Book1 Chapter 8a – Maggie Cordova

(Book 1 / Chapter 8) f

COGNITO, ERGO; SUM / WHY ME?

1:30

"SAN GABRIEL" MOUNTAINS MAGGIE CÓRDOVA (BEHIND LIBBY"S CORRAL TO THE SOUTHEAST) "HOPEFUL" LOOK)

I went pee this time over there in the southeast corner of our fenced in two acres right near that clump of Joshua trees next to Libby's Corral. As I went to the bathroom I looked at the San Gabriel Mountains to the south. This first day of Spring has turned out to be great.

Blinky, Dawn and Rosie watched me from the other side of the fence and I'll bet they're all wondering why they've hardly seen me today. I can't wait to go and visit Daisy on my second big break after I finish this eighth chapter, or part two. I'd say it's about one thirty.

Hey God! Thank You for giving me Dais up there in the front yard to be my best friend. She told me about that movie where a boy's toys come alive when he's not around, one being a Cowboy; another a Spaceman. Heathcliff crowed and his voice makes me feel so good.

"TOY STORY" (1995) DAISY CÓRDOVA

Mr. Grant told my boss "Toy Story," made in 1995; was the first movie "entirely" made using "computer animated images." Daisy says Millie liked the song in it called "You've Got a Friend in Me." Boy! I can't wait to go visit with Daisy after I finish this eighth chapter.

Dais says, in that movie a T-Rex Dinosaur always worries his boy owner might someday get rid of him because he's not scary enough. Hey! That's sort of like me in wanting to be the smartest Dog in history so my boss won't ever replace me. I like our Truck Rex.

Randy Newman, the guy who wrote that song You've Got a Friend in Me, in 1983 did a song called "I Love L.A." The following year the Los Angeles "Lakers" Basketball team played it as a theme so my boss, Mr. Mark and Miss Helen heard it a lot. I can smell Andy.

RANDY NEWMAN DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

Daisy says one time she and Millie heard Mr. Steve and his mom remembering when he played her that Randy Newman song about loving Los Angeles. She liked it a lot and so did his sister Celina who died. "No doubt" it is a really "catchy" song alright according to Daisy.

My boss and Miss Helen, at an event in the Forum's restaurant; shook hands with that guy Randy Newman one time. He really is from L.A. I guess, and was a friendly person who wrote an "Anthem" for the whole city. Two of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.

Well, now I'll write about "Israel." In 1985 the St. Ferdinands Tour Group visited that mountain fortress "Masada" King Herod had built. Masada means "fortress" in Hebrew, and King Herod built his way up there on the mountain just in case he was ever attacked.

"MASADA" (ISRAEL)

Wow! Wait until Daisy sees this picture of Masada taken from an Airplane. Because she likes Underdog, she'd want to fly; but I get nervous looking at "Birdseye" photos like this one. I guess, back in 1985 that one Tour Guide named Haim called Masada "a natural stronghold."

The caption below the picture describes Masada as being a "remote and isolated rock cliff in the Judean Desert." King Herod had the fort built on Masada, and Caesarea and the first Jewish Temple in Jerusalem too. Boy! King Herod must've been really rich!

Hey Lord! About sixty years after You died, when the Emperor "Nero" was in power; the Jews in Israel revolted against the Romans. That General "Vespasian" was sent over there to "suppress and put down" the uprising it says here in this Encyclopedia. A Train whistled.

KING HEROD (c.74 B.C-4 A.D.)

PAINTING BY JAMES TISSOT

Hey Lord! As You know, over the next three days I'll learn a lot more about that guy "Herod the Great;" who tried to kill you as a baby. Supported by Rome, he was their "Puppet Ruler" during Your life. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying over Libby's Corral.

In College at C.S.U.N. my boss's mom studied this 19th century painting of King Herod by James Tissot. She admired the color, shadows and texture of cloth he put into showing King Herod's clothes. In looking at that painting in this Encyclopedia I do like his crown.

Daisy and Millie saw that one tv show about the "Jewish Revolt," which said the Roman troops destroyed the city of "Jerusalem." When Nero killed himself in Italy Vespasian then had to travel back over to Rome. A small brownish gray Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt.

MODEL OF 2ND JEWISH TEMPLE DRIVING OUT THE MONEYCHANGERS PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA PAINTING BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH

Hey Lord! Boy did You turn out to be right in correctly predicting the destruction of that 2nd Jewish Temple King Herod had built. That's the one where You got so angry at the "Money Changers," and knocked over the tables. You must've been so mad Daisy thinks.

Daisy and Millie one time heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his mom about that other painting of You Lord. I see it here in this Encyclopedia and it shows You using a whip to hit and get mad at those Money Changers. All four of the Pigeons just now flew bye.

I guess, General Vespasian left his son "Titus" in charge in Israel, then went back to Italy. After Jerusalem fell some surviving "Zealot" Jews retreated up to Masada, which they thought was safe; but it turned out it wasn't. Vespasian and Titus's family was "Flavians."

VESPASIAN (9 -79 A.D.) FLAVIANS TITUS (39-81 A.D.)

My Encyclopedia says what the tv said too, how the year 69 A.D. is now called the "Year of Four Emperors; mainly because there was a lot of "political upheaval" back there in Italy. It was a year of "much bloodshed and turmoil." Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye.

After all of the events of 69 A.D., including Nero killing himself; Vespasian ended up the leader of the Roman Empire. But in Israel his son Titus, after taking Jerusalem; chased all the surviving Jews to Masada. He surrounded and "besieged" the mountain fortress.

Oh what the heck! Over the next three days I'll learn a lot about Jewish history and, even though I'm not scheduled to write about it right now, I can mention some things here too. I see Theodora the Thrasher Bird on top of her favorite Creosote bush near Jack the Shed.

THEODORA

Because of it's high position way up there on the mountain, Masada was not easy to take but; Titus wanted to "Send a Message" to everyone about Rome's power. Daisy told me the tv show said he used captured Jews as Slaves to build a giant dirt ramp. I like Theodora.

The Jews up there hiding inside Masada were cut off and isolated, prevented from getting any supplies and things like that. Little by little, the Slaves built a giant dirt ramp on the west side of the mountain. one area of the mountain was "erected." Andy's looking at me.

I guess, down on the desert floor below Masada the Romans put up a wall, so those inside the fortress up there would know there "was no escape." As it came closer and closer I'll bet the Jews inside of Masada got really scared. Theodora just flew out into the eastern desert.

TITUS FLAVIUS JOSEPHUS (37-100 A.D.)

I just looked up that Writer Josephus. He was Jewish and at first fought the Romans in the revolt but later became Vespasian's friend, was made a Roman "Citizen;" then wrote about the "Siege of Masada" that happened in 72 and 73 A.D. Some Jews think he's a "Traitor."

This Encyclopedia says Josephus' original Jewish name was "Yosef ben Matityahu." In 1985 that Guide Haim told the Tour Group King Herod picked such a "remote" location for his fortress "just in case" some of his Jewish subjects tried to kill him. A Crow just cawed.

Hey Lord! Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his father talk about the theory that Vespasian and his son Titus, after coming to power; used Josephus and other Writers to "embellish" Your life as the "Messiah" to help them more easily control the rebellious Jews. I smell Sage.

WALKING ON WATER

Hey Lord! As You of course already know, if I could use Mr. Peabody's "Way Back" time machine I would want to go back and see the time You walked on the water of the Sea of Galilee. I'd like to see You raise that guy Lazarus from the dead. And You know so would Daisy.

In the theory of the Flavians creating Christianity Lord, they thought Your "Pacifistic" teachings would make it easier to "politically" control the Jews. "Apocalyptic" Jews believed in a violent Messiah who would "throw off" the Romans. I'll write more about this.

Daisy says that Jewish lady from Israel has been up to the top of Masada. It says here, in 66 A.D. the Jewish revolt began against their "overlords;" and at first the Jews killed a lot of Romans but then "in retaliation" the Romans killed even more of them. I smell Juniper.

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PETER O'TOOLE (1932-2013)

("MASADA" / 1981)

My boss likes those Actor's Charlton Heston and Clint Eastwood. And he also likes movies like "Lawrence of Arabia" with that other guy Peter O'Toole in them. Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell his father Peter O'Toole was also born in 1932 just like he was too.

Daisy says, in a 1981 movie Peter O'Toole's played the part of a Roman General "Lucius Flavius Silva; who "crushed" the city of Jerusalem. He then attacked all those Jews who "took refuge" up there on top of Masada. Daisy says crushed means to kill a lot of people.

I guess, Titus gave that guy Lucius Flavius Silva the job of "mopping up" the revolution after Jerusalem was taken. But, that meant defeating about one thousand Jewish "holdouts" up on top of Masada. Samson and Delilah are flying over Libby's Corral going eastward.

"MODERN ISRAEL"

("MIDDLE EAST" NATIONS)

This map of Israel doesn't show Masada, but I know it's to the west of Jerusalem near the "Dead Sea." I mentioned it earlier when I wrote about the "Great Salt Lake" in Utah. Speedy Gonzalez the Ground Squirrel just ran bye, with Andy watching him curiously.

In 1985 Mr. Steve's father was amazed at what it must've taken to construct such a huge, giant dirt ramp at Masada. He and his mom Grandma Cordova, and everyone else in the Tour Group; were just as impressed by those Dead Sea salt pillars. Heathcliff crowed.

A painting in my Encyclopedia shows the "assault on Masada." The caption says one of those Roman "Siege Engines" with a "Battering Ram," has been rolled all the way up the dirt ramp; and is trying to knock the walls down. I wrote earlier about Roman "Catapults."

"FINAL ATTACK" OF MASADA (73 A.D.)

PAINTING BY REBECCA CRONE

Daisy says our boss used to have a miniature Roman Siege Engine, but it was destroyed like many of his other models; in the 1971 Sylmar earthquake. The Encyclopedia painting shows Romans "assaulting" Masada's fortress walls. Jews are trying to fight them off.

It took months for the Romans to build that giant ramp at Masada so the Jews inside the fort saw the "Jig was Up" as they say. But, instead of surrendering to the Romans; about nine hundred Jews decided to just commit suicide instead. Two Crows are fighting.

That guy Josephus said two surviving women told him what happened inside Masada. But in 1985 that Tour Guide named Haim told Mr. Steve's Tour Group that only about thirty bodies have ever been found up on the mountaintop. I can see Libby over there in her Corral.

BILL HANDEL AND FAMILY SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY

I mentioned that Radio host Bill Handel, whose mother worked at Sylmar's "Olive View" Hospital in Sylmar. I guess his twin daughters, at age thirteen; had their "B' not Mitzvah" over in Israel at Masada. Mr. Steve thinks one of them sort of looks like his Niece Samantha.

This one Encyclopedia says, in "Hebrew;" B'not Mitzvah is the "plural" form of "Bat Mitzvah" which means "daughter of commandment." Dais heard, before Bat Mitzvah parents are responsible for a girl's conduct. After that she's responsible for her own behavior.

Sometimes, as he does yardwork; my boss listens to that guy Bill Handel. Daisy heard Bill Handel joke about how, because he was born in Brazil but then his parents came to the U.S.; he should be considered a "Latino Jew." Two of the Pigeons flew out into the back desert.

"ARCOF TITUS" JEWISH "DIASPORA'S"

(CITY OF ROME) (DURING THE "MIDDLE AGES")

What the heck! Even though on my book one outline this wasn't where Daisy and I had me writing so much about Jewish history, I just sort of feel like doing it now too. One of those "Diaspora's" happened after Masada fell. A map shows the later "Middle Ages" Diaspora's.

In 1985 my boss's St. Ferdinands Tour Group saw the "Arch of Titus" in the city of Rome. It shows Jewish Slaves taken to Italy carrying one of those "Menorah's." I guess, over the next two thousand years Jews were persecuted. A small Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt.

Hey Lord! Mr. Steve's father thinks Jews "can't win" because, not only were they blamed for killing You; many accused them of not "Culturally Assimilating" into the society's. So in bad times they were "easily identifiable scapegoats." A Train just whistled faintly.

CHAIM WEIZMANN (1874-1952) THEODOR HERZL (1860-1904)

Daisy was in the living room one time and, as Mr. Steve worked on something; they saw a good tv show about "Anti-Semitism." It talked about late 19th century "Zionism," and these two guys named Chaim Weitzman and Theodor Herzl. Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

In my Encyclopedia I notice how, that man Chaim Weitzman spells his name with a "C;" while my boss's 1985 Israeli Tour Guide didn't. Chaim Weitzman and Theodor Herzl were two Jews who, in the 1890's, wanted to return to Israel. That's what Zionism is I guess.

The man on the tv show mentioned how, after Titus finally "suppressed" that big Jewish Revolt; many Jews "fled" Israel to places like Spain; while others were "taken into slavery" by the Romans. Jews were "dispersed" but some wanted to someday return. I smell Sage. MID-AFTERNOON SKY

I just glanced up from doing my work down here on the Patio and see a flock of Birds moving toward the north. That makes me feel good, and grateful to be alive with this project to work on. Heathcliff crowed, and his Hens clucking sounds really good to me right now.

My Encyclopedia says what the tv show Daisy saw said too, how because of persecution for so many years; many late 19th century Jews wanted to go back to their "homeland." Oh! "Zion" is Hebrew for the city of "Jerusalem." Thank You God for inventing Chickens.

The problem for 19th century Jews I guess was, in the land of Israel or "Levant;" there had been Arab people living there for hundreds of years. Over the next three days Dais has me scheduled to learn about those "Christian Crusades" of the Middle Ages. I smell Creosote. "HOLOCAUST"

On Saturday, in book three the day after tomorrow; I'll find out about the "Holocaust" when during World War II about six million Jews were killed on purpose by the Nazi Germans. It was the biggest "Genocide" in history. That means trying to "eradicate" a whole group.

I just thought of those bloody "Pogroms" that happened in the late 19th century, when that guy Czar Nicholas was in power in Russia. It wasn't just the Germans who didn't like and were mean to Jews. A Sparrow carrying a twig in its mouth ran bye out there in the dirt.

Mr. Steve's dad thinks, once the Second World War was over and everyone "knew" about the Holocaust; it was "likely easier" to convince the world to give Israel back to the Jews. But, there was the big problem of the Arab "Palestinians" already there. I can smell Juniper.

"SIX DAY" WAR (1966) "YOM KIPPUR" WAR (1973)

Israel became an actual "Country" in 1948, just three years after World War II ended. I've mentioned how, right away Jews who went there had to fight wars; as they were attacked by some of the Arab nations. That guy Chaim Weitzmann was Israel's first "President."

Since 1948 Israel has fought a few wars, like 1966's "Six Day War;" and "Yom Kippur War" of 1974. Mr. Steve was eleven in 1966, and in 1973 was in his first year at "Valley Junior College" in Van Nuys. 1974 was a year when there was a big "Gas Shortage" I guess.

All of a sudden I just thought of how, while in College at C.S.U.N; my boss did that one research project on the 14th century "Black Death" pandemic. Possibly half of Europe's people died in five years by "Bubonic Plague." Many innocent Jews were blamed and killed.

"FRANCO-PRUSSIAN" WAR (1871) ALFRED DREYFUSS (1859-1935)

PAINTING BY WILHELM CAMPHAUSEN

Oh well! I might as well go ahead and mention the late 19th century "Dreyfus Affair." It says here in the 1890's a French Officer Alfred Dreyfus was "wrongly convicted" of spying for the new German nation. Two Crows are fighting over something out there in the desert.

Ever since 1871 when Otto von Bismarck beat Napoleon III's France in that "Franco-Prussian War;" Germany ha been France's biggest enemy. The main reason Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly convicted was that he was Jewish I guess. Blackbeard and Anne just flew bye.

Daisy told me what it says here too, how that man Mr. Alfred was sent to a prison down in South America called "Devil's Island." It was a "terrible place" where "disease and death" a "constant occurrence." But, luckily; "new evidence" proved Mr. Alfred was innocent.

"JAWS" (1977)

(RICHARD DREYFUS FRONT RIGHT)

Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his father one time talk about the movie "Jaws," which I'll mainly write about tomorrow. Daisy says in it this giant White Shark kills people and one of the Actors is Richard Dreyfus, who my boss heard is Alfred Dreyfus's descendant. I smell Sage.

Mr. Steve met a lady who knew about that Zionist Theodor Herzl, an "Austrian" Writer or "Journalist." He died young age and over forty years later his body was taken to and buried in Israel. The antisemitic Dreyfus Affair made him think about move back to Israel.

Looking at the beautiful mid-afternoon desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds is making me feel good. There's so much color out there and for some reason that makes me think about our purple wildflowers which will be coming out pretty soon. I smell Andy.

KING LOUIS IX (1214-1270)

I don't know why but I suddenly feel like mentioning King Louis IX of France, who Mr. Steve's father thinks he was a "good but imperfect" Ruler. This Encyclopedia says he was later made a Saint. The Israeli lady said he's associated with the color "violet" or dark blue.

That lady told my boss's dad how, "to her eyes" Louis IX's "court color looks more like purple" than blue. Hey Lord! I guess King Louis IX believed in You and the city of St. Louis in Missouri, which my boss visited; was named for him. The Singer PRINCE wears purple.

Agh! I'm not scheduled to write about purple now, but I feel like mentioning these trees Daisy told me about called "Jacaranda's." They were planted alongside Hagar and Hunnewell Streets in Sylmar where Mr. Steve's family lived. Once a year they grow purple flowers.

"JACARANDA" TREES MR. MIKE

I heard Mr. Mike say, as "pretty as they are in bloom;" many don't like Jacaranda trees because when the purple flowers fall off they become kind of "sticky." When they fell on Cars they were hard to clean off, and could "stain the paint." Andy's over there looking at me.

My boss told Mr. Mike to him seeing and smelling purple Jacaranda trees in Spring was "worth putting up with the bad things" about them. He just made sure to right away clean up the flowers when they fell off. But some neighbors didn't do that so hated those trees.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve's customer Mr. Bob in "Missouri," who went to "Antelope Valley" High School like Frank Zappa and Captain Beefheart; says he "misses" seeing the Jacaranda trees. He's a Parts Manager at a "Ford" dealership. The city of St. Louis is in Missouri.

"JACARANDA" MR. STEVE'S MOM

I remember that morning when, as she stood with him as he watered the big Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; my boss's mom said she liked the color purple and "always did enjoy" when Jacaranda trees bloomed. Samson and Delilah flew bye. I can smell Andy.

Thinking about purple makes me wonder when I'll smell this year's other wild flowers that grow around here. This is only the first day of Spring, but already there new babies; like Bonnie and Clyde's chicks up near the Patio roof for example. Andy has a nice scent.

Lilac wildflowers are light purple or what I heard Miss Susan call "Lavender." Daisy says our boss sells some "Low Profile" or what they call "Unconstructed" girl's Baseball caps made of cotton and one of the colors is lavender. I can't wait to smell new Spring Lilacs.

HUELL HOWSER MILLIE CÓRDOVA

Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk on the phone about one of that guy Huell Howser's California travel segments on Jacaranda trees. He's originally from the State of "Tennessee" and had never seen them until he came to California. Heathcliff crowed.

I wonder when the first Spring rain will happen this year? After it rains you can really smell all of the different plants that live around here. I've mentioned how Daisy is going slowly blind but, her sense's of smell and hearing really do seem to be getting much better.

My boss's sister Susan, who now lives back east in the State of "Connecticut" with her sons Dalton and Austin; likes softer "Pastel" colors like lavender. She's used pastel colors in her interior decorating business. Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying bye.

PRINCE MR. MARK JIMI HENDRIX

Over the years, my boss and Mr. Mark in Hawaii have talked about the Bible concept of "Rhêma;" which I've mentioned a few times. Daisy heard Mr. Mark say he feels that happy and uplifting feeling in some of Prince and Jimi Hendrix's songs. I smell Andy over there.

Hey Lord! When they say Rhêma means "The Living Word" I think I totally agree with Mr. Steve and his parents. They think it's meaning can be expanded into the "sound of music" too. Mr. Mark read, like Prince and Jimi Hendrix; Rhêma is associated with purple.

Someday, when I overcome my fear of enclosed areas; I hope to hear that good song by JOURNEY "Don't Stop Believing." Daisy heard Miss Susan at work say it "elevates my day" and "takes me to another blissful place." Boy! That does sound pretty good alright.

AL CAPONE (1899-1947)

I'm writing more about the color purple than I'm supposed to be doing but, that's okay because I can also talk about it at other times too. Tomorrow I'll learn more about American "Organized Crime." This Italian guy named Al Capone wore purple suits sometimes.

Looking at the picture of Al Capone, whose nickname was "Scarface;" I do like his hat. The caption says in "roaring" 1920's "Chicago," during "Prohibition" when all alcohol was illegal; he made a lot of money selling it anyway. A Train whistled faintly to my left.

From what I heard my boss tell Mr. Randy that one time, "most gangsters didn't want to draw attention" to themselves; especially if they lead a gang. It's safer to stay "Low Key" as they say. A column of Ants is marching bye down there on the Patio floor near the dirt.

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS

Over the next three days one thing I'll learn about is some of the "Cities" and "Towns" around the world. Chicago, which Mr. Steve's father has visited; is one of them. Those Grease Ants are marching steadily along down there on the other side of Miss Emily's coffee table.

Daisy told me she can tell Mr. Steve and his dad both think Chicago's history is "just as important" as New York City's or Los Angeles. In my books I'll be finding out a lot more about all three of them. Alpha Company of Quail is going bye out there in the back desert.

Before the economic recession we're in, I guess Mr. Steve had a customer in the town of "Cicero;" a "suburb" of Chicago and where Al Capone lived. They talked about him and this thing called the "St. Valentine's Day Massacre," which I'll find out about. I smell Sage.

MARCUS TULLIUS CICERO (106-43 B.C.)

Daisy saw a tv show about an ancient Roman Writer, Politician and Philosopher named "Cicero," who that city in Chicago is named after. My Encyclopedia says his real full name was Marcus Tullius Cicero, and he lived at the time of that guy Julius Caesar. Sage smells good.

I guess just like Julius Caesar, Cicero was killed; but some of his ideas "influenced" the "Renaissance" period in Europe a thousand years later. That guy Marc Antony had Cicero's "severed" hands and head hung in Rome for everyone to see. A Train whistled faintly.

Mr. Steve thinks it "kind of funny" how, what "ended up bringing Al Capone down" and sending him to prison wasn't his killing people; but the Federal Government catching him for "evading taxes." A Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt. Andy's over there sniffing the air.

"SAN FERNANDO" MISSION

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

A man my boss met said, some people in "Roaring" 1920's Chicago gave Al Capone the nickname "Peacock;" because of his colorful suits. Daisy told me Mr. Steve took a picture of a Peacock for the Art Exhibits he and his mom had back in the 1990's. Andy smells good.

Dais and I decided I'd mainly write about 20th century American Organized Crime in book two tomorrow. But, I'll also mention things as I go if I think of them. In all my three long books I'll learn a lot more about the "Mafia," so I'll be coming back to Al Capone later.

I will say now how Al Capone, back in the late 1920's; "Ordered" that "St. Valentine's Day Massacre." That's when his men, dressed up as Police Officers; used those "Thompson" machine guns to kill members of this "Rival" Chicago gang. A Crow cawed in the desert.

MISS KARIN MISS JULIANE / MR. DAVE

Mentioning Peacocks makes me thing about that girl "Karin" who works at the same company as Mr. Steve. He and she, along with Miss Babette and Miss Susan; all sell things to the Auto Dealerships. Mr. Dave sold things to Motorcycle Shops before this big recession.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve talk with Miss Karin one time. And, from what she heard; Miss Karin and her husband live in Sylmar on property which has Peacocks on it. When he was at Sylmar High Mr. Steve dated a German girl who's family lived on that property.

He's never heard Miss Karin sing but told Mr. Dave in New Mexico she "must be good" based on all the places she's performed at. Mr. Dave knows Miss Karin, Babette and Susan from when he was also a Salesperson for their company. Mr. Dave has lived in Sylmar.

"QUEEN I" QUEEN EARLY 1970'S

Daisy says a few years ago Mr. Steve met a guy who told him QUEEN'S song "Another One Bites the Dust" might be about Al Capone's St. Valentine's Day Massacre. As I've said before, my boss's favorite QUEEN album is their first one from 1973. Heathcliff crowed.

Someday, when I get over my fear of being trapped; I'll go into Mr. Steve's bedroom the way Dais does now. She told me QUEEN have a lot of good songs and our boss likes the guitar and other instruments on most of them. And the singing is also really good too I guess.

Hey Lord! As of course You already know, Daisy told me QUEEN have a song on their first album about You. Speedy the Squirrel just ran through the slightly wider right vertical slot on the side of the gate to run out into the back desert. I'm surprised he never hits his head.

QUEEN LIVE (1970'S) MR. DAVE

According to what Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Dave on the phone one time, he and Sandy saw QUEEN play twice in the mid-1970's. The first time it at the "Santa Monica Civic" Auditorium, and then a year or so later at the Forum. Two of the Pigeons are flying bye.

Mr. Steve and his mom are interested in the subject of family or group "Coats of Arms" or "Crests." A few years ago this lady told my boss QUEEN'S logo was designed by their Singer Freddie Mercury, who had gone to an "Arts School." Mr. Steve has drawn a few logos.

Dais says QUEEN'S Guitarist Brian May, with his father's help; built his red girl guitar he's nicknamed his "Old Lady." My boss told Mr. Rich, who plays guitar and is "good with his hands;" he should build an electric guitar too. Now the other two Pigeons just went bye.

BRIAN MAY MR. RICH

(AS TEENAGER WITH HIS "OLD LADY") (AS MEMBER OF DRAGPIPE)

Someday I'll be able to hear more music and watch more tv , and I definitely do want to hear some QUEEN and DRAGPIPE songs. My boss told Mr. Rich he should buy one of those "Kits" for building your own "Custom" electric guitar. Boy! It must be hard to do that.

Daisy thinks Brian May's father must've been a smart person in even thinking about the idea of helping his son build that guitar. My boss told Mr. Dave in New Mexico he would enjoy talking with Brian May, who he's heard knows a lot about "Astronomy." I smell Sage.

Mr. Steve was also once told Brian May, who's right-handed; doesn't use a plastic "Pick" to play his girl guitar. Instead, he uses a metal coin; which Dais says that kid Jason tried once when he and Mr. Steve played together. The shadows are starting to lean away from me.

RORY GALLAGHER

On Saturday in book three Daisy has me scheduled to write about good Guitarists Mr. Steve has seen play. In the mid-1970's he and Miss Sandy saw this Irish guitar player named Rory Gallagher, who used an old beat up "Fender Stratocaster." Heathcliff just crowed.

Mr. Phillip from Wales likes Rory Gallagher, who started his concert at the "Whisky A Go Go" playing a "Mandolin" on a song about going home to Ireland. He had one of those three piece bands my boss likes. Daisy told me she thinks I'd like how a mandolin sounds.

In the 1970's Mr. Dave read, Brian May used "Vox AC30" amplifiers; after seeing Rory Gallagher using them. Mr. Steve and Miss Sandy, with friends Chris, David and Dale; all saw that Rory Gallagher concert in Hollywood. Chris and Dave went to St. Ferdinands too.

(1973) MR. DALE (2014)

Mr. Steve had not spoken to Mr. Dale for many years, but they recently reminisced on the phone about being teenagers in the early 1970's at Sylmar High. Mr. Dale still plays guitar and one time in 1973 performed outdoors there. Samson and Delilah are flying toward the east.

I guess, Mr. Dale now lives way up there to the north; in a small town that's kind of near the Oregon State border. He's still a "friendly" person my boss says. Daisy heard Mr. Dale's town has four thousand people in it, or about three thousand less than Piñon Hills.

Early 1960's "Surf" Rock is a style of music both my boss and Mr. Dale like. Mr. Steve at times occasionally plays along to songs by the VENTURES, BEACH BOYS and Dick Dale too. I mentioned earlier how Miss Emily's family knew some of the guys in the VENTURES.

THE SHADOWS THE BEACH BOYS THE VENTURES

Because the only time I can now listen to music is when Mr. Steve plays his Boombox as he works out here, I've only heard those Surf Rock songs by the BEACH BOYS. Daisy is lucky as she's heard many Surf Rock songs. Mr. Phillip likes a British band the SHADOWS.

Daisy says the SHADOWS are like the VENTURES in doing "Instrumental" songs with no singing. They have a song about a Cowboy ghost who rides his Horse way up in the sky, and another one about an Apache Indian. A little Sparrow carrying a twig just ran bye.

Mr. Phillip said CREAM'S Eric Clapton, DEEP PURPLE'S Ritchie Blackmore and Tony Iommi of BLACK SABBATH were influenced by the SHADOWS glasses wearing Guitarist. So was PINK FLOYD'S guitarist. My boss likes the SHADOWS 1980's version of a Mozart song.

DICK DALE

(PHOTO TAKEN IN CALIFORNIA HIGH DESERT)

What the heck! Even though I'm not scheduled to write about Dick Dale until tomorrow, I feel like doing it now too. He was from L.A., and Mr. Steve thinks he influenced Guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Neil Young and that other guy Eddie Van Halen too. Andy's sniffing the air.

Daisy says that guy Dick Dale, like Jimi Hendrix and Tony Iommi; was left-handed. Mr. Dave was told, before he played Surf Music; Dick Dale wanted to be a Country Music Guitarist. My boss and Mr. Dave think he plays guitar in the "Percussive" way a Drummer would.

Mr. Steve saw this posed picture of Dick Dale standing in a rock formation that he says "sure looks like Mormon Rocks" near us. Sometimes when people visit us, like Mr. Mark before moving to Hawaii; he shows them Mormon Rocks which are pretty impressive. I smell Sage.

LINK WRAY THE KINKS

Mr. Steve told Mr. Rich he thinks what's called "Hard Rock" may've started back in the late 1950's when this guy named Link Wray, who was part "Shawnee" Indian; did a song called "Rumble." It was an early, "kind of primitive;" form of a "Power Chord" my boss thinks.

I just thought of that British one band the KINKS. Back in the early 1960's, influenced by Surf Music; they did Hard Rock songs "You Really Got Me" and "All of The Day and All of the Night." A flock of Birds is flying over Libby's Corral and moving to the northeast.

Dave Davies, The KINKS Guitarist; says he was influenced by Dick Dale's instrumental Surf songs "Misirlou" and "Nitro" my boss read. Mr. Doug, who still surfs; met another Surfer who saw Dick Dale play at the "Rendezvous Ballroom." Andy's looking in this direction.

MR. DOG / MISS SUSAN

I've mentioned before how my boss met Mr. Doug in the mid-1970's through Mark Ritter. At the time Mr. Steve and Mark Ritter worked at "Laser Images." Mr. Doug later married Miss Susan who, like Mark Ritter; died a few years ago. I'll write about them in my three books.

Daisy heard Mr. Doug say, unlike the BEACH BOYS except for Drummer Brian Wilson; Dick Dale "really did surf." Mr. Steve met Brian Wilson, who was born on December the 4th just like his Niece Steph; at the "San Fernando Drag Strip. Dawn's barking over there.

My boss told Mr. Doug he thinks "Heavy Metal" music might've began in the mid-1960's with BLUE CHEER'S song "Summertime Blues. BLUE CHEER was a three piece California what they call "Power Trio." Mr. Dave back there in New Mexico called that song "heavy."

BLUE CHEER STEPPENWOLF

Daisy says our boss likes another 1960's California band called STEPPENWOLF. They had two really good Hard Rock songs called "Magic Carpet Ride" and "Born To Be Wild." In Born To Be Wild they even say the words "Heavy Metal Thunder" from what Dais told me.

Mr. Steve did artwork for this one lady who, as teenager in the 1960's; went to Dick Dale concerts at this place called the "Rendezvous Ballroom." He said Dick Dale, unlike most of the BEACH BOYS; really was a Surfer. Speedy Gonzalez whizzed bye in front of the Sheds.

That guy told my boss Dick Dale, whose father was "Lebanese;" made a Hard Rock song out of a traditional "Arabic" melody in that song Misirlou. Dais says Mr. Steve really likes his version of that song the SHADOWS also did about a ghost riding a Horse up in the sky.

LEO FENDER (1909-1991) LES PAUL (1915-2009) / MARY FORD (1927-1977)

One time my boss and Mr. Rich talked about Dick Dale, like Jimi Hendrix later; playing those "Stratocaster" guitars, made in California by Leo Fender. At that time the other guy who made guitars was Les Paul from back east. Heathcliff crowed, which makes me feel good.

Many think Mr. Leo and Mr. Les hated each other as "Rivals" and "Competitors," but it wasn't true Daisy heard. Mr. Rich one time got to meet Les Paul and shook his hand, which he remembers in the way my boss can still feel the handshake of people. I smell Sage.

In my books Dais has me scheduled to learn about the history of musical instruments. In the 20th century there have been a few companies who have made them Dais told me, two being "Fender;" and "Gibson" who built those Les Paul type guitars. A Lizard just ran bye.

"FENDER" LINE OF ELECTRIC GUITARS

Daisy and Millie one time heard Mr. Steve and that kid Jason, who's learning to play the guitar; talk about other Fender brand electric guitars. Mr. Mark over in Hawaii has played the "Precision" bass; and Mr. Steve once bought and resold a "Telecaster." I smell Sage.

I guess, that guy Les Paul's wife Mary Ford was also a good Guitarist; and she sang his songs too. Leo Fender build "Custom" guitars, and "100 Watt" amplifiers; for Dick Dale in the early 1960's. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying out into the desert.

Mr. Steve told Jason he's at times wondered how Dick Dale's song "Nitro" would sound if that band METALLICA did it. Early in their career they did "Cover" versions of songs, such as DIAMOND HEAD'S "Am I Evil" for example. I'll write about that song tomorrow.

JIMI HENDRIX (1942-1970)

PHOTO BY HENRY DILTZ

That guitar player Jimi Hendrix, who grew up in the State of "Washington;" played what Mr. Rich called a "Re-Strung" right-handed Fender Stratocaster upside down. Dick Dale used a right-handed Stratocaster with the strings just left upside down. I can smell some old Sage.

Mr. Doug was once told, Dick Dale's guitar not only had the strings upside down; but also those strings were thicker so he broke "Picks." Supposedly, that man Leo Fender thought it was kind of funny when he first saw Dick Dale playing his Stratocaster upside down.

Oh! I just noticed Pigpen the Gopher, whose eyesight is bad; sniffing the air from his hole just to the right of the big Mulberry tree. Mr. Cliff, who fought in the "Vietnam War;" jokingly called Snakes who chase Gophers and Squirrels down into their burrows "Tunnel Rats."

PIGPEN

Mr. Cliff, like my boss's father; was a combat veteran. I heard him tell Mr. Steve about those Vietnam War era Tunnel Rats, who chased North Vietnamese and Viet Cong people down into deep tunnels they lived in. Phew! Gophers sure do smell bad sometimes I've noticed.

Looking at Andy over there makes me think I could never be a Tunnel Rat who goes down a tunnel with people trying to ambush and kill me with "Booby Traps." And what if the tunnel caves in and you're trapped? Pigpen just now disappeared back down into his hole.

Boy! It would be so scary to live in a place like a burrow, where there's only one escape route in case something goes wrong. That's mainly why I'm still kind of afraid to go all the way down the hallway in our house. But I've decided I'm going to just do it the way Daisy says.

RAISING LAZERUS TOMB INTERIOR

PAINTING BY CARL HEINRICH BLOCH PHOTO BY ABRAHAM

Hey Lord! In 1985 Mr. Steve was too afraid to go all the way down into Lazerus' Tomb, only able to go "so far" he says; before turning around and coming back outside. "In the back of my mind" he told Mr. Cliff, he "thought about earthquakes." A Train just whitled.

Lord! Mr. Ralph read the shortest Bible verse, in the "Book of John;" said "Jesus wept." Mr. Steve's dad thinks, once Jerusalem's Jewish Authorities found out about You raising Your friend Lazarus from the dead; they "wanted You dead." I smell Creosote flowers.

Mr. Steve's mom, who likes the Sun Flowers that guy Van Gogh painted; is a good Painter herself. Her big "Chapel Bells" painting above the couch in the living room is so good. And I like the painting she did of King Ferdinand III with my boss's face. The sky is beautiful.

"SUN" FLOWERS THE LIVING ROOM

PAINTINGS BY VINCENT VAN GOGH PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

If we go in the house on Saturday morning to watch cartoons I'll see my boss's mom's painting over the couch. My Encyclopedia calls Vincent van Gogh a "Post Impressionist" Artist, my English Dictionary saying "Post" means "after." Two of the Pigeons are now flying bye.

Boy God! It seems unfair van Gogh killed himself, never being recognized for his work. He was from the "Netherlands," but is famous for living in southern "Provence" France; where he committed suicide. Like my boss's Niece Samantha says, "It's not fair that life is not fair."

Daisy and Millie saw that good tv show about 19th century French "Impressionism." On it the man said, even though he was still young; van Gogh had really bad teeth. I've mentioned before how Daisy sometimes tells me to "chew lightly," to make my teeth last longer.

VINCENT VAN GOGH (1853-1890)

In the self-portrait of van Gogh I can see why my boss's mom thinks the wavy blue lines behind him "gives the impression of energy." I guess, he was only thirty seven years old when he shot himself. I can smell the Twin Joshua trees behind Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds.

Boy! Royal blue is definitely my all time favorite color so far, even though there are a lot of other good colors too. Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom one time talk about the "vivid" colors in many of van Gogh's paintings. The Joshua trees have such a pleasant scent to me.

Van Gogh killed himself using a "hand gun," while the Writer Ernest Hemingway and NIRVANA'S Curt Cobain used "shot guns" like the one my boss has in the house. He died poor in the same way those Musician's Vivaldi and Mozart did. Now his paintings are valuable.

CAROL KAYE

One time Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve's mom say it's "sad" van Gogh sold only one painting during his short life, and it was bought by his own brother. He told her about those 1960's "Session" Musicians like Carol Kaye. A little Lizard ran bye out there in the dirt.

I'm tempted to write about those "Studio" Musicians called the WRECKING CREW," who Carol Kaye was a member of. They played on famous songs "Anonymously," such as when Carol Kaye played bass on the BEACH BOYS album "Pet Sounds." I smell Sage.

Well, I'll just wait until book three on Saturday to write more on the subject of Session Musicians. Mr. Mark in Hawaii admires the FUNK BROTHERS who did all the music on the "Motown" songs. At least all of those Session Musicians made some money Daisy thinks.

BLACK SABBATH GEOFF NICHOLLS /TONY IOMMI

Over the next three days I'll learn about that British band BLACK SABBATH. Mr. Dave read about a Musician named Geoff Nicholls, who anonymously played keyboards on some of their songs. BLACK SABBATH are mainly a three piece Power Trio with a Singer.

Mr. Steve told that kid Jason, who's learning to play guitar; about Geoff Nicholls. I guess, not only did he play keyboards on albums, he did concerts hidden off stage where the audience couldn't even see him. Anyway, I'll come back to BLACK SABBATH in my books.

Fannie and Freddie are chasing another Crow and really yelling, so I'll bet it's a boy Crow trying to steal Fannie from Freddie. No way is he going to let that happen, and will be willing to lose an eye like Blackbeard probably did fighting for Anne Bonny. Heathcliff crowed.

GEORGIA O'KEEFE WITH HUSBAND

Dais and I were thinking of putting van Gogh in book two tomorrow, when I write about Painter's Mr. Steve's mom likes; such as van Gogh's friend Paul Gaugin. I just thought of that lady Georgia O'Keefe, whose paintings my boss's mom really likes. Libby just whinnied.

My boss and Mr. Mark talked about Georgia O'Keefe, who was from "Wisconsin" like Mr. Mark. But she's associated with New York City and New Mexico, where my boss still has relatives; and his friend Mr. Dave lives with his wife Miss Julianne. I like old Libby.

Miss Georgia and Mr. Steve's mom love New Mexico's "Sunlight." My boss's mom said Miss Georgia painted with "precision and energy," which Mr. Dave in Taos noticed too I guess. Van Gogh's painting in "Provence," in southern France; were influenced by the sunlight.

MR. STEVE"S MOTHER / MISS MARIA

I just thought of Miss Maria, who my boss says he now considers a part of their family. He says over the years she's been "of tremendous help" in not just keeping his parents house clean but; took care of Grandma Córdova. Grandma Córdova used to say "Such a Blessing."

Hey God! As You of course already know, Daisy heard Mr. Steve's mom say on the phone she "wants to believe" Miss Maria was sent to their family by You as a Guardian Angel. It's the same way You probably made my boss help Dais and I. We really needed help then.

Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk about Miss Maria changing Grandma Córdova's diaper every day until she finally died. My boss told his mom "thank God" she's able to do things like that because it would be "hard" for him to do it. Heathcliff just crowed.

FLOWERS S.F. MISSION FATHER SERRA STATUE

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA PAINTING BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

In the early 1990's; Mr. Steve and his mom's art was "Exhibited" at the San Juan Capistrano and San Fernando Missions. The L. A. County "Natural History" Museum wanted to make their art a "Permanent" exhibit. They had been there for a year already.

Mr. Steve's mother got that College Degree from "Cal State Northridge" in Art History. Daisy heard her explain to Mr. Steve a "Technique" called "Chiaroscuro," which I guess that guy Leonardo da Vinci used a lot back in the 16th century. A Train whistled faintly.

This Encyclopedia says Chiaroscuro is Italian for, "the use of strong contrasts between light and dark." Mr. Steve thought of that idea when he printed black and white pictures in the different Dark Rooms he used to work in. A tan Lizard is sitting perfectly still over there.

IRVING STONE WITH WIFE

The day after tomorrow in book three Daisy has me scheduled to write about this Writer named Irving Stone. In the mid-1970's Mr. Steve and his friend Chris helped Irving Stone's wife clean out a warehouse in Van Nuys. Her husband wrote a book about van Gogh I guess.

Another book Irving Stone wrote was called "The Agony and the Ecstasy." It's about Leonardo da Vinci's 16th century "Rival" named "Michelangelo;" who created that big "Sistine Chapel" my boss saw in 1985. Mr. Steve's mom once read The Agony and the Ecstasy.

Over the next three days I'll learn about the competition between Michaelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci who, during the Renaissance; didn't really like each. But Daisy says, both were total genius's who happened to live at the same exact time. That Lizard ran away.

LEONARDO DA VINCI / MICHELANGELO BUONARROTI

(1452-1519) (1475-1564)

ARTIST UNKNOWN PAINTING BY DANIELE DA VOLTERRA

Daisy heard Mr. Steve and his mom talk about how that guy Michelangelo didn't care about having few friends or if others liked him or not. I guess, he lived like a Monk; except he was dirty. He seldom changed clothes and didn't like food. Boy! That's hard to believe.

As I mentioned, for three months Dais helped me put together my three outlines. She also helped me make my list of birthdays and special dates in our boss's family. Oh! I can smell that one old Sage bush which is out there in the desert behind Moe the middle Shed.

Just like Adolph Hitler and Franklin Roosevelt, or Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 1970's; Daisy thinks it was "destiny" that put Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci together. Both must've been "really smart" she's told me. I would have to agree with her on that.

LEONARDO DA VINCI

SELF-PORTRAIT

When he was eighteen Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Sandy's mother got him this Notebook with Leonardo da Vinci drawings in it, challenging him to copy them. He did and she joked he should become one of those "Forgers." Heathcliff crowed, which makes me feel good.

Daisy said Mr. Steve copied exactly a Horse and hand "Leonardo's" did. Oh! It says in my Encyclopedia Leonardo da Vinci was born in April like Mr. Steve's girlfriend Emily. April is also the month, on the 8th; when Mr. Steve's mom at age fourteen first met his dad.

My boss says he can copy almost anything if he "puts his mind to it." But he can't just draw things like Dragons right out of his mind so admires others who can. And doing portraits is even harder, especially a self-portrait like the famous one Leonardo da Vinci did of himself.

RITCHIE VALENS (1941-1959)

I just thought of that guy Ritchie Valens, the 1950's Singer from "Pacoima;" which is near Sylmar. Daisy and Millie saw a movie about him which showed how he and Buddy Holly died in that Plane crash. Mr. Steve's parents both really enjoyed watching that movie.

Dais told me in the movie Ritchie Valens' brother won this drawing contest, where you had to copy a Pirate in the back of a Comic Book. Dais heard Mr. Steve tell Mr. Mike he also won art classes in the same contest shown in the movie. The mid-afternoon air is clear.

Someday maybe I'll see Ritchie Valens and his mom's graves, close to my boss's parents crypts at Mission Cemetery. Oh! My Encyclopedia says Ritchie Valen's birthday was May 13. My list of dates shows how Mr. Steve's Sister-In Law Yolanda was born on the 12th of May.

GEORGIA O'KEEFE (1887-1986) MR. STEVE'S MOM

PAINTING BY MICHAEL A. VACCARO PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I just thought of how my boss's mom admires that lady Georgia O'Keefe's painting. A few years ago she and Mr. Steve's sister Susan visited a small Museum in New Mexico dedicated to her. All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral and going toward the east.

Because of the sunlight coming from the west or behind me, and judging by how all the shadows look leaning away from me sitting over here on the Patio; I'd say it's almost two in the afternoon. There are two crisscrossed vapor trails way up there in the high blue sky.

Daisy told me that lady Miss Georgia created "Contradictory" images, such as a flower growing out of the empty eye socket of a Cow skull. She believed in the idea of life coming from death, or Nature's cycle of "Life, Death and Resurrection. Heathcliff crowed over there.

SAMANTHA / MISS PEGGY

PHOTO BYS STEVE CÓRDOVA

I guess that lady Georgia O'Keefe, just like my boss's Niece Samantha; was born on November the 15th. Mr. Mark, who worked with my boss at the Forum in the 1980's and whose family now lives in Hawaii; also has a birthday on that date. I smell Andy over there.

Even though I sort of feel like writing more about Miss Georgia now but I'll wait. Ah! I just glanced up and see Cher the Cat, with Andy watching her closely; jogging bye with a dead Mouse hanging out of her mouth. She now jumped up top of Moe the middle Shed.

Tomorrow in book two Daisy has me scheduled to learn a lot about World War II, and one thing I'll find out about is a German General named Erwin Rommel; who was also born on November the 15th like Miss Georgia, Samantha and Mr. Mark. Cher's looking at me.

ERWIN ROMMEL (1891-1944)

This Encyclopedia says, because of how good he did in North Africa in 1941; that guy Erwin Rommel became a high ranking Second World War "Field Marshal." With "grudging admiration," the British called him the "Desert Fox." He was "so smart" Daisy told me.

Dais says our boss's dad, and his friend Mr. Ivan; have studied the Second World War "Campaigns" of Erwin Rommel. They both think "Rommel" was as good a field commander as Robert E. Lee had been during the American Civil War a century before. I smell Sage.

My Encyclopedia calls Erwin Rommel "audacious." I've mentioned how the Germans used "Blitzkrieg" tactics to conquer most of Europe, "Rommel" and that one other guy Heinz Guderein who were so good at using Tanks in "Lightning War." Andy's sniffing the air.

PAUL GAUGUIN (1848-1903)

On Saturday I'll learn about Paul Gauguin, a Painter my boss's mom studied; and one of Vincent van Gogh's friends. I guess they were friends but argued a lot so one time van Gogh got upset and cut off part of his own ear. Paul Gauguin worked in "Polynesia" for a few years.

There's a picture in my Encyclopedia of Paul Gaugin and, Daisy's right; as he does look like a kind of mean person. Mr. Steve's mother has many books about "Art History," one about Van Gogh and Gauguin relationship. Andy's a good guard of he and Helen's burrow.

It says here Paul Gauguin was French but is famous for paintings he did in the "South Pacific," or places like "Tahiti." Dais says Mr. Steve's mom likes the way he used really bright colors. Boy! It's too bad that guy van Gogh killed himself and died without any money.

MR. PEABODY AND HIS BOYSHERMAN

I wonder if we'll go in the house on Saturday morning to watch cartoons cartoons like Mr. Peabody and Sherman? When I look down the hallway it's so mysterious but, someday I'll see up close the white and gold Sun/Moon plaque at the end of it. A Train just whistled.

This morning I mentioned how Mr. Peabody, just like Mr. Steve's Uncle Marty; went to College back there at "Harvard." I can't wait for the time when I can read and write as well as Mr. Peabody, so my boss and Dais will be proud of me. I'll prove females are smart.

Oh! Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel, with Andy watching him; whizzed bye in front of the three Sheds and now only dust is floating in the air. Daisy and I really like watching those funny cartoons about the real Speedy Gonzalez the Mouse. Boy! I feel like running right now.

"MISSION BELLS" "INDIAN'S INTERPRETATION OF CRUCIFIXION"

PAINTINGS BY STELLA CÓRDOVA

Mr. Steve's mom's almost ten foot tall "Chapel Bells" painting hangs above the couch in the living room. Daisy told me Mr. Steve has four of her paintings hanging on the walls of his bedroom; two being even bigger than the Chapel Bells. Blackbeard and Anne flew bye.

I've only heard about those paintings in my boss's bedroom and office. I'm so looking forward to seeing and smelling them someday. Hey Lord! As You know, I really want to see the one above my boss's bed about the Mission Indian's "Interpretation" of Your death.

On Saturday, if we do go in the living room to watch cartoons; I'll just postpone writing book three until Sunday or maybe even Monday. I sure don't want Mr. Steve to suspect what I'm trying to do back here on the Patio. I'll just "Play it by Ear" as that old saying goes.

GERONIMO (1829-1909)

Mr. Peabody and Sherman went back in time and met Geronimo, a "Medicine Man" for "Mescalero-Chiricahua Apaches;" who fought the U.S. in New Mexico. Benny Urquidez the Kickboxer's wife is related to Geronimo. There's a dirt road called Mescalero near us.

Another time, Mr. Peabody convinced Beethoven "not to give up" on being a Composer when he got discouraged; and take that job as a Cook. So, then he went back and wrote the 9th Symphony which has that one "Ode to Joy" part in it. Heathcliff crowed next door.

Well God, I can't believe I've gotten this far on my first book and I'm not even tired at all because I really like learning new things. Just over four and a half more chapters to go, and I intend to stay just as focused and on schedule. Two of the Pigeons flew past the Sheds.

LIBBY IN HER CORRAL MOLLY THE MULE / LIBBY BEHIND

Looking to my right I see Libby in her Corral nibbling on scraps of hay left over from this morning. Ah! A slight breeze just brought her distinctive scent floating into both of my two nostrils. For some reason I just now remembered Molly the Mule's totally unique scent.

The Sun is now all the way over on the west side of the house behind me, and lighting up those clumps of Joshua trees near Libby's Corral; and also above and behind Andy and Helen's burrow. Boy! I wish I could see, hear and smell good old Molly just one more time.

Andy's over there guarding the entrance to he and Helen's burrow. Helen's down below with their new Spring babies. Boy God ! So far this has definitely been one of the best days of my life, which really does make me want to thank all of You Guys up there in Heaven.

BOBCAT IN JOSHUA TREES

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Looking at the Joshua trees near Libby's Corral makes me remember how exciting that afternoon was when the Bobcat fled up into that clump. It got so scared when Dawn surprised it, but then we had it trapped with nowhere to go. It was fun but I sort of felt sorry for it.

All us Dogs, including old Rosie; had a chance to show we were "On the Job" so to speak. Daisy heard Mr. Phillip from Wales call it "Earning our Keep." Mr. Steve lured us to the front yard with food, which let the Bobcat escape. That Bobcat had a really mean snarl.

Oh! Rudy the Roadrunner, below Theodora's Creosote bush; is standing next to Jack the big Shed holding a squirming Lizard in his mouth. Yup! He body slammed it on the ground and knocked it out to eat it. Boy! It must really hurt to be slammed on the ground like that.

ROADRUNNER WITH LIZARD

Seeing Rudy makes me remember Miss Susan telling my boss Roadrunners, like Quail and Thrasher Birds; don't have feathers on their legs. I guess, that's so their body can "release body heat" easier. Oh! Cher the Cat is right now slinking out into the eastern desert.

Miss Susan said on cold nights Roadrunners go into a "deep sleep" called "stupor," and I've noticed how in the mornings they turn their backs on the rising Sun in the east. Daisy says it's in order to absorb heat and get energy. Rudy body-slammed the Lizard again.

Hey God! As I've mentioned a few times, one of my goals in life is to overcome my fear of being trapped in enclosed areas. Daisy goes down the hallway all the time and thinks I'm so silly to be afraid of doing it a year after getting here. Rudy just swallowed that limp Lizard.

DAISY / MAGGIE CÓRDOVA

(FRONT YARD / GRAVEL DRIVEWAY)

Daisy's probably right when she says I don't know what I'm missing in not going into our boss's bedroom and office. It's "ridiculous she says, as I could listen to way more music or watch way more tv. And, Mr. Steve shares his food with Dais; which is even better than our food.

Boy! Mr. Steve will be so surprised when he eventually reads my three books You Guys. I can't wait but, I still have so much work to do; because this is only the eighth of the thirty six total chapters that will be in these three very long books. Rudy just went jogging away.

As I've said before, many of Mr. Steve's mom's paintings and drawings in our house were a part of the Art Exhibits they had in the 1990's. Two Exhibits were at the Capistrano and San Fernando "Missions." Three Birds are flying bye right now and I think they're Wrens.

"SWALLOW"

I just thought of Birds called "Swallows" who go to Capistrano Mission each year. A photo in my Encyclopedia shows how they have an unusually shaped tail. One time Mr. Steve lent Miss Susan a book he and his parents, as Tour Guides; read about Capistrano Mission.

Daisy told me, before the recession Mr. Steve had a customer in "Ohio," the State where my favorite band DEVO is from. The Parts Manager, his wife and their kids were those "Bird Watchers." He asked my boss about Swallows because he knew about "Swift" Birds.

My boss's customer said Swifts "look like Swallows," and also catch Bugs "right out of the air" too; but they're "not related." In fact he told my boss, Swifts are "more closely" related to Hummingbirds. Both Swifts and Swallows have those "forked" tails that are "V-shaped."

"SWIFT"

Daisy told me the Parts Manager in Ohio said Swifts are "one of the fastest" flying Birds in the world. Wow! My Encyclopedia says they can stay flying up in the air without landing for ten months! They've "evolved" short, stubby legs because they don't need legs that much.

It says here in the Middle Ages Swifts were "depicted" as having no legs at all. A Chinese lady once told Mr. Steve how you can make "very good soup" out of the hardened "Saliva" that Swift's use to make their nests. Ugh! I don't know if saliva sounds so good to me.

All of a sudden I just thought of that Irish Writer Jonathon Swift, who wrote "Gulliver's Travels way back in the early 18th century. Mr. Steve's father thinks he "may've" been the most talented "Satirical" Writer ever. All four of the Pigeons are flying over Libby's Corral.

JONATHAN SWIF T (1667-1745) TAYLOR SWIFT

PHOTO BY JOHN SHEARER

Daisy heard our boss and his sister Susan back there in Connecticut talk about a new girl Singer named Taylor Swift, who writes her own songs I guess. Mr. Steve has heard her talking on the tv and thinks she sounds like a nice "basically decent" person. Dawn's barking.

Looking up I see a few Birds zipping about over the eastern desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack. I hear Sparrows singing out there, which is now giving me that uplifting feeling of Rhêma I've mentioned a few times already today. Thank You God for that sensation.

Ah! The strong scents from out there in the back desert just came in. I smell the Twin Joshua trees mixed in with the scents of Juniper, Mesquite and Manzanita too. Oh! My right nostril has detected the slight whiff of Blinky, Dawn and Rosie coming in from next door.

("MESSERSCHMIDT") ME-262 PLASTIC MODEL

Thinking of Swallow Birds makes me remember how, back in World War II; that very first "Operational" Jet was nicknamed "Swallow" or "Schwalbe" in German. I mentioned how Daisy says Mr. Steve has a model of a "Me-262" in the kitchen. Daffy's quacking loud.

I guess, from what it says in this Encyclopedia; another nickname for the Me-262 was "Sturmvogel" or "Storm Bird." I can't wait, because my boss is interested in that subject; to learn more about the history of "Aviation over the next three days. I like Daffy.

On Saturday Dais and I decided I'd write about advanced German technology from the time of the Second World War. I guess the Germans were some of the first ones to think of making "Swept-Wing" Aircraft. That means wings bending backwards like Swifts' wings do.

"GULLIVER'S TRAVELS" MR. PHILLIP

Oh! Just when I'm writing about Swifts Max the Hummingbird zoomed bye. Someday I hope to read Gulliver's Travels the way my boss and his mom did back in College at C.S.U.N. Mr. Phillip from Wales has also read it and thinks that Jonathon Swift was "very clever."

Daisy says Hummingbirds can fly even when it's raining. One time she and that other Dog Millie saw Max and 99 perched on a branch when they shook off water just like we do when we get wet. Hummingbirds can even shake off water when they're flying she noticed.

My right nostril just picked up Libby's scent, which floated over from her Corral. The shadows tell me it's almost two in the afternoon. Dais says it being so unusually warm today is not like some of the other cold first days of Spring she's known around here in Piñon Hills.

HELICOPTER

Aha! I knew I was hearing one of those amazing Helicopters. That reminds me of the first time I heard that ominous sound, and thought it might be a monster coming; getting louder as it approached. At that time I was living homeless in the field my old owner dumped me into.

My boss told Mr. Mike about that British Writer Aldous Huxley who lived in Llano. At the end of his book "Brave New World" I guess he described a Helicopter's sound and wrote how "a humming sound had become a roar." Max the Hummingbird just zoomed bye again.

The first attempt to "analyze" a Hummingbird's flight, during the 1930's; was done in Nazi Germany Daisy heard Mr. Phillip say. Then, they developed the first "hovering" Helicopters. In World War II the "Luftwaffe" Air Force worked on Planes that take off "vertically."

FOCKE-WULF "Fw-61" MR. IVAN

Even though Daisy and I decided I'd mainly write about advanced Nazi technology in book three on Saturday, I feel like writing a little bit about it now too. I guess Mr. Steve's friend Mark Ritter who died knew about that subject. And so does Mr. Ivan down in Sylmar.

My Encyclopedia says the first "operational" Helicopter was used in World War II by the Germans, to lift and carry heavy things like Artillery. That Helicopter was called "Fw-61," and it used "rotors" instead of wings to supply all of the "lift." Heathcliff just crowed.

The first "successful" what they call "rotocraft," or "gyroplane; was flown in Spain way back in 1923 Mr. Ivan read. It says here it was created by Juan de La Cierva. Those two Wright Brothers had flown their first Airplane here in America in 1903, so twenty years before.

HEINRICH FOCKE (1890-1979) WITH ADOLPH HITLER

A picture in my Encyclopedia shows a man named Heinrich Focke explaining to Hitler something about what they're watching. The caption says he "designed" Aircraft, his "partner" being Georg Wulf. I'll learn more about the "Focke-Wulf" Airplanes in my three books.

On Saturday I'll look up that Russian man Igor Sikorsky, who also designed Helicopters. I've mentioned a few times how my boss's friend Mark Ritter died, and his sister Gary gave him some of his books on "Geology," "Reptiles" and "Aviation." Heathcliff just crowed.

Mr. Steve has lent some of Mark Ritter's books to Mr. Ivan, like the one on Helicopters and Jets that take off "Vertically" for example. I guess that guy Igor Sikorsky's family moved to America in 1919, the year after World War I ended. Speedy Gonzalez went running bye.

"AERODYNAMIC" FORCES OF "FLIGHT" AUSTIN, SUSAN, DALTON

A good diagram shows how Planes and Helicopters use four "aerodynamic" forces to "overcome" the "pull of gravity" and fly. They are "Lift," "Thrust," "Drag" and Weight." I guess Mr. Steve's Nephew Dalton back there in Connecticut wants to become a Pilot.

One time my boss was told by this older man at Van Nuys Airport, when machines fly it's "sort of like four arms holding the weight of the Aircraft up in the air; each one pushing from a different direction." Dais heard how he then joked, "Lift is a gift, thrust is a must."

Taking in deep breaths of warm Spring air, and seeing the desert behind Manny, Moe and Jack; is making me feel happy. Hey God! Thank You so much for creating Birds because they make me feel alive just being around them. I smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.

GEORGE ARMSTRONG CUSTER (1839-1876)

(WITH WIFE "LIBBY" AND BROTHER "TOM")

Daisy says Mr. Steve, who's collects flags; and that Parts Manager in Ohio discussed his State's "Swallowtail" Flags. George Custer lived in Ohio as a kid, and his "7th Cavalry" also had Swallowtail flags. I guess my boss once bought, but then resold; a 7th Cavalry flag.

A picture of "Custer" shows him with his wife and brother "Tom." Mr. Steve thinks one reason George Custer is so famous is because his "pretty" and "intelligent" wife "Libby" went out and "promoted" him after he was killed in 1976. Oh! I can smell our Libby.

George Custer, his brother and 7th Cavalry were wiped out in 1876 by "Lakota" Sioux, "Arapahos" and "Cheyenne" Indians. Mr. Steve thinks Custer was "reckless." I hear Crows out there in the desert, either two boys fighting over a girl; or maybe some good food.

"CLIFF" SWALLOWS

PHOTO BY SCIENCE SOURCES

In my boss's book about the Capistrano Mission it also talks about Birds called "North American Cliff Swallows." The fly around in big "Flocks," live in large "Colonies;" and sit or "Perch's" in trees to "Preen" which means to clean Daisy told me. I can smell Juniper.

Swallows are "Songbirds," who warn each other about danger; or call one another when they find some food for the group to eat. And I guess Swallows mainly eat Bugs and things like that. Speedy Gonzalez, with Andy watching him; ran bye and left only dust behind.

My boss and his dad think many things in life are "Dual" in nature, so with good comes bad and with bad comes good. Birds in groups has benefits but, it's also easier to "Transmit" sickness, parasites and disease too. Oh! It's kind of like those "Yin/Yang" logos I'll bet.

"CLIFF SWALLOW" NESTS

I guess, Cliff Swallows are examples of Charles Darwin's "Natural Selection" idea; as they've "Adapted" to living near people. Instead of only making nests on cliffs, they do it under bridges too. Darwin thought "Evolution" was slow but Mr. Steve thinks it can be fast too.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Susan at work he was told Cliff Swallows make "group" nests out of "mud and saliva." A picture in this Encyclopedia shows how they have "entrance" holes. Well, back to writing about George Custer's 7th Cavalry and how they all died.

Mr. Ivan thinks Custer was "very lucky" in the Civil War but, ten years later in 1876; his "Luck "Ran Out" as they say. "Crazy Horse" and the Sioux Indians massacred he and his 7th Cavalry, partly due to his "over confidence" my boss thinks. Daffy's quacking next door.

CUSTER'S "LAST STAND"

(JUNE 25, 1876)

This Encyclopedia says, in 1876; Custer's brother Tom was also killed at the "Battle of the Little Big Horn," or "Greasy Grass" as the Sioux call. Wow! In the Civil War Tom Custer was awarded not one but two "Medals of Honor." That's a really hard thing to do I guess.

A good tv show on George Custer said, partly due to his wife's "advocacy" he became a "secular martyr;" having died during America's 100th "Anniversary." Daisy heard Mr. Dave say he thinks Custer "totally miscalculated" the situation. That got his men killed.

What a coincidence that, just as I'm about to write about a Horse named "Comanche" I smell Libby over there to my right. Comanche was this boy Horse who "Survived" that Battle of the Little Big Horn. Libby is walking slowly around over there in her Corral right now.

"COMANCHE" "CUSTER'S LAST STAND"

(BATTLE SURI VOR) ("LITTLE BIG HORN" / "GREASY GRASS")

PAINTING BY H CHARL MCBARRON JUNIOR

Almost the entire 7th Cavalry died in 1876, but one survivor was a boy Horse named "Comanche;" even though he had seven bullet wounds on him. Wow! In a battle from the year before he fought with an arrow sticking out of him! A little yellow Bulldog also survived.

In a few minutes I'll write about this other brave Horse named "Reckless," who was in the Korean War. The Crows I heard a minute ago are still fighting out there in the desert, so it must be something good their competing for. Dawn and Blinky are barking over there.

Daisy says Mr. Steve told the Parts Manager in Ohio, other Horses survived the Battle of the Little Big Horn but; were taken by the Sioux as "Spoils" or "War Booty." I guess Comanche was just left out there to die but, was really strong so survived. It was a big surprise I guess.

MYLES KEOGH (1840-1876)

Comanche the boy Horse's owner in 1876 was Myles Keough, who's family died in that 1840's Irish "Potato Famine." I like the helmet he's wearing in the "Colorized" photo, which is like the one my boss Mr. Steve has in the living room I notice. A Lizard went running bye.

This is interesting. My Encyclopedia says Myles Keogh, before dying at Little Big Horn; fought for the Catholic Pope's Italian "Papal States" in 1860. But, I guess he decided to come to America; to fight the southern Confederate States instead. He was a "Mercenary."

Oh! It says here how Myles Keogh, like George Custer; fought in the big three day 1863 "Battle of Gettysburg" which I'll write about tomorrow in book two. As I've mentioned, in 1977 Mr. Steve and his brother Rock visited that town of "Gettysburg." Heathcliff just crowed.

J.E.B. STUART ROBERT E. LEE "STONEWALL" JACKSON

My Encyclopedia says, during the Civil War that guy Myles Keogh fought against three of the more famous Rebel leaders; J.E.B. Stuart, Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and even Robert E. Lee too. That big Dragonfly just went zooming bye. I heard it coming from far away.

Hey Lord! Mr. Dave read in 1876, after that battle the Sioux "mutilated" the bodies; but not Myles Keough. He thinks, "maybe" it was because Myles Keough had a Christian medal on and the Sioux "respected Your powerful medicine." And he had "fought bravely" too.

Comanche the boy Horse was "nursed back to health," dying only in 1890. Like Reckless about a century later, he became a "Mascot." This Encyclopedia says Comanche and Reckless are two of only four Horses ever given "Military Funerals." I can smell Libby over there.

"DRUMMER" DAVE

Daisy told me Mr. Dave in New Mexico, according to his "Facebook" site; has played in few bands since moving from California out there to Taos. And, I guess one of them was called RECKLESS like the Korean War Horse. I smell Sage, which makes me feel so hopeful.

Ah! I just looked to my right and see Libby standing in her Corral looking right at me. She's probably wondering why I've been sitting here on the Patio for over eight hours. Boy! It's such a good thing you Elvira are going to comfortable to spend thirty six hours on.

Libby's unique scent floated in on a slight breeze coming over here from her direction. And for some reason that suddenly makes me remember how Molly the Mule smelled. I sure do miss her so much, and know for sure that both Daisy and Mr. Steve miss her a lot too.

"SMOKEY" THE BEAR

Writing about Comanche and Reckless the brave Horses makes me think about this other Mascot named "Smokey the Bear." He represents "Fire Prevention" and I overheard my boss tell Mr. Mike the original Smokey the Bear was from New Mexico. I smell Juniper.

Smokey the Bear got burned in a forest fire in 1950. Since 1942, the first year of World War II for the U.S.; a Bear had been the Federal government's Mascot in the program to avoid any forest fires. II. The mid-afternoon sunlight coming from behind me is so nice.

Mr. Ivan said that time how many white people had been "Isolationist" until late 1941, but after Japan's surprise attack on us in late 1941; "things changed quick." After that most people wanted to "get revenge" he told my boss. Alpha Company's scent just now floated in.

"PEARL HARBOR"

(DECEMBER 7, 1941 / HAWAII)

Mr. Ivan says, "after Pearl Harbor;" many white people were "angry." Many looked to find "someone to blame," which is why Dr.'s Oda and Sakaguchi's Japanese- American families had to go into those Internment Camps. All four of the Pigeons are flying toward the east.

In early 1942 all the different governments were really "paranoid" about forest fires Mr. Ivan said. The American public was already "scared" after Pearl Harbor, and then a Japanese Submarine surfaced near the California coast. It fired twenty cannon shots then left.

This Encyclopedia says the Japanese Submarine off shore "launched the rounds" toward "oil rigs in an oil field," hoping to "ignite a fire" in the "Los Padres" forest near "Goleta." I've mentioned before how in Spanish "padre" just means "father." A little Lizard ran bye.

"SMOKEY" THE BEAR

Oh my God! A good picture shows the original Smokey Bear walking on an Airplane, and he's so cute! Mr. Ivan says in 1942 wood was "as important as steel" for World War II. So, because of that Submarine attack and fear of forest fires; the "C.F.F.P" was created.

The caption below the picture of little Smokey says how, from 1942 on; the "Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention" program used a Bear as a Mascot. Then, in 1950 the little Smokey was "badly burned" in a New Mexico forest fire. Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

I guess, after little Smokey's burns healed, he lived in "Washington D.C.;" and died in 1976 when Mr. Steve was twenty one. He was then buried in New Mexico. Daisy says "Black" Bears live in the San Gabriel mountains over there beyond Libby's Corral, to my right.

WORLD WAR II

(JAPANESE HOT AIR "BALLOON" BOMB / LATE 1944-EARLY1945)

In my three books I'm going to learn about "Balloons." It says in this Encyclopedia the first Balloon was flown in France in the late 18th century and toward end time of the Second World War Japan in "Desperation" had "weaponized" them. They were losing the war.

Mr. Steve's father told his best friend Mr. Ivan, and Mr. Hussein at his Coffee Shop in Sylmar; it was "amazing" as 1985 Los Angeles "Grand Jury Foreman" he got ride up in the "Goodyear Blimp." He said it was "like everything I've ever imagined about soaring."

Hey God! As You of course already know, my boss's father thought it was a gift of grace from You that gave him the experience of being in that Goodyear Blimp. He still thanks You for it. Boy! I it would too scary to float around in a Balloon, but Dais would probably do it.

"BALLOON" FESTIVAL

(ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO / OCTOBER)

PHOTO BY DAVE KOZIOL

I guess, since 1972 when my boss was in the 11th Grade at Sylmar High; there have been what have become "Annual" events in the city of "Albuquerque" back in New Mexico. My boss has never been to one but Mr. Dave has. I can smell Bonnie and Clyde's babies up there.

One time my boss and his mom talked on the phone about flying up in a Balloon. Daisy says they "appreciate" why others would enjoy it, but they "wouldn't be comfortable." I see my valuable collection of things to chew on over there at the far end of the Patio, to my left.

Mr. Randy knows about "Sky Diving." You jump from a moving Airplane, then fall fast down to the ground; at just the right time opening the "Parachute" which catches the air to let you land softly on the ground. Ugh! I don't think I would ever want to do that either.

"PARATROOPS" (W.W. II) "HANG GLIDING" (SYLMAR)

During World War II; Nazi Germany used sky diving "Paratroops" as part of their new "Blitzkrieg" tactics used in conquering all those other European countries. I'll come back to the subjects of Balloons and Sky Diving in my books. Two orange boy Finches are fighting.

New Mexico is "associated" with "Ballooning," Sylmar for "Hang Gliding." It says here, during World War II the Japanese "floated" nine thousand "antipersonnel" and "incendiary" Balloons over to America. Antipersonnel means to "kill" people, incendiary to "burn."

A drawing shows how the Japanese filled the Balloon's basket with explosives. Then, from Japan; they sailed what this Encyclopedia calls the first "intercontinental" weapon over to the U.S.'s West Coast. A little Sparrow carrying a long twig ran bye out there in the dirt.

"ROUTES" OF JAPANESE "BALLOON" BOMBS

(USING "JET STREAM" AIR CURRENTS / LATE 1944-EARLY 1945)

A map shows how the Japanese used the "Jet Stream" way up in the sky to push Balloons over here, hoping to burn American forests. Mr. Steve's brother Rock's friend George in Texas, who's Japanese-American; told my boss "Fu-Go" means "Fire Balloon." I smell Sage.

Luckily, the Balloons "proved ineffective" so only about three hundred got through to kill six people, whose deaths were kept secret. My boss told Mr. Mark one Balloon got "off course" and landed down in Hawaii, others were blown back to Japan. Sage smells so good.

Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his dad, who knows from his time in the Marines about Balloons being used to help predict weather. I guess, twice a day now in 2014; Balloons are released in America to float into the sky. Heathcliff just crowed.

U.S. "WEATHER" BALLOONS

Mr. Dave, before the economic recession; had this Motorcycle Shop customer who knew about what they call "Upper Air Observation." He said, every day Scientists release "gas-filled" Balloons up into the sky to "gather data; and help them predict weather. Dawn's barking.

I guess, connected onto those "Observation Balloons" are "Sensors" used to do things up there; but mainly collect information. When the Balloons rise to 100,000 feet, they "burst;" then a parachute opens to let the equipment fall softly to the ground. I smell Blinky.

Oh what the heck! Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the subject of "Fire" right now; I just kind of suddenly feel like learning and writing about it now too. I can tell Mr. Mike knows a lot about "Fire Fighting" just by some of the things he's told Mr. Steve.

CONSTANTINOPLE "GREEK FIRE"

("FLAME THROWER" / "BYZANTINE" ROMAN EMPIRE)

ARTWORK BY TV ARAJ

One time Daisy and Millie were in Mr. Steve's bedroom and saw this tv show about the history of "Incendiary" weapons. One weapon the man mentioned was a thing called "Greek Fire." Incendiary means "designed to start fires" according to my English Dictionary.

Dais says, in the 7th century A.D.; the "Byzantine Empire" used "flame throwing" guns to burn wooden enemy Ships. I wrote earlier about the 4th century, when that guy Constantine the Great made Christianity the "Eastern Roman Empire's" religion. I smell Sage.

I just thought of how, when the original "Western Roman Empire" in Italy fell in the 5th century A.D.; only the eastern section survived. And my Encyclopedia says Greek Fire was used to defend "Constantinople, " now the city of "Istanbul." Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

"ISTANBUL" ("HAGIA SOPHIA")

(FORMERLY "CONSTANTINOPLE")

That tv show said, the use of incendiary weapons didn't begin with the Byzantine's use of Greek Fire in naval engagements. And, at that exact same time in history; cultures like China were using "projected fire" to kill in war. Oh! The Pigeons are up there on the Patio roof.

From what Dais saw on that tv show, one time people put something on Pigs and then lit them on fire. The burning and screaming Pigs were stampeded into the enemy's lines, hoping to make those Soldiers lose courage and "Break Ranks" as they say. The Pigeons are cooing.

Mr. Dave read about how, in history; burning things are attached to arrowheads to shoot at something they want to catch on fire. The original Italian Romans used "Catapults" to throw burning boulders. Daisy says Mr. Steve has a miniature "Trebuchet" Catapult in his office.

PROMETHEUS EDITH HAMILTON (1867-1963)

I just looked up the ancient Greek God named "Prometheus." Actually, he was one of those "Titans;" who I guess are bigger in size than the "Deity's" who came later. The Pigeons are walking around up on the Patio roof, and I see their moving shadows cast on the dirt.

Daisy heard that one lady Edith Hamilton wrote Prometheus is often "linked" with the Goddess Athena. He "defied" the highest God Zeus, stealing fire and coming down to give it to people. Hey! That's kind of like how Nikola Tesla wanted to give free electricity away.

Oh wow! When Zeus found out what happened he punished Prometheus by tying him to this big rock so an Eagle could eat his liver. Ugh! That must hurt! And then, Zeus made it so Prometheus's liver kept growing back every day; so the Eagle could eat it all over again.

SWITZERLAND YUGOSLAVIA

"UNIDENTIFIED FLYING OBJECTS"

Wow! Pictures in this Encyclopedia show some realistic looking "U.F.O's," or "Flying Saucers." Daisy saw a tv show that said many years ago "Aliens" from outer space came down here to Earth and influenced human history. Pigeon voices are always so calming to me.

Mr. Dave back in New Mexico one time told my boss about how some Native people have stories about "Star Beings." That tv show said some think it was Aliens who taught the humans about things like fire. Some even think Prometheus was really an Alien Dais told me.

Hey God! Mr. Steve doesn't believe in things like flying saucers and thinks You probably just gave some early humans the intelligence to figure things out through "trial and error." The Pigeons are flying away. The shadows are slowly beginning to lean further away from me.

UFO IRON MAIDEN

My boss and also Mr. Phillip from Wales, like that 1970's British band UFO; who have that song about a Doctor. I've never heard it but Daisy has and thinks it's "catchy." Mr. Dave told Mr. Steve IRON MAIDEN play that UFO song right before their own concerts begin.

I guess, Mr. Steve used to play along to "Doctor, Doctor." Mr. Dave likes all of the drum "Fill's" connecting the different sections, and how UFO's Drummer uses the big "Ride" cymbal on certain parts of the song. Someday I do really want to see my boss play the drums.

Daisy heard one of Mr. Steve's Parts Manager customers, who likes Heavy Metal music; say his favorite UFO song is "Rock Bottom." That's another song my boss has tried to play over the years. A long line of Ants is marching bye down there near Miss Emily's coffee table.

"GREAT WHITE" SHARK

Thinking of how Zeus let that Eagle eat Prometheus' liver for eternity, for some reason is making me think how Mr. Steve's private Hell would be if he were attacked and then eaten by a Shark for eternity. Tomorrow is when I'll mainly learn about things that live in water.

Hey God! Are You "Zeus" too? As You know of course, I've wondered at times if You're also Islam's "Allah," the Viking's "Odin" or the ancient Roman's "Jupiter." Mr. Hussein down there in Sylmar has also thought about that exact same subject too. I smell Mesquite.

Mr. Steve, and his father too Daisy says; think You God gave people the ability to reason and use science to figure out things about the physical world You created fourteen billion years ago. Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's scents just floated in from next door. A Lizard ran bye.

MARY SHELLEY (1797-1851) FRANKENSTEIN

PORTRAIT BY RICHARD ROTHWELL

Mentioning the Titan Prometheus makes me remember how that one English girl Mary Shelley's 1818 book "Frankenstein's" sub-title" is "The Modern Prometheus." In my books, my boss being interested in it; I'll learn about the subject of "Horror." Mesquite smells good.

The character "Dr. Frankenstein" in Mary Shelley's "Gothic" novel represents a "Lone Genius" trying to "improve" mankind Mr. Ralph thinks. The story is partly about "unforeseen consequences." Fannie and Freddie, talking to each other; are flying to the northeast.

"Fire" seems like an example of "Duality." So "Harnessing" it gives people more power to "Control their Destiny," like in cooking, keeping warm or working with metals. But, fire also has the potential to destroy almost anything if it gets "Out of Control." Libby whinnied.

ELIZABEETH I (0000-0000) SPANISH "ARMADA" (1588)

Oh wow! In 1588 Spain's Navy attacked Queen Elizabeth's England, but Ships were "set on fire" and "floated" into the invading Spanish Fleet. Many Spanish Ships "ignited." Boy! I think someone should start a business selling those things Queen Elizabeth wore on her neck.

Those burning British Ships ended up catching many of the Spanish Ships on fire and it was a total disaster. Wind being their only power in the late 16th century, all of the "surviving" Spanish vessels could not just sail back down south and go home to Spain. I smell Sage.

Before motors Ships had to either have men "Row" or use "Wind" in their sails to move forward. And back in 1588, after the Spanish "Armada" was defeated; the "Prevailing" winds were only blowing toward the north. Now some Crows are squawking and fighting.

SPANISH ARMADA DISASTER

Wow! A map shows how, after their "catastrophic" naval battle; the surviving Spanish Ships had to try to make it back home to Spain by sailing all the way around the top of Scotland and Ireland. Many Ships were "wrecked" and Sailors "lost." It was a "nightmare."

As I wrote earlier this morning, Mr. Steve and his father have both noticed how good things almost always end up being used for bad purposes too. Tomorrow I'm scheduled to write about the subject of "Nuclear" energy. Heathcliff the Rooster just crowed over there.

In today's modern society fire is used for many useful purposes. But in war it's been almost perfected so you can more efficiently kill a lot more people from a longer range. At least that's what my boss has noticed. They drop some huge bombs now meant to make fire.

2014 NISSAN "ARMADA"

When we were putting together my three outlines Daisy told me about this guy who one time came over to our house to do some work. She and Millie noticed he was driving a Car called an "Armada." Blackbeard and Anne Bonney are flying toward the northeast.

This Encyclopedia says an Armada is a "full-sized Sports Utility Vehicle," or just "S.U.V. for short. Dais says one of Mr. Steve's "Nissan" customer's said Armada's are "assembled," or put together in the State of "Mississippi." Nissan is one of those Japanese companies.

I guess that Parts Manager told my boss how, over in the "Middle East;" Armada's are made so the driver is on the left as you face it. I just glanced up in time to see Speedy Gonzalez zip out into the back field. He ran through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate.

"STAFFA ISLAND FINGAL'S" CAVE

("HEBRIDES" ISLAND CHAIN)

PHOTO BY IRENE MURRY PHOTO BY MALCOLM MURRY

Way up there at the very top of northeast Scotland, where the Armada had to pass in 1588 trying to get back to Spain; makes me think of "Staffa" Island." I'm scheduled to learn about it tomorrow but just feel like doing it now instead. Mr. Phillip knows about it.

Staffa Island has a big cave on it, called "Fingal's Cave;" and Mark Ritter who died read a few things about the unique "vertical basalt columns" inside. Each column has six sides and some are over two hundred feet high. I smell the baby Cholla cactus over there.

My Encyclopedia says the tall columns inside Fingal's Cave were "formed" about fifty million years ago by the "cooling" of lava from a volcano. Wow! Me being only about two years old makes me think about how long fifty million years is. Heathcliff just crowed.

QUEEN VICTORIA JULES VERNE PINK FLOYD

(1819-1901) (1828-1905) (1970'S)

Daisy told me this tv show about the "Hebrides Island Chain," which Staffa is one of; said Queen Victoria visited Fingal's Cave. She wanted to hear the unique sound echoing waves inside. Queen Victoria was born on my boss's parents wedding anniversary I notice.

It says here that English Science Fiction Writer Jules Verne also went to Fingal's Cave, and some think it's "harmonious and hypnotic acoustics" influenced "Journey to the Center of the Earth." Wow! That cave is called a "Cathedral of the Sea." I smell Mesquite.

The man on the tv show mentioned how that British band PINK FLOYD "referred" to Fingal's Cave in one of their songs. Over the next three days I'll find out more about Queen Victoria, Jules Verne and PINK FLOYD too. A small flock of Birds is flying eastward.

"GIANT'S CAUSEWAY

(NORTHERN IRELAND / "CAUSEWAY" COAST)

PHOTO BY JENNIFER KILGORE

Wow! A picture shows "Giant's Causeway," another "basalt rock formation" created during the same "Paleocene" period as Fingal's Cave to the north. The caption says there are forty thousand "interlocking hexagonal" columns there. "Hex" means "Six" in Greek.

Daisy says Mr. Philip told our boss about a legend where a Scottish giant challenged an Irish giant to fight. The Irish giant accepted, building that causeway to get up to Staffa Island. A small Garter Snake is using the left vertical gate slot to go out into the back desert.

I guess, when the Irish giant got there the Scottish giant's wife tricked him into thinking her husband was way bigger than he had thought. So he retreated back to Ireland, tearing up the causeway; what's left being those unusually shaped rocks. Causeway means bridge.

"OKINAWA" (1945)

Ugh! A picture from World War II shows three American Marines in 1945, on the island of "Okinawa;" killing Japanese Soldiers by burning them up. The caption says they're using a "Flamethrower." Aha! I knew I heard Max the Hummingbird coming and there he is.

In the photo, in the lower right; I notice the body of a burned Japanese Soldier. In the Korean War Mr. Steve's father had flamethrowers used against him. Boy! How in the world could anyone have even figured out how to invent such a thing as a Flamethrower?

One time I heard my boss and Mike talking about bombs created to burn things. At the end of World War II in 1945, before the U.S. dropped those Atomic bombs on "Hiroshima" and "Nagasaki;" we "Fire Bombed" Japanese cities like "Tokyo." Thousands of people died.

"MAGNIFYING" MIRRORS ARCHIMEDES' WEAPONS BOAT LIFT

On the tv show Daisy saw about using fire in war, they talked about that guy Archimedes and weapons he's said to have invented. One was using mirrors to "focus" the Sun's rays onto a wooden Ship and burn it. My right nostril just picked up Dawn, Blinky and Rosie's scents.

Archimedes, who I mentioned in the last chapter and will learn even more about over the next three days; also supposedly used a "Claw" device to hook onto an invading Ship. Then you can lift it up and tip it over. A drawing in this Encyclopedia shows how it was used.

Dais told me the tv show talked about how, in the early 16th century; Leonardo da Vinci designed weapons like a "Tank" or a "Helicopter." Mr. Steve copied a few of them in drawings. I just noticed Libby over there in her Corral walking around slowly near the north fence.

LEONARDO DA VINCI (1452-1519) NIKOLA TESLA (1856-1943)

When Daisy and I were putting together my three outlines we decided I'd mainly learn about that guy Nikola Tesla tomorrow in book two. But writing about fire makes me remember how he had the idea of using a powerful "Particle Beam" to destroy things. Dawn's barking.

The U.S. "considered" dropping Bats with "incendiary devices" strapped onto them against Japan in World War II. It was hoped those released Bats would fly down and roost in the wooden and paper Japanese houses. The device would "activate" and burn them.

On Saturday in book three I'm scheduled to write about advanced Nazi technology from the Second World War. One idea they "considered" was a mirror orbiting the Earth, to be used the way Archimedes did. Sunlight would then be "focused" onto something to destroy it.

HERMAN OBERTH (1894-1989) SATELLITE MIRROR WEAPON

This morning I talked about "Operation Paper Clip," and one of the Nazi Scientists brought here after World War II was Herman Oberth, the "Father of Rocketry." He thought it possible to put an "orbiting satellite mirror" in space. It could then burn anything on Earth.

My Encyclopedia says Herman Oberth "taught" Wernher von Braun about Rockets. It was then Wernher von Braun's Second World War experience that got the U.S. to the Moon in 1969. Samson and Delilah the Ravens are flying bye way up there in the high blue sky.

Daisy thinks it's "a good thing" the American government brought all those German Nazi Scientists to America in the late 1940's. They helped us win the "Cold War" against the Soviet Union. Not only that; the husband of the lady who built our house was a Nazi too.

CALIFORNIA "WILD FIRE"

I've mentioned a few times how we're in a drought here in California. I've never seen one of those "Wild Fires" Daisy told me about and I sure hope I never do. According to Mr. Mike's mom there have been some big fires up here where we live in the High Desert.

Mr. Steve and his family all survived the 1971 "Sylmar" earthquake, even though their house didn't. Sylmar, or the northeast corner of the San Fernando Valley; has also had some big fires too. One was in 2008, a few months after the family's trip to Washington D.C.

Well, back to 1942. Unfortunately for all the Japanese-Americans here in California, especially after that Submarine shot those twenty rounds of artillery at the oil field on central California coast; the white people were mad. A Raven croaked faintly out in the desert.

"I-17" (TYPE-B-1) FEBRUARY 23, 1942

Oh! It says here it was on February 23 of 1942 when that Japanese Submarine shot at the oil field. I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve's father was born on February the 23rd, and his mom's birthday was on the 24th. As she was known for saying, "Such a Blessing."

Goleta is near the city of "Santa Barbara," where my boss's family vacationed, and his sister Susan went to College. In 1978 my boss saw that GRATEFUL DEAD concert up there on the "U.C.S.B." campus. The four Pigeons are all flying right over Libby's Corral.

As Mr. Steve filled up the water basin below the big Mulberry tree one time, he and Mr. Cliff talked about "Subs;" what Mr. Cliff called Submarines I notice. He said the "I-17" World War II Japanese Submarines could carry one Airplane. Dawn's barking over there.

COMMANDER WM. OUTERBRIDGE (1906-1983) "FIRST SHOTS" (USS WARD)

("PEARL HARBOR" / DECEMBER 7, 1941 / 6:37 A.M.)

PAINTING BY TOM FREEMAN

Daisy has me scheduled to learn about the history of "Submersible" Ships. A few years ago Mr. Steve's parents, and his Niece Samantha; visited Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. They were told the actual "first shots fired" on December the 7th were by an American "Destroyer."

Early on the morning of December the 7th the "USS Ward," an hour before the main Japanese attack on that Naval Fleet in "Pearl Harbor; was guarding the harbor's entrance. The "Commander" was William Outerbridge. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny flew bye.

My Encyclopedia says Commander Outerbridge spotted what turned out to be a small "Midget" Japanese Submarine trying to sneak into the harbor. He ordered a Gunner to sink it, which I guess he did. So, "Hostilities" really began right then; not a few hours later.

FANNIE AND FREDDY

I just noticed Fannie and Freddie over there sitting on a branch of the Mulberry tree. It's so amazing how Crows and Ravens can just soar so fast sometimes on an air current, not even having to move their wings at all. Oh! Fannie and Freddie are flying into the field.

That Japanese surprise attack on America in 1941, which got us into World War II; was "generally" a success. Admiral Yamamoto's plan worked and, in the weeks right afterward; Submarines sank or damaged eight American "Merchant Ships" in the Pacific Ocean.

Looking at Manny, Moe and Jack the Sheds right now is makings me remember that morning last Summer when Mr. Steve's parents and Mr. Ivan were visiting. As he watered the Mulberry trees Mr. Ivan told my boss about Commander Outerbridge. I smell Juniper.

U.S. GUN CREW WORLD WAR II "KAMIKAZE" ATTACK ("BOFOR" / 40-MM.) (

Mr. Ivan think it's interesting how "to the day" three years later on December 7th of 1944, the USS Ward which fired the first U.S. shots of World War II; was hit by Japanese suicide "Kamikaze" Pilots. Miss Sandy's father was a "Gunner" in that war. He went deaf.

By 1944 Commander Outerbridge led the "USS O'Brien;" which he used to "scuttle" or sink his too badly damaged former Destroyer the USS Ward. After the war he commanded a warship called the "USS Los Angeles" I guess. Andy's sniffing the air over there.

Daisy says Mr. Ivan told Mr. Steve, when that Submarine shot at California in 1942; it was the first time a "foreign" country attacked U.S. territory since the "War of 1812." That was when the British burned the city of "Washington D.C." Andy's looking at me right now.

ANDREW JACKSON (1767-1845)

Tomorrow Daisy has me scheduled to learn about the War of 1812, and Andrew Jackson winning the "Battle of New Orleans." Andrew Jackson is on the front of the twenty dollar bill, which makes a lot of American Indians mad I guess. Samson and Delilah are flying bye.

I'm tempted to look up Andrew Jackson but, I'd better wait and do it according to my outlines. In 2008, when Mr. Steve's family visited "Washington D.C.;" he took a book about the city with him. It had a chapter about the "White House" being burned up in 1812.

Anyway, I'll be coming back to Andrew Jackson over the next three days because my boss thinks he's kind of important to 19th century history. Like almost all white people during his time, he thought black people and Indians were inferior. But he was "brave" Dais thinks.

"BATTLE OF LOS ANGELES"

(FEBRUARY 24-25, 1942)

Daisy thinks another way you can tell many people in California were really nervous after Pearl Harbor is what happened in February of 1942. Some people in Los Angeles thought Japanese Airplanes were attacking. A Sparrow just zoomed out into the back desert.

Mr. Ivan talked with my boss about how on February 24, 1942 1500 artillery shells were fired up into the L.A. sky. It turned out to be a "false alarm." I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's Grandma Córdova's birthday was February the 24th, his dad born on the 23rd.

I guess five people died in what's called the "Battle of Los Angeles," three killed in a Car crash; two through heart attacks. Daisy and I wonder if that "Artillery Barrage" might've been shooting at one of those U.F.O.'s she's told me about? Andy's over there sniffing the air.

"ZOOT SUIT" RIOTS (1943)

Even though I'm not really scheduled to write about the 1943 "Zoot Suit" riots now, I kind of feel like writing about it now too. As I just mentioned, in the period right after Pearl Harbor; there was a lot of fear and hate. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye.

This Encyclopedia says in 1943 American "Servicemen" stationed in downtown L.A. "roamed the streets beating up minorities." They mainly beat up Mexican-Americans I guess. Wow! I just glanced up from down here on the Patio to see the beautiful high sky.

Mr. Steve thinks violence and hate "instinctively endemic;" which means "Something prevalent or common." He says many people want to think of "us and them." Many sports fans "seem to hate" their favorite team's "Rivals" even "more than they love their team."

HEINRICH HIMMLER HOMER LEA BENITO MUSSOLINI / ADOLPH HITLER (WITH ADLPH HITLER) (0000-0000) (WITH ADOLPH HITLER)

That little hunchback Homer Lea, who studied history; said warfare is "more common" in history than peace. Hey Lord! Even though You said love people, hate has been "Exploited" by leaders such as 20th century "Fascists since "Time Immemorial." I smell Juniper.

Dais says Mr. Steve believes revenge is a way leaders "take advantage" of the "Zeitgeist" of an era. That guy Hitler used hatred, and the "appeal of violence;" to get Germans to do what he wanted. Violence had been a big part of Germanic culture for many centuries.

I hear Crows fighting out there in the eastern desert behind the Sheds. One must have found something really good to eat, like maybe a dead Rabbit or something. Oh! Now there's a number of Crows squawking and yelling wildly at each other in competing for the food.

THE BEACH BOYS 1960'S THE BEATLES

I've mentioned how the German word "Zeitgeist" means the "Spirit of the Times. Daisy thinks that probably means how most people feel about things at that particular time in history. It often applies to "Popular Culture" but, at other times; it's used in "Politics."

Mr. Steve thinks the BEACH BOYS and BEATLES represented the zeitgeist of the 1960's. In the early 1960's the BEACH BOYS symbolized what's called the southern California "Youth Culture" of Hot Rod Cars and Surfing. The Crows have stopped fighting.

My boss believes the BEATLES sensed the feelings of many young people in the mid-1960's. And he thinks that other guy named Bob Dylan wrote some songs about how the United States was changing too. I'll be writing more about the 1960's in my three long books.

BEACH BOYS

I've mentioned a few times how, because I'm afraid to go all the way down the Hallway in the house I can't listen to as much music as Daisy does. I've only heard one BEACH BOYS song and I really like it because it has a flute in it. Dais says it's called "Sloop John B."

One time when Daisy and that other Dog Millie were in our boss's Bedroom they heard him tell that kid Jason about hearing Sloop John B when he was away from home. And every time it made him feel really "Homesick." Dawn and Blinky are barking right now.

Besides the flute in that song Sloop John B, I like how the BEACH BOYS sing. Dais told me the BEACH BOYS are three brothers and a Cousin and you can really tell their voices all blend together well. In my books I'll write about what they call "A Capella" singing.

SANDY

In my three books I'll write a lot more about songs Mr. Steve associates with growing up in Sylmar. Dais says the BEACH BOYS have a good song about a girl named "Rhonda." When our boss hears it he thinks about his girlfriend Sandy's friend named Rhonda.

Mr. Steve and Sandy, when they were going to Sylmar High; used to do things with Rhonda and her boyfriend named Ronnie. I guess that guy Ronnie died a few years ago and so did his wife "Celeste." Mr. Steve says Ronnie was a good-hearted and decent person.

Sister Rita Joseph and the other Nuns who taught by boss at St. Ferdinand's are all dead but, as I've said before; in a philosophical way still live in his mind. Sister Rita Joseph knew a lot about the history of thought. Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now.

FRIEDRICH HEGEL (1770-1831)

PAINTING BY JACOB SCHLESINGER Because my boss and his father have studied philosophy, as I've said before; in my books I'll learn about that subject too. And one German philosopher who I'll find more about is that guy named Friedrich Hegel. Two of the Pigeons just flew in from the desert.

I guess "Hegel" lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries and his brother died fighting Napoleon's France. Hegel influenced later thinkers, like Karl Marx and Friedrich Nietzsche for instance. The Pigeons landed on the Patio roof above me down here on Elvira.

My German Dictionary says the phrase "Weltanschauung" means "world view" and I guess that phrase began in the mid-19th century. Mr. Steve once met this smart lady from "Stuttgart" where "Hegel" was from. Boy! I'm sure glad I have all of these Dictionaries.

SIGMUND FREUD (1856-1939) / CARL JUNG (1875-1961)

In my three books I'll write about these two guys named Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung. They were "Psychiatrists" and I guess were friends until they became "Competitors." "Freud" was a German Jew, while "Jung" grew up in that country called "Switzerland."

This Encyclopedia says Freud, who was about twenty years older; considered Carl Jung to be his "heir apparent" or "successor." Jung was his "Disciple." The caption below the picture says how Sigmund Freud "for a time" thought of Jung as "Joshua to his Moses."

I guess Carl Jung said that he "doubted everything" just like an 18th century Philosopher Immanuel Kant, who I'll learn about later. Jung's idea of society's "collective unconscious" in a way sounds like "Zeitgeist" or "Weltanschauung." The Pigeons are cooing up there. "HEGEL'S DIALECTIC" METHOD

This Encyclopedia says one thing that guy Friedrich Hegel is known for is his "Dialectic" method. And Hegel's method is defined as an, "interpretive formula in which the contradiction between a proposition or "thesis," and its "antithesis" is resolved." Dawn's barking.

Wow! Philosophy is kind of hard to understand. It says here the contradiction between the thesis and antithesis is "resolved at a higher level of truth." And that "combining of opposites" or "resolution," is then called the "synthesis" which becomes a new thesis.

As I've said, Mr. Steve thinks that many things in life are dual in nature so good comes with bad and bad comes with good. And you can't have one side without the other side. In a way it kind of sounds like Hegel's Dialectic believes in the two sides of everything too. IMMANUEL KANT (1724-1804) KARL MARX (1818-1883)

My Encyclopedia says Hegel, like Carl Jung; was also influenced by Immanuel Kant. And then, later in the 19th century; some of his ideas influenced writers and thinkers like Karl Marx. Kant, Hegel and Marx were all German but very different in personalities.

I guess Karl Marx used Hegel's Dialectic method when he wrote about the subject of what's called "Materialism." As I've said a few times already today, Marx wrote about "Capitalism" versus "Socialism" and "Communism." Now Dawn and Blinky are barking.

This is kind of interesting. It says here that, in using Hegel's formula; Marx predicted some day there might be a "bloody revolution" where the "exploited working class," or "Proletariat;" might overthrow the "Bourgeoisie" middle and higher classes. I smell Sage.

SUPER BOWL ( 2008)

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS VS. NEW YORK GIANTS

PHOTO BY DAVID TYREE

This morning I wrote about how my boss thinks many things in life are "two-sided," and like in Hegel's Dialectic; are "Proportionate." So the bigger the good, the equal "Potential" for bad; and vice versa too. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny the Crows are flying bye up there.

I said earlier how the 2008 New England Football team went into the "Super Bowl" with an 18-0 record, but lost so; the entire season was considered a big failure. It wasn't. Mr. Steve's Nephew's Dalton and Austin in Connecticut are big "Fans" of the New England Patriots,

One time Daisy and Millie heard Mr. Steve talking to one of his "Jeep" customers about a Car called the "Patriot." The Parts Manager said they first came out in 2006 and are made in the State of "Illinois." I smell Andy over there guarding the entrance to their burrow.

2014 JEEP "PATRIOT"

Daisy heard the Jeep Parts Manager tell Mr. Steve the Patriot is a "compact crossover" Sports Utility Vehicle. He said there are three "models" and can come with either two or four "wheel drive." Andy sniffed the air and I can tell he smelled me over here sitting on Elvira.

According to what Daisy heard that one time, since 2009 there's a version of the Patriot Car powered only by electricity. Mr. Steve "Faxed" some of his black and white line drawings for that Parts Manager's kids to color. Their favorite Baseball team is the New York "Mets."

Over the next three days I'll write about the 1977 trip my boss and his brother Rock took, where they visited their Uncle Marty's family in "New Jersey." One time, as they were driving their rental Car around New York City; a good song came on the radio. I smell Mesquite.

HEART

In August of 1977, as my boss and his brother Rock were driving around "Manhattan;" the song they heard was by a band from the State of Washington called HEART. It was about a Fish called a "Barracuda" I guess. I've never heard it but Daisy has and really likes it.

When Mr. Steve heard that one HEART song he thought of a girl in his philosophy class at C.S.U.N. The year before, in 1976; she had jokingly predicted that in 1977 there might just be a Hard Rock band with a strong female Singer. And she used Hegel's method to do it.

I can't wait for the day when I get over my fear of being trapped in an area with no escape route so I can go into Mr. Steve's bedroom and watch more tv and listen to more music. I want to hear that song Barracuda. Daisy told me how HEART is mainly just two sisters.

FOGHAT B.T.O. BAD COMPANY

The reason that girl in the philosophy class predicted HEART'S song Barracuda is because in 1976 some Hard Rock bands like FOGHAT, BACHMAN TURNER OVERDRIVE and BAD COMPANY had some "Hit" songs. Heathcliff just crowed over there next door.

I guess, in the mid-1970's; there were also hit songs by girl Singers like Olivia Newton John and Linda Ronstadt. And the CARPENTERS, who I wrote about before; also had popular songs then too. Someday, I really want to hear Karen Carpenter sing; and play drums.

One morning, as my boss was watering the Mulberry tree up there in the front yard; he and Mr. Randy talked about the "Barracuda" Fish that HEART'S song is probably about. I guess, a few years ago; Mr. Randy's friend caught a Barracuda in Florida. I smell Mesquite.

"BARRACUDA"

As I've said before, I'm mainly scheduled to write about things like Sharks which live in the water tomorrow in book two. But, because I wrote about HEART'S song; I just kind of feel like mentioning a little bit about Barracuda Fish's now too. Dawn's barking over there.

I noticed how Mr. Steve described Barracuda's as "snake-like." He said some of them grow to be almost six feet long, which is as tall as he and Mr. Randy both are. Oh my God! A picture in this one Encyclopedia shows how they have sharp teeth sticking out of their mouth.

The caption below the photo says Barracuda's are "ray-finned predator" Fish who mainly live in "Tropical" or "Subtropical" Oceans. Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy they often swim near the "surface" or "in and around" Coral Reefs or Sea Grass areas. I really like Dawn.

1970 PLYMOUTH "BARRACUDA"

When he was young, my boss had this friend who drove a 1970 "Plymouth" Car; called a "Barracuda." Mr. Randy knew how that Car was fast because it had a "426 Hemi" motor which could produce 425 "Horse Power." Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just ran bye.

Mr. Randy thinks the Barracuda Car was "unlucky" to have "come out" in 1964 when that guy Lee Iaccoca's Ford "Mustang" was "Introduced" as they say. And then, in 1967; it's brand new "Body Design" was what they call "Eclipsed" by Chevrolet's first "Camaro."

According to what Mr. Randy remembered, the 1970 version of the Barracuda had kind of a "similar" body design to the 1969 "Dodge Challenger." Mr. Steve agreed with him on that, and both were right because; that's what it says in this Encyclopedia too. I smell Sage.

MR. RANDY

My boss told Mr. Randy how back in 1928, the year before the American "Stock Market" started to go down; an "Auto Maker" named Walter P. Chrysler created this "New Line" called Plymouth. He named it after that early 17th century British colony. Sage smells good.

I can tell Mr. Randy knows about Cars, Trucks and things like that. And, because they're both about the same age; he likes some of the same music as my boss. I remember how one time Daisy said they both like some songs by a 1970's Hard Rock band called FOREIGNER.

Mr. Steve told Mr. Randy about how, in August of 1977; he and his brother Rock heard a FOREIGNER song called "Cold as Ice. They were driving around New York City on a really hot and humid day with a "Garbage Strike" going on. Cold as Ice refers to the bad smell.

FOREIGNER

Mr. Randy remembered how that band FOREIGNER got their name from the fact that a few of the members were American while others grew up over there in England. One was in that band SPOOKY TOOTH who I mentioned this morning. Dawn and Blinky are barking.

I guess some of the guys in FOREIGNER came from this other English band called KING CRIMSON. Daisy says Mr. Steve has some KING CRIMSON vinyl records and played one of them for that kid Jason who plays guitar. I'll write about KING CRIMSON tomorrow.

I've never heard any FOREIGNER songs but Dais has and told me how some of them are what they call "Ballads" while others are Hard Rock. She says Mr. Steve used to play his drums along to their songs "Double Vision" and "Dirty White Boy." I smell some Mesquite.

"TRIGGER"

Mr. Steve was told how, before FOREIGNER; that band from New York City was called TRIGGER just like the smart Horse. I've mentioned how Trigger's owners, Roy Rogers and his wife Dale Evans; lived here in San Bernardino County with their kids. Dawn's barking.

I guess my boss was also told that singer Willie Nelson also named his old acoustic guitar Trigger too. As they talked about the 1977 New York City Garbage Strike Mr. Randy helped my boss load our Truck Rex with things to be taken to the Dump. Now Blinky's barking.

According to Mr. Steve, it smelled really bad in some areas of New York City in August of 1977. As he and his brother walked from their rented Car to Yankee Stadium to see a game big piles of trash were on the sides of the roads. Fannie and Freddie are flying bye right now.

NEW YORK CITY

I'm so tempted to write more about New York City right now but, I'd better just wait and do it according to the outlines Dais and I prepared. I know on Saturday in my third book I'll do a lot more on the subject. The scent of Libby the Horse just floated in from my right.

As they loaded Rex the Truck I heard Mr. Randy say how one of his favorite girl singers is named Linda Ronstadt. I'm also scheduled to write more about her on Saturday too. I can now see old Libby over there walking around really slowly near the fence of her Corral.

Boy! I'm so tempted to write about about that girl Linda Ronstadt. I guess she grew up in the State of "Arizona" to our east, and Mr. Steve and his friend Mark Ritter who died; thought she was pretty. Rudy the Roadrunner jogged bye but he senses I won't chase him.

LINDA RONSTADT

Even though I'm mainly planning on writing about Linda Ronstadt in book three I can also mention a little bit about her now too. According to what Daisy and Millie heard our boss tell Mr. Randy one time, he thinks she's really pretty. Heathcliff just crowed again.

Dais overhead Mr. Randy say that Linda Ronstadt grew up on a "Ranch" near a city called "Tucson." I guess, when she first came to California; her Drummer and Guitarist were the guys who later started that band the EAGLES. Mark Ritter lived near Tucson for a while.

Speedy Gonzalez just zipped through the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to go into the eastern desert. The dust he raised is floating up in the air but he's now what they call Long Gone." Boy! I'm still thinking about what music was like way back in the 1970's.

CAPTAIN AND TENILLE SEALS AND CROFTS BAY CITY ROLLERS

PHOTO BY MICHAEL OCHS

In the mid-1970's three popular bands were the CAPTAIN AND TENILLE, SEALS AND CROFTS and the BAY CITY ROLLERS. Mr. Steve has a Sailor's hat like the one the Pianist in the CAPTAIN AND TENILE'S wears. The Captain and Tenille were married Dais heard.

Mr. Steve told his friend Randy how some of the BAY CITY ROLLERS, who are from the country of Scotland; for a time lived in the San Fernando Valley. Mr. Steve's brother Sam cleans pools for a living and used to clean their swimming pool. The smell of Mesquite came in.

I guess SEALS AND CROFTS were from Texas where Mr. Steve's brother Rock lives with his son's Rocky Jr. and Jacob. In the 1970's SEALS AND CROFTS' families lived in the city of San Fernando. My boss told Mr. Randy one time he's not sure if they still live there or not.

HUMMINGBIRD

PHOTO BY MICHAEL LEVINE

Oh! What a coincidence. Just as I'm about to write about how Mr. Steve's customer over in Texas told him SEALS AND CROFTS' daughters have a band called HUMMINGBIRDS who do I see? It's Max and I heard him coming from near Libby's Corral over there to my right.

My boss told Mr. Randy the Parts Manager in Texas said SEALS AND CROFTS also had a song about Hummingbirds too. Mr. Steve knew because he has this 1972 SEALS AND CROFTS vinyl record with that song on it. I guess my boss was only seventeen back in 1972.

Daisy says that SEALS AND CROFTS album also has a song about Summer breezes. She thinks Hummingbirds must be symbolically important to this one religion called "Bahá'i," which SEALS AND CROFTS are members of. Heathcliff is crowing over there to my right.

"BAHÁ' I" TEMPLE ("HAIFA," ISRAEL)

I've mention a few times already today how, back in 1985; Mr. Steve's parents organized a two week trip over there to Italy and Israel. And one place the Tour Group's bus drove bye in Israel was a Harbor town called "Haifa." They saw a Bahá'i Temple there.

The Tour Guide named Chaim knew about the history of the Bahá'i "Faith" and said it was founded by a man from Persia in 1863. Some really big American Civil War battles, like the one at "Gettysburg;" were fought in that same year. I smell some Mesquite.

Mr. Steve says SEALS AND CROFTS used to get Chinese food from this restaurant in San Fernando. He and his girlfriends Sandy, Emily and Harriet also got "Take Out" food there. Mr. Steve read that Dan Seals was born on October the 17th like his brother Rock in Texas.

BAHÁ U' LLÁH (1817-1892)

I just looked up Bahá u' lláh who founded the Bahá'i religion and my Encyclopedia says he and his followers were "persecuted" by the Ottoman Turkish Empire. A map shows how Bahá u' llah was imprisoned four times. Two Pigeons just landed on the Patio roof.

Back in 1985 that Tour Guide Chaim told Mr. Steve's group how Bahá u' lláh spent the last twenty years of his life in a prison at the ancient city of "Acre," which Alexander the Great once conquered. Acre is near Haifa I guess. The Pigeons are cooing up there.

My boss told Mr. Randy how, in 1971 he thinks; he could've seen a SEALS AND CROFTS and CARPENTERS concert at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium. But he went on a date with this girl named "Annie" instead. They had a good time so he doesn't regret it.

"SPIRITUAL" BELIEF SYSTEMS

This is interesting. According to what it says here in this Encyclopedia, people who follow the teachings of that guy Bahá u' lláh believe in the "worth" of all religions and also the "unity" of all peoples. I see the Pigeons shadows out there on the dirt in front of the Patio.

I guess in the Bahá i religion the worshipers all "focus" on the unity of three things; "God," "Religion" and "Mankind." And, it says here they also believe in three "divisions" of "reality;" "God," "Creation by God of the physical world" and God's Will." I smell Sage.

People like SEALS AND CROFTS, who are in the Bahá' i religion; think religion should be; "orderly, unified and progressive." The symbol of Bahá' i is a "nine-sided star." A black Cow Bird just used the right vertical slot on the side of the gate to run out into the desert.

"CRUCIFIXION"

Hey Lord! It's interesting how in my Encyclopedia it says a belief of Bahá' i is that an "all-knowing" God sends guys like You, the Buddha and Prophet Muhammad to "reveal" His will by founding some new religions. Two of the Pigeons are flying bye right now.

Wow! I got way off the subject of those World War II Zoot Suit Riots that happened down in Los Angeles. But, as Daisy heard that guy Rick Steve's say on his travel tv show about writing his "Script;" it's often a "Work in Progess." Dais says nothing is "Set in Stone."

In 1943, the second year of World War II for the U.S.; "civilians" also beat people up too as they hated the "Zoot" suits some young people wore. In a time of "rationing" they thought it to be "unpatriotic" to wear "extravagant" clothes. Mr. Steve thinks they enjoyed violence too.

MOVIE "MALCOLM X"

ARTWORK BY RUTH E. CARTER

Mr. Steve's friend Ralph told him about a 1992 movie about a guy named Malcolm X. I'll write about more about him on Saturday in book three when I write about Martin Luther King and O.J. Simpson. In that movie the Actors wore colorful Zoot suits.

I guess Mr. Ralph knows a lot about 1943's "series" of racially-related riots. White soldiers and civilians "rampaged," stripping off "flamboyant" Zoot suits and beating up those who were wearing them. Zoot suits were first worn by 1930's black Jazz musicians.

"Zoot" was a slang word used by Jazz musicians in the 1920's. Mr. Ralph told my boss that another word they "coined" was "Gig" which meant a "temporary" job. Mr. Steve jokes today, in a time of recession; that's just another way of saying a "poor-paying" job.

MR. RALPH / SON RORY

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I've mentioned my boss's friend Mr. Ralph a few times today. Daisy told me you can tell Mr. Steve admires his knowledge of subjects like Mexican history and things like that. One time Mr. Steve took some pictures of him, and also his son "Rory;" at the San Fernando Mission.

From what Dais says, Mr. Ralph was born in Mexico City but grew up here in Los Angeles. I mentioned before how he went to San Fernando High and, like our boss; was a friend of Bobby Chacon the Boxer from Pacoima. I smell the baby Cholla cactus out there in the dirt.

Mr. Ralph, just like that one Barber named Gary whose shop is in San Fernando; is kind of like a Historian of Boxing. Over the next three days I'll write about both of them because they've influenced my boss. Mr. Gary has bought some of the Boxing pictures Mr. Steve took.

"PACHUCOS"

PHOTO BY HENRY ROMERO

Daisy says Mr. Ralph told our boss about this one thing called the "Pachuco" movement. It took place out here in southern California during the depression of the 1930's, just before World War II and was sort of a show of "defiance." Heathcliff is crowing next door.

Mr. Steve once met a guy who said, in early 1942; his father and uncles all wanted to kill the Japanese-Americans and so did a lot of other people too. In 1942 the Washington D.C. Japanese "Embassy" was attacked by angry mobs. Speedy Gonzalez just ran bye.

Mr. Steve says it seems "human nature" is for some people in every group to want or maybe need? an "enemy." In 1942 he thinks many, if not most white people; disliked "People of Color" so were "predisposed" toward violence already. Hey Lord! I love God and people too.

REMOVAL OF JAPANESE-AMERICANS (FEBRUARY, 1942)

Some think Japanese-Americans, like Mr. Steve's family Doctors from San Fernando; were put in prison camps "for their own protection." My Encyclopedia says "Nisei" is the word for "Second Generation" people of Japanese "descent." I smell some Mesquite.

President Roosevelt signed the "Executive Order" creating the Internment Camps on the 19th of February. A few days later that Submarine shot at California and the false alarm in Los Angeles happened. February 19 is also Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Harriet's birthday.

Mr. Steve read that President Roosevelt, like most Americans in 1942; didn't like what they used to call "Orientals." Dais told me many Chinese, Japanese and Koreans like to be referred to as "Asian." I can hear a Motorcycle going bye out there in the eastern desert.

"442ND INFANTRY REGIMENT"

Even though I'm not scheduled to write about the 442nd Infantry Regiment until Saturday, I kind of feel like mentioning them now too. They fought in World War II against the Germans and the men in it were Nisei. And many even had relatives in the Internment Camps.

Wow! My Encyclopedia says how, "for its size;" the "442nd" is the most "decorated" unit in U.S. military history. I guess in 1943 they fought in Italy like Audie Murphy but, in 1944 they were also in the bloodiest battles in France where many were killed. I smell Sage.

I'm tempted to write about that photographer Ansel Adams right now but I'll just wait. He took pictures at that Japanese-American Internment Camp "Manzanar" I mentioned in the last chapter. Daisy says Ansel Adams took good pictures of California and New Mexico.

"DODGER" STADIUM

From 1977 through 1989 Mr. Steve's father bought Dodger season seats. Dodger Stadium was built in the "Chavez Ravine" where Mr. Ralph says Mexican-Americans were "displaced." But back in 1943 there was a "Naval Reserve Armory" located in Chavez Ravine.

In 1943 the soldiers who hunted the Zoot suit wearers were stationed at that Armory. Mr. Ralph and my boss discussed about how, in 1943; blacks, Mexicans and other racial minorities were also beaten up in Chicago, Detroit and New York City too. A Crow cawed.

Anyway, As I've said a few times already; I'll write a lot about World War II in books two and three. But I'm sure today in these last five chapters there will be things I'll mention about it too. Speedy Gonzalez ran bye and now the only thing left is the dust rising in the air.

Fannie and Freddie are flying bye and I can hear little Blinky barking over there next door. The scent of the Twin Joshua trees just floated into my nose from out there in the eastern desert behind the three Sheds. Boy! I'm beginning to like Blinky's voice more and more.

Oh! Hearing Blinky's voice is giving me one of those Déjà Vu feelings again. Another time when I smelled the Twins Blinky was barking too. Boy! Blinky is so brave and, even though he's kind of small in size; I'll bet he would be a really good father to some puppies.

Sitting back here on Elvira, underneath the wooden roof of the Patio; makes me realize how amazing a house is. My boss read people's first "Shelter" was Caves, the first "Dwelling" house might've been made of "Mammoth" bones and hides. A Mammoth is an extinct Elephant.

""PRE-HISTORIC" MAMMOTH BONE / HIDE HOUSE

Dais says Mammoths were bigger and hairier than Elephants, who now live only in Africa and India. They had thick fur like herself. She one time heard Mr. Steve talk with his brother Rock about times he's gone to the different Zoo's, like in San Diego; to take some pictures.

Boy! I wonder what an Elephant would smell like? Daisy and Millie saw this tv show that showed two huge boy Elephants using their giant teeth, trying to stab each other; so they could then have the right to be with the girl Elephants. I guess the long teeth are called "Tusks."

That tv show said "Wooly" Mammoths "resembled" the "Mastodons." Daisy says they're extinct too, and were smaller than Mammoths. Mastodons ate wood, while the Mammoths ate grass. Mastodon tusks are shorter and straighter than the "curved" tusks of a Mammoth.

MASTODON WOOLY MAMMOTH ELEPHANT

ART BY BARRY ROAL CARLSEN ART BY DORLING KINDERSLEY

This Encyclopedia says Mammoths and Mastodons lived from about the "Late Miocene" era through the "Pleistocene" period which ended about 8,000 B.C. A customer in the State of Georgia one time told Mr. Steve of a Heavy Metal band called MASTODON. I smell Sage.

The tv show said Mastodon "Molar" teeth chewed wood, while Mammoth teeth "evolved and adapted" for eating grass. Hey! That's like how, through "Natural Selection;" the beaks of the "Galapagos" Finches Charles Darwin studied were all so different. Sage smells good.

One time as they loaded Rex the Truck my boss and Mr. Mike talked about a place to the east of Piñon Hills called "Mammoth" mountain. Both have visited the town of "Mammoth Lakes," which Mr. Mike said is "hidden in the lower slopes." Daffy and Daisy are quacking.

"MAMMOTH" MOUNTAIN

PHOTO BY NOLAN NITSCHKE

My Encyclopedia says Mammoth mountain is a "lava dome," left behind when a volcano "erupted" about "fifty seven thousand" years ago. It last blew up "seven hundred" years ago. Mr. Mike was told that some people died from breathing gas there just a few years ago.

It says here Mammoth mountain is part of that "Sierra Nevada" chain, and just like the town of Wrightwood near us, people go there to ski. Dais heard Mr. Steve's Nephew Sammy Jr. likes to "Snowboard." His sister, and her two sons Dalton and Austin; all like to snow ski.

Daisy says Mr. Steve and his mom like images of "Nature," but are way more impressed by some painters ability to capture the "Likeness" of a person in a "Portrait." That's why the so admire Mr. Hussein who has that Coffee Shop down in Sylmar. He's really good at it I guess.

"BLUE BOY" "PINKIE"

PAINTING BY THOMAS GAINSBOROUGH PAINTING BY THOMAS LAWRENCE

Two of Mr. Steve's mom's favorite paintings are called "Blue Boy" and "Pinkie." They were painted by men from England and are "On Display" at the "Huntington" Library in L.A. We have a boy Bluebird who lives around here that my boss named after that painting.

Back in the 1980's Mr. Steve and his friends Mark and Helen worked at the Forum with a girl named "Pinky." She was also a Sales Person, and her husband was then the bass player for a band called LONE JUSTICE. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying toward the east.

One time I heard Mr. Steve telling his friend Randy about that one band LONE JUSTICE. I guess they played what some people call "Roots Rock" and their songs were at times described as "Cowpunk." Some Ducks are quacking but Daffy's voice stands out from the others.

LONE JUSTICE

According to what I overhead my boss tell Mr. Randy, that girl Pinky's husband was named "Greg." Besides being in LONE JUSTICE, he later also played in one of that guy Bob Dylan's bands. Mr. Steve said he thinks LONE JUSTICE'S girl singer is talented.

I guess Pinky's husband Greg wrote songs for Joe Cocker, Edgar Winter and Eric Burdon; the ANIMALS' original singer. He played bass for the ROLLING STONES' Mick Taylor. Greg Sutton worked with the BLASTERS' Dave Alvin, who Mr. Steve took pictures of.

Back in the 1980's, my boss Mr. Steve took pictures of that guy Dave Alvin; who had been in a Rockabilly band called the BLASTERS. Pinky's husband Greg is friends with Carlos Santana and the guys in Tom Petty's band the HEARTBREAKERS. I smell Spring Marigold.

TOMMY TUTONE

Pinky's husband Greg was in a San Francisco band for a while called TOMMY TUTONE. Daisy says they had a really clever, and catchy song; whose title was a girl's phone number. She thinks I would really like that song and it might even make me feel like dancing too.

Writing about the name Pinky makes me think about the color pink. As I wrote back in my fourth chapter when I mentioned that Drag Racer Shirley Muldowney, pink is now "associated with" or "symbolizes" the fight against "Breast Cancer." I kind of like pink.

I've mentioned before how Mr. Steve, besides giving money to individuals like Mark and his little Yorky Dog Karma who are homeless; also gives money to charities. One is to fight Breast Cancer because his Sister-In-Law Yolanda beat that Cancer. Heathcliff crowed.

LADY CÓRDOVA / MR. STEVE

I've mentioned before how I really want measure up to Mr. Steve's Dog Lady who lived to be nineteen years old. She and Daisy are my role models. According to what Dais told me our boss to this day has Lady's old pink collar hanging in the kitchen near his key rack.

Mr. Steve and his mom like to go to Museums and places like that. Someday it would be so great to visit a Museum or Library where I could learn many new things. Whenever Mr. Steve or his mother hear about some Library "Book Sales" they try to go to them.

I wonder if I could learn how to paint if Mr. Steve buys me the right equipment? I'll bet his mom would even lend me the paint brushes and things like that. Then later, if I became enough at it; we could even start the first Art School in history for all of us Dogs.

L.A.C.M.A.

I guess there are two Museums on a road called "Wilshire" Boulevard down there in Los Angeles. A Boulevard is a really big road with a lot of Cars Mr. Steve says. Living up here, in a small town; now makes him appreciate more not having what's called "Traffic."

A Museum on "Wilshire" is "L.A.C.M.A." That stands for "Los Angeles County Museum of Art" and, when Mr. Steve worked for those sports teams in the 1980's; he spent a lot of time in the area where L.A.C.M.A is located. Ah! Blinky's barking over there next door.

Mr. Steve has visited L.A.C.M.A. with his mom and girlfriends Sandy and Harriet and as a kid his classes sometimes took Field Trips there. Boy! It would be so great to be part of a group of Dogs who went on Field Trips. You know, I'm beginning to really like Blinky's voice.

LA BREA "TAR PITS"

Near L.A.C.M.A. is the "La Brea Tar Pits" Museum where fifty thousand year old bones from "Mammoths" and "Saber Toothed Lions" are at. And they have skeletons from these big things called "Sloths" Daisy says. I wonder what a real Sloth would smell like?

Even though I'm not scheduled to write about her until book two and three, I think I'll mention this Nun named "Sister" Wendy now too. Like Mr. Steve's mom, Sister Wendy knows a lot about Art History. Mr. Steve told Mr. Cliff she's also a "military historian" too.

I guess Sister Wendy's British, and had a tv show about Art History; like what Mr. Steve's mom still studies. In 1999 he drove his mom to L.A.C.M.A where they met and shook hands with Sister Wendy. He didn't tell his mom he had lost almost all of his money a month earlier.

"SISTER" WENDY BECKETT

PHOTO BY "REX"

My boss thinks Sister Wendy's smart, his mom likes how she "condenses" information in a way the average person can understand. That guy Rick Steves, on his European travel show is also good at that too Dais told me. Oh! I just smelled the new little baby Cholla cactus.

Mr. Steve says Sister Wendy is "witty" and "unpretentious." He once read that, just like his Grandma Trujillo; she loved doing these things called "Crossword Puzzles." Daisy told me our boss's mom used to be good at putting together or "Assembling" cardboard puzzles.

Also like Sister Wendy, Mr. Steve's mom really likes the paintings of Diego Velázquez and Edouard Manet. "Velazquez," lived way back in 17th century Spain; while "Manet" was a 19th century Frenchman. All four of the Pigeons just flew together out into the back desert.

DIEGO VELÁZQUEZ (1599-1660) EDOUARD MANET (1832-1883)

SELF-PORTRAIT SELF- PORTRAIT

Because my boss's mother knows about Art History Daisy has me scheduled to also learn about that subject in my books. Looking at what are called "Self-Portraits" of Velázquez and Manet I can see why Sister Wendy and Mr. Steve's mom like their work. I smell Sage.

One time, as they were sawing up some dead Joshua trees; I heard my boss tell Mr. Mike about how hard it is to do self-portraits. Doing "Portraits" of other people is "hard enough" he said, but portraying yourself; must be even more difficult. Smelling Sage is so great!

Mr. Steve's parents often eat at this place in Sylmar called "Coffee and Cream." The man who owns it, "Hussein;" is from the country of Egypt. I guess he did some really great portraits of Michael Jackson the singer, and that one Basketball player named Kobe Bryant too.

"COFFEE AND CREAM"

My boss told Mr. Doug he and his mom think Mr. Hussein is a talented portrait painter. And Mr. Steve's mom doesn't even know who Michael Jackson or Kobe Bryant are. Because of the economy Mr. Hussein is not lazy, and works fourteen hours a day; six days week.

Mr. Steve thinks Sister Wendy might like the way Mr. Hussein uses "light and dark" in his paintings and, more important; I guess he also makes good food. Mr. Doug, who still lives down in Sylmar though his wife Susan died; eats at Coffee and Cream. Boy! I'm getting hungry.

Sister Wendy had "Epilepsy" Mr. Steve read. In the 9th Grade at Alemany High School he and his brother Rock knew this kid named "Martin" who was also "Epileptic." One time he had a "Seizure" playing Basketball and, to this day; I guess my boss still thinks of it.

SAINT VITUS ( 290-303 A.D.)

Some think Julius Caesar might have also been epileptic and, Mr. Steve was told that guy PRINCE has epilepsy. This Encyclopedia says St. Vitas was killed because, as a thirteen year old Roman kid; he converted to Christianity. Epilepsy seizures are called "St. Vitus Dance."

Hey Lord! It says here that St. Vitus is one of those "Martyrs" I've mentioned before. He was tortured and killed by the Emperor Diocletian for wanting to believe in You. Oh! He's the "Patron Saint" for the Protestant "Methodists" I mentioned back in the last chapter.

Aha! No wonder an epileptic seizure is called St. Vitus Dance. It says here that St. Vitus is "venerated" by us Christians as the "Patron Saint of Dancing" so, maybe I should also pray to him; seeing as how I love to dance so much. Andy and Helen just ran into their hole.

RICK STEVES

I've mentioned Rick Steves who, like Huell Howser; has a tv show about traveling. Huell Howser visits places in California, Rick Steves goes to different European countries. He visited a big huge Cathedral dedicated to St. Vitus in the "Czech Republic" Daisy told me.

I guess that guy Rick Steves was born here in California. I mentioned the city of Barstow in chapter seven and that's where Rick Steves was born, although Daisy says our boss was told he and his family now live up there in the State of Washington. I smell the Arborvitae.

Oh! I wonder if Lizards can have epilepsy? I remember that one time when Dais and I, on the north side of the house; watched that one big Lizard "Spasming" and shaking around before it finally died. Samson and Delilah the Raven's had a really good meal on that day.

BLACK SABBATH

I'm still thinking about how people like Sister Wendy, Julius Caesar and PRINCE; were born with epilepsy. Daisy says our boss likes, and tries to play drums along to; this song by that band BLACK SABBATH called "St. Vitus Dance." I'd like to hear that song someday.

Daisy and Millie both liked the BLACK SABBATH song St. Vitus Dance. But I guess they liked even better another song on that BLACK SABBATH album called "Under The Sun." Two of the Pigeons just flew bye right now and are winging their way toward the northeast.

One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve talking on the phone with his friend Ralph about that lady Sister Wendy. Mr. Ralph read she was what they call a "Cloistered" Nun. Daisy thinks it might mean she lived in one of those "Convents," totally "Cut Off" from the outside world.

THOMAS MERTON (1915-1968)

Writing about Sister Wendy makes me think about this writer named Thomas Merton who Mr. Steve and his father have read. He was a Catholic "Monk" who, like Sister Wendy; lived in a "Cloistered" Monastery. As a "Hermit," he was often not even allowed to talk.

I guess for years Sister Wendy lived in a trailer without heat. The money she made from tv and books she wrote was given away. Hey Lord! Sister Wendy and Thomas Merton spent a lot of time praying in "Solitude," while "Renouncing" most of the "Worldly Pleasures."

Daisy says our boss sometimes reads while sitting in the bathtub. And, because he heard Thomas Merton was electrocuted to death when this lamp fell into his bathtub; he only reads on really sunny days. As I mentioned this morning, someday I want to see a Bathroom.

DALAI LAMA

My Encyclopedia says that Thomas Merton had friends from other religions, like the "Dalai Lama who's Buddhist. Even though he was Catholic just like us; Thomas Merton wrote about a Buddhist concept of what they call "Zen." Heathcliff is crowing next door.

Daisy says our boss once met a nice older Chinese lady at the "Oviat" Library at C.S.U.N. I guess the lady explained to Mr. Steve how Zen is one type of Buddhism that originated in China and then spread to other areas around the world. And one place was Japan.

The lady said the word Zen is actually a Japanese "mispronunciation" of the Chinese world "Chán." She told my boss for Zen Buddhists three things are important; "self-control, "insight into the nature of things" and "meditation." Mr. Steve sometimes meditates.

REINHOLD NIEBUHR (1892-1971)

Hey God! From what it says here in this Encyclopedia, Zen Buddhists believe in "accepting the things they can't control" just like that guy Reinhold Niebuhr, who was a Christian "Pastor" in the city of Detroit for a few years. I started this book with his prayer.

I feel like saying Reinhold Niebuhr's "Serenity" prayer right now as a matter of fact. "God grant me the serenity to accept all the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference." Mr. Steve's mom believes in that.

This Encyclopedia says Reinhold Niebuhr's parents came to America from Germany in the late 19th century. Their son became an important 20th century "Theologian." Mr. Steve's mom has a copy of his Serenity prayer stuck on the front of her Kitchen refrigerator.

CALIFORNIA "HIGH" DESERT

Hey God! Looking at the eastern desert behind the Sheds for some reason made me feel like looking up that guy Reinhold Niebuhr now. This Encyclopedia says some of his ideas are called "Christian Realism." I can smell some of the Joshua trees behind the three Sheds.

I guess Lord, from what it says here; Christian Realism is "built" mainly on three what they call "biblical presumptions." And the first is that people are "inherently sinful" and any idea of "human perfectibility" is an "illusion." My boss and his dad also believe that too.

Hey Lord! Christian Realists believe in the "freedom" of humanity so, I guess that probably means they believe in "Free Will" the way Mr. Steve does. Max the Hummingbird just whizzed bye right now, moving from my right to my left. I knew I had heard him coming.

"CRUCIFIXION"

Well Lord, I guess that guy Reinhold Niebuhr really believed in the "Great Commandment"
You said to do. And that is, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul; and with all thy mind." Boy! I think I want to believe in that idea too.

From what Daisy told me; Mr. Steve and his father have read other things Reinhold Niebuhr wrote about besides religion. Reinhold Niebuhr wrote about politics and what my Encyclopedia calls "public policy." The beautiful high blue sky is so clear right now.

According to what it says in this Encyclopedia, Reinhold Niebuhr's ideas are still influencing a lot of people even today. Oh! That guy Martin Luther King Jr., and also ex-President Jimmy Carter too; are some of them. Heathcliff is crowing again over there next door.

DIETRICH BONHOEFFER (1906-1945)

Just like that one writer George Orwell was a student of Aldous Huxley, this other German man named Dietrich Bonhoeffer took classes from Reinhold Niebuhr. Daisy says Mr. Steve and his dad read a book about Dietrich Bonhoeffer. I smell the new baby Cholla cactus.

Oh! I notice in my Encyclopedia that Dietrich Bonhoeffer was hanged by the Nazi's on April the 9th. And, in looking at my list of dates; I notice how that's my boss's old girlfriend Emily's birthday. Speedy Gonzalez the Squirrel just sprinted bye in front of the Sheds.

Mentioning Zen makes me think about when my boss and this Parts Manager in the State of Montana talked about a Basketball player named Phil Jackson. Later, as a Coach; Phil Jackson was nicknamed the "Zen Master." The dust that Speedy stirred up is floating.

COACH PHIL JACKSON

I've mentioned before how my boss Mr. Steve has been doing his job since 1999. And when he and the Parts Manager in Montana talked that one time Phil Jackson was the "Head" Coach of the Lakers. But, I guess before that he had been the Coach of the Chicago Bulls.

As I wrote earlier, Mr. Steve hasn't followed "Popular Culture" entertainment for a while. So, during all of those years when Phil Jackson was the Lakers' Coach; he saw only one game in person. A flock of small Birds is moving towards the northeast right now.

I guess the only game my boss saw was in 2004, when he and some kids sat "way up high" in what he jokingly calls the "nose bleed" section at the "Staples Center." That single game was a "Playoff" game against this team called the Detroit "Pistons." The Lakers lost.

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

As I've mentioned before, for a few years in the mid-1980's; Mr. Steve and his friends Mark and Helen worked as salespeople for the company that owned some of the different L.A. sports teams like the Lakers. My boss also took pictures in those days. Ah! I smell new Sage.

Mr. Steve was told Phil Jackson was raised as a "strict" Protestant "Pentecostal" Christian who aren't even allowed to dance. Boy Lord! That would be hard for me not to do. He at times burned Sage in the "Locker Rooms" of the teams he coached from what my boss heard.

In my books I'll learn about these guys named Michel de Nostredame and Edgar Cayce. And I'll also look up this place in ancient Greece called "Delphi" where girls called "Oracles," whose job was to predict the future; worked. That one first guy is just called "Nostradamus."

PHIL JACKSON (NEW YORK "KNICKERBOCKERS")

In ancient Greece, before you went in to see the Oracle so she could predict your future, you first had to read up on the wall two things to think about. One was "Nothing in Excess," and the other thing up there on the wall was "Know Thyself." Heathcliff is crowing over there.

Mr. Steve heard Phil Jackson, when on the New York "Knicks," knew he wasn't good on "Offence" so; adapted and played good on "Defense." I guess he did "Crossword Puzzles, like Grandma Trujillo and Sister Wendy. I'll learn about New York City in my three books.

Dais heard Mr. Steve tell his mom on the phone Knicks is short for "Knickerbockers," what the "descendants" of New York City's original Dutch colonists of New York City were called in this one book by a guy named Washington Irving. Heathcliff crowed.

TOM BRADY

Mr. Steve hasn't followed sports for a long time but thinks Phil Jackson is probably the best "Professional" Basketball Coach in history. His teams have won eleven Championships which is hard to do he says. His teams use a "Triangle" Offence which "Creates Space."

In book two I'll write about a Football Quarterback named Tom Brady. Mr. Steve has only seen him play on tv a few times but, as with Phil Jackson; thinks he must be one of the best of all time just because of his winning so many "Super Bowls." A Duck is quacking.

Even though I'll mainly write about Tom Brady tomorrow, I just feel like saying a few things about him now too. I guess he's Roman Catholic just like us. One of Mr. Steve's customers up in northern California told him that Tom Brady's older sister was a good athlete too.

TOM BRADY FATHER JUNIPERO SERRA STATUE

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I guess Tom Brady's High School is named for Father Serra who I wrote about earlier. He went to College in Michigan but was a low "Draft Pick" of the New England "Patriots." He was not what's called "Highly-Rated" and didn't do well in the "Tests" to be a "Pro."

As I mentioned this morning back in chapter four, the Patriots are Mr. Steve's two Nephew's Dalton and Austin in Connecticut's favorite team. Mr. Steve has been told that Tom Brady, like the women in our family; is good at "Doing more with Less." I smell Sage.

My boss hasn't really seen that guy Phil Jackson coach, or Tom Brady play; that much. But he's definitely noticed how both seem to be disliked by a lot of people. He told his friend Rick it is most likely because of "jealousy" and "envy." A Train just whistled faintly.

"ROMAN" CATHOLIC NUNS

This morning I mentioned how Sister Rita Joseph at St. Ferdinands explained the difference between "Objective" versus "Subjective." Subjective is when each person is "Entitled" to their "Opinion." Objective "Truth" leaves no room for "Biases" or "Prejudices."

Hey Lord! As You know already of course, my boss Mr. Steve was told that Tom Brady's dad really believes in You; like Daisy and I do too. We all want to think You were special and told us a way to try to live a better life. I hope to meet all You Guys someday up there in Heaven.

Mr. Steve thinks, though being considered "The Best" at something is subjective; Tom Brady must be the best, or at least one of the best Quarterback in history. No Quarterback has ever in hstory won so many Super Bowls. But he also has a great Coach to work for too.

JUNIPERO SERRA HIGH SCHOOL (SAN MATEO)

Objectively, Tom Brady has led his team to more Super Bowl wins than any Quarterback in history. His Catholic High School is in the city of "San Mateo" which is near San Francisco Bay area. That one Train just whistled again to my left. I like being a Catholic.

My Spanish Dictionary says San Mateo means "Saint Mathew." I've mentioned before how my boss's brother Sam, who lives in Littlerock with his wife Yolanda; has a son named Mathew. And their other kids, who are younger than "Matt;" are Sammy Jr. and Raqquel.

Mr. Steve was told Tom Brady is not a fast runner, and doesn't have the strongest arm; but is smart. What makes him good is how, each season; he adapts to the type of offensive players his team has in that particular year. Anyway, I'll come back to Tom Brady tomorrow.

CLAIRE ROTHMAN

Writing about Phil Jackson makes me think of that lady Claire Rothman, who I mentioned managed the Forum in the 1980's when Mr. Steve and his friends Mark and Helen worked there. Dawn and Blinky are barking at something. I wonder if Blinky likes how I smell?

This morning I wrote how my boss admired Claire Rothman because, in some ways; she reminded him of his Grandma Córdova. I guess, both were "Firm but Fair" in how they dealt with things. Mr. Steve used to call her "Miss Rothman" according to what Dais heard.

Daisy says over the years, especially as a kid growing up down there on Hagar Street in Sylmar; Mr. Steve was at times "Teased" for being what they call a "Momma's Boy." One time he even got in a fight over it. But, the reason he got mad was; it's true Dais thinks.

MR. STEVE'S MOM

Mr. Steve's mom, in doing things like leading a Girl Scout Troop; was influenced by her own mom and her Mother-in Law. Without saying a word, when they looked at you in a certain way; you just knew they were telling you something. Someday I want to be a mom too!

I wonder if there's such a thing as a "Momma's Girl?" One time Daisy heard Mr. Steve and Mr. Ralph talking on the phone and he used the term "Daddy's Girl" because in some ways thinks his sister Susan is a Momma's Girl, and Daddy's Girl too. Heathcliff is crowing.

Oh! Both nostrils just picked up the scent of that Rosemary plant out there behind the Sheds. Hey Blessed Mother! Since I don't remember my real mom, in a way I kind of think of You as my mom and wouldn't be embarrassed to be called names. In fact, I'd like it!

DALAI LAMA / POPE JOHN PAUL II (1984)

Oh well! I feel like writing a little bit more about the Dalai Lama. I can also write about him tomorrow. A picture shows him with Pope John Paul II and I guess it was taken the year before my boss took pictures of the Pope in Rome. Heathcliff is crowing over there.

Hey Lord! As You know, Mr. Steve and his father think the Dalai Lama seems like a decent person. But they think it's unrealistic to believe there will be a time when all people "get along" because many people will always like to hate and use violence. I hate all Flies.

The Dalai Lama, in some of the things he says; sounds like You Lord. I wrote how Sister Rita Joseph explained the difference between "Sympathy" and "Empathy." Mr. Steve thinks many people are often neither one. I guess Aldous Huxley believed violence was "Innate."

PIGEONS ON PATIO ROOF

Two Pigeons landed on the Patio Roof and I think they're Fred and Ethel but they could be Lucy and Ricky. As I've said, sometimes it's hard to tell them apart; especially from a distance. Oh! To my left I hear the faint whistle of a Train going bye in the northern desert.

Throughout my books I'll write about Railroad Trains and things like that. The ones that go bye our house are called "Freight" Trains and are close to the California Aqueduct I mentioned earlier this morning. The Pigeons are cooing above me up there on the Patio roof.

I've mentioned before how, for almost fifty years; Steve's Grandpa Trujillo worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad company loading and unloading freight. My English Dictionary says that freight mainly means, "Transported goods." I hear that Train whistling again.

"PASSENGER" TRAIN (1950'S) "FREIGHT" TRAIN

When they were growing up Mr. Steve's family took Train trips to Belen where many of their relatives still live. Those trips were because Grandpa Trujillo worked for the Santa Fe Railroad. Nowadays, because of Planes; way fewer people use Trains to travel I guess.

From what I heard my boss tell Mr. Cliff, the Freight Trains that go past Piñon Hills also go bye Littlerock too. The tracks are right near Mr. Steve's brother Sam's house. I can tell that those two Pigeons are walking around up there on the Patio roof above me.

Oh what the heck! Even though it's on my book two outline, thinking about the Dalai Lama makes me want to write about the highest railway in the world. It's in "Tibet" where the Dalai Lama is from. Dais got to see a good tv show about the "Qinghai-Tibet" railroad.

"QINGHAI-TIBET" RAILROAD

I've mentioned before how, ever since 1949 when that guy Mao Zedong came to power after World War II; China has been ruled by "Communists." This Encyclopedia says that in 2006 the current Chinese government finished that railway line in Tibet. Dawn's barking.

Wow! That railroad was built on the "Tibetan Plateau" at 16,000 feet above sea level. This morning I wrote about here in Piñon Hills we're about 4,100 feet above sea level. It says here the rail line over there in Tibet was built on what they call the "Roof of the World."

Dais told me the tv show said, in building that rail line so high up in the air; the Chinese had to "overcome" some really huge "engineering obstacles." One was how to keep the ground the tracks were on solid. It says here unfrozen "Permafrost" is an "unstable" surface.

DIVER SWIMMING TO THE SURFACE

I've mentioned how Mr. Steve's sister Susan lives in Connecticut with her sons Dalton and Austin. She used to "Dive" in deep water, so knows all about this really bad thing called; "The Bends." That's what happens if the Diver goes up to the surface of the water too fast.

Daisy told me, on that tv show about the rail line in Tibet; it said there is less "Oxygen" at "High Altitude." So, it's way harder to breathe; and you could even die from trying to work so high up there in the air. The Pigeons just took off and are flying out into the desert.

Special "Decompression" rooms are for people to feel better after going way up in the air or deep down in water. If you don't stay in that room long enough, you might die Daisy told me. I guess, you could kind of say that this couch Elvira is sort of my area to decompress. RADIOHEAD

PHOTO BY PAT POPE

A few years ago Mr. Steve met a girl who liked a 1990's British band called RADIOHEAD. The only song he'd ever heard by them was called "The Bends" so she played him some of their other songs too. His impression was that they sounded kind of sad somehow.

In book three I'll write about that "27 Club," or musicians like Jim Morrison, Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix who died at age twenty seven. That girl joked RADIOHEAD'S singer could have ended up in that club. She thought RADIOHEAD influenced COLDPLAY.

I guess the Bends, or "Decompression Sickness;" happens when "Nitrogen" gas in the body dissolves because of the pressure from being up high or down deep in water. So, you have to get the gas bubbles out of the body before going back to sea level. I smell Mesquite.

"TRANS ALASKA" PIPELINE

PHOTO BY DANIEL ACKER

I mentioned earlier how, back in the mid-1990's; Mr. Steve worked for his friend Rick's "Mechanical Contracting" company. So they did some jobs where they worked on pipes. I just looked up what's called the "Trans-Alaska" pipeline which was built in the 1970's.

According to what it says here in this one Encyclopedia, when the Chinese built that rail line in Tibet they studied the building of the Trans-Alaska pipeline. They needed to know how to keep the ground frozen and hard. Blackbeard and Anne Bonny are flying bye right now.

In mid-1973, after graduating from Sylmar High; this guy Mr. Steve and his friends knew went to Alaska to work on the pipeline. That was after an oil shortage where people sat in long lines to get gas. Mr. Steve and his brother Rock even slept in their Cars to get gas.

"POTALA" PALACE ("LHASA," TIBET)

PHOTO BY RON GATEPAIN

The Chinese built that one rail line to, "boost Tibet's economy" and "raise the Tibetans standard of living." But the Tibetans thought the real reason was to control the area and "erode their "cultural identity." The Dalai Lama is now living in what they call "Exile."

Hey God! Thank You so much for the Sun's warmth right now as it's making me feel so good. Now, knowing from personal knowledge what Winter is and how cold it can get; I've got to get up the courage to go in the house. But the tunnel Hallway is so scary to me.

Burr! It was really cold on some of those Winter nights when I slept out here buried into my couch Elvira. She kept me company, and helped me a lot so; I want to be loyal to her. Boy! I sure am glad God You decided to have me brought over here to live on these two acres.

"TUNDRA" ("DISKO" FJORD / GREENLAND)

PHOTO BY DENNIS MINTY

Even though I'm not really scheduled to write about this type of land called "Tundra" right now, finding out about a cold area like Tibet makes me suddenly think of it. Ah! Out of the corner of my eye I noticed a Lizard on the Patio floor near Miss Emily's Coffee Table.

This Encyclopedia says the name Tundra comes from a Russian word meaning "upland treeless mountain." It's an "elevated region" of "low temperatures" and very "short growing seasons." That one little Lizard just ran underneath the Coffee Table right now.

I guess there are three areas with Tundra's, the northern "Arctic" at the top of the Earth, the southern "Antarctic" at the very bottom; and high mountains in the middle. The "Andes," "Pyranees," "Alps" and "Himalaya's" are all what they call "Alpine" type Tundra.

2014 TOYOTA "TUNDRA"

Dais says one time a man driving a "Toyota Tundra" came over to our house. She thinks I would've really liked that big Truck because it was royal blue and so shiny too. Mr. Steve, Miss Babette, Susan and Karin sell things to Toyota dealerships all over the United States.

I can't believe I'm over halfway done with this first book. I've already learned so many new things, and gotten a lot of good practice reading and writing by looking things up. Boy! It's already getting kind of late in the day and yet I haven't even had a single snack today.

As I've mentioned, the warm Sun makes Daisy's feet feel better. When it's cold they really hurt so Mr. Steve takes her into the house at night but I'm still afraid to sleep inside of the house. Thank You God for supplying me with this really warm couch Elvira back here.

"BEAVERTAIL" CACTUS

Oh! I just picked up the faint scent of that group of "Beavertail" cactus behind the three Sheds. Wait until Daisy hears this because she likes the way Beavertail cactus smell and me too. Thank all of You Guys way up there in Heaven for this really good day so far.

Because she can't see that good, Daisy relies more on her other senses I notice. She'll like it when the first "Fuscia-Colored" flowers "Bloom" on the Beavertail cactus, and I know for sure that Mr. Steve will too. Dawn is barking faintly over there next door.

That lady Miss Susan says Beavertail cactus are also called "Prickly Pear." They're short vertically but horizontally grow wider. As I mentioned this morning, I have shorter hair so stay away from all cactus while Daisy has really thick fur but still avoids cactus too.

NORTH AMERICAN BEAVER

Daisy told me all about Beavers so I'd like to smell one someday. Daisy thinks they'd smell unique because they spend most of their time swimming around in water, and even build their houses below the water. Their tails do look like Beavertail cactus "Pads" I notice.

You can eat Beaver Daisy says but, if you do have to kill one; then you should afterward say a prayer of thanks to the Universe the way American-Indians do. They thank the Beaver's spirit for allowing them to survive by its death. Beavers have sharp teeth Dais told me.

Beavers must be able to "Hold their Breath" for a long time. Daisy says they use their teeth to cut down trees and build amazing underwater houses. I wonder if I'd sink all the way down to the bottom if I were ever in deep water because I'm not sure if I can swim.

JEDEDIAH SMITH (1799-1831)

I just thought about this man named Jedediah Smith, who was mainly an "explorer" of the west about twenty years after the Lewis and Clark expedition. But he was also a "Fur Trapper" for Beaver. I guess in the early 19th century hats were made of Beaver skin.

Hey Lord! Mr. Steve read that Jedediah Smith, unlike most of the other Fur Trappers; was "Literate" and didn't smoke, drink or use bad words. Some say, in his explorations; he carried a Bible and a copy of Lewis and Clark's Journals. Boy! I want to be literate too.

Mr. Steve told his friend Frank that Jedediah Smith, in the 1820's; was the first American to come to California. He crossed the "Rocky" and "Sierra Nevada" mountains and his expedition also went through what are now the States of Utah and Nevada. Dawn's barking.

NORTH AMERICAN "GRIZZLY" BEAR

Oh wow! This Encyclopedia says Jedediah Smith, who was six feet tall like Mr. Steve; got "mauled" by a Grizzly Bear. His ear was clawed all the way over to the other side of his head so another Fur Trapper pulled it back and sewed it on. I'd be afraid to meet a Bear.

I guess after that Jedediah Smith, who also had ribs broken by the Bear; wore long hair to "disguise massive scars." People said the ear was too high on his head and it was backward too. Boy! I wonder if Jedediah Smith could even hear anything with that one ear?

Mr. Steve was told that, in 1827; the original route Jedediah Smith and his men used to come into California is now what would be the #15 Highway. I guess it's about fifteen miles to the east of where we live here in Piñon Hills. Two of the Pigeons just flew into the desert.

"SAN GABRIEL" MISSION

In 1827, after entering California; Jedediah Smith and his men went down to "Mission San Gabriel" which Father Serra established. I've written about how, in the 18th century; he set up the first nine Missions up here in Alta California. I still smell the Beavertail cactus.

The maps and "Journals" Jedediah Smith made later in the 1840's; influenced John Charles Frémont who I mentioned before. This one Encyclopedia says that in 1831 Jedediah Smith was killed by "Comanche" Indians on his way to New Mexico. Dawn's barking.

Writing about Fur Trappers and explorers of the American West in the early 19th century makes me remember this other guy Hugh Glass. My Encyclopedia says he was from the State of "Pennsylvania." Like Jedediah Smith, he was also mauled by a Grizzly Bear.

HUGH GLASS (1783-1833)

It says here Hugh Glass was so badly injured that two other Fur Trappers took all his things and "left him for dead." But he wasn't dead and, when he woke up alone; was really angry. Not only did his body have many really huge "gashes" but his leg was broken too.

Wow! Hugh Glass, over a six week period; had to crawl over two hundred miles back to an American Fort. He survived by knowing which "roots" and "berries" were safe to eat. Ugh! I guess Hugh Glass let some maggots eat out all of the infection from his big cuts.

I've mentioned how Mr. Steve thinks revenge is a powerful motivator. Hugh Glass wanted to kill those guys who left him but I guess "In the End" decided to forgive them. In 1833, two years after Jedediah Smith died; Hugh Glass was killed by some "Arikara" Indians.

CHARLES LUMMIS (1859-1928)

AUTRY MUSEUM OF THE WEST

I kind of went off topic again. But smelling that Beavertail cactus made me think of things. But right now I'll write about this man named Charles Lummis. My boss and his mom one time went to see the house he lived in which has now been made into a good Museum.

According to this one Encyclopedia, that guy Charles Lummis was a "journalist" who wrote for the "Los Angeles Times" Newspaper. At a time when most people thought Native-American Indians were inferior, he didn't. Daisy told me Mr. Steve reads the L.A. Times.

Wow! Way back in 1884, Charles Lummis walked all the way across the United States, over three thousand miles; so he could come out here to get that job as a writer. I guess Los Angeles had only about twelve thousand people living here then. I smell Cher the Cat.

"LLANO DEL RIO"

PHOTO BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

Mr. Steve says the "Lummis House" Museum was made using big boulders as the walls. Earlier I mentioned how the ruins of the early 20th century "Socialist" community "Llano del Rio, are made of rocks too. The Monarch Butterfly is fluttering bye right now.

Daisy says our boss's Grandma Trujillo died at that Retirement Center at the top of Maclay Street in Sylmar. But before that, for about a year; she lived in this Retirement Center down in the city of San Fernando. I guess its walls were also built using big boulders too.

One time my boss told Mr. Mike how people called the San Fernando Retirement Center the "Rock House." But because that's what they call places where some illegal drugs are sold; the Catholic Nuns who ran it stopped calling it that. Mr. Mike thought that was funny.

TEDDY ROOSEVELT (1858-1919) AND FAMILY

As Mission Tour Guides Mr. Steve and his parents knew of Charles Lummis' "Landmarks Club." This Encyclopedia says Theodore Roosevelt, President of the U.S. at the time of Llano del Rio; was Charles Lummis' "Classmate" at "Harvard." I smell some new Spring Sage.

Oh! I wonder if Mr. Steve knows this? My Encyclopedia says in 1888 Charles Lummis lived in New Mexico at a place where "Pueblo" Indians live called "Isleta." And I guess Isleta is near Belen where both of Mr. Steve's parents grew up and some relatives still live.

Over the next three days I'm going to write a lot about the different American Presidents like "Teddy" Roosevelt. And I'll write about New Mexico too. During the "Spanish-American" War in 1898 many of Teddy Roosevelt's "Rough Rider" soldiers came from New Mexico.

HEATHCLIFF II

Heathcliff just crowed. As I mentioned, Daisy noticed him crowing in the middle of day too but said some Roosters crow during the day but usually not Heathcliff. His father Heathcliff I at times used to crow sometimes even during the middle of the day she told me.

Maybe Dais is right and Heathcliff is happy in announcing the birth of new baby Chickens so wants to tell everyone. Males do things like that she says. Mr. Steve's father and brothers say you do feel like cheering when a baby is born. The scent of Sage just floated in.

Aha! I knew I was being "observed." This Lizard is standing down there on the Patio floor near the Coffee Table Mr. Steve's ex-girlfriend Emily gave him. My boss sits on the edge of that Coffee Table sometimes when he comes out here to enjoy the beautiful sunrises.

DAISY CÓRDOVA

Heathcliff just crowed again! Dais is probably right and he's just so happy it's Spring. She's usually right when it comes to things like that because she has a lot of experience. Hey God! As You know, Daisy had babies and if You give me babies I'll take good care of them.

I can't wait to take my last big break after this chapter or the end of part one. Daisy was so impressed at how I used these Dictionaries she found in the Garage. On my first big break at the end of chapter four, or part one; I told her how I've been improvising as I go along.

This old couch Elvira is so comfortable! To my left, on the other side of all the Encyclopedias and Mr. Steve's legal research books; is a dome-shaped Dog House called an "Igloo." Daisy says it's in the shape of snow or ice brick Houses they make in areas where it's really cold.

ARTWORK BY ESKIMOWIKI CLIPART

One time on a Saturday morning Daisy and I were watching cartoons and they showed how a real igloo looks. Mr. Steve once met a guy from Alaska who said his dad taught he and his two brothers how to build a temporary igloo in just a few hours. I smell Libby over there.

The Igloo over there is for me but when Mr. Steve tried to put me inside I panicked and even scratched his arm trying to escape. Someday I might be comfortable enough to go in there but I kind of doubt it. There are two more Igloos up in the front yard near the Driveway.

"Truth be Told" as they say, Daisy doesn't feel very comfortable inside an Igloo either and on warm nights prefers sleeping out here with me on Elvira. On cold nights Mr. Steve takes her in the house. Eskimos must be really smart to have figured out how to make real Igloos.

Oh! The chimes are ringing! A breeze just came in from the eastern desert. Is that You Holy Spirit? I hope so. I've been feeling You Guys all day. When I took my first big break after part one and visited Daisy she said she also feels how special today seems to be.

On my big break after part one Daisy told me Rudy the Roadrunner jumped up on the Bird Bath to drink water this morning. Then he caught this Lizard and, as he did a few minutes ago; body-slammed it to death before eating it. I wonder if Rudy's a girl or boy?

Even at this time of day there are Birds Mr. Steve jokingly calls "scavengers" who dig in the dirt for every speck of the seeds Mr. Steve spreads on the ground under his Office window. And I'll bet the Bird Bath still has some water in it too. Sometimes Mr. Steve re-fills it.

RUNNING ROADRUNNER

Rudy the Roadrunner seems to read the Lizard's minds. Like a good World War II Fighter Pilot shooting at another Plane, he runs to where the Lizard will be and then "Intercepts" it. It sometimes almost looks like magic when he does that while running at full speed.

Mr. Steve's father says that there are times in life when you, "Win by Losing" or "Lose by Winning;" and Daisy agrees with him on that. When you lose by winning it's called a "Pyrrhic" victory and is named after an ancient Greek King "Pyrrhus." Dawn's barking.

Boy, I couldn't do without all these Dictionaries and Encyclopedia's. Daisy jokes that, in the unlikely event I ever caught Rudy; it would be dumb to kill him because then I'd lose all of the enjoyment I get in chasing him. I'd never eat Rudy! No way! Ugh Ugh! Nope!

KING PYRRHUS (319-272 B.C.)

I looked up "pyrrhic" and it means, "too costly a victory." This Encyclopedia says, in 280 B.C.; that Greek King Pyrrhus defeated a Roman army and killed thousands of Roman soldiers while not losing nearly as many men from his own army. A Raven cawed faintly.

Whereas in 280 B.C the Romans had an almost "unlimited supply" of soldiers, the Greeks did not. So, even though King Pyrrhus lost fewer men in that winning battle; he kind of lost. He could possibly even run out of enough fighting me while the Romans would not.

King Pyrrhus could win "Tactical" battles but, in "In the Long Run" as they say, he would "Strategically" lose the war. Mr. Steve and his dad think they've both had times when they lost in winning or won by losing. I smell that new baby Cholla cactus over there in the dirt.

AMERICAN CIVIL WAR (1861-1865)

I'll mainly write about the American Civil War tomorrow but will also write a few things about it today too. Today I'll kind of do what's called an "Overview" so then, when I write about particular battles in my other books; it will be easier to understand. Dawn's barking.

The American Civil War was fought in two "Theaters." The more well known Theater was fought back east, while the "Western Theater" was in the areas around the "Mississippi" River. And inIn both of the two Theaters there were some really huge bloody battles I guess.

In the Civil War's "Eastern Theater" Robert E. Lee, for over three years; led his "Army of Northern Virginia" and beat four Union Generals. But, on his "second invasion" of the North in 1863 he lost the Battle of Gettysburg. Then for two years he was "On the Defensive."

GENERAL ROBERT E. LEE (1807-1870)

I really like when someone paints a black and white photo like the one in my Encyclopedia showing Robert E. Lee on his boy Horse "Traveller." I've mentioned him before. I glanced up from my work and, looking to my right; see Libby the Horse over there in her Corral.

Robert E. Lee invaded the North twice during the Civil War knowing that the Rebel States couldn't win a "War of Attrition." He beat Union armies but, the South eventually lost the war anyway. The Northern Union armies just simply had way more "men and material."

Aha! Alpha Company of Quail are filing in through the two thin vertical openings on either side of the gate. I see Angeline and her babies. "Scout" Quails" have already signaled that the "Coast is Clear," so now they'll stream around the northeast corner of the house to my left.

CIVIL WAR SOLDIERS

Mr. Steve says in the American Civil War the "Union" North had "Canon Fodder" in the Irish and German "Immigrants" coming into America. Mr. Cliff joked Canon Fodder is just a way of saying "expendable lives." And he also joked about "Collateral Damage."

I guess, when Abraham Lincoln was elected American President in 1860, some Slave States "Seceded" or; "left the Union." Later, other States like Robert E. Lee's "Virginia" broke away too. There ended up being eleven Southern "Confederate" States. Dawn's barking.

Robert E. Lee knew the rebellious States had a big "Disadvantage in not having nearly as many "Able-Bodied" men able to "Bear Arms." But in 1861, both sides were "Overconfident" about it being a short war. I smell Able Company who went under Moe the middle Shed.

QUAIL COVEYS

PHOTO BY DAVID MACKAY

Yup! Three Able Company Scouts are now running toward the northeast corner of the house at the end of the patio to my left. Mr. Steve says Quail groups move like armies in the days before "Radio Communication." They don't even know I'm here on Elvira.

I guess, during the Civil War; Army Scouts were called "Pickets" or "Skirmishers." I'd be a good Skirmisher I think. Oh! There now goes Alpha Company's "Main Body," streaming to the corner of the house. Boy! Angeline is so much larger than all the other Quail.

I've mentioned a few times how Birds come to eat the Bird Seed and Chicken Scratch Mr. Steve spreads out on the ground below his office window. But it's probably all eaten up by now. Wow! It's so cute the way Quail run and especially all of the new baby Quails.

"KOREAN" WAR

As I've mentioned, Mr. Steve's father was an "Artillery Spotter" during the Korean War. I smell Libby over there in her Corral and that suddenly makes me think about that girl Horse named "Reckless;" who was in the Korean War. Alpha Company are all gone now.

What the heck! I'm scheduled to write about Reckless the Horse tomorrow but I can write about him now too. If I could use Mr. Peabody's Time Machine I'd go back to smell Horses like "Comanche" who survived the Battle of the Little Big Horn and Reckless. I smell Sage.

Mr. Steve met a man who, like his dad; fought in the Korean War as a member of the "1st Marine Division." He told my boss Reckless the Horse was brave, and smart; in carrying things on battle fields. As I said earlier in this chapter, she and Comanche became "Mascots."

RECKLESS (1948-1968)

This Encyclopedia says that Horse Reckless was bought by a Marine for two hundred and fifty dollars. She was a three year old girl "Mare" Horse like Libby over there. That ex-Marine told Mr. Steve Reckless was a "Pack Horse." She was only "thirteen hands" tall.

Wow! It says here in the 1953 "Battle of Outpost Vegas" Reckless made fifty one trips up and down this mountain and was brave even when a big battle was going on all around her. She just kept on doing her job of delivering heavy "Artillery Shells." I smell a Lizard.

A shell is like a big bullet that cannons shoot and during the Korean War the 75 Millimeter cannons used shells that each weighed from twenty to twenty three pounds. Wow! Reckless was smart. It says here how, back in 1953; she did her deliveries "solo" or "on her own."

KOREAN WAR (U.S. MARINES)

That ex-Marine said Reckless was "awarded" two "Purple Heart" medals for "catching" two "rounds" of "shrapnel" in the 1953 battle. That means she was wounded twice. According to this one English Dictionary shrapnel is defined as, "fragments of often hot metal."

During that 1953 battle Reckless, all by herself; "delivered" nine thousand "pounds" of shells. On her way back she "evacuated" and "saved" wounded soldiers by carrying them thirty miles to safety. Aha! I see the Lizard standing in the dirt near the baby Cholla cactus.

Mr. Steve's father "Saw Combat" in the Korean War. One time he and other Marines were "Ambushed" by Chinese and North Korean soldiers in a three-sided "Coordinated" attack that turned into a vicious "Firefight" where some Marines were killed. A Crow cawed.

KOREAN WAR (RADIO OPERATORS)

Mr. Steve's dad's unit came under a "Heavy Volume of Fire" and "All Hell Broke Loose" as they say. The Marines fought back against what my boss's father later described as being a "relentless barrage." For a time they were even in danger of being "Overrun."

I guess, when they say "Black on Amo" in a war; that just means your getting really low on ammunition. Luckily for Mr. Steve's dad, they were able to keep all those North Koreans and Chinese "At Bay" until "Reinforced;" and the "Heat taken Off." It was a "Close Call."

Mr. Steve's father knows what blood smells like, because there were a few times during the Korean War; when some of the other soldiers were bleeding what they call "Profusely." And he jokes, he also knows what fear smells like too. All four of the Pigeons are flying bye.

NIGHTMARE

Mr. Steve's dad occasionally has bad dreams about the Korean War. He remembers blood gushing or pumping out of big open wounds. He'll never forget the "stench" of rotting bodies or how it smells when intestines are exposed to air in a really bad "abdominal" wound.

Hey God! I haven't had any bad dreams lately about being abandoned by my first owner and living homeless in that field. I've decided to do what Daisy said a man on tv said, "It's better to forgive and forget than forget to forgive." Boy! I really like that one old saying.

From what I heard Mr. Steve tell Miss Susan that one time, he still at times has nightmares about times he's broken bones or had big cuts. But in those dreams there's no one around to help him get over to Dr. Sakaguchi's office like in real life. Crows are fighting in the desert.

CLYDE BARROW (1909-1934)

During the Korean War Mr. Steve's father usually carried an "M1 Carbine" rifle. But in that firefight, when another guy was killed; he picked up and used his "Browning" Automatic Rifle. In the 1930's that guy Clyde Barrow, from Bonnie and Clyde; used a "B.A.R."

Mr. Steve read that General Patton really liked the "M1." As I've said, tomorrow in book two I'll write a lot about World War II and the American Civil War, and on Saturday I'll find out about the First World War. George Patton was involved in both of the two world wars.

I kind of feel like writing right now about this guy from the State of North Carolina named David Marshall Williams. He was the one who what they call "Designed" the M1 rifle. Fannie and Freddie the Crows are flying bye and, as they often do; are talking to each other.

DAVID MARSHALL WILLIAMS (1900-1975)

What the heck! Even though I'm not scheduled to write about David Marshall Williams until tomorrow, I just feel like mentioning him now too. This Encyclopedia says that, during the 1920's; he made "Moonshine" during "Prohibition" when alcohol was illegal.

Miss Susan says there were "Moonshiners" here in Piñon Hills during the 1920's. It says here David Marshall Williams went to prison for killing a Police Officer but, in prison became a "Gunsmith" so; was let out to design guns. Daisy says they made a movie about him.

There are actually two M1 types I guess. Both are "Semi-Automatic" and the "Garand" version is big and heavy, the "Carbine's" smaller and lighter; with less of a "kick." It says here David Marshall Williams invented the "short-stroke piston" with a "floating chamber.

"M1" SEMI-AUTOMATIC RIFLES

This one Encyclopedia has a picture of the two types of M1's, which the caption says have "internal magazines." The Carbine version uses what's called an "external interchangeable box magazine," which my boss called a "Clip" for bullets. Two of the Pigeons flew bye.

My Dictionary says a Carbine is a "short-barreled rifle," but both of the M1's fire .30-caliber bullets. Semi-Automatic means, as fast as you can pull the trigger each time; a shot is fired. In "Fully-Automatic," you pull the trigger once; and the gun keeps on firing.

In my three long books I'll learn about what they call "Machine Guns." Daisy one time heard Mr. Cliff say how, at the end of World War II; this fully-automatic "M2" came out or was "Issued" to the soldiers. Mr. Cliff used some of them during the Vietnam War I guess.

"VIETNAM" WAR

Mr. Cliff said the M1 Carbine had "disadvantages." The Garand was more "reliable," and had more "Stopping Power" over 150 yards; which Daisy jokes is just another way of saying "Killing" power. It sounds like there are two Crows fighting out there in the desert.

My boss told Mr. Cliff how his Uncle Marty, back in the mid-1960's during the Vietnam War; was one of those "Medics." Uncle Marty is Mr. Steve's dad's youngest brother. They also have two other brothers named "Gil" and "Casey, an their sister's name is "Lydia."

Grandpa Trujillo worked for the "Santa Fe" Railroad for forty seven years, and never missed a day; even when he was sick or injured. I want to be "Reliable" because I know my boss values "Dependability." He's also had some jobs where he never missed a single day too.

EDWARD R. MURROW (1908-1965)

Tomorrow in book two I'll write about 1940 and the World War II "Battle of Britain." A "Radio Broadcaster" Edward R. Murrow became very famous then and later, during the Korean War; Mr. Steve's dad got to know his Nephew "Jimmy." But, he saw Jimmy die.

Mr. Steve and his dad went to a city called "Montrose," where his father met Edward R. Murrow one time. At times he still thinks about Jimmy Murrow and has even had dreams about him too. I guess there used to be a band from Northern California called MONTROSE.

I'd like to be described as "brave and steadfast" the way Reckless the Horse is called in this one Encyclopedia. Boy! It would be so great to be "Decorated" like Reckless. She was a "War Horse." I guess after the Korean War Reckless was taken back to the United States.

LIBBY

I just noticed Libby over there looking in this direction. That one man told Mr. Steve about how Reckless, after coming over here to America; became a Marine Corps "Mascot." Wow! I guess Reckless was "given the rank of Sergeant." I'd like to be a Mascot.

Another thing that man told Mr. Steve is how, when Reckless was "Off Duty;" she walked around the Marine Camp and was even allowed to go inside the tents. And Reckless was smart. When the North Koreans and Chines bombed them she went into a "Bunker."

Hey God! This Encyclopedia says after that Horse Reckless was brought back to the U.S. from Korea she had four babies. Did You cause that to happen as a reward for being so brave and courageous? I guess "Filly" means girl Horse. That one Lizard just ran away.

STEVE CARLTON

On Saturday I'll write about this guy Steve Carlton. He was a good Baseball "Pitcher" for the Philadelphia "Phillies." His girl Cousin "Bonnie" had a "Tack Shop" in San Fernando even though both were originally from Florida. I can smell Libby the Horse over there.

Even though I'm going to write about Steve Carlton on Saturday, I'll say now how in 1972 he won 27 games for a bad Phillies team whose record was 59-97. My boss told Mr. Randy that means just one Pitcher had 46% of the wins! Mr. Steve was seventeen back in 1972.

I looked up the Philadelphia Phillies and my Encyclopedia says the Franchise is; "the oldest, continuous, one-name, one city franchise in American professional sports history." Mr. Steve says, like the Chicago Cubs who I wrote about earlier; they've had a lot of bad teams.

JAMES H. CARLETON (1814-1873)

Even though I wasn't scheduled to write about him until tomorrow when I write about the American Civil War, writing about Steve Carlton makes me feel like mentioning this other guy named James H. Carleton. Daisy says he sounds kind of mean. A Crow cawed.

My Encyclopedia says in 1862, the second year of the Civil War; James Carleton was sent to New Mexico to "subdue" the "Navajo" and "Mescalero Apache" peoples. He told Kit Carson to go kill all the Indian men and then put the women and children in a "Reservation."

I guess in 1863-1864 James Carleton "unleashed" what's called "Scorched Earth" on the Navajo and Mescaleros. He burned their crops so they starved and gave up. I'll write about the different "Trails of Tears" tomorrow when I write about that guy Andrew Jackson.

NAVAJO "CODE TALKERS"

PHOTOS BY STEVE CÓRDOVA

I'll write about Navajos and Apaches in my books. On December 7, 2001 Mr. Steve's dad helped "Organize" an event in the Valley which "Honored" some of the World War II Navajo "Code Talkers." December the 7th is the day the Japanese attacked us.

This is interesting. According to what it says in this one Encyclopedia, Navajo Indian men were used as Radio Operators against the Japanese in the Pacific Theater of the Second World War. Now the other two Pigeons are coming back in from being out in the desert.

Daisy thinks it was so smart to use those Navajo Code Talkers. They just spoke in their own language I guess, which the Japanese couldn't "Decode." Mr. Steve's father was what they call the "Master of Ceremonies" at that one event back then in 2001. I smell some old Sage.

WORLD WAR I ("CHOCTAW" INDIAN "CODE TALKERS")

Oh! It says here the idea of using "code talking Native-Americans" is from World War I and not the Second World War. I guess, in 1918 the American's used "Choctaw" and "Cherokee" men as Code Talkers against the Germans. Dawn's now barking.

In the Second World War, besides those Navajo's; "Lakota," Meskwaki" and "Comanche" did the same thing in North Africa and Europe. I've mentioned how my boss and his dad think "Cryptography." or code breaking; was the main reason the Allies won the war. I smell Sage.

That Writer Edgar Allen Poe was interested in Cryptography. Anyway, I'll come back to this subject tomorrow in book two; when I learn about World War II. In my left nostril I picked up the scent of Theodora's favorite Creosote bush just to the left of Jack the big Shed.

GROVER CLEVELAND ALEXANDER (1887-1950)

PAINTING BY ARTHUR K.

I smell Libby, which makes me think again about the Philadelphia "Phillies" Baseball team. From what it says in this Encyclopedia, the Phillies "franchise" started in 1883 so that's over one hundred years old! Daisy told me Mr. Steve has customers in Pennsylvania.

Besides Steve Carlton, the Phillies had an early 20th century Pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander; who's in the "Hall of Fame." I guess he was named after that one late 19th century American President who I'll write about. I like the color "burgundy" or "maroon."

I wonder if Mr. Steve knows that, before being called the Phillies the team used the name "Quakers" or "Philadelphians." It says here they've had "long periods of struggle," and went seven decades before going to the World Series. I'll learn about the Quakers in my books.

"SERGEANT" RECKLESS (U.S.M.C.)

Wow! A picture in this Encyclopedia shows that Horse Reckless's special sweater with her name on it, and the caption says the Marines promoted her to "Sergeant." Boy! It would be so great to have my own personal name written on a suit the way that band DEVO does.

Aha! It says here a young female Horse is called a "Filly," so that's where the Baseball team got its name. Wow! A statue of Reckless is in Virginia. And the Marines put up a "plaque" at "Camp Pendleton;" where Mr. Steve's father did "Basic Training" or "Boot Camp."

Boy! It would be such an honor to have a statue of yourself put up. But, a plaque would be pretty good too. Mr. Steve's parents have a plaque with their names on it down there at the Capistrano Mission, where Mr. Steve and his mom had their Art Exhibit back in 1993.

CIVIL WAR UNITED STATES (1861)

Well, now I have to write more about the American Civil War. I'll come back to the Korean War later. I kind of got off topic but I just felt like writing about Reckless the Horse. A map in this one Encyclopedia shows all of the "Free" and "Slave" States in 1961.

According to the map, when the Civil War "erupted" in 1861; California was a Free State. New Mexico, which at that time included what would later be the State of "Arizona;" was what they call a "Territory." Samson and Delilah the Crows are flying bye right now.

Mr. Steve says many people don't know that during the Civil War four Slave States did not leave the Union; Missouri, Kentucky, Maryland and Delaware. Thirteen Slave Stated did leave. Hey! That's just like how thirteen Colonies revolted and broke away from England.

QUARTZ HILL HIGH SCHOOL MASCOT (1970'S)

Mr. Steve did art for a guy from Antelope Valley where Frank Zappa and his customer Bob in Missouri grew up. That guy graduated from "Quartz Hill" High School which is kind of near Littlerock where Mr. Steve's brother Sam's family lives. A Duck is quacking.

For years the name of the sports teams at Quartz Hill were the "Rebels," based on a Civil War soldier. Their "Mascot," named "Johnny Reb;" carried a "Stars and Bars" Confederate battle flag with the "Saint Andrews Cross" on it. I can smell some Juniper.

That guy from Quartz Hill said, after many "legal battles;" the High School was established in 1964. It was decided that the name "Rebels" was fitting and "Appropriate." But then, back in 1995; the mascot Johnny Reb was replaced by a Revolutionary War "Patriot."

THEODORA

Oh! I just noticed Theodora the Thrasher Bird sitting in that Creosote bush she likes; the one just to the left of Jack the big Shed. I've mentioned how in book three I'll write about that Byzantine Emperor Justinian and his wife Theodora. Dawn's barking.

That guy who went to Quartz Hill High said, for years; the school had a special day called "Slave Days" where some students would "Auction Off" other students in order to raise money for the different "Student Clubs." Theodora is now looking over here at me.

According to what that guy from Antelope Valley told my boss, Quartz Hill High was almost all white. Antelope Valley High, where Frank Zappa went to; now has a lot of black students. So people in the Antelope Valley jokingly say "A.V." stands for "African Village."

CONFEDERATE GRAVESTONE (HOLLYWOOD FOREVER CEMETERY)

PHOTO BY KEVIN WAITE

Mr. Steve and that guy from Antelope Valley discussed how, as I mentioned earlier; in 1861 when the Civil War broke out many Southern Californians wanted to be a Slave State. As I said before, some even fought for the South and are buried down in Los Angeles.

I heard Mr. Steve tell that guy about Hollywood Forever Cemetery where those forty Rebel soldiers from California are buried at. There's even a big "Grave Stone" set up in their honor. Jack the Jackrabbit whizzed bye and now only his dust left floating in the air.

California became a State in 1851. In the 1850's, or years just before the Civil War; many people here asked the Federal Government to let Southern California become a Slave State. The Governor and many of the local Mexican "Californios" even wanted that too.

JOHNNY RAMONE (1948-2004)

PHOTO KE CLICK MEDIA

Mr. Steve told that guy from Quartz Hill Johnny Ramone was from New York City but was also buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. The RAMONES have a fast-paced song called "Blitzkrieg Bop." Tomorrow I'll write about World War II's Blitzkrieg warfare.

According to this Encyclopedia, since America's beginning in the late 18th century Slavery was "an issue." By then most of the northern States had what they call "Abolished" being able to own people. Two of the Pigeons are flying out into the eastern desert.

By the time of the American Civil War in 1861 the northern States didn't really need Slaves anymore because they were more "Industrial" and used machines. But the States down in the south were "Agricultural" so still needed "Manual Labor." That's what is says here.

AMERICAN SOUTHERN PLANTATION

PAINTING BY G.B. MCINTOSH

I guess, in 1861 when the Civil War broke out; the agricultural southern States were grew things like cotton and tobacco on "Plantations." Daisy says those are big giant farms. Mr. Steve sells cotton Baseball hats but most "Caps" he sells are made out of "Acrylic."

Thomas Jefferson wrote in the "Declaration of Independence" that; "All men are created equal." But he and Founding Fathers like George Washington owned Slaves. Mr. Steve thinks he might've meant only "white Protestant land-owning men" were all equal.

Mr. Steve says, in almost all areas of the world; Slavery has always been normal in history. Many Native-American Indian tribes in North and South America had Slaves and so did a lot of African groups. I can now hear a Crow clucking faintly somewhere nearby.

KARL MARX (1818-1883) WITH WIFE

Mr. Steve's father thinks there are Slaves even today. They just don't call them Slaves now but if you don't "control your own destiny" in life then, in a sense; you're sort of like a Slave. In chapter one I mentioned that 19th century German Jewish writer named Karl Marx.

Karl Marx wrote about the difference between "Socialism" and "Capitalism." Mr. Steve's father read his books where he writes about what are called "Wage Slaves" in Capitalism. Back in the late 1960's and early 1970's he had a school for "Stockbrokers."

Hey Lord! Even though You said to love God and other people, my boss thinks war, hate and intolerance seems to have always been more common than peace, love and understanding. In history the strong will almost always "take advantage of" the weak he told his mom.

Daisy's right Lord! She thinks if everyone lived their lives the way You said to do wars and fighting would be way less common down here on Earth. That lady Sister Rita Joseph, who was my boss's 6th Grade teacher; believed in that too and so does Mr. Steve's mom.

Mr. Cliff thinks many people still like, or need; to hate an enemy. In today's times they just need a good enough excuse like revenge to do it. Mr. Cliff , who mentioned "D.N.A.;" thinks the "enjoyment of violence" is "wired" or "built into" many people, especially males.

Mr. Steve and his father think one reason why that guy Adolph Hitler could go from a bum living in Vienna to almost conquering the world is because he "instinctively" knew the appeal of violence. His "Storm Troopers" were "Thugs" who liked to fight. A Crow cawed.

NAZI "BROWN SHIRTS"

My Encyclopedia shows Nazi "Brown Shirts" marching in the 1930's before World War II. In those days German Political Party's had armies like Hitler's "street fighting" "S.A." They had "bloody brawls" with Communists. S.A. means "Sturmagteilung" or "Storm Troops."

Hey Lord! As You know, Mr. Steve read one time how, when the Vikings started to believe in You; one of the biggest "obstacles" was convincing them that violence was bad. They thought, why would a the head God be weak? "Bashing Skulls" was just a normal part of life.

Many people like to feel "superior" Mr. Steve thinks. In the 19th century most people up in the north didn't want Slavery but that doesn't mean they weren't "Prejudiced" against blacks. They just really wanted the "Colored" people to stay down there in the south.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN WITH FAMILY

Mr. Steve says Abraham Lincoln, who was from "Illinois;" is now known for "Freeing the Slaves" in 1862 with his famous "Emancipation Proclamation." But, by "today's standards" he would be a "Racist." His wife's family back there in "Kentucky" even owned some Slaves.

From what my boss told Mr. Randy, for most of his life Abraham Lincoln believed there was no way "Inferior" free blacks could live among "Superior" whites without violence. For most of his life he wanted to ship the "Negroes" back to Africa. I can smell a Lizard nearby.

Mr. Steve has a book of Abraham Lincoln's "Letters" and in one he describes whites having babies with blacks as "disgusting." He used the word "amalgamation" which, according to my my Dictionary means; "To unite, mix or combine." Oh! I see the Lizard over there.

ANCIENT ATHENS

PAINTING BY PHILIPP FOLTZ

I once heard my boss and Miss Susan talk about how the United States is what they call a "Representative Democratic Republic." My Dictionary says "democracy" is, "Government by the people, either directly or through representatives." And it's under a "Rule of Law."

Oh! I guess "demos" means "the people" in Greek, and the word "Republic" comes from Latin. It means, "A government headed by a President, in which power is exercised by officials elected by voters." The Lizard ran under one of the boulders around the Mulberry tree.

Mr. Steve says one of the "original" democracies was in that ancient Greek city "Athens." But, the only ones who had "equal rights" were males; and Slaves were a big part of that society too. Ah! I just picked up the scent of the baby Spring Cholla cactus growing over there.

"CHECKS AND BALENCES" "CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION ( PHILADELPHIA / 1787)

PAINTING BY HOWARD CHANDLER CHRISTY

According to what it says in this one Encyclopedia, at the "Constitutional Convention" in 1787; the Founding Fathers "established" the "three-part system" of "Checks and Balances." They inteded that no "Branch" couldn't become too powerful. A Train whistled faintly.

I guess, the "Legislative" branch makes the laws, the "Executive " sees that those laws are carried out; and the "Judicial" interprets the laws. The Founding Fathers didn't want only one person, or just an "Oligarchy" of people; to have all the power. I smell some old Sage.

A tv show Dais saw said there's never been a "true democracy" where everyone had equal rights. Until us most governments have been "Authoritarian," or "Totalitarian;" where most people had no power at all. None! Zero! The U.S. is called an "Experiment in Democracy."

VOLTAIRE (1694-1778) MONTESQUIEU (1689-1755)

PAINTING BY JACQUES AUGUSTIN CATHERINE PAJOU

In my books I'll learn about French 18th century "Enlightenment" Writers "Voltaire" and "Montesquieu." Mr. Steve's father has an old copy of Baron de Montesquieu's book "Spirit of Laws," or "De l' Espirit des Lois" in French. It influenced the Founding Fathers Dais heard.

My Encyclopedia calls Montesquieu's book a "treatise" on "political philosophy," written over a twenty year period; and published "anonymously." The Founding Fathers believed in its idea of a "Separation of Powers" in government. I love the wigs people wore in those days.

Dais heard Mr. Steve and his father talking on the phone about Montesquieu. Mr. Steve's dad thinks, except for maybe that 16th century Italian guy "Machiavelli;" no one has had more influence on political philosophy than Montesquieu. Libby's walking slowly in her Corral. CATHERINE II / "THE GREAT" (1729-1796)

I guess, Mr. Steve's father thinks it's "funny" how Montesquieu's ideas "influenced" that Russian "Empress" Catherine "The Great." She was in many ways a "Despot" as described by what that book Spirit of Laws says. This Encyclopedia calls her an "enlightened despot."

Later, in the 19th century; Montesquieu's book was read by Alexis de Tocqueville. He was also from France, and traveled around a young America; then wrote a "Sociological" book about it. I'll find out a lot more about both Catherine the Great and "Tocqueville" in my books.

Daisy heard Mr. Steve's father say how Montesquieu "compared and contrasted" what he thought were the three primary forms of government. It says here de Tocqueville was like him in being one of those anti Slavery "Abolitionists" I've written about. Andy's looking at me.

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

My Encyclopedia says, every time the U.S. "expanded" westward in the first half of the 1800's or 19th century; the decision had to be made on whether the new area would be "Free" or "Slave." Most northerners didn't care either way but southerners did my boss thinks.

In 1861, when the American Civil War started; there were only "Contiguous" States but now there's "Alaska" and "Hawaii" too. Those two States aren't connected onto what they call "Continental" America. Mr. Mark's family live out there on the Big Island of Hawaii.

It was important how many new States were Free or Slave because of "Representation" or "Political Power" in the Federal "Congress" back there in Washington D.C. The "Legislative" Branch, or "House of Representatives" and "Senate;" make the laws. Dawn's barking.

AFRICAN LION FAMILY "PRIDE"

The tv show on democracy talked about how, in history; the "transfer of power" is often bloody. For the U.S.'s "experiment in democracy" to work it's necessary to have that process be peaceful. That's why the almost bloodless fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was amazing.

I guess, like with people like King Herod; a male Lion kills all the baby Lions if he takes over a group. Dais says, but first he has to fight other boy Lions. Wow! My Encyclopedia says a boy Lion can weigh five hundred pounds! So imagine how big his claws are! Ugh!

So far, there's always been peaceful transfers of power when one U.S. President replaces another through a "Citizens" vote. But, my boss and his father think someday that might not be the case; and there will be bloodshed. Left and Right really, really hate each other now.

SENATOR CHARLES SUMNER BEATEN (1856)

ARTWORK BY HARPER'S WEEKLY

Oh wow! An 1856 drawing shows "pro-slavery" South Carolina Senator Preston Brooks trying to kill "anti-slavery" Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner on the Senate floor. Boy! No wonder a war broke out four years later. Both sides must've really hated each other.

Mr. Steve thinks there could someday be another civil war in the U.S. but this time it will be between "Liberals" and "Conservatives." Both sides hate each other just as much as in 1861 when the first civil war started. Two Crows are fighting out in the desert right now.

My boss says there are over three hundred million Americans in 2014, and about the same number of "Legal" guns out there; most are owned by Conservatives. What's called the "Black Market" for illegal firearms is also huge. Many people now are "Armed and Dangerous."

"STURMGEWEHR" MIKHAIL KALASHNIKOV (1919-2013)

I heard my boss and Mr. Randy one time talk about how, from 1994 through 2004; there was a "Ban" on "Assault" rifles. But, even during that period there were a lot of people who got them anyway. Daisy saw a tv show about the "Ak-47." Donald the Duck is quacking.

My Encyclopedia says the "Ak" was invented in 1947 by a Russian man named Mikhail Kalashnikov. He "reverse engineered" the first "Sturmgewehr" Assault rifle created in World War II by the Germans. I guess in Russian Ak is short for "Avnomat Kalashnikova."

Mr. Steve has been told there may be another one hundred million illegal guns in the U.S. And most are also owned by Conservatives too so if a war breaks out they'll have an advantage. My boss's father thinks, if we ever go into an economic depression; war could break out.

PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA

The U.S. has the first "Black" President, Barack Obama; and Mr. Steve says he can tell many "aren't happy about it." Some don't like his middle name "Hussein." Many white people see him as representing a time when they'll be a "Minority," which they'll "fight to prevent."

In 2008 that guy Barack Obama, who grew up in Hawaii where Mr. Mark now lives with his family; became President. Since then Mr. Steve has noticed a few times how many people are buying more guns and ammunition. Daisy says we have a few guns in our house too.

Mr. Steve thinks today, like the 1850's or years leading to the American Civil War; there's "Polarization" where both sides think the other is an evil enemy. On that "Internet," everyone can live in an "Echo Chamber;" or "Alternate Reality." You only hear things on your side.

HIGH SKY

Mr. Cliff thinks, if a civil war breaks out in the U.S.; the only chance the Liberals have is if the armed forces and Police are on their side. If not, then an even bigger slaughter may happen. Many people now listen only to things that "Reinforce" what they already want to believe.

I mentioned earlier how Mr. Steve's family often eat at "Coffee and Cream" down there in Sylmar. Mr. Hussein who runs it thinks, and so do my boss and Mr. Steve's father too; having a black President may eventually lead to a "Backlash" by white people. Dawn's barking.

My boss and Mr. Hussein talked about Egypt's civil war, where the military "Took Over." Usually in history Mr. Steve thinks, whichever side the armed forces support wins. Hey God! In the 1700's that guy "Voltaire" joked about You being on the side with "Bigger Battalions."

THREE MAJOR "NEWS" NETWORKS