Book Two 10,html

         II     

(Book 2 / Chapter 10)

                                                                    COGNITO, ERGO; SUM / BE GRATEFUL                  

                                                                             

       4:30  

             

CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT

      

        Wow You Guys, I've finished nine chapters and according to my outline I'm going to write a lot more about music and sports in this chapter.  Oh well, I guess Daisy and I won't be getting any snacks again today.  Some Sparrows are chirping out there in the desert.  

        Based on the length of the shadows leaning to the east, I'd say it's about four thirty in the afternoon.  In this tenth chapter I'll also write a little bit about Horror movies.  Oh!  The chimes are beginning to ring and I sure hope that's You showing up again Holy Spirit!   

        I'm looking at puffy white clouds up there in the sky and Libby's scent just floated into my right nostril.  I'm starting to get really hungry and wonder what we'll have for dinner in three hours?  Anyway, I still have a lot more work to do in order to finish this second book.   

     

GROUND SQUIRREL BABIES

             I see Andy over there sniffing the air in guarding the burrow entrance.  I can't wait to see their new babies because baby Squirrels are so cute.  Libby's over there walking slowly around her Corral, and I'm glad to see so far this year there aren't any Flies; as we really hate Flies. 

            A little Sparrow darted in and landed on one of the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  But, since the water basin is empty this late in the day, it didn't stick around, and now flew away quickly.  Andy and Helen's new Spring babies went back down into their hole.   

           There's a long vapor trail up in the sky.  I remember how scared I was the first time I ever heard a Jet Plane make one of those "Sonic Booms" as it flew bye.  I thought at first it was a big earthquake but Dais calmed me down and explained it  was just "Airwaves" vibrating.

               

                                                               CHUCK YEAGER 

              

      Seeing the vapor trail makes me think of Chuck Yeager who, as I mentioned in book one; in 1947 was the first Pilot to fly a Plane faster than the "Speed of Sound" or "Supersonic."  I guess he made the first rumbling Sonic Boom in history.  Andy just took up his guarding position.         

       A picture taken in 1947 shows Chuck Yeager over at Edwards Air Force Base, which was still called "Muroc" A.F.B. then.  I like the orange "Bell XI" he's standing in front of, the Plane that    he flew 650 miles per hour in.  1947 was two years after World War II had just ended.                    

   Our Auto Mechanic Ramon's favorite color is orange so he'd probably like how the Bell XI looks.   Mr. Steve's friend Mark in Hawaii says the Singer PRINCE, who's "associated" with the color purple; actually prefers orange.  I smell a Penstemon bush out in the desert.                          

       KELLY JOHNSON / FRANCIS GARY POWERS       

  

   The Second World War ended in 1945 and, as I wrote in book one; since then the Mojave Desert's been a "Test Area" for Aircraft.  Planes like Kelly Johnson's SR-71 flew over, and so did the B-1 and B-2 Bombers too.  In my right nostril I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.                    

      A photo in this one Encyclopedia shows Kelly Johnson with that Pilot named Francis Gary Powers.  And behind them you can see an SR-71 "Spy Plane" like the one Francis Gary Powers    was shot down in when he flew over Russia.  That was back in the year 1960 I guess.                      

      As I've mentioned a few times, in the 1980's Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to College for two years at U.C. Santa Barbara.  And while there her boyfriend was Kelly Johnson's Nephew Mike.   Boy!  Kelly Johnson developed that Lockheed "U-2" which the band U2 is named after.               

       

     LOCKHEED "U2"

        Our boss was told one time by a guy who was in that 1991 "Desert Storm" war against Saddam Hussein's Iraq how, the U-2's nickname is "Dragon Lady."  They talked about why that Plane is "perceived" as being a female.  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.                        

        I guess, from what this one tv show Dais saw about Kelly Johnson said; the U-2's "Test Flights" took place way back in 1955 or year Mr. Steve was born.  It's still being used to help the  government "Keep Track" of all the things going on around the world I guess.  I smell Sage.         

          Andy's over there guarding the entrance to their burrow and I can tell he knows I'm over here sitting on Elvira.  Oh!  I noticed Cher totally asleep up on top of Moe.  Boy!  It just shows you how quiet Cats can be because I totally didn't even see her jump up there at all.                                  

2014 FORD "EDGE"

       

          Daisy told me how the Guitarist in that band from Ireland U2 is nicknamed "Edge" and there's a Car with that name too.  One time a lady dropping something off here at our house was driving one according to what Daisy and Millie saw.  That lady was really friendly Dais says.        

         An old customer in the State of Michigan one time told our boss the Edge Car is made up there in Canada, where's he originally from too.  He joked he "wasn't likely" to be ordering any  Edge logoed Baseball hats any time soon.  Daisy says the lady had good-smelling perfume.            

          Boy!  It's hard to believe a company like "Ford" is still going, even after over one hundred years.  Our little Escort Barney is a Ford just like those Edge Cars.  But Theodora's a "Lincoln," and Rex the Truck is a "Chevrolet;" so we really like those two other American brands too.          

       

2014 CHEVROLET "SONIC"

       

           Our boss talked with a General Motors customer about a Chevrolet Car called a "Sonic" Daisy says.  That Parts Manager told Mr. Steve how some Sonics have their motors "mounted"   sideways, instead of the more common way.  Cher just now woke up and is yawning.                     

          I guess that Parts Manager said Sonics first came out three years ago, and like so many of today's vehicles; is sold under different names by some of the other brands.  Cher yawned and is  now rubbing her face with her left paw.   Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.          

         One time Dais and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking to Mr. Dave about a band called SONIC YOUTH.  Mr. Steve has never heard them but said he once saw a picture of the girl bass player and noticed how she has "nice legs."  Cher jumped down from Moe and ran into the field.              

SONIC YOUTH 

         Mr. Dave said SONIC YOUTH are a 1980's "Noise Rock" band from New York City.  That other band from New York, the TALKING HEADS; also has a girl Bassist too.  Mr. Dave called    them "experimental" and mentioned how they sometimes use "unusual guitar tunings."               

     According to Mr. Dave SONIC YOUTH were influenced by VELVET UNDERGROUND, IGGY AND THE STOOGES; and Patti Smith too.  And they themselves made an impression on  the music made by NIRVANA'S Kurt Cobaine and his wife Courtney Love.  Dawn's barking.       

       All of a sudden the scent of Beavertail cactus just came floating in and for some reason that makes me feel good.   Ah!  And now I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye and moving together toward the northeast.                 

       

     CACTUS    

             

        Smelling cactus makes me think about when Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom and heard a 1970's band called CACTUS.  Mr. Steve told his Niece Samantha one time how there were actually three stages to that band.  Two were "associated" with New York City.                      

        Daisy says our boss and Miss Susan talked about a road up here in San Bernardino County called "Cactus" Avenue.   It's in a city called "Rialto" and Miss Susan said she's driven on that    road a few times over the years.  A Train just now whistled faintly over there to my left.                 

        According to what Dais heard our boss say, some members of that band CACTUS were in a 1960's band called VANILLA FUDGE before that.  I guess Mr. Steve has one of their albums on    a vinyl record.  Some people called CACTUS the "American LED ZEPPELIN" Daisy says.          

    

                "PACIFIC THEATER" (1941-45)                "GUADALCANAL" (AUG. 1942-FEB. 1943)                                                                     

        I've written about the "Pacific Theater" in World War II, when the U.S. beat "Imperial" Japan.  During that bloody seven month long "Battle of Guadalcanal" America's "Cactus" Air    Force played a big part.  I guess Cactus was the "Code Name" for Guadalcanal island.                  

         The map showing in red stars where all the different Pacific Theater battles happened is so great.  Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how, after the Japanese attacked the      U.S. in December of 1941 at "Pearl Harbor;" we came into the war.  Two Crows are fighting.       

       Thinking of how Miss Sandy's dad's Ship the "U.S.S. Lexington" was sunk in May of 1942 at that "Battle of the Coral Sea," makes me also think about how I don't know yet whether I can      swim.  That battle ended up being a "Draw."  Yup!  Those Crows are fighting over a girl.              

                                                                     "BATTLE OF MIDWAY"                          ADMIRAL CHESTER W. NIMITZ                         (JUNE, 1942)                                                                                    (1885-1966)               

    

         One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about the "War in the Pacific."  Mr. Steve told him how one time, in the early 1960's; his parents got to meet that guy    Admiral Nimitz and his wife at a banquet.  A flock of Birds is going bye way up there.                    

         About a month after the Battle of the Coral Sea that really important naval battle took place near the island of "Midway."  That's where "Fleet Commander" Admiral Nimitz's forces ambushed and totally beat the Japanese navy.  They sank all those four Aircraft Carriers.             

         Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled to learn about how "Code Breaking" was one of the biggest factors in why the Allies beat the Axis Powers in the Second World War.   And I guess at the Battle of Midway Admiral Nimitz had what's called "Inside Information."  I smell Sage.       

                MACARTHUR / FDR / NIMITZ             JAPANESE SURRENDER CEREMONY                      (1943)                                                                   (1945)                 

 

          Two pictures show Admiral Nimitz, who Daisy heard was from Texas.   One shows him sitting with General MacArthur and President Roosevelt, and in the other one he's signing this   document accepting Japan's final surrender.  Andy's over there guarding the burrow.                   

            Mr. Dave told our boss a customer said Admiral Nimitz and his wife are buried near him in "San Bruno."  I guess that's up in Northern California.  I'll bet, if he'd wanted to; Admiral      Nimitz could've been buried at "Arlington" National cemetery back in Washington D.C.               

           The Parts Manager told Mr. Dave how the Baseball Player Keith Hernandez and Actress Suzanne Somers are from San Bruno.  And so is that guy in the GRATEFUL DEAD nicknamed "Pigpen," who our Gopher is named after.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there.                                                         CHESTER NIMITZ JR.                                      WITH WIFE           

         Mr. Steve's dad read a Magazine article about Admiral Nimitz.  I guess, his son served under him in the Pacific Theater, and won some of the highest medals Daisy heard.  Oh!  I just      noticed a long line of Ants marching along down there near Miss Emily's old coffee table.              

     Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave his father was particularly interested when he read Chester Nimitz Jr. and his wife committed suicide together.  They were probably very "sick and    in pain" he thought.  I really like how Blinky, Dawn and Rosie's scents are so blended.                   

          "Midway" and "Stalingrad" were two "turning point" battles of World War II Mr. Steve's father thinks.  In the article Admiral Nimitz's son said, a few years before 1941; his dad told him exactly how war would begin and he'd be given power.  I kind of like how "Chester" sounds.                              

   JIMI HENDRIX (1942-1970)          JIM MORRISON (1943-1971)          JANIS JOPLIN (1943-1970)

     PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                                          

       27        

         I don't know why but all of a sudden I just thought that "27 Club" I've mentioned a few over the last two days.  Even though I'm actually scheduled to write about it tomorrow in book    three, I can say a little bit about it now too.  Boy!  The air has been so clear again today.                

         As I've said a few times before, that 27 Club is Musicians like Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix; who all died at the young age of twenty seven.  Ah!  I just glanced up in time    to see Freddie chasing another Crow.  Fannie's also flying along yelling and screaming too.           

          I smell that new little baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt.  Hey God!  I really do want to believe that it springing up yesterday on the very first day of Spring is going to be a good sign  for this upcoming new year.  Heathcliff is crowing over there and I like his calming voice.              

                                                                               

                 KURT COBAINE (1967-1994)                 

 

             Mr. Dave read Kurt Cobaine's mom warned him not to be a member of the 27 Club.  But he ended up doing it anyway I guess, and just like Ernest Hemingway; killed himself by using a  "Shotgun."  Daisy told me all types of guns are really loud, and especially those shotguns.             

          One time a customer up in the State of Washington told Mr. Steve, who had told him we live in "Piñon" Hills; Kurt Cobaine once started his business called the "Pine Street Custodial    Service."  Heathcliff just now crowed.  Boy!  His cackling Hens sound so happy over there.           

           Daisy noticed how, in a NIRVANA Video for one of their most famous songs; there's a part where you can see a Janitor mopping a floor.  I smell Beavertail cactus.  The Parts Manager up in Washington said one of the last places Kurt Cobaine ate at was the "Cactus" restaurant.             

       

2014 BUICK "ENCORE"

  

         Daisy told me if the audience claps a lot and stands up at the end of a concert, the band comes out to do one more song; called an "Encore."  She says there's a "Buick" Car with that      name.  Our boss and Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell things with a Buick logos on them.          

            One morning, as they loaded Rex with that Joshua tree knocked over by strong winds; we heard Mr. Mike talk about Encore Cars.  I guess, they're one of those "Sports Utility" vehicles but smaller in size.  Boy!  I really like smelling the baby Cholla cactus growing over there.             

          Our boss told Mr. Mike one of his Buick customers said Encore's have only been around for about two or three years.  That Parts Manager used the word "crossover" to describe them. Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew over Libby's Corral moving to the south.                                          

"THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE"

       A Bunny Rabbit just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to hop out into the back desert.  That suddenly makes me think of that one cartoon I mentioned yesterday about the Rabbit who lost a foot race to a slow Turtle.  Boy!  That must've been so embarrassing.                  

         Daisy says that cartoon, one of those ancient Greek "Aesop's Fables;" warns you not to be conceited or "Underestimate" an opponent.  Even a last place team can beat a first place team on "any given day" our boss and his father think.  That guy Buster Douglas beat Mike Tyson.           

         Just like "Tortoise" is another name for a Turtle, so is "Hare" another name for a Rabbit.  It's to bad the "Desert Tortoises" used to live around here are almost all gone.  Oh wow!  I just   saw Jack the Jackrabbit flying through the air out there in the desert behind the Sheds.              

                                                        RUNNING JACKRABBIT         

                     PHOTO BY B. KATZUNG               

                                      

        From what Dais says, in that cartoon the Rabbit is so arrogant he brags and thinks he can even take a nap before finishing the race.  So the Turtle, who can't run but can only walk slowly; just keeps on walking along.  It would be so great to smell an actual real Turtle someday.               

         Daisy thinks the lesson or "Moral" in the story of the Rabbit is that it's usually better to be "slow and steady" in doing things.  Mr. Steve's parents both believe "Consistency" is better than "Unpredictability."  Some wispy dust is lingering out there from where Jack went bye.                  

        In the cartoon the Turtle ends up winning the race and the Rabbit gets really mad I guess.  But it was his own fault Dais says because he "Took Things for Granted" so to speak.  There are  times when you have what's called a "Deadline" so you can't just "Take your Time."                        

THREE CROSSES

("TRES CRUCES" / "TOMÉ," NEW MEXICO)

PHOTO BY BUD RUSSO

         Hey Lord!  For some reason, all of a sudden; I just thought about that little New Mexico town to the east of Belén called "Tomé."  As You know, I was supposed to write about it in my      first book but missed it on my outline.   Mr. Steve's parents families know Tomé very well.            

         One time Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph how, on a big hill near Tomé; three crosses are up there just like at Las Cruces.  The people from Tomé call themselves "Toméseños" Lord,  and celebrate holidays in honor of You.  And I guess they honor You too Blessed Mother.               

        Growing up in Belén and Jarales Lord, both of our boss's parents, and their brothers and sisters; went to Tomé for Christian-themed events.  Thinking about the good food that's always a part of things like that makes me hungry.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny just flew bye.                    

  

IGLESIA DE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION"  ("TOMÉ)

         Blessed Mother!  Mr. Steve's parents both remember Tomé's old Church, and the "Long standing Traditions" inherited from their Spanish influence.  Mr. Steve's parents think it's sad so many of those old community activities aren't done anymore.  Like this one "Procession."            

          Sometimes in May, which all over the world is considered Your month Mother Mary; they prayed and sang and danced at those "Fiesta" parties I've mentioned before.  Boy!  I would love to go to a party someday, and then to dance and celebrate in Your honor.  Libby whinnied.            

          Our boss told Mr. Ralph his parents, and their generation; have fond memories of times in Tomé.  Daisy says they used to have an event where, between Tomé and the town of "Adelino;"    people carried a beautiful statue of You Blessed Mother.  I guess they prayed on the way.               

     

            "CERRO DE TOMÉ"  ("TOME HILL")         

           PHOTO BY BUD RUSSO                                                                PHOTO BY "DRY HEAT" PHOTOGRAPHY

           Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph they don't walk on the Highway between Tomé and Adelino anymore.  But people still do hike up to those three crosses on that hill, which  in Spanish is called "Cerro de Tomé."  Leo and Cleo the Robins are singing so happily right now.                   

           Because the Spanish word for "Road" is "Camino," those processions between Tomé and Adelino were "Caminatas" or "Long Walks."  Blessed Mother!  When it got too dark to walk a    household got to keep Your statue in their house overnight.   Ah!  How lucky they were!                 

           Mark Ritter knew about Tomé hill's "Petroglyphs." I guess that hill was a mountain when first created thirty million years ago by a volcano erupting but then, over millions and millions of years; was "Eroded" by that "Rio Grande" River.  I really like Leo and Cleo's voices.                   

                                                       

ANGELINE AND BABIES

                   

           Oh!  Angeline's over there with her babies but she's not with Alpha Company. Dais still remembers the crunching sound of the tiny bones breaking as Cher ate a crying baby Quail one    time.  And now I just picked up Angeline's scent blended in with her all her new chicks.                 

             Ah!  Alpha Company is using the two vertical slots on the sides of the gate to stream from the desert into our yard.  Angeline and her babies joined them and now they're all going under    Moe the middle Shed.  That one Monarch Butterfly is fluttering bye in front of the Sheds.             

            Hey God!  I sure hope Mr. Steve likes my books when he reads them.  Thank all of You Guys up there for helping me over the last two days but I still have a lot of work to do today and then even more tomorrow.  Oh!  I smell one of the Rosemary plants out there in the desert. 

                 

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY 

                 

          Hey Blessed Mother!  I just know You would be a good mother, and seeing Angeline with her babies makes me think of You.  Ah!  I see Blackbeard chasing another boy Crow away from Anne, who's cawing loud too in flying slightly behind them.  I can smell Alpha Company. 

          Daisy thinks we're lucky that our boss listens to many types of music because we can learn about the different styles too.   Boy!  I'm really forward to someday being like her in not being afraid to go into Mr. Steve's bedroom and listen to way more music.  Andy's looking at me.  

         Mr. Steve is interested in how one type of music influences another.  He once met a guy who thought the German Classical Composers Richard Wagner and Gustav Holst both inspired some of the Hard Rock or Heavy Metal bands.  A Train whistled faintly way out in the desert. 

                                                                RICHARD  WAGNER (1813-1883)                   GUSTAV HOLST (1874-1934)      

               

          Daisy says our boss helped a kid do a Report for his College "Music Sociology" class.  The assignment called for "comparing" two forms of the same "type" of music from the same "era" and Mr. Steve suggested two Rock songs from the mid-1970's.  I can smell some Juniper.  

          I guess the kid ended up comparing "Sails of Charon" by the German band SCORPIONS to "Flaming Telepaths" by BLUE ÖYSTER CULT.  "B.Ö.C." were partly Jewish from New York City.  Mr. Steve thinks Sails of Charon may have been influenced by Richard Wagner.  

         Richard Wagner wrote powerful music Dais says.  That's why a "Megalomaniac" like that guy Adolph Hitler liked it so much.  Our boss hears Richard Wagner in the SCORPIONS Sails of Charon, and some Jewish influence on Flaming Telepaths; especially in all the guitar solos.  

 

                                      SCORPIONS                                                     BLUE ÖYSTER CULT                     

                                                                                                            

                  Just as our boss hears Richard Wagner in the SCORPIONS song Sails of Charon, he also thinks he can hear Jewish influences in that guy Buck Dharma's guitar solos in B.Ö.C.'S Flaming Telepaths.  Mr. Steve has been told Buck Dharma is not Jewish.   Heathcliff just crowed.

            Our boss told Mr. Dave to go listen to Sails of Charon and Flaming Telepaths, and when he did I guess he agreed with Mr. Steve.  He joked images of "Jewish people traditional dancing at a wedding" came into his head on Flaming Telepaths final guitar solo.  I smell Andy.

           In the mid-1970's Mr. Steve, Miss Sandy and their friends one time saw BLUE ÖYSTER CULT play a concert down at the Hollywood Palladium.  They were really good, and had three Guitarists just like Mr. Rich's band DRAGPIPE.   B.Ö.C. wore black leather jackets. 

              

                                                   BLACK SABBATH                                      DIAMOND HEAD 

          Mr. Steve told that kid doing the report that KING CRIMSON, BLACK SABBATH and DIAMOND HEAD used the "dissonant or unsettling" sounds of the "Tritone" in some of their songs.  They might've been influenced by Gustav Holst.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.  

         My Musical Dictionary says a Tritone is a "Harmonic Progression" of three "ominous" or "sinister" sounding notes.  They include a "Diminished Fifth," or "Da…Da Da."  Daisy told me it's the first three "spooky" notes of BLACK SABBATH'S song called "Black Sabbath."  

        Mr. Steve's College music history Teacher told him about the Diminished Fifth.  She played him Gustav Holst's early 20th century song "Mars, Bringer of War" from his "Planet Suite."  So he then played her BLACK SABBATH'S song and she liked it a lot from what Dais says. 

      

"SOLAR" SYSTEM                                                                     MARS              

        

       Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the Planet Mars until tomorrow, I kind of feel like mentioning it now too because I'm thinking about Gustov Holst's song.  Mars is the fourth    planet from the Sun.  After Mercury, it's the second smallest Planet in our Solar System.               

      This Encyclopedia says Mars has two "irregular- shaped" Moons and the biggest volcano in the Solar System.  Like Earth's Moon, Mars is all covered in "Impact Craters" and, in looking    at the picture I can see why it's called the "Red Planet."  I smell some new Manzanita.                   

      I guess Mars' "Rotation," and "Angle of Tilt" on its axis is similar to Earth; so the days and seasons are about the same length as us.  Mr. Steve and his father think someday people might      have to move to Mars if Earth is destroyed.  That guy Stephen Hawking thinks that too.               

                                                                 MARS "ROVERS"   

        

              Wow!  A good photo in this Encyclopedia shows a man standing near three of what they call the "Mars Rovers."  Those are "Motor Vehicles" which, beginning in the 1970's; have been sent to Mars to explore and do things like that.  All four of the Pigeons are flying bye.

           Yesterday I mentioned that one place called "Jet Propulsion Laboratories," or "J.P.L." for short.  It's kind of near Sylmar where Mr. Steve and his brothers and sisters grew up.  As I said before, in High School at Alemany and Sylmar High our boss took Field Trips over there. 

           Mr. Steve thinks someday an Asteroid or something might fly down and hit the Earth like what happened sixty five million years ago when most of the Dinosaurs were killed.  And there are also those "Gamma Ray Bursts" too.  So people maybe could just move out to Mars.

             

 "DINOSAUR" NATIONAL MONUMENT (COLORADO) 

PHOTO BY JACOB W. FRANK                  

                 

              Mentioning the Dinosaurs suddenly makes me think of how one time Mr. Steve and Miss Susan at work talked about one of her customers in the State of "Colorado."  He told her about he and his wife and kids visiting a place called "Dinosaur National Monument."  I smell Sage.

           That Parts Manager told Miss Susan about a small town called "Dinosaur," which in near that National Park.  Just like Piñon Hills used be called "Barrel Springs," Dinosaur at one time had the name of "Artesia;" because of fresh water in the area.  Ah!   I like how Sage smells. 

          Daisy and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss how the town of Dinosaur has less than five hundred people.  Boy!  That's way less than the seven thousand "Residents" who live here in our town.  The Parts Manager told Miss Susan Artesia was renamed in 1966 when he was twelve. 

                        

           THE "AVENGERS"               

           ARTWORK BY ALAN DAVIS                     

                          

                  Daisy heard that Parts Manager told Miss Susan a few years ago the town of Dinosaur was mentioned in one of those "Comic" books.  She asked our boss who the "Dark Avengers" were but he didn't know.  He'd heard about this other "Superhero" group the "Avengers."

            Miss Susan's customer said in the town of Dinosaur are streets named after Dinosaurs whose bones were found in that area.  I'll bet one was that "Tyrannosaurus Rex," who our Truck up there in the front yard was named for.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye right now.

           One of Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customers knew about Superhero comic books.  I guess one time he told him the Dark Avengers group were a "spinoff" of the original "Marvel" "Avengers" series.  Daisy says they always get justifiable revenge on the bad "Villains."

           

              T-REX / STEGOSAURUS                                   BRONTOSAURUS / T-REX

                

         Miss Susan's customer told her his boy is studying Archaeology.   So he was interested to hear about two Dinosaurs whose bones were dug up there in Colorado, a "Stegosaurus" and the giant "Brontosaurus."   The T-Rex's always tried to kill and then eat both of them I guess.            

        This Encyclopedia says how Stegosaurus means "Armored Lizard," because of the thick protective plates" that run all along its back.  Daisy told me this tv show she and Millie watched said they also had sharp spikes to fight off and stab the T-Rex.  I see the baby Cholla cactus.         

        Wow!  Some Brontosaurus's were seventy feet long and could weigh twenty tons, whereas  Stegosaurus's were only about twenty feet long and only weighed four tons.  Brontosaurus means "Thunder Lizard."   Dais says that's because the ground rumbled when they walked around.        

                                                   GIRAFFE          

           

                 Daisy says the man on the tv show talked about how millions and millions of years ago the giant Brontosaurus's "developed" really long necks.  And that happened because it allowed them to eat the leaves way up there on even the top of trees I guess.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.    

            That guy Charles Darwin would probably say, like with those tall "Giraffes" who live in Africa; through the process of "Natural Selection" they "Evolved."  They adapted to what was necessary to survive in their particular environment.  And that meant having long necks.

           Most things being dual in nature, with Giraffe's that means it's harder to get down low to drink water.  So Daisy noticed, they have to spread their legs wide, which leaves them a lot more vulnerable if a Lion just happens to attack you right at that moment.  Giraffe's kick hard.   

                                                                      

                                                                          "MARS"        

           

             Oh what the heck!  Since I mentioned the Planet Mars I might as well just go ahead and look up to write about the ancient Roman "God of War" named "Mars" too.  If I feel like it I can also write about him tomorrow where he is on my outline.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.

          In 1985 Mr. Steve's Tour Group visited that old "Appian Way" road near Rome.  The Tour Guide said the Romans put up statues of the different Roman Gods like Mars along the sides.  My Encyclopedia says, besides being war God; Mars was also the "God of Agriculture" too.

          It's interesting to read about how Mars was "second in importance" only to "Jupiter," or the Greeks God "Zeus;" and the month of "March" is named after him.  I guess, before the time of the Romans the Greeks called Mars "Ares."  I can smell the Twin Joshua trees out there.       

  

WOODPECKER                     GRIZZLY BEAR                     HOWLING WOLF

         

               It says here there were three Animals associated with the  ancient Roman God Mars; the Woodpecker, Bear and Wolf.  Daisy heard that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about it.  I guess the ancient Celts also had a few "deities" that they came to "associate" with the planet Mars.   

           When our boss in 1985 visited the "Forum" in the city of Rome, they saw the ruins of a Temple dedicated to the God Mars who "loved bloody wars;" which is why I guess the Roman "Legionnaire" Soldiers were so good at killing.  That lady Mary Beard went to the Forum.

           As I mentioned, Mars was "identified" with March.  It says here he was also "connected" to October too.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan, and Mr. Ralph too; were born in March.  His brother Rock in Texas, and Niece Cristina; have their birthdays in the tenth month of October.      

   

             ROMAN "LEGIONS"               

            As the God of of Agriculture, and farming season being so important to Rome; "military campaigning" began in October.  They just replaced "plow shares" with  swords as that one Old Testament quote from the Book of Isaiah talked about.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

          In October, the Legions would march off to somewhere they could conquer and take things from; which of course often required a lot of killing and things like that I guess.  Dais heard that lady Mary Beard talk about it.  Someday I really want to see our boss's "Gladius" sword.  

         The Roman Legions kind of sound like later Vikings, who also went on "Raids" when their farming season ended.  Both cultures seemed to enjoy violence.  Mr. Steve says, at times during the 1930's and then 1940's some of the Japanese Soldiers seemed to have fun being violent.

    

2014 JEEP "GLADIATOR II"

        

                 Mentioning Mr. Steve's Gladius sword reminds of when Daisy heard our boss talking to one of his "Jeep" customers.  I guess that Parts Manager said since 1962, under a few different names; Jeep has a "Pickup" Truck called "Gladiator."  Mr. Steve told him about his sword.

            The Parts Manager told our boss how the Gladiator has been at times "adapted" for use by the military.  In countries like Sweden, and during the long civil war in Lebanon; they've been "fitted" with machine guns and cannons.  I can smell Blinky, Dawn and Rosie over there. 

            Daisy says our boss and his dad discussed the civil war in Lebanon with Mr. Hussein at Coffee & Cream.  It went from 1975, when Mr. Steve and Sandy were at Valley College; to 1990 when he was working for Pace.  Smelling Blinky, Dawn and Rosie have such nice scents.  

                                                       

                                                                               DEAN MARTIN / JERRY LEWIS

     

             All of a sudden, writing about March and the God Mars makes me thing about how Daisy heard our boss tell his mom on the phone about a guy named Jerry Lewis.  One of Mr. Steve's customers in New Jersey knew about him.  Jerry Lewis is one of those "Comedians.

          I guess, by total coincidence one time, the Parts Manager said on the phone how that day was his wife's birthday.  And that day just happened to be March the 16th which, by coincidence; is also his sister Susan's birthday.  And it turns out it was Jerry Lewis's birthday too!

          Wow!  Hey God!  Is it You up there who makes things like that happen?  As I've said a few times in my books, Daisy wants to think it is You; or someone "Affiliated" with You.  That guy in New Jersey said that Jerry Lewis's parents were both "Ashkenazi" Jews from Russia.   

       

                                                                               MR. STEVE'S SISTER SUSAN                      

                        (WITH "HEINZ" THE HORSE)                                               (WITH SONS AUSTIN / DALTON)

   

               Libby's walking around in her Corral.  I've said a few times how, over in Connecticut; our boss's sister Susan has Horses.  Daisy heard our boss tell her about how Julius Caesar was killed on the 15th of March, and on the Radio Bill Handel always jokes about the "Ides of March."

           Dais says the Parts Manager told our boss Jerry Lewis, from the year after World War II ended up until 1956; was in a team with Dean Martin.  Mr. Steve's parents didn't think they were very funny.  In 1956 Mr. Steve was one and his brother Rock would be born the next year.  

               Boy!  My Encyclopedia says Jerry Lewis, whose nickname was the "Kid" just like Billy the Kid; used to be called the "King of Comedy."  And, I guess he did a lot of other things too besides just being a Comedian.  He was born back in 1926 so is older than Mr. Steve's parents.

                                                                                                                                  

                                                                                       MR. DOUG /  MISS SUSAN

                    I've mentioned before how Mr. Doug's wife Susan  died of "Muscular Dystrophy," which is what Jerry Lewis now raises money for on tv.  Jerry Lewis is described as a "humanitarian."  I see Goliath crawling into the back desert through the left vertical slot on the side of the gate.

                Wow!  Besides just being funny in movies, Jerry Lewis was also at times the "Producer," "Screen Writer" and "Director" too; so he has to be talented Dais says.  Mr. Steve and his father say his type of comedy is not their "Cup of Tea" but they realize many disagree with them.  

                  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows flew over the top of this Patio and are going out into the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  Oh!  The motion of a Lizard doing pushups on the wall near the sliding glass door just caught my attention.  Someday I'll go into that back dining room. 

                    

         BLACK SABBATH             

                             

             Well, back to writing about music.  That Teacher at C.S.U.N. said, in Middle Age Europe; the three "Tritone" notes of the "Diminished Fifth" was "Forbidden" to be played.  It was called the "Devil's Chord," or in Latin "Diabolus en Musica;" in English "The Devil in Music."   

            Someday I want to hear that song Black Sabbath.  Dais says it begins with Church bells ringing faintly in the background, and you hear the rain falling.  Then those three "Discordant" slow and heavy notes are played and, eventually; evolve into a really good "fast-paced" song.    

           In the 1970's Mr. Steve and Sandy, with their friend Chris; saw KING CRIMSON at the Hollywood Palladium.  Like GENESIS and YES, they're an English "Progressive Rock" band.  They ended their concert covering Gustav Holst's "Mars," which made a big impression. 

    

                                                                    KING CRIMSON

               

            I guess the word "crimson" means red.  Mr. Steve thinks KING CRIMSON'S Guitarist, who sat on a chair the way the guys from GENESIS also used to do in the 1970's; is really good.  Dais told me about this one KING CRIMSON song called "20th Century Schizoid Man."

           Our boss and Mr. Rich talked about how BLACK SABBATH'S Guitarist Tony Iommi had the tips of the fingers on his right hand cut off.  He did it working at a dangerous Steel Factory in his hometown of "Birmingham," England.  He's left-handed so it was his "fingering" hand.   

           Like DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer later, for Tony Iommi it was this "Turning Point" or a  "Make or Break" moment.  It was a "Game-Changer," or "Gut-Check" time; that guy Charles Darwin might say "adapt to circumstances or fall by the wayside."  Heathcliff just crowed.

                          

  CHARLES DAWWIN (1809-1882)             FRIEDRICH NIETZSCHE (1844-1900)

         

           I've already mentioned a few times in these first two books about how I want to believe in what that guy Friedrich Nietzsche wrote back in the 19th century, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger."  I wonder if Tony Iommi knows that quote?  I smell Sage. 

           Daisy says our boss tries to play along to BLACK SABBATH songs but admits he'll never be as good as BLACK SABBATH'S Drummer.  I guess, for Tony Iommi; cutting off his fingertips made it "Crunch Time" or "Do or Die."  I remember Mr. Randy using those terms one time.

          Of course Tony Iommi was depressed Mr. Steve said.  But a friend told him about this one World War II era French "Gypsy" Guitarist named Django Reinhardt, whose fingers were badly burned in a fire so he relearned how to play guitar with melted fingers.  Sage smells so good.    

        

                      TONY IOMMI                                             DJANGO REINHARDT (1910-1953)

                                                                                                                                         

              I'm tempted to write about the "Roma" people, which is what Gypsy's call themselves.  But I'd better just wait until tomorrow.  Mr. Steve says the Roma, like Jews and Mormons; are often "persecuted" so also have had to just "Persevere" and be strong in order to survive.    

             Django Reinhardt, who at times bent notes like a Blues Guitarist, was right-handed and his left "fingering" hand had only two "flexible" fingers and a thumb.  Boy! I sure do wish I had some thumbs on my paws.  But I'm now getting really good at working with only toes.  

            To survive Daisy says, Django Reinhardt, like Mr. Steve's father after the 1971 Sylmar earthquake; had to make "Lemonade from Lemons" as they say.  And, because both were tough; they did it.  Tony Iommi did it too, and even then created a "new sound" our boss thinks. 

                                  

   GERMANS CONQUER FRANCE  ( JUNE, 1940)

      

            When Nazi Germany conquered France in 1940, French "Collaborators" helped them "Round Up" Jews and Gypsy's.  But a tv show Daisy and Millie saw said the Germans, because they liked his music; allowed Django Reinhardt to stay in Paris.  I smell Libby over there.

            I guess another name for Gypsy's is "Romani."  Not only were Django Reinhardt's hands burned, so was his leg and the Doctors wanted to cut his hand off but he refused.  I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve's father did not let them amputate his feet during the Korean War.    

            "C' est la vie" is French for "That's life."  I almost named this second book that because it sounds like something Dais would say to me.  Boy!  Thank goodness I have all of these different foreign language Dictionaries because there's no way I could write my books without them.  

  

 THE MIRACLES

          Oh!  My Encyclopedia says Tony Iommi's birthday is February 19th and I remember how that's Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Harriet's birthday too.  Earlier, I wrote about the Detroit music    company "Motown."  That Singer Smokey Robinson was also born on February the 19th.            

         Heathcliff crowed, which makes me suddenly remember that afternoon last Summer when Dais and I were sitting back here on Elvira.  Like then and now, the Hens were clucking; and we smelled the Twin Joshua trees as I do now.  Thank You God for making me feel so good.                

          In Mr. Steve's family May is the month with the most birthdays but in February his Niece Stephanie' boyfriend Rich and Nephew Dalton were both born.  And Mr. Steve's father has, and Grandma Córdova had; birthdays in February too.  Some Sparrows are singing happily.              

          

MISS HARRIET

          

           Yesterday I wrote about how, on February 19, 1942, Miss Harriet's birthday;  President Roosevelt signed that World War II "Executive Order 9066."   It ordered Japanese-Americans like Dr.'s Oda and Sakaguchi's families all arrested.  Boy!  I'm so glad it's Springtime now.           

          Boy!  It would've been so bad to be Japanese-Americans during the Second World War. The government took all their property and sent them all to live in those "Internment" camps.    As I've said, Mr. Steve thinks President Roosevelt was kind of prejudiced against Asians.               

        One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt, who had to overcome injuries in order to keep playing guitar.  They seem to be examples of Charles Darwin's "Natural Selection" idea.   Either adapt or die I guess.                                

"ROMAN CATHOLIC" NUNS

                        

           Hey God!  As You know, Sister Rita Joseph told her class at Saint Ferdinand that tragedy and unfairness is often part of life.  She thought You sometimes let bad things happen in order to test people like Tony Iommi and Django Reinhardt.  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.     

           Django Reinhardt, like Tony Iommi; adjusted to his "Watershed Moment."  One thing he did was switch from "Gut" to steel strings in order to make his "Acoustic" guitar louder.  A few years ago Mr. Steve bought his Niece Samantha a royal blue acoustic guitar Dais heard. 

           I just thought of that one Country music Singer from Texas Willie Nelson.  He named his old acoustic guitar after Roy Rogers' Horse "Trigger."  I guess, from what Daisy's heard; Willie Nelson also really admired Django Reinhardt too.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye. 

  

                                                                  WILLIE NELSON

            A picture shows that guy Willie Nelson, and I notice he's playing his guitar Trigger; which looks old.  Mr. Steve jokes, like a Car; it sounds better to call something that's "Used" the term "Pre-Owned."  Andy's over there sniffing the air, making sure there's no danger around.

           Mentioning Willie Nelson suddenly makes me think of that Auto Mechanic Mr. Wilt and his wife Miss Donna.  They, liked Willie Nelson; were from Texas and liked his music.  Mr. Wilt's the one who, back in the 1980's down there in Sylmar; gave Mr. Steve that one-legged Crow.

          Daisy heard our boss talking with his brother Rock in Texas, and they were remembering Mr. Wilt.  I guess, Mr. Wilt had a funny sense of humor; and a while back Mr. Steve had a dream about that.  Mr. Wilt died and Mr. Steve thinks it was probably from smoking too much. 

                                                                                                        

                                                                                    MR. WILT /  MISS DONNA

                  Dais says she can tell that Mr. Wilt's wife "Donna" must've been a strong-minded person just like Grandma Córdova was.   Our boss recalls how she was way more "serious" than Wilt so he was often joking and trying to get her to laugh more.  Sometimes it didn't work I guess.

                   When Mr. Steve's family first met Mr. Wilt way back in the late 1970's, he was doing his "Mobile Auto Repair" business.  But, he decided to also rent a space from Mr. Steve's father; so he could do some of his work there too.  A little Lizard just scampered bye out into the dirt. 

            I just thought of Mr. Steve joking he's now "elderly," and how during his life he's always liked talking to older people.  That's why he enjoys being around Miss Susan, who used to run our local Newspaper called "News Plus."  Now that guy Don Fish Jr. operates the paper.  

   

                                     PLAYING MUSIC                            NEIL YOUNG                   WITH CARETAKER

    

                  Daisy says Neil Young wrote a song about an old man who was his property "Caretaker."  Our boss told Mr. Rick, who knew Mr. Wilt; that song makes him think how he was kind of like Mr. Wilt when he was young.  And he thinks about how now finds himself being old too.  

           Tomorrow I'll learn more about Gypsy's like Django Reinhardt.  Daisy says some female Gypsy's use these things called "Crystal" balls to predict the future.   Boy!  I'd love to have one of those and, if I ever get one; would right away find out what Dais and I's futures are.    

          I just thought of that ancient Greek town "Delphi," where people like Alexander the Great would go too so those girl "Oracles" could predict their future.  I wrote before how the girl, as a "Medium;" went into a "Trance" to do it.   Benjamin the Cow Bird just went running bye.   

              

                                DELPHI                                                           ORACLE OF DELPHI

 

          I can almost imagine waiting in line to see the Oracle, and looking up to see carved on the wall those two statements; "Know Thyself" and "Nothing in Excess." You were to keep those in mind when the girl predicted your future.  Boy!  I wonder if there are any Dog Oracles?

          When the Oracle went into her trance she spoke in "Riddles" so you had to "Interpret" or "Decipher" what she meant.  Yesterday I wrote about "Nostradamus," and that other guy Edgar Casey; who also made predictions about the future in "Code."  I smell Andy over there.

          Oh!  Writing about those girls at Delphi makes me remember how I was supposed to learn yesterday about the three "Stages" of ancient Greek "Sculpture."   Daisy says that one man Rick Steves had a show where he mentioned the subject.  Some of the Ducks are quacking. 

  

                        RICK STEVES                                               ANCIENT GREEK COLLUMNS 

  

         According to what Daisy and Millie heard Rick Steves say, the first or earliest period of ancient Greek sculpture, from about 600 B.C.; was called "Archaic."  During this time all of the  human bodies looked kind of stiff I guess.  The smell of Creosote just came floating in.                   

          Daisy has told me one place Rick Steves went to in Europe was that ancient Greek "City-State" of "Athens."  Guys like "Socrates," and "Pericles" too; lived there during its "Golden      Age."  The sculpture from then looks "less rigid" and "way more realistic" Dais noticed.              

          By the third "Hellensitic" period statues look "almost alive" Dais told me, like one of this small kid riding a huge Horse.  Rick Steves compared Greece's three historical periods with the    "evolution" of art in Europe, "Gothic," "Renaissance" and "Baroque."  I can smell Sage.                                                                    

                                   EVOLUTION OF GREEK "CAPITOLS" ON COLUMNS

  

          I've mentioned before how "Hellenism" means the period after that one guy Alexander the Great conquered Greece back in the 4th century B.C.  I guess Rick Steve's also talked about the three styles of "Capitols" on the top of Greek "Columns."   Dawn's barking about something.

              Daisy told me how Rick Steves said the three stages of Greek capitols on buildings were a balance of  "functionality and decoration."  Hey!  That what Father's Serra and LaSuén had to think about in the 18th century Alta California too.  Oh!  Now little Blinky's barking too.

          A drawing in this Encyclopedia shows the three types of capitols and I notice how the first "Doric" ones were just flat or "simple practical and utilitarian" as the caption says.  By the third "Corinthian" style they're "leafy" and "complex."  The Romans liked that style I guess.

  

EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)

               Someday, mainly because our boss Mr. Steve and his father seem to like her writing; I do want to read some of the books that lady Edith Hamilton wrote about ancient Greece and Rome.  My Encyclopedia says she was an "Educator" at a "girls school."   I like how Blinky smells.

            Daisy heard Mr. Ralph has also read things Edith Hamilton wrote, and also likes the way she "looked at things."  She made you kind of "get lost in the past," and "realize todays difficult times are not unlike times in the past" he told our boss.  "Human nature is always the same."

           I guess, that lady Miss Edith began writing when she was sixty two, which seems to have impressing Mr. Steve's father.  Wow!  It says here her younger sister was the first girl to ever be hired to teach College at "Harvard."   Mr. Peabody must've been the first Dog at Harvard.     

  

UNCLE MARTY 

                    I just thought of Uncle Marty and how, after being one of those "Medics" during the Vietnam War; then used his "G.I. Bill" to go to Harvard.  There, he got a "Master of Business Administration" degree; or just "M.B.A." for short.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

               Mr. Steve and his brother Rock one time remembered their trips to "San Diego" to visit with Uncle Marty and Aunt Josephine.  One time they helped him paint a fence, before he then  dropped them off at Sea World.  That Uncle Marty must be really smart Daisy thinks. 

              Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times the 1977 trip our boss and his brother Rock took to visit Uncle Marty's family in "Morristown" New Jersey.  One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Ralph that was when Uncle Marty had a job with "I.B.M."   Libby whinnied. 

                                       

            MICHEL DE NOSTRDAMUS (1503-1566)                  EDGAR CAYCE (1877-1945)

                 All of a sudden I just thought about those guys Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce, who also predicted the future like the Oracles at Delphi.  Boy God!  It would be so great to have the power to know things in advance.  A Gambler could make "a lot of money" Dais sometimes jokes.    

           Daisy says our boss's 6th Grade teacher Sister Rita Joseph was interested in the subject of predicting the future so had read about Delphi, Nostradamus and Edgar Cayce too.  And she also knew about those Old Testament Prophets.  All four of the Pigeons just now fluttered bye.

           I'm still thinking about BLACK SABBATH'S Guitarist Tony Iommi, and how some of the tips of his fingers got accidentally cut off.  Daisy heard our boss tell his mom Sister Rita Joseph used to say, "When the going gets tough the tough get going."  I smell some Beavertail cactus.

                        

                                                                        NINGEN' ISU

       

                 Oh!  Yesterday I forgot to write about this Japanese Heavy Metal band called NINGEN' ISU.  But, because I'm writing about BLACK SABBATH; I can do it now.   Daisy was so right in telling me to calm down as I would just have to find a place today to "insert" them into today. 

           Our boss, who I've said likes "Three Piece" bands; met a Japanese girl in 1995 who played him NINGEN' ISU songs and he liked them a lot.  That girl said NINGEN' ISU, who have never traveled outside of Japan; began in the 1980's but are still making new music.  I smell Sage. 

           Daisy thinks NINGEN' ISU seem influenced by BLACK SABBATH and the Guitarist even plays a red Gibson "SG" like Tony Iommi.  The Bassist has a white face like KISS or a "Kabuki" Actor, and dresses like a Buddhist Monk.  AC/DC's Angus Young plays a red SG too I guess.  

                                                

                                                       EDGAR ALLAN POE (1809-1849)

        

             Daisy says the Japanese girl told our boss NINGEN' ISU'S name comes from a book whose author was influenced by the 19th century American Writer Edgar Allan Poe.  I'll learn about him in book three when I write about "Cryptography."  Donald and Daisy are quacking.    

            I will mention now how Edgar Allan Poe was one of the first "Science Fiction" Writers. And my Encyclopedia says he "invented Detective Fiction."  He didn't make it through the military academy at West Point, just like our boss Mr. Steve "Flunked Out" of Law School too.  

        NINGEN' ISU'S Guitarist, whose "Kimono" and "Pony Tail" haircut make him look like a "Samurai" Warrior Dais thinks; wears white socks and sandals.  And so does the Bassist Daisy told me.  Mr. Dave jokes how NINGEN' ISU's Drummer "looks like an Asian Elvis Presley." 

  

                LED ZEPPELIN                            BUDGIE                            JUDAS PRIEST

      

           I guess "Ningen Isu" means "Human Chair" in Japanese.  Mr. Steve thinks NINGEN' ISU seem influenced by BLACK SABBATH, LED ZEPPELIN and JUDAS PRIEST too.  Many years ago they did a really good version of "Breadfan" by this Welsh band called BUDGIE.

          Daisy says the Japanese girl told our boss NINGEN' ISU have admitted being influenced by 1960's bands like the BEATLES too.  Mr. Steve can tell they also listened to groups from the 1970's like DEEP PURPLE and KING CRIMSON.  Max the Hummingbird just flew bye.      

         Mr. Dave joked that NINGEN' ISU'S Drummer "sort of looks like" one of those "Yakuza" gangsters who I'll write about in book three.  The Guitarist can play with his teeth just like Jimi Hendrix, and I guess all three members of NINGEN' ISU sing.  Ah!  I can smell some Sage.

  

NINGEN' ISU

                  A picture of NINGEN' ISU playing in a forest shows how the Drummer has one of those "Gongs" behind him.  One time Daisy and Millie saw this tv show where you could see a big gong behind LED ZEPPELIN'S Drummer John Bonham.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.  

           Daisy told me our boss has a miniature gong sitting next to the Turntable on the top shelf of the Entertainment Center in his bedroom.  As I keep saying, after I get over my fear of being in an enclosed area; then I'll go in Mr. Steve's bedroom.  Boy!  I can't wait for that time.

            I just thought of that Welsh band BUDGIE.  One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell someone on the phone he was told some people call little "Parakeet" Birds "Budgies."  Dais told me one time about how Parakeets are very, very colorful and come in a lot of different colors.   

                     

"BUSCH GARDENS"

                 Dais heard our boss and Mr. Dave  talk about some "Parrots" that escaped from "Busch Gardens."  For years they lived wild for a long time and just flew all around the Sylmar area.  I just glanced up and see two long white vapor trails way up there in the now high blue sky.

            I guess that band BUDGIE is a three-piece band like NINGEN' ISU.  Someday I hope to hear RUSH and KANSAS, who some think are the most talented three-piece "Progressive" Rock bands in history.  At least that's what Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Rich one time. 

            Oh!  I knew I was hearing two Birds fighting and it turns out it's two bright orange boy Finches chasing each other out there in the back desert behind the Sheds.  I also see a few wispy clouds stretched across the later afternoon high sky.  Thank You God for how I feel right now.

           

                                               BLUE CHEER                                                  STEPPENWOLF

              I just thought of those 1960's bands BLUE CHEER and STEPPENWOLF, who our boss thinks were at the beginning of what became "Heavy Metal."  In the late 1960's BLUE CHEER covered that 1950's Eddie Cochran song "Summertime Blues."  I see those clouds moving.

           Someday I really want to hear that STEPPENWOLF song "Born to be Wild," which Dais told me mentions "Heavy Metal Thunder."  One time our boss told Mr. Dave that seeing BLUE CHEER playing was the first time he noticed a drum set with two bass drums.  I love clouds. 

            Oh!  I just thought of something.  Yesterday in my first book, when I wrote about "Three Piece" bands; I somehow totally missed on my outline talking about two 1990's Punk Rock bands called GREEN DAY and THE LIVING END.  Heathcliff just now crowed over there.

               

                                       GREEN DAY                                                        THE LIVING END

 

              I guess many mainly associate Punk music with the 1970's and 1980's.  I've mentioned how back then Mr. Steve, and his friends Mark Ritter and Mr. Doug; saw a few Punk Rock concerts.  But there were some really good 1990's Punk bands too from what Mr. Steve told Mr. Doug. 

              Someday I want to hear some GREEN DAY or THE LIVING END songs, which Dais says are often "fast-paced."  Mr. Steve has tried to play some of them on drums.  Both GREEN DAY and THE LIVING END use only bass, drums and guitar; which our boss kind of likes.

         All of a sudden I just thought of that unique store called "Charlie Brown Farms." It's over there in Littlerock, where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family.  Daisy says our boss one time bought GREEN DAY pins for his Nieces Samantha and Cristina at Charlie Brown's. 

  

                                                                       STRAY CATS

  

                Daisy noticed how THE LIVING END, besides playing aggressive Punk Rock; also have songs in that "Rockabilly" style I've mentioned.  And, like that 1980's band from New York City called STRAY CATS; their bass player uses a big "Stand Up" guitar.  I can smell Creosote.

                Our boss likes playing drums along to a GREEN DAY song called "Geek Stink Breath."  I guess for a long time he couldn't figure out the name of the song but his Niece Samantha did a lot of research and found out its title.  Dais thinks that Samantha seems to be pretty smart.

          I'm not actually scheduled to write about that Boxer Muhammad Ali until later but just feel like mentioning him now too.  Like Tony Iommi, he had to adapt to changes in life.  But, in his case the "adjustment" was getting old and what Mr. Ralph once called "Father Time."

                                                  

                                               MUHAMMED ALI / GEORGE FOREMAN

                                       (ZAIRE, AFRICA  / OCTOBER 30, 1974  / "RUMBLE IN THE JUNGLE")

   

          A picture from 1974 shows Muhammad Ali fighting George Foreman.  The caption says the fight took place in Zaire, Africa, and Muhammad Ali is trying to avoid a "vicious left hook body punch" being thrown by that guy big George Foreman.  Oh!  You can see that it hurt. 

         One time Daisy heard our boss talking with Mr. Gary the Barber about Boxing.  I guess, as a young fighter Muhammad Ali was fast and hard to hit; moving around the ring quickly while easily "Dodging" punches.  But by 1974 he was slower so had to fight in a different way.

         Muhammad Ali, instead of what Mr. Gary called "sticking and moving" the way he did in his earlier career; "conserved energy" by leaning back on the ropes.  He hoped to get Foreman tired on a hot night.  The problem is Dais heard, this is dangerous against a "Big Hitter."  

                

     MUHAMMAD ALI / GEORGE FOREMAN

         One time when he was working on one of his projects in the living room, Daisy and Millie watched with him that 1974 Muhammad Ali-George Foreman fight in Africa.  That guy George    Foreman was hitting Muhammad Ali really hard.  But Ali counter punched too I guess.                 

         Daisy noticed how the "Commentator" mentioned Muhammad Ali had lost "foot speed."  So, he adapted and "knew himself" like Delphi's wall says to do Dais thinks; and he gave up the  idea of fighting in the same way he did when young.  I can hear Dawn barking over there.             

      Of course Daisy says, Muhammad Ali's "Trainers" were not too happy with his choice of strategy and tactics Dais says.  They even yelled at him during the breaks between some of the      rounds.  But what Ali did that night was to invent the "Rope-a-Dope" style of fighting.                       

ALI / FOREMAN (1974)

  

           Daisy told me it turned out Muhammad Ali was right  because in the hot weather George Foreman did get tired after nine rounds.  And, because he had saved up his strength Dais thinks; Muhammad Ali was able to come back and knock George Foreman out.  Heathcliff crowed.

          Mr. Gary said Muhammad Ali knew he could not move around quickly on the "balls of his feet like he'd done in the 1960's.  So he let George Foreman what they call "punch himself out."  In 1974 Mr. Steve was nineteen years old and going to "Valley Junior College" in Van Nuys.  

          In the 1960's Muhammad Ali landed punches, then darted "Out of Range;" like I do when Daisy and I wrestle.  Daisy thinks Muhammad Ali was so smart to save his energy until the 9th round, when he then knocked George Foreman out.  I'll come back to Muhammad Ali later.

          

                              JIM PLUNKETT                                                  LUIS TIANT

            

          Earlier today I wrote about Jim Plunkett, and Luis Tiant from "Cuba;" Athletes who also had to adapt to getting older.  Jim Plunkett was a slower runner later in his career, and that guy Luis Tiant lost much of the power in his throwing arm.  Ah!  I love all of the Spring scents.  

         As I wrote this morning, when he first came up to the Cleveland Indians Luis Tiant was a "Fire-Balling Thrower" who "blew the ball bye" hitters.  But he injured his arm so went down to the Minor Leagues, and "learned" how to be a much smarter "Pitcher."  Daffy's quacking.

        Mr. Steve, his brother Rock and Mr. Rick remember how, when he was back in the Major Leagues; Luis Tiant had "Transformed" into what they call a "cerebral" Pitcher.  He'd "Vary" his Windup" and became unpredictable.  Thank You so much God for inventing Ducks.   

           

LUIS TIANT (BOSTON "RED SOX")

     

                On the Boston "Red Sox," Luis Tiant seemed like an example of Charles Darwin's idea of "Natural Selection;" idea, either "adapt or die."  He became a "Thinking man's Pitcher," using different "Deliveries;" changing "Windups" pitch to pitch.  He had a "hesitation" pitch. 

           Mr. Steve says you know you're effective when the League "changes the rules" because of you.  Luis Tiant's "Pickoff" throws from a "Stretch" were so "deceptive" it was called "unfair" to the runner.   He would even twist and turn his back on the Batter before making a pitch.   

           One time Daisy heard our boss and his brother Sam remembering how in Basketball they changed a few rules because of how that guy Wilt Chamberlain dominated his opponents.  Way up there in the sky I see some clouds slowly moving from north to south.  A Train whistled.  

                                                 

 WILT CHAMBERLAIN (1936-1999)

                 Oh!  This is a good chance to write about Wilt Chamberlain, who made the N.B.A. alter a few rule changes to make it more "Competitive."  Wow!  In 1962, when Mr. Steve was seven; he scored one hundred points in just one game!  Our boss thinks that will never happen again.

           Mr. Steve once read how Wilt Chamberlain was born in 1936, the year after his father was born; and a year before his mom "Came into the World" as they say.   Andy's sniffing the air in guarding their burrow.  His totally unique scent just came floating into both of my nostrils.

           Daisy says our boss met and shook Wilt Chamberlain's giant hand one time.  He and that one girl named "Nancy" were at "Gladstone's For Fish" Restaurant and Wilt Chamberlain was there with an older lady.  They came in and sat at the table right across the aisle from them. 

  

TALKING HEADS

             Dais told me that girl Nancy is the one who went with our boss to the TALKING HEADS concert at the "Pantages" Theater.  She didn't know about sports so later Mr. Steve told her who Wilt Chamberlain was.  I guess she was really impressed by the huge size of his hands.                   

          Mr. Steve told his mom one time he'll always remember how in 1999, a really bad year for him; John Kennedy Jr. and Wilt Chamberlain died.  Hey God!  Mr. Steve jokes that, in hearing    of those two guys dying; he said to himself "At least I'm still alive."  Heathcliff crowed.                 

       It says here, Wilt Chamberlain's birthday was August the 21st; and I remember how our boss's mom was born on the 20th.  Daisy says Mr. Steve's customer in Kansas one time told him    about seeing Wilt Chamberlain play in College.  I can smell some Mesquite right  now.                                      

        HARLEM "GLOBETROTTERS" (1959)

   

                I guess, in the late 1950's; Wilt Chamberlain played in a Harlem "Globetrotters" game as the Soviet Union's leader Nakita Khrushchev watched.  But, in 1960; he became a "Professional" on that N.B.A. team then called the Philadelphia "Warriors."  Dawn's barking over there.

            A Parts Manager in Philadelphia, where Wilt Chamberlain was born; said he was 6 foot ten in High School; and ended up being seven foot one.  Mr. Steve and his brother and some of their friends saw him play when he was on the 1970's era "Lakers."  I like Dawn's voice.

           Wow!  Wilt Chamberlain is the only one to "Average" thirty points and twenty rebounds per game in a season, and he did it for seven years.  He got fifty five rebounds in a game once.  I guess, to this day he still holds "all time records" for, "scoring, rebounding and durability."       

          

KAREEM ABDUL-JABBAR /  WILT CHAMBERLAIN (EARLY 1970'S)

PHOTO BY HEINZ KLUETMEIER

  

           A picture shows Wilt Chamberlain when he was on the Lakers.  The  caption says Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, himself later a member of the 1980's Lakers our boss, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen    worked for; is guarding him.  Samson and Delilah are both flying over Libby's Corral.                  

          When the photo was taken Kareem Jabbar played "Center" for the Milwaukee "Buck's."    Wow!  One season Wilt Chamberlain "averaged" fifty points a game!  Critics called him "Ball     Hog" so, he led the league in "Assists;" or "Passes" that lead to another Player scoring.               

       Daisy says the Parts Manager in Philadelphia told our boss how, back in High School; Wilt Chamberlain  jumped over a pole that was "set" six feet six inches high.  Also on the "Track and Field" team, he ran four hundred and forty yards in forty nine seconds.  Daffy's quacking.                                                                      

               "CONAN THE BARBARIAN"                          ARNOLD / GOVERNOR WILSON                                                                                            PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

          Dais says, after he retired from Basketball; that guy Wilt Chamberlain was an Actor and one of the good movies he was in was called "Conan the Barbarian."  Someday I really want to    see that movie because Dais told me about it.  Now some of the other Ducks are quacking.             

       That guy Arnold Schwartzenegger played Conan the Barbarian in that movie.  I've said before how Mr. Steve went with Miss Harriet on one of her assignments to take pictures of him.  In his office our boss has weapons similar to the ones in the movie from what Daisy told me.         

          The Parts Manager in Philadelphia said in High School, Wilt Chamberlain threw a "Shot Put" fifty three feet and four inches; and "Long Jumped" twenty two feet.  I guess a Shot Put is    what they call a really heavy metal ball.  That's what Daisy thinks from what she's heard.             

    

BILL RUSSELL / WILT CHAMBERLAIN (1960'S)

           Daisy says that Parts Manager in Philadelphia thought the Boston "Celtics" Center Bill Russell was "more valuable" than Wilt Chamberlain.  Back in the 1960's, they had a really big    "Rivalry;" and people still compare them.  The Pigeons are flying toward the northeast.               

         I guess, whereas Wilt Chamberlain dominated in "Statistics;" Bill Russell won more of those "Championships."  Wilt Chamberlain's teams won two championships, while Bill Russell's Celtics won a total of eleven.   Oh wow!  That is a pretty good winning record alright!                    

            When Wilt Chamberlain got fifty five rebounds, his team lost to Bill Russell's Celtics 132-129.  The same year Wilt Chamberlain averaged fifty points per game, Bill Russell was given the league's "Most Valuable Player;" or "M.V.P." award.  I see a vapor trail up in the sky.                            

GOLIATH  

PHOTO BY MATT JEPPSON 

     

       Oh!  What a coincidence that, just as I'm about to say how one of Wilt Chamberlain's nicknames was "Goliath;" I see our Goliath crawling out into the desert.  Another nickname was the "Big Dipper."  Andy's over there watching closely as Goliath goes out into the desert.              

            Daisy heard that Wilt Chamberlain's nickname doesn't come from comparing him to the Constellation of Stars up in the night sky.  It's because he was so tall he had to "dip" down, or      bend; when passing under doorways.  Goliath's scent floated in to me here on the Patio.                

           Hey King David!  If you might just happen to be up there mind-reading me right now I'd like to say Daisy and I think you must've been brave.  You went out there and fought that giant Philistine guy Goliath when everyone else was afraid.  And you did it with a slingshot.  Wow!              

  FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT                        ADOLPH HITLER                      

(1882-1945)                                                                               (1889-1945)         

       

           Mr. Steve's father thinks the big rivalry between Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell is an example of how sometimes two people are "tied by fate" to each other.   President Roosevelt and Adolph Hitler were like that.  Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral right now.           

            In sports two rivals can "bring out the best" in each other Mr. Steve thinks.  In the 1980's, when he, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen worked for the Lakers; "Magic" Johnson and Larry Bird is  an example.  The same was true of the 1970's fights between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.       

       All of a sudden I just thought about our boss's Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich, who was one of the Guitarists in that Heavy Metal band called DRAGPIPE.  They put out an album    in 2002, which someday I hope to hear.  Mr. Steve likes their song about the sea cruise.                       

  THE BAND                                  DRAGPIPE                                  MR. RICH    

   

         One time Dais heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about Cuba and that guy Luis Tiant.  Mr. Rich's father, because of how corrupt the military dictatorship was in the 1950's; was at first on  the side of Fidel Castro and that other guy "Che" Guevarra.  Dawn's barking over there.              

      I my books I've written about how, from the time the U.S. took Cuba from Spain in that "Spanish-American War" of 1898; America has controlled the island.  And in the years after the Second World War; the gap between the rich and poor was huge.  I like how Blinky smells.           

         Mr. Rich told our boss how his father was "up in the mountains" with Fidel Castro's rebels in the late 1950's.  His mom was living down there in that big city "Havana."  Cher is using the    right vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert and Andy is keeping a close eye on her.          

               

FULGENCIO BATISTA (1901-1973)

 

         Daisy heard Mr. Rich and our boss talking about Fulgencio Batista, who was the military dictator of of Cuba in the 1950's.  One time, as our boss worked on one of his projects; Daisy and Millie saw a tv show that talked about how "greedy" Fulgencio Batista was.  He stole money.        

         This one Encyclopedia says , during World War II; that guy Fulgencio Batista was Cuba's  "President" but; by the 1950's was a "military dictator."  Our boss told Mr. Rich he's read it's      likely his government killed twenty thousand Cubans.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.         

       By the 1950's the U.S. government and American "Big Business" controlled Cuba because Fulgencio Batista was being "Paid Off" as they say.  Meanwhile, the average people were really    poor.  So many, like Mr. Rich's dad for example; wanted to overthrow Batista Dais thinks.                                      

  MEYER LANSKY  (1902-1983)                   HAVANA NIGHTCLUB             

          

        Earlier today I wrote how, in those years after World War II; the "Mafia" had gambling casinos in Cuba.  Guys like Meyer Lansky, Lucky Luciano and Santo Trafficante ran them and    also had nightclubs.  But they totally lost all their money when Fidel Castro came into power.       

         Mr. Rich says his father knew things would not go well when Castro came into power, and  he turned out be right as Castro was eventually just as "repressive" as Batista.  His government also tortured and killed Cubans too.  So he sent his family to go live over there in Spain.                

        I just thought of how, Mr. Rich's family later came to the U.S. and ended up living in New Jersey.  As I've said before, many people left Cuba because Castro, in the name of "Socialism;" took all of their property for his government.  So they ended up really hating Fidel Castro.                   

BATISTA GOVERNMENT OVERTHROWN 

(JANUARY, 1959)

          Two picture show what happened when Fidel Castro and Che Guevarra's rebels came into power back in 1959.  One shows a Tank going down the road to cheering people, in the other one Fidel Castro waves to the crowd.  Oh!  Samson is chasing another Raven and yelling at him.         

       I've mentioned before how one time Mr. Steve helped his Nephew Mathew do a report on Cuba.  It mainly dealt with the period after the 1898 "Spanish-American War," when the U.S.      defeated Spain and took their colonies of Cuba, Guam and the Philippines.  Dawn's barking.        

         Mr. Steve was only four years old in 1959 when Fulgencio's government was overthrown, his brother Rock two.  A year later, when President Kennedy was elected; they moved out here      from New Mexico.  Mr. Steve's father bout that house on Hagar Street in Sylmar in 1961.              

                          

                                                         "MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON" (JANUARY, 2009) 

                   

              I mentioned earlier how, from where they live in New Jersey; Mr. Rich's parents saw the two "World Trade Center" Twin Towers burn back in 2001.  And, in 2009 they saw when a Plane "Ditched" in the frozen water of the Hudson River.  Ah! I can smell some new Juniper.

           Daisy heard Mr. Mike say, in 2009; Geese got sucked into the two engines which shut them off.  The brave Pilot had to "Glide" the Plane and land in the water.  I guess, it's now called the "Miracle on the Hudson;" because all of the 155 "Passengers" survived the crash.  Wow!

          One big Airplane crash that did happen was in the year 2000, and Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about it.  I guess a huge in size "Turbojet" powered Plane called the "Concorde," which was made by the British and French; crashed outside of Paris.  A Crow is cawing.  

                                                                                                

     "CONCORDE" CRASH (PARIS / 2000)    

                                                                                                                                                              PHOTO BY JOACHIM BERTRAND

         

                 Oh!  A picture shows a Concorde Plane taking off, and the caption below a second photo of the "crash site" says 113 people died.   According to my French Dictionary "concorde" means "agreement, harmony or union."  Some of the Ducks are quacking but Daffy's louder.

            As I've learned in doing this project, for centuries England and France were enemies; so that might be the main reason for how the Concorde got its name.  Boy!  It would be so terrible to die in a Plane crash, especially if you burn to death.  I can smell some new Manzanita. 

            Daisy told me the tv show said the reason why the Concorde was built with those "Delta" type wings is because they work well at all three of the "Speed Ranges."  And, it says here those are; "Subsonic, Transonic and Supersonic."  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying toward the east. 

                 

    "BLACK DEATH" (1347-1351)

               I've mentioned a few times over the last two days how our boss did that College "Research Project" on the 14th century "Black Death" pandemic.  In four years the "Bubonic Plague" may have killed half the population of Europe.  Two Crows are fighting out in the back desert.

          Daisy noticed how early versions of the Concorde had cockpits that looked sort of like the pointy masks Doctors and Priests wore during the time of the Black Death.  They filled the long nose areas with spices and things like that. They thought plague was spread by smell.              

          I guess, in 2000; the Concorde was going to New York City.  In Mr. Steve and his brother's 1977 trip back east, they  landed at "La Guardia" Airport in Queens.  This Encyclopedia says it's named after that Italian man named Fiorello La Guardia.  Those Crows are still fighting. 

          

                                                FIORELLO LA GUARDIA (1882-1947)

KEYSTONE FEATURES / GETTY IMAGES

    

            This is interesting.  According to this Encyclopedia that guy Fiorello La Guardia, who was New York City's Mayor during the Great Depression and World War II; was a Pilot in World War I.  This one Italian Dictionary says the word "fiorello" means "little flower." 

         Oh!  I guess Fiorello La Guardia "interpreted" or "translated" for the Italian immigrants coming in through that place I wrote about called Ellis Island.  As New York City's "reformer" Mayor, in the 1930's; he fought "corruption."  "Lucky" Luciano was from that decade.

        A picture shows Mayor La Guardia talking to President Roosevelt.  Even though he was a "Republican" described as an "authoritarian," and F.D.R. was a "Democrat; he supported the "New Deal."  No wonder his name was fiorello as he was only five feet, two inches tall.  

    

                                      "ANGEL" ISLAND                                        SAN FRANCISCO BAY

 

                Oh!  This is a good time to write about "Angel Island" in the "San Francisco Bay."  I was supposed to write about it when I talked about "Ellis Island" in New York City, but have missed it on my outlines a few times.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; just flew bye.

           Daisy and Millie saw this Huell Howser episode that said from 1910 through 1940 Angel Island, the San Francisco Bay's second biggest island; was an "Inspection Station" for Chinese immigrants.  It was kind of like the Ellis Island of the West Daisy says.  I smell Mesquite. 

           One of Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customers told him how, to get out to Angel Island you take a "Ferry" Boat from a town called "Tiburon."  In 1882 the U.S. passed that "Chinese Exclusion Act" I've written about.  I've mentioned how Tiburon is Spanish for "Shark." 

    

HUELL HOWSER (1945-2013)      

          

               Daisy told me about how, as usual; on the episode about Angel Island Huell Howser was shown around by someone who knows about that subject.  They went up to the highest area of the island and looked south toward the city of San Francisco I guess.  Heathcliff crowed. 

            Mr. Dave's Motorcycle shop customer was a "Miwok" Indian so Mr. Dave told him how he was "Hupa" from up north.  The Miwok's hunted and fished for things out on Angel Island for many centuries.  It was still connected onto the land until the end of that last Ice Age.

           During World War II Angel Island was used as a prison camp for captured Japanese and German prisoners Dais heard.  During that 1800's Mexican "Californio" period some of those Cattle ranches were set up out there.  There are two crisscrossed vapor trails up in the sky.         

             

     CIVIL WAR                    INSPECTION CENTER            "NIKE" MISSILES     

       

             According to what Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Dave talking about one time, during the Civil War there were fortifications set up on Angel Island.  From 1910 through 1940 the island was used for those Chinese Inspection Stations.  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking over there.

          Mr. Dave's Motorcycle Shop customer told him how, in the mid-1950's during the "Cold War" with the Soviet Union; some of those "Nike" missiles were set up on Angel Island.  There were also Nike missiles around the San Fernando Valley for a while too.  I smell Mesquite.

         Daisy heard that in the year 1891 there was an outbreak of the "Bubonic Plague," so Angel Island was used as one of those "Quarantine Centers."  That's what Mr. Dave said.  Our boss told Mr. Dave about that one College Research Project he did on the 14th "Black Death."  

                           

 RICHARD HENRY DANA (1815-1882)

       

                 Mr. Dave's customer said in the late 18th century the Spanish used Angel Island to get fresh water and wood for their Ships.  In the 1820's Richard Henry Dana visited "Mexican" Alta California from Massachusetts, then wrote his famous book about it.   Heathcliff crowed.

            I guess, when Richard Henry Dana's Ship was out here in California; they "Refitted" at Angel Island.  They might've been getting their wooden Ship ready for the long trip back home to New England.   Someday I'll read Richard Henry Dana's book "Two Years Before the Mast."

           Daisy and Millie heard one time our boss and Miss Susan at work talk about how, before the economic recession; she had a customer up there in the Northern California.  And that Car dealership was in a town called "Concord."  I smell the clump of Joshua trees near Manny. 

    

ROUTES BEFORE / AFTER PANAMA CANAL

             I'm looking at the map which shows how, in the 19th century; guys like Richard Henry Dana had to go all the way around the bottom of South America to get from east to west coasts.  But then that "Panama Canal" was built in in the early 20th century.  Dawn's barking.

            Wow!  According to the map, in order to get from the Atlantic to the Pacific Oceans in the 1800's Ships had to sail thirteen thousand miles; while after the Panama Canal the distance was cut down to just five thousand two hundred miles.  I smell Bravo Company out in the field. 

           Daisy heard Miss Susan tell Mr. Steve she and the Parts Manager in Northern California one time talked about how there are many towns and cities in America called Concord.  For one year our boss had a customer in "Concord" Massachusetts.  Leo and Cleo are flying bye.  

                 

          SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY           STEPHANIE / CRISTINA          MR. STEVE / MISS PEGGY                                                                                               

                 I guess, because "concord" means to be friendly and get along; things like that French Jet are given names like "Concord."  Schools like the Lutheran High School Mr. Steve's Niece's Samantha and Cristina went to are called "Concordia."  All four of the Pigeons flew bye. 

            Daisy says she can tell our boss likes talking to Miss Susan at work, which he often does on many work days.  He told her the name Concord is like our name "Cordova;" which spread around parts of the world.  Mr. Steve also likes talking to Miss Babette and Miss Karin too.

            Samantha and Cristina graduated from that Lutheran "Middle School" in San Fernando where Miss Peggy was the Principal.  And then they went over to Concordia High in Sylmar.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve took Miss Peggy to her Sylmar High School "Prom."   

    

"CASA CONCORDIA" CRUISE SHIP (2012)

PHOTO BY GREGORIO BORGIA

   

               Two years ago, according to what Daisy and Millie saw on the News; a big "Cruise" Ship crashed into some rocks near the west coast of Italy.  Thirty two people died in what they call a "Maritime" disaster.  Two of the Pigeons just flew back in from the back eastern desert.

           I guess Mr. Steve's boss Steve Banks who died, and his wife Ronna; had taken that Ship a few years before.  It was a "Casino" Ship for gambling so of course Steve Banks liked that.  I've mentioned a few times in these first two books how he was a really good "Poker" player.

           Dais remembers how the man on the News said the "Casa Concordia" Ship sank because of three things, "human error," not "paying attention;" and "not following the rules" a Captain is supposed to do.  Boy!  If I'm ever a Captain I'll always be totally alert all of the time!         

             

  "CHE" GUEVARRA / FIDEL CASTRO                                   "BAY OF PIGS"   

  (1959)                                                                                                    (1961)          

            

             Oh!  I just noticed how I forgot to write about the "Bay of Pigs."  That was in 1961 when  Cuban "Exiles," who left Cuba when Castro came into power; tried to overthrow his Communist government.  But it failed and a picture shows one of their dead bodies in the back of a Truck.  

             As I just mentioned, from 1898 until 1959; Cuba was unofficially just an American colony controlled by big corporations.  That subject was a part of Mr. Steve's Nephew Mathew's report. I glanced up in time to see a little Wren running bye while holding a long twig in its beak.   

            In 1960 Cuba became a "Socialist Communist" country like the Soviet Union and China.  Because the U.S. is a "Capitalist Democracy," the American government did not like having an "Ally" of the U.S.S.R. just ninety miles away from Florida.  Heathcliff crowed over there.   

                                                 

                                                 DWIGHT EISENHOWER (1890-1969)

                 

             That guy Dwight Eisenhower helped defeat the Germans in World War II so, because of that; was elected President in 1952.  George Washington, Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor were "War Hero" Presidents too.  He gave his permission for that failed Bay of Pigs invasion.   

             My Encyclopedia says, after Fidel Castro "took power" in 1959; Cubans who believed in  in Capitalism fled to the U.S. as some of those "refugees" I've written about.  Our boss has this  Florida customer who's family are "exiles."  Dais says Tom Petty has a song about refugees.   

            Because he believed in Karl Marx's ideas about Socialism, Fidel Castro though he had the right to "Confiscate" everyone's property.  So American corporations, and also guys like Meyer Lansky; lost all of their money.  A few wispy clouds are spreading slowly up there in the sky.    

                                   

                               "LUCKY" LUCIANO                     SANTO TRAFFICANTE 

(1914-1987)                                                                           (1897-1962)       

                        

               Besides Meyer Lansky, in 1959 Castro also took casinos from Lucky Luciano and Santo Trafficante too.  Oh!  My Encyclopedia says Santo Trafficante, who was from Florida; was born on November the 15th like Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha.  That's also Mr. Mark's birthday.

             Because of losing all that money, that's why the Mafia was willing to help the C.I.A. in trying to assassinate Fidel Castro.   As a Communist so close to Florida, he was seen as a really big threat to the U.S.  Many of those Cuban refugees also wanted to go back and kill him. 

            The Central Intelligence Agency trained some of the exiles to return to Cuba and try to take it back by force.  In a few minutes I'll find out about their 1961"Bay of Pigs" invasion, and the "Cuban Missile Crisis" which happened in the next year.  I just love how clouds look!     

   

"THE GODFATHER"      

    

             Someday I want to see that movie "The Godfather," which has a character that may've been based on Meyer Lansky.  I've mentioned a few times in these two books how he was Lucky Luciano's "Bookkeeper."  And he was friends with that other Jewish gangster "Bugsy" Segal.

            Anyway, I'll come back to the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Missile Crisis later in this tenth chapter.  Ah!  I just glanced up to see Fannie and Freddie chasing another Crow, who was probably trying to steal Fannie from Freddie.  I heard them yelling at each other.

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking to his Niece Stephanie about a family-owned Cuban Bakery in the city of "Glendale" called "Portos."  I guess Huell Howser did one of his segments from there.  Years ago that lady Miss Helen took our boss to lunch at Portos.

    

"PORTOS" CUBAN BAKERY

              Daisy says our boss's Niece Stephanie and Mr. Rich, both good Cooks; have also been to Portos.  I guess, the family who runs the Bakery are some of those Cuban refugees who left after Fidel Castro came into power.  All four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral right now.

              On his episode Huell Howser saw how there are three generations of the family who are working at Portos Bakery, as well as loyal employees who've had jobs there for years.  Dais says they make more than just Cuban style food there.  Boy!  I'm kind of hungry right now.        

             Mr. Steve and his Niece Stephanie one time talked about Portos.  He told her about that time he went there with Miss Helen back in the 1980's, when he got a sandwich and took home a small Chicken pie.  Andy's over there sniffing the air in guarding he and Helen's burrow.

                                           

  LESLIE COOMBS BRAND (1859-1925)

 

            Mr. Steve and his Niece Stephanie talked about how Portos Bakery is located on "Brand" Boulevard, named after Leslie Coombs Brand; who my Encyclopedia says is called the "Father    of Glendale."  He was a "Land Developer.  Andy's scent just came floating in over here.                 

          Oh!  I just noticed how that guy Leslie Coombs Brand was born on May the 12th, which is also Mr. Steve's Sister-in-Law Yolanda's birthday too.  Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Mark one    time talk about Miss Helen and what a good person she was.  Mr. Steve still misses her.                  

         Dais says one time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how there's a road called "Brand" which goes through the cities of Mission Hills and San Fernando.  Someone once told Mr. Steve it was also named after Leslie Coombs Brand too.  A flock of Birds is flying bye up in the sky.           

SYSTEM OF A DOWN

          Over the last two days I've mentioned a few times how there are a lot of Armenians, like the guys in that band SYSTEM OF A DOWN for instance; who live in Glendale.  Mr. Steve and    his parents have known a few of them.  Dais says S.O.A.D have a song about Chinese food.            

          I'm looking forward to someday hearing some S.O.A.D songs, which Daisy says our boss and Mr. Rich like listening to.  Mr. Dave thinks S.O.A.D.'S Drummer is really talented, and so      does Mr. Steve.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's blended scents just came into my right nostril. 

        Speedy Gonzalez just whizzed through the right gate slot to go out into the desert.  Some dust he raised is lingering in the air and I see Andy over there looking at it.  The scent of that one clump of Joshua trees near he and Helen's burrow just came into me over here on Elvira.             

         

GLENDALE "BRAND "LIBRARY

   

      Daisy one time heard our boss and Mr. Mark talk about that tall lady Miss Helen, who worked with them back in the mid-1980's.  Mr. Steve told him about the time he drove her up to the Glendale Library which she loved to go to.  She couldn't walk that good by then I guess.         

         That Library in Glendale was Leslie Coombs Brand and his wife's house, which according to this Encyclopedia was called "El Miradero," or "The Vantage Point."  Hey God!  Miss Helen    also liked to sit outside at a picnic table and simply appreciate nature.  She saw and felt You.        

         A few years ago our boss and Mr. Bob back there in the State of Missouri talked about that guy Mr. Brand, and how he was from Missouri.  According to what it says here, he came out here to Los Angeles in 1886, which I remember is the same exact year "Geronimo" was caught.                                 HENRY E. HUNTINGTON (1850-1922)

       

         Daisy says our boss told Mr. Mark about going to the Glendale Library, and how he and Miss Helen discussed the "Huntington" Library.  It was named after Henry E. Huntington, who  was Leslie Coombs Brand's friend I guess.  Boy!  I really do like Henry Huntington's hat.              

           Miss Helen, just like Mr. Steve's mom; loved going to the Huntington Library.  Miss Helen knew how Henry E. Huntington's Uncle was that guy Collis P. Huntington, one of the "Big Four" men who's company's built that first "Transcontinental" railroad in 1869.  Daffy's quacking.       

          Dais heard our boss and his dad talking about how, after he and his family came out here to Los Angles; Henry Huntington had a business that operated those "Streetcars" I've mentioned before.  They were Trains on railroad tracks powered by electricity.  Daffy's voice is unique.         

   

L.A. STREETCARS 

   

          This one Encyclopedia says those Streetcars were around from the last decade of the 19th century, and lasted all the way to 1963, when our boss was only eight.  That's also the year his      sister Celina who died was born.  His brother Sam was one.  His sister was born a year later.         

     Mr. Ralph, and our boss too Daisy heard; remember wondering as kids why there were railroad tracks on "Brand" Boulevard in the city of San Fernando.  They weren't regular above  ground railroad tracks, they were down below the ground.  The road was still flat on top.              

      Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say some think it was one  of those "Conspiracies," by "General Motors;" to kill Streetcars.  They wanted people to drive the Cars, and ride in Buses; they built. Mr. Ralph thinks a movie called "Who Killed Roger Rabbit" was secretly about that subject.                         

JOHANNES GUTENBERG (0000-0000)

         Oh!  Writing about Henry Huntington makes me remember I keep on forgetting to write about a Huell Howser episode Daisy and Millie saw.  It's about a Museum in the city of "Carson" devoted to the subject of "Printing Machines."  Ah!  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.        

        Daisy says the man giving Huell Howser a tour of the Museum even showed him a replica Printing Press just like the original one Johann Gutenberg used back in the mid-15th century.  It was like the one which made that "Gutenberg Bible" at Huntington Library.  I smell Sage.           

          I guess, the man showing Huell Howser around the Museum demonstrated a Printing Press like the ones Benjamin Franklin used in the 18th century.  Mr. Steve and his father have driven    on "Torrance" Boulevard, near the 110 Freeway where the Museum is located.  I like Sage.          

                  

HUELL HOWSER     

("INTERNATIONAL" PRINTING  MUSEUM / CARSON) 

             

          Mr. Steve's parents also saw the Huell Howser episode about that Museum.  They were  interested when the man told Huell Howser it was the Chinese actually invented the "movable    type" Printing Press.  The slight scent of the Twin Joshua trees out there just floated in to me.      

            Daisy says the man at the Museum told Huell Howser it was the Chinese who also created paper, gunpowder; and the concept of a wheelbarrow.  That makes me think about that skinny    man who pushes his wheelbarrow on the road in front of our property.   Heathcliff crowed.          

          Oh!  I forgot to write about this tv show on a Cuban "Animator" named Juan Padrón.  I guess he was like Walt Disney, but his cartoon character was named "Elpidio."  Mr. Steve and      his father once knew a man from "Hobbs" New Mexico named Elpidio.  I love Heathcliff!             

    

                                                                    JUAN PADRÓN

                

             Dais says the cartoon character Elpidio is a Soldier who fights against Spain in the late 19th century when Cuba was trying to gain independence.  According to what that one tv show said, that guy Juan Padrón has been drawing Elpidio since back in 1970.  Mr. Steve was fifteen.

         According to what Daisy heard our boss and his father talking about one time, Elpidio at one time was a pretty common first name in New Mexico.   Mr. Steve's dad had a friend growing up named Elpidio, and he has fond memories of wresting with him.  He was strong he said.

           I just used my Spanish Dictionary to look up the word "cubania" and I guess it would mean "Cuban identity."  That's the name used on the tv show Daisy heard.  And she noticed how that guy Mr. Juan also draws this one other "Vampire" type character whose name is "Pepito."

       

            AUSTIN / SUSAN /DALTON                                             CONNECTICUT                           

               

            I've mentioned a few times in my books Mr. Steve's sister Susan, with her sons Dalton and Austin; live in "Connecticut."  They have a house in a twenty acre forest.  New Jersey where Mr. Rich grew up is kind of near Connecticut according to what Dais and Millie once heard.                

      On a map of Connecticut you can see how Stonington is right across the water from the eastern tip of "Long Island" in New York City, where Miss Emily grew up.  That one Monarch    Butterfly just now fluttered bye.  Mr. Ramon the Auto Mechanic's favorite color is orange.           

         I just thought of how Steve's Grandfather's first names were "Esquipula," which at one time was a common name in New Mexico.  Mr. Steve's father jokingly called Dalton and Austin    "Tranquelino" and "Policarpio."  Those are also New Mexico type names too I guess.                                  

WORLD WAR II ("NAZI" GERMANY / "SOVIET" RUSSIA)

 

             I just thought of how at the beginning of World War II Hitler's "Nazi" Germany was an "Ally" of Stalin's "Communist" Russia, until 1941 when Germany attacked Russia.  After 1960 Cuba was one of those "Client" States for the Soviet Union.  A little Lizard just ran bye.

           Mr. Steve and his father think it was mainly Stalin's Soviet Union who ended up beating Nazi Germany.  But, in order to do that; they had to lose over twenty five million people in only about five years.  It was the "biggest and bloodiest" war in all of human history I guess.

           Once Hitler attacked Stalin Russia became an ally of the U.S. and England, even though they hated Communism.  But after the war Russia became an "Arch" enemy of America in the "Cold War."  That's why the U.S. had "Operation Paperclip" to get German brain power.   

                               

                                 JOHN GLENN                                    "MERCURY SEVEN" 

                          

               I've written before about how "Socialist Communist" Russia, from 1945 through 1991; really hated "Capitalist Democratic" America.  Both sides competed for control of the world and one area where they did that was up there in Outer Space.  I can smell some Manzanita.  

            According to my Encyclopedia that guy John Glenn, in 1943; was a World War II Fighter Pilot.  Against the Japanese out there in the Pacific Theater, he at first flew "Wildcats;" later those much better Planes called "Corsairs."  As a kid Mr. Steve built a Corsair model.

            Mentioning John Glenn and Outer Space suddenly makes me think about that very first "Satellite" called "Sputnik."  I've mentioned how the Soviet Union, during the "Cold War;" was our biggest rival.  Heathcliff crowed and I can also hear his Hens clucking away over there.    

       

   "SPUTNIK I" SATELITE 

     (OCTOBER, 1957)

ARTWORK BY ERIK SIMONSEN

    

            One time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with his father about how, two weeks before his brother Rock was born in n October of 1957, the Soviet Union put that "Sputnik I" up into space.  It was a big event and scared the American government a lot.  A Crow cawed.

            Because the U.S. and Soviet Russia were in that "Space Race," anything which gave one side an advantage was huge.  My Encyclopedia says "in reaction" to Sputnik the U.S. began the  that "Mercury" Space program I've mentioned.  One of the Astronauts was John Glenn.

            It says here, as it circled around up there for about three weeks Sputnik sent out "radio signals" back down to Earth; until the batteries ran out.  What's called "aerodynamic drag" is what eventually made the device to fall back to the ground.  Now two Crows are fighting.    

         

                           F-86 "SABRE"                                                        TED WILLIAMS

                      PAINTING BY ROY GRINNELL                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

         This is interesting.  My Encyclopedia says John Glenn also was a Marine Fighter Pilot in the Korean War and served with Baseball Player Ted Williams.  Mr. Steve's dad wanted to be a    Pilot but his eyesight "wasn't good enough" he said.  So he went in the Marines instead.                

        Oh!  Just like Ted Williams, John Glenn flew those "F-86 Sabres" in combat against the Russian "Mig-15's."  I guess John Glenn's dad fought the Germans in World War I.  I just now    noticed Cher the Cat sitting totally still out there in back field, underneath a Creosote bush.         

        Yesterday I wrote about that Russian girl Dog "Laika" who, a month after Sputnik; was sent up into Outer Space.  Boy!  I'd be scared to do that but, Laika does have a monument in her honor inside the city of Moscow.  I can see how Andy's now keeping a close eye on Cher.                                         

             "LAIKA"               

                                                                 

        Daisy told me that one time she and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Mike his parents met John Glenn a few times.  After being as Astronaut John Glenn was later elected to be a Senator    from his home State of "Ohio."  I just looked up right now and can see that Cher's gone.               

          I guess the main reason why Mr. Steve's parents got to meet John Glenn is because he ran for President and they donated money to his "Campaign."  They also met his wife "Annie."  Out   of the corner of my eye I just saw Cher slink quickly behind that one pile of fire wood.                  

          From what Dais says, our boss and Mr. Mike discussed about how John Glenn was the first American to "Orbit" the Earth.  This Encyclopedia says he was the third American to go into      Outer Space and the fifth person overall.  It was the Russians who were the first ones to do it.                    

JOHN GLENN WITH WIFE ANNIE   

      

          John Glenn's wife Annie told Mr. Steve's mom she and her husband have known each other since they were babies.  So she told Mrs. Glenn she met her husband when she was fourteen and they've been together ever since.  Blackbeard and Anne are both flying bye right now.

             It's interesting how Mr. Steve's mother first met Mr. Steve's father on April 8, 1949.  He was seventeen and, after graduating from Belén High School; joined the Marines and went to fight in that Korean War.  Miss Emily's birthday is April the 9th according to my list of dates.  

             Hey God!  I guess, while Mr. Steve's dad was in Korea his mom and future wife went to a lot of Catholic "Masses;" and asked You to please protect him.  And You must have because he's still alive to this very day, even though he did get two "Frostbitten" feet.  Heathcliff crowed.   

 

                                                  MR. STEVE'S FATHER (ON LEFT)

            I guess our boss's dad and John Glenn talked about Korea's extreme hot or cold weather. They chuckled in recalling the twenty foot tall snow mounds, and the strong winter winds which made icicles freeze "horizontally."  Mr. Steve's dad has memories of huge piles of shell casings.   

           Mrs. Glenn told Mr. Steve's mom her favorite "Charity" is helping "Disabled" people so I guess Mr. Steve's parents also gave her money too.  Mr. Steve and his parents had donated to the "Handicapped" before.   Boy God!  I'm so glad I'm not handicapped and have good senses.   

          Cher used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go out into the desert.  She was watching Andy, and he's still watching her with a really mean look on his face; letting her know not to even think about trying to eat their babies down there.  A Train just whistled faintly.

          

                           MR. EDDIE                                                                RICK ALLEN

    

             All of a sudden I just thought of that guy Mr. Eddie, who was born with no arms; but still plays drums over there in Phelan.   Mr. Steve really admires him and always gives him money and sometimes even helps him set up his equipment.   Libby's scent came floating in to me.

          I've mentioned before DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer Rick Allen, who lost an arm in a Car crash.  Mr. Steve was so impressed when he saw DEF LEPPARD play that one time down at the L.A. "Sports Arena."  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the northeastern desert.  

         All four of the Pigeons, Lucy and Rickie and Fred and Ethel; just flew bye and they're all going over Libby's Corral right now.  I see Libby standing next to the fence that goes around her half acre.  I'm glad, so far; there haven't been that many Flies around here yet this year. 

                            

EDDIE SPAGHETTI        

                              

               One time Dais and Millie heard our boss tell his mom about Mr. Eddie.  At that time he was rereading a book about the bombing of "Hiroshima" in Japan, at the end of World War II.  That was when the two "Atomic" bombs killed or deformed thousands of Japanese people. 

           Mr. Eddie was born without arms but some Japanese people were born deformed in the years after the Second World War.  I guess that was because of the "Radiation" released from the "Nuclear" bombs we dropped on Hiroshima and then Nagasaki.  Two Crows are fighting.  

          Dais says our boss and his father think atomic energy is an example of how so many things are dual in nature.   Good often comes bad and vice versa; and most of the time you can't have one without the other they believe.  Hey God!  Did You make life that way on purpose? 

  

"NUCLEAR" BOMB EXPLOSION

                 World War II ended in August of 1945 when the U.S. dropped those two Atomic bombs on Japan so, that's when that guy Emperor Hirohito ordered his military to give up.  But, many of them didn't want to and wanted to fight "To the Death."  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.

          Like many of the Germans defending Berlin in 1945, Japanese Soldiers often fought "Hand to Hand" until killed.  But those atomic bombs were just way too powerful.  Dais says in 1521 the Aztecs fought fanatically dying to "the last man" defending "Tenochtitlan" from the Spanish.

             Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about that guy President Truman, who took over when President Roosevelt died in April of 1945.  People around him were telling him we'd maybe have a million casualties if we invaded Japan's mainland.  So he decided to drop atomic bombs.  

   

     JOHN HERSEY (1914-1993)

                  Mr. Steve read a good book about what happened to the people of that Japanese city of "Hiroshima," and so did Mr. Ralph.  It was written by a man named John Hersey, who was one of those Journalists who covered World War II's Pacific Theater.  Libby just now whinnied.

             This Encyclopedia says John Hersey, because his parents were some of those Christian "Missionaries" I've written about; was born over there in China.  His style of writing is called "New Journalism," fiction type "storytelling" used to write "non-fiction."  I smell Sage.  

            Dais says John Hersey's book really shows what happens if you use nuclear power to kill people on purpose.  Mr. Steve's father also read "Hiroshima," and liked equally his book about American troops occupying an Italian city on the island of Sicily.  I like how Libby smells.   

                                                                 "HIROSHIMA," JAPAN (AUGUST 6, 1945)   

                                                                                                                              

               Boy God!  I'd sure hate to be bombed in a war.  Ugh!  Two pictures in my Encyclopedia show the damage atomic bombs do, and one shows a Japanese person who was burned to death and you can't even really tell if it was a boy or a girl.  I'm so glad we live in a time of peace.

               Our boss and Mr. Rick discussed how nuclear energy can be used "produce" energy for running machines and things like that.  Mr. Steve thinks the bigger the good something brings, the equal "potential" for bad comes with it.  A little Sparrow carrying a twig just ran bye.

         I just glanced up from sitting here on my couch Elvira and can see that there's a long white vapor trail way up there going across the afternoon sky.  And Theodora the Thrasher Bird just ran bye in front of the three Sheds.  I feel so lucky to be sitting here learning new things.  

 

"ENERGY"

    

             My Encyclopedia says nuclear power can be used to make energy in three ways, "Fission, "Decay" or "Fusion."  That allows you to have plenty of electricity in your house but also can be used to kill people too.  Theodora just hopped up into her favorite Creosote bush near Jack.

            Hey God!  Was it You who made many things dual in nature so bad can be done with good things?  Dais thinks it was probably You but that's why there's such a thing as free will she says. Mr. Steve's father says it's Your joke and thinks there might be a big nuclear war someday.

            Earlier this morning I wrote about that guy Albert Einstein.  He hated "Nationalism" and was totally against countries using his ideas for making war.  Boy!  It's a good thing the Germans weren't able to make some of their own nuclear bombs back at the time of World War II.  

          

                     ERNEST RUTHERFORD                               ALBERT EINSTEIN                             

(1871-1937)                                                                             (1879-1955)       

                 

              I looked up this man from "New Zealand" named Ernest Rutherford,  who was admired by Albert Einstein.  Wow!  He was a "Physicist, and it says here Albert Einstein one time called him the "second Isaac Newton."   Two Crows are yelling at each other out there in the desert.       

             It says here Ernest Rutherford is called the "Father of Nuclear Physics," who "proved" the existence of  the "Alpha," "Beta" and "Gamma" rays of "Radiation."  Boy!  He had to have been so smart if Albert Einstein said what he did.  A Lizard ran bye near the Mulberry tree.

            Hey God!  Daisy saw that tv show which talked about how the Sun and Stars get power from the "reaction" of "Nuclear Fusion."  Einstein's "E=mc2" formula explains this "release of energy" process I guess.  Daisy says You're the one who causes things like that and so do I.   

                                         

"NUCLEAR" FUSION

          

                  A good diagram explains "Nuclear Fusion," and I guess "Fusion" is,  "Any process that combines two or more distinct entities into a new whole."  Hey!  That sounds like the "Synthesis" that guy Friedrich Hegel talked about his "Dialectic" formula.   I can smell some Juniper.

             I guess, from what it says here; the Fusion process is important in a few different areas or "Fields;" like "Biology" and "Medicine."  A tv show Daisy saw talked about it being used in the computers.  She and Millie one time heard Mr. Grant talking about "Binary" languages.   

           Hey God!  "Physics" is the field in which guys like Isaac Newton and Einstein worked.   I guess our boss's father at times jokes how, "it's a good thing people like that are around as most people cannot understand certain subjects."   Two of the Pigeons are flying over the Sheds.

                                   

2014 FORD "FUSION"

                 Daisy and Millie one time heard our boss talking to one of his "Ford" customers about a Car that's called a "Fusion."  She heard the words "mid-size" and "sedan" used, and how you can even buy an electric powered version if you want one.  A Train just whistled faintly.

           According to what Dais heard that one time, the Fusion is made or "assembled" down in Mexico; and since 2006 has had "two generations."  Bravo Company is using the two vertical slots on the side of the gate to stream out into the field.  Andy's over there looking at them. 

               In  1979, on Mr. Steve and Mark Ritter's road trip, after they went to Arizona they then visited "White Sands" in New Mexico.  During World War II it was where bombs and things like that were tested.  Andy's scent just now came floating into me sitting over here on the Patio. 

 

"WHITE SANDS," NEW MEXICO

                  One time Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Doug about that 1979 trip in Mark Ritter's little red Truck. where they visited White Sands.  My Encyclopedia says during the Second World War it was called a "Proving Grounds."  They tested "conventional" artillery and things like that.

            This is kind of interesting how, after World War II during that "Cold War; White Sands was where some of the German Scientists brought to America in "Operation Paperclip" worked.  Oh! And one of them was that guy Werner Von Braun.   They worked on his Rockets there.          

           Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show about a man named J. Robert Oppenheimer, who my Encyclopedia calls the "Father of the Atomic Bomb."  He was a "theoretical physicist" who led that "Manhattan Project" in World War II.  Two of the Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.     

     

J. ROBERT OPPENHEIMER (1904-1967)

   

            The caption under a picture of that guy J. Robert Oppenheimer says he was born in New York City to a family of "non-practicing" Jews.  He went to "Harvard" like Uncle Marty, and in England was a student of Ernest Rutherford who I mentioned earlier.  Heathcliff crowed.

            Daisy says the man on the tv show said J. Robert Oppenheimer was so smart he taught himself Italian just so he could read Dante's "Divine Comedy."  And he learned "Sanskrit" in order to read the Hindu sacred texts.  Oh!  He was a Teacher at "Cal Tech" in Pasadena.

            Wow!  It says here, when J. Robert Oppenheimer saw the power of what he and those he led had "unleashed" in building the Atomic bomb; he remembered the Hindu "Bhagavadgita" saying, "I am the bringer of Death, the destroyer of worlds."   A Crow is cawing faintly.   

    

GEORGIA O'KEEFE (1887-1986)

                 Dais says the man on the tv show said when that guy J. Robert Oppenheimer got sick one time he was sent to recover in New Mexico.  It says here he "fell in love" with the Southwest.  In that way he just like that lady Georgia O'Keefe and Mr. Dave and Miss Julianne too.

            Libby's over there walking around slowly near the back of her Corral along Primavera Road.  And that reminds me how Dais says the tv show mentioned J. Robert Oppenheimer, in New Mexico; really liked riding Horses.  Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's scents just came in.

           I guess after World War II in 1954, during those famous "McCarthy Hearings," J. Robert Oppenheimer was accused of being a Communist.  Daisy says his life kind of went downhill after that.  There are some really puffy clouds way up there slowly spreading across the sky.

                      

                     J.ROBERT OPPENHEIMER                                         ATOMIC BLAST

  

        A picture shows J. Robert Oppenheimer with "his boss" General Leslie Groves back in 1945.  The caption says they're inspecting the "Trinity Test Site" after one of those huge nuclear  explosions.  Oh!  I like what the caption calls J. Robert Oppenheimer's "pork pie" hat.                  

          Boy God!  I sure hope we never have a war around here in Piñon Hills.   But, if we ever do we'll just have to be brave and survive like the Japanese people at Hiroshima and Nagasaki had to do after those two bombs were dropped on them.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.                 

           Oh!  I just noticed that, when I wrote about that guy Nikola Tesla earlier; I missed on my outline this other really smart person named William James Sidis.  Dais and Millie saw a tv show on him which said he just may've been the "most intelligent person ever."  I like Andy.

 

WILLIAM JAMES SIDIS (1898-1944)

        

                 Wow!  My Encyclopedia says William James Sidis came from a family of immigrant Jews "escaping persecution" in Ukraine and Russia.  They went to New York City, and I'll bet had to go through "Ellis Island."   Andy's over there sniffing the air and is smelling me right now.

                 Oh my God!  Daisy was right.  It says here how that guy William Sidis knew how to read when he was only eighteen months old, was "admitted" to "Harvard" at age eleven; and at eight "created his own language" which combined Greek and the Latin languages with German.

           I've mentioned before how Mr. Peabody, and Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty too; graduated from Harvard.  Boy!  William Sidis "may have had" an "I.Q." between 250 and 300, Albert Einstein's was only about 200.  As I've written, I.Q. is an abbreviation for "Intelligence Quotient."    

  

                                   RUSSIAN "POGROM"                                     "ELLIS" ISLAND     

  

                Hey God!   Thank You for making it so Dais and I don't have to worry that much about being killed at any time like some Jews were at the end of the 19th century.  It says here William Sidis was "precocious," one of those "Child Prodigy's like Mozart.  Heathcliff just crowed.

           Oh!  William Sidis died so young in 1944, which was the second to last year of World War II.  It was a "cerebral hemorrhage" that killed him and Daisy thinks that probably might mean the inside of his head started bleeding for some reason.  Boy!  You can die at any time God!

          That one tv show Dais saw said William Sidis was "Cum Laude" at Harvard, just like our boss's mom at C.S.U.N.  That guy on the Radio Bill Bill Handel jokes about how C.S.U.N is the "Harvard of the West."   Mr. Steve's mom thought it funny when Mr. Steve told her that. 

  

AFTERNOON DESERT SKY

  

                 It sounds like William Sidis was similar to Einstein in his being "antiwar," even getting arrested for it one time.  Daisy noticed on the tv show how he was kind of like Nikola Tesla, Sir Isaac Newton and Michelangelo in sometimes being "antisocial."   I smell some Creosote.   

          Mr. Steve's father thinks people like William Sidis, who knew a lot about the subjects of "Physics" and in particular "Thermodynamics;" might just want to "focus and concentrate" on their work rather than make friends?  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral.     

              Well, now I have to learn about the "B-29" Bomber, or "Super Fortress."  In 1945 it was the Plane which dropped those two Atomic bombs on Japan.  One, the "Enola Gay;" was named for the Pilot's mom.  It was "State of the Art" back then and was dropped on "Hiroshima."    

                                              

                                     BOMBING OF "HIROSHIMA" (AUGUST 6, 1945)  

                                                                    PAINTING BY MARC STEWART    

  

           A painting shows the Enola Gay dropping its bomb on Hiroshima.  The caption says that bomb was named "Little Boy," the second Nuclear bomb dropped onto Nagasaki a few days later was called the "Fat Man."  Libby's over there looking in this direction from her Corral.                

          It's interesting to read here how the B-29, which had four huge propeller engines; "came into service" in mid-1944.  It was good at "strategic" bombing from "high altitude," and could also fly at night for "incendiary" bombing.  That means bombs that burn everything.                    

       I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that the B-29 had what's called here a "primitive analog" computer?  I guess it was set up to automatically put out fires, and also allowing the crew to fire all four "turret" machine guns "remotely."  Blackbeard and Anne are now flying bye.                                 

AIRPLANE "WHEEL CONFIGURATION"

 

             I guess the B-29 used what they call the "Tricycle" wheel set up for landing a really huge in size Plane.  Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton, who lives in Connecticut and has a dad who's a Pilot; might try to be a Pilot himself someday Dais says.  All four of the Pigeons are flying bye.

            Mr. Steve and his brother Rock's friend Mr. "Vic," who Videotaped weddings and things like that; was also at one time a Pilot.  There was a time in the mid-1980's when he explained to our boss about how hard it was to "land" an Airplane.  I smell new Spring Mesquite.

            Daisy heard our boss tell Miss Susan about how "braking" too hard when landing a Plane with a "Taildragger" landing gear set up is hard.  If you hit the brakes too hard you might do a "Head Stand."  So landing Tricycle-geared Planes is easier for the Pilot to do I guess. 

                                        

                                     NAGASAKI "FAT MAN" BOMB (AUGUST, 9 1945)

       

              Oh my God!  A picture shows how huge the "Fat Man" bomb we dropped on Nagasaki was.  Boy!  Those two men moving it around look so small next to that bomb.  If it ever went off too early there would be absolutely nothing left of either one of their blown apart bodies.

             Earlier today I wrote about how, just before the U.S. came into the Second World War; Albert Einstein warned President Roosevelt about nuclear energy.  He knew the Germans were well aware of it too and might be even working on it.  Heathcliff crowed over there. 

            Mr. Steve's father thinks there's a "good possibility" nuclear war will happen, although only eight countries "officially" have nuclear weapons.  Israel won't admit to having them.  In World II they were used "Strategically," in the future they might be "Tactically" deployed.

           

                                            INDIA / PAKISTAN BORDER CEREMONY

                    

         Daisy heard our boss's father say he thinks the "most likely" place for a nuclear war to break out would be over the disputed "Kashmir" area between India and Pakistan.  Dais says    LED ZEPPELIN have a good song about that region.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.                

            One time Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about the nightly border ceremony conducted by the Indian and Pakistani Soldiers.  She says knowing me I would really like the fancy hats both    sides wear and probably even want one.  Andy's scent just floated over here to the Patio.               

           Since I'm already writing about nuclear wars, I might as well talk about these two things in Los Angeles called the "Roads to Nowhere" and the "Bridge to Nowhere."  It's actually on my  book three outline but I can do it now instead.  Fannie and Freddie are flying bye.                                                  

  "ROAD TO NOWHERE" ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS / TUNNEL)    

            PHOTO BY RAMIDOGG                        

                          

          I've mentioned before how one of Mr. Steve's friends growing up was named "Chris."  Chris went to St. Ferdinand's, and then Sylmar High not Alemany.  Chris liked to "Hike" and one time went up to see these two tunnels on an unfinished or "Abandoned" 1950's road.              

           Dais says our boss told Mr. Mike how, since L.A. was a logical target of the Soviet Union during the Cold War; in 1956 it was decided to create an escape route for people trying to get out of the city in a nuclear war.  Mr. Steve was born in 1955.  His brother Rock came in 1957.              

           I wrote in book one how the San Gabriel Mountains separate Sylmar from where we live up here in the High Desert.  And, that Road to Nowhere was intended to cut right through them;  and come out near Wrightwood nearby.  Looking to my right I can see those mountains.                                     

  "TUNNEL TO NOWHERE" 

              I guess, from what Dais heard our boss say one time; some prisoners or "Convicts" were forced to build the Road to Nowhere.  They had only finished two tunnels on that road, before it was abandoned in 1969 when Mr. Steve was fourteen. "Inmate" just means a prisoner.                  

           In 1985 Mr. Steve and the Tour Group from St. Ferdinand's went to this place in Israel called "Tel Megiddo."  Writing about a nuclear war makes me think of how some people think    the physical world might come to an end in "Megiddo."  Heathcliff crowed over there.                  

           At Megiddo, in the "Jezreel Valley;" I guess there are only "Ruins" left of what at one time was a "Strategic" fort at the "Crossroads" of an ancient "Trade Route" between Egypt and Mesopotamia.  The Tour Guide "Haim" said big battles happened there.  I smell Sage.              

         

"TEL MEGIDDO" (ISRAEL)     

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

         

             Wow!  According to my Encyclopedia, there have been people living at the mountain pass near Megiddo since about 7,000 B.C.  It's one of the oldest settlements in the Middle East.  There was a battle between the British and Turks fought in that valley during World War I.                    

           In 1949, one of those "Kibbutz's" I written about was set up below "Mount Megiddo." The Tour Guide Haim said over the years Jews from Mexico and Argentina have been members of that Kibbutz.  I've mentioned a few times how Israel only became a country in 1948.                  

         Hey Lord!  I guess, in the "Book of Revelation;" Megiddo is the site of the world's end.  "Armageddon" is defined as, "The site of the final battle between the forces of good and evil at    the end of time."  I've mentioned before how the word "Tel" means "hill," or "mound."                               

"BRIDGE TO NOWHERE" ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS)

PHOTO BY JACKSON HICKEY

            About thirty years before the Road to Nowhere was started another road was attempted in the San Gabriel Mountains.  It was also intended to cut through to the High Desert up here.      But now, I guess the only thing left of that road is what's called the "Bridge to Nowhere."             

           In 1939, the year World War II started when Germany and Russia conquered Poland; a huge storm hit California and did so much damage projects like that first road were cancelled.    Well, it's back to learning more about Cuba.  Boy!  I really love finding out about new things.       

          I just thought how in 1960 John F. Kennedy was elected as the first Catholic President.  He was also a "War Hero" like Dwight Eisenhower.  It says here in my Encyclopedia he "inherited" the Cuban secret invasion plan put together during President Eisenhower's administration.                                

        ISLAND OF "CUBA"      

                   

        Daisy says our boss told Mr. Cliff he thinks President Kennedy only "reluctantly" gave Eisenhower's 1961 invasion plan the "okay."  I guess in 1961 Luis Tiant was in the U.S. playing    Baseball.  Mr. Steve, who was six in 1961; heard that Fidel Castro played Baseball too.                  

          A good map shows where the Cuban "Bay of Pigs" battle happened, when those refugee Cuban's tried to "re-invade" the island in 1961.  You can really see how close Cuba is to southern Florida.  The caption says how Cuba is only about ninety miles away from America.                       

          Mr. Steve's dad had a friend who's Uncle was killed at the Bay of Pigs, when his body was cut in half by an artillery shell.  But, like Daisy says; at least his family got the two halves of his    body back so they could bury it.  Dawn and Blinky are barking over there next door.                       

"BAY OF PIGS" (APRIL, 1961)

               According to what it says in this one Encyclopedia, the "Bay of Pigs invasion was a total "debacle."  Fidel Castro led a "counter attack" on the invaders and a picture shows his soldiers looking at a dead body in the back bed of a Truck.  They were "celebrating their victory."             

           Daisy says our boss and Mr. Cliff talked about how the Cuban invasion was supposed to get American "Air Support" in 1961.  But, for some reason; President Kennedy decided not to      send  those Planes to help them.  So, many men were "slaughtered" on the beaches.                        

             Many of the survivors of the disastrous Bay of Pigs invasion were really mad at President Kennedy I guess, and some even blamed him for what happened.  When he was killed in Texas in 1963 they definitely had a "Motive."  But they didn't have the "Means" or "Opportunity."                     

"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962)    

     

            Oh what the heck!  I might as well learn about the 1962 "Cuban Missile Crisis" now even though this is not where Dais and I have it listed on my outline.  About a year after the failed Bay of Pigs invasion the U.S. found out that some Soviet missiles were being set up on Cuba.                

           My Encyclopedia says in 1962 one of those U2 Spy Plane's I've written about took pictures of the missiles.  President Kennedy then warned the Russians to get rid of them, and even sent a  few warships to "blockade" anything from getting into Cuba.  Some Crows are cawing.                 

          I'll bet the Soviets didn't think the U.S. would notice those "tactical" nuclear missiles being assembled.  It's a good thing we had U2's.  Eventually, they "Backed Down" and took all of the    big missiles back to the Soviet Union, but it was what they call a really "Close Call."                      

   

"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962 / NAVAL BLOCKADE)

            I'm really beginning to love looking at maps!  There's one here which shows how that guy President Kennedy, once he found out about those Missiles; ordered a "Naval Blockade" like the ones used in the American Civil War and World War I.  Oh!  The Crows are now fighting.            

           The map shows how, if that guy Nikita Khruschchev had not decided to take them back to Russia; the "Medium" range ballistic Missiles could've possibly hit almost anywhere in the U.S.  South.  Now those Crows are really fighting and yelling over something going on out there.           

           According to the map, the "Intermediate" range Missiles could've blown things up as far away as "Canada" in the north and maybe "Utah" in the west.  That's about two thousand miles away.  Wow!  So that means we would've been pretty safe living way out here in California.                            

STANISLAV PETROV       

                   

        Dais told me about how our boss's friend Mark Ritter knew a lot about the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis too.  And he also read about the other two times since World War II that a  Nuclear war might've destroyed the whole world.  I see Chosin Company behind the Sheds.          

       Mark Ritter thought, in November of 1983; a Russian man named Stanislav Petrov "saved" the world.  "N.A.T.O." was doing a "Training Exercise," called "Able Archer;" and the Soviet "Early Warning System" Stanislav Petrov was monitoring "malfunctioned."  I smell Sage.           

    In 1983 the computer "indicated" the Soviet Union was being attacked but, luckily for the world; that guy Stanislav Petrov's experience told him it was a "False Alarm."  So he did nothing that would've "Triggered" a "Retaliatory Response."   Heathcliff just crowed over there.                                                   

MARGARET THATCHER(1925-2013) WITH FAMILY

     

         I just thought of that lady Margaret Thatcher who I'm named after. "Maggie" Thatcher, was British "Prime Minister" in 1983 at the time of Able Archer; Ronald Reagan the American  President.  Mr. Steve's mom's "Middle" name is "Margaret" and I must be a Margaret too.         

          I've mentioned how the letters N.A.T.O. stands for "North Atlantic Treaty Organization."  The N.A.T.O. union was started by Europe's countries after World War II to protect themselves from Stalin's Cold War Soviet Empire.  I can smell the Joshua tree's near Libby's Corral.             

      The third time a mistake almost "Ignited" a nuclear war was in 1995.  That was about five years after the Soviet Union fell I guess.  A tv show said how, in the country of  "Norway;" one of those big Rocket was launched up high into the atmosphere just to do some experiments.                                                       

     BORIS YELTSIN (1931-2007)     

                        

        The tv show Daisy saw said in 1995 when that Rocket was launched from Norway; the Russians again thought they were detecting a "Nuclear First Strike."  At that  time the Russian    President was Boris Yeltsin, who decided "not to respond."  It's "a good thing" Dais says.             

          Daisy heard our boss tell his father one time Mark Ritter "always wondered" if it was a coincidence that in 1983, or year of Able Archer; a movie called "War Games" came out.  Mr.      Steve never saw it but knows about it.  Frida and Diego are flying toward the northeast.                

          I guess, that movie War Games is mainly about a guy, one of those "Hackers;" and his girlfriend who accidentally got into a huge U.S. military computer.  They almost triggered World War III but got the computer under control just in the nick of time.  So the world survived.          

  

"WAR GAMES" (1983)

  

           Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers told him the main character in the movie War Games was partially based on a young Stephen Hawking.  That one guy Ronald    Reagan, who saw War Games; was the American President back in 1983.  Heathcliff crowed.        

           During the "Cold" War, 1945 through 1991; the Soviet Union kept all the countries they took after World War II as a "Buffer" zone.  They were behind what Winston Churchill called      the "Iron Curtain."  A small flock of Birds is flying towards the northeast way up in the sky.        

          Daisy says our boss's father thinks, because of Napoléon's invasion a century earlier, and then what happened in 1941; to a certain extent it "made strategic sense" for Stalin to keep those countries.  Not only that, Stalin wanted to spread Communism too.  I smell a Joshua tree.             

  

"OPERATION BARBAROSSA" (1941)                         "POST WAR" EUROPE             

            A map shows how, in June of 1941; Nazi Germany attacked their then ally Soviet Russia.    You can really see how they pushed far east, and came close to the city of "Moscow."  But then,    after the "Battle of Kursk" in 1943; the Germans got pushed westward back to Germany.            

        I've said a few times how, from June through December the 7th of 1941, some people say three million Germans killed or captured about six million Soviet Soldiers.  They were hit by the biggest Blitzkrieg of all time.  A Freight Train just whistled faintly to the north, or my left.            

          Dais says our boss and his father think Russia's bloody history, especially what happened in the 20th century; had to have had a big "Psychological" effect.  So, the idea to have a big area  between Western Europe and Russia seemed logical to many.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.           

          

                                    KGB                        VLADIMIR PUTIN          WITH DAUGHTERS                                

         When the post World War II Soviet Empire fell back in 1991, amazingly our boss and his father think; there was almost no bloodshed.  The leader of Russia, since the year 2000; has been that guy named Vladimir Putin.  Daisy heard he's about three years older than our boss.               

           Wow!  Some Russian Names are so long.  Vladimir Putin, before being Russian President; was an "Intelligence Officer" in the "K.G.B."  This one Encyclopedia says that means "Komitet Gosudarstvennoy Buzopasnosti" or in Russian; the "Committee for State Security."                      

         It says here Vladimir Putin is from "St. Petersburg," formerly "Leningrad."  Two brothers died before he was born and one died during the Nazi's siege of Leningrad.  In World War II his  father was "severely" wounded and Vladimir Putin's Uncles were "never heard from again."                               

      CURRENT 2014 EUROPE (SINCE EARLY 1990'S)

  

           Dais says a tv show said Vladimir Putin, whose Grandmother also died during World War II; is mad about how weak Russia has become since the 1990's.  He doesn't like "Sovereign" and  "Independent" countries now being where the Soviet Union used to be.  Heathcliff crowed.           

         The tv show Dais saw said Iron Curtain countries, and areas formerly in Russia; are now free.  But Russia retook "Georgia" in 2008, and recently attacked "Ukraine;" where that city of  "Kiev" is located.  Daisy thinks maybe Vladimir Putin wants those two areas back?                       

           Joseph Stalin, who was from Georgia; almost died from that sickness "Smallpox" when he was five.  His brother died at one, and when he was twelve.  Daisy says the tv show talked about    how Joseph Stalin once survived being run over by an "Out of Control" Horse and Wagon.          

                

        ADOLPH HITLER (1889-1945)       JOSEPH STALIN (1879-1953)         MAO ZEDONG (1893-1976)       

        It's so amazing how in life, if one event had been different; later things might've been different too.  Hitler came close to being killed a few times during World War I and look at what happened.  I wonder how things would've been different if Mao Zedong had died young?            

          The years right after World War II turned out to be so important.  In 1947 the "C.I.A." was created, in 1948 Israel began and that "Marshall Plan" started.  In 1949 "Chairman Mao" and his Communist's finally won the really long civil war against those "Nationalists."                  

          In 1949 "N.A.T.O.," or "North Atlantic Treaty Organization;" began.  Canada and the U.S., with some Western European countries; "pledged" to defend each other if Stalin's Soviet      Union and his "Eastern Block" allies attacked them.  Samson and Delilah just flew bye.                

      

                                              K.G.B.                      VLADIMIR PUTIN             ENGLAND VISIT (2003)                         

         According to what that tv show about Vladimir Putin said, he was stationed over in East Germany when the Soviet Union disintegrated in 1991.  A picture shows him wearing what kind of resembles a Nazi S.S. uniform.  Putin's Grandfather was one of Lenin and Stalin's Cooks.         

           The caption below another picture says it shows Vladimir Putin back in 2003, when he was visiting England.  Queen Elizabeth II's son, Prince Charles; is riding with him in a Wagon.  Mr.    Steve has hats like the type he's wearing and I'd definitely wear a blue one in that style.                 

          Since World War II the U.S. "Policy of Containment" toward Communism's expansion  made Stalin even more paranoid I guess.  President Truman hated Communism, so both "Polar    Opposites."  Containment worked in some areas, like Korea; but failed later in Vietnam.               

         

 MILITARY PARADES   

("RED SQUARE" / MOSCOW) 

                    

         Mr. Steve and his father one time talked about how, even though the huge "Arsenals" the Soviet Union and U.S. had accumulated are way lower; each side still has thousands of "Nukes."  And those are way more powerful than the ones from World War II.  I some smell Sage.                

         Dais says Mr. Steve's father was told one time, back in the 1980's during Ronald Reagan's Presidency; there were over fifty thousand Nuclear weapons in the world.  But now the U.S. and  current Russia have agreed to each only have a few thousand.   Boy!  That's still a lot.                    

        I guess, that Cold War policy of containment is also called the "Truman Doctrine."  After World War II Stalin, to create a "sphere of influence; kept countries his armies had overrun and "installed" Communist governments   To counter N.A.T.O., the "Warsaw Pact" began.                         

"POST" WORLD WAR II EUROPE

            A good map shows how, after World War II; the city of Berlin ended up being inside the area the Soviet Union controlled.  The city was about one hundred miles to the east of where the  new "West" German border began.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.           

         Post war Berlin, as with post war Germany itself; was divided into four areas.  Each of those areas was "Administered" or governed by one of the "victors" of the Second World War.    Of course Stalin did not like having to share the city, especially because it was in his zone.            

        It says here Stalin tried to block supplies from getting into Berlin from the west.  So, in order to to get around it; in 1948 the Allies used Airplanes to drop in food and things like that  by parachute.  I can smell the big clump of Joshua trees over there near Libby's Corral.                     

        

NAKITA KRUSCHCHEV (1894-1971)

        Joseph Stalin died in 1953, and then that other guy Nikita Khruschchev took over as the leader of the Soviet Union.  A picture shows him in May of 1963, holding hands with Cuba's Fidel Castro.  The caption says they're "reviewing" one of those  military parades in "Red Square."     

          Oh!  I just thought about how, only about eight months before the one photo of Castro and Khruschchev was taken; the "Cuban Missile Crisis" had happened.  And, only about six months after that; President Kennedy would be killed.  A Crow just cawed faintly out in the desert.           

          Mr. Steve read about how, during the Cuban Missile Crisis; the world almost got blown up but luckily for everyone it turned out alright.  President Kennedy put on that "Naval Blockade" of Cuba.  Now two Crows are fighting and yelling at each other out there in the field.                          

"CUBAN MISSILE CRISIS" (OCTOBER, 1962)

           Daisy says our boss and his father one time talked about how, in 1962; an American Ship dropped one of those "Depth Charge" bombs into the water.  They were trying to signal, or tell; a Soviet Submarine it was getting close to the Blockade.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.                

        I guess, the Captain of that Submarine thought they were being attacked and wanted to shoot back with a Nuclear bomb.  But, fortunately for the world; the decision had to be made by  a "Consensus" of three Officers.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the northeast.                   

         Dais says one of the Officers wouldn't give his permission to shoot a Nuclear missile.  Mr. Steve thinks, just like that guy Stanislav Petrov in 1983; he probably just "sensed" it was not an  aggressive attack. Whew!  Thank You God if it was You up there who helped us down here.                                                                   "STASSI" POLICE                 BERLIN WALL           WEST / EAST BORDER                           

       

         I guess, after Stalin died back in 1953; a lot of the smartest people in "East" Germany  Germany didn't want to stay.  In the late 1950's many decided to go live in "West" Germany, which made Nakita Khruschchev really mad.  Mr. Steve has a real "Stassi" helmet.                        

           Dais says, finally that guy Khruschchev decided to just go ahead and build an actual wall that divided Berlin into the two areas.  This Encyclopedia says the "Berlin Wall"  was built on    August 13, 1961, when our boss was six; his brother four.  Their mom was born on August 20.      

          It says here, in 1961; Berlin became an "island city."  The "reinforced concrete" wall was twelve feet high, over one hundred miles long; and had "mine fields" and "barbed wire" too.  It was actually two walls with one of those "Killing Zones" I've mentioned in between them.                               

FALL OF BERLIN WALL (NOVEMBER, 1989)

PHOTO BY ANDREE KAISER

       The Berlin Wall became symbolic of the "Cold War divide."  A picture shows Germans climbing on it in 1989 when it finally fell.  I notice how you can see the "Brandenburg Gate" in    the background.  Those East German Stassi Police weren't shooting people any more.                

           During the Cold War the U.S. hoped to make Communism "unattractive" by showing the people how much better they would have it in a "Free Market Capitalism" culture.  But, in those days the Soviet government could control most things they were "Exposed" to.  I smell Sage.        

        It says here President Reagan made a famous speech in front of the Berlin Wall in 1987.  And in later years other President's, like President's Clinton and Obama for example; also spoke there too.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby standing over there in her Corral.              

       

BUCE SPRINGSTEEN

             Mr. Steve's dad isn't interested in modern music, but was impressed when told of a 1988 Bruce Springsteen concert in East Berlin.  Bruce Springsteen told the audience how he "hoped" someday there would be "no barriers."  That was about a year before the Berlin Wall fell.           

          As I've said a few times in these first two books, our boss's father says, "it's a wonder" there was so little bloodshed when the Soviet Union broke apart.  So, he's wondered if "Popular    Culture" was possibly an influence on that happening?  Heathcliff just crowed over there.            

           Someday I want to see that film of a famous 1991 concert where bands like METALLICA and PANTERA played in the Russian city of "Moscow."  Daisy says it's the biggest audience at a concert.  I really like Heathcliff's voice, which gives me energy to finish this second book.              

  

     METALLICA                          MOSCOW                          PANTERA         

("MONSTERS OF ROCK" FESTIVAL / "TUSHINO" AIRFIELD / 1991)

                                                                                                                                                                              PHOTO BY JOE GIRON

             Dais told me when she and Millie saw the film of METALLICA playing that song "Enter Sandman" in Moscow it was so amazing how gigantic the crowd was.  Mr. Rich read it was over one million people.  And it happened right before the Soviet Union broke apart in that year.          

            PANTERA also played in that big concert in Russia.  Our boss told Mr. Dave he one time saw a picture of them posing with some of the Russian Soldiers.  A few years ago he bought, and then resold; a hat just like the ones the then still "Soviet Union" Soldiers wear in the photo.          

            Ah!  I'm suddenly having one of those Déjà Vu feelings again because, one time Heathcliff crowed just when I was hearing in my head that great music by Beethoven.  Daisy heard it's the the song they played back in 1989 when the Berlin Wall was torn down.  I smell some Sage.           

           

LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)

PAINTING BY JOSEPH KARL STIELER

          In German "Freude" means "Joy," while "Freiheit" is "Freedom.  Beethoven named his song "Ode to Joy" but in 1989 they called it his "Ode to Freedom."   Those guys Will and Ariel    Durant joked Beethoven was a "pessimist trying to convince himself he was an optimist."             

            I'll never forget that morning when Mr. Steve played Ode to Joy on his Boombox as he cut weeds back here.  Using his old scythe he's had for all these years, we could tell by how he was      chopping the weeds that the music was giving him energy.  It's giving me energy right now!          

         Oh!  I forgot to write about this girl named Ana Montes, who's in jail right now for being a "Spy" for Cuba.  Boy!  I'm so glad I noticed her now on my book two outline.  But, I can just put her in here; because I'm still thinking about things having to do with the "Cold War."                   

  

                        ANA MONTES                                   HER "ENCRYPTION" / "DECRYPTIAN" SHEET

   

          Daisy says our boss met a Mexican man who told him about that girl Ana Montes; who it turns out spied for Cuba for seventeen years.  She worked at an "Intelligence" Agency," and was even given awards for how good of a worker she was I guess.  I smell the Twin Joshua's.                

        The man said Ana Montes' family was originally from Spain, but she grew up here in the U.S.  Even when young she was a "Leftist" type thinker, who the man said supported groups like those "Sandanistas" down there in "Nicaragua."   A Train just whistled faintly over there.           

           As an "Analyst" for that Defense Agency Ana Montes sent a lot of secret information down to Cuba.  Daisy says when the Mexican man told our boss how her middle name is "Belén," like his own mother, Mr. Steve told him about the town his family is from.   A boy Finch flew bye.        

          

"WORLD TRADE CENTER"      

             

           The Mexican man said Ana Montes was arrested about a week after the "Twin Towers" in New York City were destroyed.  She did her job so well the other workers even nicknamed her      the "Queen of Cuba" the man told our boss.   Samson and Delilah are flying bye right now.          

      When the man told our boss Ana Montes' prison is in "Fort Worth," Mr. Steve told him about where his brother Rock and his sons Rocky Jr. and Jacob live in "Arlington."  I guess over the years Mr. Steve has known a few people whose last name is Montes.  Heathcliff crowed.          

     One reason the Soviet Union ended Mr. Steve thinks, is the money they wasted trying to conquer "Afghanistan;" which the U.S. is still fighting in today.  They attacked in 1979 but after  ten years were forced to give up and retreat.  It was "their Vietnam" Mr. Steve's father says.        

   

           AFGHANISTAN                           

           

         A good map from high above shows in green where Afghanistan is located and, in orange you can see how huge in size the Soviet Union was in 1979 when they attacked Afghanistan.  That was the same exact year Iraq attacked Iran.  And they also fought throughout the 1980's too.        

           The "Soviet-Afghan War," like the Vietnam War; became a Cold War "Proxy" war fought with those "Guerrilla" tactics I've talked about.  Wow!  Over nine years, half a million Afghans    were killed; and "millions" fled to Pakistan and Iran as those "Refugees."  I smell Sage.               

          During the Soviet-Afghan war that guy named Osama bin Laden fought the Soviets as one of those "Mujahideen" Warriors.  Later he started "al-Qaeda" which, as I've mentioned before;  means either the "Base" or the "Foundation."  Donald and Daisy are quacking over there.           

  

OSAMA BIN LADEN (1957-2011)

    

       Daisy says one time our boss and Mr. Ralph talked about how Osama bin Laden, whose group ended up blowing up those two tall buildings in New York City; was born in Saudi Arabia just a few months before his brother Rock.  Now other Ducks are quacking.  I like Ducks.             

         A few years ago our boss sold a few things to a man from the "United Arab Emirates," but who grew up in Saudi Arabia.  He said his father knew Osama bin Laden's father, who was in the area of construction.  I can smell Andy over there sniffing the air in guarding their burrow.           

     Mr. Steve told the guy from "U.A.E.," one of the "Oil Kingdoms" I've mentioned before; in 1977 his Uncle Marty took he and his brother Rock up to the top of the "World Trade Center" buildings al-Queda destroyed.  That man said, "I'm afraid of heights."  I am too I think.               

   

"COFFEE & CREAM"

            Mr. Hussein, who has that Coffee Shop down there in Sylmar; explained to our boss and his parents one time about the "Islamic" concept of "Jihad."  It generally means "any" type of      "struggle" a person goes through "in the name" of Islam he said.  Heathcliff just crowed.           

          I guess, like in that Soviet-Afghan War for instance; the word Jihad is used to describe a "Holy War."  Daisy thinks God, that probably means You give permission to kill an enemy.  I'm hoping, and Daisy does too; unless it's to protect ourselves or our boss we never have to kill.         

          My Encyclopedia calls what is now the "country" of "Afghanistan" the "crossroads of the world."  Because of it's location on "Trade Routes," like the "Silk Road;" that area of the world  has had a "long and bloody" history it says here.  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.             

   

ALEXANDER III OF MACEDON (356-323 B.C.)

   

        The Soviet Union invading Afghanistan in 1979 was just a "modern version" of what has happened since even before the times of that guy Alexander the Great.  A map of his big Empire    shows how his army conquered the land all the way east to India.  I smell new Spring Sage.           

           It says here how some of Alexander the Great's last and "most difficult conquests" came in Afghanistan.  Over the centuries Afghanistan has been invaded many times, including in the 13th century by Genghis Khan's Mongols for instance.  Libby's walking around her Corral.                  

         Oh!  No wonder the Soviet Union failed to conquer Afghanistan in the 1980's, and the U.S. is having so much trouble now getting rid of that "Taliban" group.  Afghanistan is called here the "Graveyard of Empires."  Libby's totally unique scent just floated over here on the patio.                    

    "CHARGE OF THE LIGHT BRIGADE"   

PAINTING BY RICHARD CATON WOODVILLE JR.

   

            I've written about the 19th century "Crimean War," where England fought Russia in the "Ukraine" area; near to the Black Sea.  I want to see IRON MAIDEN'S Video that uses scenes      from the 1930's movie about the "Charge of the Light Brigade."  Daisy says it's so good.               

          During that same century, also to block "Czarist" Russia;  Queen Victoria's armies went into Afghanistan.  Wow!  I guess, English troops fought in Afghanistan three times early in the      20th century.  Some happy Finches are chirping faintly way out there in the back desert.               

          Daisy says our boss met a guy who, in 2002; fought in Afghanistan after we invaded to get rid of the Taliban government protecting that guy Osama bin Laden.  I've mentioned how "al-      Qaeda's" actual name is "Qaedat al-Jihad."  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.                                                           

BEFORE                                     AFTER    

"BAMIYAN" BUDDHIST STATUES ("BAMIYAN" VALLEY / AFGHANISTAN)      

PHOTO BY MUZAMMI PASHA           PHOTO BY SAYED SALAHUDDIN        

        

            A tv show Dais saw said the "Taliban" government destroyed some old Buddhist statues in Afghanistan; because they're one of those "Fundamentalist" religious groups.  I guess "talib"  means "student."  The real government name was "Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan."                    

           Mr. Hussein down there in Sylmar says how talib means people who study that book the Koran.  I've mentioned before how Muslims don't think it's right to "Depict" living things so do  artwork in complex and complicated geometric patterns instead.  The Pigeons flew bye.                

           Hey Mr. Buddha!  If you're mind reading me right now it's too bad they destroyed those two huge statues of you.  According to Daisy they were carved way back in 650 B.C.  At over one  hundred and eighty feet high, they were the tallest Buddhist statues in the world I guess.               

  

BUDDHA     

       

         Hey Mr. Buddha!  Daisy heard Mr. Hussein and our boss one time talking about the two destroyed statues.  Mr. Steve told him a Magazine article said people in Afghanistan's "Bamian"  Valley say there's a third statue of you still buried or hidden there.  Heathcliff just crowed.           

          According to the article Mr. Buddha, in the 7th century A.D. a Chinese Monk says he saw that third statue of You.  A 1700's Persian book said it shows you "Reclining," and is located in    between those two destroyed standing statues.  Boy!  Someone should go dig it back out.                

        I guess, for many centuries there were a lot of "Traders" and "Pilgrims" traveling along that famous "Silk" Road I've written about before.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve say how the Magazine article mentioned how Buddhist Monks lived in Bamian Valley caves for years.  I smell Sage.       

                                BEFORE         "WORLD TRADE CENTER"             9/11/2001       

                                                                                                                                                                                  PHOTO BY SEAN ADAIR

       

           As I've said before, because they were protecting and allowing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to live in Afghanistan; the second President Bush ordered the military to do one of those    "Regime Changes" I've learned about.  But, to this day; the Taliban are still fighting.                     

           Like Osama bin Laden did in 2001, the Taliban escaped over to Pakistan but; ever since have been fighting a guerrilla war against the U.S. and N.A.T.O.  Mr. Steve has been told about a big N.A.T.O. Air Force Base that's set up in Afghanistan.  Dawn and Blinky are barking.              

           Daisy says our boss gave a 2008 Newspaper article to his mom and that lady Miss Susan.  It's about the world's oldest "Oil" painting discovered on a cave wall in Afghanistan.  One time    Mr. Steve met a guy from Syria who said they make really good rugs in Afghanistan.                                 

POPE JOHN PAUL II / KAROL JÓSEF WOJTYLA (1920-2005) 

(JUNE, 1985)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

           Daisy noticed how the man talking on this tv show said Pope John Paul II, and President Reagan; are both really important in the Soviet Union's coming to an end back in 1991.  Boy!  It would be so great to smell a real Pope or President.  I wonder if they smell any different?              

         I guess our boss's dad thinks President Reagan knew the Soviet Union couldn't afford to keep up with the U.S. when it came to military spending.  His expensive "Star Wars" idea really  scared the Soviets in the 1980's Daisy heard.  Ah!  I love the smell of new Spring Mesquite.            

            Pope John Paul II being Polish makes him unique because, when he came into power back in 1978; it had always been Italian Popes.  Daisy says the tv show talked about how his father was killed in World War II.  Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral right now.                                    

                                             NAZIS                      INVASION OF POLAND (1939)                  SOVIETS                                                         

          Mr. Steve and his dad think when Hitler's Nazis and Stalin's Soviets brutally conquered Poland in 1939 it must've "influenced" and "made a big impression" on Pope John Paul II.  He    survived when millions didn't.  Hey God!  Did You save him so he could later be the Pope?            

          I've mentioned how Mr. Dave in New Mexico is a "Hupa" Indian who was adopted.  His new father, who was Polish; survived World War II as one of those "Resistance" fighters that        I've written about.  Our boss thinks Mr. Dave's father must've been really brave Dais says.           

           Hey God!  I guess Pope John Paul II's mother died when he was nine, and a brother died. So, like Joseph Stalin and Vladimir Putin too; death had to have shaped how they saw things in    life down here.  I written before how in German "Weltanschauung" means "World View."           

        

                             WARSAW                                 POLAND (W.W.II)               "AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU "           

          Pope John Paul II became a Priest after the Second World War, and was elected Pope in 1978 when Mr. Steve was twenty three.  By 1945 the "Holocaust" had happened, and a lot of it    took place in then Nazi occupied Poland.  I'll mainly learn about the Holocaust tomorrow.            

          Dais says, in 1981 when our boss was in Law School with Mr. Grant and Miss Emily; this man from Turkey shot Pope John Paul II but somehow the Pope survived.  Hey Blessed Virgin!    Was it You who protected the Pope from those four bullets?  Heathcliff just crowed.                       

       As You know Blessed Mother, Daisy and I kind of want to believe it was You alright who helped the Pope in 1981.  I guess even the Doctors were amazed!  It happened on May the 13th,    which just so happened to be a day when Catholics "Commemorated" You up there.                     

                                  MAY 13, 1917                       "FÁTIMA"     LÚCIA, FRANCISCO, JACINTA                

         Blessed Mother!  Daisy told me the tv show said Pope John Paul II came to believe Your "maternal hand" reached down and "deflected" the bullets.  It happened on the exact day when  people celebrated You coming down to Portugal in 1917 to visit those kids.  I smell Sage.                

            I love looking at the two pictures from when You came down to visit those three Shepherd kids at "Fatima" Blessed Mother.  I see how that girl Jacinta is holding a lucky Sheep who got to  see You too.  Oh!  Or maybe it could be maybe she's holding a very fortunate little Dog!                 

          Blessed Virgin!  I sure wish I could go back to October 1917 to see when You made the Sun  spin, and told the three Shepherd kids those three "Secrets."  I guess the third one talked about    trying to kill a "Bishop in white."  Frida and Diego are now flying together toward the east.                                             

  DALAI LAMA / JOHN PAUL II 

      This Encyclopedia says, after World War II; Stalin's "ruthless repression" replaced the "bloody occupation" of the Nazis in Poland.  And, because Communists are "Atheists;" it was      not easy for someone like the later Pope to be a Catholic Priest.  Two Crows are fighting.               

         Looking at the picture of the Pope with that guy the "Dalai Lama" reminds how one time Daisy heard our boss's father read something the Dalai Lama said, "Man sacrifices his health to  make money. Then he sacrifices that money to recuperate his health."  Heathcliff crowed.             

         Dais says the Dalai Lama also said many people are, "so anxious about the future that they don't enjoy the present."  Wow!  He's so right about that, and Dais would agree with him as she    always says to appreciate each day and make it productive.  I really like Heathcliff's voice.                                       

POPE JOHN PAUL II

          One time when Dais and Millie were in the living room, as Mr. Steve worked on one of his projects; they all watched a tv show about the Pope.  On it the man said in 1979, the year after he came to power; Pope John Paul II went back and visited his country of Poland.  I smell Sage.       

          Daisy says the "Soviet Authorities" back in Moscow were not happy about the Pope going to Poland.  In fact, from what some people think; they may've been the ones who tried to kill him in 1981.  Ah!  The afternoon air is so clear right now, which makes me feel really good.                  

          Our boss's father thinks the Pope's visit to Poland, and his "call for freedom;" turned out to be the "spark" that eventually ended the Soviet Union's dominance of Eastern Europe later in 1989.   A group of Sparrows are flying over Libby's Corral, and she's just walking around.            

                 

             WITH ASSASSIN           POPE JOHN PAUL II              IN HOSPITAL               

     

          The caption below a three picture collage says it shows a circle around a gun being aimed at the Pope.  The Pope was driving by in Vatican Square, where Mr. Steve took his pictures four  years later in 1985.  The assassin's name was Mehmet Ali Agca, who was from Turkey.                   

        A picture shows the Pope sitting in a Hospital bed, which reminds me of how Dais saw a tv show about that guy Howard Hughes.  Recovering from a Plane crash, as an Engineer; he took     "existing" ideas and "designed" a bed Hospital's still use.  They're way better Daisy heard.         

        I guess, without a bodyguard; the Pope went into Mehmet Ali Agca's cell and forgave him.  Our boss once told Mr. Dave he was once shown a "Browning" 9 mm semi-automatic pistol like the one used to shoot at the Pope.  The rumor is he bought it from an Austrian Nazi Dais says.                                                          RUDY THE ROADRUNNER   

        Oh!  I just glanced up in time to see Rudy running bye out there in the desert behind the Sheds, and I notice he's holding a dead Lizard in his mouth.  It's already dead otherwise he'd be  looking for a hard surface to body slam it onto.  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.         

         Hey Blessed Mother!  Was it You who protected the Pope from being shot that time?  Miss Babette, and Daisy too; think it probably was You who maybe deflected or shielded him from the bullets coming toward him.  And, the more I think about it; the more I believe that too.                 

          The tv show about Pope John Paul II said it later came out that, in December of 1980; Pope John Paul II sent a letter to the leader of the Soviet Union named Leonid Brezhnev.  He warned    him not to attack Poland in retaliation for his trip to Poland.  A Train just whistled faintly.            

        

           LEONID ILICH BREZHNEV (1906-1982)   

    PAINTING BY IGOR RADOMAN

         

         A painting shows Leonid Brezhnev, who the caption says  was a World War II "Major General" and replaced Nakita Kruschchev in 1964.  Boy!  I really like his uniform, especially all his medals and awards.  They must prove how brave he was during that huge war I'll bet.             

          Mr. Steve and his dad think it probably was the Soviet Union who tried to have the Pope killed in 1981.  As that Latin saying goes, "Cui Bono?" or; "Who Benefits?"  That's why some      people, like our boss and his father; think it was the Mafia who killed President Kennedy.             

            Hey Pope John!  If you just might happen to be listening in on me right now I want to tell you Dais and I want to be like you in forgiving others who have been mean to us.  I've decided to forgive my first owner who abandoned me in that field.   A small flock of Birds is flying bye.         

 

         Well Everyone up there, it looks like this is the end of chapter ten so now there's only two more chapters to go.  I need to go pee so I'll hide everything and take a quick break.  Thank You Guys for helping me out again today.  There's no way I could've gotten this far without You.         

         The Sun is getting lower behind me to the west and I can tell by the shadows it's about five thirty in the afternoon.  Again, today I can't believe how fast time goes when you're busy or in      my case having fun.  I just love how the air smells right now and that makes me feel good.             

        Heathcliff just crowed over there and I can also hear his Hens clucking away happily.  Leo and Cleo are standing up on Manny and singing, with Andy below them on the ground listening. A long vapor trail is extending slowly across the high blue sky and moving to the south.