.  It says here the Silver Bird was just the "natural extension" of the V-1 and V-2 Rockets used in 1944.   

                                   V-1                                                                                         

                      PAINTING BY ZAV SAWYER

         if the Second World War had lasted another year the Germans may've had time to actually use some of their other "Wunderwaffen" or "Wonder Weapons."  But they did use Jets and Rockets before they ran out of time.  

      The last two World War II German aircraft on my outline to look up and then write about are the Dornier Do-335 and this other Jet called the Heinkel He-162.  Both of them were actually made or "produced" but came too late in the war to be effective Mr. Steve says.

          DORNIER DO-335 "PFEIL"                                   HEINKEL HE-162 "SALAMANDER"

          Do-335 "Pfeil" was what they all a  "push-pull" Plane because it had motors in front and back.  Mr. Steve says there are some modern planes which now use this idea.   the word Pfeil means "Arrow."

    The He-162 was a Jet and was one of the fastest aircraft to come out of the Second World War. It could go over five hundred and fifty miles an hour.   made mainly out of wood and called the "Salamander.".

                                                                      IMAGE BY PABLO NECO

          when he was young he did a very dumb and stupid thing.  He put one those Salamander into an Aquarium with Fish.  He woke up the next morning to find all them had been eaten by the Salamander.  

     a picture of a Salamander   Dais was right.  They look kind of like underwater Lizards.  It says here many Salamanders are "Amphibious;" which means they breathe air and live on land and in water too.  

    Salamanders grow new tails if it gets cut off.  And they also can grow new legs if they lose those!  It says here that Scientists are studying Salamanders to see if someday it might be possible to do this in Humans.  I wonder if it would work on us Dogs too?

      in Legend Salamanders were mentioned since the time of the ancient Greeks.  Oh!  I wonder if this is the reason why the Germans in World War II named the He-162 Jet the Salamander?  They supposedly don't burn even if you put them in a fire.

   just like those colorful Frogs down in South America, some Salamanders are brightly colored so the Birds, Snakes and other things won't eat it.  And some really are poisonous.  Oh!  In the 5th century Saint Augustine said Salamanders could put out fires. 

      British and Americans began to use them after the Germans did.  The English came out with their first Jet soon after the Me-262 flew in 1944.  And the United States did it after World War II.

    FRANK WHITTLE (1907-1996) WITH FAMILY                                            GLOSTER "METEOR"

                                                                                                             PHOTO BY JAMES JARCHE

         one of the men who developed the Jet for England was named Frank Whittle.  He worked on the "Turbo-Jet" engine.  Well, Mr. Steve is right!  If you expect everything in life to be fair you're going to be disappointed.  

      Even though for years that man Frank Whittle worked really hard on Jets he never even got the credit he deserved.  It sounds like the British government made his life miserable and then when the Me-262 came out they just took all of his work to build the "Gloster Meteor."

    Frank Whittle was so short he couldn't get into the military. So he worked on Jet technology instead; just like that guy Homer Lea wrote his influential military books after they wouldn't let him into the American military. 

ven had what's called a "nervous breakdown" worrying about money.  But "in the end" as they say, his ideas turned out to be really good and they used them in 1944. 

       Hans von Ohain, who developed the Me-262 for Germany and was in Operation Paper Clip, told Frank Whittle after the war that his ideas had really influenced him with the Me-262. 

        P-80 "SHOOTING STAR"             KELLY JOHNSON               F-104 "STARFIGHTER"

       when the Me-262 was put "into operation" the United States went to that man Kelly Johnson and asked him to hurry up and develop a Jet too.  The Plane he then built was called "P-80 Shooting Star" but it wasn't operational until 1946.

      The United States was the first country to make Nuclear bombs but Stalin's Soviet Russia did it soon afterward.  And, I guess when they did it the American government again went to Kelly Johnson.  He came up with an "Interceptor" called the "F-104 Starfighter."   

       Well, I guess that's all I want to say about Jets.  I can't wait for Mr. Steve to read what I've written.  He's interested in that subject so he'll like it.  

       working on "anti-gravity" propelled aircraft.  In 1944, in Poland, they built a giant underground "complex" where they might've worked on this project.  Part of it is still there.

      there's still the ruins of a big concrete "Henge" type structure left over there in Poland.  It was not underground like the rest of that research facility.   I guess there was so much underground that the Germans called it "Der Riese" or "The Giant." 

      What's left of the henge in Poland kind of looks like that place in England called Stonehenge Daisy says.  But the Polish henge might've been used for testing this thing called "Die Glocke" which means "The Bell" in German.  

     some people think the Bell was an aircraft the Germans were working on toward  the end of World War II that used "anti-gravity propulsion."  Daisy says our boss told her one time that there are some people who think The Bell was actually a time traveling device.  

    it's only in the last fifteen years that the world found out about the Nazi anti-gravity program; if that's what it was.  Whenever he sees a show or reads about it he thinks of his friend Mark Ritter; who would've been very interested in that subject he says.     

                                                                               Oh well!  Back to my outline and writing about 1955; the year our boss was born.   read that in 1955 radio announcers were first called "Disc Jockeys" or "Dee-Jays;" and terms like "disinformation" and "counter-intuitive" were "coined."  

        A song he played was that one song called "Louie, Louie" by the KINGSMEN.  He jokes that the KINGSMEN were a "one-hit wonder" band.   Louie, Louie was written in 1955.  

Louie, Louie was written by a man from here in California named Richard Berry.  His song was influenced by this one other Cuban song called "Amarren Al Loco" which I think means "Tie Up The Crazy Guy" in Spanish.  

     Richard Berry's original version of Louie, Louie was more of a softer "ballad."  But in 1963, when our boss was eight, the KINGSMEN, who were from Oregon, did the version Daisy and I heard yesterday on the Boombox.  

     main reason why our Chief likes the KINGMEN'S version of Louie, Louie better than Richard Berry's is because it louder and heavier.  She says he also likes the way the KINKS do it.  

      Louie, Louie is the most covered song in history.  There are over a thousand other versions!  Ike and Tina Turner and the CLASH played it and even some marching bands at Football games perform it.  

      I guess another band who covered Louie, Louie was PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS; who were also from the "Pacific Northwest" like the KINGSMEN.  Their version also came out in 1963 but was not as successful.  

     PAUL REVERE AND THE RAIDERS dressed up in Revolutionary War uniforms as a gimmick.  I guess the keyboard player really was named Paul Revere. 

      One of our Chief's favorite bands is the KINKS.  And one of his favorite KINKS songs is "You Really got Me."  From what Mr. Steve read, when Ray Davies of the Kinks was writing that song he was trying to figure out the song Louie, Louie.  

        Years ago Mr. Steve used to play drums along to the KINKS version of Louie, Louie.  Just like the KINGMEN'S version; the KINKS put a "harder edge" on the song.  And both versions were kind of  "sloppy" our boss told us.  But that's perfectly okay with him he says.

        in 1955, the year our Chief was born, more things happened than just the song Louie, Louie.  Words like "zinger" and "weirdo" first appeared; and "Science Fiction" was just shortened to "Sci-Fi."  Daisy noticed that Americans made big, heavy cars in 1955.

     Many terms like "Flip-Top," "Monkey Bars," "Hands-Free," "Home Center," "Inner Child" and "Artificial Intelligence" came out of 1955 Daisy says.  One time she told me about this good tv show from the 1970's called "Happy Days."  It took place in the 1950's.

              Millie also liked that tv show Happy Days; mainly because of this really good looking man called "Fonzie."  He rode a motorcycle and wore a black leather jacket.  And he was always so wise in the advice he gave to others she says.  

    in 1998, when Mr. Steve was working for the flower company, he delivered flowers to the actor who played Fonzie over in West Los Angeles.  He got to shake his hand and says Fonzie was friendly.  

      was in 1955 that those really funny puppets called the "Muppets" were born.  And she says these things called "computer games" were  first seen in 1955.  I saw the Muppets one Saturday morning.  They're great!

        I wonder if we could do our own puppet show?  It just might work.  I thinks puppets are one of the best forms of entertainment.  It takes so much skill to do a good puppet show.  It would be really fun and maybe we might be able to make some extra money out of it too!

      The 1950's were at times called "Pax-Atomica;" modeled on the "Pax Romana" era from the ancient world.  Pax Romana is Latin for "Roman Peace."  In in 1955 the term Pax-Atomica was first used by some writers our boss told us.  

        War is the norm in human history.  Peace is the exception Mr. Steve thinks. That guy Homer Lea, who I wrote about in chapter three of book one; proved through his research at Stanford University that warfare is mankind's "more natural state."  

      Because most of the current American people these days have only known the United States to be wealthy and affluent they cannot imagine anything else.  At least that's what Mr. Steve told us.  So they would not believe that war is natural.  

     most Americans don't realize that they've been living a "false bubble" that could someday burst.  And if it ever does pop there may be what the Old Testament calls the "Wailing and gnashing of teeth."  It won't be a happy time and many will suffer. 

      12th century Córdoba, in Spain was one of the few times when all three monotheistic religions got along.  But that rare period eventually ended and everyone went back to killing each other.  

  another tiome in history when people "for the most part" lived in peace was during the 1st and 2nd centuries A.D.  Mr. Steve told us he thinks that was mainly beause the Roman Empire had brutally conquered and then ruthlessly dominated almost everywhere.

      by the 1st century Rome had conquered almost the entire Mediterranean Sea area.   And they also controlled the Middle East, Egypt, Greece and parts of Europe too.  

    Pax Romana was possible not because there was no violence, hatred or brutality; but because most of the conquered peoples were too terrified to do anything that might upset the Romans.  They knew what would happen.  

      The 1950's were called the Pax-Atomica because after World War II the United States and Soviet Union, after uniting to beat Hitler's Germany, became enemies.  And both had nuclear weapons so it was a "grudging" peace through "mutually assured destruction."