Book 2 Chapter 10a

                                                                                    I

                                                                           (Chapter 10)

                                                                              COGNITO, ERGO; SUM / WHY ME?                                                                                                                                                                 3:30     

                       

                                                                     CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT                               JACK, MOE, MANNY

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

                   I went pee so now only three more chapters to go in the three hours of sunlight left to me.  I'd say it's about three thirty based on how the shadows are leaning away from me.  Boy!  It makes me feel so good looking out into the eastern desert behind Manny Moe and Jack.  

              Today has turned out better than I thought You Guys up there.  I'm having fun learning, and in using these pens and pencils my handwriting is getting better and better; so now this is what they call the "Home Stretch."  I'm not even tired but I am kind of hungry.   

           Ah!  Just as I get everything back out, a nice breeze came in from behind the Sheds; and now the chimes are ringing up there near the Patio roof.  More and more God!  I'm beginning to  understand better why so many people have "seen and felt" You in the world's "Elements."                                             

     "LIFE FORCE"              

                             

                Hey Holy Spirit!  My Encyclopedia says the old Chinese "concept" of "Ch' i" is what they call "Life Force."  Mr. Steve, when he and his brother Rock learned "Martial Arts;" first heard about Ch'i.  Fannie and Freddie flew bye, talking back and forth to each other as usual. 

               It's kind of interesting how I guess Ch'i, which is not the "Physical" scientific property of "Energy;" could also mean "energy flow," or "vital flow of force" in the world.  It says here it's important in Chinese "medical practices."  I can smell Theodora's Creosote bush.   

               According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, "Qigong" is when you try to live life by "balancing" Ch'i.  My boss told Mr. Mike, as they put a dead Joshua tree in Rex; "Kung Fu" fighting says to "Go with the Flow" in "adapting" to each situation.  I like Creosote.

                           

                                                      HIGH DESERT JACKRABBIT        

                   

                  I just looked up from working over here on the Patio in time to see a Jackrabbit go bye out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.  I'm pretty sure it was Jack but, it ran bye so fast; it's sort of hard to tell.  A few of the Ducks are quacking about something over there.

                  Anyway Holy Spirit, over the next three days I'll learn more about that Chinese belief in Ch'i which I think kind of sounds like You in some ways.  All of the dust the Rabbit raised is still floating in the air behind the three Sheds.  I can always tell Daffy's voice in a crowd.

                Seeing a Jackrabbit suddenly makes me think about a good cartoon Daisy told me about where an overconfident Rabbit lost a footrace to a Turtle.  Had it been a shorter "Sprint" there's no way that Turtle could have won.   But I guess it was one of those longer "Marathons."

                      

                                                   "TORTOISE VERSUS THE HARE"  

                          

               Hey God!  I'm sure glad You gave people the skill to make such a miraculous thing like a cartoon.  That one about the race is called the "Tortoise versus the Hare."  Daisy told me how the name "Tortoise" is just another way of saying a Turtle, while "Hare" means a Rabbit.

                According to Dais, that Rabbit in the cartoon was so arrogant and conceited; he "goofed around" and even wasted a lot of time.  By the time he "Got Serious" it was already too late.  I'll learn more about this one ancient Greek guy named "Narcissus" in my three long books.   

                Daisy says that lady Miss Susan, who ran the local Newspaper; said there used to be more Tortoises and Monarch Butterflies up here in our area of Piñon Hills.  Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter, who died; knew about Turtles.  Boy!  I'd really love to smell a real Turtle someday.  

                    

            "MAKING THE ROUNDS"                                       "DESERT TORTOISE"

                                                                                                                                                          PHOTO BY CAMERON PARKS

                  

              From what Daisy says, those desert Tortoises who used to live around here really like to eat "Beavertail" cactus.  There are some of those out in the desert, and our neighbor's planted them  all along their side of the dividing fence between our two properties.   Heathcliff just crowed.

          Imagine how weird it would be to, like a Turtle; have hard armor right on your back which you can escape into for protection.  Mark Ritter got to see some really huge Tortoises down there in the "Galápagos Islands" I guess.  Mr. Steve jokes Turtles carry "housing" on their backs. 

          Daisy says Mr. Steve has his father's old "Paperback" copy of a book written by that lady Edith Hamilton.  It's called "Mythology" and mainly deals with ancient Greece; but also has a section on the Vikings too.  Edith Hamilton also wrote about the ancient Romans Dais heard.

                                    

        EDITH HAMILTON (1912-1963)                   GREEK "OLYMPIAN" GODS                     

                  

                  According to Daisy, Edith Hamilton wrote about how the ancient Greeks said "Uranus" the sky had twelve children with "Gal" the earth; six male and six female.  They were called the "Titans," and my Encyclopedia calls them "pre-Olympian; or "former gods."  I smell Sage.

            It says here two of the Titans had children, who eventually "overthrew" them in power; but later they themselves got kicked out of power by their own children.  Those kids were all of the Gods who went and lived up there on "Mount Olympus."  Dawn's barking over there.

           I just glanced up in time to see a flock of Birds flying toward the northeast way up there in the sky.  Some of the Ducks are quacking next door.  Ah!  There's nothing better than taking in a full breath of fresh air through both of my nostrils, which gives me energy to keep working.

                                             2014 NISSAN "TITAN"                                                 MR. PHILLIP                               

                   

                  One time Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking with Mr. Phillip about this big Truck called a "Titan," made by the Japanese "Nissan" company.  I've mentioned how Mr. Phillip is a Parts Manager for "Honda," another Japanese Car manufacturer.  A Lizard ran bye.  

              Daisy said Mr. Phillip told Mr. Steve Titan Trucks were named after the Titans from the ancient Greek story.  Mr. Phillip once told my boss, "as a lad" in Wales; he used to see his four Aunts reading that lady Edith Hamilton's old book.    Libby whinnied over there.

           Mr. Steve, working in his office; listens to the Radio or watches Videos on that thing called the "Internet."  For years Daisy says he does what he calls his "busy work," coloring or working on different projects.  And he likes listening to and watching that English lady Mary Beard.   

      

MARY BEARD      

PHOTO BY CATARINI TURRONI            

           

                Just as he admires the writing of Edith Hamilton, when it comes to ancient Greece; Daisy says Mr. Steve equally enjoys watching the shows Mary Beard has done on ancient Rome.  He's told his father he's "learned a lot" from her too.  He read Mary Beard was also born in 1955.

           Over the next three days I'll be referring to Edith Hamilton's work, as well as the things that lady Mary Beard has talked about.  Mr. Steve has told his father it's too bad he doesn't have a computer and the Internet because he would like Mary Beard's episodes.  I smell Sage.

          Thank You God for the way the Sun's warmth is giving me energy and making me feel at this exact moment.  That suddenly makes me think of a 13th century A.D. "Persian" Poet named "Rumi;" who Daisy saw a tv show about.  I guess he believed "Gratitude" was important.  

               

                                    JALAL AD-DIN RUMI MUHAMMAD (1207-1273)    

PAINTING BY DEAGOSTINI                  

                    

                 A painting in this in this Encyclopedia shows that man Rumi, who's described as being a "Sufi mystic;" and whose poems I guess Mr. Steve's mom read  in College.   Boy!  I would wear a hat like the one Mr. Rumi has on in the painting of him.  The afternoon air is so refreshing.  

                Daisy noticed how our boss was amused when that tv show said Rumi told other people it's important in life to know what to "Ignore."  Hey God!  I like this Rumi quote, "Be grateful.  It is easy to thank after obtaining what you want.  Thank before having what you want."

            Wow!  That's so true what Rumi said and I can't wait to tell Dais about it.   Persia is now in the area called the country of "Iran," and I'll learn about that part of the world over the next three days.  All four of the Pigeons flew in from the desert and went over top of the house.

                            

                        "VERNAL EQUINOX"                                                  2014 CHEVROLET "EQUINOX"

        

                Right now looking at the afternoon Sunlight makes me think again of how this is the first day of Spring.  Daisy says one time she and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking to this customer who sells "Chevrolet" Cars.  A Train whistled faintly way out in the desert to my left or north.

            Dais said the Parts Manager told Mr. Steve about the "Equinox" Car.  I guess it's a "mid-size" or "compact crossover" Sports Utility Vehicle.  Boy!  So far today I've been able to keep to my seemingly unrealistic goal of completing one chapter for each hour of sunlight.

            I guess that Chevy Parts Manager told Mr. Steve the Equinox's were first put out back in the year 2004, or a year before he moved up here to the High Desert.  Boy!  Even though I'm still afraid to ride in Cars, I'll learn a lot about them in my books.  I like how Trains sound.

                                                  EBENEEZER SCROOGE                                       SIMON LEGREE                 

      ("A CHRISTMAS CARROL" / 1843)                                          ("UNCLE TOM'S CABIN" / 1852)                   

           

            Daisy says Mr. Steve's father, who had that school for Stockbrokers in the late 1960's and early 1970's; thinks "Overall" Capitalism is a better economic system than Socialism.  It "allows for" the "potential" of a bigger "middle class."  A "mix" of the "two systems" seems best.  

           Many things being dual in nature, Mr. Steve thinks the bad part of a capitalistic economic system is that it "lends itself to" or "promotes" greed.  Two 19th century books, "A Christmas Carol" and "Uncle Tom's Cabin;" dealt with the subject of "Avarice."  Dawn's barking.   

               Oh wow!  I'll bet Mr. Steve will like this one Rumi quote, "If you want money more than anything you will be bought and sold your whole life."  I wonder if my boss already knows that quotation?  Andy's over there guarding the burrow entrance where their new babies are.

                

HIGH DESEERT SUNRISES          

                                                                                                                      PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGENSEN

                   

                Hey God!  I like these three other Rumi quotes too, "Silence is the language of God," "Be silent and listen" and "Silence gives answers."  And that makes me think of this morning in the moment of silence as Crickets stop chirping and Birds begin singing.  I smell some Sage.

               Mr. Mike is our "Handyman," but sometimes my boss hires Mr. "Esteban" from Mexico to clean weeds.  He's not lazy, or what my Spanish Dictionary calls "perezoso; or what Mr. Julio calls "flojo" in slang.  I like listening when he and Mr. Steve talk and discuss things.

               One time, as they ate lunch back here on the Patio; Mr. Esteban asked our boss if it was true that, up here in "Estados Unidos;" being greedy isn't one of Christianity's "Seven Deadly Sins."  My boss chuckled and replied, "En parte es verdad" or; "That's partly true."

      

                                                 EVAGRIUS PONTICUS (345-399)

                 This Encyclopedia says, the idea of "Seven Deadly Sins" came from a 4th century A.D.  Christian "Monk" named Evagrius Ponticus.  Hey God!  So that means they weren't mentioned in the Bible.  Two Pigeons flew in from the desert, went over top of the house, going west.

                 An "ascetic" Monk, Evagrius Ponticus thought of the deadly "Vices" of "Pride, Greed, Envy, Wrath, Lust, Gluttony and Sloth."  Daisy says he was probably like Thomas Merten and Sister Wendy who I'll learn about in my books.  Evagrius Ponticus was "Influencial." 

       Hey God!  Mr. Steve, like Dais and I; feel good when we pray.   But, Monks like Evagrius Ponticus for example; often have to give up all "Enjoyment in Life" and only pray.  Mr. Steve's dad jokes he "wouldn't go that far" but can "kind of understand" a Monk's motivation.                                                                

       "SWTCHED-ON BACH" (1970)     

                

           Ah!  All of a sudden, I'm hearing that music Mr. Steve played on his Boombox one time last Summer; as he cut weeds along the northern side of our fenced in two acres.  Daisy told me  it's called "Electronic" music made on a "Moog Synthesizer."  Dawn's barking over there.           

           My boss told Mr. Dave on the phone about that 1970 album called "Switched-On Bach."   It's 18th century "Baroque" songs by Johann Sebastian Bach played on one of those "Moogs."    Mr. Steve thinks BOSTON and DEEP PURPLE's Keyboardists seemed to like "Bach."                 

          Hearing the lively and energetic music on the Switched-On Bach album right now makes me think I'm feeling that sense of "Rhêma."  Daisy says Mr. Steve first that album at Alemany    High School.  This one "Art" Teacher named Judy Baca played it for her class back then.                                                                       

JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)        

                           

            One night Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about Bach.  It said what my Encyclopedia says, he was a German Composer who lived during the same period as that Italian guy Antonio    Vivaldi; or "Baroque" period in Europe.  Fannie and Freddie flew over Libby's Corral.                

           A slight breeze just came in from the back desert and the chimes are ringing.  I want to think that might be You Holy Spirit reminding me to stay disciplined, and keep working hard;    as only three more chapters to go.  Thank You for this opportunity to learn new things.                 

          Daisy told me how the man on the tv show said one of the things Bach was known for is playing huge, giant Church "Pipe" organs; where you even have to use foot pedals besides just    your hands.  I like the wigs people wore in those days.  I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie.                                                         "SAN SYLMAR"                                   MERLE NORMAN (1887-1972)      

                 

             Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom talking on the phone about a place in Sylmar called "San Sylmar," owned by "Merle Norman Cosmetics," a company started in 1931 and named for this lady.  A Car Museum and small concert hall is there.  My boss's dad was born in 1932.          

          Mr. Steve's parents were told that lady Miss Merle and her husband were good friends with that Baseball player "Babe" Ruth.  Dais has me scheduled to learn about his team the New  York "Yankees" over the next three days.   Libby whinnied, which makes me feel good.                 

           I guess, Mr. Steve and his mom have attended San Sylmar concerts; where they play a big "Wurlitzer" pipe organ.  That guy Mr. Frank likes the collection of "Hood Ornaments" Daisy    told me.  This piano owned by Austrian Emperor Franz Ferdinand is there at San Sylmar.                                                       

                                               HUELL HOWSER AT "SAN SYLMAR"    

                     

           Daisy says that guy Huell Howser visited San Sylmar and was so impressed.  Mr. Steve was told by this older lady Merle Norman and her husband built a famous house over in the city of "Santa  Monica."  In 1973 Mr. Steve worked for a printing company near San Sylmar.             

             The tv show Daisy and Millie saw about Johann Sebastian Bach said he wrote music with and without singing.  I guess, a "Cantata" is what they call a song with only singing; where the    Singer tells a story.  Benjamin the black Cow Bird ran underneath Moe the middle Shed.              

       My Dictionary says a "Sonata" is a, "Musical composition for one or two instruments, having several movements related by similarity or contrast of tempo, key or style."   Mr. Steve's  Niece Samantha learned to play Beethoven's "Moonlight Sonata" on piano.  I smell Sage.            

        

2014 HYNUDAI "SONATA"

      

          There's a Car called a "Sonata" according to what Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Dave on the phone one time.  Mr. Steve still has some "Hyundai" customers left even after the economic    recession.  I guess Hyundai is a "South Korean" Car company from what Daisy heard.                 

         Daisy told me the tv show on Bach said, in the history of Classical music "Sonata" has at times been a "vague term" with "various meanings."  But one thing Daisy noticed is how there's no singing in a Sonata.  Benjamin just now flew  out in the back field behind the Sheds.                 

         I've never heard any what they call "Hip-Hop" music but Daisy has and says some of the songs have pretty good beats.  One of Mr. Steve's customers in Florida told him about these two  guys who's songs combine Hip-Hop and Classical music.  Andy's now looking over at me.                                     

        BLACK VIOLIN        

                      

             Daisy says Mr. Steve's customer sent him a Video of BLACK VIOLIN, the name of those guys from Florida's band.  I guess, one guy plays a "Violin;" the other a "Viola."  Andy's over there sniffing the air just in case Cher, or Goliath the Gopher Snake; happen to be nearby.      

           In that BLACK VIOLIN concert, Mr. Steve liked how "anticipation was created" before the band played; by using part of Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto" as an "Introduction."  The    Parts Manager told Mr. Steve BLACK VIOLIN played for President Obama's family.                   

         Mr. Steve, either in 9th or 10th Grade at Alemany Catholic High School; took that Arts class from Judy Baca.  He learned from her but admits he was more interested in "just looking at her," because he thought she was pretty.  His friend "Martin" agreed with him on that.                                             

                                   JUDITH  BACA                                     MR. RALPH / SON RORY                         ("GREAT WALL" / N. HOLLYWOOD)                                   ("SAN FERNANDO" MISSION)   

                                                             

           Mr. Steve and his friend Ralph talked on the phone one time about that girl Judy Baca.  In the 1970's she Supervised" the painting of this half mile long "Mural" in Van Nuys; called the "Great Wall of Los Angeles."  It's about the history of L.A. since it began back in 1781.                 

         Daisy heard Judy Baca, like Mr. Ralph; is Mexican-American and also partly grew up over there in Pacoima.  But, before that; she and her single mom lived in an area of "South  Central" L.A. called "Watts;" where our friend Mr. Chris also grew up too.  Heathcliff crowed.                   

         I guess her mom was from Mexico, so when Judy Baca first went to school here in America she didn't speak English.  From a young age she wanted to be an "Artist," which she definitely is from what Mr. Steve and his mom think.  Boy! The afternoon scents are so great right now.          

                                 

SIMON RODIA (1879-1965) "WATTS TOWERS"

PHOTO BY LUCIEN DEN AREND                                                                                                                                                                                       

              

          This Italian-American man named Simon Rodia also lived in Watts and, by himself built the amazing "Watts Towers" sculptures.  My boss and Mr. Chris have seen them and wonder if Judy Baca ever saw Simon Rodia actually up there working on them?  I smell Mesquite.              

        Mr. Chris sells us things, like all of Dais and I's blankets for instance.  Daisy told me Mr. Steve has bought things like "C.D." players, and "VCR's" from him too.  They met at a "Swap    Meet" and I can tell my boss likes Mr. Chris and even pays him more than he asks for.                  

          Like Mr. Rick's family, Simon Rodia was "Italian-American;" so his family probably came into the U.S. through "Ellis Island" in New York City too.  Daisy heard Mr. Ralph describe those Watts Towers as "landmarks."  All four of the Pigeons flew bye, going toward the northeast.        

                              

     JUDY BACA (1987)                                            MISS EMILY              

        

            I guess, Judy Baca taught at U.C.L.A.; where Miss Emily works.   My boss's mom likes her half mile long, six city blocks; "Great Wall" mural near "Valley" Junior College.  Mr. Steve read on the Internet that Miss Emily is also doing a lot of writing in her job at U.C.L.A.                

          Judy Baca's Great Wall, painted on concrete; is about thirteen feet tall, two feet shorter than our living room ceiling.  Someday I'll see my boss's bedroom where his drums are at.  The    ceiling in that room is also fifteen feet tall too according to what Daisy's told me.                            

           That guy "Cheech" is Judy Baca's friend Dais heard but, I'll write more about her when I find out about those 1984 L.A. Olympics.  Boy!  It must be hard to paint in a big size and, that's  one reason why I like Mr. Steve's mom's painting in the living room.  A Lizard just ran bye.         

  

"SALVATION MOUNTAIN 

                                                                                                                                                                 PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGERSEN

   

           I remember that one morning last Summer when Mr. Chris helped my boss load Rex the Truck with things to take over to the dump.  They talked about this amazing thing a man named Leonard Knight built here in California called "Salvation Mountain."  A Lizard ran bye.             

          Hey Lord!  I guess that guy Huell Howser visited Mr. Leonard's man made building, and so did Mr. Eddie's Landlady Miss Helena; who lives over there in Lake Los Angeles with her son Cesar.  Dawn's barking.  I can smell Blinky and Rosie standing next to her over there.                   

         Mr. Leonard is Christian like us Lord, writing "Bible Passages" on his colorful house; in Your honor.  Our boss read he started building his Salvation Mountain in 1984, the year he Mr.    Mark and flunked out of Law School.   It's on a hill and made of those "Adobe" bricks.                

                                               

ANDY AND HELEN

           I just noticed Andy and Helen standing on their favorite boulder, but I can tell they're still alert for any danger to their new Spring babies down in the burrow.  Seeing them is making me remember last Summer.  Oh!  Now they ran over and Helen went down into their home. 

      Mr. Chris and my boss talked about how that man Mr. Leonard, just like Simon Rodia in building Watts Towers; used "discarded" junk to make Salvation Mountain.  On Huell Howell's tv episode it showed he used old window frames and Car parts.  Andy's looking at me.                   

        Like that lady Judy Baca, I guess Mr. Leonard painted big "Murals" on the outside walls of Salvation Mountain.  Daisy says one of his friends was a "Navajo" Indian man.  Mr. Leonard      was from the State of "Vermont" and, fought in the "Korean War" like Mr. Steve's dad.                     

                      THEN                                     "SALTON SEA"                                   NOW                          

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY KATHERINE BELARMINO

          Mr. Chris said Salvation Mountain is in a desert, to the south of us; way up here in the Mojave Desert.  It's near the "Salton Sea," a "dying" Lake which in the 1950's and 1960's was a fancy "Resort Destination;" where Mr. Steve's parents visited.   Andy's looking over at me.          

            According to my Encyclopedia, the Salton Sea is a "landlocked" Lake.   It was "created" in 1905 down near the California-Mexico border, when that big "Colorado River" overflowed      into a "sink area" of the desert.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye.                     

           I guess, the Salton Sea used to be a good Fishing and Bird-watching location, but then got "contaminated" by "chemical runoffs" from nearby Farms.   Mr. Chris said all of the Fish and    Birds "died off."   Now in 2014 there's a lot of junk and abandoned falling apart buildings.          

            

COLDPLAY                                                               MR. PHILLIP

      

           My boss told Mr. Chris he was told the English band COLDPLAY filmed a Video for one of their songs at Salvation Mountain.  Mr. Phillip from "Wales" likes COLDPLAY, but jokingly  says they're a band "you either love or hate."  In that way "they're similar to U2 and ABBA."     

           Daisy heard Mr. Phillip tell Mr. Steve, who's never heard any of their songs;  COLDPLAY is influenced in their music by "Rock. Electronica, Gospel and Blues."  They give a lot of money to charity Mr. Phillip said.  I smell Alpha Company of Quail out there in the back desert.              

        Someday, when I overcome my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area, I'll be like Daisy in going into Mr. Steve's office and bedroom.  Then, I'll hear him play drums and listen to a lot      more music; as well as watch way more tv too.  Heathcliff crowed over there to my right.              

"RIVER CITY DRUM CORPS"

("LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY)

         I just thought of that tv show Dais saw about kids in the State of "Kentucky" who play drums.  They're from the same city as that Boxer Muhammad Ali.  Daisy and Millie heard Mr.    Steve tell Miss Susan at work he had a Ford customer in "Louisville" before the recession.           

          Dais says it was another customer in Kentucky who told Mr. Steve about the "River City Drum Corps."  I'd like to be in a group like that because, not only do they train kids to play the   drums; they also teach them to have confidence too.  Mr. Dave really likes that idea.                     

           The kids in "River City" learn to drum totally "In Synch" Daisy told me, their "Motto" is, "In the Spirit of the Drum."  And she noticed, before they play; there's a team prayer which    says how they do it "In Honor" of their "Ancestors."  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.              

                           

EDWARD "NARDIE" WHITE

                             

             Our boss and Mr. Mark in Hawaii talked about a man named Edward "Nardie" White who, with his wife; started River City in 1991.  Daisy says each kid has to build his or her own      drum as part of the program.  Mr. Steve has wooden swords that he made in High School.            

             I guess the River City team colors are red, black and green, just like the "Pan-African" flag.  Mr. Mark also believes in the idea of a "Union" of all the African countries.  This English    Dictionary says "pan" means the "whole world," like in a big "Plague Pandemic."                        

            Dais thinks I would really like the "flashy" red, black and green uniforms the River City kids get to wear, especially the hats with the fluffy feathers on them.  Even though they're not on my outline right now, I feel like mentioning a Swiss "Drum Corps."  Heathcliff crowed.                

               

"TOP SECRET" DRUM CORPS

            

          That Parts Manager from Kentucky knew about the "Top Secret Drum Corps" and how, in 1991 like River City; they began in "Basel," Switzerland.  Daisy saw them on tv and says it's so amazing.  They "must practice twenty four hours a day" my boss joked with Mr. Dave.            

           Dais thinks I'd like the 18th century style "Top Secret" uniforms, especially the feathered hats.  In Switzerland Drummers compete to be "Trommelkönig" or the "Drummer King."  They can "spin" and "juggle" the sticks, some even playing with sticks that have been lit on fire.          

          Ah!  The scent of the Twin Joshua trees just came in.  That morning Miss Susan told my boss Moths, Butterflies, Ants, Termites, Lizards and Kangaroo Rats "rely" on Joshua tree roots and blossoms.  They even "use the dead trees" for "many different things" too she said.                                                                                

                          "JOSHUA" TREES                                      MISS HELENA        

PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGERSEN                                                                                                                                                                

                         

                   My boss and Miss Helena talked about how Rats, Woodpeckers and Owls use Joshua trees Miss Susan said.  I just thought of how 19th century Mormons named the Joshua trees for that one Old Testament guy who led the ancient Jews after Moses died.  Libby whinnied. 

                   From what Miss Susan told Mr. Steve, it was in 1857 near the "Cajon Pass" to the south of Piñon Hills; when Mormons gave Joshua trees their name.  To them they looked like that guy Joshua raising up his arms in prayer.  There was a giant earthquake in 1857 I guess.    

            Hey God!  Daisy thinks maybe Joshua trees are reaching toward the Sun, which gives off life's power I suspect You've provided all of us down here on Earth.  If I could walk on two legs like Mr. Peabody or Underdog I'd raise my front paws in prayer too.  I like Libby's voice.

                                           

                                                             "GROUND SLOTH"     

                                      

           Miss Susan says thousands of years ago huge "Ground Sloths" ate Joshua trees, and like Mice and Rodents now "deposited seeds" in the dirt when going to the bathroom.  It was one of  those "Symbiotic" relationships I've mentioned.  Boy!  How did their tongues not get stabbed?    

           The way Joshua trees make new babies kind of reminds me of flowers and plants, who use things like Insects and Birds to spread seeds around.  Wow!  This Encyclopedia says "Extinct"    Ground Sloths were as big as an Elephant!   A Train whistled faintly over to my left.                      

        Seeing, and smelling the Twin Joshua trees right now; is making me suddenly remember that one afternoon last Summer.  Just like then the sunlight was coming from behind as Daisy      and I sat back here on the Patio.  And like then, I was smelling Theodora's Creosote bush.            

                          

 "SOLAR" POWER FACILITY ("MOJAVE" DESERT)    

    PHOTO BY ISAAC BREKKEN               

             

               In between the towns of Pearblossom, and Littlerock where Mr. Steve's brother Sam lives with his family; is a "Facility" where sunlight is gathered to use for energy.  It's off to the side of Highway 138, in an area which used to be just wide open desert.  Heathcliff is now crowing.    

               Some people up here don't want things like "Solar Energy Plants" in our area because of how it effects the desert.  Daisy and I totally agree with that because, like she says; if there's less plants and things like that then there will be less Animals too.  I like Heathcliff's voice.

         Well, I guess there will be no snacks for us today, which is kind of surprising as lately Mr. Steve has been giving us at least three every day.  But, that's okay and as Daisy sometimes jokes; "All's well that ends well."  The clear and fresh late afternoon air makes me feel really good.

                                                   MID-AFTERNOON SKY                                        JACK, MOE, MANNY               

                                                  

                 Sitting here on you Elvira, looking at the back desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds; makes me happy you're my friend.  Wispy clouds in the high blue sky above the eastern desert for some reason makes me think of religious "Logos."  Libby whinnied over there.

               My English Dictionary says one definition of the word "Emblem" is, "A device, symbol or figure adopted and used as an identifying mark."  Daisy says Mr. Steve has been drawing them since being a kid so that's why I now want to learn about them.  Libby smells good.

            I can't wait for my boss Mr. Steve to read my books after I'm finished on Sunday.  I hope he'll like me a lot more, and will always keep and never get rid of me; because I'll be one of the smartest Dogs in the world.  All four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral going eastward.

                         

             COFFEE                                         MARIA/ RICH / STEPHANIE    

                     

                    Daisy says one time Mr. Steve talked with his Niece Stephanie about Miss Maria helping her and Mr. Rich with their "Catering" business.  Looking to my right at our steel water bucket makes me think of a drink made with water called "Coffee."   Steph makes good coffee.

             This Encyclopedia says coffee "beans," which are actually "seeds;" come from a plant.  I guess you first "roast" the beans, grind them up; then put that in hot water.  Daisy heard most people drink their Coffee hot, but there are those who now prefer to have it be cold.

             Making that drink from coffee beans first started in Africa it says here, in the area now known as "Ethiopia."  The "story" is Goats ate the beans, their owner noticing them running around more than usual; so he decided to eat some beans too.  A Train whistled faintly.          

            

                        COFFEE PLANT                                       AFRICA / MIDDLE EAST                                                                             

                Oh!  A picture shows a coffee plant, which makes me understand better why Dais likes red so much.  That one Ethiopian "Goat Herder," who lived in the "late Middle Ages;" noticed the "stimulating" effect of Coffee beans so then told others about it.  Andy's sniffing the air.

            It says here "by the 15th century" Sufi Monks in what is now "Yemen" drank coffee to "suppress their hunger for fasting," or "stay awake longer for prayer."  A map shows how what is now Ethiopia is near the "Horn of Africa."  Ethiopia used to be called "Abyssinia."

           People in the 1500's Middle East and North Africa drank hot coffee "in the now common form."  Drinking it then spread up to Europe and from there around the world.  For "Political" reasons Americans switched from drinking "Tea" to coffee during the Revolutionary War.        

                

"COFFEE & CREAM"       

                                                                                                                        

                  I just thought of Mr. Hussein's Coffee Shop in Sylmar, where he and my boss one time talked about that story of the Goat Herder from Ethiopia.  Mr. Steve and his mom both think Mr. Hussein makes really good sandwich's.  A small flock of Birds is flying bye up in the sky.      

                   Mr. Hussein read, in 1511 this "law was passed" in the "Holy" city of "Mecca;" which "banned" Coffee Houses.  I guess, from what Daisy heard; there were too many violent fights and arguments breaking out.  Mr. Hussein has been on two of those "Hag" Pilgrimages. 

             By the 18th century coffee drinking was "common in Europe" because Slave labor had been used for a few centuries to grow coffee plants in the "Tropical" European Colonies.  It was way too cold to grow coffee in Europe itself.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking over there.

                                              

FRANCOIS-MARIE AROUET ("VOLTAIRE" / 1694-1778)

         PAINTING BY JACQUES AUGUSTIN PAJOU               

             

                It says here the French "Enlightenment" Writer "Voltaire" liked coffee but Frederick the Great, who admired his ideas; didn't.  The first "known" European Coffee Shop was in the then City-State of "Venice," and that was in 1645.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonney are flying bye.

           Oh!  I just noticed how Voltaire died on May the 30th and, in looking at my list of dates; I see how my boss's Niece Raqquel was born on that date.  Voltaire is just the name he used as a Writer I guess.  Ah!  I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus growing over there in the dirt.

           Daisy heard Mormons aren't allowed to drink Coffee.  I guess Mr. Steve rarely drinks it and prefers "Hot Chocolate" on cold days.  Mr. Hussein one time told him that the "Expresso" form of coffee, which is very popular now with a lot of people; "originated" back in Italy.    

                   

                                AFRICAN SLAVES                               "TRIANGLE" TRADE ROUTES

                                                                                                                       

                 My boss told Mr. Hussein Brazil, in 1888; was the last country to ban "Official" Slavery.  But they did it only because it became more "economical" to hire "cheap labor, "work them to death;" then simply get more low paid Workers.  19th century America was like that too.  

                It says here "Qahwah" is Arabic for coffee, while in Turkey it's called "Kahve."  Over in the Netherlands it's "Koffie," which is probably where our word comes from.   Speedy Gonzalez just ran full speed through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go into the field.  

           To Insects coffee beans are like "poison," so maybe that's one of those "Natural Defense Mechanisms" Charles Darwin talked about.  Daisy heard, all by itself coffee is "bitter;" so most people put sugar in it.  Andy's over there sniffing the air guarding the entrance to their hole.

             

                              BABY SQUIRRELS                                                   ANDY AND HELEN                                                                                                                                                                   

                  All of a sudden, smelling Andy right now is making me think about that time last year  when he and Helen were playing and wrestling.  Boy!  I can't wait to see when their new babies are old enough to come outside because Squirrel babies are so cute.  Heathcliff just crowed.

              It's getting later in the day, and judging by how much the shadows are leaning away from me here on Elvira; I'd say I have about three hours of sunlight to finish these final three chapters.  Andy's looking at me.  He's probably wondering why I've been here all day.

                Seeing Andy over there makes me think about that Fish called a "Blenny."  Daisy told me she and Millie saw a tv show where the man said it's the boy Blennies who guard all of the eggs once the girl Blenny lays them.  Blennies come in many colors according to what Dais says.   

MALE BLENNY GUARDING THE NEST

PHOTO BY KENNETH WINTERGERTER

          I'm supposed to write about Blennies later in this chapter, but I might as well do it now instead.  The tv show Daisy and Millie saw said they're found in the "intertidal" zones of most    Oceans, come in many sizes and colors; and often live in the holes of coral.  I smell Sage.               

          Dais says, over the years our boss has known people who kept salt water fish tanks; and some had Blennies in them.  The man on the tv show mentioned how a few Blennies have those    "tentacles" above their eyes.  Cleo and Leo are flying over Libby's Corral over there.                    

            My Dictionary of "Synonyms" and "Antonyms" Daisy found up there in the garage says "emblem" and "symbol" are "derived" from the Greek word "bállein" or "to throw.  And "to    insert" is "Embállein."  I guess, "Symbállein" is Greek for the phrase; "To throw together."        

                                      

            MAGGIE / DAISY CÓRDOVA                    

                        

                  All of a sudden I feel like doing my happy howl, because I really enjoy learning to use tools like pens and pencils.  But, what I'm feeling is; I like learning new things even more.  I can see one of my boss's "Shovels" laying next to Moe, which makes me think of "Metal."

                   Over the next three days I look forward to learning about the "Evolution of Metals,"  which my boss and his father think it's important.  With hard metal, you can hunt better or cut wood in order to survive; or more easily kill your enemies if necessary.  Libby whinnied. 

                  Even though it's not on my book one outline right here, I might as well mention now how there have been three "Ages" in the evolution of "Metal."  The oldest was when "Copper" could be "dug up" and then used "right out of the ground."  Dawn's barking over there.

                

               BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND                          STEEL FOUNDRY INTERIOR   

           

                 I guess now tools like the shovel over there are mainly made of "Steel," which I heard my boss say is a "mixture of iron and carbon."  My Encyclopedia says the European "Copper Age" went from about 3,200 through 2,300 B.C.  I smell the Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.

                According to what it says here, after the Copper Age came the "Bronze Age."  Copper's soft, or what they called "Malleable;" which means it can be "Formed and Shaped" into things.  The Bronze Age period in Europe lasted from about 2,300 all the way up to 700 B.C.

           For some reason I just thought about "Copper" Sharks.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his  sister Susan talk about them on the phone and he told her, "unlike" other Sharks of their type; they've "adapted" to living in "temperate" waters.   A little Sparrow went running bye.  

    

"COPPER" SHARK

              This Encyclopedia says Copper Sharks are of the "Requiem" type, and I can see why they got their name from the picture.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his sister he heard that Copper Sharks are a "Threatened" species.  They now live in only "disconnected" populations.               

           Daisy heard Mr. Steve say, Copper Sharks have teeth "evolved" to "grip and hold;" rather than "shred and saw" prey like a "Tiger" Shark's teeth do.  Like "Bull" Sharks, Copper Sharks live near land; close to "Estuaries" or "Shallow Bays.  I can smell Andy.                             

                  Before the invention of steel there were those three periods in the evolution of mankind's use of metal.   The Bronze Age had an "early, middle and late" period, just as ancient Egyptians  had "Old," "Middle" and "Late" Kingdoms in history.  Boy!  This has been a good day.                                               

            PERIODS OF ANCIENT EGYPT                     "KHUFU" PYRAMID ("GIZA") 

                      

                  I guess, some people wonder how the ancient Egyptians could have possibly built those three really huge pyramids on that "Giza" plateau?  At that point, in the "Old Kingdom;" all they had were soft Copper tools.  Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye and left a thin trail of dust.  

                My Encyclopedia says, the "alloy" of Bronze is made by heating and mixing Copper with "Tin."  That Bronze Age was followed by the "Iron Age," which allowed people to make harder weapons; in order to kill their enemies and win wars.  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

               Anyway, I'll learn more about metals in my three long books; especially when it comes to the modern "Industrialism" and "Capitalism" Karl Marx wrote about.  "Steel" is an "alloy" of "super heated" Iron.  Then you add in that thing called "Carbon" from what Daisy heard.  

                                                             FRIDA AND DIEGO                                                  MR. MIKE

                                                           PHOTO BY STEVE BYLAND                                                                                                       PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                         

                                                

              Oh!  "Frida" and "Diego" the Bluebirds are standing on a piece of wood Mr. Mike cut up with his saw.  It's actually called a "Chain" saw; because of the sharp teeth on a long chain that goes around and around.  Boy!  Diego sure seems to be way bluer than Frida is this year.

            It makes me feel good somehow to see Frida and Diego on this very first day of Spring, or our "New Year."  Heathcliff just crowed, which makes me suddenly have one of those "Déjà Vu" feelings.  I've heard him crow when I just happened to be looking at Frida and Diego.

           Daisy says Bluebirds build tree hole nests in April, have two babies who fly by May; but even then their parents still feed them by throwing up food from their stomachs.  All of the boy Bluebirds are "overly protective" Daisy's noticed.   Boy!  The air is so clear right now.    

              

                                             DIEGO RIVERA (1886-1957) / FRIDA KAHLO (1907-1954)  

           

           Mr. Steve named our Bluebirds "Frida" and "Diego," after those Mexican husband and wife Artists Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.  My boss's mom studied their artwork in College at C.S.U.N.   I haven't seen those two pointy-headed blue Birds called "Scrub Jays" this year.   

           I'm not scheduled to write about Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera now, but can mention them.  This Encyclopedia says Frida Kahlo did "surrealist folk art."  Mr. Ralph told my boss Frida Kahlo's sister "Cristina" spelled her name the same as his Niece down in Sylmar.  

          Like Judy Baca, Diego Rivera was known for his big "murals" on walls; while his wife is partly famous for her "self-portraits.  Anyway, I'll be finding more about both of them over the next three days.  Heathcliff just now crowed over there, and his Hens are clucking happily.

     

MR. STEVE'S PARENTS   

PHOTO BY RODERICK CÓRDOVA        

         

                Although Mr. Steve's mom "Appreciates" Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's art, she doesn't totally agree with them when it comes to "Politics" or "Socially Liberal" attitudes.   Mr. Steve's father is the same way.  Frida and Diego just flew off into the eastern desert right now.

          Mr. Steve's father jokes he's an "obsolete Dinosaur" in being "Socially Conservative" but "Fiscally Liberal" Democrat.  When it comes to spending money for Hospitals or, helping the poor; he's a "Progressive."  Daisy heard many Liberals don't like being called Liberals.  

          Over the years Mr. Steve's father has been described as a "Moderate Centrist."  He's at times "Reached across the Aisle" to work with "Republicans," on things like the rebuilding of "Olive View" Hospital; or getting "Mission" College a campus.   I smell Libby over there.  

                                    

                                                           FRANCE A. CÓRDOVA   

           

              Because over the next three days I'll learn and write about our last name one person I'll find out about is this lady named France A. Córdova.  Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talk on the phone with his mom and they discussed her one time.  Heathcliff 's Hens are clucking. 

                Dais heard France Córdova is mainly a Scientist but has also run organizations too.  Like Mr. Steve, she went to a Roman Catholic Parochial High School in Los Angeles.  Mr. Steve saw a picture of her one time wearing a hairstyle like the way his mom used to wear her hair too. 

          My boss read Miss Córdova, the eldest of twelve kids; was eight years old in 1955 when he  was born.  She knows a lot about Astronomy but, "unlike myself" Mr. Steve jokes; she "must be good at math like my father."  Anyway, I'll be coming back to her in my three books.  

  

"BELÉN," NEW MEXICO

                  Mentioning that lady Miss Córdova's last name makes me suddenly think about the town of "Belén" where my boss's parent's families are from.  Mr. Steve had a dream where he heard the loud 10:00 p.m. "Curfew" siren on top of a "Water Tank" in Belén.  I smell Mesquite.

                 One time Mr. Steve and his brother Rock remembered how, because that siren in Belén was on a water tank next door to his Grandparents house; it was really loud.   I guess it was on "Becker" Avenue and "Sixth" Street.  Grandma and Grandpa Córdova got "Used to It." 

               Piñon Hills, and Littlerock; have tall water tanks Dais says.  Ours is not for holding water but is a "Cell Phone Tower."  Mr. Steve says some water tanks hold 100,000 gallons of water. His mom thinks Belén's water tank, built in 1928; should be made into a "Cultural Landmark."   

                                              

                                                     HORACE WALPOLE (1717-1797)

PAINTING BY ROSALBA CARRIERA

     

               Seeing Frida and Diego on this first day of Spring is a pleasant surprise.  My English Dictionary says "Serendipity" means, "Finding valuable or agreeable things not sought out or by accident."  That word was "Coined" by the18th century British Writer Horace Walpole.  

            Frida and Diego flew over the house going west and, looking to my left at the far end of the Patio; I see my collection of balls and things to chew on.  I think I'm a Capitalist and not a Socialist because I want to have things that only belong to just me.  Heathcliff crowed.

               It says here that guy Horace Walpole is known for being a "Travel Writer."  Daisy says she and Millie heard Rick Steve's use that word serendipity in one of his travel episodes.  Horace Walpole is now "associated" with the 19th century "Romantic Grand Tours" of Europe. 

                                                                

                                                         LEON TROTSKY (1879-1940)      

                                        

                 Writing about Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo makes me think of their Russian friend Leon Trotsky, who I mentioned when writing about George Orwell's book "Animal Farm."  All were Karl Marx-influenced "Socialists."  I kind of like the style of glasses Leon Trotsky wore. 

                 This Encyclopedia says, in 1917 during World War I; Leon Trotsky helped Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin "overthrow" the Russian "Czar" Nicholas II.  After "much bloodshed," they "installed" a "Communist" government.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye. 

                When "Lenin" died in 1923, "Stalin" then "took" power; and he didn't like "Trotsky." In the 1930's, as leader of the "Soviet Union" or "U.S.S.R.;" he killed or "Purged" millions.  He "Exiled" Trotsky but had him killed in Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera's Mexican house. 

                               

VLADIMIR LENIN (1870-1923) "RUSSIAN REVOLUTION"

(NOVEMBER, 1917)     

                PAINTING BY VLADIMIR ALEKSANDROVICH SEROV                   

                               

           My boss's dad thinks Russia, like all countries; has a "bloody history;" and in 1917 most people were poor so many simply "went along with" the Communist revolutionaries like Lenin, Stalin and Trotsky.   Daisy heard Lenin said, "Terror is the instrument of social hygiene."            

           By mid-1917 many Russian Soldiers were "fed up with being slaughtered" in World War I by the Germans.  Lenin was "living in exile" in Switzerland and, everyone knew he "wanted to    pull Russia from the war;" so the Germans secretly returned him to Russia.  I smell Sage.            

    It says in my Encyclopedia Czar Nicholas "abdicated power" in March of 1917, but the government that took over wanted to stay in the war I guess.  Lenin's "Bolshevik" Communists  took power in October but "inherited" many huge problems.  I can smell Blinky over there.                                        

     ERICH  LUDENDORFF (1865-1937)              PAUL VON HINDENBURG(1847-1934)

                                                                                                                                                           PAINTING BY HUGO VOGEL

              

           Two men who I'll learn about over the next three days were both World World I German Generals, Paul von Hindenburg and his assistant Erich Friedrich Ludendorff.  Daisy saw a tv      show on them.  Wow!  I really like the mustaches German Generals wore back in those days.       

           "Ludendorff" got the Kaiser's okay to take Lenin to Russia, saying he would allow Lenin to end the war; then "strangle" him.  Oh!  General Ludendorff was born on April 9th, like Mr.    Steve's old girlfriend Miss Emily.  My boss's parents first met on April 8th Dais heard.                  

      When Lenin's Communists took power in late 1917, "as the Germans had hoped;" they pulled Russia out of the war.  But then that civil war broke out so he sent Trotsky to "Negotiate" peace with Germany.  I see Blackbeard and Anne playing tag out there in the back field.                                                   ST. PETERSBURG          RUSSIAN REVOLUTION        AMERICAN TROOPS        

                          

          Once in power the Bolsheviks, like the new country of Israel in 1948; were attacked "On all Fronts" as they say.  Not only did Lenin have other Russian's fighting against him, the British and Americans also sent troops to oppose his hated "Communism."  I can smell Creosote.            

          It says here in the early 1920's there was "unrelenting violence" in Russia, "unspeakable atrocities being committed by both sides."  Daisy says our cold Winters "do not even compare" to how freezing it can get over there in Russia.  Mr. Steve's dad got "Frostbite" in Korea.             

           It says here, when Lenin died; Stalin "outmaneuvered" everyone to "take" power.  But, more and more he became "suspicious" of people who might "threaten his authority" so; by the  1930's was "ruthlessly liquidating" rivals.  "Liquidating" is another way of saying killed.                           

"CZAR" NICHOLAS ROMANOV II (1868-1918) WITH FAMILY 

           

         For over three centuries until 1917,  Russia was "Ruled" by the "Romanov" family; who I'll learn about in my books.  My Encyclopedia has a picture of the last Czar Nicholas II and his  family, who ended up being "executed" on Lenin's orders.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.            

         One morning my boss told Mr. Mike he and his father have both studied Russian history.  Daisy says Czar Nicholas' family was "stabbed and killed with bayonets," their bodies burned.  By 1940 Leon Trotsky was living "In Exile" in Mexico with Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo.          

         Stalin had Trotsky "tracked down" and killed, the Assassin doing it with an "ice pick to the skull."   Oh!  That happened on August the 20th which, in looking at my list of dates; I notice is    also Mr. Steve's mom's birthday too.  I'll come back to the Russian Revolution in my books.         

BENJAMIN

   

              I just glanced up from over here on the Patio and see Benjamin the Cow Bird standing over there in the dirt near the new baby Cholla cactus.   In looking at my outline I see how in this chapter I'll learn about the "Mexican War" of 1846-48.  Libby just now neighed over there. 

             Earlier I wrote how Texas, California and New Mexico became part of the U.S. after the Mexican War.  That's why my boss and his dad think that war was so important.  Benjamin ran a little bit, then lifted off and is now flying out into the back desert behind the Sheds.  

            Seeing Benjamin reminds me of last Summer, when Mr. Steve played on his Boombox that good song "Boléro."  I can't wait to hear it again.  It starts out soft and slow, but ends up loud and fast with some really good flute playing at the beginning; which is what I like.      

      

                                                       MAURICE RAVEL( 1875-1937)

       

             In College at C.S.U.N, in the 1970's; my boss took a class in the history of Classical Music.  The Teacher was a nice lady, who told my boss the guy who wrote Boléro was French; and his song was influenced by his "Basque" mother and "Swiss" father.  Dawn's barking over there. 

          Daisy says the College Professor said Boléro was also influenced by "mystical Sufi Islam" like that guy Mr. Rumi wrote.  She thought it had Spanish "element's" in it.  When I heard it on that warm morning I had that uplifting feeling of "Rhêma" I've mentioned a few times. 

          Someday, when I overcome my fear of being trapped in an enclosed area; I'll go into Mr. Steve's bedroom the way Dais always does.  Boy!  I can't wait.  Daisy says one time, played really loud on his Stereo; Daisy and Millie heard our boss play his "Snare" drum along to Boléro.   

  

            ADOLPH HITLER                   ROLLIE FINGERS                     FRANK ZAPPA

                

              In the picture of Maurice Ravel, who wrote Boléro; I notice he's wearing a "Handlebar" mustaches like the way Adolph Hitler did as a Soldier in World War I.  That was before he cut off the tips so a Gas Mask could fit better on his face.  I can smell Cher the Cat around here.  

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his brother Rock talk about this 1970's Oakland A's "Relief" Pitcher with a handlebar mustache named "Rollie" Fingers.  Aha!  I see Cher resting over there near Manny the far right Shed.  Andy's glaring at her, warning her not to get too close.

           My boss played that kid Jason Frank Zappa's version of Boléro.  Frank Zappa, who grew up near Littlerock where Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family lives; had a big mustache.  Mr. Steve heard that he died on December the 4th, which is also his Niece Stephanie's birthday too.   

                             

             CAIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT                    ANTONIO VIVALDI (1678-1741)                                    ("SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS)                                                ("BAROQUE" COMPOSER)                                                                                                                                                        PAINTING BY FRANCOIS MORELLON LA CAVE                    

                         

       Hey God!  Hearing that song Boléro makes me think of the mountains near us and how Rhêma can be music.  Oh!  Now, all of a sudden; I can hear Vivaldi's song "La Primavera."  I      think I now better understand why my boss likes the way he feels whenever he listens to it.           

           On most mornings Mr. Steve listens to La Primavera as does things like brushing his teeth in getting ready for the day.  As I've said before, "Primavera" is Latin    for "Spring."  Cher is    using the right gate slot to go out in the back desert, with Andy watching him closely.                    

         In my books Dais has me scheduled to learn a lot about music, and one type is what they call "Gospel."  I've never heard any Gospel songs but Daisy has, and hears Rhêma in the happy singing by people who really like You up there Lord.  A Train whistled faintly to my left.                                                                     

           REVEREND JOHN NEWTON (1725-1807)      

          ARTIST UNKNOWN                 

                             

         I'll mainly learn and write about Gospel music in books two and three but, can mention now a "Protestant Anglican Cleric" named John Newton.  Daisy saw this tv show which said he  wrote the words to that old song "Amazing Grace."  A Lizard ran bye the Mulberry tree.           

         Wow!  A painting of that guy John Newton shows the great wigs people wore back in the 1700's.  Hey Lord!  Dais told me the tv show said, when young John Newton "Sold" Africans;      but later believed in You so was totally against Slavery.  He became an "Abolitionist."                   

      Mr. Steve's father, who had that school for "Stockbrokers" in the late 1960's and early 1970's; thinks "Overall" Capitalism is better than Socialism.  But "Unfettered" Capitalism is      "not so good."  A "balance" of the two systems, like we have now; is "better" he believes.                             

              "SLAVE" SHIPS                              19TH CENTURY AMERICAN SLAVES   

             

           My boss's father think it's bad to "Worship" money, and Capitalism can "lend itself to greed and avarice."  Look at how, all the way from the 16th century until the 1800's; it was okay to buy and sell African people as Slaves.  The four Pigeons are flying toward the northeast.           

            Oh!  I just noticed Fannie and Freddie standing over there near the Sheds.  Freddie has a dead Snake in his mouth, and is now using his sharp beak to shred and tear it into strips that are easier to eat.  Fannie is waiting patiently for her share, which she knows is coming soon.               

           The "best thing" about Capitalism Mr. Steve thinks, is that it "allows for" the creation of a much bigger "Middle Class" than Socialistic societies.  Daisy is pretty sure we'd be considered    Middle Class.  Fannie and Freddie walked behind the Sheds to eat the rest of the Snake.                                                        "LIVERPOOL" (ENGLAND)                                               MR. PHILLIP                               

            PAINTING BY BOB EDWARDS                                                                                                                                                                          

                          

          Daisy says one time Mr. Steve and Mr. Phillip from Wales talked about the "Port" city of "Liverpool" in England.  I guess, it's a big "Industrial Harbor;" just like the one here in Long    Beach.  And that's why the Germans bombed it so much during the Second World War.                

          Liverpool is where that one band the BEATLES are from but, in looking at the map of the Slave Trade; I can see why it has been so important.  I've never heard any BEATLES' songs but  Dais has and says they play many different styles of music.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.           

        Hey God!  Because my boss wants to believe Rhêma could be interpreted as a feeling you experience when hearing a "Song," and emotionally reacting to it; I want to think that too.  I see a few clouds up there in the blue sky over the eastern desert.  I'm so glad it's Spring now!             

        

       GENESIS (EARLY 1970'S)           

                                

          I can't wait for when Mr. Steve starts coming outside in the mornings to do yardwork, because then I can hear a lot more music on his Boombox.  I'll never forget the first time I ever    heard GENESIS' song "Musical Box."  Boy!  How could anyone have invented a Boombox?        

            Hey God!  Thank You for how I feel when I hear the Musical Box, which Mr. Steve jokes is "Art Rock."  As You of course already know, I felt like I was going on a "Ride" because of all  the highs and lows in that song.  If I ever write a song that's the kind of song I'd want to do.         

           Thank You God for putting the Earth at just the right "Distance" from the Sun.  At night when Daisy and I sit here on Elvira and look up at the Universe You created I feel so small down here in Piñon Hills.  A little Bird carrying a twig just went running bye out there in the dirt.                                                        

                  EARTH'S THREE "LAYERS"            

                                                                                                                         

              Looking at a diagram of the Earth's three layers makes me think of how my boss says the number 3 is often important.  I'm up here on the "Crust" I guess but, wonder what it would be like at the center of the Earth?  Daisy saw this tv show that said it's really, really hot.

             The tv show mentioned this movie about these guys going to the center of the Earth by entering a volcano in "Iceland," and eventually coming out in Italy.  I can't wait to learn more about Vikings and volcanoes in book two tomorrow.  Frida and Diego just flew bye.

            Dais told me, in that movie "Journey to the Center of the Earth;" the German Explorers saw totally amazing things.  One time they actually watched an extinct "Plesiosaur" fight a real "Ichthyosaurus."  Oh!  Alpha Company of Quail is going underneath Moe the middle Shed.

        

                  LOCH NESS                      "PLESIOSAURUS"                     LOCH NESS                  

                                        

                I wrote earlier how my boss thinks, if the Loch Ness monster does exist; it might just be a surviving Plesiosaur.  This painting shows one swimming, and I notice they had short but really sharp teeth and a long neck.  I just now picked Alpha Company's scent from over there.

           Boy!  That black and white photo of the Loch Ness monster's neck and head sticking out of the water looks so real, but Mr. Steve says it was a "Hoax."  The picture of what looks like a fin is convincing too.  Angeline, the bigger girl Quail; is protecting her new babies.

           That French Writer Jules Verne, in 1864 or second year of the American Civil War; wrote his book the movie Journey to the Center of the Earth is "based" on.  Dais told me he also wrote about "Balloons."  In one book men shoot themselves up to the Moon with a giant cannon.   

                            

           MARY SHELLEY (1797-1851)      JULES VERNE (1828-1905)            H.G.WELLS (1866-1946)                        PAINTING BY RICHARD ROTHWELL                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

                                               

            This Encyclopedia calls Jules Verne one of the "Fathers of Science Fiction," another one being that other guy H.G. Wells.  I wonder if Mary Shelly, who wrote "Frankenstein;" would be considered a "Mother of Science Fiction" the way Mr. Steve jokes.  Heathcliff crowed.

            It  says here Jules Verne is the "second most translated author in history," only William Shakespeare ahead of him.  Oh!  He was interested in "Cryptography," which I'll learn about when I write about Edgar Allen Poe and World War II.  Speedy Gonzalez ran bye. 

            My boss likes those old 1930's "Horror" movies, and Daisy told me he also likes these two funny 1960's tv "Monster" shows.   In those shows the monsters aren't scary at all, but are very nice and friendly I guess.  Alpha Company decided to go back out into the eastern desert.    

  

"THE MUNSTERS"   

IMAGE BY EVERETT COLLECTION

    

                 Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to learn about those two monster tv shows until tomorrow, I just feel like doing it now too.  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows the "Munster" family next to their two Cars.  Mr. Steve built models of those Cars as a kid.

             I notice one of the Munster's Cars is a coffin.  The caption says the family are "benign" monsters, the Frankenstein father not mean but is "well-meaning;" and Daisy told me how the Grandpa is a funny "over the hill" Vampire.  The little boy is one of those Werewolves

            Oh!  A Mockingbird flew bye just as I read that the Munster's house is on "Mockingbird Lane."  I guess the show was a "satire" of American "suburban life" and also "classic" monster movies.  Dais says the pretty, normal-looking daughter; is the family's "Ugly Duckling."     

  

"ADDAMS FAMILY"

             Daisy says the other tv show is about a rich family whose father is really energetic, and their Butler is kind of like a slow talking Frankenstein.  The caption below a picture of them calls the show a "black" comedy with "dark" humor.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye.

             I want to see the Munster's and "Addams Family" someday.  Dais told me on the wall of the Addams' house is a Swordfish head, with a human leg in its mouth; and they have a giant two-headed Galápagos Tortoise too.  A hand who lives in a box is their Servant.  Wow!     

            Ah!  Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye, and I can tell it's them because of how big Samson is.  As I've mentioned, he was named Goliath but; then Mr. Steve changed his name when Delilah became his girlfriend.  It sounds like two Crows are fighting behind the Sheds.

                      

SAMSON KILLS PHILISTINES

("TOPPLING THE TEMPLE") 

                         

            Boy!  Samson is so big in size.  My Encyclopedia says the original Samson was a "Judge" in ancient Israel.  Our Samson and Delilah are loyal to each other, but Daisy told me in the Bible story that girl Delilah "betrayed" her Samson; and "handed him over" to the "Philistines."  

           Hey God!  The Bible Samson was really strong like Superman, who I'll learn about in my three books.  Wow!  It says here that guy Samson even killed a Lion with his "bare hands."  Dais has me scheduled to also learn more about that other guy named "Hercules" too.  

           It says here, after three "failed attempts;" that Bible girl Delilah "tricked" Samson into "revealing" that his strength came from his long hair.  So, she cut it off when he was asleep and got paid by the Philistines who captured him.  There's a small Lizard on the wall over there.

               

                                            WILLIAM "THE CONQUEROR" (1028-1087)

                   

              Oh!  The Philistines "gouged out" Samson's eyes, the way William the Conqueror did  with enemies Daisy heard.  King William was a "Norse" Viking from the coast of France and in 1066 A.D. came across the English Channel to conquer England.  Boy!  I'd hate to be blind.        

              Hey Lord!  On Saturday I'll learn about Judas Iscariot who betrayed You for money, and that other guy Benedict Arnold too.  Hey God!  At least You let Samson get his revenge by pushing over the pillars in that giant Temple to kill himself and all of the Philistines too.

              Seeing Samson and Delilah made me look up "Ravens" and a diagram shows how the Ravens are bigger than Crows.  The caption says both type of "Black Birds" look "similar" but there "are some differences."  Crows "caw" while the Ravens "croak," or even "scream."

               

RAVEN VERSUS CROW    

                               

                In the diagram I notice how the width of Crow versus Raven wings is measured in what they call "Mètres."  And, according to my French Dictionary mètre would be translated to mean "measure."  Speedy Gonzalez zoomed bye in front of the Sheds, leaving some dust floating.  

             Daisy says this lady once told Mr. Steve a metre or "meter" is a "little bit shorter" than what in the U.S. is a "Yard," which is three feet.  Ravens coast on air currents, while Crows flap their wings way more in flying I notice.  You can often hear a Raven's wings flapping.

            Crows waddle when they walk on the ground, Ravens hop and because Samson is so big his hops are really long.  Mr. Randy joked Samson could win the standing "Long Jump" contest in the Olympics.  I'd want to run or jump if there's ever such a thing as a Dog Olympics.         

                       

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND       

                      

                 Daisy heard the professional Football team from "Baltimore" is called the "Ravens."  At times Samson and Delilah, from up high will tightly tuck in their wings in streaking down to the ground like one of those World War II German "Stuka" Dive Bombers.  I smell Sage.

              Mr. Steve sent a customer in Maryland line drawings of the Ravens logos for his son to color.  Daisy noticed how the Ravens use purple as their primary color, with black, yellow and white secondary colors.  There are two extending vapor trails way up there in the high sky.

              I mentioned before how, back in the early 1990's; Mr. Steve's family was involved in the gambling industry.  Oh!  I forgot that you aren't supposed to use the word "Gambling" anymore because it sounds better to call it "Gaming."  I smell that new little baby Cholla cactus.

             

                                           RAY LEWIS (BALTIMORE "RAVENS")

                          

              Because they "Know the Numbers," my boss and his dad don't gamble.  But, the last time Mr. Steve did he won.   Two years ago on "Super Bowl Sunday," a friend "Daryl" was at "Caesars Palace" in Las Vegas; and called to ask my boss if  he wanted to "Bet" on the game.  

              I guess, from what Dais says; Mr. Steve told his friend okay and to "put" fifty dollars on the Ravens because they were "Underdogs."  The other team was what they call the "Favorite," so you win very little money if they win.  The two vapor trails are way longer now. 

             Mr. Steve doesn't follow sports anymore but his brother Sam had told him this Ravens player named Ray Lewis was "Retiring."  So, Mr. Steve hoped his teammates would try hard to  win that final game for him; which they did.  Boy!  I'd like to see a Football game someday.    

       

                      CROW                        RAVEN                             

                  

               Miss Susan, who ran our local Newspaper "News Plus" before that new guy Gary took over; said Raven beaks are bigger and more curved than the Crow beaks.  Ravens "prattle" or "croak," Crows "caw" or "squawk."  Ravens "babble" and "chatter" when talking.    

             According to Daisy, another time Miss Susan told Mr. Steve feathers at the end of Bird wings are called "Pinion" feathers.  Ravens have seventeen of them, Crows one less.  Using this English Dictionary I see how pinion is spelled almost the same as our town of Piñon Hills. 

                   Ravens have stockier bodies and the feathers on their their throats, which Miss Susan calls "scruff;" is thicker too.  When flying Raven's tails look different from Crows.  I've noticed that sometimes our Crows here in Piñon Hills stay in groups while Raven couples don't. 

  

                                                                       TOM JONES

           Writing about Ravens makes me think of a tv show Dais saw about a Singer from "Wales" named Tom Jones.  I guess, in 1968 when Mr. Steve was only thirteen; he sang a song about a girl named Delilah.  Mr. Phillip, the Honda Parts Manager in New York; is from Wales too.  

               Daisy told me the tv show said Tom Jones has a "Baritone" singing voice, and his song about Delilah is a "Power Ballad" with a "Flamenco" rhythm.  Mr. Steve says his mother, who enjoys singing; liked some Tom Jones' songs.  And, she also thinks he's really "Handsome."

             Someday I'll go in my boss's bedroom to see more tv and listen to more music like Daisy does.  I'd like to hear that song about Delilah, which Dais says is sung by some fans of this sport called "Rugby."  The GRATEFUL DEAD have that one song called "Samson and Delilah." 

         

                        THE SIMPSONS                                             NANCY CARTWRIGHT

       

              Tomorrow in book two is where Daisy and I decided I'd write about this tv show called the "Simpsons."  The tv show on that guy Tom Jones said one time they used his song Delilah on the Simpsons.  Rudy the Roadrunner jogged bye, with Andy watching him from over there. 

            In my second book I'm also scheduled to write about that really talented girl Dais told me about named Nancy Cartwright, who does the voice of "Bart Simpson."  Mr. Steve and his Niece Samantha went to hear her "Give a Talk" at the C.S.U.N. campus one time.  I smell Sage.

           Daisy says the man on that tv show about Tom Jones mentioned how others have done or "Covered" the song Delilah.  I guess there's even some "Reggae," "Goth" and "Heavy Metal" versions of it.  Some of our neighbors Ducks are quacking over there but Daffy's louder. 

                                                       THE SWEET                                                                   UFO                                                                                                                                       

                 A 1970's "Glam" Rock band from England called the SWEET also did a version of that song Delilah.  One time Mr. Steve played Jason some SWEET songs, to show how talented they were as Singers and Musicians.  Oh!  I really like the shoes they're wearing in the picture.

                 Daisy and Millie saw Mr. Steve show Jason how to play drums along to a SWEET song about a Ballroom.  He told Mr. Dave one time how he "likes that song" because it "gives him a chance to use the snare drum more than usual."  All four of the four Pigeons flew bye.

           Mr. Steve thinks, like that one other 1970's British band UFO; the SWEET were "under-appreciated."  He played Jason, who was impressed; this late 1970's SWEET song called "Set Me Free" which sounds like a 1980's "Metal" song.  Dais says all four guys SWEET sing.  

                                                                                     

             ABBA                                                                 MISS SANDY    

              

         One morning, as he did yardwork; Mr. Steve played a song called "S.O.S." by a Swedish band called ABBA.  It's sad but happy-sounding, and the piano playing and singing is so good.    I guess, over the years Mr. Steve has played S.O.S. for people; just to "see their reaction."            

         Daisy says in High School Mr. Steve's girlfriend Miss Sandy liked ABBA, so he wanted to like them too; even if male friends laughed.  He told Jason sometimes people don't like a band      because of how they look.  But he admits 1970's Glam bands do look "ridiculous" now.                 

        Jason laughed when my boss showed him a pair of 1970's "Platform" shoes he bought at a Thrift Store.  That style is outdated now but, I'd definitely wear high shoes like that if there was such a thing for us Dogs; and maybe we could even start and make money?  I smell Sage.             

                                            

   ANTHONY BOURDAIN                         MARIA / RICH / STEPHANIE 

           

            Daisy told me about a tv show where this cooking "Chef" from New York City, Anthony Bourdain; travels around the world eating local food.  Boy!  What a good job!  Mr. Steve's Niece Stephanie, and boyfriend Mr. Rich; are good Cooks and watch Anthony Bourdain's show.            

            I guess, Anthony Bourdain's "Travel Show" is similar to the ones Rick Steves does about  Europe; or Huell Howser films here in California.  Mr. Steve has noticed Anthony Bourdain is      sent to poor parts of the world, where "Nothing goes to Waste."  A Train whistled faintly.             

          My boss joked with his Niece Steph, "It's amazing how good tv dinners taste" if watching Anthony Bourdain eating on his episodes.  He told his brother Sam, "It's amazing how Hot Dogs taste much better when watching a Baseball game at Dodger Stadium."  A Lizard ran bye.                

STEPHANIE / CRISTINA                                                   STEPH                   

                        

          Mr. Steve jokes with Steph, who's such a good Cook and gives him food; "he's lazy" so likes things he can "just heat up" in that amazing microwave oven Daisy told me about.  It can    cook a frozen tv dinner by shooting special waves into it.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.        

            Dais says Mr. Steve told his Niece Cristina he "appreciates" her mom Stephanie who can "almost turn food into art."  But, being just him; he prefers things he can simply prepare fast in that microwave oven.  It's a really big one built right into the kitchen wall Daisy says.                    

           When Mr. Steve drives down to Sylmar, Stephanie gives him food to bring back up here to Piñon Hills.  At times, he gets Chinese food from a restaurant near his parents house; which is    also easy to heat up in the microwave.  Libby's walking around slowly over in her Corral.            

                           

    CRISTINA CÓRDOVA       

                     

         Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his Niece Cristina about this talented "Sculptor," also named "Cristina" Córdova too.   He told her, a customer in North Carolina saw artwork by that other      Cristina; who spells her first name in the same way ours does too.  Heathcliff just crowed.          

          I guess, that Artist Cristina grew up in the "Territory" of "Puerto Rico," but now she and her husband and two daughters live in North Carolina.  Mr. Steve noticed she also puts an accent mark over the first "o" and uses a "v" instead of a "b" in her last name.  I smell Mesquite.          

       Mr. Steve told his Niece Cristina, and her mom Steph; about that girl back there in North Carolina.  He and his mom saw her artwork on the Internet, and they sense a "Roman Catholic influence."  Mr. Steve's mom used the word "figurative" to describe Cristina Córdova's art.                  

                          THE RAMONES                                       QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE                                                               

           Daisy heard Mr. Steve discussing that guy Anthony Bourdain's travel show with Mr. Rich.  I guess Anthony Bourdain knows a few Musicians, like the RAMONES and that Singer    Iggy from the  STOOGES for example.  Ah!  I can smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.          

             Mr. Anthony's "Theme" song for his tv show was made by QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE.  We live up here in the "High" desert, my boss was told QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE    are from the "Low" desert to our south.   A line of Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.                  

            I remember that morning when the guy from the Low Desert came to our house to buy things from Mr. Steve.  He knew about that band QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, describing    them as being "creative" Hard Rock.   The baby Cholla cactus's scent makes me feel good.                            

 "CHOLLA" CACTUS                                      MR. RANDY           

PHOTO BY DANIEL CARTER                                                                           

                                     

             I remember that warm morning when Mr. Randy talked with Mr. Steve as he watered the Mulberry trees.  Mr. Randy said they also have Cholla cactus's and Joshua trees down there in the Low Desert.  He was told that band the EAGLES likes spending time in the Low Desert.    

             Daisy heard, after he came back from fighting in the Korean War; Mr. Steve's dad was for a time stationed at a place in the Low Desert called "Twenty Palms."  He remembers how hot it was, which is usually way hotter than us up here.  But it can get pretty hot up here too. 

              Up in the afternoon sky Samson and Delilah are flying together toward the north.  I can always tell it's them, even from way down here on the Patio sitting on Elvira; by how big Samson is.  Ah! I smell Sage, which is making me feel so happy to be sitting right here on you Elvira.                                                                    

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

PAINTING BY JOHN TAYLOR ("CHANDROS" PORTRAIT)                                                                                                                                                                  

      

                 In College at C.S.U.N. Mr. Steve's mom read about how Ravens have been important in history.  William Shakespeare, in one of his plays called "Hamlet" wrote; "Come, the croaking Raven doth bellow for revenge."  In the 19th century Edgar Allen Poe wrote about Ravens.  

                 Oh wow!  Just when I'm writing about Ravens again who do I just happen to see?  It's Samson and Delilah flying back in from being out in the eastern desert behind the Sheds, and I see the limp body of a dead Gopher hanging from Samson's mouth.  Libby neighed.

             Someday I'll read our local Newspaper "News Plus," which used to be operated by Miss Susan; but is now run by that guy Don Fish Jr.   Mr. Steve enjoys reading things by his father Don Fish Sr., who one time wrote about a brave Mockingbird.  A Lizard went running bye.

                                                                                                           "NEWS PLUS"                                               MR. DON                                                  

                                    

                   That one time we heard Mr. Steve talk with Mr. Randy about the article Mr. Don's dad wrote about a brave momma Mockingbird defending her nest from a Raven. I guess Mr. Fish Sr. is kind of "Humorous" in writing about things up here in the desert.  Heathcliff crowed.

                 In the article Mr. Don described a big Raven like Goliath doing a "controlled two point landing" on his Shed.  The Mockingbird thought it was much too close to her nest, so attacked the Raven in "sorties."  That probably means "dive-bombing" missions Daisy thinks. 

               Dais heard, The Mockingbird in the story made her nest in a Mulberry tree; like the one over there about thirty from me sitting here on Elvira.  Mr. Randy lives with his elderly mom on one of the dirt roads near us.  A Train whistled faintly way out in the desert to my left.

         

FRED, ED, TED     

        

             Wow!  Just as I'm about to talk about Sparrows helping the momma Mockingbird fight that Raven who do I see?  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are on a branch of the Mulberry tree.  Mr. Steve read Curt Cobain, before NIRVANA; had a band called ED, FRED AND TED.

            Sparrows sound like they're saying  "Oh dear me" when they talk but Dais noticed the Sparrows near her first owner's house sounded slightly different.  Over there they said, "Oh deeer-a-me."  And some of the other ones she heard seemed to be singing, "Or dear meeee."   

                According to Daisy, Mr. Fish described seeing the Sparrows also attacking the Raven but, like a young Muhammad Ali the Boxer, that Raven was so good at "ducking and weaving."  It would not move away from the top of that Shed no matter what, and "remained steadfast."      

         

                           MUHAMMAD ALI AVOIDING A JOE FRAZIER LEFT HOOK

                                                                                    

                I'm mainly scheduled to learn about Muhammad Ali in books two and three, but I know I'll probably mention him before then.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Mark met and shook his hand.  By then Muhammad Ali's hand shook from him having "Parkinson's" disease.

                  Mr. Fish said the Sparrows and Mockingbird kept attacking the Raven by dive bombing it like one of those German "Stuka" Planes from World War II.  But that Raven was easily able to "slip punches" like Muhammad Ali used to do when he was young.  I can smell Mesquite.

           Finally, the momma Mocking Bird landed on the ground and picked up a rock, or what Mr. Fish called "heavy ordinance."  The Sparrows noticed, so went into a "holding pattern;" as  the Mocking Bird flew back up into the air carrying it's stone.  Oh!  I love Spring scents.      

                                

      "MOCKING" BIRD           

                             

            Wow!  A chubby little Mockingbird just flew in and landed on one of the other branches of the Mulberry tree.  That startled Fred, Ed and Ted who are all now flying out into the eastern desert behind the three Sheds.  The late afternoon air is clear and making me feel so good.            

          Daisy told me, in Mr. Fish's article; he described how the Mockingbird "struggled" to "gain altitude" holding that heavy rock.  But then, at just "the right moment;" it began to fly to the ground.  The Mockingbird knew "its nest's survival depended on full concentration."             

            "Maintaining the proper angle of attack," that Mockingbird released the rock and it hit the Raven hard right on the neck.  Those Sparrows watched and "maintained a quiet vigil from  strategic vantage points."  For a few seconds the Raven was totally knocked out I guess.                

        

RAVEN       

                        

         Dais says, in Mr. Fish's story; the Raven recovered.  But, it decided it was way too much trouble for the Mockingbird eggs; so just flew away.  All of the Birds celebrated and cheered by  "chirping and squawking."  From then the area became a "no fly zone" for all Ravens.                

       Samson and Delilah finished eating that Gopher, and are now flying in a southwesterly direction over the top of the house.  Delilah's talking to Samson the way Fannie and Freddie do.  Her "rawk" sounds happy and I'll bet one reason is because it's Spring after a cold Winter.          

        I've noticed how Delilah at times sounds like she's asking Samson a question.  My right nostril just picked up Libby's scent that floated in from over there in her Corral, and now I see her walking slowly around in the cautious way she does.  A little Lizard went running bye.                  

                       APOLLO                       EDITH HAMILTON                          ODIN

         

                Daisy heard our boss and his father talk about how, in her book "Mythology;" that lady Edith Hamilton said Ravens have been "admired" by many cultures.  Ancient Greek's thought they were the God Apollo's "messenger" to the physical world.  I smell some Mesquite.    

             Edith Hamilton wrote that Vikings believed their God Odin had two Ravens who were his "eyes and ears."  They were like his "Scouts," who'd fly around to see what was happening; and then "Report" everything back to him.  Boy!  What a really good job that would be.     

                My Encyclopedia says some cultures have seen Ravens and Coyotes as "connecting" the "material" and "spiritual," or "mediators between life and death."  Daisy heard Ravens are the first Bird mentioned in the "Hebrew" Bible.  After the big flood that guy Noah used them.

            

          "ORION" CONSTELLATION                          "PLEIADES" CONSTELLATION

          

               Writing about the ancient Greeks and Vikings all of a sudden makes me think of that one "Constellation" of Stars called the "Pleiades."  At night during early Winter you can see it just before "Orion" replaces its position up there in the sky.  I smell the baby Cholla cactus. 

                This Encyclopedia says the Pleiades is what's called an "Open Star Cluster," and is one of the Star Clusters "nearest" to us down here on Earth.  Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve, on the phone; talk with his friend Mr. Dave in New Mexico about it one time.  Dawn's barking.

               Mr. Dave says, to the Hupa people the Pleiades Constellation has always been important. And that's also true for other groups in the "Northern Hemisphere" as well.  Mr. Dave thinks the Stars in the Pleiades Constellation often seem to be the "most obvious" to the "naked eye." 

           

THE "SEVEN SISTERS"         

PAINTING BY ELIHU VEDDER                     

                

          It says here the Stars in the Pleiades Constellation were named after an ancient Greek story about seven sisters.  They were the daughters of a "Titan" named "Atlas," and the "Sea      Nymph" called "Pleione."  A flock of Birds is moving towards the northeast right now.                 

           According to my Greek Dictionary the word "plein," in English; would be to "sail."  So that means Sailors since ancient times have used the Pleiades to figure out at night where your      Boat was located.  Two Pigeons flew in from the desert and landed up on the Patio roof.              

            Yup!  It says here how the Pleiades Constellation, mentioned three times in the Hebrew Bible; was "important" to Viking and Polynesian Sailors.  Ancient China, India, Mesopotamia and Egypt all studied it.  And it's still important to people in Hawaii and the Middle East.   

  

                                                     "HESPERIA," CALIFORNIA   

             

                    My Encyclopedia says the seven ancient Greek sisters are related to "Sea Nymphs," and called the "Hesperides."  The big city of "Hesperia," about twenty miles from us; is named after them.  This one English Dictionary says that a Nymph is, "A Goddess who lives in nature."   

             One morning, when my boss was watering the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; he told Mr. Randy he's been told "Hesperia" was the Greek "God of the West" or of the "Western Lands."  And that's what it says here in my Encyclopedia.  The Pigeons flew away.

             I guess, from what Mr. Randy said that morning; Hesperia's about thirty five miles north of the really big city of "San Bernardino" to the south of us.  We're in the "Victor Valley" area of the Mojave Desert.  That's where that other big city called "Victorville" is also located too.

                      

                                                          "SERRANO " INDIANS

                                                                                                                                              PAINTING BY LOUIS CHORIS

        

                 I just thought of how Native people in our area are from that one "Serrano" band.  I've mentioned before how Serrano is Spanish for "Mountaineer, and the High School in Phelan is named after them.  They call themselves "Yuharetum;" or "People of the Pines" I guess.   

                  This Encyclopedia says, when the Spanish first came up north to Alta California in the 18th century; the "Land Grant" in our region was called "San Felipe, Las Flores y el Paso del Cajón."  Rudy the Roadrunner jogged bye but I won't chase him.  Nope!  Not for three days.

                Using my Spanish Dictionary, I think the translation of that 1781 land grant would most likely be; "Saint Phillip, the Flowers and Pass of the Box."  I guess in Spanish the word cajon, as with other words; can mean a few different things.  Daffy's quacking over there next door.

    

                                                       JACK DEMPSEY (1895-1983)

       

              One morning as he watered the big trees Miss Susan told my boss the famous Boxer Jack Dempsey, in the 1950's; "financed" some roads in what is now Hesperia.   It says here the streets of Hesperia were "laid out" way back in 1891.  I'm smelling the Arborvitae trees right now. 

            It says here, Jack Dempsey was "Irish" and "Cherokee" Indian; and was "raised" as a Mormon back there in Utah.  Later in life he joined those "Freemasons."  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying toward the northeast and I can tell it's them by Blackbeard's missing eye.  

           Back in the late 19th century, Hesperia's location  was "primarily the product" of a "site best-suited for use by the "Santa Fe Railroad Company."  As I've said, from 1928 through 1974 Mr. Steve's Grandpa Trujillo worked for that company in Belén.  Dawn's barking over there.

             

                                            JACK DEMPSEY / JESS WILLARD (1919)

          

               What the heck!  Even though I'm scheduled to write about Jack Dempsey tomorrow, I feel like doing it now too.  It says here how his nickname was the "Manassa Mauler."  Wow!  My good English Dictionary says "maul" means, "To bruise, lacerate or manhandle roughly."

                  One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's office and heard him and Mr. Ralph talk on the phone about 1919 when Jack Dempsey "slaughtered" a Boxer named Jess Willard.  1919 was a after World War I ended and that huge Pandemic was going on all around the world.  

            Dais heard Jack Dempsey, five inches shorter and fifty pounds lighter than Jess Willard; ended up breaking Jess Willard's jaw, ribs and eye socket in that fight.  And, not only that; he also knocked out some of Jess Willard's teeth too.  Ouch!  That would really hurt I'll bet! 

             

  JACK DEMPSEY / JESS WILLARD (1919)

           

              Mr. Ralph thinks that "one-sided" 1919 fight between Jack Dempsey and Jess Willard is an example of how a Champion is "supposed to" lose his Title.  Even though he got slaughtered, Jess Willard showed courage.  He was sort of like one of those ancient Greek Spartans.

           Wow!  In the three rounds the fight lasted, Jess Willard got knocked down seven times in just the first round alone!   Daisy explained to me what a "Neutral" corner is.  Dawn and Blinky are barking over next door and little Blinky sounds so brave and courageous to me right now.

           Daisy told me today if you knock your opponent down you have to go stand in one of the corners of the ring not being used between rounds.  The Referee will not start the "Count" over the down Boxer until you do.  The knocked down Fighter has ten seconds to stand back up.   

                   

"SPARTAN" WARRIORS          

                                                                PAINTING BY PETER CONNOLY    

             

             In ancient Greece, when a "Spartan" mother sent her son into war; she handed him a shield and said to either come back from battle "with it" or "on it."  And that meant dead!  Mr. Ralph said he thinks that's kind of the way Jess Willard was probably thinking back in 1919. 

             There was no rule yet about having to go to a neutral corner after a knockdown so, Jack Dempsey could stand near Jess Willard; and hit him really, really hard as soon as he stood back up Dais says.  Jess Willard got slammed on the sides and head a lot.  A Crow just squawked.   

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve say he always felt "felt sorry" for Boxers he saw get knocked out so bad the Referee "Waves Off" the ten count and doesn't even bother.  That means the Boxer is so hurt he, or now she; is completely "Unconscious."  I can smell some Beavertail cactus.

          

JACK DEMPSEY / JESS WILLARD       

          

               The caption below a picture of the Jack Dempsey, Jess Willard fight says it shows the end of the first round when that guy Jess Willard was "saved by the bell."  But, you can tell he's hurt just by the way he's sitting on the "canvas."  He's even "holding onto" the bottom rope.

               Mr. Steve's dad broke his nose Boxing in the Marines, and doesn't enjoy watching Boxing like he used to; and doesn't really like "Mixed Martial Arts."  In M.M.A. you can hit a "helpless opponent" who's badly hurt already.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; flew bye. 

           Daisy heard Mr. Ralph say the Referee's "have to be better" in M.M.A., because "if they take to long to stop a bout the Fighter could get permanently injured."   They wear tiny gloves in M.M.A. and you can hit an opponent with elbows and knees as well as fists.  I smell Mesquite.

  

                                                       MR. RALPH                                             MR. GARY

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

               Daisy says Mr. Steve's dad jokes that Mr. Ralph is "like a Historian of Boxing."  And so is Mr. Gary the Barber down there in San Fernando, who has some photos my boss took hanging on the walls of his business.   A Motorcycle just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road. 

            I just glanced up and see Cher the Cat walking along out there in the back field.  Cat's will be be going along and then freeze like a statue, to sniff the air; seeing if there's any possible food around in that area.  Then, they'll unfreeze and just keep on walking along as before.

           One time Mr. Gary and my boss talked on the phone about another Jack Dempsey fight, where Jack Dempsey himself got knocked completely out of the ring.  The Boxer who did that, Luis Ángel Firpo; was from Argentina my Encyclopedia says.  I smell the Twin Joshua trees. 

                                                

JACK DEMPSEY / LUIS ÁNGEL FIRPO

(NEW YORK CITY / "POLO GROUNDS" / 1923)

   

                    Wow!  A picture shows Jack Dempsey, who was from the State of Colorado; flying from the ring after being punched by that guy Luis Ángel Firpo.  Boy!  Luis Ángel Firpo must have been able to hit really hard alright.  Donald and Daisy the Ducks are quacking over there.

                  Jack Dempsey's nickname, the Manassa Mauler; came from the town of "Manassa" in Colorado.  I guess, maybe because he was Mormon; he lived for a time in Utah.  The fight where he got knocked out of the ring happened in 1923 at the "Polo Grounds" in New York City. 

               It says here how Luis Angel Firpo was called the "Wild Bull of the Pampas."  And, even though he knocked Jack Dempsey out of the ring; he ended up being "stopped" himself later.  I'll write about the Pampas "Cattle Region" of Argentina when I learn about "Cowboys."

                           

                                                           AL CAPONE (1899-1947)

                    

                   According to what it says here, Jack Dempsey's "most famous" fight "took place" in the city of Chicago in 1927; during those years called the "Roaring Twenties" because of the good economy.  That Italian-American gangster Al Capone lived in Chicago then.  I smell Sage.

               In 1927 Jack Dempsey fought Gene Tunney in a fight now called the "Battle of the Long Count."  Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph talked about it on the phone one time Daisy says.  I guess Al Capone, who really liked to gamble; went to that Jack Dempsey / Gene Tunney fight.  

            This is so interesting.  In the Jack Dempsey / Gene Tunney fight, unlike the Jess Willard "Bout" in 1919; there was that "Neutral Corner" rule "in effect" and in the "7th round" Jack Dempsey knocked Gene Tunney down with a "left hook."  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

    

                                                 JACK DEMPSEY / GENE TUNNEY

                                                     (CHICAGO / "SOLDIER'S FIELD" / 1927)

   

             From what it says here, in 1927 Jack Dempsey knocked down Gene Tunney; who was usually a good "defensive" Fighter.   That was in the 7th round and, Jack Dempsey did not go to a neutral corner like he was supposed to do.  I smell Theodora's Creosote bush over there. 

            Because Jack Dempsey did not go right away to a neutral corner, the Referee didn't start to count to ten over Gene Tunney.  That gave Gene Tunney, who was in the Marines just like my boss's father; five extra seconds to recover.  Now the other two Pigeons are flying bye too.   

          Mr. Steve's dad thinks Gene Tunney "could've made it to his feet" within ten seconds but was "just smart."  He "recognized," then "took advantage of" Jack Dempsey's mistake; and got five extra seconds to "recover" in staying down.  And he did come back to win that fight.                                 

                                                        NANCY / RONALD REAGAN 

               Mr. Ralph read that, after losing that Gene Tunney fight; Jack Dempsey said to his wife "Honey, I forgot to duck."  In 1981, President Reagan jokingly said the exact same thing to his wife when he first saw her in the Hospital; after he'd been shot.  Heathcliff just crowed.

                Gene Tunney's son "John" was a California "Politician" in the 1970's.   Daisy says Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph one time how his dad knew him and at times helped him raise "Campaign" money.    There's a long white vapor trail extending slowly way up there in the high sky. 

             All of a sudden I just thought about that big city "Chicago," and the band from there Daisy told me about.  Mr. Steve and his Niece Stephanie's boyfriend Mr. Rich have talked about CHICAGO'S Guitarist Terry Kath, who accidentally killed himself I guess.  I smell Sage.

              

CHICAGO TRANSIT AUTHORITY         

          

          Mr. Steve told Mr. Rich he "wishes" he'd seen Terry Kath play the guitar.  Jimi Hendrix, after he saw CHICAGO play at the "Whisky A Go Go" Nightclub; told them he thought they      were the "greatest" band.   He loved their combination of horns and guitars Dais heard.             

         The late 1960's version of CHICAGO Jimi Hendrix liked "blended" Rock and Jazz with "Classical music patterns" Mr. Steve thinks.  Daisy says CHICAGO also had an Organist to go along with the guitars and horn section.  CHICAGO has a good song called "25 or 6 to 4."         

              Daisy and Millie one time were in Mr. Steve's office on this really hot Summer day, and heard him talking on the phone with one of his customers who grew up in Chicago.  I guess he described early CHICAGO as being "Rock' n' Roll with horns."  Mr. Steve agreed with him. 

  

                     JIMI HENDRIX (1942-1970)                             TERRY KATH (1946-1978)

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ                                                                                                                                                               

     

                 Mr. Steve read how Jimi Hendrix said Terry Kath, who died eight years after he did in 1970; was "better than me."  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave CHICAGO'S first album was really good.   Mr. Rich gave my boss that Jimi Hendrix at "Woodstock" photo he then had framed.

            Daisy heard Mr. Steve say he liked the beginning six minute long song on CHICAGO'S first album.  That "LP" also has this kind of "dissonant" song where Terry Kath at times sounds like Jimi Hendrix.  He even does the "Tapping" finger technique Eddie Van Halen did later. 

            CHICAGO in the "Post" Terry Kath period came to be known for "Love Songs."   Over the next three days I'll write about three brother Singers called the BEE GEES, who wrote some of the best Love Songs from what Daisy tells me.  A Train whistled faintly over to my left.  

  

CHICAGO ("TANGLEWOOD" / 1970)

                 Mr. Steve and Mr. Rich, who plays guitar; talked about a Terry Kath solo from 1970 in a CHICAGO concert at a place called "Tanglewood."  It's been described as "free wheeling," or "daredevil" my boss said.  CHICAGO was playing that song 25 or 6 to 4 Daisy told me.

            When he's shown the "Tanglewood Video" of Terry Kath's guitar solo on 25 or 6 to 4 to people over the years my boss jokes he's seen a few "jaws drop."  Mr. Dave laughed because he said "wow" when he first saw it.  Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are flying bye right now.

            I just thought of how, in "Mixed Martial Arts" the Fighters wear tiny gloves; and are allowed to kick, wrestle, elbow or knee too.   As  I said, Mr. Ralph thinks because you can hit an opponent on the ground; the Referee has to be "better."  Or a Fighter can "get really hurt."  

  

                                                 DAN HENDERSON (WHITE TRUNKS)

               Daisy says that older Shoshone man Mr. Steve met at the Phelan Library told him about a  Mixed Martial Arts Fighter from here in the High Desert.  His name is Dan Henderson, and he's  from "Apple Valley."  That's where Roy Rogers and his family also lived for a long time. 

                I'd like to see a Boxing match someday.  Daisy's not only seen Boxing, but also a few of those Mixed Martial Arts matches too.  Boy!  I am missing out on so much because of my fear of enclosed areas.  Boy!  How could anyone have even invented such an amazing thing like a tv?  

            The Shoshone man said Dan Henderson was born in the city of "Downey," which I wrote about this morning when I talked about the CARPENTERS.  And I guess Dan Henderson is also part "Walla Walla" Indian, a "Pacific Northwest " tribe.  Mr. Dave knows about that tribe.

                       

          BENNY "THE JET" URQUIDEZ              LILLY / "BLINKY" RODRIGUEZ

                  

              Back in chapter seven I wrote about that guy Benny "the Jet" Urquidez, who was what was then called "Full Contact Karate" Champion of the world.  But, unfortunately for him; that was in the 1970's before "M.M.A." became popular.  A Freight Train just whistled faintly. 

            As I've mentioned, in the 1980's Mr. Steve at times took pictures for Benny's Brother in Law "Blinky."  He was married to Benny's sister "Lilly," and both of them were also really good Full Contact Karate Fighters too.  Dais says there's also this thing called "Kick Boxing."   

           The Shoshone man thinks, because he was an "Olympics level Wrestler;" that helped Dan Henderson in M.M.A.  He went to "Victor Valley" High School in "Victorville," which I've said before is the biggest "City" up in our area.  I smell Andy over there guarding their burrow. 

                                  

                 ROY ROGERS / DALE EVANS                             HUELL HOWSER

      

          Oh!  Smelling Libby right now makes me think of Roy Rogers' Horse "Trigger."  Daisy told me Trigger not only could rear up on his hind legs like we do to catch food in our mouths, he could then also walk or hop on those back two legs!  Boy!  I'd sure like to see that alright.             

            Dais and Millie one night saw a Huell Howser episode where he came up here to visit Roy Rogers and his wife when they were old.  They toured their Apple Valley Museum.  A while back  Mr. Steve went to a Funeral held at a cemetery where they were both buried when they died.       

           I'll learn a lot about "Warfare" in this tenth chapter.  In a little while I'll find out about the "Mexican War" that happened about twenty years before the American Civil War.  Boy!  It was so clear last night, which I know Daisy sure likes; even though she's slowly going blind.                                   

           "ZG-1229" NIGHT VISION UNIT            

                            

           Last night was clear but some nights it gets really dark here in Piñon Hills.  On Saturday in book three I'll write about some of the "Advanced" technology the Germans first thought of    during World War II, but is now more developed.  One is the ability to see things at night.            

           When he moved from Sylmar my boss had to "Adjust" to having no "Street Lights."  One night he decided to drive Rex the Truck around late at night, which is a really unusual thing for  him to do.  He had kind of a hard time finding our own house when he came back I guess.            

          A picture in this Encyclopedia shows what the caption says is the "primitive" night vision equipment Germans had at the end of World War II.  It's attached to the first "Assault Rifle," a weapon Adolph Hitler named the "Sturmgewehr."  That means "Storm Gun" in German.                                                                

MODERN "NIGHT VISION" EQUIPMENT        

           

             Another picture in this Encyclopedia shows the night vision equipment Soldiers wear now to fight at night.  Two Soldiers have some things attached onto their helmets and gun.  I just glanced up and can see Libby standing next to the fence looking over here in this direction.          

               My German Dictionary says "Nachtjager" means "Night Hunter."  The caption below that photograph of the World War II German Soldier with a night vision gun says that's what      "Grenadiers" were called.  And Grenadier means, "A member of a special fighting unit."             

               Ah!  One of those skinny "Garter" Snakes just crawled underneath Manny the small Shed on the far right.   I guess it had been hiding near the bottom of that clump of Joshua trees near Andy and Helen's burrow.  Smelling Libby right now makes me feel good to be alive.                                                  

                                                                                     JACK, MOE, MANNY   

                                    

               Looking at our three Sheds right now suddenly makes me think about how my boss Mr. Steve often looks for things in three.  I've mentioned a few times already today how he thinks of the number 3 as often being important in life.  Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.

               Wow!  This is only the first day of Spring and yet all day today I'm seeing things that in a lot of other years I guess don't happen this early.  Seeing that Garter Snake go under Manny is making me remember that afternoon last Summer.  I saw a Garter Snake on that day too.  

                One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's office and heard him talking on the phone with Miss Susan who used to run our Newspaper.  When she mentioned Garter Snakes, he told her about his friend Mark Ritter who died.  He knew a lot about Snakes and things like that.

              

                  "GARTER" SNAKE                              MR. DAVE HOLDING GARTER SNAKE

             

              Mr. Dave back in New Mexico, like Mark Ritter and Miss Susan; knows about Garter Snakes, who he says are "common" in the United States.  I've noticed how sometimes they rub on the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry trees.  I smell the new Cholla cactus.   

           One thing about Garter Snakes is that they don't just come out at night like some of the other Snakes.  But they're really good at avoiding other living things unless it's some food to eat.  They seem afraid of other things but always eat Bugs, Worms and little Mice Daisy told me.

           A lot of Garter Snakes have stripes but I've seen them with black or gray lines and Dais told me she's seen some with brown stripes and a few with spots.  Miss Susan said Garter Snakes are the "State Reptile" of Massachusetts.  Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives near that State.       

        

HIGH DESERT RATTLESNAKE      

                

             Mark Ritter told my boss Garter Snake "Venom" isn't strong like a Rattlesnakes.  And, just like those Skunks I've heard about; they can let out a bad smell if "Threatened."  Mr. Dave laughed when Mr. Steve told him how a Garter Snake got into our house and startled him.

            Daisy says Mr. Steve froze when he walked into the kitchen and saw the Garter Snake on the floor.  He slowly turned around and went out into the garage to get a pair of thick "Welding" gloves.  A Lizard is chasing another Lizard, and I'll bet it's a boy Lizard after a girl Lizard.  

            I guess my boss, even though it bit on his hand; used those welding gloves to pick up the Garter Snake and carry it out to the desert.  Garter Snakes are slender with thin heads.  Daisy says our boss once named a Garter Snake "Flaco" which is the word "skinny" in Spanish. 

                  

VAPOR TRAIL           

                              

              I just glanced up and noticed a white vapor trail way up their in the afternoon sky.  It may be from a Jet from Edwards Air Force Base to the northwest of Piñon Hills.  As I've said a few times already, I'll write a lot about Aviation in my three books.  I smell some Sage.

              The air is so fresh and clear right now.  Inhaling through my nose for some reason makes me feel good.  Thank You God for inventing air and I really appreciate how You had my boss Mr. Steve go rescue me from that awful field my first owner dumped me out into to die.    

                Hey Elvira!  Seeing that vapor trail makes me remember the day last year when Daisy and I were here sitting on you and saw that other vapor trail.  The Plane leaving the vapor trail up there is possibly from Edwards, but maybe it's just a Passenger Plane.  Boy!  I feel good.  

                         

                                                          STEVE MILLER BAND

          

               One time Daisy and Millie were in our boss's bedroom and heard him play his drums along to a good song about a Jet Airliner.  It was by this one band from San Francisco called the STEVE MILLER BAND.  Boy!  It would be really scary to be so high up in the air I think.

            This Encyclopedia shows the STEVE MILLER BAND and the caption says Steve Miller is shown reflected in one of those amazing mirrors Daisy told me about.  I can't wait for the time in the future when I can see what bathrooms are like.  I really want to see how a toilet works.  

            Daisy says Mr. Steve once took pictures of  pretty "Identical" twin teenage sisters, and in some of them had one girl hold a long vertical mirror like the STEVE MILLER BAND did.  One sister was reflected in the mirror but wearing different clothes.  Their hair looked the same.

                  

THE "TWINS"           

                     

            Ah!  Just as I'm thinking about those twin sisters a breeze brought in the scent of the two Joshua trees out in the behind the Sheds.  Dais told me about "Conjoined" people born stuck to each other, so have to live like that forever.  Ugh!  I don't think I would really like that.   

           Boy!  Now I really want to go in the house to see what I look like in a mirror.  So I'll have to hurry up and get over my fear of enclosed areas.  Smelling the Twins right now is making me appreciate how fortunate Daisy, Mr. Steve and I are in having enough food, water and shelter.

           Dais says Mr. Steve told that kid Jason how, back in 1969; the STEVE MILLER BAND did an album called "Brave New World" like that "Dystopian" book by that guy Aldous Huxley.  I guess other bands have songs with that title too.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.

                                                

              ALDOUS HUXLEY (1894-1963)                    C.S. LEWIS (1889-1963)

                                 

             I wrote earlier how the Writers Aldous Huxley, and J.R.R. Tolkein's friend C.S. Lewis; both died on the same day President Kennedy was killed in Texas.  I kind of like how C.S. Lewis used to tell other people, "Integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is watching."

            When Aldous Huxley and his wife moved to America from England, for a while they lived over there in New Mexico.  But then later they came out here to California, and ended up living near Piñon Hills in "Llano."  Some Ducks are quacking and, as usual; Daffy's way louder.

            Hey God!  This is only the first day of Spring, but Andy and Helen, Alpha Company, and Bonnie and Clyde already have babies.  Daisy wants to hope God, maybe it will be a special year around here and You're sending us a message about it.  A little Lizard went running bye.

                             

                                                              THE RAMONES 

                

               Dais says the Steve Miller album Brave New World has this song about a Cowboy from Outer Space.  Mr. Steve heard Paul McCartney, during the BEATLES "breakup period;" played and sang on that album under the fake name "Paul Ramon."  I can smell Andy over there.

              Mr. Steve was told that Punk band the RAMONES got their name from the old STEVE MILLER BAND album.  I guess, from what Dais heard; Paul McCartney also played drums on some of the songs on that album too.  A Freight Train whistled faintly over there to my left.  

             Oh!  I smell the Rosemary bush behind the Sheds and I hope it means You're thinking of me Blessed Mother.  What a coincidence!  I'm about to write about how the STEVE MILLER BAND song about the Space Cowboy sounds like the BEATLES song "Lady Madonna."  

             

BLESSED VIRGIN MARY        

              

                   Hey Blessed Virgin!   As You know, someday I want to hear that BEATLES song called "Let It Be."  Daisy's heard it and says Paul McCartney, who Mr. Steve was told is Catholic just like us; might be singing about You.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral. 

            Mr. Steve was told the BEATLES' songs Lady Madonna and Let It Be were not about You Blessed Mother.  But Dais says Paul McCartney sings about "Mother Mary," so if I ever  hear those songs I'll listen really closely to hear the lyrics.  Libby's scent came floating in.  

            I just thought of that guy Aldous Huxley, and his Student Eric Blair; or George Orwell as he was called when he wrote his post World War II book "1984."  Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World" came out back in 1932, the same year my boss's father was born.  Heathcliff crowed. 

    

ALDOUS HUXLEY / GEORGE ORWELL

                 Dais heard Mr. Steve and his father talk on the phone about Aldous Huxley and George Orwell's "Dystopian" futures.  1984 predicts a time when there is no "Expectation of Privacy" through total "Surveillance."  A flock of Birds is flying toward the northeast way up there.

           Mr. Steve's dad thinks George Orwell wrote about a time when "politics is everything," Aldous Huxley wrote of a society with "no politics at all."  A drug "takes people's minds off of everything," as a "diversion;" to make them "not want to be political."  I smell Libby.

           A Chinese man told my boss "George Orwell already here," meaning in China there are camera's filming you "All of the time."  He said  "Smart Phones" and the "Internet" means it's "easier to be "monitored" and "kept track of."  I see a vapor trail way up there in the sky.    

       

VAPOR TRAIL     

       

                Mr. Steve's dad one time joked, in 2014 "Fake News" could be the "equivalent" of 1984's "Ministry of Truth" and that "New Speak."  Some don't like the Internet companies "gathering information" to make money.  But Mr. Steve says he "doesn't really mind all that much."     

           Dais says Mr. Steve thinks if "mindless entertainment," like on the Internet for example; becomes "too prevalent" the future might be more like Brave New World.  And if people become too "shallow and superficial," they'll be "Apathetic" about things.  A Crow squawked.

           Glancing over this outline, it looks like in these last three chapter I'll write about Sports a lot.  Mr. Steve and his brothers played sports and he says his brothers were better Athletes. I've mentioned how he still plays Slow Pitch Softball sometimes.  A Lizard just now ran bye. 

               

"PENSTEMON"          

                  

               Oh!  I smell one of those "Penstemon" plants Miss Susan told my boss about.  I can't wait to smell their flowers this year.  When Mr. Steve walks in the desert on Primavera Road, he sees Penstemon bushes and some of them have pink flowers; while other's have red or purple.  

             The Penstemon bush near the fence on the north side of the property has red flowers but now it's just dull light green because the flowers haven't been born yet this year.  Hummingbirds and Bees really like the Penstemon bush's flowers I've noticed.  I like them a lot now too!  

             Daisy says she heard Mr. Mike call Penstemon bushes "Firecracker" plants and I guess Miss Susan called them "Desert Beard Tongue." We've been wondering how and why they got those two names.  I just noticed Libby walking slowly around over there in her Corral.       

                                             

                 "HOLY SPIRIT"                         

                                                                             

              Ah!  A slight breeze is making the Chimes above me ring.  Holy Spirit!  Looking out into the eastern desert beyond the three Sheds I think I feel Your "Essence."  That will really help me to have even more energy as I finish working on these last three chapters of this first book.      

              Daisy thinks You have everything happen for a reason God, and says hopefully we'll be able to understand Your purpose during our lifetimes.  I want to believe writing my three books is going to end up being one of my purposes.  But if it turns out not to be that's okay too.  

             No snacks today!  Daisy's most likely right and our boss is busy trying to make money so we can live.  But he might be working on one of his art projects too.  I just glanced up and notice how a Jet is flying bye right now, leaving a long white vapor trail behind as it moves along.  

                             

        FLYING WING  ("XB-35")             

                 PHOTO BY KEITH BREAZEAL                                  

                                                     

                   Seeing that vapor trail makes me think about those "Flying Wing" Planes.  I mentioned earlier how that guy Mark Ritter who died knew a lot about "Aviation," and studied the "Swept Wing" concept the Germans developed back in World War II.   I smell Libby over there.   

             Mr. Steve has Mark Ritter's book on Flying Wings.  It has a section on this German man named Hugo Junkers who, like Kelly Johnson; designed Airplanes.  During the First World War he made the first "Metal" Plane, but is now known for his companies World War II Planes.   

             The caption below a picture of a "B-2 Spirit" Flying Wing calls it a "Stealth" Bomber, able to "penetrate into enemy airspace without being detected by anti-aircraft defenses."  It can either "deflect" or "absorb" Radar signals.  I'll learn about "Radar" tomorrow in book two. 

          

                                    "NORTHROP" FLYING WING ("B-2 SPIRIT")  

                                  

                  The B-2  has no "Fuselage" or body, and no "Tail" either.  Oh!  The picture shows one flying over our own High Desert.  Wow!  The B-2 has a "range" of six thousand miles, and can be "Re-Fueled" even while flying.   World War II is when Radar was really developed a lot.

               I guess the B-2 was built for a time in the city of "Pico Rivera," where my boss's mom's Cousin Beatrice's family has lived since 1959.  Mr. Steve's mom and her Cousin Beatrice are best friends.  The B-2's are now built by "Northrop" near my boss's brother Sam's house. 

              As I wrote this morning, Christopher Columbus also married a girl named Beatrice.  Mr. Steve's mom's Cousin married a good decent hard-working man named "Placido" Castillo who was in the Air Force.  A flock of Birds is flying bye way up there in the high blue sky. 

                                               

                                                       BEATRICE CASTILLO     

               

           I mentioned before how Castillo means "Castle" in Spanish.  Mr. Steve's family have been visiting the Castillo's in Pico Rivera since 1960, when his parents decided to move "For Good" from New Mexico out here to California.  "Chateau" is the French word for saying Castle.

          Mr. Steve's mom doesn't drive anymore so her Granddaughter Stephanie drives her to Pico Rivera.  Oh!  Pico Rivera is named after Pio Pico who I wrote about earlier and will learn more about later in my three books.  And I'll also find about his brother named "Andres."      

           A few years ago Mr. Steve met a man who knew about Flying Wings.  He said the B-2 has been used "effectively" and "efficiently" in Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya.  Daisy says that just means many people, and probably a lot of Dogs too; were killed in the bombing. 

                

                                                                         B-52'S   

                                  

                   Mentioning Bomber Planes makes me think of that "unusual" B-52'S band Dais told me about from the State of "Georgia."   They have unique girl Singers I guess.  Daisy heard the B-52'S are not named after that big Bomber, but an old puffed up 1950's female "hair style." 

                 Daisy says Mr. Steve used to play drums along to the B-52'S songs about a Lobster and the Planet named "Claire."  In the early 1970's people "made fun of" John Lennon's wife Yoko Ono's singing my boss says.  But you can at times "hear her influence" in some B-52 songs.   

                 Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about B-52 Bombers until tomorrow, I kind of feel like learning about it now too.  I can always write more about a subject than Daisy and I have planned out on my outlines.  Dawn and Blinky are both barking.

                   

                                                   BOEING ("B-52" BOMBER) 

                       

                     One time, when Mr. Cliff was helping Mr. Steve load some wood onto Rex the Truck; I heard them talk about "Air Shows" they've been to over the years.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has   pictures from Air Shows.  Ah!  I smell Penstemon again and this is the first day of Spring.   

                 I guess in the late 1960's Mr. Cliff was in the Marines like my boss's father was during the early 1950's "Korean" War.  He fought in the "Vietnam" War, and you can tell he knows  about Planes and things like that.  A Motorcycle zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.

               This one Encyclopedia says B-52 Bombers are called  "Stratofortress's."  Wow!  Each one is  powered by "eight" Jet engines, "can deliver 70,000 pounds" of bombs; and has a "full range" of 8,000 miles.  Oh!  The first B-52 came out in 1955, the year my boss was born.    

                     

                                                           "VIETNAM" WAR

                  

                 I heard my boss tell Mr. Cliff how he came "within a year" of being "drafted" into the military, and still has his "Draft Card" in his office.  In early 1968 Mr. Cliff fought in the "Siege of Khe Sanh" during what's called the "Tê't Offensive."   Daffy's quacking over there.

                My Encyclopedia says in "Tê't" North Vietnam "surprise-attacked South Vietnam and their American allies."  20,000 North Vietnamese Soldiers "assaulted" 5,000 Marines like Mr. Cliff trapped inside the Khe Sanh military base.  A little Lizard just went running bye. 

                  For about six months the North Vietnamese tried to take the military base.  Oh!  I see how the siege ended on July the 9th in 1968, which is the same exact day as my boss thirteenth birthday.  Mr. Cliff has a white neck scar from a piece of hot metal "shrapnel" that hit him.  

                  

    "B-52" BOMBER  ("VIETNAM" WAR)        

                                  

                     Wow!  It says here the Khe Sahn siege was finally "broken" when  B-52's "accurately" dropped "100,000 tons" of bombs on the North Vietnamese Soldiers surrounding the base.   I noticed that time how Mr. Cliff said "15,000" North Vietnamese were "blown to bits."    

                Boy!  It would be so bad to be bombed in a war, and if I'm ever in one I'd want a good steel helmet; so we're lucky Mr. Steve has a few of them inside the house.  He's got some like the ones his father and Mr. Cliff wore when they were in the Marines.  A Train whistled.

           All of a sudden I just thought of that German city of "Hamburg," which was bombed in World War II.  Daisy says Mr. Steve did artwork for an older German lady from Wrightwood.  I guess she and her two sisters grew up in Hamburg, so she knew about the history of that city.                         

 HAMBURG, GERMANY            

PHOTO BY SHALMALI JADHAV                     

                

           That German lady said, just like the Germans "tried to destroy" Liverpool where the BEATLES were from; the Allies bombed Hamburg's Harbor too during World War II.  She said Hamburg is like that Italian city of "Venice."  Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha visited Venice.             

              My Encyclopedia says Hamburg is the "second largest" German city, and is located on the "Elbe" River.  In the year 808 A.D. the "Holy Roman" Emperor Charlemagne had a castle    built there.  A little Lizard is standing over there on the wall near to the sliding glass door.            

            Ah!  No wonder that city is called Hamburg.  My German Dictionary says how "Burg" means "Castle" or "Fort," and I guess before 1871 when Germany became a country; Hamburg was one of those "sovereign" City-State's I've written about.  Some Duck's are quacking.                                       

THE BEATLES (HAMBURG)          

                  

          The German lady from Wrightwood said her sister and future husband one time saw the BEATLES play  in Hamburg.  That was in 1961 before they became world famous.  To my right,  I can see that Lizard hanging on the wall doing pushups the way some Lizards so often do.           

               Daisy heard Mr. Steve and the nice lady talk about how, from 1960 through 1962; the BEATLES "honed their skills" in Hamburg.  The caption below a picture from that period says a guy named Pete Best was their Drummer then.  I guess that guy "Ringo" joined up later.   

               My boss told the lady about his family moving to California in 1960, when he was five and his brother Rock was three.  One time he told Mr. Grant it's hard to believe how much the  Sylmar area has changed.  Back in 1960 there were a lot of dirt roads he told that lady. 

                

ASTRID KIRCHHERR            

                 

                Daisy says, as they sat in the living room; the lady from Wrightwood complimented Mr. Steve's mom's big painting of the San Fernando Mission Bells.  She told Mr. Steve about a girl named Astrid Kirchher who the BEATLES met in Hamburg.  She was a Photographer.

             Mr. Steve and that lady talked about "Photography."  The lady said her Uncle had been a Photographer, so knew Astrid Kirchherr took pictures of the early BEATLES; when the band had five members, and included her boyfriend Stuart Sutcliffe.  That Lizard is gone now.

             Some people think that girl Astrid was the one who first "suggested" the BEATLES cut their hair in what later became famous as the "Mop Top" look.  But that lady told our boss she heard Astrid later say it wasn't totally true.  A flock of Birds is flying bye way up in the sky. 

                            

                                                  "ROLLEICORD" CAMERA

                           

              The German lady told Mr. Steve that girl Miss Astrid used a German "Rolleicord" type camera to take pictures of the BEATLES in Hamburg.  So he told her how many years ago he bought, and the resold; one of those cameras.   Benjamin the black Cow Bird just ran bye. 

            According to what it says in this Encyclopedia, a Rolleicord is what's called a "medium format, twin lens reflex" camera.  Mr. Steve was told the camera that girl Miss Astrid used was made in 1955, the year he was born.  Ah!  The afternoon air is so fresh and clear right now.

            Dais says it's not "polite" to ask a female how old she is but Mr. Steve thinks, based on the things the German lady said; she's older than him.  Unlike himself he jokes, who's getting "uglier with age;" she's still "very attractive."  I don't mind others knowing my age. 

                

                STEVIE NICKS                   MICK RONSON                    PHIL COLLINS

                                                                                                                              PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

           

             When they were sitting on the couch in the living room Daisy says Mr. Steve told that German lady about the 1980's when he used to be a Photographer.  He showed her some of the pictures he took back then.  My right nostril just picked up Libby's totally unique scent.

             Because that one German lady said she liked the music of FLEETWOOD MAC, DAVID BOWIE and GENESIS, I guess Mr. Steve gave her some photos he took of Stevie Nicks, Mick Ronson and Phil Collins.  Libby's looking at me.  I don't see any Flies buzzing around her.

                Daisy told me Mr. Steve and that lady talked about how, for a week in July of 1943; the British and Americans bombed Hamburg.  This Encyclopedia says 42,000 people were killed in a really huge "firestorm" that was created.  A picture shows some of the many dead bodies.

            

                                                                                   HAMBURG (JULY, 1943)   

                 

               Hey God!  It says here, the bombing of Hamburg back in 1943 was called "Operation Gommorah."   I know that's the name of one of two towns You destroyed as described in the Old Testament "Book of Genesis," the other one being "Sodom."  I'll learn about them later. 

                  The caption below the picture of bombed Hamburg says the Allies "destroyed" many of the "military facilities" located there.  But, unfortunately; by the end of that exact same year "almost all had been rebuilt or replaced."  Speedy Gonzalez ran bye in front of the Sheds.    

                  Because Dais and I spent three months putting together my three outlines, I know that in my books I'll write about the BEATLES.  My boss thinks they're not just musically important, they're "sociologically" important too.  I wrote about "Zeitgeist" or "Spirit of the Times."  

  

                                                                                 ISLEY BROTHERS

    

                I just thought of how my boss prefers "Heavier" versions of traditional styles of music, like in the areas of "Blues" or "Reggae" for example.  He likes the song "Twist and Shout" by the ISLEY BROTHERS, but prefers the BEATLES' cover version.   A Raven is croaking.

            Mr. Steve has this customer named "John," in the city of "Cincinnati;" in the State of "Ohio." They've talked about the ISLEY BROTHERS, who were from Cincinnati; and how  Jimi Hendrix was once in their band.  Mr. Mark in Hawaii likes the ISLEY BROTHERS.   

               Daisy says Mr. Steve likes John Lee Hooker's acoustic Blues, but prefers electric Blues bands like ZZ TOP.  He thinks Bob Marley is great, but would rather hear "Reggae-influenced" POLICE songs.  He tries to play the POLICE'S song about putting a message in a bottle.

                   

                                                                THE KINKS

                

             Mr. Steve likes many types of music but he began liking "Hard Rock" in 1964.  That was when, at age nine; he heard that English band the KINKS' song  "You Really Got Me" on a Car Radio. Fred, Ed and Ted the Sparrows are now all flying together out into the back field.

                 In 1964, I guess my boss was sitting in his parent's Car listening to "A.M." Radio.  He was in the parking lot of downtown L.A. "Union" Train Station.  His parents had told him he could wait there while they went to pick up someone in a Train coming from New Mexico. 

                 As soon as he heard the first five notes of You Really Got Me Mr. Steve liked Hard Rock.  He says he also felt a sense of Rhêma hearing the beginning of AC/DC's song's "Back in Black" and "Thunderstruck, and some of BOSTON'S 1970's songs too.   Libby just now whinnied.

                

                                                       THE "METAL SHOW"   

                       

                  One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom when he watched this tv show where three guys talked about the subject of Hard Rock and Heavy Metal.   According to what Dais heard, Mr. Rich down in Sylmar likes that show.  I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.

               Mr. Steve has only seen "The Metal Show" a few times.  Mr. Dave told him, one of the guys on that show said he first started liking heavier music in the same exact way Mr. Steve did in 1964, hearing a song on the Car Radio.  Heathcliff crowed and his Hens sound happy. 

            Daisy says the man on The Metal Show began to like Hard Rock in 1972 when he heard a RASPBERRIES song called "Go All the Way" on that Car Radio.  In 1972 I guess my boss was a seventeen year old 11th Grader at Sylmar High School.  Two of the Pigeons went flying bye.

             

                THE RASPBERRIES                                                             DEVO

                    

                 The RASPBERRIES, like the ISLEY BROTHERS; were also from Ohio.  And so was my all time favorite band DEVO.  Mr. Dave thinks the "intro" to Go All the Way is "similar" to the ROLLING STONES "Brown Sugar."  That Saxophonist Bobby Keyes did a solo on that song.   

             Mr. Dave said he thinks Go All the Way kind of sounds like it might've been influenced by the BEACH BOYS, BEATLES and an English band called BADFINGER.  Daisy says Mr. Steve has some old vinyl records of all three of those groups.  A little Lizard is running bye. 

           I just noticed Cher the Cat over over frozen in mid-step like a statue.  She's either now listening really hard for something or maybe has picked up the scent of something she can kill and eat.  Oh!  Now she unfroze and is continuing on her way under Jack the biggest Shed.

                  

                                                                            MR. DALE      

                                   

                Earlier I wrote about Mr. Steve's friend from High School named Dale.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave he thinks Dale, and their friend Chris too; might've learned how to play the beginning of that one RASPBERRIES song back in 1972.  Some Robins are singing out in the desert.

               Mr. Dave and my boss remembered how if you scratched an area on a RASPBERRIES vinyl record album cover the smell of Raspberries was released.  Mr. Steve told him Miss Sandy and her friend Rhonda "thought that was such a clever idea."  Wow!  I totally agree. 

               Daisy heard Mr. Dale tell Mr. Steve how he now lives up there in Northern California.  In High School he liked "Progressive Rock bands like YES, who he saw play a concert down there at the Forum in Inglewood one time.  The sound of singing Robins makes me feel good.

                                              

                        HIGH SCHOOL PROM           MISS PEGGY       SAMANTHA'S GRADUATION

                

            Even though we're Roman Catholics, Mr. Steve's Niece's Samantha and Cristina went to that Lutheran "Parochial" school in the city of San Fernando.  The "Principal" of that school was Mrs. Courtney.  I've mentioned before how Lutherans are "Protestant" Christians."    

           Mr. Steve didn't go to his own High School "Prom," but took Sandy to hers, and also Mrs. Courtney's to hers.  From hearing Mr. Steve and his mom talking on the phone Daisy says Mrs. Courtney's first name is "Peggy."  Boy!  I wonder what it would be like to go on a "Date?"    

           Daisy heard Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha is a good speller.  He took her to be in what they call "Spelling Bees."  She correctly spelled "Raspberry," which impressed Mr. Steve because he would've spelled it "Rasberry."  I can tell writing my books will make me a good speller. 

         

MRS. ELEANOR BRALVER (1919-2012)

(SYLMAR HIGH SCHOOL)

        

                 Daisy heard Mr. Steve talk with his mom about a "Health" Teacher he and Miss Sandy had at Sylmar High, who died recently.  Everyone called her "Mrs. Bralver and her job was to helped kids by giving advise and guidance.  She had a nice "calm" voice my boss says. 

            Mr. Steve admired Mrs. Bralver Dais says, Mr. Steve visited her classroom a few times over the years.  He told his mom she had "strong" hugs and, was "obviously " proud of her own son.  Like some of the Nuns at St. Ferdinand's, she could often make learning fun.  Wow!

           I guess, that lady Mrs. Bralver used to tell people try to find something you "love to do," like in her case helping kids.  That way she said, "every day you have something to look forward to" and "you'll maintain an enthusiasm for life."  Heathcliff crowed, his Hens sound happy.   

    

       CATHOLIC NUNS               

            

             Hey Lord!  Mr. Steve told his mom you could tell Mrs. Bralver believed in You just by how she lived her life the way You said to do.  Daisy says Mr. Steve told Mrs. Bralver about the Nuns at St. Ferdinand's when she'd say something that reminded him of them.  I smell Sage.

            Like Sister Rita Joseph, Mrs. Bralver said, "Everyone fails but it's better to fail knowing you did your best; rather than win knowing you didn't do your best."  Boy!  I wish I could time travel back to smell and hear Miss Bralver.  She was like one of those "Role Models." 

            Mrs. Bralver helped kids get jobs by giving them "good recommendations."  Mr. Steve, even though he's not the Office Manager anymore; tells the prospective employer the possible employee is "dependable" and "learns things quickly."  Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

             

                              FIRST ALBUM (1964)             THE TURTLES                     SHINDIG (1064)

                     

               I guess, Mrs. Bralver's first name was "Eleanor;" so Mr. Steve played her a song by that name.  It came out in the mid-1960's and was done by a band from here in Los Angeles called the TURTLES.  She liked it, especially the harmony singing.  Now the other Pigeons flew bye.

          Mr. Steve's mom joked he played the TURTLES first album, a Christmas gift from them; "so much he wore out the grooves on the vinyl record."  Mr. Steve told her he'd "like to maybe get a copy" of that first TURTLES album.  Daisy heard it had a Bob Dylan song on it.

          Daisy says Mr. Steve met a pretty girl named Eleanor, who he told about Mrs. Bralver.  I guess Mrs. Bralver died "in her sleep" two years ago in 2012.  While sitting in our living room Mr. Steve and the girl talked about that other lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who I'll learn about.     

                                                                                                        CROW "TALLONS"      

                                                                                    

                Some Crows flew bye behind the three Sheds, and I think it's Fannie and Freddie but; it's kind of hard to tell from here.  Crows and Ravens have really sharp claws to rip open and shred whatever they're eating.  Yup!  It's Fannie and Freddie alright because I hear them talking.

                 Daisy told me about how one time, when she was still living with her first owner; she and these other Dogs saw a Crow use its "Talons" to rip open a dead Gopher Snake like Goliath.  It had killed it by biting it behind the neck.  A Crow's sharp beak can stab you like a knife.

            I've already mentioned a few times today how that lady Miss Susan knows a lot about all of the things that live around our area of the High Desert.  She told my boss about how "Eagles" at one time "probably" lived around here.  Ah!  I can smell some new Spring Mesquite.

         

                                                            CALIFORNIA "BALD"EAGLES

                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY DAVE SODERSTROM

      

             Miss Susan said, to our east in "Silverwood Lake;" some "Bald" Eagles come to live in trees there during Winter.  I guess, they "almost went extinct" but; I wonder why they're called bald?  Daisy told me a Hawk somehow got all mixed up and flew into our house one time.       

           Right now the Sun is on the other side of the house to the west so the shadows are leaning away from me sitting here on Elvira.  This has been a long but productive day.  I don't want to lose my concentration now but I, and I'll bet Dais too; am getting sort of hungry for dinner.

          Thank You Elvira, and you guys too Barry, Robin and Maurice; for being my friends.  I'll never ever want to get rid of you guys.  I remember that hot day when Dais and were sitting here on Elvira when she told me about that "Horror" tv show with the real Elvira.  I smell Sage.  

              

                                                                         ELVIRA     

        

              Dais says Elvira looks way different in person.  I notice Mr. Randy called her a "quick-witted and clever valley girl or punk vampire," so that must mean a girl who lives down there in the San Fernando Valley I guess.  Daisy says Frank Zappa had a song about "Valley Girls."

              Mr. Randy heard Elvira was born in the State of "Kansas," and was "Horror Hostess" in that tv show where she played old Horror movies.  Mr. Steve liked her "Halloween" shows.  Grandma Trujillo was born on Halloween, which sounds like it would be such a fun holiday.        

             Well, back to writing about Flying Wing Airplanes.  I kind of went "Off Topic" again but, like Daisy says; that's okay because I'm just improvising the way Jazz Musicians sometimes do.  Way up there in the sky a small flock of Birds is flying bye, moving towards the north.    

           

" FOUR FORCES OF FLIGHT"        

             

               Earlier I wrote about how, in order to fly; you have to "Adapt" to the four "Forces" of "Flight."  This Encyclopedia has a "Diagram" that shows it.  Mr. Vic the Videographer, who at one time was a Pilot Daisy heard; sometimes used to explain this subject to other people.

           In my English Dictionary it says that the definition of the word "Aerodynamics" is, "The branch of mechanics dealing with forces exerted by air or other gases in motion."  I'm so glad I  have all of these great Dictionaries.  Boy! They've really, really helped me a lot today.

              One time my boss's sister Susan and her sons Dalton and Austin visited us.  I heard Dalton say he wanted to someday be a Pilot like his dad.  On my outline it looks like the next thing to write about is that German man Hugo Junkers, who's important to the history of Aviation.  

                                                                         

    HUGO JUNKERS (1859-1935)                          JUNKERS Ju-87 "STUKA"                      

                                    

           This Encyclopedia says Hugo Junkers was a "pioneer" in "aircraft design engineering."  He died in 1935, the same year Mr. Steve's mom was born; but four years later in World War II his company made some good Planes for the Nazis.  A Finch just zipped bye right now.

           Daisy says Mr. Steve told Mr. Vic, as a kid he built a model of that "Dive-Bomber" called the "Stuka;" one of Hugo Junkers' Planes.  When boy Hummingbirds or Ravens streak down   from way up high Mr. Steve calls them "Stuka Birds."  Mr. Vic knows about World War II.       

           Wow!  Since 1910, seven years after the Wright Brothers made their first "Flight;" Hugo Junkers had thought about a Flying Wing.  That was four years before World War I.  Tomorrow, when I write about the "Battle of Britain;" I'll look up the "Junker 88" Bomber.               

                           

                                           "NORTHROP" FLYING WINGS  (1950's)   

                                                       

                  A painting shows the four types of Flying Wings from the 1950's, or period after World War II ended in 1945.  The caption says they are, from top to bottom; the N9M, YB-49, YB-35 and N1M.  I mentioned a little earlier how the company that made them was "Northrop."  

            I guess, in the 1950's after World War II; the U.S. Air Force decided not to use the Flying Wing "Concept."  Mark Ritter thought the program wasn't cancelled because of "merit" but for "strictly political reasons."  And that's what that man named Jack Northrop thought too.  

           On Saturday I'll learn about German technology developed in World War II.   They had ideas for a Flying Wing, "Missiles," and that first "Operational" Jet ME-262.  Mr. Steve's father says technologically, "Before the Nazi's you looked back, after them you look forward."

                                 

                                                       GLEN EDWARDS (1918-1948)

                               

             A vapor trail up in the sky makes me think of "Edwards" Air Force Base.  At first it was called "Muroc" A.F.B., but was renamed for a "Test Pilot" who died in a Plane crash in 1948.  That was three years after World War II, or two years before the Korean War broke out.

            Oh!  This is so interesting.  According to my Encyclopedia, that guy Glen Edwards, who had been a Pilot during World War II in "North Africa;" died when he crashed a Flying Wing.  I can hear both Dawn and Blinky now barking at something going on over there next door.

                  A picture of Glen Edwards' uniform has shoulder patches called "Epaulets." In this one English Dictionary it says they're, "Ornamental decorations used as insignias of rank."  Boy!  If I ever had a uniform like the ones my favorite band DEVO wear I'd want epaulets on it.   

        

                        "EPAULET" SHARK                                            MR. RANDY

            

               I've mentioned a few times how I'll mainly learn about things that live in water in book two tomorrow.  But seeing that picture of Glen Edwards' nice uniform makes me now think of a Shark who lives down in "Australia."  I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy about them one time.

           Oh!  the caption underneath the picture of an "Epaulet" Shark says the reason it's called that is because of the two black spots behind its "Pectoral" fins.  Many Sharks have a "Dorsal" fin that grows on its back but not an Epaulet Shark. The pectoral fins are like Shark arms.

            Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter got to go visit Australia before he died.  He knew that Mr. Steve's studied Sharks since he was ten years old, so they talked about "Epaulet" Sharks.  My Encyclopedia also calls it a "Carpet" Shark because it stays near the bottom of the water.

                 

       "WHITE" SHARK                              AUSTRALIA                          "BULL" SHARK                           

             

              Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy about his fear of being eaten by a Shark.  Epaulet Sharks are "harmless" to humans he said, but Australia also has swimming in its waters the three "most dangerous" Sharks; "Bulls," "Tigers and "Great Whites."  I'm afraid of being eaten too. 

               A map of Australia shows a place called the "Great Barrier Reef" in the northeast part of the "Continent."   That's where a lot of Sharks live I guess, like Epaulet Sharks.  Mark Ritter thought Epaulet Sharks are "an example of Charles Darwin's idea" of "Natural Selection."  

                 Like the things who live in our area, Epaulet Shark have "Adapted" to their particular environment in order to survive.  In "hard times" they can crawl out of the water to go up onto land.  That gives it a big "Advantage" over the other Sharks in finding food.  I smell Sage.

                 

                                                        "REX" (FRONT YARD)   

                  

           Oh!  Daisy just barked up there in the front yard and I can tell it's her obligatory bark to let Mr. Steve know she's guarding.  I wonder if he's noticed that I haven't barked at all today.  I have a feeling Dais is right and he's been really really busy doing some of his work things.

                I wonder if we'll have any of that delicious Spam meat mixed into our dry and wet Dog food for dinner tonight?  Boy!  Just thinking about is making me really look forward to dinner tonight.   So I have to keep working hard for the two and a half more hours of sunlight.

           What the heck!  Even though it's not on this book one outline right now, writing about that Epaulet Shark makes me suddenly think about this other small Shark called a "Cookie Cutter."  Daisy told me Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter also knew a lot about them too.

           

"COOKIE CUTTER" SHARKS      

          

           Wow!  A picture in this Encyclopedia shows the mouths of Cookie Cutter Sharks and the caption says, even though they're small; they have huge teeth.  I guess, like other Sharks; Cookie Cutter Sharks lose teeth but replacements grow back in.  Lizards re-grow lost tails too.

               Oh!  When Cookie Cutter Sharks bite they take out "neat, round chunks of flesh" from whatever they bite.  Ugh!  My boss told Mr. Mike "Cutter's" use their teeth like a "rotating band saw" which leaves a "crater" wound.   A photo shows a Dolphin one of them bit in the back.   

           Mr. Steve and his friend Mark Ritter were once shown a big scar on the leg of a Surfer from Florida who was bitten by a Cookie Cutter Shark.  He noticed a "cigar-shaped" Fish near him but too late realized it was actually a Shark.  Samson and Delilah are flying bye.  

     

VAPOR TRAIL     

           

               I just glanced up from doing my work down here on the Patio to see a slowly extending vapor trail up there in the sky.  That reminds me how I still have more to write about the subject of Aviation in these last three chapters of this first book.  Libby's scent floated in over there.

            According to the book one outline Daisy and I put together, in this tenth chapter I still have more to write about "Mormons," and "Flowers" and some of the "19th century American Wars."  But I'll also have to find out about 20th century wars too.  I like smelling Libby.   

            For some reason I just thought about how, after World War II ex-Nazi German Scientists were brought to America to help us fight Joseph Stalin's Soviet Union in the "Cold War."  That lady Mrs. Gunther who built our house had a former "Luftwaffe" husband.  Libby neighed.        

                                

                                                     WINSTON CHURCHILL

                                                   (INSPECTING BOMB DAMAGE (1940)                  

                    

          Tomorrow, I'll write about the Battle of Britain in 1940 so; will learn about what's called "Radar."  Mr. Steve met a lady from "Liverpool," England who told him her neighborhood was bombed in the "Blitz."  That band the BEATLES were also from Liverpool too I guess.    

          My Encyclopedia says, in World War II; the Germans were at the "forefront" of "Smart" bombs.  Their "primitive self-navigating guided missiles anticipated" today's "Cruise Missiles" that fly accurately "On their Own" over long distances."  I'll learn about them on Saturday. 

         Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the "Early Years" of the Flying Wing until book three, I feel like mentioning it now too.  As I said earlier, that man Hugo  Junkers had the idea of a flying machine with no "Fuselage" or body way back in 1910.                               

      WALTER HORTEN / REIMAR HORTEN                                HORTEN "Ho-229" 

               

                 During World War II these two brothers, Walter and Reimar Horten; designed Planes for Adolph Hitler.   They made the first "Operational" Flying Wing using a "Jet" engine.  But, luckily just like the "Me-262" Jet Fighter; it came too late in the war to "Make a Difference." 

                From what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, Hugo Junkers wasn't the only one who had the idea of a Flying Wing.  In the 1920's, after the First World War; a Russian man named Boris Ivanovich Cheranovsky also worked on the "concept." too.  I smell some Mesquite.

                I guess one of the things that guy Hugo Junkers is now "known for" is making Planes out of metal instead of wood.   His ideas on a "Swept Wing" design helped the Horten brothers in their work during World War II.  Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye but still no 99.

          

                                                   "RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK" 

                                                                                                           

            On Saturday I'll find out about a trilogy of 1980's movies about an Archaeologist named "Indiana Jones."  Daisy told me about how, in one of the movies; the Nazi's have a Flying Wing "looking" Plane.  Mark Ritter, and Mr. Vic; both thought that was such a "Cool" idea.

            Someday, I really do want to see those three movies about the search for the "Ark of the Covenant;" because Daisy says they're so good alright.  She says Mr. Steve has a miniature Ark of the Covenant in our house.  His parents were fascinated in studying it closely I guess. 

                Ah!  I just noticed a chirping Wren standing on a cactus out in the desert behind the three Sheds.  I've noticed how male and female Wrens look alike and at times sing really loud to each other.  Wrens are small in size but can be just as aggressive as Hummingbirds sometimes.    

            

    WREN / CHOLLA CACTUS             

                                                 

         That lady Miss Susan knows about Wrens and says they build "dome-shaped" nests.  I've noticed how they have short wings and sometimes stick their tails straight up in the air. They eat Bugs like Ants but sometimes will kill and eat small Lizards too Daisy and I've noticed.                 

       Daisy heard Mr. Steve had a customer in the State of "South Carolina" whose family are "Bird Watchers."  He told Mr. Steve Wrens are the "State Bird" of South Carolina.  That one      Wren took off right now and then darted away towards the northeastern part of the desert.          

         Jack the Jackrabbit used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to zoom out into the eastern desert.  It seems like the fence is invisible when he runs through so fast like that.  One of  these days he might accidentally "miscalculate" and hit his head really hard Daisy thinks.                                                       

     SAGE BUSH              

                                      

             The Sage I smell reminds me of last year.  On my first break I told Dais about the feelings of Déjà Vu I'm having today and she said she's also having those too.  The Tongvan Indian lady Mr. Steve met at the San Fernando Knights of Columbus hall said they call Sage "Paa 'or."   

             Wow!  This is only the first day of Spring yet already there's some little yellow flowers on Theodora the Thrasher Bird's Creosote bush to the left of Jack the big Shed.   For some reason that makes me think about "Orchid" flowers.  Orchids come in so many shapes and colors.

             Back in the 1970's Sandy's parents took vacations at a place called "Carpinteria" and, in his first Chevelle; she and Mr. Steve drove up there to be with them.  Sandy's two younger sisters are named "Suzy" and "Stacy."  Daisy heard one time how our boss nicknamed Suzy "Q."   

                  

                                                                                               "ORCHIDS"   

                   

           I guess Carpinteria is near "Santa Barbara" where Mr. Steve's sister went to College.  Mr. Steve's mom took her Girl Scout troop to an Orchid Farm in Carpinteria.  Mr. Steve bought an Orchid "Corsage" for Sandy to wear when they went to her Sylmar High School "Prom."

          Our handyman Mr. Mike knew where Carpinteria was when my boss mentioned it.  Like Sandy's parents, he likes Carpinteria's "small town feel."  As a kid Mr. Mike built some "Sand Castles" on the beach there and still fondly recalls Carpinteria's "Blue Heron" Birds.

          My boss and Mr. Mike talked about how Carpinteria has this one area called a "Coastal Wetland."   And the beach has "Tide Pools" where these things called "Sea Stars" and purple "Urchins" live.  Many different types of Birds live in Carpinteria from what Dais heard.  

                      

  "CARPINTERIA"                  

                            

       "Every once in a while," my boss says he dreams of being with Sandy on Carpinteria's beach.  Her parents are gone but live in his memory, especially Sandy's mom's laugh.  Dais and I have both noticed how Mr. Steve almost never laughs, but sometimes just kind of chuckles.          

         Mr. Steve likes "Piers," and his brother Rock enjoys Fishing from them.  From the high "Bluffs" above Carpinteria's pier; you can sometimes see Dolphins, Seals or even Whales.  I'd      like to smell a Whale, but from far away because they're so huge and that's kind of scary.             

        One time Mr. Steve did artwork for this lady, who lived in the "Santa Ynez" mountains; near to Carpinteria.  Two of the Pigeons, I think it's Fred and Ethel; flew in from the desert and  landed up there on the Patio roof.  It's kind of  hard to tell the difference between Pigeons.                                                                             

  " SUNFISH"        

             PHOTO BY DANIEL BOTELHO                          

                                            

          Because Mr. Steve is interested in things who live in the water, Dais has me scheduled to mainly write about that subject tomorrow.  In Carpinteria one time a Surfer told him and Sandy about swimming right near this big, huge giant "Sunfish."  I can smell Libby over there.              

           Looking at the shadows, for some reason; makes me think of Sunfish.  That Surfer said a Sunfish can weigh "five thousand" pounds and are the biggest and heaviest "Bony" Fish.  When  their "Dorsal" fin sticks out of the water sometimes people think they're Sharks coming.              

          Wow!  The caption under a picture of a Sunfish says they can be fourteen feet tall and ten feet long.  That Surfer said their "look is deceiving" because they're "fast and agile" too.  I just thought of how the ceilings in the living room and Mr. Steve's bedroom are fifteen feet tall.           

                                                 

      CARPINTERIA BEACH              

                                                       

           A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows a boy and girl Surfers sitting on Carpinteria's beach.  My boss's friend Doug still likes to surf but, unless it was for money; I'd be too afraid to  surf, mainly because I don't even know yet if I can swim.  Daisy says she's pretty sure I can.         

           Carpinteria is near "Santa Barbara," where Mr. Steve's sister Susan went to College for two years.  In the late 1960's, through the mid-1970's; every Summer their parent's would take    the whole family on annual vacations in Santa Barbara.  A Train just now whistled faintly.           

            Daisy says Mr. Steve at times has pleasant dreams about those yearly family vacations in Santa Barbara.  They always stayed at this place called the "Miramar" Hotel, which had rooms right alongside the actual beach.  So, they could go swimming and do things like that.                    

           

"MIRAMAR" HOTEL (SANTA BARBARA)

         

        Someday, when I get over my fear of riding in Cars; I'd sure like to smell a real beach.  I guess one time Daisy and Millie heard our boss talk on the phone with his friend Mr. Doug and    they discussed Santa Barbara.  The scent of Theodora's Creosote bush just now floated in.           

       My boss told Mr. Doug the Miramar Hotel is located in an area of Santa Barbara called "Montecito," or "Little Mountain" in Spanish.  "Miramar" would be translated to be "Ocean    View" according to my Dictionary.   Mr. Doug has surfed near the Santa Barbara area.                 

        One time Mr. Steve's father was told the "Miramar," which is below those "Santa Ynez" Mountains; was "built" way back in the "mid-19th century as a Health Resort."  Daisy noticed how Mr. Steve's mom called the rooms "Beach Cottages."  A little Lizard went running bye.                                             

ROBERT MITCHUM / JANE RUSSELL         

                

          Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Doug, the Miramar was successful during the "Roaring" 1920's; or the period after World War I.  Since the Second World War some Actors, like Robert    Mitchum and Jane Russell; went there.  Jane Russell was in a movie with Marilyn Monroe.          

         I guess during the 1930's Great Depression the Miramar Hotel had to go what they call "Bankrupt," so were poor and had no money Daisy says.  Boy!  I sure do hope we never have be bankrupt because then we'd have less food to eat.  It would be like when I was homeless.               

           A lady my boss met remembered how many of the Miramar's roofs were royal blue.  Boy!  I'd like to see that because my all time favorite color is royal blue.  Mr. Steve's mom described      those roofs as being "Cobalt" blue and used that color in a lot of her different paintings.               

                

                    WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST (1863-1951)                       

                   

         Another person who used to go to the Miramar Hotel was William Randolph Hearst.  I'll learn about him, his Granddaughter Patricia Hearst; and this other man named Joseph Pulitzer over the next three days.  Boy!  I really, really love the hats they wore back in those days.              

            I'm still thinking of flowers, especially those "Orchids." Miss Susan said Orchids are one of the largest "families" of "flowering" plants in the world, and they grow "on every Continent" except "Antarctica."  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds are now flying over Libby's Corral. 

           This is interesting!  According to my Encyclopedia, the Orchid is the "national" flower of Belize, Guatemala and Panama too.  Mr. Steve's parents visited Belize one time.  Daisy has me scheduled to learn a lot about "Central" and "South" America over the next three days.

                

    VOYAGE OF THE "BEAGLE (1832-1836)                        CHARLES DARWIN (1809-1882)                        

                

              Wow!  My Encyclopedia says there are over 28,000 "species" of Orchids.  Daisy saw that tv show about Charles Darwin, and it said besides his books on "Natural Selection;" he wrote a book about Orchids in 1862.  1862 was the second year of the American Civil War I guess.

               Mr. Steve's mom likes flowers and one of the types she likes are Orchids.  This good map shows the "route" of Charles Darwin's famous 1830's "voyage" aboard that Ship the "Beagle."  That was when he collected things he would later study from the "Galápagos" Islands.   

            It says here how, for thousands of years; the Chinese and ancient Greeks used the Orchid for "medical purposes."  Mr. Steve's mother grew Orchids a few times so knows some Orchids take a few years to actually "produce" flowers.  Dawn is barking over there next door.                   

                                                    

     "ARA PACIS" ALTAR                             EMPEROR AUGUSTUS (68 B.C.-14 A.D.)

                

             In chapter seven I wrote about "Cement" and "Concrete," and mentioned how in 1985 my boss visited the "Pantheon" in Rome.  He wanted to see this other ancient Roman Temple but I guess they weren't able to do it in time.  Actually, what he wanted to see was an "Altar."  

             This one Encyclopedia says in 9 B.C., to celebrate Emperor Augustus; that Roman altar was "consecrated."  The "Ara Pacis" was "dedicated" to "Pax," the "Goddess of Peace;" and Pax is Latin for "Peace."   I'll write about some of the Roman Emperors in my three books. 

             It says here some "carvings" of Orchids on the Ara Pacis are some of the oldest known "depictions" of Orchids.  In my books I'll learn about cement, concrete and other things used to build "Structures;" like big stone "Blocks" or "Bricks."  Rudy the Roadrunner jogged bye.     

            

"MOTOCROSS" RIDER         

                                                    

               Someone on a Motorcycle zoomed bye out there on our dirt road Primavera, dust now rising; and the sound of the Motorcycle fading fast.  I'll bet it's a kid who finished his homework and is now getting to practice his Motocross riding.  Max the Hummingbird zipped bye.    

             Dais is probably right about Mr. Steve being too busy working in his office to give us any snacks today.  Someday, I might just learn how to draw and color the way he and his mom have done all of their lives.  Daisy and Millie heard him use the word "Therapeutic" one time.    

             I don't know why it's taking so long for me to get over my fears.  I am really curious to see and smell my boss's office, the two bedrooms; and those bathrooms too.  I can almost hear Daisy telling me I'm being "so ridiculous" in being afraid to go all the way into our house.

                                                                      

       MR. STEVE'S OFFICE                 

           PAINTING BY KEITH BROWN                               

                                

            Someday I also want to see that big painting of the Italian coastline on the north wall of my boss's office.  Mr. Steve thinks it's Italy but it might be the French coast.  His parents bought that painting from a guy named Keith Brown who, like Mr. Steve's mom; is a good Painter.  

            When he's having a bad day Mr. Steve feels better by doing artwork, or just looking at that big painting in his office.  Daisy thinks both make him "Put Things in Perspective" as they say.  It makes him realize, compared to most other people on Earth; his life is not so bad. 

           My boss had a "bad" dream where that big painting was hanging on someone else's wall, not in his office; and they wouldn't give it back.  Samson and Delilah flew bye, and were low so I heard their wings flapping.  Crows flap their wings more when flying and you can't hear it.

                                                                                                                                                                                

                                   RICK STEVES  (ITALIAN COSTLINE BEHIND)                                        

               

             Mr. Steve, and Daisy too; likes watching that guy Rick Steve's tv show where he goes to visit all of the different European countries.  When he saw the segments about the French and Italian "Riviera" my boss thought about the painting in his office.  I smell some Mesquite.

             Well Lord, it's back to my outline; so I'll write about Mormons now.  My Encyclopedia says that man Joseph Smith "founded" Mormonism" in the 1820's, in New York State; when he had the "vision" where You and Your Father appeared.  Benjamin the Cow Bird ran bye.

             Because many Mormons believe in "Community" more than the individual, Mr. Steve thinks some Mormons live "insular" lives.  They focus on family and church.  One lady told my boss they're told to,  "Mourn with those who mourn and comfort those who need comfort."

                                             

                                                         JOSEPH SMITH (1805-1844)

             

                This is interesting.  According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, Joseph Smith had a second vision where the Angel Gabriel guided him to some gold "Plates" from which he wrote the "Book of Mormon."  Ducks are quacking but Donald and Daisy are louder.

              Daisy says Mr. Steve has a copy of the Book of Mormon.  I wrote this morning how the Mormons call their religion "Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints" or just "L.D.S." for short.  Speedy Gonzalez is resting under Theodora's Creosote bush to the left of Jack.

              Hey Lord!  It says here Mormons began as Protestants; but Joseph Smith decided they were their own Christian "form."  Speedy just bolted from where he was sitting.  And now he's running around the northeast corner of the house, at the far end of this Patio; to my left.

               

                               U.S. CONSTITUTION                           "CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION (1787) 

                                                                                                                                               PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY

        

              Daisy and Millie one time heard Mr. Steve talking with one of his customers back there in Utah.  That Parts Manager told him most Mormons believe the U.S. Constitution was "divinely inspired."  Hey God!  America is the first time in history people "share the political power." 

          The Parts Manager told Mr. Steve that guy Joseph Smith ran for President one time, and predicted someday the Constitution would "be in danger."  And then a Mormon "will come in on a white Horse" to save it from being destroyed.  I see, and can now smell Libby over there. 

          I guess Mormonism was part of that, "Second Great Awakening."   In my left nostril I can smell the slight scent Speedy Gonzalez left behind, and also Theodora's Creosote bush too.  All of a sudden I remember that one other time when I was smelling those two things together. 

              

                                                     "LLANO DEL RIO" (RUINS) 

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA             

               

              My Encyclopedia says that the early 19th century Second Great Awakening was  part of a "religious revival" where "reform" movements "sprang up."  I've mentioned "Llano del Rio." It was one of those early 20th century "Utopian Socialist" communities, but it "failed." 

              That British Writer Aldous Huxley, who wrote his famous "Dystopian" novel "Brave New World" in 1932; lived with his wife in "Llano."  I guess, in the 1500's Sir Thomas More of England wrote the very first "Utopian" novel.  My boss's father was born back in 1932.

                  Daisy saw this tv show where the man said the Musician Johnny Cash was also born in 1932.  That was three years after the "Crash" of the "Stock Market," so the "Great Depression" was still going on.  A small group of Sparrows is now flying together toward the northeast. 

    

                PATSY CLINE (1932-1963)      ELIZABETH TAYLOR (1932-2011)       JOHNNY CASH (1932-2003) 

PHOTO BY JACK CORN                                                                                                                                                                                                             

   

                 Oh!  My Encyclopedia says, in 1932; Johnny Cash was born on February the 26th or just three days after Mr. Steve's father was born.  And I guess that famous Actress Elizabeth Taylor's birthday is February the 27th of 1932.  A lot of things happened in 1932 my boss says. 

             I'm so tempted to write about this Singer named Patsy Cline, but I'll just wait and learn about her according to schedule.  On the tv show Daisy saw, it said she was also born in 1932.  A photo in my Encyclopedia shows how she looked in 1955, the same year Mr. Steve was born.

                  In 1932 Franklin Roosevelt was elected U.S. President by "giving people hope" that the economy would recover and everyone wouldn't be so poor.  During that one year alone millions of people were "Out of Work" as they say.  Wow!  Over five thousand Banks "Failed" too. 

                   

                                         CLYDE BARROW / BONNIE PARKER (1932)   

                   

                  This Encyclopedia says Clyde Barrow "got out of prison" in February of 1932, "stole" weapons like those "Browning Automatic Rifles;" and killed five people by 1933.  In the Korean War my boss's father at times used "B.A.R.'s" during the Korean War.  Heathcliff crowed.

              I guess Bonnie and Clyde were from "Dallas," near to where Mr. Steve's brother Rock lives with his two sons Rocky Jr. and Jacob in "Arlington."  Arlington is in between Dallas and "Fort Worth," and is where the brothers in PANTERA were from Dais says.  I smell Sage.

                  Mr. Steve's dad knows that in 1932; Ford first "Introduced" a "Low Cost" Car with a more powerful "V-8" motor in it.  And Clyde Barrow used them to outrun and get away from the Police whose Cars weren't as fast.  Ah!  Bonnie and Clyde the Birds just flew back in.

              

                   BONNIE FEEDING BABIES                                                  BABY BIRDS            

                                                                                                                 

                  I had a feeling Bonnie and Clyde would come back to the nest soon because their babies woke up.  Oh!  This Encyclopedia says the first Bonnie and Clyde were killed on May 23, 1934, which my list of dates shows is Mr. Steve's brother Sam's birthday too.  Heathcliff crowed.

                   Over the next three days I'll learn about "Nuclear" energy.  Two big "Atomic" bombs were dropped on Japan in 1945 to end World War II.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his dad talk about how the "Atom" was first "Split" in 1932, the same year my boss's dad was born.

                     Yuk!  Bonnie just threw back up whatever was being stored inside her stomach and now her babies are eating it.  Daisy and I still can't get over the fact that, even though this is only the first day of Spring; we're already seeing babies.  Frida and Diego the Bluebirds flew bye.

                     

     AMELIA EARHART (1897-1937)             CHARLES LINDBERGH (1902-1974)         

                 

                 On Saturday, the day after tomorrow; I'll learn about those Pilots Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh.  It says here in 1932 Amelia Earhart was the "first female" to complete a "Solo" flight across the "Atlantic" Ocean.  Dawn's barking and I smell Blinky over there.

                     Mr. Steve and his dad talked on the phone about how, in 1932; Charles Lindbergh's son was "Kidnapped" and eventually killed.  Some people now think Charles Lindbergh may have in some way been "Involved" in what happened.   I can smell the new baby Cholla cactus.

             Ah!  The scent of Rosemary just floated in from the eastern desert behind the Sheds. Hey Blessed Mother!  If I could time travel in Mr. Peabody's Way Back machine You know I'd want to go back to when the Angel Gabriel told You about having God's son.  A Finch flew bye.   

            

THE "ANUNCIATION"             

                    

            Blessed Virgin!  My boss and Mr. Hussein from Egypt talked about how You're not just important to us Catholic Christians but also to "Islam."  You're the only female mentioned in their Holy book the "Quran."  Wow!  It even calls You the, "greatest of all women" too.

            If Mr. Peabody let me use his Way Back time machine I'd also want to go back to the 7th century to be in the Cave when the Angel Gabriel told the Prophet Muhammad about starting Islam.  In my books I'll learn a lot more about Angels.  Bonnie and Clyde just flew away. 

            My Encyclopedia says, "from the start" Mormons were "persecuted" in New York.  So in 1831 Joseph Smith moved them west to Ohio and then Missouri.  But "conflicts" happened there too so Joseph Smith again decided to move his followers; this time to the State of "Illinois."

                           

RUSSIAN "POGROM" (LATE 19TH CENTURY)      

                          

           I just thought of how, in the early 20th century; "Ashkenazi" Jews "fled" to the U.S to "escape" those "bloody Russian Pogroms."  Mr. Steve's girlfriends Emily and Harriet are from Ashkenazi families, probably coming through "Ellis Island."   I smell some Penstemon.       

          This English Dictionary says a "Scapegoat" is, "A person blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency."  All four Pigeons just now flew in from the back desert and are now moving west by going right over the top of our house.           

            My Encyclopedia says a Scapegoat in the Old Testament's "Book of Leviticus" is when a Goat is "Ritually burdened with the sins of the community and "driven away."  Back in ancient Greece I guess they used to do that to a Goat too.   I'm surprised they didn't kill the Goat.                                            

                                                           "FAMILY AFFAIR"   

                   

                     Mr. Steve and his brothers and sisters knew this one Mormon family who lived in the city of San Fernando when they were growing up.  Their last name was "Whittaker" and a red-headed boy named "Johnny" was one of their eight children.  I smell a Lizard nearby.

              Daisy says that guy Johnny Whittaker acted in Walt Disney movies but is mainly known for the tv show called "Family Affair."  I guess he played the part of a kid named "Jody," a little girl in that tv show had a doll named "Mrs. Beasley" told me.  I see the Lizard over there.  

             Johnny Whittaker's Mormon "Mission" was to Portugal, and he later went to "Brigham Young University;" or "B.Y.U."  He speaks Spanish, similar to the Portuguese; and once gave Mr. Steve's brother Sam some Spanish lessons.  The scent of Rosemary just now floated in.

                    

   "FATIMA,"  PORTUGAL (1917)                  MISS BABETTE / HUSBAND DAVID      

                               

            It would be so great Blessed Mother if You came to Piñon Hills like when You did in 1917 in appearing to those three Portuguese Shepherd kids.  Miss Babette, who works with Mr. Steve; went to Fatima in 1985, the year my boss visited Italy and Israel.  Boy!  She's so lucky.  

           Tomorrow Blessed Virgin, I'll learn about 1531 when You came down to "Guadalupe" in Mexico.  Mr. Steve's Grandma Trujillo's first name was Guadalupe.  And our Auto Mechanic Ramon's wife is also named Guadalupe but most people just call them "Lupe" for short.  

           Mother Mary!  In 1917, when Grandma Trujillo was three; when You came to Fatima the First World Was was still going on.  I wish I could use Mr. Peabody's Time Machine to go back to 1917 or 1531, to smell and lick You and be friends with You.  And Daisy would do that too.   

         

"MAKO" SHARK         

              

                  Oh!  Speedy Gonzalez ran bye, but knows I won't chase him today.  Seeing him makes me think about going fast.  Mr. Steve says "Mako" Sharks are the "fastest" Shark, and was told Mako is the Mâori, Tahitian or Polynesian word for Shark; or maybe just" Shark teeth."  

              Wow!  This Encyclopedia says Mako Sharks can go "over forty miles per hour" but my boss met a Fisherman in San Diego who thinks it might be even higher.  Boy!  Thinking about Mako Sharks makes me want to run right now but I'd better not.  I'll do it later tonight.

               I guess there are two types of Mako Shark, "short" or "long finned."  That man from San Diego said Mako Sharks are born in the Pacific Ocean near his city, and "for some reason don't seem to do well living in captivity."  A line of Grease Ants is going bye on the Patio floor.     

                           

                  "SWORD" FISH                                           "GREAT WHITE" SHARK

                                                                                                                             PHOTO BY CHRIS/ MONIQUE FALLOWS

                    

                  Oh!  A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a "Sword" Fish jumping out of the water.  That Fisherman said at times Mako Sharks "come out of the water like a South African Great White or these other "Spinner" Shark.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; just flew bye.

         I'm mainly scheduled to write about things that live in the water tomorrow in book two.  But today I keep on thinking of things out of order on my outline.  Aha!  I knew I was smelling a  Lizard and there it is over there standing on the wall right above the silver water bucket.              

          Sword Fish really do have swords, or spears; on their faces.  It says here Mako Sharks and Sword Fish can grow to be "over ten feet long."  I just now noticed how that little Lizard is over there on the wall doing some of those pushup exercises the way many Lizards so often do.             

                                

1968 "S.S." CHEVELLE      

                 

          Writing about how fast Mako Sharks and Swordfish can swim makes me think about my boss's two 1968 Chevelle's.  When young Mr. Steve admits he sometimes drove way too fast and was "kind of stupid."  Daisy says now he's a very "Defensive" driver and never "Speeds."           

           My boss told Mr. Ralph people who knew him back in High School would probably find it "amusing" to see how he drives now in his older age.   He himself at times also can't believe the "idiotic chances" he took as a kid.  The Lizard just ran away and is going out into the dirt.           

       Daisy heard Mr. Rick and Mr. Steve talk about this song that guy Sammy Hagar wrote about driving too fast in a Car.    For years my boss "Identified" with that song but not anymore because he now realizes it's "too dangerous" to drive fast.   Andy's over there sniffing the air.                                               

SAMMY HAGAR         

                

            I just thought about that "Cul-de-Sac" named "Hagar" Street down in Sylmar.  Daisy and Millie saw this tv show that said Sammy Hagar, VAN HALEN'S second Singer;  "Collects"      Cars.  On Saturday I'll write about him and VAN HALEN'S first Singer David Lee Roth.           

             According to Dais, Sammy Hagar wrote "I Can't Drive Fifty Five" in 1984, the year my boss flunked out of Law School.   It's also the year he and Mr. Mark began working for all of the sports teams in Los Angeles.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying over the desert.                     

              Daisy noticed how the tv show on Sammy Hagar said 55 "m.p.h." is what in other parts of the world would be 89 "km./h."  M.p.h. is short for "Miles per Hour" while km./h would be    mean "Kilometers per Hour."  Some of the Ducks are quacking but Daffy's much louder.                         

        "HIGHWAY 138"                                      "LLANO DEL RIO" RUINS   

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA         

                           

         When my boss drives down to Sylmar to visit his family he first has to go through about twenty five miles of desert, and the towns of Pearblossom and Littlerock.  Then it's another five miles to get to the "#14" Freeway "South."  He goes bye those "Llano" ruins in the desert.           

          Driving west on the #138 Highway from Piñon Hills, Mr. Steve goes the "Speed Limit" of 55 to 60 m.p.h.  From what Dais heard, he just "Takes his Time," and enjoys looking at the "San Gabriel"  Mountains to the south.  Boy!  I really love looking at those mountains too.                    

          I guess, 138 Highway's two joke nicknames are "Highway of Death" and "Blood Alley."  People go fast Daisy told me, and get mad at Mr. Steve when he's going only 60 m.p.h.; so he lets them pass him.  Sometimes he gets kind of angry at them too but "Holds his Temper."                                        

"HIGH" DESERT           

                 

         Hey God!  Someday, with Your help of course; I won't be afraid to ride in a Car the way Daisy does.  She keeps telling me how I don't know what I'm missing in being able to smell, see    and hear so many new things.  And of course, in my "Heart of Hearts;" I know she's right.           

        After driving those twenty five miles through the desert, then my boss goes through the town of Littlerock where his brother Sam lives with his wife Yolanda and their kids.  That one      unique store "Charley Browns'" is in Littlerock.  I smell some of the Beavertail cactus's.              

         Going the speed limit, I guess it usually takes my boss about an hour and a half to go from up here in Piñon Hills; down there to Sylmar in the San Fernando Valley.  And, he's seen a few    bad Car accidents on the way.  Daisy says one time he saw a dead Motorcyclist on the road.                     

DEATH      

           

           Thinking about Car and Motorcycle accidents suddenly makes me think about an early 1970's band from the city of "Detroit."  They were three black brothers and, from what a good tv show Dais saw said; they played "Proto Punk" music.  They called themselves DEATH.            

             In my three long books I'm scheduled to learn about the different kinds of music and one is "Punk."  Someday I really, really want to hear more Punk songs because Daisy thinks I would like their "energy."  According to her most of the Punk bands are white and not black.                  

           Mr. Steve likes the three piece "Power Trio" format in bands and according to Dais that's what DEATH were.  One brother sang and played guitar, while the other two brothers were the    "Rhythm Section" on bass and drums.  Boy!  I wonder why they picked the name DEATH?         

           

THE CULT         

              

        Daisy and Millie one time saw a good Video by an English band called the CULT.  It was from the mid-1980's and was for this song called "She sells Sanctuary."  Mr. Dave back there in   New Mexico once read in a Magazine how their original band name was DEATH CULT.              

       According to Daisy the CULT'S Singer dresses kind of like a fancy Pirate, and is a really talented Dancer too.  She thinks I would like the "Bandana" he wears and would probably want  one for myself.  I guess, a bandana is not really a hat but a scarf; from what Daisy told me.           

          Mr. Dave told my boss he read the CULT'S guitar player used "Effects" pedals and a violin bow to get the unusual sounds in the "Introduction" of She Sells Sanctuary.  Daisy says      that guy  Jimmy Page of LED ZEPPELIN at times also used a violin bow on some songs too.                                      

   "MANSON FAMILY"                                     "PEOPLE'S TEMPLE"             

                                                (1960'S)                                                                                            (1970'S)                                                                                         

          I'm tempted to learn more about the subject of "Cults" right now but, I'd better just wait and do it according to what Dais and I planned for Saturday.  Some famous cults were from here in California Daisy told me.  The "Manson Family" were "Brainwashed Hippies" Dais says.        

          One time my boss and Miss Harriet went to Hollywood's "Tower Records" for this "Meet and Greet" event with the black Hard Rock band LIVING COLOR.  I guess, in the 1980's; they had a song called "Cult of Personality."  Mr. Steve really likes their song "Type" Daisy says.        

         Daisy saw a tv show that said the original phrase "cult of personality" is often associated with that man Joseph Stalin.  But Mr. Steve's dad thinks it could equally be "applied to" Adolph Hitler and Mao Zedong too.  I'll learn more about "Brainwashing" in my three long books.                                                         

"CALIFORNIA" AQUEDUCT            

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                       

                 

               Boy!  I just thought of how, without the Aqueduct from Northern California which goes bye near us, Los Angeles could not have grown to be as big as it is in 2014.  "En Route" to and from Sylmar, my boss passes different sections of  that "California Aqueduct."   I smell Sage.       

           Over the next three days I'm going to learn about things like water and salt.  Mr. Steve and his dad father are interested in those subjects so I want to be interested too.  So of course I'll write more about that California Aqueduct and that man from Ireland William Mulholland.        

              I wonder if I could swim if I had to?  Daisy says she's only swam a few times but it's not that hard once you get going because you just "steadily paddle" your legs back and forth and up and down.  I think I could do it if I ever got put into a situation where I fell into deep water.                                

       "GREENLAND" SHARK                                "GALÁPAGOS" TORTOISE        

                                  

           For some reason, mentioning fast swimming Mako Sharks makes me think again of those slow moving "Greenland" Sharks; who live way down in the "deepest and coldest" waters of the "North Atlantic" Ocean.  I wrote how they live in darkness so don't even need good eyesight.       

          It's so amazing how, because of their "slow metabolisms;" some think Greenland Sharks may live for five centuries!  That is the "longest known  lifespan" of any "vertebrate" species on Earth.  Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew over Libby's Corral and are going toward the east.      

         Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter got to visit the "Galápagos" islands before he died, so saw those big giant "Tortoises."  Daisy and Millie saw a good tv show where the man said they can      live for over one hundred years.  Wow!  That would be seven hundred in my Dog years.                         

                POLAR BEARS                     MOOSE HUNTERS                       REINDEER                                  PHOTO BY CHERYL STRAHL                                                                                                                                                       PHOTO BY STEVE COULSON                           

                      

            It's interesting how it says in my Encyclopedia that, even though Greenland Sharks live way down there in really deep water; they've "been known" to eat things you wouldn't expect like Polar Bears, Moose and Reindeer.  Tiger Sharks will eat almost anything Daisy heard.           

             The caption under a picture of a Greenland Shark describes them as "omnivorous" and I know that means they'll eat almost anything.  Besides being "scavengers," they'll hunt Seals and even some of the other Sharks too.  Daisy jokes how I seem kind of omnivorous sometimes.           

           Boy!  Looking at pictures of a Moose and Reindeer it seems hard to believe a Greenland Shark could swallow the huge horns or "Antlers."  It says here Greenland Sharks can "grow to be over twenty feet long."  I can smell Alpha Company out there in the field behind the Sheds.            

   THEODORA          

           

          I just glanced up from working over here on Elvira to see Theodora the Thrasher Bird is standing in her favorite Creosote just to the left of Jack the big Shed.  And now her scent and the scent of her I bush just floated in over here.  I'll bet a Greenland Shark would eat a Bird.              

          My boss told Mr. Dave Greenland Sharks not only have smaller Gill Slits but smaller fins and eyes too.  I guess, having adapted to living in deep, dark water; it's not necessary for them to see well or swim fast.  Theodora just lifted of and is now flying away out into the back desert.       

          Daisy heard Greenland Sharks, whose lower jaw teeth hold the food still so the upper jaw can saw it into pieces; is able to bite you even with its head cut off?  That's what this man from    "Iceland" once told Mr. Steve.  A Train whistled faintly over there to my left, or to the north.                                                        

"GREENLAND" SHARK         

              

            Oh my God!  A picture shows a dead Greenland Shark on the deck of a Ship.  Mr. Steve was told, even though they "primarily" live in the "frigid" North Atlantic Ocean; a year ago in 2013 one was caught in the "Gulf of Mexico" near New Orleans.  People were so amazed.             

        Mr. Steve says he'd like to have "seen the faces" of those Fishermen who caught that  Greenland Shark so far south, in an area "known for warmer water."  It must've "blown their    minds" when they realized what they had caught he thinks.  Heathcliff crowed over there.            

         I guess Greenland Shark "usually tastes terrible" the man from Iceland said.  But the women in his family "figured out" a way to "prepare and make it edible."  Hey!  I wonder if        maybe it's so old it's already starting to rot even though the Greenland Shark is still alive?                

          "INUITS"         

          I guess the man from Iceland knew a lot about the "Inuit" or "Eskimo" people, and told my boss about those "Igloo" houses made out of ice bricks.  Hey God!  Maybe someday I'll have the courage to go inside the plastic Igloo's Mr. Steve has for us.  A little Lizard ran bye.                 

         My boss told Mr. Randy he's been told some Inuit groups don't like to be called Eskimo's. Dais says Mr. Dave told Mr. Steve many Native groups, like "Inuits;" have names that mean "The People."  In the picture of an Inuit family you can tell they live in very cold weather.            

          A lot of Sharks have five of those "Gill Slits" on either side of their body.  They're used to "Filter" and "get oxygen" from the water as they swim along.  The man from Iceland knew that Greenland Sharks have six Gill Slits on each side, which are not as big as in other Sharks.                

             "BLUE FIN" TUNA                                  DR. SAKAGUCHI AND WIFE       

  

            I just thought of that guy Dr. Sakaguchi, who was one of Mr. Steve's family Doctors.  As I said before, one of his "Hobbies" was "Deep Sea Fishing" out in the Ocean; and Dais heard he one time caught a Swordfish, and also one of those giant "Tuna" Fish's too.  Dawn's barking.      

           One night Daisy and Millie were in the house and watched with Mr. Steve a tv show about Fisherman who catch Tuna "For a Living" as they say.  It was so interesting she told me.  Those Fisherman  have to be really strong in order to be able to pull such a huge Fish into the Boat.       

         Writing about Fish makes me.  I can't believe my boss hasn't given us even one snack in the whole day.   But God, like Daisy said when I visited her after my second big break; "not having our snacks will make us appreciate food even more" when we eat dinner later tonight.                 

               

                                                        SAILING SHIP "PILGRIM"   

             PHOTO BY LEONARD ORTIZ                           

                

                 Oh what the heck!  Even though I'm not scheduled to write about this big "Replica" sailing Ship called the "Pilgrim" right now, I feel like mentioning it.  It's a copy of an original 19th century Ship made famous in a book by this one man named Richard Henry Dana.

             My boss told Mr. Randy he and a girl named "Nancy" visited the Pilgrim, which is now "Moored" in "Dana Point;" that area named for Richard Henry Dana.  His book, which I guess Miss Nancy and my boss read; was called "Two Years Before the Mast."  A Train whistled.

             It says here the original "merchant vessel" Pilgrim sailed over here from the State of "Massachusetts" in the 1830's and Richard Henry Dana was a "seaman" on it.  They wanted to "trade" things like shoes for California "Cow Hides."  I smell the baby Cholla cactus.

                  

                                              RICHARD HENRY DANA (1815-1882)  

             

               Boy!  Looking at the two pictures of Richard Henry Dana in my Encyclopedia I now see what my boss was joking about with Mr. Randy.  It's so amazing what the "long-term" effects of "time" and "gravity" does to most people as they age.  My boss thinks it makes you uglier.      

                  Miss Susan at work thinks you're "unrecognizable" to those who knew you when young. Daisy told me how Miss Susan thought it was funny when Mr. Steve told her the joke, "I got my head together but then my body fell apart."  Boy!  I wonder what I'll look like when I'm old?     

              Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom laughed when her friend Mrs. Klinger told her this joke about aging, "You lose hair where you want it and grow it where you don't."   Mr. Steve is going bald I notice.  There are two overlapping vapor trails way up there in later afternoon sky. 

               

BENJAMIN           

PHOTO BY STEPHANIE SMITH                    

                   

                  I just glanced up from doing my work over here on Elvira and saw Benjamin the Cow Bird run underneath Manny the far right Shed.  I wonder why Cow and Thrasher Birds run on the ground as much as they fly?  Daisy thinks it "might have something to do with food."

                     Mr. Steve and his father think "Trade" between people has been so important in man's history, so that's why I'll learn a lot about it over the next three days.  Trade was the main reason Richard Henry Dana's Ship came to California in the 1830's.  Libby whinnied over there.

              Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about that Italian guy Marco Polo, who went with his Uncles all the way to China in the 13th century A.D.   At that time there were no Cars or things like that.  I'll look up the "Silk" trade routes that connected China over to Europe later.

                                

                      SOUTH AMERICA                                        CALIFORNIA                                                                                                                                                             

            Before the "Panama Canal" was dug in the early 20th century, the only way to sail from America's east to west coasts was all the way around the bottom of South America.  It took a long time, and a map of South America shows how far that was.  A little Wren flew bye. 

            Mexico "broke away" from Spain in 1821, so the "Alta" California Richard Henry Dana visited in the Pilgrim during the 1830's was "Mexican."  Dais and Millie saw that good tv show about "Zorro" which showed the "Californio" period.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.  

            Even though 1830's "Upper" California was Mexican, the Government down there in Mexico City allowed the Spanish Franciscan Priests to keep running the twenty one Missions up here.  In those days the "Hides" from California Cows was very valuable for their trade. 

               

            AUSTIN / SUSAN / DALTON                               EAST COAST (U.S.)

              

        Richard Henry Dana was from the State of Massachusetts which is near Connecticut where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with her sons Dalton and Austin.  In the early 19th century the area called "New England" was known for "Manufacturing" a lot of things.  Heathcliff crowed.

        I guess in the 1830's the original merchant Ship Pilgrim, besides bringing shoes; also carried metal tools to trade for Mission Cow cowhides.  Returning to the east coast Richard Henry Dana then wrote his now famous book.  Hearing Heathcliff's Hens makes me feel good over here.

       Mr. Steve and his parents, as Tour Guides at the San Fernando Mission; read things written in the early 20th century by a "German" Franciscan Priest named Zephyrin Englehardt.  In my Encyclopedia he's called the "Father of Mission History."  Ah!  The air is so clear right now.   

   

FRIAR ZEPHYRIN ENGLEHARDT (1851-1934)

            Daisy one time heard Mr. Steve talking with his father about that guy Father Englehardt, who I guess was born in Germany but came over to America.  In 1890 he was sent to California to run an Indian "Boarding School" at the "Capistrano" Mission.  I can smell Mesquite.

          It says here "Padre" Englehardt taught "Cahuilla," "Luiseno" and "Kumeyaay" Indian children; and also some "Serrano's" like the ones who lived up here in our area.  Those were all names the Spanish gave those groups.  A lot of Birds are flying around out in the back field. 

          Father Englehardt was a "Historian" of the twenty one "Alta" California Missions.  But he also wrote about "Baja" California and an area now the State of "Arizona" too I guess.  If he could time travel Daisy thinks Mr. Steve would want to go back and meet Father Englehardt.  

  

                     MISSION "SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO"                FIRST "BAPTISM" IN "ALTA" CALIFORNIA

                                                                                                               ARTWORK BY A.B. DODGE                                                                                                         

            In my books I'll learn about "San Juan Capistrano" Mission, where my boss and his mom had their Art Exhibit; one of the first Missions established by Father Serra.  San Diego, in 1869; was the first Alta California Mission.  The first "Baptism" happened at "Capistrano."        

               Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve and his mom talking on the phone remembering how in the 18th century the Spanish also called our area "California Nueva."  And in looking it up in my Spanish Dictionary I see how that means "New California."  A Lizard just ran bye.                 

             Mr. Steve, and his mom; reread Richard Henry Dana's book in College at C.S.U.N.  In knowing where they were going, I guess Miss Nancy reread it before they went to see the Pilgrim "Docked" in that Harbor at Dana Point.  Donald and Daisy are quacking and sound happy.         

                                             

                                               ANNE BRADSTREET (1612-1672)       

                     

                  Oh wow!   This is interesting how, from what it says here in my Encyclopedia;  Richard Henry Dana was a "descendant" of Anne Bradstreet.  Back in the 17th century, she was the first "Published" "Poet" from the then brand new British Colonies.  I love how Spring smells!   

                 Daisy told me Mr. Steve helped his Nephew Sammy Jr. do a report on Anne Bradstreet.  She was born in England but came with her husband and eight kids here to the east coast.  Hey God!  Mr. Steve says Anne Bradstreet had a "very difficult life of frequent hard struggle." 

                 In book three on Saturday I'll write about people born on July the 9th like my boss, such as that Football player O.J. Simpson; who Mr. Steve believes killed his wife "Nicole."   She was from Dana Point.  Daisy heard Mr. Rick and his wife Linda's daughter is named Nicole too. 

                            

        O.W. HOLMES (1809-1894)             HERBERT HOOVER (1874-1964)    HUMPHREY BOGART (1899-1957)

              

                Wow!  My Encyclopedia says, besides Richard Henry Dana; three other descendants of Anne Bradstreet were Supreme Court Judge Oliver Wendell Holmes, President Herbert Hoover; and Actor Humphrey Bogart.  I notice Oliver Wendell Holmes big mustache.  I smell Sage.

                  Daisy heard in the early 1970's one of Mr. Steve's father's Students at his school for Stockbrokers was O.J. Simpson's first wife.   And I guess another Student later worked for this big company called "Dun & Bradstreet.  Libby just whinnied over there in her Corral.

                  Hey God!  As You know already of course, I'll come back to writing more about that  girl Anne Bradstreet later.  Daisy says you can tell Mr. Steve admires her even though he doesn't really like poetry all that much.  Anne Bradstreet was one of those "Puritans" it says here. 

               (N.Y.C. "SKYLINE")                   NEW YORK  CITY              ("STOCK EXCHANGE")

          

            In 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited their Uncle Marty's family in New Jersey.  Besides taking them to the top of the then newly built World Trade Centers;" Uncle Marty also took them to see the "New York Stock Exchange."  Both are in "Manhattan," N.Y.C.                    

           Because of my boss's dad having had his Stockbrokers school; one subject I'll learn about is "Finance."  Mr. Steve's father, at first; taught his Students a "Theory" for "Investing" money called "Efficient Markets."   All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby Corral right now.           

          My Encyclopedia says the "system" of Efficient Markets, in the mid-1970's; was replaced by this other "formula" called "Value Investing."  I guess, my boss's dad studied; and then told his Students about it back then.  Ah!  Libby unique scent just floated into my right nostril.                    

WARREN BUFFETT    

                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY JOHANNES EISELE

              

             Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his father one time and they discussed a  man from the State of "Nebraska" named Warren Buffett.  Using Value Investing he became very rich.  A few years ago Mr. Steve's parents met him at a banquet here in Los Angeles. 

                Mr. Steve used to have a few Auto Dealerships in Nebraska as customers but after the big "Recession" of 2009 he's only got one left.  That's what he told Mr. Rick on the phone Dais says.  Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just went zooming bye in front of the three Sheds right now.

                I guess in the system of Efficient Markets, you mainly buy "inexpensive stock;"  while in Value Investing you try to find "good companies with inexpensive stock."  But in either case Mr. Steve says, "speculating" is just a nicer way of saying "gambling."  I smell some Juniper. 

             

                                           JOHN MAYNARD KEYNES (1883-1946)   

              

                When Mr. Steve's father had his school for Stockbrokers his Students read material by this early 20th century British "Economist" named John Maynard Keynes.  I notice how, in the Encyclopedia picture he's wearing a really nice hat.  An orange boy Finch just flew bye.    

             During the "Roaring" 1920's when the economy was good, and then in the 1930's "Great Depression" when it was bad; John Maynard Keynes advocated Value Investing.  He wrote two books Mr. Steve's dad read, one was called "Security Analysis."  A Train whistled faintly.

                 I guess Warren Buffett was influenced by Security Analysis, and this other book written by Benjamin Graham and David Dodd called "The Intelligent Investor."  Anyway, over the next three days I'll come back again to this subject.  I smell Libby walking around over there. 

              

CHARLES O. FINLEY (1918-1996)     

           

                 Smelling Libby makes me think of Molly the Mule who died.  Daisy saw a tv show about Mr. Steve's favorite Baseball team the "A's," which since 1960 was owned by Charles O. Finley.   He was Irish so his Players wore bright "Kelly" green uniforms which many people hated.

            According to what the man on the tv show said, when "Charley" Finley bought the A's  "Franchise" in 1960 they were in Kansas City.  Since early in the century, the "Philadelphia" A's team "Mascot" had been an Elephant.   But Charles Finley changed that to being a Mule.

           The tv show said the A's Mule was named "Charley O."  Mr. Steve once noticed Charles O. Finley was born on February the 22nd and died on February 19.  Mr. Steve's dad was born on February 23, Miss Harriet on the 19th.  Grandma Córdova's birthday was February 24.  

 

                       PHILADELPHIA                     KANSAS CITY                           OAKLAND                                                                   

                  Daisy heard since the early 1900's, the "Athletics" in Philadelphia used navy blue as the primary color; sometimes black.  In Kansas City, until Charles Finley changed the color scheme; their main color was lighter blue.  A small flock of Birds is going bye high up in the sky.

            I'm tempted to write more about the A's now but I'd better just wait and do it according to the outlines Daisy and I decided on.  But I will say now, in the 1970's when my boss was in High School; the A's won three "World Series" and five "Division Titles."   I smell Sage.

            Oh!  Freddie's chasing another boy Crow, who probably tried to steal Fannie from him. Boy!  He's really yelling loud at that other Crow and so is Fannie too, who's flying right behind Freddie.  That will teach that boy Crow a lesson, so maybe he won't make that mistake again.     

                                           

"GALÁPAGOS" ISLANDS           

                 

                  A boy Finch with an orange chest flew bye, which makes me think of that English guy Scientist Charles Darwin.  During the 1830's, when Richard Henry Dana was here in California; he went to those "Galápagos" Islands collecting "Data" for his studies.  Dawn's barking.

                  Boy God!  I'm so glad my boss's friend Mark Ritter got to visit the Galápagos Islands before he died.   It was a goal in life because, in the way Mr. Steve studied Sharks; he had been learning about Reptiles.  Dais heard that Mark Ritter was also able to see Australia too. 

              Mr. Steve has this book about Charles Darwin, which Mark Ritter borrowed and read while in the Galapagos.  One time my boss and Mr. Doug talked on the phone about how they both inherited some of Mark Ritter's books after he died.  I smell little Blinky over there.   

              

               "GALÁPAGOS" FINCHES                  

     DRAWINGS BY CHARLES DARWIN                

           

              Oh!  What a coincidence that just as I'm writing about Charles Darwin; I see the boy Finch I've been seeing today sitting over there; in that one clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.  Boy!  I'll bet the girl Finches around here are going to like how he looks this year.   

               I guess, one way Charles Darwin "developed" his theory of "Evolution" through what he called "Natural Selection" was by studying the different type of beaks on Finches who lived on each of the Galápagos Islands.  That boy Finch is now chirping.  Boy!  I love Spring!

              Mr. Steve and his mom think Charles Darwin was a good Artist.  He noticed Galápagos Finch beaks had "Adapted" to eat the "Available" food on each particular island.  Mr. Steve  read it turns out those Birds Charles Darwin drew and studied were not real Finches at all. 

                

"HIGH DESERT MALE FINCH"          

PHOTO BY RON NIEBRUGGE                     

              

                  That boy Finch has been trying to get a girl Finch's attention all day long but so far no luck I guess.  I don't know why because looking at him right now makes me want to change my favorite color from royal blue to orange.  Dais told me some people keep Finches as pets.

             Hey!  I think I'll name that boy Finch "Finley," after Charles O. Finely who owned the Baseball team.  For some reason that name just seems to fit him to me.  According to what Dais noticed, if a boy Finch doesn't get a girl the next year he's brighter; or might even turn red.

             I guess Mr. Dave back there in New Mexico told my boss Finches are now in almost all of the forty eight "Contiguous" United States.  And since the late 19th century they've been out in Hawaii where Mr. Mark lives with his family.  Daisy says Finches have such "cheery" voices.  

             

                                           HURRICANE "SANDY" (OCTOBER, 2012)

PHOTO BY DEVON MATHEW TOPEREK                                                                                                                                        PHOTO BY PETER BLASL                         

          

                  For some reason, writing about Richard Henry Dana and Anne Bradstreet being from New England makes me think about a huge storm called "Hurricane Sandy" that happened two years ago.  I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy it was a "Super Storm."  Libby just whinnied.

              I remember how, as he watered the Mulberry tree up in the front yard; Mr. Steve  told Mr. Randy Hurricane Sandy "killed two hundred people" and caused "Seventy Billion" dollars in total damage.  Two of the Pigeons just flew over the top of the house going to the west.

             Hurricane Sandy was the biggest "Atlantic" Hurricane "ever recorded" Mr. Steve said.  It started down there in the "Caribbean" Ocean, and then moved north; up the whole side of the American east coast I guess.  Ah!  Libby's unique scent just floated into my right nostril.  

       

                                                      SUSAN (WITH HER HORSES) 

  

                 Mr. Steve told his sister Susan one time Hurricane Sandy "barely missed" her property in Connecticut.   Mr. Randy used the term, "Dodged a Bullet" I noticed.  New Jersey, where Mr. Rich is originally from; suffered a lot of damage in 2012 according to what Daisy heard. 

              I've mentioned a few times already how my boss's first girlfriend was named "Sandy" just like that one Hurricane.  Even though in 2012 the strongest part of the storm's winds went to the west of where Mr. Steve's sister lives, she still had a lot of damage.  Heathcliff crowed. 

                 Daisy heard Hurricane Sandy was over nine hundred miles wide at times.  It's winds were often over one hundred "Miles per Hour " or "M.P.H."   Well, I guess it's back to learning about the 19th century; which Mr. Steve and his father think is still so important to us now.  

                               

                                                   JEDEDIAH SMITH (1799-1831)    

                   

                 In chapter eight I mentioned how, in the 1820's; French and American "Fur Trappers" came to or "Explored" what is now the American States of New Mexico, Arizona and California. That guy Jedediah Smith was one of them.  Some of the Duck's are quacking over there. 

                New Mexico was first "Settled" by the Spanish in the early 17th century but, by 1820 it, like California; had become part of the newly "Independent" country of Mexico.  Samson and Delilah just flew over Libby's Corral over there and are now going into the eastern desert.   

             My Encyclopedia says when Jedediah Smith told people in "Santa Fe" there was a route to California, New Mexico Traders saw a "money-making opportunity."  Like Richard Henry Dana, and those from New England in the 1830's; they wanted Cow "Hides."  I smell Sage.

                           

"ZORRO"           

                   

            Dais heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph talk on the phone about how, besides Cows; 1820's Mexican Alta California was known for its Horses too.  That guy Zorro rode a black Horse, just  like Alexander the Great's black Horse "Bucephalus."  I see Libby over there in her Corral.         

               I guess by the 1820's many Missions, like "San Gabriel;" kept" big "herds" of Horses. There were times when too many "wild" Horses roamed around, so the "Californio's" killed them with spears Dais says.  Two Motorcycles zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road.  

            Because Cattle hides were valuable in the 1820's and 1830's, the Californio's didn't want wild Horses eating grass their Cows needed to "graze;" so killed them.  I remember how Daisy told me how a "Hide" is  the Cow's body skin cut off, with the "Fur" still attached onto it.   

                   

   "OLD SPANISH TRAILS"            

                              

                 A map in this Encyclopedia shows how in the early 19th century there ended up being three "Routes" in going back and forth from New Mexico to Alta California.  Some call them the "Old Spanish Trails."  In 1829 a man from Santa Fe, Antonio Armijo; came to California.

             Earlier I mentioned how, during the "Mexican War" of 1846-47; an American army guided by that guy Kit Carson marched from New Mexico to California.  But that was more to the south, down near San Diego.  I'll learn more about the Mexican War in few minutes.

            In looking at the map I notice how those three Spanish Trails went bye to the north of us.  A few years ago Dais says a Mormon lady told Mr. Steve some of her mid-19th century relatives came from Utah to California through the city now called "Las Vegas."  Heathcliff crowed.     

 

LATE AFTERNOON SKY

            Well, it looks like this is the end of the tenth chapter; which is good timing as I really do need to go pee and also go to the bathroom too.  There are now some puffy clouds up in the sky and I'd say it's about five thirty judging by how the shadows look.  Andy's looking at me.

             I'm right no schedule in finishing this tenth chapter but will have to keep working hard as there's only about two more hours of sunlight left.   I can't believe there are only two more chapters left.  This has turned out to be a really productive day which makes me happy.

             You guys are such good dependable blankets Barry, Robin and Maurice.  I'll use you guys and your cushions Elvira to hide everything and then take a very short break, and will be right back.   Thank Everyone up there for giving me so much valuable help so far today!