Book 3 Chapter 12

   

  III  

(Book 3 / Chapter 12)

   6:30

 

      HIGH DESERT SUNRISE

               

           Wow God!   I can't believe this is chapter twelve because I would never have even thought I could make it this far because of Heathcliff dying.  Seeing the shadows leaning away from me is for some reason making me think of tomorrow's Sunrise.  Boy!  It's going to be so weird!              

          Looking toward the eastern desert behind the Sheds makes me think of yesterday evening at this time, when Heathcliff was crowing so much.  I'd say I'm right on schedule as I'd say it's      about 6:30.  Oh!  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking and cackling over there and sound happy.         

         Well Heathcliff!  If you were able to be let into Heaven up there, which Daisy and I have a feeling you were; and just happen to be listening in on me right now I really want to thank you so much for helping me out today.   I want to think I've felt your presence.  Dais felt you too.                                                                ANTONIO VIVALDI (167801741)                   LUDWIG VAN BEETHOVEN (1770-1827)            PAINTING BY FRANCOIS MORELLON LA CA VE                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                 

        Oh!  I'm hearing "La Primavera," and now "Ode to Joy!"  Thank Everyone up there if it's You Guys giving me a "Shot of Energy" as they say, and now sitting here on Elvira and seeing Birds flying        back and forth over the desert; is filling me with that uplifting Rhêma feeling.   I just love life!                  

         Well Blessed Mother, I'll just say a quick Hail Mary and finish this last and final chapter of these three what turned out to be really long books.  Please ask Your son to let Heathcliff into Heaven because    he deserves it.  Two of Pigeons just flew in from the desert and landed up on the Patio roof above me.        

           Seeing the Pigeons makes me feel good about being alive back here sitting on the Patio.  Thank you Elvira for keeping me company today because days like today makes me really appreciate even more how you're definitely one of my best friends.  I'll bet Daisy is getting hungry like me up there right now.                           

FINLEY AND FANNY                                              TWO OF THE PIGEONS    

            PHOTO BY LARRY DITTO                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

                

         Ah!  Finley's over there making his new girlfriend Fanny be nice to him, so he'll maybe throw up some food from his stomach for her to eat.  You can really tell Fanny's hungry by the    way she's chirping and singing to Finley.  I see the Pigeons shadows over there in the dirt.             

          Oh!  All of a sudden I hear "Going Up the Country."  Boy!  I can't wait to hear it again, maybe out here on the Boombox this year; or in our Chief's bedroom on his Stereo.  CANNED      HEAT definitely have one of the most unique and talented Singers in history that's for sure.       

          The sound of flute is so great!  Someday I'll also hear some more JETHRO TULL songs    but, until then; I'm happy to only know "The Third Hoorah!;" because it's such a good song.  I    hear a Train whistling, which reminds me of the JETHRO TULL song Daisy told me about.                                             

                                                                          GENESIS  

                                                                        (EARLY 1970'S)

                              

                 Dais heard our boss talking with Mr. Dave about how, in the early 1970's; the Guitarists from  GENESIS at times sat down to play.  The Singer Peter Gabriel played the flute while using his right foot to hit a bass drum.  In fact Daisy's told me, he did it in on "Musical Box."

             Mr. Steve thinks another thing which kind of made early 1970's GENESIS unusual to look at up on stage was how their Drummer Phil Collins is left-handed.  Mr. Dave noticed that CANNED HEAT and DEEP PURPLE'S Drummers are also left-handed.  I smell Creosote.

             I can't wait to hear the GENESIS album "Nursery Cryme."  Musical Box is on it but the song I want to hear is about that giant Hogweed bush, which Steve Hackett "Taps" on; and Mr. Dave describes as "swing and jazzy."  Finley threw up food for Fanny, and I hear the Pigeons.  

    

                   "NURSERY CRYME"             QUEEN VICTORA                       GENESIS 

                                      (1971)                                                      (1819-1901)                                           (EARLY 1970'S)

     

               I've mentioned before how over the years our boss has played Nursery Cryme for people, just to see their reaction.  This was especially true if he knew that person could appreciate what GENESIS did in the early years of British Progressive Rock.  Finley and Fanny flew away.

            Mr. Steve gets a "Victorian" feeling from Nursery Cryme, from its album cover to the lyrics.  Phil Collins sings a short song "For Absent Friends," about "appreciating" time passing; and also other people.  Queen Victoria was born on our boss's parents wedding anniversary.

            Daisy says our Chief played For Absent Friends for his mom, and she liked Phil Collins singing; and also the words he sang.  I guess, on the album it's a short introduction to "Return of the Giant Hogweed."   I see the Pigeons shadows moving as the Pigeons are walking around.

                                             

                KING CRIMSON                                                           YES                                 

             "IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING / 1969)                                                   ("FRAGILE" / 1971)                                                                                         ARTWORK BY BARRY GODBER                                                                                                                                                                                                                          

     

               In these three long books I've mentioned a few times how one of our Chief's favorite types of music is early 1970's British Progressive Rock.  He told Mr. Rich about KING CRIMSON'S 1969 album.  Daisy thinks I'd like the YES song about the circular or round roads in England.

           Besides the music, Mr. Steve also liked early 1970's Progressive Rock album art; some of which he copied.  He still has a vinyl record of KING CRIMSON'S album, which he drew when in High School at Sylmar High.  That album has Jazz and Classical influences on it I guess.

           Our boss heard the Artist who did KING CRIMSON'S album artwork used his own face's distorted image in a mirror as a guide.  But he died right after that album came out.  Someday I want to hear "21st Century Schizoid Man," a song which Greg Lake sings Daisy told me.   

                         

                  EMERSON , LAKE AND PAL MER                           GENTLE GIANT 

         ("TARKUS" / 1971)                                                                ("OCTOPUS" / 1972)               

       

             I just thought of how, as a teenager; Mr. Steve's mom convinced his dad to allow him to draw on the wall of his bedroom.   If we had Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" time machine I know      Dais and I would both want to see those drawings.  One was of that half Tank, half Armadillo.   

           Our boss told Mr. Dave about that band GENTLE GIANT, whose music is not meant for everyone; one of their albums called "Acquiring the Taste."  Daisy says that kid Jason said you can really tell they're talented Musicians.  The Pigeons flew back out into the back desert.            

          GENTLE GIANT don't write "melodic" songs meant to be "commercial" Mr. Steve tells people.  But one "catchy" song, an "exception to that rule;" is "A Cry For Everyone."  Over the years our boss has played it for others, just to see what their reaction is to first hearing it.                                 ROBERT J. VAN DE GRAFF          VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR                       DEVICE                                            (1901-1967)                                                                                                                                                                                          

         Another early 1970's "Prog" Rock band our boss likes is similar to GENTLE GIANT in "not being for a lot of people" he thinks.  VAN DER GRAAF GENEARATOR have "complex"      songs, which are "darker in tone;" and their Singer is "different." I like hearing Dawn.              

       Daisy heard our Chief tell Jason VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR got its name from a mechanical device used for creating high levels of "Direct Current" electricity.  It was invented    in the 1920's by a man named Robert J. Van de Graaff.  The band misspelled his name.                 

          Mr. Steve and his mom talked about seeing that Tesla Coil down there at the Griffith Park Observatory.  They remember how some kids at St. Ferdinand's built Miniature Tesla Coils and Van de Graaff Generators for those Science Fairs.  A little Lizard just went skittering bye.            

                   

                        THREE MOON PHASES                           

        

              Mr. Steve bought and sold things to a lady who was originally from Alabama, and knew about that Scientist Robert J. Van de Graaff.   She said he went to that one school "M.I.T." back there near where our Chief's sister Susan lives with Dalton and Austin.  I can smell Blinky.

             Daisy says she and Millie heard that lady tell Mr. Steve how a crater on the other side of the Moon was named for Mr. Van de Graaff.  Wow!  He must be important alright for them to do that.  Someday I really want to hear that PINK FLOYD album "Dark Side of the Moon."

           Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about Phil Collins drum playing for GENESIS, before he became the Singer.  Mr. Dave said Phil Collins, BLACK SABBATH'S Bill Ward and Ian Paice of DEEP PURPLE; "prove you don't need huge drum kits."  Blinky has such a strong smell.    

                                                                           

                                                                PHIL COLLINS    

                                                               PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA   

                 

              I've mentioned before how our boss one time took pictures of GENESIS'S Drummer Phil Collins.  That was in the late 1980's and by then he had his own band.  Mr. Steve told Mr. Dave how he wishes he could've taken pictures of Phil Collins playing drums but, oh well.  

             Dais says she would like to see Mr. Dave play drums, and I can't wait to someday see our Chief play.  According to what our boss told Mr. Mark, Mr. Dave is like himself in being able to "lay down basic beats."  But I've said before how Mr. Dave is way better at those "Fills."

            As with other people over the years, when our boss first played Mr. Dave GENESIS'S songs "Musical Box" and "Return of the Giant Hogweed;" he was impressed.  When he showed him a Video of Steve Hackett "Tapping" on them he was even more impressed.  I smell Sage.   

                                                                              MR. DAVE / MISS JULIANNE

       

         Someday Dais and I would want to smell Mr. Dave and his wife Miss Julianne, and then maybe we could also meet their Dog "Ling" too.  As I've said before, Ling is how they say "Dog" in the "Hupa" Indian language.   Dawn's barking over there and I smell Blinky too.                      

         Hey God!  Daisy thinks you can really tell by how Mr. Dave talks to our boss about Miss Julianne, he feels so fortunate to have such a good partner like her.  He chuckled one time when  Mr. Steve told him about his mom being a "helpmate" to their father.   I like Dawn's voice.           

        I have to keep working hard because, just like the last two days; it seems like it's getting darker and darker faster with each passing moment.  Ah!  The evening air is again so clear and    fresh, which makes me appreciate being alive down here sitting on Elvira.  Blinky's barking.        

    

"TAOS," NEW MEXICO     

PHOTOS BY DAVE KOZIOL         

    

               I just thought of New Mexico where Mr. Dave and Miss Julianne now live.  According to what Dais heard our boss tell his mom, Mr. Dave has taken some good photos from back there.  Mr. Steve told him about "using" a "backlit" subject to "create" some "artistic" images. 

            Over the last three days I've mentioned that guy Benny "The Jet" Urquidez, the "Kick Boxer."  Mr. Dave was a roommate in a house with Mr. Benny's brother "Smiley."  Dais jokes how our boss would never be called that nickname because he doesn't smile as much now.   

            Heathcliff's Hens are cackling over there, and they kind of sound a little bit happier than they've been sounding today.  Hey!  Maybe they're thinking about you up there Heathcliff, or it could be you're up there influencing them to be happy.  Two Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.  

                  

         DAVID LEE ROTH                          BENNY "THE JET" URQUIDEZ  

                               

             I've mentioned before in my three long books how it was that guy Mr. Benny, down at the "Jet Center" in Van Nuys; who taught VAN HALEN'S Singer David Lee Roth to do those jumps and kicks on stage.  David Lee Roth also uses things like swords too.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.

            One time our Chief told Mr. Dave he bought, and then resold; a sword "very similar" to the ones David Lee Roth used in those VAN HALEN concerts.  Daisy says in his office Mr. Steve still has this long wooden "Scimitar" shaped sword he made at Sylmar High.  I smell Sage.       

           Mr. Dave met Mr. Benny's Brother in Law Mr. Blinky and his wife Lilly.  Mr. Steve's mom raised five kids, then went back to College; Miss Lilly raised six and then became a Champion in Boxing and Kick Boxer.   Daisy heard our boss tell his dad he was told Lilly died in 2006.

                                         

                       BENNY URQUIDEZ                         LILLY / "BLINKY" RODRIQUEZ

                             

            As I've talked about before over these last three days, in the late 1970's and early 1980's that guy Mr. Benny was a really famous Kick Boxer; which is what they called it back then.  Mr. Steve heard he's retired now but trains others.  Dais says Mr. Ralph thinks he's "intelligent." 

            Mr. Blinky tells people he never blinked a lot but, when he was a kid; his Grandma had a Spanish nickname for him which kind of sounded like Blinky.  Oh!  What a coincidence that as I just happen to mention Mr. Blinky, I smell Dawn, Blinky and Rosie.  Now they're barking.

            One time Mr. Ralph and our Chief talked about how Mr. Blinky's wife Miss Lilly got to fight back there in New York City, at "Madison Square Garden."  It was even shown on that tv show I've mentioned before called "Wide World of Sports."  I feel pretty good right now. 

                                                    "MADISONSQUARE GARDEN"                                  THE "FORUM"                                         

                                                                                                                                              PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

              

                  Our boss and Mr. Gary talked about modern "Arenas."   Daisy says Mr. Gary thought the builders of Arenas now have the "benefit" of years of "trial and error."  Jack, even though it's getting darker; just zoomed through the right gate slot and ran out in to the back field. 

            I guess, one time at the Forum; Mr. Blinky and Miss Lilly fought on the same night.  It was on the "Undercard" of Mr. Bobby's fight against that guy from Nicaragua Alexis Arguello. Mr. Bobby lost that night but told Mr. Steve and his dad it was a "good learning lesson." 

           Mr. Blinky told our boss's dad how his wife, because in the 1970's and 1980's there "very few female sparring partners;" had to spar with guys.  Wow!  Maybe that's why she turned out to be so good at Boxing and Kick Boxing.  Daisy heard she's even in some "Hall of Fames."   

                                                    "MAIN STREET" GYM                                        BENNY / LILLY

        

              One time our boss and Mr. Blinky talked about that downtown "Main Street Gym" I've written about.   I guess Mr. Blinky, his wife Miss Lilly and her brother Mr. Benny; all worked out or trained there.  A group of Crows just flew over Libby's Corral and are moving to the east.

           Daisy heard years later Mr. Steve was told Mr. Benny worked on one of the movies that guy Patrick Swayze was in.  Dais thinks Miss Lilly and her brother inherited their Boxing skill from their parents, their mom having been a Wrestler.  Their dad was a Boxer when young.

           I just thought about Mr. Benny going to "Grant" High School, next to Valley College in Van Nuys.  Miss Harriet and Mr. Doug also went there, and so did Mr. Steve's Niece Samantha's boyfriend Mr. Rick.  Someday I want to hear TOTO, who also graduated from Grant High.    

                                

 JACKIE CHAN / BENNY URQUIDEZ                                         MR. DAVE                        

      

           Daisy says one time our Chief and Mr. Dave talked about Martial Arts movies Mr. Benny was in with that Chinese guy Jackie Chan, who was from "Hong Kong."  In his movies Jackie Chan and Mr. Benny had some famous fights I guess.  A group of Crows are flying bye. 

           When Mr. Steve and his dad visited the "Jet Center" Gym, because it was near the Van Nuys Courthouse; they also visited Art Aragon's Bail Bond business.   They once ate at the Jet Center restaurant.  Hey Lord!  Mr. Blinky's Christian and allows no "Cussing" in his gym.

           Mr. Blinky was the tv "Color Commentator" for Kick Boxing "telecasts" at the Palladium in Hollywood, and hired Mr. Steve to go as a Photographer.  Daisy says one time our boss went to the Sylmar "Juvenile Hall" to take pictures of Miss Lilly.  She did a really good "Exhibition."   

                        

                                                                                               DAVID LEE ROTH (1984)     

         PHOTO BY TAYLOR PLAYER      

                             

            Our boss told Mr. Dave about seeing VAN HALEN'S Sound Check at the Forum back in 1984.  On that tour they did their new song "Jump," so David Lee Roth got to do all the different things Mr. Benny taught him.  Ducks are quacking over there but of course Daffy's louder.

            Daisy says our Chief and Mr. Ralph have been to a few Gyms over the years, and both of them think the Jet Center was the best one they've seen.  It had "better equipment and facilities" than other Gyms according to what Mr. Ralph said.  Mr. Steve's dad would agree with that.  

           I've written about how, in the late 1960's; Mr. Steve's father was a "City Commissioner" who worked downtown.  Mr. Steve remembers fondly the "Main Street Gym," where his father dropped him off sometimes before going in to work.  Now only Daffy is still quacking.

                               

           HOWIE STEINDLER (1904-1977)                           "ROCKY I"      

                              

            On the days he spent at the Main Street Gym Mr. Steve's dad gave him money for lunch, and asked this man named Howie Steindler to "please keep an eye on him."   I guess Mr. Howie owned the gym.  Mr. Steve was told never to leave the gym but only watch the Boxers train. 

            Daisy heard Mr. Gary and our boss one time talk about the "Rocky" movies, and how a lot of people think the character of Rocky Balboa's "Trainer" was based on Mr. Howie.   "Skid Row" is near the Main Street Gym area.  So many homeless people live all around that area.

           Mr. Steindler knew right away he didn't have to worry about our Chief "Wondering Off" so to speak.  Mr. Steve was in his early teens, and at that time did everything his parents ordered him to do; "Without Question."  I smell Juniper, and see Andy over there sniffing the air.

          

                MR. RALPH / SON RORY                                              MR. GARY 

                                                  PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                

        

           Dais says our boss thinks Mr. Ralph's son Rory, like his father; is "very intelligent."  Mr. Steve's father, and Mr. Gary the Barber; enjoy talking to Mr. Ralph about Boxing history.  Max and 99 just zoomed bye, coming from my right; and veered to the right going into the desert.       

             I guess Mr. Ralph one time called the The Main Street Gym an "L.A. Institution."   My Encyclopedia says it began way back in 1924.  Wow!  So, that means it's been around since the "Roaring 1920's;" before the 1930's "Great Depression."   A Train whistled to the northeast. 

           Our Chief talked to Mr. Ralph about Howie Steindler being "killed" in 1977, the year that U2 Pilot Francis Gary Powers died in the Helicopter crash near the Sepulveda Dam.  It was in 1977 that Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited the east coast.  I smell Andy over there. 

              

        JOE FRAZIER / MUHAMMAD ALI         

    

           Many famous Boxers, like Muhammad Ali for example; have trained at the Main Street Gym.  But most of those working out there are young and hoping to move "Up the Ladder" as they say.  Joe Frazier fought Muhammad Ali three times, and their "Trilogy" is now famous.

           Some people think, because he was "known to carry a lot of cash;" Howie Steindler was killed in a robbery.  That's what Mr. Ralph told our Chief's father one time.  Mr. Steve told his mom he had a dream where he thanked Howie Steindler for his good memories he still has. 

          The shadows are now really leaning away from me, as the Sun is setting behind me to the west.  Again this evening the air is clear and fresh.  If it was You Guys up there who provided me with these three days of warmer than usual weather Thank You again.   Daffy's quacking.    

              

                           ROCK Y BALBOA                                            ROCKY / "BUTKUS"

          

               Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Gary talk about that movie "Rocky."  I guess, even though the movie is "Set" in Philadelphia; some scenes were filmed at the Main Street Gym.  Mr. Ralph said the famous Boxer Roberto Duran was hired to play the part of a "Sparring Partner."

            Mr. Steve told his dad, who never saw the movies; it's "plausible" Rocky Balboa's Trainer was based on Mr. Howie's personality.  Our Chief got to see those two Irish "Quarry" brothers, "Jerry" and his younger brother "Mike;" train.  Both were strong, and punched really hard.

            Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how our boss, and his father; think cultures and families are "Products" of their history. Many people from Ireland, ever since that huge mid-19th century "Potato Famine;"  have had to be very tough.  A Crow is cawing.   

    

                                JERRY QUARRY (1945-1999)              MIKE QUARRY (1951-2006)

                   According to what Daisy heard our boss say when talking to Mr. Gary, Mike and Jerry Quarry were good "counter punchers."  And seeing them "close up" was "very impressive."  I guess both Quarry brothers were very friendly, and even talked with Mr. Steve sometimes.

             I mentioned yesterday in book two that Mike and Jerry Quarry, who both died; were Irish but grew up here in California.  Sadly, just like Mr. Bobby did; they ended up with brain damage from being Boxers.  All four of the Pigeons flew bye, now moving to the east.

            Dais says Jerry Quarry was older, and bigger in size; as a "Heavyweight."  I guess Mike was a "Light Heavyweight."  Mr. Steve was told Mike was born in Bakersfield and is buried in a town near there.   Buck Owens, and that one band KORN; are also from Bakersfield too.

    

FLOYD PATTERSON / JERRY QUARRY

                The caption below a picture of Jerry Quarry landing a punch says his nickname was the "Bellflower Bomber," and from 1968 through 1971 Nat Fleischer's Ring Magazine named him "most popular" Boxer.  Mr. Steve's dad liked his courage. Mr. Steve's been to Bellflower.                   

            According to what Mr. Ralph thinks, Jerry Quarry was "unfortunate" in fighting at the same time as a lot of great future Hall of Fame level Heavyweights.  So, he was "Overshadowed" by guys like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.  Blackbeard and Anne landed on Moe.

          Blackbeard's tilting his head to the side so he can see me with his one good eye.  And now they're both scanning the ground below them; just hoping to see a Lizard or Snake to capture and eat. Oh!  Now they just lifted off and are flying over the top of the house going west.

JERRY QUARRY / MUHAMMAD ALI

    

             According to what Daisy heard, when Jerry Quarry fought Muhammad Ali he got some really bad cuts on his face.  But, he wouldn't give up and wanted to keep fighting; even when the Referee decided to "Stop the Fight."  A Train just whistled faintly over there to my left.                

           George Foreman, who annihilated Joe Frazier and looked so unbeatable at the time; says now that back in the early 1970's he avoided or "Ducked" Jerry Quarry.  That's what Mr. Ralph read in this Magazine article one time.  Dawn and Blinky's scent just floated over here.                 

            Mr. Ralph thinks, one reason why George Foreman might've avoided Jerry Quarry is because of how he knocked out Ernie Shavers; who I guess is now considered to have been one of the hardest punchers ever in Boxing history.  Dawn's barking.  I really like Dawn!    

                                                             

                                                              ERNIE SHAVERS   

              

            Dais says one time, in the mid-1980's; Mr. Steve met Ernie Shavers at some fights down there at the Forum.  He was very friendly, and even walked around with Mr. Steve; who wanted to introduced him to some of his customers.  Our boss introduced him to Miss Helen I guess.

            In the early 1970's, when Mr. Steve was in High School; the Light Heavyweight champion was named Bob Foster.  He was from New Mexico, held the championship for years; and was one of the best Light Heavyweights in history.  He was unbeatable as a Light Heavyweight.  

            One of the fighters Bob Foster beat, and knocked out; was Mike Quarry who I guess was hard to knock out and had what they call a "Good Chin."  But Bob Foster landed one of the best "Left Hooks" ever and Mike Quarry "Went Unconscious."  It was a "Picture Perfect" punch.    

             

                                                                      BOB FOSTER

        

             Wow!  My Encyclopedia says Bob Foster "successfully defended" his Light Heavyweight championship fourteen times in a row.  Our boss and Mr. Gary talked about how, even though he was skinny; he was a powerful puncher.  The Monarch Butterfly just went bye right now.

             I guess, Bob Foster's regular "Day Job" was as a New Mexico "Deputy Sheriff" officer.  He was six foot three but only weighed about one hundred and eighty pounds.  A right-hander, he had really long arms Dais says; and our boss said his "stiff" left "jab" was pretty good.

            When he fought Mike Quarry Bob Foster landed one of the most "devastating" punches in Boxing history.  It knocked out Mike Quarry "cold" and Bob Foster was worried for a while he might've even killed Mike Quarry.  But Mike Quarry ended up being alright I guess.

        

                           BOB FOSTER / JOE FRAZIER                                   BOB FOSTER / MUHAMMAD ALI IN BACKGROUND

    

         Wow!  It says here, after he retired from Boxing; Bob Foster was elected into the Boxing Hall of Fame.  But, I guess he just couldn't  beat Heavyweights according to what Daisy heard.    Cher just went through the right vertical gate slot to go check things out in the back desert.          

        In the early 1970's, when our boss was back in High School; Bob Foster lost to both Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali too.  One picture shows him getting hit by Joe Frazier's left hook,      and in another one he's been knocked down by Muhammad Ali.  Cher's scent just came in.        

         Mr. Steve and his father admire Bob Foster because, unlike many "Entertainers;" he had another way to "Make a Living" when he retired.  Dais says our Chief admired whenever he met people in hopeful bands like that.  Mr. Dave, CAULDRON'S Singer; was one of those.                   

                                                   DRAGONFLY                                                             HORNET                                                       

            Aha!  I knew I was hearing something coming from my left and it turns out to be that big Dragonfly which has been hanging around here for the last three days.  Daisy's been seeing it too up there in the front yard.  The Dragonfly is now flying over Libby's Corral over there.

            Seeing the Dragonfly makes me suddenly think of that other Bug called a "Hornet." I've never seen one but Dais has and says they sting like Bees.  She and Millie heard Miss Susan tell our boss they're related to these other flying Insects called "Wasps" and "Yellowjackets.

           One time Daisy and Millie saw this tv show about Hornets and things like that.  It said Hornets make their nests out of chewed up wood.  Another time, they watched a Huell Howser episode about one of those "Aircraft Carriers" I've written about; called the "Hornet."    

      

                              USS "HORNET CV-12                                               HUELL HOWSER

                 Dais told me how the USS Hornet is now a museum docked up there in the San Francisco Bay.  It says here it was built during World War II and saw a lot of combat in the last part of the war in the Pacific Ocean against Imperial Japan.  Two of the Pigeons just now flew bye.

           In one of those "Bird's Eye" view photographs I see how that Aircraft Carrier Hornet has a "Diagonal" Landing Strip.  I've mentioned a few times in these three books how Mr. Dave was on a Navy Aircraft Carrier.  He knew the Hornet had been used in the 1950's Korean War.

           Mr. Dave also said the Hornet was used in the Vietnam War  too.  My Encyclopedia says it was an "Essex-Class" vessel with the nickname of "Grey Ghost."  Oh!  I guess, in 1969; it was the Hornet that picked up the "Apollo 11" Astronauts when they got back from the Moon.

  

                                                                                 BATTLE OF "SHILOH"  (1862)    

                                                 PAINTING BY RICK REEVES                                                                                                                PAINTING BY THURE DE THULSTRUP

                                             

             Over the last three days I've written about the American Civil War.  And one of the battles I've mentioned a few times took place at that place called "Shiloh." General Grant's Union men, in a bloody two day battle; beat Rebel troops under that guy Albert Sydney Johnston.                 

               At the Battle of Shiloh, one of the areas where the most vicious fighting took place was in what the Soldier's later called the "Hornet's Nest."  And, I guess that was mainly because of the way the bullets sounded as they were zinging all around.   Oh!  That would be so scary!

           Daisy says there's a Basketball team called the Charlotte "Hornets."  Mr. Steve one time faxed a copy of the line drawing he did years ago to one of his customers in North Carolina.  His kids made copies of the original and colored them, and also the other ones sent later too.    

                                                                                                    

      KOBE BRYANT / MICHAEL JORDAN                "MUGGSY" BOGUES (CHARLOTTE "HORNETS")

                                       

              Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Grant how, for a few years Harriet's father bought Season seats for the Clippers; when they played down at the "Sports Arena."  Mr. Steve and Harriet one time saw the Charlotte Hornets play.  I guess that guy Michael Jordan now owns them. 

            In that game the Hornets had a five foot three inch tall Player named "Mugsy" Bogues. Just like Doug Flutie in Football, he was a short but great Basketball Player.  One of Mr. Steve's customers in Baltimore told him Mugsy Bogues was a really good Baseball Player too. 

            During pre-game warmups Mr. Steve kiddingly told Harriet Mugsy Bogues was a "Ball Boy" who the Hornets had felt sorry for and gave him a job.  She thought that was nice of them to do, but laughed when he "Started the Game."  Ah!  The evening air is so clear right now.  

                            

       HIGH DESERT SUNSETS       

                                                                                                                PHOTO BY TONE HELENA TORGERSEN

     

                  I really do have to keep working hard because it's starting to get darker and darker but, just like the the last two days; I won't waste any time.  But today I'm doing it thinking how in the morning there won't be Heathcliff.  I know for sure Dais is up there thinking the same things.

             One time our boss was talking with Mr. Frank, who knows so much about the history of Cars and things like that; about vehicles which have used the name "Hornet."  Daisy thinks it's a good name for a Car because real Hornets can sting.  You're such a loyal couch Elvira.

            Mr. Frank told our boss he read in Hemmings Magazine the name Hornet was first used for a Car way back in1905, right at the beginning of Automobiles.   Dais says one of Mr. Steve's    Dodge customers told him there might be "Hornet vehicles" again.  Andy's looking at me.             
     

1953 HUDSON "HORNET" 

    

                 I guess Mr. Frank read how, in the 1930's during the Great Depression; the British made a Car using the name Hornet.   And after World War II this company called "Hudson" built a Hornet too.  I've mentioned before how Mr. Frank has rebuilt or restored 1950's Cars.

             Daisy heard Mr. Frank use the terms "step down design" and "dropped floor plan" to describe those big 1950's Hudson Cars.  Mr. Steve told him one of his customers said Hudson's "low center of gravity" made them good for racing.  A small flock of Birds is going bye.

             Mr. Frank said the Hudson company "later became" that "A.M.C." organization I've written about before.  Ah!  The evening Spring air is so clear again today so thank Everyone if You're all giving us a gift of grace.  Seeing the baby Cholla cactus makes me feel good.

     

"HUMBER HORNET MALKARA"      

        

                     According to what Daisy heard Mr. Frank say, from 1958 through 1961 the British made a "mobile missile launcher" called Hornet.   He said the Hemmings article called it a "pioneer" but in those days missiles were attached to wires.  Now they don't need wires anymore I guess.

             Our boss and Mr. Phillip talked one time about that Hornet missile launcher.  Because the wires were only abut a mile long the range was small but, "within that zone;" any tank or thing like that was "in danger" Mr. Frank said.  A Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt.

             Dais says our boss and Mr. Phillip talked about the Hemmings article, and how it said in the 1960's the same company that had made a Hornet before World War II; "resurrected" the name.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flew over the desert behind the Sheds.

                            

                                              1970'S "ECONONICAL" VEHICLES                                                 

                                        (L TO R / CHEVY "VEGA" / A,M.C. "GREMLIN" / FORD "PINTO")                                                                                                                                                                                 PHOTO BY JULIA LAPALME                                                                                                                                                                         

 

             Our boss and Mr. Frank talked about that "American Motors Corporation," or just "A.M.C." for short.    In book one on Thursday I wrote about a few of the bad 1970's Cars, like the A.M.C. "Gremlin" for example.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert.

            As I've said before, because of the gas shortages of the 1970's American Car companies made Cars that got good mileage.  The Gremlin was one of them, and so was the Ford "Pinto" and Chevrolet "Vega;" all bad vehicles I guess.  I smell Charlie Company out in the field.

           Two Motorcycles just went zooming bye on Primavera Road and are now going toward the north.   It's getting darker but I can still see the dust they left behind floating above the desert out there behind the Sheds.  Dawn's barking, and I smell her, Blinky and Rosie over there.

      

                           1973 A.M.C. "HORNET                           "MAN WITH THE GOLDEN GUN"

                          

               Mr. Frank and our boss talked about the A.M.C. "Hornet," which I guess was made in the 1970's.  Daisy heard Mr. Steve say a friend of his named "Martin" had a 1973 Hornet right after High School.  An A.M.C. Hornet was used in a stunt in one of the James Bond movies.   

            Like our Chief's dad bought Mr. Rick's 1968 Chevelle for him, when he was in 12th Grade at Sylmar High; Martin's dad bought him a 1973 Hornet.  I guess, Mr. Frank one joked A.M.C. had "nice looking 1970's bodies;" but the "guts" were bad.  I smell Manzanita.

            Daisy heard our boss's Dodge customer tell him those 1970's Hornet's were in some ways "experimental."  He said they were "platforms" to try out new "alternative" ideas, such as in using different types of fuel for example.  A flock of Birds are moving toward the northeast.    

    

2006 DODGE "MINI HORNET"

(PROTOTYPE / NEVER MARKETED)

   

               According to what that one Dodge Parts Manager told Mr. Steve, a few years ago Dodge was going to "bring back" the name "Hornet" for "use on one of their vehicles."  But, then the economic recession we're in happened; so it was totally cancelled.  Boy! Sage smells so good.

            I guess, from what Dais heard that Dodge Parts Manager tell our boss that time; the new Hornet was scheduled to have been one of those "Compact" Cars I've mentioned a few times over the last three day.   In fact, it was even called a "Mini Hornet."   Daffy's quacking.

           Daisy's told me even though you're small in size, like Miss Lilly; you can still do some big things.  She told me about the tv show she and Millie watched with our boss about that Chinese girl named "Ng Mui."  In this one Encyclopedia I notice how her other name is "Wú Méi."       

                                  

 NG MUI / WÚ MÉI (DATES UNKNOWN)       

            

             The caption below a picture of Ng Mui says she lived in the late 17th and early 1700's.   According to Dais, and this Encyclopedia too; she might've been a Buddhist Nun.  Daisy told me she heard our boss tell Miss Babette over the years he's bought and sold Chinese blades.

             I was supposed to write about Ng Mui yesterday but it was one of the things I missed on the outline.  Many things are not known about that girl Ng Mui, not even the exact years when she was born or died.  Cher jogged bye holding a dead Lizard firmly in her mouth.

            It sounds like Ng Mui had a hard life, because her parents may've been killed when she was young; and then later the "Shaolin" Temple where she lived was destroyed.  Daisy says one story is about how her father may've been a General.  I smell Cher and her Lizard.

   

FRONT YARD 

                    It says here Ng Mui was a Nun, but also a "warrior" who is now "associated" with the Martial Arts.  The tv show called her "Five Plum" or a five petal flower.  I just thought of the two statues up in the front yard.  One is that Warrior Monk, the other the seated Buddha.

              I guess, probably because she was one of those Orphans; Ng Mui became a Nun.  Daisy says besides praying a lot, she also learned about "hand to hand" combat; when a small person is fighting a bigger person.  I wonder what Dais is doing up there in the front yard right now.       

                  I guess, that girl Ng Mui is now associated not only with the Shaolin fighting style; she influenced "Wing Chun" and "Wudang" too.  Wow!  She was the "founder" of the "Wûméi Pài Martial Arts form.  Mr. Steve and his brothers learned that "Tang Soo Do" system as kids.

   

                      "GREEN HORNET"                BRUCE LEE (1940-1973)              "GAME OF DEATH"                                  

        Wow!  I just love the masks Bruce Lee and his boss the "Green Hornet" are wearing in a good color picture of them.  The caption says it shows them in their 1960's tv show, about their      fight against crime.  I'd definitely wear a mask like that, especially if it was in royal blue.            

         A photo shows Bruce Lee in a 1978 movie, standing next to the Basketball Player Kareem-Jabbar.   A painting shows him holding "Nunchuku," or "Nunchucks;" like the ones our boss has hanging behind his drums.   Those Jackie Chan movies Mr. Benny was in came out later.       

        One of Mr. Steve's customers up in Washington said he and his wife and kids saw that guy Bruce Lee's Seattle gravesite.  They were there for a relatives when someone pointed out Bruce    Lee's grave.  Some of the Ducks are quacking but, as usual; Daffy's voice is a lot louder.                                                                JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE                             

           Mr. Dave told our boss one of his Motorcycle Shop customers up there in Washington told him he and his kids saw Jimi Hendrix's grave.  He grew up in Washington but, as I've written      before; became famous over there in England.  Hearing the Ducks is making me feel good.           

        I just thought about Jimi Hendrix's three piece band called the EXPERIENCE, and how their Drummer Mitch Mitchell was born on July the 9th just like Mr. Steve.   A Wren landed on  one of the big boulders around the bottom of the Mulberry tree.  Andy's sniffing the air.               

      Daisy says our boss thinks Bruce Lee was probably influenced by that girl Ng Mui in his Martial Arts style.  Someday, Daisy and I want to see that tv show Bruce Lee was in, where the    man wears a green mask; called the the  "Green Hornet."  The Wren zipped off right now.                     

 "BUCKETHEAD"                                                          MR. RICH       

                                                                                                                      

        Oh!  Mentioning those nunchucks Bruce Lee used makes me think about this Guitarist called "Buckethead," who Mr. Rich thinks is "very talented."  As one of those "Gimmicks" he      wears a bucket on his head like a hat, and covers his face with a mask I guess.  I smell Sage.       

          Dais heard Mr. Dave and our boss talk about how, as "part of his act;" Buckethead uses nunchucks.  After the original GUNS N' ROSES broke up, he was in the band for a while Daisy    heard.  LED ZEPPELIN'S Jimmy Page and Kirk Hammett of METALLICA think he's good.      

           I guess Buckethead's "Headgear" is from that restaurant "Kentucky Fried Chicken," or just "KFC" for short.   Mr. Rich knows about Buckethead, who I guess is really tall; so people    joke he should play Basketball in the N.B.A.  But Mr. Steve says just being tall is not enough.            

            "BOOTSY COLLINS                                            MR. MARK                   

PHOTO BY JEFF HAHNE                                                                            

                     

          One time our boss and Mr. Mark were talking about that guy Buckethead, and how he's a good friend of "Bootsy" Collins; one of Mr. Mark's favorite Bassists.  Hey God!  I guess Bootsy    Collins really believes in You and even calls You "The One."   Cleo and Leo are flying bye.           

       Mr. Mark has talked to Bootsy Collins, and says he's friendly; describing him as being a "funky" Bassist.   He was in James Brown's band, then PARLIAMENT FUNKKADELIC; who I wrote about.  That Bassist Flea from RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS admires his playing.                

          Daisy says our boss told Mr. Mark he met a lady from "Claremont," where Huell Howser saw that "Folk Music Center" I wrote about in chapter eleven.   She said Buckethead grew up in Claremont but was from "Huntington Beach."  Mr. Steve has been to Huntington Beach.                                   

      LATE AFTERNOON OVER THE HIGH DESERT

                      

          Mr. Dave told our boss Buckethead, who I guess likes Horror movies; has a song on this game called "Guitar Hero."  Daisy thinks I would probably like how at times during his concerts Buckethead moves like a robot just like DEVO used to do.  Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.           

           Dais says "virtuoso" is the word Mr. Rich used to describe Buckethead's guitar playing.  He played on albums by Iggy Pop, and SYSTEM OF A DOWN'S Singer Serj Tankian.  I just now picked up the really strong scent of Charlie Company coming from out there in the desert.   

          The sunlight in getting dimmer and dimmer, you can barely see the shadows; all are now leaning away from me over here on Elvira.  Two Motorcycles went bye going north out there in    the desert and I heard them coming from far away.  The sound is fading fast right now.                 

  

 FATHER DAMIEN                 DOROTHY DAY                MOTHER TERESA  

                                       (1840-1889)                                            (1897-1980)                                              (1910-1997)                                                                                     

"MOSAIC" BY TYLER ORSBURN                                                                                                                                                                                                     

 

           I guess that lady from Claremont, who's Catholic like us; told our boss her family knew Buckethead's father.  She said "for years" he was "Athletic Director" for "Damien" Catholic      High School in the city of "LaVerne."  Our boss said he's been to that city "a few times."          

         One time Dais heard our boss and his mom talking about Father Damien, who that High School is named after.  This Encyclopedia says he was from "Belgium," but was sent to work out in Hawaii.  Daisy thinks Father Damien sounds kind of like that one lady Mother Teresa.              

          In the 19th century Father Damien worked among those "Lepers" I've written about, just like Mother Teresa helped India's poor.  Hey Lord!  That Catholic lady Dorothy Day, who Mr.      Steve's father admires; since the 1930's Great Depression helped Your "Least of These" too.                                                                            "HAWAII"                                   

PHOTO BY MARK WOOD                                                                                                                                                        

                    

           Father Damien, who died of Leprosy; worked with Lepers on the island of "Molokai," the "fifth largest" island in the Hawaiian chain.  I guess Mr. Mark has had articles in his Newspaper "The Big Island Reporter" about Molokai.  The big Dragonfly just zoomed bye right now.           

       Below the map of Hawaii the caption says Molokai was formed from two volcanoes, and about 1.5 million years ago the north side fell into the Pacific Ocean in a giant landslide.  Daisy    heard Mr. Mark says Molokai is not as "touristy" as other islands.  I can smell Mesquite.             

        Daisy heard Mr. Mark tell our boss on Molokai they do "Cattle ranching," and also grow "pineapples and sugar cane."  It says here how "Moloka' i  'Aina Momona" means the "Land of  Plenty" in Hawaiian, and they pray to the Goddess "Hina" on Molokai.   Daffy's quacking.                                  

      "KUNG FU"      

      (MID-1970'S)       

               

                 Dais told me about a tv show about a 19th century Shaolin Monk who walks around the American West.  He plays flute; and always tried to be peaceful; even when others tried to fight him.  But, he knows how to fight and can even redirect or deflect spears thrown at him.    

             According to Daisy, in the tv show the Chinese man sometimes meets mean people who want to fight.  What the mean people don't know is that he's like that girl Ng Mui in being able to use leverage and quickness to overcome greater physical strength.  Dawn's now barking.

            One time Dais jokingly called me "Little Grasshopper," because on the tv show when the Monk was a kid in China and being trained; that's what the older Monks called him.  Mr. Steve took pictures of the Actor who played Little Grasshopper's brother at a Boxing match I guess.   

 

LATE AFTERNOON HIGH DESERT

     

          The Sun is going down to the west, or behind me sitting here on Elvira; so I have to write fast in order to get to everything on this book three outline.  I know from when Daisy and I put    together my outlines I still have more to write about music and Boxing too.  I smell Andy.             

         One time Dais heard our Chief and Mr. Rich talking about living down there in Sylmar.   Mr. Steve told him, back in the mid-1980's after he left VAN HALEN; that one Singer David Lee Roth started his own band.  Oh!  Heathcliff's Hens are clucking, and sound happy again.              

      Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rich David Lee Roth used to ride one of those "Chopper" Motorcycles I've written about.   He also told him how it was Mr. Benny who taught him all of      those martial art stage moves he used to do.   The four Pigeons flew over Libby's Corral.                                           

   DAVID LEE ROTH       

                                                                                                                                                                                PHOTO BY TAYLOR PLAYER            

           

                 I've written before how David Lee Roth grew up in "Pasadena," which is to the south of Sylmar.   Daisy says he can jump really high and do good spinning back kicks.  Two Motorcycles just zoomed bye out there on Primavera Road, which left behind a slowly rising cloud of dust.  

            Our boss told Mr. Rich some people in Sylmar, in the mid-1980's; saw David Lee Roth at the Liquor Store near where he, Steph and Cristina live.  He was sitting on his Motorcycle eating a hot dog.  And he was very friendly too, unlike his reputation for being kind of arrogant.

           Daisy heard David Lee Roth was "fired" from VAN HALEN, but the two brothers say he "quit."  Mr. Phillip uses the words "axed," "canned" or "sacked."  Mr. Steve thinks "everyone seems to have been bickering a lot," so VAN HALEN may've been "better off" anyway.   

                  

    DAVID LEE ROTH / STEVE VAI

         PHOTO BY NEIL ZLOZOWER

             

              I guess, the reason why people saw David Lee Roth in Sylmar was because the Guitarist in his new band, Steve Vai; lived in Sylmar.   So, being from Pasadena; David Lee Roth probably rode his Motorcycle north on the #210 Freeway over to Sylmar.  Frida and Diego flew bye.

             Hey God!  Daisy and Millie saw that tv show about Steve Vai, and noticed he did a good song about You.  Mr. Mark did his own version of "For the Love of God" too according to what Daisy heard that time.  Some Crows are fighting over something out there behind the Sheds.      

            Mr. Rich knows about Steve Vai who I guess, like himself; was originally from back east.  Steve Vai went to a school where he learned to read and write music.  Mr. Steve saw the band he was in with David Lee Roth play a concert at the Forum one time.   I smell Andy over there.

   

              STEVE APPLEFORD                          1978 "EL DORADO"                         STEVE APPLEFORD'S BOOK

    

              Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave one time about seeing, in 1988; David Lee Roth's band play at the Forum.  He went with that guy Steve Appleford, who wrote the good book about the ROLLING STONES.  Ah!  I love breathing in fresh air through my nose.  Thank You God!

          Our Chief drove to the David Lee Roth concert, and Steve Appleford is tall, so it was good in those days he was driving his "floating Boat" he jokes.  That was the huge "El Dorado" his dad "Handed Down" to him.  Mr. Dave laughed in talking about the price of gas in 2014.

          In 1988 I guess Steve Appleford, working for the "L.A. Times;" was sent to review David Lee Roth's concert.  Dais heard our Chief tell Mr. Dave he was impressed when Steve Appleford called in and "Dictated" the review from a phonebooth at the Forum.  Dawn's barking.

                                                                                               MR. EDDIE                                                     RICK ALLEN                                                           

           Over the last three days I've written about Mr. Eddie, who was born without arms; but still has the courage to try to make money over there in Phelan by playing drums and singing.  I  would really like to meet Mr. Eddie and know for sure so would Dais too.  Daffy's quacking.         

           Daisy told me our boss and Mr. Phillip one time talked about how he spells his last name "Allin," while DEF LEPPARD'S one-armed Drummer spells his name with an "e."  That's sort    of like how you can spell our last name either Córdova or Córdoba.  I like Daffy's voice.             

         That time when Mr. Steve got to see DEF LEPPARD down at the L.A. Sports Arena was another one of Steve Appleford's L.A. Times review assignments.  Mr. Steve has discussed that      concert with Mr. Eddie a few times.  And Mr. Steve told him he admires he and Rick Allen.                    

                                                            FRANK ZAPPA (1940-1993)                                                                                      

         The other day our boss talked with Mr. Mark about Mr. Mark's son for a time going to High School over there in the Antelope Valley.  Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart did too back in the 1960's.  Littlerock, where our Chief's brother Sam's family lives; is also in that area.           

          Mr. Steve thinks Steve Vai was smart to learn to read and write music, because when he was eighteen he moved out here to California to work for Frank Zappa as a "Transcriptionist."  Then, a few years later I guess; he got to play guitar in his band.  The Dragonfly whizzed bye.      

        One time Daisy heard our Chief talking on the phone with Mr. Rich, and they discussed Steve Vai living in Sylmar.  Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rich he's pretty sure, maybe in 1989; he  saw Steve Vai's business on a list of "Members"  for that "Pace" company.  Dawn's barking.       

       

STEVE VAI    

     

             Mr. Steve did one of his frames for a guy, who it turned out grew up in Sylmar; and had as a kid worked at this drive through Dairy Mr. Steve's family always went to.  That guy's family lived near Steve Vai's house.  He mentioned Steve Vai had a "unique three-necked" guitar.

             Daisy says that man told our boss Steve Vai and his wife, who he met at the music school where he learned to read and write music; had two sons.  Daisy heard for a time Steve Vai's wife played bass guitar in that girl band VIXEN, who I wrote about in book one.  I smell Blinky.   

            That guy from Sylmar, who's sisters worked at a restaurant named "Tlu Tlu's; said Steve Vai and his family are all really friendly and nice.  It's slowly getting darker as the Sun gradually goes down over the western horizon behind me on the other side of the house.  I like Blinky.   

   

HONEY BEE

              The guy from Sylmar also told our boss Steve Vai's family moved over to "Encino," near where Mr. Steve's father used to have his school for Stockbrokers.  And one of the things he does now raise Bees.  Daisy says a while back our Chief sold things to a man who raised Bees. 

              Mr. Steve thinks David Lee Roth was good in that concert at the Forum, but the songs weren't as good as VAN HALEN'S songs.  But, you could tell Steve Vai is a great Guitarist in his "Technique."  Daisy noticed how he uses those "Whammy Bars" I've mentioned before.

             Dais one time heard Mr. Rich tell our boss about Steve Vai's "Ibanez" guitars.  One was called "Jem," and it has twenty four frets instead of twenty two.  On the body a cut out handle allows Steve Vai to swing it around while still playing.  Mr. Rich called it a "monkey grip."    

                       

                                                                                                                        IBANEZ "JEM" GUITAR                                                                                                                                       PHOTO BY C. FLANAGAN  

               

           Mr. Mark has a Steve Vai Jem guitar.  Dais told me when Steve Vai swings it around he kind of looks like one of those windmills.   And, in some songs at the David Lee Roth concert; he  "Tapped" like Eddie Van Halen.  I just noticed the new Hawk fly bye with a dead Lizard.             

              I guess, from what Daisy heard; Ibanez is a Japanese company.  They began way back in the year 1908, or six years before World War I first started.  The only companies who sell more     guitars than Ibanez are Gibson and Fender, companies I've written about in my books.                

           Dais says our Chief and Mr. Rich talked about Ibanez being the first company to "mass produce" seven and eight string guitars.  And the seven string version, the "Universe;" was also  designed by Steve Vai too in 1988.  It's "low end tones" were later used in KORN'S songs.                      

             "WEST SIDE STORY (1961)                                            JIMMY PAGE                              

          On the tv show Steve Vai said he was "influenced" by the music in that movie "West Side Story," and later by Jimmy Page's guitar on LED ZEPPELIN'S song "Heartbreaker."  The man on the tv show described Steve Vai's guitar playing as being "highly individualistic" I guess.        

        Mr. Mark read Ibanez began making electric musical instruments in 1957, the  same year Mr. Steve's brother Rock was born.  As I mentioned earlier this afternoon, when I wrote about    the Folk Music Center; a "Luthier" "works on stringed instruments."  Daffy's quacking.             

       In 1908 the Ibanez company was named after a Spanish Luthier named Salvador Ibáñez.  Dais says that guy from Sylmar told our Chief how Steve Vai's family lived on a Cul-de Sac like    Hagar Street.  The scent of Theodora's Creosote bush floated into to me here on the Patio.                

"CREATION"

    (THE "SPARK OF LIFE")

                      

            Hey God!  As You know, someday I really want to hear Steve Vai's song "For the Love of God," which Dais says he played one time with a full orchestra.  She and Millie thought he made his guitar "talk," the way I guess Stevie Ray Vaughn used to do.  Mr. Mark called it "art."           

          I guess For the Love of God is one of those "Instrumentals," without any singing.  Steve Vai uses one of those "Universe" guitars in it, and as You know Lord; Daisy told me it's a really    good alright so that's why I want to hear it.  The Twins scent just came floating in to me.             

          Based on the tv show Daisy saw it seems like Steve Vai is influenced by, or at least aware of; that one "Urantia" book I've mentioned a few times over the last three days.   I guess, he even named a song for a term from that book.  Boy!  Smelling the Twins is making me feel good.                        

"THE URANTIA BOOK"

   

         Hey God!  As You know, Dais heard our boss and Mr. Mark talking about The Urantia Book Jimi Hendrix liked.  I guess, kind of like a "Father Figure;" the Author's talk about You as being the  "Creator and Upholder" of all reality.  That means "spiritually" and "physically."      

            Dais heard our boss and Mr. Mark discuss Mr. Mark's version of Steve Vai's song For the Love of God.  Mr. Mark read Steve Vai used an Ibanez "Universe" guitar on that song, and later gave it to that guy Prince; who I've mentioned Mr. Mark admires.  I can smell some Roses.          

          Mr. Steve told his dad, who knows about The Urantia Book but has not read it; he thinks many people like it because it combines science with Jewish, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Hindu, Shinto and Confucian concepts.  Ah!  Now I also smell the Spring Oleander flowers.                             

"THE HEALED SOUL"

   

          Our boss told Mr. Mark he's done line drawings for people of logos having to do with the subject of "Healing."  One was an older lady who explained to him how "triangles and circles"    symbolize "unity, wholeness and illumination."  Boy !  I feel so glad to be alive right now!             

        Daisy heard our Chief tell Mr. Mark that lady knew the Urantia emblem is three circles representing "infinity, eternity, and universality."  She was also aware The Urantia Book deals    with man's "origin, place in the universe; and meaning of life."  A Train whistled faintly.              

           The lady said in some cultures an emblem of three circles represents "mind, body spirit."  I guess, she was originally from up there in San Francisco, and liked Jazz music; so knew about    that band SPIRIT.  She saw SPIRIT'S baldheaded Drummer play even before SPIRIT.                         

                    SPIRIT                                                   JIMI HENDRIX EXPERIENCE

(RANDY CALIFORNIA FAR LEFT)                                                                                                                

    

          I've mentioned that band SPIRIT in my books.  Dais heard Mr. Mark say their Guitarist Randy California played in Jimi Hendrix's band when he was only fifteen, before Jimi Hendrix    went to England and got famous.   His Stepfather, Ed Cassidy; was SPIRIT'S Drummer.               

         Our Chief told Mr. Mark how, as a kid in the 1960's when everyone had long hair; he and his friends noticed Ed Cassidy's shaved head.   He was also twenty years older than the rest of      SPIRIT.  Daisy heard SPIRIT did a song called "Urantia," and another one titled "1984."            

        Daisy heard Randy "California" was a nickname given to him by Jimi Hendrix, because there was another guy in the band named Randy too; who became Randy "Texas."  Hey!  They    could have been Randy 1 and Randy 2 like DEVO's Bob 1 and Bob 2, or our two Bella's.                                                      

RANDY CALIFORNIA   /   JIMI HENDRIX    

       (1951-1997)                                   (1942-1970)      

   

        Mr. Mark read Randy California, when he was fifteen; first met Jimi Hendrix in a New York City Guitar Shop; and they became friends I guess.  From what Dais heard, Jimi Hendrix    liked teaching things to a receptive audience the way Randy Rhoades did.  I smell Mesquite.        

         Daisy says Mr. Mark and our boss talked about how Randy California died at the young age of forty five.  He was in Hawaii, and went swimming at the beach; when one of those strong    "Rip Tides" suddenly came in.  He saved his twelve year old son but was drowned himself.           

           It's getting darker and darker, and I can see from my book three outline I still have more to write about that guy Steve Vai; and also other things having to do with music too.   Mr. Mark    said Randy California's body was "never found."  Oh!  I'll bet it was eaten by some Sharks.                   

        MISS EMILY                        "LONG ISLAND"             STEVE VAI / PIA MAIOO

  

         I guess Steve Vai, from an Italian immigrant family like Mr. Rick's; was probably raised  Roman Catholic.  Like Miss Emily, he grew up on New York City's "Long Island;" from what      Dais heard Mr. Rich tell our boss.  I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies asleep up there.             

        According to what that tv show said, dreams have influenced some of Steve Vai's songs.  I know for sure, if I were ever to try to write music; my dreams would most likely have a part to    do with it.  A Train just whistled really faintly way out there in the desert to the northeast.            

       Mr. Dave read, when he was only five years old; Steve Vai had one of those "Epiphanies" I've written about.  He tapped a piano key, then the one to its left which made a lower sound;        while to the right came the higher tones.   I'll bet it was one of those "Aha" moments."                                                                     KORN                                                                      LIMP BISKIT       

                

          Mr. Rich told our boss, in the late 1990's; that seven string Ibanez "Jem" guitar Steve Vai designed was used by KORN'S Guitarist.  And Daisy heard, it was also played on songs by this    other "Nu Metal" band called LIMP BISKIT.  KORN are from over there in "Bakersfield."        

          Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Mark talking about that Jem guitar's "cutaway" handle on the upper body.  Mr. Steve told him how, when he saw Steve Vai swinging it all around in concert he wondered how he was doing it.  Mr. Mark never does that, he just plays his Jem guitar.            

     I just glanced up in time to see Rudy running bye in front of the Sheds, carrying a dead Lizard.  It's starting to get cooler as the Sun goes down behind me to the west.  Andy's guarding their burrow and watched Rudy, even though he knows Roadrunners are not a threat at all.                      

       YNGWIE MALMSTEEN                NICCOLÒ PAGANINI (1782-1840)  

       

          A few years ago, when he still lived down there in Sylmar; Mr. Steve sold things to a guy who met that Swedish Guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen.  The guy said he's tall, and he told Yngwie    his father in France also really like that Italian Violinist "Paganini" too.   Yngwie smiled.             

         Daisy and Millie saw that tv show about the early 18th century, or "Napoleonic" period. That was when Paganini lived.  It talked about Paganini's famous violin, which I guess was built in the early 17th century and made of perfect wood for making sound.  That's what Dais said.    

         Back in the 1970's our boss played DEEP PURPLE'S song "Highway Star" for his friend Tim's mom, because she played the organ.  He was curious to see her reaction to the solos, which she actually liked; saying Jon Lord "Sounds like Paganini."   I smell the Oleander flowers.                   

ALCATRAZ    

                           

        Mr. Rich told our boss how Steve Vai replaced Yngwie in that 1980's Heavy Metal band ALCATRAZZ, who I mentioned yesterday when I wrote about that famous prison up there in      San Francisco.  Steve Vai was also in WHITESNAKE Dais heard.  Flowers smell so great!            

          Daisy says our Chief told Mr. Mark he did one of those line drawings of ALCATRAZZ'S logo, just because his mom thought it was "clever" in its "design."  There are Birds going back and forth behind the Sheds.  Boy!  I'd say there's less than an hour of sunlight left today.              

       When Mr. Dave told our boss Steve Vai played on some PUBLIC IMAGE LTD., ALICE COOPER and MOTÖRHEAD albums; he was surprised.  That just shows you how "versatile" he is Mr. Dave said.  Boy God!  Someday I really want to hear Steve Vai's song about You.                                 

                          ("ALCATRAZ" ISLAND)          SAN FRANCISCO                "BAY AREA"                                  

  

           Yesterday I wrote about that island out in the San Francisco Bay called "Alcatraz," which was used as a prison for all those years.  It's where Al Capone was sent to for a while, and where  those American Indians held their demonstrations in the 1970's.  A Train whistled faintly.             

        According to what Daisy heard Mr. Rich and our boss discuss, Steve Vai had a recording studio right at his own house down there in Sylmar.  Hearing the Train right now makes me feel  good because it seems familiar.  Mr. Steve is so lucky because he's ridden in some Trains.              

       Mr. Dave read Steve Vai, who's Italian-American like Mr. Rick; tells people how, as a kid growing up in "Staten Island" in N.Y.C; he was influenced by the music in that play and movie called "West Side Story."  I can smell that new baby Cholla cactus growing over there.                      

       DEEP PURPLE                                               RITCHIE BLACKMORE

                                                                                                                

           Mr. Dave read Steve Vai as a kid was heavily influenced by the guitar playing of that guy Ritchie Blackmore.  Like a lot of people, he was impressed by Ritchie Blackmore's very melodic  rhythm playing; and precise leads.  Smelling the baby Cholla cactus is making me feel good.        

          Daisy heard Mr. Rich one time talking about how DEEP PURPLE and RAINBOW didn't need two Guitarists because of Ritchie Blackmore.  He mentioned his "measured" and "precise" playing, and called both bands "proto-metal.  Boy!  I sure do wish I could hear Heathcliff.            

       BLACK SABBATH, DEEP PURPLE and LED ZEPPELIN are the "pioneers" of Heavy Metal Mr. Dave thinks.  Mr. Steve would add BLUE CHEER and STEPPENWOLF to that list.  Dais told me how there's a dirt road near us called "Pionero," or "Pioneer" in English.                                                    

    RITCHIE BLACKMORE  

                                                                                                                                ARTWORK BY PAUL KING                     

 

         One time Daisy heard our boss tell his Niece Samantha's boyfriend Mr. Rick he wishes he had seen Ritchie Blackmore play back in the 1970's with DEEP PURPLE.   Daisy told me I'd like his "Pilgrim" style hat with a buckle on it.  Wow!  That does sound really good hat alright.           

         I've mentioned before how DEEP PURPLE'S name is from this song Ritchie Blackmore's Grandma played on the piano.  Mr. Rich talked about the "daylight between notes" in Ritchie      Blackmore's "phrasing.'   All four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral, moving east.                 

         Steve Vai, associated with Ibanez; said his first "real" guitar was a Fender "Stratocaster" like the one Ritchie Blackmore played.  Like our boss I guess Ritchie Blackmore liked ABBA, so  was often laughed at.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear some of those good ABBA songs.                                       

GENESIS (EARLY 1970'S)

     Our boss told Mr. Dave of a tv show he once saw that said it was in 1986 when the Ibanez company changed the "Pronunciation" of its name.  Until then the Spanish pronunciation was    used I guess.  GENESIS' two main Guitarists both "Endorse" Ibanez guitars Daisy heard.           

       Dais also heard Mr. Dave talk about how the Ibanez company don't just make "stringed" musical instruments. They also build "Effects," "Accessories" and "Amplifiers" too.  Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw Adrian Belew use Ibanez guitars when they saw him play that time.            

      Now I'll write about this other company that makes guitars.  They're called "Guild" and I forgot to write about them yesterday.   Dais saw a tv show about Guild and heard our boss talk    with Mr. Rich about it.  Guild began in 1952, three years before Mr. Steve was even born.             

            

                                         1950'S  ("GUILD")                  GEORGE BENSON              1980'S ("IBANEZ")   

    

         That guy George Benson, who I've written about before; also plays Ibanez guitars Daisy heard.  And in the 1950's and 1960's he used to play Guild guitars too.   I've mentioned how Mr.  Steve and Sandy saw George Benson play a concert at that place called the "Greek Theater."       

          I guess, the tv show said the Guild company began in the "Manhattan" area of New York City; near New Jersey where Mr. Rich grew up.  Since then, it's moved a few times to places like  that city "Philadelphia;" when in 1995 "Fender" bought the company.  Libby whinnied.              

        Mr. Dave said one of his old Motorcycle Shop customers told him Guild is located here in Southern California now.  He also heard that the Guilt brand may be bought by that "Córdoba" company I wrote about yesterday in my second book.  I can now smell the Twin Joshua trees.                 

PETER, PAUL AND MARY

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

        I've written about Miss Emily's job raising money to "Refurbish" the "Statue of Liberty.  It was her who got our boss that photography job taking pictures of PETER, PAUL AND MARY at the "Universal Ampitheatre."  Finley and Fanny just flew bye and seem to be so happy.                

        Dais says Mr. Dave's Motorcycle Shop customer also told him how, in New York City's early 1960's "Folk" music "Revival" scene; many of the Musicians played acoustic Guild guitars.  It    was then those guys PETER, PAUL AND MARY first came up I guess.  Dawn's barking.             

    Hey!  I wonder if Bob Dylan, when he went to live in New York City from his hometown of "Hibbing" Minnesota; played Guild acoustic guitars?  Mr. Dave said how Guild began making    electric guitars in the 1960's.  I can smell little Blinky and Rosie standing right next to Dawn.             

ERIC CLAPTON                         JOE WALSH                           BRIAN MAY        

       

          Those guys Eric Clapton, Joe Walsh and Brian May are mainly known for playing electric guitars.  But Mr. Dave's customer told him they use Guild acoustic guitars.   And, so does Tom      Petty too I guess.  Cher just used the right vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert.            

        Dais says Guild even began making electric bass guitars, and the guy in the JEFFERSON AIRPLANE used them.  Jerry Garcia played some Guild electric guitars when our boss saw        that one GRATEFUL DEAD concert in the late 1970's.  Andy's over there looking at me.             

        Mr. Dave's customer said, back in 1972; Guild were the first to make acoustic guitars in a "Cutaway" design.  Mr. Rich says that makes it "easier to reach the higher frets," at the bottom of the neck.   Now almost every guitar making company has copied that good idea I guess.                                           

BATTLE SHIP "BISMARCK"    

     

         It says here "Dreadnaught" is the "body style" most "associated" with acoustic guitars.  It was first first used in 1916 by an American company called "C.F. Martin."  But sales were bad so it was "retired," ironic because it's the shape now most commonly used.  Daffy's quacking.      

        This is sort of interesting how the name Dreadnought comes from that big type of Battleship "introduced" in 1906.  The giant Nazi Ship "Bismarck," which I've written about; was an even      larger form of a Battleship than that.   I wonder if the first Dreadnaught guitars were big?         

      I just thought of that DEF LEPPARD concert at the L.A. "Sports Arena."  Our boss got to see it because he drove Steve Appleford to it, so he could write his review for the "L.A Times" Newspaper.   Boy!  It's so amazing how DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer plays with only one arm.        

                                         RICK ALLEN                                              EDDIE SPAGHETTI

                 Over the last three days I've mentioned Mr. Eddie who was born with no arms but still plays drums and sings along to pre-recorded music with the vocals deleted.  Mr. Steve really does admire him a lot and always gives him money.  Blackbeard and Anne are flying bye.

            Dais says our boss has told Mr. Eddie about that DEF LEPPARD concert, and how that guy Rick Allen played.  One of his customers, who also plays drums; read Rick Allen say he's had to either "adapt or die."  Oh!  I wonder if he knows about the ideas of Charles Darwin?

            I guess, the Parts Manager said Rick Allen admitted; since the accident he has to "think ahead" more and cannot be "clever."  Mr. Phillip from Wales has used that word too, which is how people from Britain mean to "show off technical ability.  A slight breeze just came in.

 

"FIVE PIECE" DRUM SET     

     

                 Our boss and Mr. Dave have talked a few times about DEF LEPPARD'S Drummer and how his new "Electronic" drum has four of those pedals.  That allows Rick Allen to use his left foot do what his missing left arm used to do.  Andy's over there looking in this direction.

            I guess, Rick Allen's four pedals make the sound of a Hi-Hat, and Snare, Bass and Tom drums.  The Parts Manager read in that Magazine article how Rick Allen now just concentrates on "keeping time."  Hey God!  Dais thinks You made it so Rick Allen has good friends.

            According to what it said in the Magazine article, Rick Allen says he now also plays at a "slightly slower pace;" which has made the songs better.  Our Chief says maybe that makes their already good songs sound more "melodic."  I really want to hear DEF LEPPARD songs. 

    

JOHN BONHAM (1948-1980)

  

                  Mr. Steve's customer told him when Rick Allen came back after his accident, to show the band he could do it; he played LED ZEPPELIN'S song "When the Levee Breaks.  I've written about that song.  Mr. Dave and our boss think that would be pretty impressive alright.

                 From what the Parts Manager read Rick Allen says he now "needs," and is more open to; "constructive criticism."  Daisy is that way with me too, and I like it when she gives me advice; because I know she has my best interest in mind.  Frida and Diego just now flew bye.     

                   It's too bad that Drummer John Bonham drank himself to death by using alcohol.  That's what our boss thinks.  And the WHO'S Keith Moon also probably did something similar I guess, but Mr. Steve was told neither one was playing drums well at the time of their deaths.  

           

KAREN CARPENTER (1950-1983) 

   

                Over the last three days I've written about that girl Karen Carpenter, whose singing Mr. Steve's mom really likes.  But, as her brother said; she "considered herself a Drummer who also happened to sing."  The BEATLES John Lennon really complimented her singing voice.

            Mr. Dave read a 1970's poll once "ranked" Karen Carpenter higher than John Bonham as a Drummer, which made him angry.   But it's "comparing apples to oranges" Mr. Dave said. One was a "powerful Rock Drummer," the other a "Jazz type Drummer" with a fine touch.

            To see their reaction, for years Mr. Steve has played a videotape of the Carpenters in 1968 playing a song called "Dancing in the Street."  They can't believe how talented she was at singing while playing the drums too.  She had a "very precise and light touch"  Mr. Dave thinks.

                

                                    MEGADETH                                                             GUNS N' ROSES

         

             Writing about David Lee Roth makes me think about how that guy Benny Urquidez also taught GUNS N' ROSES Bassist, and MEGADETH'S Guitarist; about Martial Arts.  But I guess they didn't jump around and do spinning back kicks up on stage.  That's what Dais says. 

                 I just thought of that other Gym our boss used to go to in North Hollywood, where  back in the 1980's Boxers who worked for that "Ten Goose" company trained.  It was in a house on a "Cul de Sac" like Hagar Street in Sylmar.  A flock of Birds is flying to the west way up there.

             Dais says our boss told Mr. Ralph how he hasn't been to North Hollywood "in a while."  That's where Miss Harriet still lives.  Mr. Ralph has been to many of the Gyms in L.A, including the Ten Goose Gym; but thinks Mr. Benny's Jet Center in Van Nuys was "by far" the best.     

    

FRANKIE DUARTE / BERNARDO PINANGO

(FEBRUARY 3, 1987 / THE "FORUM")

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

   

               That Boxer Frankie Duarte worked out at the Ten Goose Gym.  Mr. Steve took the picture of his fight at the Forum, which ended up being used in a few Magazines; and now some internet websites.  Dan Goosen even had that same exact image made into a really big painting.

           Daisy told me the picture of Frankie Duarte, who's right-handed;  shows him throwing an overhand right and preparing to throw a straight left.  His opponent is backing or leaning away from him.  Boy!  I really do think we could make some money starting a Gym for us Dogs.  

           Mr. Ralph used to go to the "Hoover Street" Gym in South Los Angeles, where that guy Carlos Palomino trained.   I've mentioned how Carlos Palomino, who was born down in Mexico but grew up in L.A.; graduated from College.  A Train just whistled faintly out in the desert.  

CARLOS PALOMINO

    

                Daisy heard our Chief one time talking with Mr. Ralph about when Carlos Palomino had a fight against this other Southern California "Welterweight" Boxer named Armando Muñiz.  I just glanced up in time to see a small Garter Snake.  It's crawling out into the back desert. 

            I guess, when Carlos Palomino fought Armando Muñiz in 1977; it was the first time in Boxing history two College graduates fought for a "World" title.  A Welterweight Boxer weighs between one hundred and forty and one hundred and forty five pounds.  I smell old Sage. 

           Carlos Palomino, who our boss met and who knows Mr. Bobby; won that fight and later became World Champion.  Our boss also met and shook hands with Armando Muñiz too.  A few times it was at those "World Boxing Hall of Fame" banquets Mr. Gary helped organize.     

     

ROBERTO DURAN / CARLOS PALOMINO (1979)

                Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Gary one time talk about those World Boxing Hall of Fame banquets, which were held at a big Hotel near "International" Airport.  I've mentioned how Mr. Gary was an official for the Hall of Fame for many years.  Andy's over there looking at me. 

              I guess, Carlos Palomino lost to that guy Roberto Duran in New York City; at Madison Square Garden.  He won the World Championship at "Wembley" Stadium in London, where that band QUEEN did their famous concert in 1985.  I just now picked up Andy's scent.

          Carlos Palomino, who served in the Army; got a degree in "Recreation Administration" from Long Beach State.  Armando Muniz, now a Teacher; studied "Business Administration" in College.  Carlos Palomino was in a few movies, and tv commercials too; according to Dais.      

                                                

                        ROY ROGERS /DALE EVANS        "TRIGGER"      CEMETERY ("APPLE VALLEY")                        

                                                                                                                     PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                Seeing Libby walking around slowly over there in her Corral suddenly makes me think about that guy Roy Rogers.  I've mentioned before how, later in life; he lived over there with his wife and kids in "Apple Valley" near "Victorville."  Mr. Steve went to their cemetery.

           Daisy says one time our Chief told his mom about the cemetery in a mountain where Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans are buried.  He went there for that funeral and says it's in a nice peaceful setting.  I just thought about our little cemetery on the south side of the driveway.

          Oh!  That new Hawk just flew bye, and was looking at me over here sitting on my couch Elvira as it went past.  Andy's over there sniffing the air, just to make sure Goliath or Cher aren't around to threaten their babies.  Bonnie and Clyde's babies are sound asleep up there.  

                                                                                                           

                                           OSCAR DE LA HOYA  /  JOHNNY TAPIA

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA            

                     

             I'm still need to write more about Boxing.  In 1989 Mr. Steve and his father and Nephews went to the "Resurrection" Gym in East L.A., to see a kid named Oscar De La Hoya train.  That New Mexico Fighter named Johnny Tapia was also there.  Both became World Champions.

           Mr. Ralph told our boss Oscar De la Hoya later bought the Resurrection Gym; which was once a Church.  This was after he got a Gold Medal in the 1992 Olympics.  As a "pro" he won ten world titles, in six weight divisions; and fought against twenty world champion Fighters.

           Like the guys in that band LOS LOBOS, I guess Oscar De La Hoya also went to Garfield High School too.  Daisy heard that Oscar De La Hoya retired as a Boxer, and is now one of those  "Promoters" I've written about.  Mr. Steve says Oscar De La Hoya seems like a smart person.

                                                                  

                                                         ART ARAGON (1927-2008)   

        

                 According to what Dais heard, Oscar De La Hoya's nickname was the "Golden Boy," but the original Boxing Golden Boy was that guy from Belén Art Aragon.  He came to California in the 1950's and became famous.  Mr. Steve's parents knew his family back in New Mexico.  

           Art Aragon used to joke about how he was the "Pocho" the Mexicans "loved to hate," as he often beat their Fighters.  In that way I guess he was kind of like Mr. Bobby later.  One time our boss and his father talked about Art Aragon wearing an all gold robe and gold trunks. 

          Daisy told me, in the 1950's Art Aragon became one of those bad guy "Heels" I've written about; who people pay hoping to see him get beat up.  I've mentioned before how our boss heard Muhammad Ali was influenced by that Wrestler "Gorgeous George."  Daffy's quacking.   

              

              "OLYMPIC" AUDITORIUM                              ART ARAGON (RIGHT)                                                                     

            Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Gary one time talk about how Art Aragon fought in some famous fights at that downtown "Olympic" Auditorium I've written about.  In the 1950's he was mainly what they call a "Lightweight."  Andy's now looking at me over here on the Patio.

           I guess at first Art Aragon, unlike Gorgeous George and later Muhammad Ali; didn't like  being hated and getting booed and screamed at.  But then he realized he could make some money by being the Heel.  Andy's unique scent just now came floating in to me sitting on Elvira. 

          After he retired Art Aragon started a "Bail Bonds" business, and Mr. Steve and his father visited his office at the "Van Nuys Courthouse;" near Benny Urquidez's gym.  Daisy heard Art Aragon joked a lot and always got Mr. Steve's father to laugh.  They often talked about Belén.     

                              

                         MARILYN MONROE                                   JAYNE MANSFIELD

          

            I guess, in the 1950's pretty girls like Marilyn Monroe and Jayne Mansfield went to Art Aragon's fights; and Mr. Ralph heard an Actor named William Holden first called him "Golden Boy."  Art Aragon converted to Judaism in order to marry his wife.  I can smell new Sage.

           That guy Audie Murphy, the most "Decorated" American Soldier in World War II; was a friend of Art Aragon.  Daisy told me a "Bail Bondsman" lends money to people in trouble with the law, in order to be able to get out of jail.  Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.

          Both Art Aragon and Audie Murphy acted in a few different 1950's movies from what Dais heard our boss one time talk about with his father.  Speedy Gonzalez just whizzed through the right vertical gate slot.  Boy!  No matter how many times he does that it still amazes me. 

    

   TOMMY CÓRDOVA / FREDDIE ROACH                    MANNY PACQUIAO /  FREDDUE ROACH     

PHOTO BY HOLLY STEIN                                                                                                                PHOTO BY MARK J. TERRILL

    

          Well, now I have to write about the Boxer from New Mexico named Tommy Córdova, who lived in Albuquerque.  He fought in the 1980's, and one of his most famous fights was against a    guy named Freddie Roach; up there in Las Vegas.  A Motorcycle just went zooming bye.               

         I guess Freddie Roach, who's now one of those "Trainers" I've written about; lost a "Split Decision" to Tommy Córdova that time back in 1984.  Daisy says Mr. Ralph described that fight  as being a "slugfest."  One of Tommy Córdova's nicknames was "War Machine" Dais heard.       

        Mr. Gary one time talked with our Chief about Tommy Córdova, and his two brothers who were also Boxers.  Another one of Tommy Córdova's nicknames was "El Torito," which would be translated to be "The Little Bull;" or "The Baby Bull."  Now another Motorcycle went bye.                     

                                                             "REFEREE" RICHARD STEELE            

      

                The Referee for Tommy Córdova's fight against Freddie Roach was Richard Steele, who had been a Boxer too at one time.  Daisy heard our Chief and his father remembering meeting his one time in Las Vegas.  I guess he's been the Referee in a lot of really famous fights.

            In the early 1990's Richard Steele's main job was as what they call a "Pit Supervisor," or "Pit Boss;" at the "Golden Nugget" Casino in Las Vegas.  When Mr. Steve and his father spoke with him that time he asked "Are you related to Tommy Córdova?"   They told him no. 

            Even though he was from New Mexico, Tommy Cordova's first professional fight was here in Los Angeles in 1983; at that "Olympic" Auditorium downtown.  He was known as the "Road Warrior" and often fought in "hostile territory" Mr. Gary said.  I hear Heathcliff's Hens. 

                

                                             BOB FOSTER                                                        MR. RALPH 

          

              Daisy heard Mr. Ralph call Tommy Córdova an "aggressive" Boxer, his fighting style  being "non-stop attacking."   For a time one of his Trainers was that guy Bob Foster, who I've said before was also from New Mexico too.  Max and 99 just now went zipping bye.

              I guess from what Dais heard Mr. Steve's dad say. Tommy Córdova "almost had to be overly aggressive;" as he "was not good fighting going backward."  He was small in size, being one of those "Featherweights" I've mentioned before.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

              Mr. Bobby knew who Tommy Córdova was, and told others he thought he was a "tough fighter."  Both ended up having to take punishment in order to get "on the inside" to land their own punches.  Boy!  I love how everything smells this late in the day when it's getting darker.   

    

HORSE RACING      

         

                Dais and Millie one time heard Mr. Steve talking with his father about Tommy Córdova and how, because of his small size; for a time he had a job as one of those Jockey's I've written about.  Way out in the northeastern desert I hear the faint sound of a Train whistling.

                  Mr. Steve's father did the taxes for a man from New Mexico's family, and he knew some of the members of Tommy Cordova's family.  He said Tommy Cordova joked, he got hurt more in being a Jockey than he ever did as a Boxer.  That's a joke because he got hit a lot Dais says.

             I just thought about how some think Jockeys, "Pound for Pound;" are some of the best Athletes.  Because they have to be small and light in weight, it's so "amazing" Mr. Steve thinks; how they can control those huge Race Horses.  Ah!  I smell Libby over there in her Corral. 

                                                                                                  BOBBY CHACON             

                       

          Over the last three days I've written about Mr. Bobby.  Like Art Aragon, for a time he was the "Pocho" who some Mexican Boxing fans "Loved to Hate;" because he beat a lot of Mexican Fighters.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are now flying toward the southeast.             

          I've mentioned a "Pocho" is a "Hispanic" or "Latino" person who doesn't speak Spanish.  I guess, when our boss took Mr. Bobby to talk to Elementary school kids; waiting in the parking lot were Mexican parents wanting to meet him.  He was like one of those "Celebrities" again.       

         Our boss told Mr. Bobby, when signing an autograph; say something more than just putting down your name.  He showed him a picture he took of Pat Quinn, the Hockey Kings Coach back in the 1980's.  Daisy told me Pat Quinn wrote on it, "Top of the morning to you Steve."               

          

    WITH WIFE VELERIE           BOBBY CHACON      WITH JIMMY LENNON SR.

         All of a sudden I just thought about how Mr. Bobby's wife "Valerie" killed herself, in part because Mr. Bobby wouldn't retire from Boxing.  They were together since when they met at San Fernando High School, and had three children together.  Mr. Bobby must've been so sad.              

        Over these last three days I've mentioned how the ancient Greeks used to say sometimes in life "Comedy and Tragedy" are interrelated.  And, because Mr. Bobby has brain damage from      Boxing; that is sometimes the case with him.  A Crow just caused faintly out in the desert.           

      Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell his father about what happened at a Gas Station in Sylmar one time.  An older man walked up to our Chief and asked, "Aren't you Bobby's friend?"  Mr. Steve  said he was so then that old man reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet.                

                                  

HIGH DESERT SUNSET      

       

          The older man at the Gas Station pulled a business card from his wallet; then showed it to Mr. Steve.  On the back Mr. Bobby wrote "Stay in School, Bobby Chacon;" so they chuckled as the man was obviously past going to school.  Mr. Bobby's nickname was "Schoolboy."                   

        Boy!  It's too bad Mr. Bobby's wife Valerie was so sad, and like Ernest Hemingway and  NIRVANA'S Kurt Cobain; she did with a gun.  She'd asked Mr. Bobby to retire because he was taking too much punishment.  He said he would but, then "Went Back On It" as they say.            

       As I've written before, when Mr. Bobby was World Featherweight Champion back in the 1970's; he was better at moving "around" the ring.  But then later in the 1980's, as World Super  Featherweight Champion; he got hit a lot more than before.  Samson and Delilah flew bye.                

WARREN ZEVON (1947-2003)

          One time Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Ralph talking about how, back in 1987; that guy Warren Zevon wrote a song where Mr. Bobby is mentioned in the chorus.  Wow!  It would be so great for my name to be used in a song.  And Mr. Steve would probably be proud of me too.         

          Dais says our boss told Mr. Ralph about that one time back in 1978 when he saw Warren Zevon totally "booed off the stage" by a GRATEFUL DEAD crowd.  That was the concert on the "U.C. Santa Barbara" Football field.   His sister Susan went to that College for two years.            

         There are two Crows fighting over something, out there in the desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack.  I can smell Libby, and also Dawn, Blinky and Rosie too.  Ah!  Heathcliff's Hens are      cackling over there and, for some reason them sounding happy makes me feel that way too.                               

       "GRANT" HIGH SCHOOL                    ULYSSES S. GRANT (1822-1885)   

          

          I just thought of how Mr. Benny went to Grant High School in Van Nuys.  I've mentioned before that Mr. Blinky went to San Fernando High School, and so did Mr. Bobby and Mr. Ralph too.  Miss Harriet, Mark Ritter, Mr. Doug and Samantha's boyfriend Rick went to Grant.            

       The first time our boss and his father visited the Jet Center, after seeing Art Aragon; Mr. Steve's dad said it was "obvious," and "justifiably so;" Mr. Blinky was proud of what he and Mr. Benny had done.  They turned an old Bowling Alley into a good Gym.  A Train whistled.        

      I've written before about how some of the Comic Books have been made into movie, like "Superman" for instance.  From what Dais says, some Actors have trained at the Jet Center and one was the girl who played "Cat Woman" in a "Batman" movie.  I smell Blinky over there.            

                       MICHELLE PFEIFFER                                           CHUCKNORRIS

            I guess, another Actor who worked out at the Jet Center was Chuck Norris, who was also a Mixed Martial Arts Champion before he became an Actor.  Grandma Trujillo used to think he  was "so handsome."   She loved the way some men looked when wearing Cowboy hats.                 

          Mr. Benny only lost once in his pro career; and is now in the "International Sports Hall of Fame."   Mr. Gary the Barber once called him a "pioneer" in ""full contact fighting arena,"    especially in the "field of kickboxing."   Frida and Diego are flying over Libby's Corral.               

           One time our Chief and Mr. Rich talked about MEGADETH'S Guitarist Dave Mustaine, who also trained at the Jet Center.  Ozzy Osborne and David Lee Roth were kicked out of their bands; Dave Mustaine was "Booted Out" of METALLICA.  Mr. Phillip calls it "sacked."

                     

                                                                                                         MEGADETH    

                        

                 Daisy heard Mr. Rich call MEGADETH, METALLICA, SLAYER and ANTHRAX the "Big Four" of "Thrash."  Dais says that guy Dave Mustaine is a good guitar player but also has kind of a unique "gruff" voice too.  I just picked up the strong scent of the Twin Joshua trees.

          Someday one song I definitely want to hear is that MEGADETH song called "Symphony of Destruction."  Dais says our boss really likes it so now does Mr. Dave who had not heard until our boss told him about it.  The faint echoing sound of a Train just came in from my left.

         Because our Chief and some of his friends liked some Heavy Metal bands like BUDGIE, BLITZKRIEG and DIAMOND HEAD, they also liked early METALLICA when they were just playing good "Covers" of those bands.   All four of the Pigeons are flying toward the east.            

MARCHING NAZIS     

         

            That song Symphony of Destruction seems to be about how Politicians can, and often do; manipulate people the way  Aldous Huxley and George Orwell warned against.  At least that's what Daisy thinks.  The lyrics made Mr. Steve think of the Nazis from back in the 1930's.

           Many years ago our Chief made a Video where he played Symphony of Destruction over a section of the 1935 film "Triumph of the Will."  Mr. Steve's brother Rock had a machine where you could combine music and video images.  A flock of Birds is going bye up there in the sky.

            I guess, from what he and his brother Rock talked about one time; Mr. Steve picked one of the big marching scenes from Triumph of the Will and matched it up to MEGADETHS song.  Others have noticed how well the lyrics seem to match the visual images from the old film. 

                                          "TRIUMPH OF THE WILL"                         LENI RIEFENSTAHL (1902-2003)

              A picture shows the three American High Jump winners at the Berlin Olympics, and I notice how one of them has the first name of "Cornelius."  I remember Daisy telling me about our boss's customer down in Louisiana with that first name too.  A Train whistled faintly.             

             Our boss's father thinks it's "ironic" that, when he returned to to the U.S. in 1936; Jesse Owens was ignored by President Franklin Roosevelt.  Mr. Ralph read during the Olympics Jesse Owens wore German made shoes.  And that company is called now "Adidas" and "Puma."

             Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph one time talked about how, when he got back to America; that guy Jesse Owens didn't do good.  In 1936 most white people, including the "Liberals;" thought black people inferior.  Andy's over there sniffing the air to see if Cher or Goliath is around.   

                                             

                                                             THE FORUM (1984)    

                                                                 PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA          

                                                                                                    

             I've written before how our boss, Mr. Mark and that lady Miss Helen all worked at the Forum in Inglewood for a few years in the mid-1980's  Their office at first, in 1984; was on the corner of Wilshire Boulevard and 18th Street in West Los Angeles.  That Lizard is gone.  

            The Sales Office where Mr. Steve, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen worked in eventually moved to right across the street from the Forum.  One time our Chief and Mr. Mark were remembering how they sometimes ate at the "Sizzler" restaurant nearby.  A Train just whistled faintly.

           One "Fringe Benefit" of working right across the street from the Forum in the 1980's was the ability to watch bands do their morning "Sound Checks."  In an almost empty Forum Mr. Steve saw the CARS do a sound check in 1984, BOSTON in 1987, and AEROSMITH in 1988.

       

                THE CARS                                  BOSTON                                   AEROSMITH

    

            The CARS, BOSTON and AEROSMITH are all from "New England," where Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives with Dalston and Austin.  But each band all sound different; an example of how one "environment" can produce different results.  I smell Roses again, which I really like.                                                                                                                                                                                                I've written before about how, when Mr. Steve would visit New Mexico as a kid; his Aunt Lydia would tell him one of the ROLLINGSTONES was from Belén.  He would tell her how the ROLLING  STONES were from England.  Thank You so much God for making flowers.

           My boss knew his Aunt was not a liar and years later, in the late 1970's, felt happy when it "dawned on him" she had been referring to that saxophone player Bobby Keys.   I wrote about it on Thursday in book one.  I remember when Dais explained what an "Aha" moment was.   

             

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               As I wrote the day before yesterday in book one, it turns out Bobby Keys, while not one of the five "regular" members of the ROLLING STONES, traveled with them on tour; as did this trumpet player named Jim Price.   Boy!  I can really smell those rose bushes over there.

           It's interesting how Bobby Keyes was born in Belén, but when his parents broke up he and his brother went to live in "Amarillo" Texas with their father.  Their mom Lucy Keys, stayed in Belén; which is where she later became Aunt Lydia's friend.   Frida and Diego just flew bye. 

           Daisy told me one of our Chief's favorite ROLLING STONES songs is about brown sugar, and on it Bobby Keyes plays a really good saxophone solo on it.  I can't wait to someday hear the sound of musical instruments I've never heard.  Wow!  I'm almost done with my three books!   

           

                                      THE CRICKETTS                                               CLARENCE CLEMONS

                                                                                                                                                                                       PHOTO BY PETER PAKVIS

                 Daisy and Millie heard our boss and his mom talk about how Bobby Keys grew up in Amarillo, where that other guy Buddy Holly was from too.  Daisy thinks the solo Bobby Keys did on "Brown Sugar" is good.  Mr. Dave says he's "as good as" Bruce Springsteen's Saxophonist.   

            Mr. Steve has told his parents about that "Aha" moment when he realized who his Aunt Lydia had been talking about, one of those "Epiphanies" I've written about.  He was so happy, but had always known his Aunt Lydia was not lying.  Two of the Pigeons just flew past.

           One time our Chief and Mr. Dave talked about how, watching band "rehearsals" is very interesting.  I've mentioned before how, back in the 970's; Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy got to see QUIET RIOT rehearse; when Randy Rhoads was in the band.  He was friendly Dais heard.    

                             

                                                                     STATUS QUO  

      

             I've written before how Mr. Steve was told QUIET RIOT got their name because they misinterpreted something a British guy in that band  STATUS QUO said.  I guess, he said "quite right," but it sounded to them like "quiet riot."   I smell the Oleander bushes over there.

            Daisy says one time she and Millie were in our boss's bedroom and watched a segment by that one lady Mary Beard about ancient Rome.  Mr. Steve worked on one of his projects and he always likes listening to Mary Beard.  She used the word "bloke" to describe a male Dais says.

            Over the last three days I've written a few times how sometimes people who speak the same language; but have different accents; are misunderstood.  Boy God!  Thank You so much for the way smelling the Oleanders right now is making me feel.  I'm grateful to be alive.   

    

MR.PHILLIP

 

            One time our boss told Mr. Phillip, whose from "Wales;" how QUIET RIOT got its name.  Over the years they've discussed band names which sound like "Contradiction in Terms," IRON BUTTERFLY and LED ZEPPELIN being examples.  Mr. Phillip worked for "Honda." 

           I guess to the band, the idea of a quiet riot somehow sounded good to them so that's how QUIET RIOT got its name.  Our boss has told Mr. Mark, Mr. Dave and Mr. Rich he and Miss Sandy were so lucky to have seen a young Randy Rhodes.  Samson and Delilah just flew bye. 

           When Randy Rhodes left QUIET RIOT to go play with Ozzy Osbourne's new band that guy Kevin Dubrow the Singer was very depressed our boss heard.  "Who wouldn't be" depressed when such a great Musician leaves your band Mr. Steve says.  Boy!  Too bad life isn't fair.                                                                                                             QUIET RIOT (1983)    

   

              I guess, from what Dais heard; Kevin Dubrow was down for a while but "regrouped." He  put together a new version of QUIET RIOT, which in the early 1980's made that one famous album "Metal Health."  I wonder if Mr. Kevin knew about that one Nietzsche quote?  

             Boy!  It's too bad Randy Rhodes died in that Plane crash in 1982.   Then Ozzy Osbourne was really really depressed Dais heard.  After Randy Rhodes died Ozzy Osbourne, and his wife "Sharon;" had to "Pick themselves Up" just like Kevin Dubrow did.  It was so hard I'll bet.

             Daisy heard that after Randy Rhodes was killed Ozzy Osbourne use a few different good Guitarists.  One was named Zakk Wylde.  Mr. Rich down there in Sylmar says Zakk Wylde did a version of the "National Anthem" which was "just as good as the one Jimi Hendrix did."

ZAKK WYLDE

  

                One time our boss and his mom talked about how most people look way different as they age, and he's now "unrecognizable" from when he was young.  But that guy Zakk Wylde really looks different from when he was a kid.  All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.  

            Daisy and Millie heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about Zakk Wylde and how, now that he wears a beard; he's totally changed from when he was in Ozzy Osbourne's band.  I guess Ted Nugent also did an "Interpretation" of the National anthem too.  A Train whistled faintly.   

            Mr. Steve says he saw Zakk Wylde when young but hadn't seen him for years, so when he saw him with a beard he was kind of surprised.  Dais says another Guitarist he had never seen with a shaved head and a beard was Kerry King from that "Thrash Metal" band SLAYER.

 

SLAYER (KERRY KING)

PHOTOS BY BRIAN LEW

            

            I've mentioned before how METALLICA, MEGADETH SLAYER and ANTHRAX are called the "Big Four" of Thrash Metal.  SLAYER are from an area of L.A. called "Huntington Beach."  Mr. Steve used to have a customer there who sold Ford vehicles like our Barny.  

                One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about how some Hard Rock bands use what they call Nazi "Iconography."  The "S" in SLAYER, the two S's in KISS'S's logo, and also AC/DC's lightning bolts are all S.S. "Sig" Runes used by the Nazis.  Iconography means images.

           A few years ago Mr. Steve traded some things with a guy who also went to concerts on the Sunset Strip in the 1980's at places like the Whisky A Go Go or Gazarri's.  He told our boss of  a  band called BRUTE FORCE, who used Nazi colors and imagery.  I smell Andy over there. 

      

NAZI "S.S. 

("SCHUUTSSTAFFEL")

         

             Our boss told Mr. Rich how it's not because they're Nazis that bands or other forms of entertainment use what's called "Nazi Chic."  It's just that the Nazi's had such "great looking" logos and uniforms which now symbolize "excessive power."  Two Crows are fighting. 

            SLAYER have a song called "Angel of Death."  Daisy heard our boss was told it's about that Nazi S.S. Doctor Joseph Mengele.  And that SLAYER album was called "Reign of Blood" I guess.  Ah!  Way out there in the northern desert to my left this Train just whistled faintly.

            Mr. Steve, because he drew Nazi Eagle logos as a kid; noticed how SLAYER'S emblems resemble ancient Roman and Nazi Eagles.  And Daisy and Millie saw some of them and totally agree with him, and so does Mr. Dave I guess.  The two Crows are still yelling at each other. 

  

SLAYER'S LOGO 

    

            When Mr. Steve was in College at C.S.U.N. he met a pretty girl who was studying what's called "Graphic Arts."  One time in the Oviat Library she said, "Is it just me or is there a lot of Fascist imagery in popular culture entertainment?  Mr. Steve thought she was not wrong.   

                  Mr. Steve told that girl he's seen Fascist imagery in things since he's been a kid, and most people don't realized what it is they're looking at.  All they know is it seems to convey the idea of "Power" and "Force."  A flock of Birds way up there in the darkening sky is going bye.

                 Because he's been doing line drawings of logos for years Mr. Steve tends to notice things like emblems more than most other people.  Sometimes, as a way to shock or offend; there are a few Entertainers don't even try to disguise wearing Nazi things.  The Hens are clucking.

                           

KEITH MOON / VIVIAN STANSHALL                            BRIAN JONES                               

       

                  Mr. Steve told Mr. Rich how one times, as a "Farce," the WHO's Drummer Keith Moon and Vivian Stanshal of the BONZO DOG BAND dressed up in Nazi uniforms.  Keith Moon even put on a Hitler mustache.   Oh!  That new Hawk is flying bye with a dead Lizard in its mouth.

           According to what Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Rich that time, Brian Jones of the ROLLING STONES wore an S.S. uniform to cause a lot of controversy; especially because it showed him stepping on a doll with his big Jack boots.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

           Daisy says our Chief told Mr. Rich he thinks, because Hitler rose from being one of those homeless "Drifters" to almost conquering the world; many people are "fascinated" by him.  He designed much of the Nazi imagery.  He had an "instinct for symbolism" Mr. Steve thinks. 

                      

                                                        THE "WALL" (PINK FLOYD)

   

           Mr. Steve thinks the "Goose-Stepping" hammers in that one band PINK FLOYD'S movie "The Wall" was obviously influenced by the Italian and German parades under Mussolini and Hitler.  Russia, China and North Korea still use Goose Step marching from what Dais says.

          Just because PINK FLOYD uses Fascist imagery doesn't make them Nazis our boss says.  It just conveys the idea of symbolic "Lock Step" thinking like what Aldous Huxley and George Orwell warned against.  And marching hammers is a good visual image conveying power.

         One time a girl told Mr. Steve she heard David Bowie was a Nazi.  He told her those rumors were probably not true.  In the late 1970's he said, David Bowie lived in Germany; and like many other people; was "fascinated" by Adolph Hitler.  Andy's looking at me over here on Elvira.

                  

DAVID BOWIE (1976)  

         

             Mr. Steve read, back in 1976; David Bowie supposedly gave the Fascist arm salute while standing in a convertible Car.  Later he told people the Photographer simply caught him waving at people at the Airport.  Pigpen just stuck his head out of his hole near the Mulberry tree.

            David Bowie was most likely not a Nazi Mr. Steve thinks, but he did read some of the things he said back in the 1970's, like "Hitler's overall objective was very good, and he was a marvelous morale booster.  I mean, he was a perfect figurehead."  Pigpen is looking at me.

            It did not help David Bowie our boss thinks, that in the photo from 1976 he was wearing black clothes, as that was the way the British Fascists used to dress in the 1930's.  And since the 1920's Benito Mussolini's "Black Shirts" have been well known too.  Ah!  I can smell Pigpen.  

  

                                                         OSWALD MOSLEY (1896-1980)

       

             I'm looking at the picture of that British guy Oswald Mosley.  From what the caption says, he was one of the "leading Fascist leaders" in England during the 1930's; and I notice how he's wearing black.  Mr. Ralph read David Bowie's mother "for a time" was an admirer of Mosley.

           Because of how the world had gone in the previous centuries with "Colonialism," Hitler thought the British in their racist thinking were his "natural allies" in many ways.  But, most of the English disagreed with him on that.  Pigpen just now went back down into his hole. 

          Mr. Ralph read, while living in Berlin David Bowie bought a desk used by that guy Joseph Goebbels; the Nazi Propaganda Minister.  That doesn't mean he was a Nazi Mr. Steve says. The "Nazi Memorabilia" market is "huge," and most of the people in it "are not Fascists."

           

         NAZI PARTY RALLY                                             NAZI'S MARCHING           

            

           Daisy and Millie heard our Chief tell Mr. Ralph about a time at C.S.U.N. when his class was shown that girl Leni Riefenstahl's famous documentary "Triumph of the Will."  I just now heard, way out there in the desert to the northeast; a Train whistle faintly.  I smell Andy.

           After watching Triumph of the Will Mr. Steve went out in parking lot with this guy from his class.  The guy had obviously been totally blown away and kept saying "Wow," or "That was amazing."  Then, he shook his head and said reflectively; "Boy, it's too bad I'm Jewish."

          Over the years Mr. Steve has bought and sold things on the Nazi Memorabilia market.  He still has knives and things like that in his office.  Daisy says that he's been told the "annual" Nazi Memorabilia market is "well over one hundred million dollars."  I can still smell Pigpen.    

     

                                  IGGY AND THE STOOGES                        LEMMY (MOTÖRHEAD)

    

                 Before the economic recession I guess our Chief had a customer in Michigan who was a "Collector" of Nazi Memorabilia.  He said the STOOGES Guitarist also has a big collection of things like that.  They talked about how MOTÖRHEAD'S Lemmy collects Nazi things too.

           Daisy told me that, in his office on one of his bookshelves, Mr. Steve has things like knives and models that are Fascist-themed.  And he has a lot of books on Fascism on that one bookshelf too I guess.  I can hear two Crows fighting out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds.

           Mr. Steve told Mr. Ralph he read David Bowie was one of the few white people in the early days of "M-TV" who pointed out there were no black music Videos shown.  From what our boss says, in the early 1980's; black Artists were only shown really late at night.  Dawn's barking.

 HIGH DESERT SUNSET

             Mr. Steve thinks in his subjective opinion "if hypnotized" many people, even Asians and Latinos; would admit they don't like seeing too many black people in entertainment.  This was especially true back in the early 1980's.  Mr. Dave said he thinks our boss is right on that.     

            David Bowie once called Adolph Hitler the "first Rock Star" because he was the first person to speak at what would now be called "Mega-Arena" level.  And some of those big events the Nazis put on at Nuremburg went far beyond an Arena.  I can smell Andy over there.

            There was a tv show about that band MÖTLEY CRÜE Dais told me.  The Drummer said their goal was to be "bigger, louder and faster" than anyone; which Mr. Steve joked was "pretty much" Adolph Hitler's philosophy too.  Andy has such a nice and pleasant scent I think.

                                   

MICHAEL JACKSON "HISTORY" TOUR (1995)

              Daisy and Millie heard our boss talking with Mr. Ralph about how, back in 1995; that guy Michael Jackson did his "History Tour."  It was so obvious he was using Fascist imagery a lot on that tour I guess.  All four of the Pigeons just flew over Libby's Corral moving east.  

             Mr. Ralph used the word "blatant" to describe the Fascist imagery Michael Jackson used on that 1995 tour.  You could tell he wanted to "Project" power and did it in part by using black, white and red; as well as having the statues look Fascist.   Libby's over eating her hay and oats.    

            I guess Mr. Steve admits he's no expert on "Rap" or "Hip Hop" music.  But he told Mr. Ralph how, "to the best of his knowledge;" no Rap or Hip Hop bands have used Nazi imagery.  Even though they're mostly black Musicians they would "appreciate power symbolism" too.

 

                 "HEGELIAN DIALECTIC"                      FRIEDRICH HEGEL (1770-1831)

                                                                                                                      PAINTING BY JACOB SCHLESINGER

     

                Over the last three days I've written about that late 18th century German Philosopher Friedrich Hegel.  Karl Marx used his "Dialectic" formula or method to predict the workers or "Proletariat" would overthrow the "Bourgeoisie" ruling class.  I like how Libby smells. 

           I wrote about how in College a girl in one on his classes, using Hegel's Dialectic; correctly predicted a band like HEART would be popular in 1977.  When driving around New York City in 1977 their song "Barracuda" came on the Radio.  Mr. Steve knew she had been right.

           Shock and "imagery of power" in 2014 is "still used" in entertainment Our Chief thinks.  I wrote about "Shock" Rock.   Our Chief told Mr. Chris, using Hegel's Dialectic; it's "possible" that maybe someday a future Rapper or Hip Hop Artist might use Fascist imagery too.

                         

               ADOLPH HITLER (1889-1945)                            HITLER'S PAINTING                                        

       

         Adolph Hitler was a bad man and a failed Artist.  But, as I've shown in these three long books; he definitely "Had an Eye" for "Aesthetics," such as how he slightly twisted the swastika logo at an angle on the flag to give it a sense of action or movement.  Daffy's quacking.                  

            I've written about how Hitler had others propose designs for uniforms and "insignias," but he had "the final word" and often made slight changes.  He did that with the SS lightning "Runes" and "Totenkopf" skull and bones emblems.  A Train whistled faintly to the north.

           In German Totenkopf  means "Death's Head," even though one time a German girl told our boss the more correct word might be "Todeskopf."  Andy over there guarding the burrow, and right now he's sniffing the air.  Ah!  His scent just came floating in to me here on Elvira. 

      

"2ND LIFE" HUSSAR REGMENT  

   

            Daisy told me Millie thought Totenkopf logos resemble the "Skull and Bones" emblems 17th and 18th century Pirates like Blackbeard put on flags.  Hitler put it on the front of black SS hats to intimidate.  A picture shows a late 19th century German Soldier and I like his hat.

            I notice how there's a big Death's Head on that German Soldiers hat.  Hitler's use of the Totenkopf seems another  example of taking a "familiar" idea and "merging" it with a modern idea Mr. Steve thinks.  You "update" something for your own particular "current" use.

           Hitler spoke of "Lebensraum" or "Living Space" in his book "Mein Kampf," because he knew the old historical concept of "Drang Nacht Austen" or "Move to the East;" was familiar to many Germans.  He was an Atheist who used "Christian Symbolism."  Dawn's barking.

                                                                                                                                                                            LIVING COLOR

                                                               PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

                    

            I wrote about the time in the late 1980's when Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet went to one of those "Meet and Greet" events at the "Tower Records" in Hollywood.   That black Hard Rock band LIVING COLOR, who are from New York City; were there.  I like hearing Dawn.

            Over the years Mr. Steve has played LIVING COLOR for others, especially if they're interested in Hard Rock.   He likes to see their reaction, which has always been positive because it's obvious how good they were. Our boss, and Mr. Mark; like their song "Type" the best.

           According to what Daisy and Millie heard one time, the Singer and Guitarist in LIVING COLOR don't get along so they had to break up.  At least that's what Mr. Mark told our boss.  I just glanced up and it's so beautiful right now, the evening air is clear and fresh again today.

                

                              HITLER                                    STALIN                               MAO  

       

           Daisy says LIVING COLOR'S song "Cult of Personality" is a phrase originally used to describe Stalin.  But it's also "applicable" to Mussolini, Hitler and Mao too.  Mr. Steve's father thinks someday an American Politician may try it if there's ever an economic depression.  

          Mr. Steve thinks Michael Jackson in 1995 was trying to create a Cult of Personality.  Mr. Phillip one time wondered if that Irish band U2 "ever saw" the images of those huge Nazi Party Rallies?  Ah!  That new Hawk just flew bye carrying a dead Gopher hanging in its mouth.

           I'm kind of glad we don't live in a country where only a few people have all the power to do whatever they want.  I think Dais is kind of right in thinking it's better when the people have more of the power.  But even then that doesn't mean everything is going to go perfectly.    

                     

                        QUEEN ELIZABETH I                                   QUEEN ELIZABETH II

                           THE  DARNLEY PORTRAIT                                                                                                PHOTO BY ALASTAIR GRANT                   

          

                 I just thought about how England is still a "Monarchy," which means it's led by either a "King" or "Queen."  Right now it's that nice lady Elizabeth II who, as "Head of State;" is only a symbolic "Figurehead."  She's not as powerful as Elizabeth I was, and seems nicer Dais says.  

             England was on the winning side in World War II but, as I've said a few times in these books; were losers in having to give up much of its "Colonial" empire.   The advantage they had because of the world's most powerful navy was gone.  Donald and Daisy are quacking.

           That pretty girl Princess "Diana" married Queen Elizabeth's son "Charles," and they had two sons.  It's too bad she died so young in that bad Automobile accident over in France.  I wrote before about how she was for years involved in the "Anti Mine" movement around the world.

1.            

                                         PRINCESS DIANNA (1961-1997) WITH SONS

 

              Daisy says Princess Diana's sons seem different, the older "William" down to earth and responsible.  The younger brother "Harry" at times seems less conservative.  I just now thought of how that girl Princess Diana and Mother Teresa died within just a few days of each other. 

            Hey Mother Teresa!  If you just happen to be up there mind reading me right now I want to tell you Daisy and I feel bad your death was totally drowned out by Princess Diana's.  In that way you were like Aldous Huxley dying on the same exact day President Kennedy was shot.  

           I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Tolkien's friend and fellow Writer C.S. Lewis also died on the day President Kennedy was assassinated.  And it's weird how the GERMS Darby Crash killed himself on the day John Lennon was killed.  I smell Mesquite.   

                

      DIANA / CHARLES                                           CATHERINE / WILLIAM        

  (1981)                                                                                                (2011)           

      

             Daisy told me when Royalty gets married it's a big event where the girls wear beautiful dresses and the guys are in nice uniforms.  I really like the Napoléonic era uniforms many of the Soldiers escorting them in their Carriages wear.  Blackbeard and Anne just flew bye.

             I've mentioned before how, even though he never wears anything with writing on them; our Chief has a lot of T-shirts, Jerseys and things like that in the two hallway closets.  He bought and sold things like that over the years.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert.  

            One time our boss and Mr. Dave talked about how Princess Diana's youngest son Harry went to a costume party wearing a Nazi armband.  But he really isn't a Nazi Mr. Steve thinks, he may have a "strange sense of humor."  Mark Ritter also had a sense of humor like that.

           

PRINCE HARRY     

         

             Maybe that guy Prince Harry just wanted to get attention, but I'll bet Queen Elizabeth II "wasn't too happy" our boss said.  Nazi logos are at times "underground cool," and often people don't even know what they're wearing.  Michael Jackson wore red arm bands sometimes.   

                One time our Chief and Mr. Phillip talked about that guy Prince Harry wearing the Nazi armband.  Mr. Steve told him he's bought and sold Nazi armbands.  They also talked about how, in 1977; LED ZEPPELIN'S Jimmy Page wore a lot of Nazi-themed clothes in the concerts. 

              In 1977 Mr. Steve bought two black LED ZEPPELIN T-shirts showing the four members on the front, in Jimmy Page's picture he's wearing a Nazi "Luftwaffe" hat.  A few years ago he sold one of those shirts to one of those "Skinheads." Leo and Cleo flew bye going eastward.

      

JIMMY PAGE (1977)    

                  

           Other High Desert "Neo-Nazis" wanted to buy that second LED ZEPPELIN T-shirt, but Mr. Steve decided to just keep it.  I guess he sold the first one for eighty dollars, but in 1977 he'd given thirty dollars to a friend who actually bought them for him at the concert.  I smell Sage.

           Dais says not only did Jimmy Page wear that black Nazi hat in 1977, he also wore knee-length "Jack Boots" like the ones Hitler's brown-shirted "Storm Troopers" used to wear; which are good in a brawl.  Dawn's barking.  I smell her, and now Blinky and Rosie next to her.   

          I've mentioned before how "SS" just stands for "Schutzstaffel," or ""Defense Corps" in German.  The Storm Troopers were called "Sturmabteilung;" or "SA" for short.  In 1934, in the "Night of the Long Knives;" Hitler used Heinrich Himmler's SS to kill off the SA leaders.  

   

                              HIMMLER / HITLER                            HITLER REVIEWING THE SA

 

            According to Mr. Steve, references to or use of Nazi terms is still used in Popular Culture entertainment.  That guy Ted Nugent wrote a song called "Storm Troopin."  And the RAMONES did "Blitzkrieg Bop."  BLÜE ÖYSTER CÜLT had a song called "Dominance and Submission."

           In my books I've mentioned how the "Swastika" is now associated with evil because of the "Holocaust."  But since ancient times it's been used by many cultures like the Celts.  Buddhists and Hindus both use it, and it was in a Christian Church were Hitler first saw it as a kid.       

          Someday I want to see that movie "Star Wars," where the villain "Darth Vader's" army were called Storm Troopers.   Finley and his new girlfriend Fanny just zoomed bye and are going out into the back desert.   Oh!  And now Theodora and her new boyfriend went bye too.

             

                                                                    "STAR WARS"    

       

            Dais and Millie both thought in Star Wars the villain Darth Vader's shiny black helmet is obviously meant to resemble one of those German "Coal Scoop" helmets.   I wrote before how "Stahlhelm" means "Steel Helmet."  Birds are going bye way up in the darkening sky.

            Our boss told Mr. Dave one time how over the years he's seen Punk and Heavy Metal fans with Nazi influenced tattoos.  Daisy says James Hetfield of METALLICA has a guitar with one of those "Maltese" or "Iron" crosses on it.  I can hear Heathcliff's Hens clucking over there.  

             MOTÖRHEAD'S "Lemmy" sometimes wears an "Iron Cross" medal like the ones Hitler earned in the First Word War, and he also wears Nazi hats too from what Dais says.  I just looked up in time to see a Garter Snake crawling out into the back field.  It used the right gate slot.         

       

                                                                     "LEMMY" KILMISTER / MOTÖRHEAD

 

               Our boss doesn't think Mr. Lemmy believes in the Nazi ideas but, like many people; just thinks the Nazis designed "cool" looking logos and uniforms.  Daisy thinks Lemmy would be so  impressed if he ever saw our boss's military hat and helmet collection.  Dawn's barking.

           Mr. Dave says he once saw Lemmy wearing Cowboy boots with Iron crosses on them, and has seen him with Totenkopf Death's Head symbols on SS hats.  When Mr. Steve met him down at the "Rainbow" restaurant in Hollywood he noticed he smoked a lot.  I can smell Blinky.

          Dais told me Millie noticed some Hard Rock bands like MOTÖRHEAD, BLÜE ÖYSTER CÜLT and MÖTLEY CRÜE use the double dot German "Umlaut" accent in spelling their band names.  It's not for the pronunciation, it "just looks cool" Mr. Dave said.  Blinky smells good.

   

NIKKI SIXX                        MÖTLEY CRÜE                     MICK MARS  

        

            A guy Mr. Steve met at the Sylmar Library saw a MÖTLEY CRÜE concert and noticed Bassist Nikki Sixx wearing a red armband without a swastika.  Guitarist Mick Mars' hat had a skull and bones logo like a Totenkampf Death's Head emblem on it.  I smell some Mesquite.   

               It says here the "crooked" or "twisted" cross may've first been seen in India, in what are called "Sanskrit."  Daisy saw a tv show which said that Singer Madonna used a swastika image on stage to be "provocative" and "push the envelope" so to speak.  Mesquite smells good.

          Dais says the tv show about "Shock" Rock said Marilyn Manson's "color scheme" is red, black and white; and in Videos he wore Nazi type hats.  Mr. Dave saw how BLACK SABBATH'S members at times used black, red or white musical instruments.  I'm glad we have Mesquite!

                                            

                              MARILYN MANSON                                      ROUGH CUTT

                                                                                                                                                                                                                    PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

        

           Back in the late 1980's our Chief took pictures of that band ROUGH CUTT at the Forum.  One of their Guitarists had a guitar painted in desert camouflage brown with a black swastika on it.  This was the same pattern used by Erwin Rommel's "Afrika Korps" in World War II.

          In the 1970's our Chief saw BLUE ÖYSER CULT play a few times, and still has some of their vinyl records.  The first time he and Sandy saw them with friends was in 1974; down at the Hollywood Palladium.   They had never heard of "B.O.C." then and were impressed by them.

         At that first BLUE ÖYSTER CULT concert Mr. Steve's friend Chris's girlfriend Angela said was kind of like "West Side Story."  Our boss told Mr. Dave B.O.C.'s Drummer was really good but the lead Guitarist Buck Dharma was the highlight.  I smell Charlie Company.

                                                                                            BLUE ÖYSTER CULT

     

            One time our boss and Mr. Rich talked about how BLUE ÖYSTER CULT at times used three Guitarists like Mr. Rich's band DRAGPIPE.   I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how Mr. Rich is from New Jersey, while B.O.C are from New York City.  I smell Sage.

           Daisy says our boss told Mr. Rich how one time, when they worked at "Laser Images;" he and Mark Ritter towed a laser down to the "Long Beach Arena" so B.O.C. could use it in their concert.  That was the tour where they played a song about that Japanese monster "Godzilla."

          Mr. Steve heard B.O.C.'S black, red and white image, and the lyrics too; were created by a Jewish guy.  When our boss pointed B.O.C.'S red flag Mr. Dave agreed it looks Fascist alright.  A small flock of Birds way up there high in the darkening sky is flying bye toward the east. 

                                 

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT ("SECRET TREATIES")      

        

            Daisy told me about the B.O.C. album "Secret Treaties," which has that one song I wrote about yesterday called "Flaming Telepaths."   Even though he heard Buck Dharma is not Jewish, Mr. Steve feels a Jewish sound in his lead guitar on that song.   I can smell Andy over there.  

           The picture on the front of Secret Treaties shows the band standing around one of those "Me-262" Nazi Jets Dais told me.  Another song on that album is "Dominance and Submission."  The shadows are now really leaning away from me pointing toward the east behind the Sheds.

          Our Chief told Mr. Rich he thinks Buck Dharma is one of the best lead Guitarists he's seen in person, his "melodic" leads are so good.  Dais told me Millie really liked the BLUE ÖYSTER CULT song about not being afraid of that "Grim Reaper."  I think I would be scared anyway.     

        

BLUE ÖYSTER CULT  

   

           Because so many people "Resonate" with powerful, even "Megalomaniac" imagery; our boss thinks Hitler will always have an ongoing "Legacy."  Our boss told Mr. Rich Buck Dharma uses a white Gibson "SG" sometimes.  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral. 

          Our boss once read a description of Buck Dharma's lead on Dominance and Submission as being "searing."  Daisy says it is pretty amazing alright.  I guess, there are now people all around the world who have come to associate the phrase Dominance and Submission with Hitler.

            Mr. Rich down in Sylmar thinks that one English band the CLASH were "The Beatles of Punk."  One of Mr. Dave's old Motorcycle Shop customers  told him some of the CLASH, and a band called the DAMNED; came from a band called LONDON SS.  That's Nazi influence.

                                                                     THE CLASH   

 

            I've never heard any songs by that band the CLASH.  Daisy has.  One time her and Millie listened to a song called "Should I Stay or Should I Go?"  And she told me, they also have this other really good song called "Rock the Casbah."  I so want to hear that song someday.  

           Over the last three days I've mentioned a few times how our boss Mr. Steve thinks that the better Guitarists can almost "instinctively transition" from "rhythm to lead" and back easily.  It looks easy but isn't at all I guess.  A Train whistled faintly way out in the northern desert.

           Mr. Steve was not lucky enough to see Jimi Hendrix play the way Mr. Doug did, but can hear how he was a great Guitarist.  He didn't need a second Guitarist in his bands.  Ah!  Thank You God for how the air is so clear right now, which makes me glad to be alive down here.  

  

                                                   STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN  (1954-1990)                                           

                                                                                                                                                 PAINTING BY MICHELE RAIS

  

               Our Chief told Mr. Rich the best Guitarist he's seen is Stevie Ray Vaughn, and QUEEN'S Brian May a "close second."  As great as they are, on the nights he saw them; Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck were not as "impressive" as Stevie Ray Vaughn.  Two of the Pigeons flew past.  

          Mick Mars of MÖTLEY CRÜE goes back and forth from rhythm and lead and also gets good "distorted tones."  Our Chief told Mr. Dave he used to play along to "Looks that Kill" and "Knock Em Dead Kid."  Mick Mars has a painful bone disease which makes him hunch over.         

         One band Mr. Steve saw play a few times was X, whose Billy Zoom is another Guitarist who can make going from rhythm to lead look as if it's "second nature."  He makes it "Look Easy" as they say.  Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are moving together toward the north.

                    

                             BILLY ZOOM                                                   THE BAND X

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Mr. Steve saw that L.A. band X play three times, once from up on stage at the "Country Club" in Reseda; where he used to also take pictures of Boxing.  So he saw Billy Zoom play "up  close." He and Miss Harriet also saw Billy Zoom play with Top Jimmy's band one time.                

          I've mentioned a few times how Mr. Steve likes "Three Piece" bands of bass, drums and guitar,; but also likes some bands who have two or three Guitarists too.  BLUE ÖYSTER CULT  at times had three guitar players.   Mr. Rich's band DRAGPIPE used three Guitarists too.            

         Someday I want to hear ZZ TOP'S song about drinking beer, and also "La Grange" too.   Like the BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, Mr. Steve first saw ZZ TOP play at the Hollywood Palladium    as one of those "Opening Acts" I've mentioned a few times before.  I smell the Rose bushes.          

                                                            THEN                                ZZ TOP                                NOW    

     

           Our boss and Miss Sandy saw ZZ TOP in 1974, before they grew their beards long.  Soon after his friend Chris bought their album "Tres Hombres;" Spanish for "Three Men." Mr. Steve likes that song about beer even though he doesn't really raise Hell or like the taste of beer.

                Mr. Steve read how QUEEN'S Brian May uses a metal coin instead of one of those plastic "Pics" I've written about.  Both times our boss and Miss Sandy saw QUEEN play it was obvious how good Brian May was.  At the Forum that Irish band THIN LIZZY opened up for them.

           Brian May and his father built his red girl guitar, and from what Daisy says he gets some unique and unusual sounds out of her that don't sound like a guitar.  Some of QUEEN'S songs are those "Anthems" I've mentioned before.  Fred, Ed and Ted are flying toward the east.   

                      

                         WITH HIS CHILDREN                BRIAN MAY                               CUSTOM GUITAR

              

           Our boss told Mr. Dave he gave Jason a dime to use instead of a pic.  He liked how it gave  a different sound but it was not flexible enough.  One of Mr. Dave's Motorcycle Shop customers told him one time how Billy Gibbons of ZZ TOP has at times used coins to play his guitars.

           It's interesting how Brian May calls the red guitar he and his father built the "Old Lady."  I just thought of how in 1989 our boss and Miss Harriet saw Stevie Ray Vaughan, and Jeff Beck; play that concert down at the "Sports Arena."  Andy's over there sniffing the air right now.

         Someday I want to hear some of the songs by that 1960's band the YARDBIRDS.  It's hard to believe Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Jimmy Page at one time or another played guitar in that band.  For some reason our boss says, in 1990 Jeff Beck seemed a bit "distracted" that night.

                        

                                                                                                THE  YARDBIRDS       

             (JEFF BECK ON LEFT / JIMMY PAGE SECOND FROM RIGHT)     

                 

           Dais says our boss has an old YARDBIRDS vinyl record.  He played it for Jason who liked how on the song "Heart Full of Soul" Jeff Beck makes his guitar sound sort of like one of those sitars I've written about.  Ah!  Speedy Gonzalez just now ran bye in front of the Sheds. 

       Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet saw the Stevie Ray Vaughn and Jeff Beck concert down at the Sports Arena.   That's where, a few years before; our boss and that Writer Steve Appleford saw    DEF LEPPARD play.  Speedy left behind some of his scent which just floated over here.                

        In the late 1980's Miss Harriet's father bought season tickets for the Basketball "Clippers," so Mr. Steve and Miss Harriet went to a few games at the Sports Arena.   The Clippers, at that      time; used to play all of their "Home" games there.   Dawn's over there barking right now.                          

         SPORTS ARENA                                               MR. STEVE WITH MOM  

 (DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES)                                            (NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM)

  

         Throughout my three long books I've talked a lot about the different "Art Exhibits" Mr. Steve and his mother had back in the early 1990's.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday see those four    paintings Mr. Steve's mom did hanging in his bedroom.  And I also want to see his office too.        

           Mr. Steve and his mom's art spent that whole year at the "Natural History" Museum next to the Sports Arena, near where the "Coliseum" and U.S.C. College campus is located.  I looked up in time to see Benjamin running bye the Sheds.  It's getting darker so he blends in more.          

      When our boss wants to show people a Guitarist going "smoothly and fluidly" between rhythm to lead and back, he plays them Stevie Ray Vaughan.  On "Scuttle Buttin," and his cover of Jimi Hendrix's song "Voodoo Child;" he does it a lot I guess.   A Train just whistled faintly.      

                    

                                                                    STEVIE RAY VAUGHAN / JEFF BECK

     

          Boy!  It's too bad Stevie Ray Vaughan died in a Helicopter crash, and thinking of it right now is making me remember how Heathcliff won't be around tomorrow morning.  Oh!  Libby's   scent eating hay over there just floated in.  That make me feel better about things.                         

            Mr. Dave also saw that band X play, and thinks Billy Zoom's "melodic" blend of 1950's "Rockabilly" with Hard Rock guitar playing makes X "unique."  Daisy told me how John Doe, who sings and plays bass; was married to the girl Singer "Exene" during the 1980's.    

            Dais says John Doe and Exene's voices "blend together" in good harmonies.  Mr. Dave really admires how good X's Drummer "Bonebrake" is.  On just a small drum kit he can keep a steady consistent "In the Pocket" beat, and then also skillfully do all the "Fill" parts as well.                               

                                                                    THE BAND X     

        

             Mr. Steve thinks, "as talented as everyone is in X," it's Billy Zoom's unbelievably good guitar playing that "gives them the edge."  Seeing him play "up close" that time at the Country Club was "amazing" he's told Mr. Dave and Mr. Rich before.   He "makes it look so easy." 

             As I've mentioned before, the city of "Reseda" is located in the western part of the "San Fernando Valley."  Mr. Steve's sister Susan's Condominium nearby, in "Tarzana;" was destroyed in the 1994 "Northridge" earthquake.  She later got married and moved to Connecticut.

            Rockabilly music, through guys like Gene Vincent and early Elvis; began in the 1950's.  I guess our boss likes their songs but prefers the harder rock way Billy Zoom plays it.  One time a "Reviewer" said Billy Zoom's guitar playing was at times like being "punched in the gut."

                                                                                                                                                   BILLY ZOOM / TOP JIMMY (1955-2001)

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA           

         

                 One time Miss Harriet got an assignment from "Music Connection" Magazine to go see a Singer named "Top Jimmy" play at the "Palomino" in North Hollywood.  Dais says Billy Zoom helped him out that night by showing up to play guitar.   A Train just now whistled faintly.

           Top Jimmy is just a nickname but, according to what Daisy and Millie heard; even though he was born in 1955 like our Chief he already died.  He drank too much Mr. Steve heard, but at the time his deep voice; sounded a lot like Jim Morrison of the DOORS.  I like Trains.

           Daisy heard our boss and Mr. Rich talk about Billy Zoom.  I guess, besides being a good Guitarist; he also plays saxophone and flute too.  Mr. Steve says he's now "associated" with his playing of a silver Gretsch "Silver Jet" guitar.  I smell Charlie Company out in the field.

           

                      THE GERMS                                              "MADAME" ESTHER WONG      

        

         One time our boss and Mr. Doug remembered the early 1980's, when Punk bands like the GERMS and X used to play concerts in "Chinatown."   That was when the Chinese lady called    Madame Wong owned the restaurant I wrote about before.  A Train just whistled faintly.              

            Years ago this guy told Mr. Steve Billy Zoom knows about electronics, and repairs those "Tube" amplifiers.  Mr. Doug knows about European Cars like "Citroen's," so was interested to find out Billy Zoom works on those "Vespa" Scooters I've written about.   Daffy's quacking.   

            I guess that guy Top Jimmy was one of X's "Roadies."  According to what Daisy heard, VAN HALEN'S Singer David Lee Roth was his friend; and even wrote a good song about him one time.  A group of Birds is flying toward the northeast way up there in the darkening sky.

                                           

       HIGH DESERT SUNSET                 

                   

          Our boss and Mr. Dave talked about "The Decline of Western Civilization," that one 1981 documentary about the L.A. Punk scene.  Daisy says in part of that movie Top Jimmy is with the band X.  They're getting tattoos but Billy Zoom tells the Cameraman he doesn't want one.     

         Top Jimmy died because of drinking too much alcohol, Jim Morrison probably died from drugs.  Dais says a man on a tv show said Jim Morrison, Janice Joplin and Jimmy Hendrix were like "flares" who all "burned out early."  Boy!  At least Heathcliff had a pretty long life,  

        I just thought about how the DOORS got their name from the title of Aldous Huxley's book "The Doors of Perception.   And he got it from a phrase in that British Writer William Blake's  early 18th century poem.   It's getting darker, and I sure wish I could hear Heathcliff again.      

                                          WILLIAM BLAKE  (1757-1827)                                             THE DOORS                 

PAINTING BY THOMAS PHILLIPS                                                                                                                                     

                   

           Mr. Dave read about when Jim Morrison went to U.C.L.A., where Miss Emily works.  He studied film making but since a kid had read a lot of "Literature," which is how he knew about William Blake.  I've mentioned before that Jim Morrison admired Friedrich Nietzsche.

          Oh!  Goliath is crawling under Moe the Shed, and is what in the darkening time looks from here like a dead Rat.  Because of the time of day it is there are now a lot of things around here looking for food.  Andy's over there staring at Goliath and keeping a close eye on him.  

          I just thought of those German words our Chief told Samantha about.  My Dictionary says “Shadenfruede” means "to take pleasure in others misfortune.” Daisy and I aren't like that, but are more like the phrase "Gemoitlich zuzamen;" or "a warm feeling around each other."

          

                    SHERMAN / GRANT                                             JACKSON / LEE

               

                I just thought about how Daisy and I make a good team, like in the Civil War when Grant worked with Sherman and Lee was "Stonewall" Jackson's boss.  We're like what many think the "Yin and Yang" logo represents.   She's always predictable while I'm at times not so much.

           Sometimes Daisy calms me down when I get too excited but, at times I get her “fired up!” when she's tired.  We try to help each other and are always there for each other Daisy and I and that's why we're best friends!  Thank all of You Guys up there for helping me down here!

         Mr. Steve seems to think it's funny to call me “Chaos” and Daisy "Order,” which I think I get; even though I'm way better at controlling my emotions and being disciplined now.  In fact, I think writing these three long books has helped me a lot.  Thank Everyone for my good life.  

                                                                                              

        CAIN AND ABEL                                               ROMULUS AND REMUS   

                    

            Because Mr. Steve thinks most things in life are dual in nature, he reminds others that, while there are positive stories about two individuals cooperating; there are other stories about the opposite.  In the Old Testament that guy "Cain" killed his brother "Abel."  I smell Sage. 

            Daisy says in one of her episodes that British lady Mary Beard talked about how, in the story of ancient Rome's "Founding;" one brother "Romulus" killed his brother "Remus."  Mr. Steve has known people who were friends until becoming "Roommates."  Sage smells good.

           Sometimes those who are the closest to you are the ones who can do you the most harm.  A person's children can give you the greatest pleasure in life, but they can also give you the most pain too.  Oh!  All of a sudden I just thought about our boss's 1985 trip to Italy and Israel.

            

CITY OF ROME   

  

                  I've written about how, in 1985 Mr. Steve took his Time-Life book on Rome with him as he walked around the city.  He visited that Museum with those "Busts," or sculptures of people's head and shoulders."  Andy's sniffing the air to make sure Goliath or Cher aren't around.

            Sitting on the table in the front dining room are some busts I notice, one of that Roman Goddess "Diana;" another one of Mozart.  Near the living room fireplace is a bust of that guy Abraham Lincoln.  Mr. Steve's father bought that one many years ago from what Dais heard.

           In ancient Rome a leader had to always keep "Looking over your Shoulder" as they say, as there was always someone trying to kill you.  Mr. Steve noticed in that Museum with those busts how many of the different Emperors were assassinated or died violently.  Andy smells good.  

                                                             "WILD" BILL HICKOCK (1837-1876)     

         

             A Roman Emperor was like Old West Gunslinger like "Wild" Bill Hickock, there always being someone who hoped to kill you.  But instead of wanting power it was "Bragging Rights" on being better than you were using guns.  People still sometimes want to fight Mr. Bobby.

         Because he was probably addicted to gambling Mr. Steve thinks Wild Bill hickock made a  mistake in taking a chair at a poker table with his back to the door.   So he didn't see the guy who shot him come in the saloon.   He was holding that "Dead Man's Hand" of "Aces and Eights." 

        Another thing Mr. Steve noticed in walking around that Museum in Rome was how often it was the "Praetorian Guards," who were supposed to be protecting them; who ended up killing a lot of the Roman Emperors.  A Motorcycle just went bye out there on Primavera Road.
                                          

                        CALIGULA (12 B.C.-41 A.D.)                        TIBERIUS (42 B.C.-37 A.D.)

     

             Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Ralph one time a lot of people, like Emperor "Claudius" for example; were poisoned through their food and drink.  That's why they often had those "Food Taster" Slaves.  The Praetorian Guards killed "Caligula" and possibly "Tiberius" too.

             I've said before how Mr. Steve and his father both say it seems like in history "peace, love and understanding" are not as common "war, hate and intolerance.   Daisy says Caligula had the Grandson of Tiberius killed because as a possible threat to his throne.  I can smell Mesquite. 

            Boy!  It would hurt so much to be stabbed to death with a sword, which is often how you were killed back in the ancient world.  Yesterday I wrote about Emperor "Nero," had that Slave kill him because the Praetorian Guards were on the way to do it.  Mesquite smells so good.

                          

                                                               NERO (54-68 A.D.)   

        

            Yesterday I wrote about the Emperor "Nero" who, either killed himself or had a Slave do it for him; because he heard his Praetorian Guard was on the way.  His last words were; "What an artist dies with me."  He killed his own mom, who was the one who poisoned Claudius.   

           I guess, almost all of the ancient Roman Emperors were at times "Cruel," but some like Nero and Caligula seemed worse.  Nero burned alive all those Christians as scapegoats for that time the city of Rome burned.  Max and 99 just zoomed bye and I didn't hear them coming.

       Boy Lord!  Those early Christians must've been screaming so much as they burned when Nero "impaled" them and then set them on fire.  He supposedly used their burning bodies as his "Torches" to what my Encyclopedia says "light up the night.  Ah!  I'd hate burn to death.             

     

ROMAN CRUCIFIXION 

      

            Hey Lord!  If anyone knows how the Romans were experts in inflicting pain it was You.   It seems like that guy Pontius Pilate killed You more for "Political" reasons than anything else.  He just wanted to "Send a Message" to the other Jews not to cause any trouble by rioting.

            I just thought of how Caligula's father "Germanicus," a famous General; was poisoned.  And then for a while Caligula had to go live out on that island of "Capri" with that crazy guy Tiberius; who probably had his father killed.  So he saw "First Hand" extreme cruelty.

           A few years ago Mr. Steve met an older Italian lady who said it's possible it was Caligula himself who killed Tiberius by strangling him.  Some say one of the Praetorian Guards used a pillow to smother him to death.  The shadows are now really leaning away from me over here.

                                 

TIBERIUS (42 B.C-37 A.D) 

                When he was living out there on that one island of Capri, Caligula saw Tiberius's cruelty "First Hand," or "Up Close and Personal" so to speak.  Tiberius threw people off this tall cliff so they'd die on the jagged rocks below near the Mediterranean Sea beach.  Dawn's barking.   

            If the people survived the rocks men in Rowboats bludgeoned them.  The Italian lady said "at first the common people" in the city of Rome "liked Caligula."   But he got sick, went into a coma; and came out really mean Dais heard.  He used "Fear and Intimidation" from then on. 

           The Italian lady said, "For amusement;" Caligula had people kill themselves at banquets, and killed his own relatives.  But, "in the end" she told our boss; "he angered his own Praetorian Guard so was "butchered" by some of them.  That lady Mary Beard talked about that too.  

                                      

                                                      JULIUS CAESAR (100-44 B.C.)

           Boy!  I've learned so much about Julius Caesar's eventful life, like him conquering those "Gaul's" in what is now "France."  He even has the month of "July" named after him; and the medical procedure called a "Caesarean Section" too.  He knew that girl "Cleopatra."

           If Mr. Steve could time travel Daisy and I are pretty sure he'd want to go back to ancient Rome and talk to Julius Caesar.  He once noticed that Julius Caesar died at the age of fifty six, the same age as Adolph Hitler.  He accomplished so much in his half a century down here. 

           I've said before how Julius Caesar was killed on March the 15th, which is called the "Ides of March."  Mr. Steve's sister Susan was born on the 16th.  Daisy says a customer told him about a Jazz Rock band from "Illinois" called the IDES OF MARCH.  Leo and Cleo just flew bye.

                    

          IDES OF MARCH           

     

                Daisy and Millie heard that band IDES OF MARCH'S hit song called called "Vehicle," which has horns on it similar to CHICAGO songs like "23 or 6 to 4."  It came out in 1970 when Mr. Steve was in 10th Grade at Alemany High School.  I smell Libby eating over there.

          That Parts Manager told our boss the IDES OF MARCH began in the 1960's, and got the band's name from Shakespeare's old play about Julius Caesar.  They were one of those "One Hit Wonders" I've written about.  Their song Vehicle made it to #10 on the "Billboard" charts.

          From what his customer told him that time, in 1970 IDES OF MARCH toured with LED ZEPPELIN.   And, in that year they opened up for JIMI HENDRIX and that girl Janis Joplin; a few months before they both died.   Birds are zooming around out there in the back desert. 

   

JEAN-LÉON GEROME         

       

            I just thought of how Romans enjoyed violence for entertainment, even calling it "Blood Sport."  I'm looking at the painting by that guy Jean-Léon Gerome where the winning Gladiator is asking the audience if they want him to kill his beaten opponent.  I'm glad I live now.

           Boy!  In the painting the Gladiator has his foot on the other guy's throat, holding him in place so he can stab him through the throat if the crowd wants him to do it.  I've written before about the ancient Roman saying, "Give him the Boot."  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

          Daisy's probably right when she says "Gladiatorial Games" were like modern Boxing, but way worse.   Our Chief, his mom and Samantha saw that Jean-Léon Gerome art exhibit up at the "Getty Museum" that time.  Mr. Steve's mom thinks "Gerome" was a great Painter.   

   

HEINRICH HIMMLER (1900-1945)

           Hey Lord!  Over the last three days in these long books I've found out how life can often be good and bad.  Wow!  I'm looking at that quote by Heinrich Himmler, the head of the Nazi Police.  I've mentioned before how SS just means "Schutzstaffel" or "Protection Squad."  

          It seems like war, hate and intolerance have often been more common than peace, love and understanding Lord.  That quote by Heinrich Himmler sounds like what the Spanish Inquisitor Torquemada or the Mafia's Murder Inc. leader Albert Anastasia would say.  I smell Sage.

         That Italian guy Machiavelli said it was more effective for a leader to be feared rather than loved.  Caligula one time thought the Gladiator Games were not bloody enough so changed the rules for more bloodshed.  The Italian lady said Caligula "took cruelty to a different level."   

              

"ALTA" CALIFORNIA

                   

           It's getting darker now, and in looking at my outline I see I still have to write a few things about "Alta" or "Upper" California.  I've mentioned a few times how the Spanish colonized our area in the late 18th century.   That new Hawk flew bye holding something dead in its mouth.

          After that 1821 revolution Alta California became part of "Mexico," until 1848 when the U.S. acquired the region after the Mexican War.  Gold was discovered in Northern California in 1848 so by 1851 we were an American state.  I smell Charley Company behind the Sheds.

          Daisy and Millie saw a tv show about California which said a man named Benjamin Davis Wilson was important in our State's history.  My Encyclopedia says he was originally from the State of "Tennessee."  He came to California twenty years before the American Civil War.  

                                                                                        BENJAMIN DAVIS WILSON (1811-1878) WITH SECOND WIFE

         

               I forgot to write about Benjamin Wilson yesterday when I wrote about that guy General Patton.  Benjamin Wilson was going to China but decided to stay in California.  When his first wife named "Ramona" like Daisy's Guardian Angel died; he remarried.  I smell Mesquite.

          Benjamin Wilson and his second wife ended up being George Patton's Grandparents.  In 1851 Benjamin Wilson was elected Mayor of L.A., after the Civil War in 1865 he became a State Senator.  Eventually he owned a lot of land in California and became very rich I guess.  

           It's weird how Benjamin Wilson's Grandson General Patton died in a mysterious way, a right after World War II ended.  Even though the Soviet Union was still our ally, he wanted to attack them immediately.  Mr. Steve's father thinks he sensed the "Cold War" atmosphere.

  

GEORGE S. PATTON (1885-1945)

 

                 Wow!  What a coincidence that, just as I look at the picture of General Patton sitting on that white Lipizan Horse; I smell Libby eating her hay over there.  Another photo shows General Patton riding in a Jeep like the one he got critically injured in.  He broke his neck I guess.

           Oh!  This is interesting how "Mount Wilson" in "Pasadena," near where Jackie Robinson grew up on "Wilson" Avenue; is named after Benjamin Wilson.  That Observatory where Albert Einstein visited, and a Pasadena school "Don Benito;" are named for him too.  I smell Sage.

           Dais says the tv show said for a while Benjamin Wilson was the head of "Indian Affairs."  Unlike other 19th century white men who held that job Dais told me, he must've been nice to the Indians as they called him "Benigno;" Spanish for "Kind."  Boy!  Sage has a good scent.    

                                              

                                      BENJAMIN DAVIS WILSON (1870)                                       

                                                                                                   

             Mr. Dave read about Benjamin Wilson and said, even though most Native Californians respected him; one shot him with an arrow; which Mr. Benjamin "carried" in his shoulder until he died.  Mr. Steve's father knows people who have pieces of metal still inside of them too.

            Benjamin Wilson was, back in the 1850's before the Civil War;  what the Spanish called "Alcalde" of  San Bernardino.  I've mentioned before how the title Alcalde is the Arabic word for "Village Chief" so; you could say Mr. Steve is kind of like our Alcalde I guess.  We like it! 

           One time Mr. Steve and his mom talked about "Big Bear," a place in the "San Bernardino Mountains where Dais heard they have a Lake.  It says here Mr. Benjamin "explored" and later bought the land in that area.  It's getting darker and darker so I have to keep working hard.

               

  LARRY CASTILLO / SON CHRIS                   "BIG BEAR"                            BEATRICE CASTILLO           

                

          I just thought of how Big Bear is one of those "Resort" towns I've written about, which is why the Castillo's had their cabin there.  Mr. Steve's family visited the Castillo's a few times and have fond memories of staying in that cabin.  A breeze just blew in the scent of Mesquite.              

         Dais and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Dave "Serrano" Indians, like the ones who lived in our area of Piñon Hills; have lived near Big Bear Lake for a few thousand years.  A guy told Mr.  Steve was told movies like "Gone With the Wind" were filmed there.  Mesquite smells good.        

        I guess, at one time those big huge "Grizzly" Bears lived in the mountains of Big Bear but Daisy heard our boss tell Mr. Dave he was told the last one was killed way back in 1908.  But they still have those "Black" Bears over there.  Smelling Mesquite right now makes me feel good.        

                             "GRIZZLY" BEAR                                                  "BLACK" BEAR                         

              

        From what Daisy heard, Bears usually live in forests and mountains like the ones to our south.  Boy!  If a Bear ever invaded our land it would be hard to fight it, because all Bears have    way bigger and sharper claws and teeth than Dais or I do.  We'd just have to do our best.              

            Daisy and Millie saw a tv show which showed this Grizzly Bear tossing a big Deer around where the man described it as looking like a "Rag Doll."  I've never seen a Rag Doll but Dais has and told me they're very light in weight.   Bears are really strong and good fighters too. 

                 I guess Boxers like Mike Tyson, Oscar De La Hoya and Shane Mosley have trained in Big Bear for their fights; and so did Fernando Vargas from "Oxnard."   One time our boss and Miss Harriet visited Mr. Armando when he lived in Oxnard.   They rode Bikes around the area.    

  

 HIGH DESERT SUNSET

PHOTO BY STEVE SHAMES

  

            Looking over at our water bowl near the sliding glass door makes me think of how those "Lakota" Sioux Indians say "Water is Life."  We're in a drought but Dais and I are so lucky to be able to drink water any time we want with no limit.  A small group of Birds are flying bye.

           Writing my three long books has made me really come to appreciate why water has been so important in the history of Earth.  No wonder the first people who went from those "Nomad Hunter Gatherers" settled near big Rivers.  I just thought about being thirsty when homeless.

           That Irish guy William Mulholland, who I've mentioned a few times; in 1913 got enough water down here from Northern California to allow Los Angeles to grow.  Dais heard his father beat him so William Mulholland ran away from home.   We're lucky he came to California.

                              

           WILLIAM MULHOLLAND (1855-1935)                  "CALIFORNIA" AQUEDUCT

      

            I've mentioned a few times over the last three days how it was mainly Mr. William who built that Aqueduct near us.  That was 1913, the year before World War I broke out over there in Europe.  My Encyclopedia says Mr. William "escaped" Ireland and joined the British Navy.

            Mr. William came out here and decided to just go ahead and stay in California after the Civil War.   Mr. Steve joked with Mr. Randy, if there ever is a big natural disaster; we can at least try to catch Fish in the Aqueduct and maybe get some water.   We noticed Mr. Randy laughed.

           When the strong wind blew over that tree last year Mr. Mike cut it up for firewood.  The big boulders used to make the basin are still there, so we can use it as a fire pit our boss says; to heat water and cook food.  And we have extra water and food up there in the garage too. 

                 

              "OPENING" CEREMONY (1913)                     "SYLMAR" GATES        

                      

             I'll bet Mr. Steve would use Mr. Peabody's time machine to go back to 1913, to see those opening ceremonies.  That was when Mr. William first opened up the gates to let the water in his Aqueduct flow down into Los Angeles.  I think, in 1913 Sylmar was called "Morningside."

            Boy!  Daisy says our boss's father has wondered what an ancient Roman Engineer would say if he could travel to the future and see Mr. William's Aqueduct?  He brought water all the way from "Owens Valley," two hundred and fifty miles away.  A Train whistled faintly.

            My Encyclopedia says later Mr. William was an "advisor" when they built that "Panama Canal" I've written about; and then the "Hoover Dam" too.  He also helped build that Dam at the top of "San Francisquito" canyon.  Mr. Mark's family lived there before going to Hawaii.  

            

                                      STANLEY                                                 LILITH 

      

             Oh!   I want to really thank you Stanley for protecting me from Lilith  over these last three days, especially today when I keep thinking about Heathcliff being gone.   Tomorrow is going to be so sad both Daisy and I think.  A group of Crows are fighting over something.

             Lilith!  Even though you haven't been around for three days you might as well not show up now when I'm this close to finishing my three books.  It's late in the day Lilith and I "can see light at the end of the tunnel" as they say.  So there's no chance I'll be lazy at this point.

             I'll bet Mr. William studied how the ancient Romans, and later those Franciscan Priests who started the Missions up here in the 18th century; used gravity to move water.  I wrote how in Aqueducts the water flows gradually downward from far away.  I smell Andy over there.  

              

                         "THE GREAT WALL"                          "RE-ENACTMENT"1781 L.A. FOUNDING

                 ("THE FOUNDING" /  NORTH HOLLYWOOD)                                         (1936  CEREMONY

                                                           ARTWORK BY JUDY BACA                                                 

              

            Over the last three days I've learned about Los Angeles, and how it was founded by the Spanish in 1781.  Judy Baca, Mr. Steve's High School Art Teacher; oversaw the creation of that long "Great Wall" mural.  Mr. Steve's mom likes the part showing the original founding.   

            I'm so glad I have this Encyclopedia to be able to spell Los Angeles's long Spanish name, "El Pueblo de la Reina de los Angeles de Porquincuna."  Thank You so much God if it was You who provided me with these Encyclopedia's and Dictionaries.  Andy's looking at me.

           As I've said a few times in these three long books Blessed Mother, that just means "The Town of of Our Lady Queen of the Angels from Porquincuna. "  Boy!  It's so much easier to just say "L.A." for short.  A small flock of Birds is flying toward the east way up there in the sky.        

          

                                                             THE TWINS                                       MR. RANDY

     

        The scent of the Twins just came floating in on a nice cool breeze, and that reminds me of that morning when Mr. Randy was over here visiting with us.  I remember smelling the Twins on that really warm morning.  Mr. Randy laughed when our boss first told him the Twins name.       

           I guess, when Mr. William came to Los Angeles in 1877; "nine thousand" people lived in the city.  By 1913 L.A. was "forty miles square;" with "one hundred thousand residents."  By 1920 there were "half a million, encompassing three hundred and sixty square miles" in size.

          L.A.'s growth was mainly because of Mr. William's Aqueduct, and in 1913 up on the hill in Sylmar he "officiated" the gate opening ceremony.  When he turned the valve to let the water in to the San Fernando Valley he just said, "There it is, take it."   Frida and Diego flew bye. 

    

     DOOBIE BROTHERS                                        "SYLMAR" EARTHQUAKE 

                     ("THE CAPTAIN AND ME" / 1973)                                                                  (FEBRUARY, 1971)                                                                     

             I just thought of that DOOBIE BROTHERS album cover which shows the band riding a Stagecoach dressed in 19th century clothes.  As I've said before, those pictures were taken  near where Mr. William first let the water into L.A. in 1913.  Andy's over there sniffing the air.

          The DOOBIE BROTHERS on the Stagecoach are on an album from 1973, the year our Chief graduated from Sylmar High.  Daisy says our boss and Mr. Dave have played aong to that son about the "China Grove."  Dais says it has good guitar and piano, and harmony singing.

       Where the DOOBIE BROTHERS rode the Stage Coash is also near where the Freeway fell down during that huge Sylmar earthquake.  Those two guys riding in that Truck were crushed to death "in the blink of an eye" as Mr. Steve's father said one time.  I like how Andy smells.                

   "HOPE"     

               

          Hey Lord!  As You know, I so hope to hear that DOOBIE BROTHERS song "Jesus is Just Alright;" because Daisy and Millie said it gave them hope.  Mr. Ralph read earlier the BYRDS    and VENTURES did versions of that song.  And I guess Eric Clapton later covered it too.              

        It's interesting how, back in the 1970's; some bands used two Drummers.  The DOOBIE BROTHERS and ALLMAN BROTHERS were two of them, and in 1978 when Mr. Steve saw        the GRATEFUL DEAD play in Santa Barbara; they had two Drummers.  I smell Mesquite.          

        Our Chief and Mr. Dave talked about that 1980's Christian Heavy Metal band STRYPER, who also did a version of Jesus is Just Alright; according to what Dais heard Mr. Dave say.  Hey God!  If I ever had a Dog band I would want to make songs thanking You.  I smell Creosote.         

     

STYPER  

     

              Dais thinks I would love STRYPER'S black and yellow clothes they wore  in the  1980's; during that "Hair" band period here in L.A.  Mr. Dave heard STRYPER were all from "Orange County," and I guess even all of their instruments were black and yellow.  A Train whistled.          

         In my books I've mentioned how the city of "Pittsburgh" is the only major city where all the professional sports teams use the same "Color Scheme."  And it's just like STRYPER'S suits, except they add white in to it.  Mr. Rick, being from Pittsburgh; still likes all of those teams.         

         Well, back to writing about that man William Mulholland.  Down in L.A. they named the road after him.  He was treated like a hero after completing his Aqueduct in 1913 but, toward the end of his life, a big disaster happened.  A Dam he worked on broke and killed many people.                      

                MR. MARK / MISS KIM                                    TAJ / MR. MARK / DYLAN                                                                                                                    

        I've mentioned a few times how, before Mr. Mark and his family moved to Hawaii; they lived in a house at the top of "San Francisquito Canyon" Road.  It's a long and windy road and    has beautiful scenery along the way.  I smell the clump of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral.          

           Our Chief and his Niece Samantha drove little Barny to visit with Mr. Mark's family up in their small town of "Green Valley."  On the way they listened to that WHITE STRIPES album      with the song "Seven Nation Army" on it.  Boy!  I can't wait to someday hear that song.              

        At the top of San Francisquito Canyon, a Dam William Mulholland worked on was built; but in 1928 it broke and killed six hundred people.  The water flooded down all the way to the Pacific Ocean fifty miles away.  That road and Dam were named after Saint Francis I guess.                                        

1928 "SAN FRANCISQUITO CANYON" FLOOD 

     

          My Encyclopedia says, when the Dam "burst" in 1928 the water "rampaged" out of the Canyon; and "tore through" Valencia and Newhall.  Because Mr. William had just "inspected"    the Dam; he was blamed, and for the rest of his life was sad Dais heard.  Dawn's barking.             

         Daisy heard Mr. Ralph tell our boss he read a Historian named William Karl said, "The history of California in the 20th century is the history of a state inventing itself with water."   I'll  bet he thought, like Mr. Steve; water has had a huge influence on Earth and man's history.          

         It was "probably" a long 9th century A.D. drought that destroyed the Central American "Mayan" Empire Mr. Dave thinks.  Ancient Egypt's "Old Kingdom" ended in a drought.  Mr.      Steve's father thinks California's big economy is partly due to being "able to move water."                                                                                          HIGH DESERT SUNSET                    

                                                                              

          It's getting dark so I have to keep working hard, and on my outline I see I still have more to write about the history of water here in California.  Mr. Grant read, from 1970 through 2000    California's population "doubled;" and those were "wetter" years.  A Train just whistled.             

         Scientists say California's last century has also been wetter, even though this tv show Dais and Millie saw said California is "subject to unpredictable weather patterns."  For much of the    Southwest's history it has been "drier" I guess.  Blackbeard and Anne just went flying bye.          

          The man on the tv show said "Core Samples," which are like those "Tree Rings;" show the 9th century "Mega" drought which ended the Mayan Empire.   It lasted for two centuries up here in California from what Mr. Grant said.    We heard Mr. Randy use the term "dry spell."                      

MR. RICK WITH HIS MOM 

      

          Over the last three days I've written about Mr. Rick who, on and off; has known our Chief since they were kids at St. Ferdinands in the 1960's.  Later in life Mr. Rick had the "Mechanical Contracting" company.  A Train whistled faintly way out there in the northeastern desert.            

     Because his business has to do with pipes and things like that, Mr. Rick knows about the subject of water.  "Reverse Osmosis" is when they "filter" dirty water, even "sewer" water; so it can be "reused."  In "Desalinization" they can turn salt water into fresh water Daisy heard.     

         According to what our boss told Mr. Grant one time, there's a "desalinization facility" over there on Catalina Island.  Dais says you can tell that Mr. Grant, like Mark Ritter; is interested in "Meteorology."  A little Lizard ran bye on the Patio floor near Miss Emily's old coffee table.                                                                 "SIERRA NEVADA" MOUNTAINS                                                         

       

           I've mentioned before how the water going bye our house in Mr. William's Aqueduct is coming all the way from Northern California.   Mr. Rick's read about how important the annual "Runoff" from those Sierra Nevada Mountains are to our State.  I smell Charlie Company.          

             The more snow there is each year, the more it will melt into liquid water; so then gravity will pull it down to the bottom of the Sierra Nevada Mountains.  That's where it's collected or flows into the Lakes.  I've mentioned before how Israel is good at taking salt out of water.                                                                                                                                                                                             Yuk!  I don't know if I would want to drink cleaned sewer water, unless of course I was dying of thirst; like that time when I was homeless.   Mr. Rick says there hasn't been any "new" water for billions of years.  We're drinking "recycled" water the Dinosaurs drank he jokes.         

                                                       DINOSAUR PERIOD                          

 

          I guess one time Miss Susan's customer, who knows about water; joked "we're already drinking sewer water!  It's just that through millions of years nature has purified it on its own."  Boy, writing about water makes me kind of thirsty.   I see our silver water bucket over there.        

          Mr. Dave and our boss talked about areas of Southern California called "Watersheds," which Dais heard are low places where rain collects naturally.  The Native peoples, and also the    Priests at the Missions; knew where they were.  Finley and Fanny are flying to the east.                 

           For thousands of years Indians set up villages near Watersheds.  Not only did they get to have fresh water, but they could also "hunt and gather" the things which lived around them Mr. Dave said.  A Lizard ran bye down there on the Patio floor, and is now going out into the dirt.     

      

"WIYOT"S CHILDREN    

("GABRIELINO" VILLAGE / "SA-ANGNA)

PAINTING BY MARY LEIGHTON THOMSON

          

         Daisy heard our Chief tell Mr. Dave he's been told that all of the old Southern California Watersheds are now covered by paved roads and concrete.  Mr. Rick says it seems like those in    charge of L.A. "have no interest" in adapting to the natural Watersheds.  I smell Creosote.           

          Today cement "Dams," "Culverts" and "Channels" try to control nature.  But now we're in a really big drought.   The Shoshone man at the Library said for many years the Indians here  in California had knowledge of the "Aquifers" in the mountains, canyons and washes.                   

          My Dictionary says an aquifer is, "permeable underground rock that can contain or move groundwater."  And "permeable" means the, "space between rocks where water can sit or move  through."   Dais heard the Shoshone man told our boss aquifers are often "interconnected."                            

"IMPERIAL VALLEY"      

       

         Dais heard Mr. Rick tell our Chief how, during Winter; "ninety percent" of the vegetables grown for the U.S. comes from either our "Imperial Valley" or Arizona's "Yuma District."  So, if something effects our water supply it's "bad news" he said.  Blackbeard and Ann flew bye.           

        Mr. Rick was once told, for many years in the "Pomona Valley" fruit growers worked with local government to  create "Spreading Grounds."  These big areas were meant to allow all the    surface water to sink down into the aquifers below through gravity.  A Train whistled faintly.

          A while back one of Miss Susan's customers told her about a guy named Charles Hatfield.  In 1915, right after Mr. William opened his Aqueduct; San Diego hired him to try to make it rain because they were in a big drought like the one we're in 2014.  I can smell Libby over there.                     

CHARLES HATFIELD (1875-1958)

     

         Dais heard Miss Susan's customer told her his son did a report on Charles Hatfield, who claimed he had a secret formula of chemicals that could "produce" rain.  He and his brother set  up a tower east of San Diego and shot something up in the sky.  Daffy's quacking over there.         

         Miss Susan's customer called what Charles Hatfield did back in 1915 "Cloud-Seeding."  I guess it worked too good, causing what he referred to as a "downpour" of thirty inches of rain in a short amount of time.  Fifty people died so everyone was mad at the Hatfield brothers.                

        I guess because some people wanted to even kill them, without getting paid; the Hatfield brothers had to "Get out of Dodge" as they say.   Daisy says one time she and Millie watched a tv show with Mr. Steve about Cloud-Seeding.  Hearing Daffy now is making me feel good.                              

VIETNAM WAR 

("HÔ CHI MINH TRAIL")

        

          I looked up "Operation Popeye" when, from 1967 through 1972; the U.S. military used cloud-seeding to create rain during the "Vietnam War."  The tv show Daisy saw said they were trying to "disrupt" that "Hô chi Minh" supply trail I've written about.  I like the map of it.         

         Daisy says one time our Chief and Mr. Grant talked about that Vietnam War.  The Viêt Công and North Vietnamese were supplied by the Communist countries of the Soviet Union and  China.  The South Vietnamese were being "supplied and supported" by the United States.            

          Cloud-Seeding was used in the Vietnam War to "prolong" the rainy "monsoon" season, which "turned the dirt roads into impassable quagmires."  It worked as one time Mr. Steve met a Vietnamese lady whose relatives drowned during those years.  Two of the Pigeons flew bye.                      

                  HÔ CHI MINH (1890-1969)                   "DIEN BIEN PHU" (1954)                             

              

           I kind of like that guy Hô chi Minh's beard.  He'd been a famous Communist leader even before he fought the U.S., having helped kick the French out of Vietnam; or what was then called "Indochina."  Ah!  Now the other two Pigeons just flew bye over Libby's Corral over there.          

       Hô chi Minh fought the Japanese during World War II.  In 1954, the North Vietnamese captured all those thousands of French Soldiers at that "Battle of Dien Bien Phu;" which I wrote about.   A Train whistled faintly way out there in the desert to the northeast of us over here.          

         France was conquered by Germany in 1940, but after World War II wanted their colonies back.  In Vietnam the people "resisted" and said no, that Chinese guy Mao Zedong helping Hô    chi Minh to fight the French; and later the Americans.  I sort of like how Train's sound.                 

                                                                                                                          "FALL OF SAIGON" (1975)                                                                            PHOTO BY JACQUES PAVLOVSKY                                                                                                                                                                                            

                                                       

        It says here how, once the U.S. left South Vietnam in 1975 the North Vietnamese invaded and took over.  Mr. Steve's parents met a South Vietnamese man who escaped before being killed for helping the U.S., but his relatives had to commit suicide to avoid torture.  I smell Sage.            

         The North Vietnamese renamed the city of "Saigon" as "Hô chi Minh City."  Hô chi minh died in 1969, so wasn't around to see that happen from what it says here in this Encyclopedia.      Oh!  He died on September the 2nd, which just happens to also be Miss Maria's birthday.             

       Over the last three days I learned how weather patterns, warmer or colder; have effected history.  The last Ice Age ending about twelve thousand years ago let people migrate down into      North and South America.  I wonder if we're warming in 2014 because it was a cold Winter.                                                                        LONGSHIP                     "VIKINGS"                      RAID                                                                      

         In the 8th century A.D. warming allowed those well-built Viking "Longships" to sail from Scandinavia and, way before Columbus; even come all of the way over here to North America.      They also raided and killed people going up Rivers too.   But then the weather got cold again.       

       Oh!  I forgot to mention how that man Charles Hatfield, and also Mr. William; are buried over there at that "Glendale Forrest Lawn" cemetery.  That's also where Miss Helen, who in the 1980's worked with our boss and Mr. Mark; is buried.  A little Lizard just went running bye.        

        Boy!  Miss Helen worked, not because she had too but because she wanted to; almost right up until she died in her 80's.  Our Chief told his mom she was "conscientious."  And, as I wrote    about before; "towards the end" she "couldn't get around nearly as well" Mr. Steve said.                                                                                                       

MISS EMILY

    

             I've mentioned before how Miss Helen graduated from U.C.L.A., where Miss Emily still works.  That makes her one of those "Alumni's," which is why she bought those Football season  tickets for the games at the Rose Bowl.  Pasadena is near Glendale where Miss Helen lived.           

        Mr. Steve told his mom about driving Miss Helen to all those Football games at the Rose Bowl.  That was when Miss Helen, who was really tall; needed someone to take her to the games  because she had a bad back.  The four Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral over there.               

          Knowing she could only be on her feet for about twelve hours without gravity making her back hurt, Miss Helen "Rationed her Time" as they say.   On game days she got everything ready and just stayed laying down.   Mr. Steve would call her when he left Sylmar to go pick her up.         

"ROSE BOWL" IN PASADENA 

     PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

       

           It took about half an hour to get from Sylmar to Glendale, and then another half an hour to get to the Rose Bowl.   Once there Miss Helen held on to our boss's arm as she walked, kind of like how President Roosevelt did with his son; to hide his having Polio.  Daffy's quacking.             

          Mr. Steve jokes, the people "must've been smaller" in the 1920's when the Rose Bowl and Coliseum downtown were built; because the seats "seem too small."  Mr. Randy used the word    "midget" that one morning.  It "can get hot" at the Rose Bowl from what Mr. Steve says.             

         Our Chief had a dream where in the 1980's he, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen went to Beverly Hills for a Sales Meeting near the pool at that house "Pickfair."   I wrote how it's the big mansion built by Silent movie Actors Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Mary Pickford.  They were married.                                       DOUGLAS FAIRBANAKS / MARY PICKFORD                                 "THE GAUCHO"                                                          (AT "PICKFAIR")                                                               (SILENT MOVIE)                                      

                                                              

            Pickfair was the first L.A. house with a swimming pool in the ground, and famous people like President Franklin Roosevelt, Albert Einstein and H.G. Wells went there.  And so did those    famous Pilots Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh too I guess.   A Train whistled faintly.         

           Douglas Fairbanks was in that one Silent movie "The Gaucho," which is where U.C.S.B., got its name for their sports teams.  Mr. Steve one time talked with his sister Susan about the two years she went to College in Santa Barbara at U.C.S.B.  A little Lizard went running bye.              

         Miss Susan, who ran the News Plus Newspaper; told our boss how Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford filmed some of their movies up here in the High Desert.  And the first movie they  ever made for their own company was about Mr. Zorro.  Some of the Ducks are quacking.            

              

              "THE MARK OF ZORRO"                                WM. S. HART (1864-1946)                                   

           I just picked up the scent of Libby eating her dinner of hay and oats, which makes me think of that guy Mr. Zorro; who rides a black Horse and wears black clothes.  Now I thought of that other Silent movie Actor William S. Hart.  Boy!  That Daffy sure has such a loud voice.         

           William S. Hart's house is now a "Western" Museum in "Newhall," near to where Mr. Rick lives with his wife Linda.  It would be so interesting to smell one of the Peacocks or Buffalos who live at William S. Hart's old Ranch.   William S. Hart's boy Horse was named "Fritz."          

             That other guy John Wayne filmed movies with sound up here near Apple Valley, where Roy Rogers and his family lived after they moved from Chatsworth.  Mr. Steve was told William S. Hart's Horse Fritz was smart and did his own stunts.  I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies.          

           

                              ENTRANCE                 "FORREST LAWN"          HUELL HOWSER                                                                    

         Besides Miss Helen, and Charles Hatfield and William Mulholland; people like Humphry Bogart, Elizabeth Taylor, Michael Jackson and Walt Disney are also buried at Glendale Forrest    Lawn.  I wrote about that one good Huell Howser episode where he visited Forrest Lawn.             

          Miss Helen told our Chief how Larry from the Three Stooges is buried at Glendale Forrest Lawn, and so is that Western Writer Louis L' Amour; who she loved reading.  I'd like to see the  stained glass windows and artwork there.  That Singer Ronnie James Dio is buried there.            

         Dais says Mr. Steve's mom likes the artwork at Forrest Lawn, and thinks seeing Leonardo da Vinci's "Last Supper" in stained glass is "beautiful." There's a big painting of the signing of    the Declaration of Independence.  Aldous Huxley thought cemetery art "ridiculous" I guess.                 

       MARX BROTHERS                "EDEN MEMORIAL PARK"       STEVE BANKS / MISS RONNA

  

        When Mr. Steve was told Groucho Marx is buried at Eden Memorial Jewish cemetery, he thought of Miss Helen telling him the other two Marx Brothers are at Glendale Forrest Lawn.      Steve Banks, and that Comedian Lenny Bruce are at Eden Memorial too.  A Train whistled.         

          I just thought of how our boss saw that guy Audie Murphy's grave in Washington D.C.   He won all of those medals in World War II, and as I've said a few times; after he died his wife Miss  Pamela was an "Advocate" for the Veterans at the "Sepulveda V.A." Hospital.  I smell Sage.        

      Daisy may be right in saying Audie Murphy might be an example of Friedrich Nietzsche's quote, "That which does not destroy me only makes me stronger."  As just a kid in Texas his dad  abandoned he and his ten brothers and sisters, then his mother died.  Leo and Cleo flew bye.                                           RITCHIE VALENS                OUR GRAVEYARD                 PARENT'S CRYPT                                                                                                                                                                                    Hey God!  Thank You for hopefully arranging that Daisy and I have a place to be buried when we die.   We'll be next to Millie, Lucy and Blackie up there in our little graveyard It's kind  of like how Mr. Steve's parents already know where they'll be buried.  It's getting darker.              

         I'd like to someday visit the Mission cemetery, where Grandma Trujillo and Grandma Córdova are buried.  We could also visit the graves of Mr. Steve's sister Celina and Mr. Rick's on Gino too.  Oh!  And also Ritchie Valens and his mother's graves near to his parents crypts.            

          Smelling Sage right now makes me think of last Summer when our boss and Mr. Randy talked about Audie Murphy and Ritchie Valens both dying in Plane crashes.  Mr. Steve said "it's doubtful" he'll fly in a small Plane again as he's "just not comfortable."  Sage smells good.           

                                            

         AUDIE MURPHY (1925-1971)                 

       

          During the Great Depression Audie Murphy, like Grandpa Córdova in Belén; used a .22 rifle to hunt Squirrels and Rabbits in Texas.   To support his family at age eleven he became an    accurate shot.  That girl Annie Oakley also began shooting in order to help her family too.            

          I like looking at the picture showing Audie Murphy getting one of his many medals from World War II.  Another one shows him "playing himself" in that 1950's movie about what he did in the war.   A helmet like the ones Audie Murphy wears in the photos is in our living room.          

         Audie Murphy's wife Miss "Pam," or "Mrs. Murphy" to most; told Mr. Steve's dad how her husband "developed a bad gambling habit."  Mr. Steve and his father, because they "Know    the Numbers;" say don't gamble "anything you cannot afford to lose."   i smell some Sage.                      

AUDIE MURPHY WITH FAMILY                  

         

          Mr. Steve's parents got married after the Korean War, Audie Murphy and Miss Pam got married when World War II was over.  Out here in California they had two boys as he became an Actor.  Ah!  I smell Helen standing next to Andy over there next the entrance to the burrow.          

           I guess, Miss Pam told Mr. Steve's father Audie Murphy also got "too involved" in Horse Racing down there at "Del Mar."   Mr. Steve's dad told her Ritchie Valens was from Pacoima.  I  just looked up and see Blackbeard and Anne flying over Libby's Corral and moving east.              

        We heard our Chief tell Mr. Randy that morning how his dad and Miss Pam talked about the Plane crash in 1959, where Ritchie Valens and Buddy Holly both died.  She knew the Boxer    Rocky Marciano also died in a Plane crash too.  A lot of Birds are chirping happily right now.      

                                                AUDIE MURPHY                                                    PAMELA MURPHY                       "RED BADGE OF COURAGE / 1959)                                      ("SPULVEDA" VETERAN'S HOSPITAL)

 

          After Audie Murphy died in 1971 Miss Pam got a "Clerk" job at the Sepulveda Veteran's Hospital.  Mr. Steve's father said she "evolved into an advocate" for the Veteran's like himself      who went to that facility.  There are a lot of Birds zooming around out in the back desert.              

      Audie Murphy was in that movie version of Stephen Crane's 19th century Civil War book "Red Badge of Courage."  I can't wait to read it.  I wrote yesterday how some people think it's      about that 1863 "Battle of Chancellorsville," where "Stonewall Jackson did really good.               

        Our boss told Mr. Randy his dad said, in "guiding and advising" the ex-Soldiers Miss Pam "became a nuisance" to some people.   They tried to fire her but Mr. Steve's father and the other Veteran's "made such a big stink" about it they "had to rehire" her I guess.  Daffy's quacking.                                         

HIGH DESERT SUNSET    

PHOTO BY STEVE SHAMES           

             

         Daisy says Mr. Steve's father one time talked with Miss Pam about the subject of female Pilots, especially the one from World War II.   He and Mr. Steve discussed that conversation, as    they're both also interested in that subject too.  Boy!  It's getting darker and darker now.              

          A lady whose mother was a  World War II Pilot told Mr. Steve after the war female Pilots weren't even given "Veteran's" status, so were "ineligible" for the same benefits male Pilots got. "W.A.S.P.'S" still can't be buried at "Arlington Cemetery."   Boy!  That seems so unfair!              

          In 2008, on the family's visit to Washington D.C. for the 4thof July; a man told our boss's father the U.S. Army "runs" Arlington Cemetery."   I've written before how W.A.S.P.S. means      "Women  Airforce Service Pilots."  CHEAP TRICK has that song which mentions them.                                                                            DICKEY CHAPELLE (1919-1965)                                     

     

         I guess Miss Pam knew about this girl Vietnam War Journalist named Dickey Chapelle, who Dais heard got killed because she went "into the field" right up to "the front lines."   Boy!    That girl Miss Dickey must've been really brave to do that.  A Train just whistled faintly.             

         Miss Dickey was one those "War Correspondents," like that guy William R. Murrow; but she went "into harms way."  Our boss's father read she was killed by a piece of shrapnel.  Oh!  It must really hurt to be hit by a hot piece of jagged and flying metal the way Mr. Cliff was.              

           Daisy heard our boss's father tell him how Mrs. Murphy read that Miss Dickey began as a Reporter in World War II.   Her last words to a Priest giving her "The Last Rites" were, "I guess it was bound to happen."  Hearing that Train suddenly makes me feel so good right now.                                           

WILLIAM ROSECRANS (1819-1898)

       

         Daisy says one time our Chief and Miss Susan at work talked about that cemetery in San Diego named after William Rosecrans, who I wrote about yesterday in learning about those Civil War battles he fought in.  That big road in Los Angeles is named for him.  I smell Mesquite.          

         That cemetery down in San Diego is called "Fort Rosecrans," and Dais heard Miss Susan say it's up on a hill called "Point Loma."  What makes it "so pretty" Mr. Steve thinks, is how it    overlooks the Pacific Ocean and that big bay I've written about before.   Dawn's barking.             

        Mr. Steve and his father talked about William Rosecrans.  He led the Union "Army of the Cumberland," and fought in that big "Battle  of Chickamauga;" in late 1863.  One time a man    standing next to him had his head blown off and the blood and brains splattered all over him.                                                                              HIGH DESERT SUNSET                           

     

          My Encyclopedia says William Rosecrans was almost picked to be President Lincoln's Vice President, and later was an Ambassador just like that other guy Lew Wallace; who wrote "Ben    Hur."  After the Civil  War William Rosecrans brought his family out here to California.               

         A Businessman and Politician, William Rosecrans' cemetery is like Arlington in being only for those killed "in the line of duty."  The first ones buried there were from that 1846 Mexican      War "Battle of San Pasqual" I wrote about.  Finley and Fanny are flying bye right now.                

          Wow!  I guess William Rosecrans and his wife had eight kids.  Well, one of the last things to write about in this third and final book is the "San Fernando Mission" Cemetery," where both of Mr. Steve's Grandmothers are buried.   His sister Celina and Mr. Rick son Gino are there too.                                               

                                      "SAN FERNANDO MISSION" CEMETERY                                                                                                                              

         Mr. Steve says he'll "maybe" be buried down at the San Fernando Mission Cemetery, but jokes he "wouldn't mind" just being buried in our little cemetery up there next to the driveway.   Dais and I will be buried there.  Way out there in the northeastern desert a Train whistled.           

       I just thought of that guy Ritchie Valens, who's buried with his mom close to Mr. Steve's parents Crypts.  Our Chief met the lady who knew Ritchie Valens' family, and a few times heard  Ritchie Valens play guitar in the bleachers of San Fernando Junior High.   I smell Sage.                 

         Dais heard Mr. Steve talking with his mom about how Ritchie Valens' real last named was "Valenzuela," just like Fernando Valenzuela; the 1980's Dodgers Pitcher she liked.  That lady      saw Ritchie Valens play at the San Fernando "Elks Lodge."  Frida and Diego flew bye.                                        

RITCHIE VALENS (1941-1959) 

                     

           Boy God!  It's so sad Ritchie Valens musical career lasted less than a year, ending on that day in 1959.  Dais heard it had been really really cold and Ritchie Valens was very sick so, even though he was afraid of flying; he took that very last Plane ride.   Two Crows are fighting.            

              I've mentioned how Ritchie Valens was "self-taught," being so good at just making up or  "improvising " new lyrics or riffs on songs everyone knew.  That's what the lady said.  She also    told our Chief he was "actually" left-handed, but learned to play his guitar right-handed.             

        On that one beautiful morning I remember Mr. Steve telling our Worker Mr. Esteban he "preferred" Ritchie Valens' La Bamba to the traditional Folk versions.  It's "heavier" and more Rock    and Roll.  Ritchie Valens' grave is near our boss's parents Crypts.                        

                      

  

           

                 SUNSET IN THE HIGH DESERT                  

                                                                                                                      

          Well Everyone up there, this is the end of these three what turned out to be really long books.  Thank Everyone for helping me so much because I definitely know for sure couldn't have done it without You Guys.  And thank you too Heathcliff if you just happen to be hearing me.       

              On the west side of the house, behind me; the Sun is almost totally down. We had already planned on finishing these three books with that old saying Mr. Dave told our boss about.  Hey      God!  And now with Heathcliff being gone forever it sure seems to be even more appropriate.       

            The saying by that old Native American Indian is, "Everything is borrowed.  There is no "mine" or "yours," only "ours."  Even time is borrowed.   All you have is what you came with,      and all you will leave then here with is your spirit."  Ah!  Heathcliff's Hens are cackling.                          

                                                                                                                                                 

"GOD GRANT ME THE SERENITY TO ACCEPT THINGS I CANNOT CHANGE,  

     THE COURAGE TO CHANGE THE THINGS I CAN;        

                       AND THE WISDOM TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE"